La Vigie Lounge and Restaurant is reopening for a new season, giving guests a touch of bohemian chic, seaside.
The opening is part of the Monte-Carlo Beach’s multi-faceted launch of the 2021 season. Firstly, on 28th May, the Beach Hotel and the Elsa Michelin-starred restaurant flung open their doors, with new Chef Manon Fleury at the helm. Then came the opening of the Beach Club and the unveiling of the new beach designed to match its 1930s origins. Now, it is time for La Vigie Lounge and Restaurant to reopen its doors for the season, from 25th June to 5th September.
Nestled among pine trees and amidst a classified bird sanctuary, with the sea as its only horizon, this little piece of paradise offers a relaxing atmosphere and cool summer vibes.
With its bohemian chic decor, azure blue reflections and immaculate white tones, the lounge bar is designed to seduce, offering up signature cocktails, refined wines and delicious platters to share. Comfortably seated in large armchairs facing the sea, guests are invited to pass the hours to the rhythm of summer tunes delivered by a resident DJ. Photo of La Vigie Lounge and Restaurant by SBM
Meanwhile, under the creative direction of Chef Pascal Garrigues and his team, the terrace restaurant offers a gourmet menu with South American flavours, including guacamole, empanadas and amberjack ceviche for starters, followed by specialties from the famous Josper Grill such as wagyu beef ribeye, freshly caught fish of the day and scrumptious king crab.
Long summer dinners with friends and loved ones are back on the agenda.
Monaco continues to position itself as one of Europe’s leading gastronomic destinations, this time welcoming Italian Michelin-starred chef Andrea Berton for a pop-up restaurant at the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo this summer.
Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer is pursuing its year of gastronomy to the delight of its guests. After the launch of the restaurant Yannick Alléno at the Hermitage Hotel Monte-Carlo, the launch of the Monte-Carlo Festival of Stars and the arrival of new chef Manon Fleury at Elsa at Monte-Carlo Beach, the time has come for the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo to create an event.
After the success of the 1st pop-up launched with Andrea Berton for the end of year celebrations in 2020, the Italian Michelin-starred chef is returning to the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo to offer the best of his cuisine with another pop-up restaurant from 6th July to 22nd August. The terrace restaurant at the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo
One of Italy’s most decorated chefs, Andrea Berton learned his art in Milan, Florence, London, and in Monaco under Alain Ducasse at Louis XV. He has been awarded four Michelin stars throughout his 27-year career.
Chef Andrea Berton’s challenge with this second pop-up restaurant is to continue to surprise the palettes of fine diners by reinventing traditional Italian dishes with a large variety of flavours. Among the dishes on the menu this summer: squid tagliatelle with spicy tomato sauce and amaranth popcorn, and the chef’s own version of tiramisù.
His food can be enjoyed indoors amid décor designed by Pierre-Yves Rochon, or looking out to sea from the recently re-landscaped terrace garden of Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo.
The Metropole Hotel has announced the reopening date of its rooftop hotspot, Odyssey Lounge Bar and Restaurant, where guests can enjoy everything from a relaxing after work apero to a Mediterranean dinner under the stars.
Located next to a swimming pool, the Odyssey was forced to stay closed due to health restrictions despite the reopening of the Metropole Hotel in April. But not for much longer.
From Thursday 10th June, the Odyssey Lounge Bar and Restaurant returns, ready to host guests for cocktails and dinner. Photo of the Karl Lagerfeld-designed rooftop by C. Larit
Situated in Monte-Carlo, the beating heart of Monaco, this peaceful locale, imagined and designed by the late, great Karl Lagerfeld, is a place to relax and enjoy the best of Monaco’s summer.
It will feature music curated by the hotel’s sound designer, Beatrice Ardisson, and from 7pm onwards, Odyssey will offer aperos and gourmet tapas including a cocktail bar menu.
When the sun goes down, the full impact of the Lagerfeld mural depicting the voyage of Ulysses will be played up using artistic and tasteful lights twinkling off the pool to create a stunning overall effect.
To top it all off, Executive Chef Christophe Cussac will be serving up Mediterranean-style fare using fresh, seasonal products, offering the best the Côte d’Azur has to offer from his newly renovated kitchens. Photo of the Odysee Restaurant by C. Larit
“People do not see what has been done in the back of house, but it is a revolution for our teams, it is so exciting,” Chef Cussac told Monaco Life during April’s hotel reopening.
For a taste of Monaco elegance, check out the Odyssey, open for dinner from 7:30pm Thursday to Monday all summer.
South African drama Reyka will open the 60th Monte-Carlo Television Festival this June, while organisers have also revealed who will be judging this year’s top international series.
As the Monte-Carlo Television Festival approaches, the organisers are gradually revealing the details of this anniversary edition, including the World Premiere Opening Screening and the jury members who will meet in Monaco to decide the winners of the Golden Nymph Awards 2021.
The glamorous red carpet opening ceremony for the festival takes place on 18th June at the Grimaldi Forum Monaco. A glittering array of acting and creative talent from around the world and this year’s eminent jury members will join H.S.H. Prince Albert II, Honorary President of the Festival, who will officially declare the commencement of the five-day event.
The two juries, made up of leading exponents from the worlds of television drama and news, will be officially presented during the opening ceremony, before starting to screen together all of the nominated fiction and news content from across the globe.
Fiction Jury President is Swedish writer, director and producer Måns Mårlind (The Bridge, Midnight Sun, Shadowplay) who will preside over fellow award-winning jury members, French actor Arnaud Ducret (Parents mode d’emploi, Mensonges), German producer Moritz Polter (Das Boot, Freud), iconic French actor and singer, Joey Starr (Polisse, Mafiosa, Le Remplaçant), British screenwriter and Direcror Kay Mellor (The Syndicate, Band of Gold) and Norwegian producer Anders Tangen (Lilyhammer, Home for Christmas).
Meanwhile, President of the News Jury, independent filmmaker Evgeny Afineevsky (Winter On Fire: Ukraine’s Fight For Freedom, Cries From Syria) will be joined by the following jury members: Monegasque journalist Leila Ghandi, Italian producer Gisella Marengo, Editor of France Télévisions Hugo Plagnard and Spanish RTVE international & investigative TV reporter Pilar Requena.
The 60th Opening Ceremony of the Monte-Carlo Television Festival will conclude with the worldwide premiere of South African drama Reyka, a crime thriller starring Kim Engelbrecht (Dominion, The Flash), Iain Glen (Game of Thrones, Downton Abbey) and Thando Thabethe (How to Ruin Christmas: The Wedding). The series’ director is Zwelesizwe Ntuli (Hard to Get) and the producer Serena Cullen (Lady Chatterley’s Lover).
The story: haunted by her past, a flawed but brilliant criminal profiler returns to her hometown to solve a string of brutal murders committed by a serial killer amongst the sugarcane fields of Kwa-Zulu-Natal. Having been abducted as a child, Reyka is traumatised by the experience but this also helps her enter the minds of Africa’s most notorious criminals and turn them inside out. Being mixed race in a country where one is expected to choose, her refusal to pick a side gives her the ability to see what others cannot, but her gift has consequences for her and those she loves.
“We are very pleased to welcome such an eminent line-up of jury members who will screen all competing programmes in Monaco during the festival, with the very difficult task to select the ultimate winners, to be awarded on 22nd June during the Golden Nymph Awards Ceremony,” said Festival CEO Laurent Puons. “It is also my greatest pleasure to open this 60th anniversary with the series Reyka. Beginning the festival with a South African production has a very special touch, especially in light of the close ties that exist between South Africa and the Principality of Monaco. This dynamic drama looks set to be a global hit and we’re thrilled to be able to kick off our festival with this worldwide launch.”
Previous opening screenings and premieres at the Monte-Carlo Television Festival include, among others, Crossing Lines, Empire, Absentia, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan and L.A’s Finest.
The Sporting Summer Festival is back this year with a series of unmissable shows by internationally acclaimed artists at oh-so glamorous locations around the Principality including the Salle des Etoiles, the Opera Garnier and Casino Square.
The Monte-Carlo Sporting Summer Festival has been a Monaco institution since its inception in 1974. Each year in July and August, the festival features talent from around the globe and has something for everyone.
This year from 16th July to 14th August, the summer nights will be electrified with the sounds of several top-notch performances put together by Artistic Director Jean-René Palacio. The line-up includes some unmissable nights with the stars.
It all kicks off with English jazz-pop singer-songwriter Jamie Cullum headlining the Croix Rouge Monegasque Gala on 16th July. For the first time ever, the gala will be held in the newly-refurbished Casino Square giving party-goers a night under the stars with a view onto the world’s most famous casino and tunes from the multi-talented Cullum.
Next up is The Show: A Tribute to ABBA on 24th July, which ABBA’s official fan club described as “undoubtedly the best ABBA since ABBA.” No one will be able to resist singing and dancing along to their old favourites, all whilst being part of a good cause. To make the night even more authentic, original band member Ulf Andersson is part of the ensemble cast. Proceeds benefit local organisation Fight AIDS Monaco.
Zucchero, the nom de plume for legendary Italian singer Adelmo Fornaciari, plays on 25h July when he will perform renditions of his most popular hits such as Senza Una Donna, Il Volo, and Baila Morena. He has sold more than 60 million records worldwide over his 39-year career and will be giving his fans and newcomers to his music a night to remember.
On 31st July, two Russian acts dominate the evening. The first is the country’s most popular singer, Stas Mikhailov, who at 51 is the reigning king of music in the Federation, followed by Artik and Asti, a duo formed in 2010 and who found massive YouTube success. Their tour is called Sad Dance, but with their uplifting music, it’ll be anything but.
The ‘Night of the Orient’ is the first concert of August, taking place on the 5thand featuring the Arab world’s celebrated artist and voice coach Assi Al Hallani. The Lebanese singer has spent the past three decades delighting fans with his music, but is also known for his humanitarian acts, which include putting on several charity concerts to fight poverty and hunger.
6th August, the Summer Festival welcomes back singer, pianist and composer Paolo Conte. This accomplished artist, who also plays trombone and vibraphone, began his adult life as a lawyer before starting a jazz band with his drum-playing brother. He has never looked back and has had a musical run spanning from the 1960s.
One of the Latin world’s hottest singers, Enrique Iglesias, plays the festival on 7th August. Son of singing legend Julio Iglesias, Enrique has made a career as solid as his dad’s with 10 studio albums to his credit, three greatest hits compilations and an incredible 180 million records sold. Fans can now see him in the intimate setting of the Salle des Etoile, making any hot summer night even hotter.
10th August welcomes three amazing acts. First up is Valery Meladze, one of Russia’s most known contemporary and pop artists who has delighted fans for two decades. Though he’s a tough act to follow, Via Gra is surely up to the task. The gorgeous Ukrainian pop trio have many hits to their credit and are sure to rope in new fans as well as entertain old ones at the festival. Last but not least is iconic singer, host, and actress Albina Dzhanabaeva, who started her career with Meladze, but took off in her own right becoming a beloved Russian favourite.
Two families, one who hails from Montpellier and the other from Arles, formed an extended family band 40 years ago who have captivated audiences the world over. It would be difficult to find someone who hasn’t heard of The Gipsy Kings, and now they will be performing live on 13th August for the festival singing hits such as the Spanish infused Bamboléo and Djoba, Djoba.
Last but not least is a get-up-and-dance night of 1970s American disco with Sister Sledge. The four sisters who make up the band will be on hand to perform memorable hits such as The Freak as well as their biggest song, the iconic We are Family, which is now thought to be the benchmark of the Uptown Funk era. The ladies will perform on 14th August.
To get tickets for cool music on hot summer nights, visit the SBM website at www.montecarlosbm.com
Espinasse 31 Contemporary Art Gallery has brought the works of Tomoko Nagao and Robi Walters to the Principality for the first time with an exhibition at the Meridien Hotel.
The exhibition, titled High Chroma / High Vigour, features Milanese-based Japanese artist Tomoko Nagao and London born and bred artist Robi Walters.
The works have been curated by Antonio and Thomas Castiglioni, and bring together the two artists, highlighting their unique styles and expressive vitality.
“The exhibition is an exploration of fundamental properties of art—colour, material, dimensionality, symbolism—and how they make us feel. High Chroma / High Vigour creates a space in which Tomoko and Robi’s creations coexist and balance each other, focusing on their common expression of energy through colourful displays,” explains the gallery.
Art is meant to evoke emotion, say the organisers, and to this end the exhibition hopes that visitors view the works through their relationship with the artist rather than as objects to be simply looked at.
Tomoko Nagao is known as one of the leading figures in the international Micropop art movement. She started studies in her home country of Japan before moving on to London where she attended the Chelsea College of Art. This is where her personal style was developed, and her popularity has been on the rise ever since, boasting shows at the Victoria and Albert Museum as well as various events in Italy and Japan.
She takes aim at consumerism by referencing high-end luxury brands and corporations, reminding audiences of “the energetic brightness in symbols of capitalism, such as advertisements.”
Robi Walters is a contemporary artist based in Soho, London. His colourful collages have attracted the attention of celebrity collectors such as Thandie Newton, Usain Bolt and Jillionaire, to name a few.
In 2018, Michelin-Star Chef Tom Kerridge commissioned Walters to create bespoke works for his restaurant Kerridge’s Bar & Grill at London’s Corinthia Hotel. In 2020, he was invited by Aston Martin to become their artist in residence. Walters has been named by The Telegraph as one of the top creatives in the UK, going on to win the ‘Arts and Culture’ category in the newspaper’s ‘Amazing 15’.
Walters’ work has encapsulated the spirit of transformation. By constructing mixed-media pieces with unusual materials, such as packaging from household items and broken vinyl LPs, he focuses on the practice of taking discarded objects and making them beautiful to revivify their intrinsic worth—with a creative process and product that is reminiscent of both pop art and arte povera movements.
Both artists works are hopeful and vibrant, mirroring the new hope of a return to normalcy in daily life after more than a year of pandemic conditions.
The exhibit will be on display at the Meridien Hotel until 7th June.
Photo by Espinasse 31 Contemporary Art Gallery
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