La Fête de la Musique was initiated in 1982 by the French Ministry of Culture. Every year on the twenty-first day of June, France erupts into virtual chaos. People clog the streets, walking around listening to teenage noisepunk bands singing through telephone receivers, trios playing Tunisian folk songs, house DJ's playing out the windows of second floor apartments, and rappers in front of governmental buildings. Every bar and restaurant is overflowing, and all road traffic (including public transportation) is slowed to a crawl.

I was in Grenoble last Friday, as I have been since February, absolutely amazed by a simple walk through the city. I had to walk; the city's busses and tramways were nearly inoperative due to the insane pedestrian traffic.

Be careful if you're ever in France on this night. It's certainly a lot of fun, but remember, it's perfectly legal to carry around a big bottle of cheap wine and take swigs out of it. By the time it's empty, every trash can in the surrounding area will be full , so it will end up on the ground. In a crowd, it will not be seen, and will likely be stepped on. Soyez aware!