Dancing in the Street, Sunday 29 July

Take advantage of the balmy evenings to go along to the bandstand at the top of the Canebière and take part in the last of the season's Rendez-vous du Kiosque with Bal Décalé. The band was born from a meeting of 4 musicians from Poum Tchack and features Marseillais singer Mr K and double bassist Abdenor Natouri, with "Pee Wee" (Jean-philippe Steverlynck), violin - Alex Morier, guitar - Olivier Dambezat, guitar  and Sam Bobin, drums. They offer a mixture of (among others) swing, rock and roll, New Orleans jazz and tango.

You can also listen and dance to music from the 80s provided by DJ K-RO.

It starts at 6pm and its free to all!

Tango in the open air, 20 July

You can watch the dancing, you can listen to the music or you can dance. Courtesy of La Rue du Tango, if you go along to the square in front of Gare Saint Charles at 8pm on Friday you can enjoy an evening of tango with Tangaéro and DJ Benoit le Noir. It's free and if you go to the Rue du Tango website you can take part in the photography competition, with prizes for the best pictures.

Recital at Saint Victor Abbey 15 July

An unusual concert with an unusual instrument, at Saint Victor Abbey. Valentin Tournet will perform variations on the theme of La Folia (songs and dances popular in Spain and Portugal in the middle ages). He plays the Viola da Gamba, a baroque musical instrument, not to be confused with a violin. The recital starts at 5pm and it's free. You can take the opportunity to admire the abbey at the same time.

Ahmad Compaore Trio 13 July

This is one of a series of events taking place at the Théâtre Silvain, an open air amphitheatre just above the Corniche (Anse de Fausse Monnaie - take the 83 bus to Fausse Monnaie and walk up the steps). Go along to see the drummer, percussionist and composer Ahmad Compaoré, performing with Jeff Kellner (guitar), Sylvain Terminiello (double bass)  and special guest Christophe LeLiol (bugle and trumpet).   It starts at 9pm and it's free.

Ahmad Compaoré

There is also a projection of the 1969 Egyptian film, by Shadi Abdel Salam, La Momie (The Mummy).

Roberto Alagna sings at Villeneuve-Bargemon 7 July

If you're near the Vieux Port this evening there's an operatic concert featuring Franco-Italian tenor Roberto Alagna and the Philharmonic Orchestra of Marseille. It's in the open air at Esplanade Villeneuve-Bargemon, next to the Hôtel de Ville. It starts around 8:30 and it's free.

Roberto Alagna

There is also, throughout July, an exhibition of calligraphy in the Espace Villeneuve-Bargemon supported by Marseille Esperance.

Mimi Festival Îles de Frioul 6-8 July

Take a trip (or two) to the Îles de Frioul this weekend to listen to the music and soak up the atmosphere of the islands. There are concerts galore, guided walks and a cookery workshop to help you prepare your concert picnic. It's all organised by AMI (Aide aux Musiques Innovatirces) and artists performing include Blurt from the UK, Orchestra of Spheres from New Zealand and, a world premiere outside Vanatu (Nouvelle Calédonie) for the Peirua String Band. Details in French and English on the AMI/MIMI website.

You can buy a three day ticket in advance for 49€ (concert and ferry crossing) through digtick, you can buy day tickets in advance for 19.99 from digitick Carrefour and FNAC, or you can buy tickets on the day for 25€ at the Vieux Port. If you have mobility problems ring the advance booking office for advice +33(0)4 95 04 95 50.  

Wild camping is prohibited on the islands.