Cultured Song Bites - song-writing academy at retreat

ESTEREL MOUNTAINS, France - March 13, 2013 - PRLog -- Chateau Lou Casteou in the French Riviera is launching a singing and song writing workshop, as part of its first ever Luxury Cultural Retreat – an all-inclusive experience, debuting 21 to 26 April 2013.
http://www.loucasteou.com/


Founding members of the award-winning Italian band Hippie Tendencies, Lisa Marie Simmons and Marco Cremaschini, will tutor attendees on singing technique and the instrument of their choice, as well as developing and improving song-writing skills. Participants will then have the opportunity to record their own original work and take home a copy. Lisa and Marco will also play nightly to guests.

Verona’s leading newspaper L’Arena this month described Hippie Tendencies, as a "magical unexpected mix that make up a completely original product, full of commercial potentiality". The charisma and stage presence of American singer/songwriter and published poet Lisa, has won her fans worldwide – whilst Italian Marco’s talents lie in his mastery of many instruments, foremost piano, song writing and arrangements.

Both Lisa and Marco boast collaborations with high profile professionals such as Larry Thompson - the trusted session drummer of Stevie Wonder and Michael McDonald, and 2013 Grammy nominee, Mark Oblinger. The pair are currently enjoying a wave of success throughout Europe and America, performing material from two new albums - The Italian Project and Identità (a Hippie Tendencies C.D.). The former album was released on 23rd February and co-written with seasoned performers, Lisa Bell and Bob Story. Identità is scheduled for an early summer release.

The singing and song writing school is part of the all-inclusive Luxury Retreat, where guests will also master the arts of Italian cuisine, trekking and painting, in the property’s lavish surroundings.

The Retreat package is aimed to appeal to all ages and levels of expertise and can be personalized to meet individual objectives - singles and couples alike, and can cater for up to 16 guests. Included in the package are transfers from Nice airport, five nights’ luxury en-suite accommodation - with either sea or mountain views, a formal champagne reception, wine tasting, gourmet food and drink, nightly entertainment, and all classes and materials. Guests will also be visit local art galleries and a Provencal market. The price of the retreat including VAT is 2,950 Euros per person or 5,500 Euros per couple, or two sharing.

Lou Casteou, which means ‘The Chateau’ in old Provençale French, was built in 1904 by Lord Amherst of Hackney - a lover or antiquities who funded the Howard Carter expeditions to Egypt, and the discovery of Tutankhamen’s tomb. The property is situated in the Esterel Mountains between Cannes and St. Tropez, and enjoys breath-taking views of the ocean and picturesque villages below. Amongst other accolades, Lou Casteou was selected by Simon Cowell as his ‘judge’s house’ on The X Factor in 2011.

ENDS

For further information, or images:
Leila Stocker
Twitter: @Turtle_PR
Tel: +44 (0)7889 231000

About Luxury Cultural Retreat at Lou Casteou:
Lou Casteou is hosting a Luxury Cultural Retreat on 21 April to 26 April 2013. The experience offers a perfect getaway for guests looking to simply unwind, or partake in a range of cultural activity classes, tutored by experts and offered on a daily basis. These include singing and song-writing classes, an Italian cuisine cooking course, art workshop, trekking and appreciation of nature sessions and dancing classes. The experience also includes transfers from Nice airport, a formal champagne reception, wine tasting, gourmet food and drink, visits to a Provencal market and art galleries, and nightly entertainment. The Retreat will cater for up to 24 guests and five nights’ accommodation is provided, in beautiful en-suite bedrooms with either sea or mountain views. The price of the retreat including VAT is 2,950 Euros per person or 5,500 Euros per couple, or two sharing.
www.loucasteou.com/luxury-cote-azur-cultural-retreat.asp

About Lou Casteou:
Lou Casteou, which means ‘The Chateau’ in old Provençale French, was built in 1904 by Lord Amherst of Hackney - a lover or antiquities who funded the Howard Carter expeditions to Egypt, and the discovery of Tutankhamen’s tomb. The property was purchased in 2006 by Chris and Morag Baxter, who restored it to its former historical glory, adding touches of modern luxury, such as a home cinema seating 40, heated outdoor pool, and commercial kitchen. The chateau can accommodate 32 guests in luxury, with inside and outside reception areas, for events of up to 200 people. Lou Casteou offers weddings, with blessings at Lou Casteou’s small historic chapel, or within the chateau’s grounds. With a home cinema and board room facilities, Lou Casteou also caters for conferences and formal events. All pricing proposals are personalised depending on required dates, duration of stay, number of guests and objectives of their stay. Lou Casteou is situated in the Esterel Mountains between Cannes and St. Tropez; forty minutes’ drive from Nice airport and five minutes from sandy beaches, excellent sports facilities, boutiques and restaurants. Amongst other accolades, Lou Casteou was selected by Simon Cowell as his ‘judge’s house’ on The X Factor in 2011.