Passing the Night in a Poetic Paris
It is simply impossible to be bored in Paris — morning, noon, night and all through the night, there is something to do for everyone and anyone. The upcoming week’s activities in the City of Light are filling every waking moment, including moments when I shouldn’t even be awake!
Here’s a brief glimpse at what’s on the agenda…and perhaps you’ll want to join me for a thing or two. (Pay particular attention to next week’s poetic pasttimes!)
Saturday, October 1st, the day starts off with conversational French at Parler Parlor where I and hundreds of others have learned to speak French. (If it weren’t for the conversation group, I’d still be using sign language!) If you want to check it out, it’s free the first time you come and all you have to do is show up 5 minutes ahead of 11 a.m. at Eurocentres, 13 passage Dauphine, 6th. Visit http://www.parlerparlor.com for more info.
Later that afternoon, Parler Paris Marketing Director Lynda Sydney, Gar Westfall (the reader and friend from Hawaii who encountered the pantsless good looking guy at the laundromat last week) and I will be walking the Chocolate Walk with author Leonard Pitt (“Paris Disparu”) where we are sure to have our fill of fun and flavor. Leonard is a fountain of information and passionate about Paris…not to mention chocolate. The walks are worth every centime…just to hear him orate ecstatically on what was sadly lost during Paris’ recreation à la Haussmann. He may have a few spots left, so scroll down for more information or email him at [email protected] to reserve. (Leonard is also speaking at the Living and Investing in France Conference Dinner in San Francisco, open to the public, for those who wish to join us for the dinner and his talk. Visit /frenchproperty/conference/LIF_SF_2005/LIF_SF_dinner.html for more information.
That night is La Nuit Blanche (Sleepless Night)…the 4th year and bigger and better than ever…with the work of talented artists from all horizons (music, visual art, video, sound, lighting) deploying their skills in order to amaze and move us. In the space of a few hours, Paris will become the home of the night-owls. Museums, libraries, swimming pools and churches throw open their doors. Unconventional illuminations, offbeat sounds, unusual exhibitions, original ideas…are all on the agenda for this night without sleep. So rest up and plan on being out on the town all night long. To plan your itinerary, visit the site at http://streaming.paris.fr/nuit_blanche_2005/html/index2.htm (in French) and remember, you can now go anywhere anytime thanks to the new Noctiliens buses from 12:30 a.m. to 5:30 a.m. Click on http://www.ratp.info/orienter/cv/cartenoctilien.php for the routes map.
Sunday night October 2nd at 7 p.m., the Paris poets are gathering at my apartment to celebrate the opening of the 4th Edition of the Paris Poetry Workshop over buffet dinner with readings by Cecilia Woloch, Jeffrey Greene, Lisa Pasold and Ellen Hinsey and other Paris-based poets. It’s limited, but there are a few choice spots left. For 30 euros, you’ll get dinner, wine and great works from these talented poets. To reserve, email Lynda Sydney a.s.a.p. at [email protected] First come first serve.
The Paris Poetry Workshop still has room for a couple of full-time attendees (see /parlerparis/poetry/parisoctober2005.html for more information and to register NOW!), but is generously opening its afternoon sessions to the Paris public…so if you have been dying to participate, but don’t have the time for the full workshop (or the budget), now’s your chance to take advantage of a session or two. Plus, don’t miss the evening readings around town. Scroll down to see the schedule…and mark your calendar now!
To top off the week of events, Thursday night, the Paris Poetry Workshop attendees will gather at my favorite good-value restaurant in the 5th — Les Fêtes
Galantes — for a special farewell dinner. It’s a tiny spot with great food at ridiculously low prices…so sorry, you’ll have to reserve for yourself another night!: Les Fetes Galantes, 17, rue de l’Ecole de Polytechnique, Paris 5th — call 01.43.26.20.40 to reserve, ask for Isabelle or Bibi and be sure to tell them Adrian sent you!
A la prochaine…
Adrian Leeds
Editor, Parler Paris
Email [email protected]
P.S. To read select poems by Cecilia Woloch, visit /parlerparis/articles/index.html for “FILTH,” “WARSAW,” and “43 RUE DE SAINTONGE.” To purchase her books or Leonard Pitt’s, visit /parlerparis/books/index.html
To read more, click the links below.