Samois

crookedpinky · June 2008

Hi all. I am going to Samois this year for the first time. I am going
alone - my other half having very wisely decided that 4 days of following me round watching other guitarists was maybe not, after all, for her.

Anyway, I dont know anyone else who is going - apart from a couple of people who I haven't met, only emailed. Originally we had intended to stay at the Formule1 hotel in Melun but on the advice of Neville Willis ( of Harmsworth & Willis guitars ) and as I am being left to my own devices I am now camping. Apparently that's where jams occur. So I will be in Le Petit Barbeau campsite arriving on 25th. I have a small blue and orange tent and it will have a Scottish saltire flag ( blue with a white cross ) on top orbeside it. I managed to book a place there after phoning the site and only then remembering that I dont really speak French. Anyway the lady at the other end was very patient and It's booked. If you're passing say hello.

Finally, on Saturday the 28th I intend to go to the Marches aux Puces
( Flea Market ) just north of Paris - I am hiring a car for the whole trip, this
makes getting from the airport easier, allows me to go to the Marches aux
Puces and if, god forbid it pisses down, I can retreat to the car.

As well as the Marches aux Puces I will be visiting La Chope Des Puces,
which if you dont know is a small bar/cafe where some great Gypsy players play every weekend. Check it out on youtube.

If anyones interested in coming youd be welcome - just bear in mind that you wouldn't get back to Samois until 7.30 - 8.00 and that you cant sue me if it all goes wrong and we end up in another country.

djangology · June 2008

Fontainbleau (near Samois) has a nice flea market also. I think its on Sunday and maybe also on Saturday but surprisingly there isn't a gypsy jazz band playing at the market.

Its about a 2-3km walk from that campsite to Samois and so be ready for that. Try to get free rides from people... thats my advice. I think its a good idea to camp also. Have fun. :-)

dennis · June 2008

why don't you go to the flea market on sunday? that's when ninine plays at the chope...

and also the campsite where all the big guns hanging out is the one in samoreau; but the samois campsiste where you're staying is nice too

crookedpinky · June 2008

Thanks Dennis and Djangology. I may well take a trip to the flea market at Fountainbleu, so thanks for the heads up on that one.

There is a method in my madness ( I think ) in going to La Chope on Saturday.

1. I want to visit Guitare Village, in Domont, as well. They seem to have a nice selection of interesting guitars - including Favinos, Pattenotes etc.

2 The local DHL office is open on Saturday and not far from Marches aux Puces - so, if - and I do mean if - I buy anything I can have shipped back to Scotland.

3. At my stage of playing development I'll be stunned by whoever I hear at La Chope - maybe next year I'll be ready for Ninine

4. I would like to attend the Mass for Django on Sunday and I dont want to miss Trio Rosenberg

5. I decided on the Petit Barbeau campsite rather than Samoreau for a couple of reasons. First, proximity to the festival and the fact that the smaller guns hang out there. I do want to have a jam or three and I know I'll be put off if there's too big a skill gap between my abilities and those around me.

Thanks again for the info, all the best.

Alan

djangology · June 2008

I would like to attend the Mass for Django on Sunday

I didnt know they did that. Thats good to know.

EmmettRay · June 2008

Hey!

I'm also going to Samois alone 1st time, and will probably camp as well. Won't really know anyone else there besides Denis so if you want to meet up please let me know! I'm flying from NYC arriving on Thursday. See you there!

Emmett