Oxford Fiddle Group in Grenoble, France

I've just returned from a musical trip to Grenoble, France with the Oxford Fiddle Group. We were there as part of the 20th anniversary celebrations of the twinning of Grenoble and Oxford. Our hosts were the " Rigodons et Traditions" - Musique traditionnelles du Dauphine
They made sure we had a wonderful time full music, friendship, food, wine and other activities!

I apologise for so many photos but so much was packed into our stay.
On our arrival on Friday evening, we spent an excellent evening at the home of Christian and Joce Vignon from Rigodons. An unbelievable meal was followed by music and dance.

Friday evening

Saturday, warm and fine was spent playing to crowds at Place de Metz and Rue Poulet in Grenoble.

Place de Metz The Place de Metz performance appeared in the local Sunday paper

Rue Felix PouletRue Felix Poulet performing with Rigodons & Traditions

A big audience at Rue Felix Poulet

All ages getting involved!

Saturday evening was spent with a different group of Grenoble folk musicians. An excellent meal laid on by the rather quaint 'Stop Croc' was followed by a lengthy session. Oddly, George Woodcock, an English man living in Grenoble who organised the session, brought along his son's half size double bass which I used instead of my bass guitar.

The session at the Stop Croc

Some things never change even though the bass is a bit small!

Sunday was a glorious day. We performed in Rue Lafayette and then in Place St Claire

Rue Lafayette

Sunday evening saw us driving out of Grenoble to perform with Rigodons et Traditions at St Jean de Moirans Centre Socio-Culturel. It goes without saying that every performance, indoors or outdoors, daytime or evening had plenty of food and drink to accompany it.

St Jean de Moirans Centre Socio-Culturel

On Monday we were taken up into the Alps for a tour which finished in the Chartreuse cellars for extended tasting! It was at this point that my camera battery died so the only photo taken on Monday was the one below on the tour.

Our final performance was on Monday evening at the Maison des Clubs, Sassenage. The evening started with an Oxford Fiddle Group 45 minute concert and was followed by food, drink and then 'Soiree Folk' avec des amis du Folk de la region grenobloise. It meant lots of people (who had listened to the concert) dancing to music by Oxford Fiddle Group, Rigodons and other local musicians. This was an excellent end to an outstading 4 days.