Cultural events

“Fort Rêveur” is the title of the latest CharlÉlie album, a record sold in vinyl format which includes the lyrics of hits, exclusive photos and the tour poster. Born in Nancy and exiled in New York, this multi-disciplinary artist (writer, photographer, painter...) takes up the microphone again and gets back on stage, thus ending the long wait endured by his French fans. February 12th at the Théâtre Lino Ventura, Nice (04 97 25 62 75).

Jean-Antoine Hierro has just launched the Hierro Desvilles Art Gallery, a brand new space in which he shares his passion for art in general and some of its players, in particular. While exhibiting his own work in the guise of self-portraits, ceramics and accumulations, he also leaves considerable room for young local artists such as Cisco Kidd, Ségolène Savoff, Patrick Brange and Sidney Hennion. Visitors can also admire several pieces by Patrick Fréga - a Niçois sculptor who is drawing more and more attention -, including a chainsaw and mousetrap. As a discerning collector, Hierro also proposes classic paintings (portraits and still-lifes), contemporary works by César, Fahri, Arman and Combas, an engraving by Dali, drawings by Cocteau, ceramics by Picasso... In the basement, his collection of primitive art appeals to fans of the genre. 4 rue Antoine Gauthier, Nice (04 97 121 515).

The Phénix circus presents “The most spectacular acts in the world”. Fifty artistes, all nationalities combined, propose a mind-boggling show which keeps the audience breathless for two full hours without a single break. Acrobatics, special effects, tricks and even sessions with 3D animation see that young and old alike are treated to thrills, laughter and dreams. February 22nd at La Palestre, Le Cannet (0 825 564 888).

A loyal servant who resorts to all the tricks in the book to get a son banished by his father back into the family... That’s Carlo Goldoni’s “La Serva Amorosa”, staged by Christophe Lidon. In the three main roles, Clémentine Célarié, Claire Nadeau (“Molière 2010” for an actress in a supporting role) and Robert Hirsch compete in talent to offer a show of sheer jubilation. February, from16th to 20th, at the Théâtre de Nice (04 93 13 90 90).

Jérémy Liron has opted for painting, a means of expression that some now regard as a thing of the past. Yet this young artist proves the contrary, with his beautiful figurative canvases which, assembled here, make for a fascinating exhibition. The former student of the Beaux-Arts in Toulon, then in Paris, focuses on the contemporary urban landscape, and more specifically on housing. He thus reproduces many blocks of apartments, seemingly inspired by the tradition that once existed in paintings of architecture by Dutch artists (Vermeer, Van der Heyden, Saenredam...). A subject, a style and talent… Jérémy Liron has all the right ingredients, and the result is a success ! Until March 13th at the Hôtel des Arts, Toulon (04 94 91 69 18).

A real international showcase, the Monaco Dance Forum, held every two years, was created to dynamize and promote the professional world of dance. Training courses, classes and workshops succeed one another for young ballet companies before making way for auditions and rewards (scholarships and contracts). In parallel, the Ohad Naharin Batsheva Dance Company will perform two choreographies entitled “Hora” and “Deca Dance”. February, from 12th to 18th, at the Grimaldi Forum, Monaco (00 377 99 99 30 00).

Just try to imagine four actors sharing about 150 roles ! Adapting “The 39 Steps” for the theatre would seem to be a crazy challenge. Gérald Sibleyras and Eric Métayer (stage production and interpretation) have taken it on with great panache, turning it into an exhilarating show. Alfred Hitchcock would certainly have been amused… February 12th and 13th at the Théâtre de Grasse (04 93 40 53 00).

The Granet Museum turns over a new leaf by looking straight into the eyes of the 21st century with the Electronic Shadow duo ! Architect Naziha Mestaoui and director Yacine Aït Kaci fill the museum’s 1,200 sq. metres with Futuréalismes, their “manifesto exhibition” designed as a sensorial path through contemporary utopias. They can be trusted to transport us virtually into a world of hybridization merging reality with the immaterial, to jostle our senses and guide our imagination. At the intersection of art, science, philosophy and poetry, Futuréalismes uses new technologies and interactive installations to heighten our awareness of “transformations of the industrial world”, to which the two accomplices are particularly sensitive and responsive. Prepare for immediate boarding ! Until April 30th at the musée Granet, Aix-en-Provence (04 42 52 88 32).

This popular fairytale, revealing that good fairies are unfortunately not the only ones to lean over cradles, has already inspired several authors. After Charles Perrault and the Brothers Grimm, Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky also took an interest in the tale and turned it into a ballet, with Marius Petitpas signing the choreography. Fifty dancers from Kiev’s National Opera Ballet take over the stage with all the grace necessary to provide a most enchanting spectacle. January 22nd at Acropolis, Nice.

Noticed at the “Biennale of Contemporary Art” in Lyon in 2009, artist Pedro Cabrita Reis of Lisbon “illuminates” the white spaces of the Carré d'Art with fluorescent tubes, one of his favourite materials. Drawing, painting, photography and sculpture : his 10 years of intense creativity make us want to fly off to Porto to discover his monumental “Palacio Escultura”. Until January 23rd, Nîmes (04 66 76 35 77).

Of all the plays by Eugène Labiche, “Un Pied dans le Crime” is certainly not the most well-known. Jean-Louis Benoît has decided to stage it, thus giving it a prominent place in the great playwright’s work. For this real vaudeville comedy, he respects the passages that are sung and entertains the public by allowing them to savour the misunderstandings, the boorishness and ferocity of the relationships between the characters concerned. The story is about two neighbours who argue to the point that one challenges the other to a duel. Costumed, made-up and coiffed in an unusual way, Dominique Pinon and Philippe Torreton enjoy themselves while amusing the audience. Sheer delight ! January, from 27th to 30th, at the Théâtre de Nice (04 93 13 90 90).

A rhinoceros held aloft by straps, a sumo wrestler pushing against an invisible wall, a pile of used tyres symbolizing our society's excessive consumption... The sculptures of Stefano Bombardieri challenge, question or disturb, but certainly do not leave us indifferent. Sometimes with a discreet wink to the master Dali, this Italian artist produces surrealist or hyper-realistic works with undeniable talent. Until January 20th at the Galerie Ferrero, Nice (04 93 88 34 44).

This “Female Artist of the Year” in the Classical BRITS awards 2009 and main guest Leo Hussain (Musical Director of the Landestheater of Salzbourg) are to join Nice’s Philharmonic Orchestra on January 30th for a one-off concert. On the programme : Haydn (Symphonie N° 82 in C major, “The Bear”, and the concerto in E flat for trumpet & orchestra) and Bartok (music for strings, percussion & celesta). January 30th at the Théâtre Croisette, Cannes (04 93 48 61 10).

“Force et mouvement” brings together sculptors Raâk, Ghyslaine and Sylvain Staëlens and photographer John Conley. The latter presents three series of photos, one on Carlo Locatelli’s “Smart” choreography, another on women and the third devoted to landscapes. As for the sculptures, Raâk shares his passion for terra-cotta, displaying his potteries, couples who are but one, solitary beings or scenes portraying Celtic mythology. The Staëlens duo assembles branches, crushed volcanic stone, wire and red sand to create totems, dolls and even bas-reliefs. Compositions that are more intriguing than those of their fellow exhibitors… Until January 19th at the Espace Miramar (04 97 06 44 90).

Yann Savall is one of the “Photographers in Asia” whose work is being consecrated by Nice’s Museum of Asian Art. Accompanied by his faithful lens, Savall travelled all over Vietnam, especially in the Sapa region, bringing back many shots. His photographs bear witness to the splendour of the rice fields during the monsoon period. An artistic journey high in colour… Until January 31th at the Musée des Arts Asiatiques, Nice (04 92 29 37 00).

With “Signes/Paysages” by Olivier Debré, the Ziem Museum finds an echo of its permanent collection and landscape painting assumes all its modernity. Especially as in this particular case, it becomes abstract, sensual and totally subjective : after all, didn't Debré abandon his easel to paint on the floor ? Until January 23rd, Martigues (04 42 41 39 60).

Alongside Victor Brauner, Yves Tanguy and André Breton, Jacques Hérold was one of the major figures in the Surrealist movement : his presence in Marseille for three years, from 1940 to 1943, fully justifies the tribute now being paid to him by the Cantini Museum. To give a clearer understanding of his paintings, esoteric drawings and surrealist games (“Cadavres Exquis”), the exhibition highlights two major periods in his career - “Germinations” (1930-1934) and “ Cristallisations” (1934-1938) -, while also throwing light on his personality through a series of documents, a few books and a video making Jacques Hérold more present than ever. Until January 17th at the musée Cantini (04 91 54 77 75).

2010 is the “Year of Russia” in France. To round it off beautifully, the Centre d’Art La Malmaison has chosen to present about 60 paintings from the Russian School, all belonging to the collection of Tatiana and Georgy Khatsenkov (owners of the MC Fine Arts gallery in Monaco). These paintings of nudes bear the illustrious signatures of Georges Annenkov, Sonia Delaunay, Lydia Dmitrievskaya and Leonid Frechkopf. Until January 30th at the Centre d’Art de la Malmaison, 47 la Croisette, Cannes (04 97 06 45 21).

Two adjectives that fit Tiken Jah Fakoly like a glove. This reggae per-former who constantly campaigns for human rights and education proves it once again by making a con-tribution to the “One concert, one school” project. His “African Revolution Tour” will thus reap very useful funds while allowing the public to discover his latest album on stage. A more intimate work which will probably become a new benchmark. January 30th at the Palais Nikaïa, Nice (04 97 25 62 75).

Six photographers focused on the theme of agriculture, each contributing his or her own particular vision. Florence Ducarne-Blanes toured the wheat fields of Le Poitou, taking shots of agricultural machinery. Working at night, Michel Séméniako concentrated on buildings and infrastructures in the peasant milieu, producing a sumptuous play on light. The style adopted by Marie-Michèle Bertin-Caron to talk about agriculture (still-lifes in black-and-white) surprises and entertains, while the sociological angle chosen by Bertrand Desprez highlights father-son relationships in the vineyards of L’Hérault and farms in the Upper Alps. Finally, Luc Moeneclaey was inspired by earth-sky contrasts in French landscapes, while Xavier Depoilly roamed India and Tibet to report that the activity there has not changed since neolithic times. Until December 31st at the Musée de la Photographie André Villers, Mougins (04 93 75 85 67).