Wondering what’s on in Mauritius when you’ve had enough sun, sea, and sand? The island might be small, but its cultural heart is enormous. If you’re in the mood for a party, one way to start is to follow the beat of the traditional sega, whether in a resort or sheltering under the filao trees near a public beach. It’s the rhythm of Mauritian life, and a truly festive occasion is not complete without it.
Music festivals
Now that international artists can return to Mauritius post-Covid restrictions, there are many more musical events to choose from this summer.
Otayo promotes the biggest and best music festivals in the Indian Ocean. In Mauritius, these include the Kaz’Out Festival, Noulesa Festival, Underground Rock Festival, TomorrowIsland Music Festival, The Mystik Garden, and more.
Top 6 venues for live music
Safari Bar in Grand Baie has the largest capacity among the clubs on the island. It has two dance floors and can accommodate 1 500 people. The music genres vary. They usually play R&B, hip hop, African, ragga, reggae, etc) but themed events can be around 80s, Bollywood, and Latin music. You can also catch live performances by local artists and performers from neighbouring islands.
N’Joy, “where the pleasure of sharing is exacerbated by bistronomy, art and music”, is also in Grand Baie. The venue offers a platform for local, regional, and international artists. They have a rich musical programme, featuring DJs and live performances (often unplugged) by rising stars and headliners as well as album launches.
Backstage Lounge Bar at the “artistically inspired” Hennessy Park Hotel in Ebene, Quatres Borne is a popular venue for entertaining and being entertained any time of the day. On Friday nights Backstage hosts art and fashion shows, outdoor music performances, and DJ sessions. Jason Heerah and Otentik Groove played a Kaya & Bob Marley tribute there recently. The multitalented Mauritian-born musical star lives in Australia but loves entertaining with a diverse range of music whenever he’s on the island.
Hotel Riu Le Morne on the west coast offers live music and shows. Justice Lecoq, Heerah’s protégé and winner of Best Newcomer at the Mauritius Music Awards (MMA) 2020, performed the hit Mama Afrika, which won MMA 2022 Music Video of the Year at the venue with Heerah and Otentik Groove, which won Best Group of the Year 2022.
Executive Club Coromandel is a dance venue in Beau Bassin-Rose Hill that features live music, and you can bring your own drinks and snacks.
The Clarisse Sisters are back on the island after touring the UK for six months to promote their new album, Fire & Ice. They will perform a public concert at Le Caudan Arts Centre, Port Louis this summer. A Yorkshire Times reviewer wrote of about one of the tracks, Je ne sais quoi, which he described as “an attempt to charm a French audience, but when the music is as good as this The Clarisse Sisters really do need to be heard by the many and not the few.”
Top 10 art galleries in Mauritius
The Seebaluck Art Gallery & Galerie Raphael in Pointe aux Cannoniers is home to an extensive selection of paintings by local and international artists from India, Indonesia, Réunion Island and more.
The Partage Gallery in Flic en Flac promotes a sharing of culture, ideas, and knowledge. Work by more than 40 artists is grouped in rooms dedicated to contemporary art, commercial art and landscapes, the old masters like Rembrandt and the dodo.
3A The Excellence of Art at Dinarobin Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa features a vast collection of paintings, sculptures, and photography by international and local artists. It was the first international contemporary art gallery to be established in Mauritius.
The Imaaya Art Gallery in Phoenix specialises in contemporary art, specifically through photography, painting, sculpture, drawings, and installations.
Galerie du Moulin Cassé is in a former sugar mill in Riviere Du Rempart, Pereybere. It houses two permanent exhibitions – paintings by Malcolm de Chazal (1902-1982) and nature photographs by Diane Henry.
Galerie Hélène de Senneville in Pointe aux Canonniers, Pamplemousses, is the first art gallery established in Mauritius. It promotes local art.
Institute of Contemporary Art Indian Ocean (ICAIO) presents four shows annually in Port Louis. These aim to showcase the cultural diversity of Mauritius and are a significant platform for art education on the island.
Didus Art Gallery was established at Le Caudan Waterfront in Port Louis. It has since expanded to include galleries at GBS Plaza in Grand Baie and Bagatelle Mall. Artwork by local and international artists includes paintings, lithographs, postcards, sculptures, and mosaics.
The Mauritius Glass Gallery aims to protect the environment and make the best of glass waste. Items on display include lampshades, stained-glass pictures, vases, and drinking vessels. There is a museum as well, and you can learn more about the technique and history of glassblowing.
The National Art Gallery of Mauritius was set up in Port Louis under the aegis of the Ministry of Arts and Culture. Its national collection promotes Mauritian artists and the exchange of ideas through participation in various international exhibitions.
Casinos
There are many casinos in Mauritius from private casinos in the city centres to those inside some of the major resorts. A drawcard for those who want to try their luck at slot machines or in the live table games, casinos are a popular distraction on rainy days. Some provide entertainment until as late (or early) as 4am. Patrons must be at least 18 years old. Dress is smart casual.
Mauritius has a lot to offer in terms of outdoor activities, indoor gatherings, nightlife and even cultural events. You are welcome to venture out and discover what this island has in store for you!
If you want to turn your island dreams into reality, there is no better place than The Essence! Check out this unique project, located in Trou aux Biches, with direct beach access and hotel services. It is a one-of-a-kind project in the locality and the best time to invest, as always, is now!
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