This delightful book revisits the life and times of one of the world’s great capitals. With photos and short vignettes the author traces Paris’ major events dating from Haussmann rebuilding Paris to the Belle Epoque to the city’s occupation and liberation to the May 1968 student movement. Continue reading “Historic Photos of Paris”
My Mother is Hard to Please
Each year I return to the US to spend the holidays with my mother, a widow, who lives in the Midwest. Usually one of my two brothers joins us. But buying my mother a Christmas present is a nightmare for me. I spend hours shopping for something special from Paris, but I never seem to get it right. Last summer, I found gifts from previous years stashed in the attic – one still in its original wrapping paper. In contrast, she oohs and aahs over my brother’s gifts. My feelings have been hurt so many times… Do you think I should confront her, this Christmas? Continue reading “My Mother is Hard to Please”
Tastey poems about cheese
Colette once said “If I had a son that was about to marry, I would say to him: ‘beware of a young woman that does not like wine, truffles, cheese and music.” So what is a lover of cheese to do? Perhaps do as David Nutt and write a book of poems inspired by the topic.
“It all started,” says Nutt “with the mouse on a cheese icon. After several years of writing a web newsletter about traditional French cheese for http://www.fromage.com I came to the conclusion these remarkable French products deserved to enter the world stage in a more romantic light. So I decided to put together a book of poetry that pays homage to 30 of France’s most renowned cheeses.” Continue reading “Tastey poems about cheese”
Street Photography, from Atget to Cartier-Bresson
Street photography is perhaps the best-loved and most widely known of all photographic genres, with names like Cartier-Bresson, Brassai and Doisneau familiar even to those with a fleeting knowledge of the medium. Yet what exactly is street photography? From what viewpoint does it present its subjects, and how does this viewpoint differ from that of documentary photography? Looking closely at the work Atget, Kertesz, Bovis, Rene-Jacques, Brassai, Doisneau, Cartier- Bresson and more, this elegantly written book unpicks Parisian street photography’s complex relationship with parallel literary trends — from Baudelaire to Soupault — as well as its more evident affinity with Impressionist art. Street Photography reveals the genre to be poetic, even “picturesque,” looking not to the type but to the individual, not to the reality of the street but to its “romance.”
Toe-Tapping Jazz in Motion
Legendary tap dancer Sarah Petronio is joined by her daughter Leela for a special evening of dance at The New Morning (Oct. 8th). Discussing the upcoming show over a panache in the 19th arrondissement Leela said “It’s taken on a little bit more of a theatrical aspect recently; we do it sometimes in real theaters and include text and images… with places like The New Morning, it stays in the jazz club ambiance.” Continue reading “Toe-Tapping Jazz in Motion”
Aveyron travel notes
Was surprised to discover that people in Aveyron resent the expression la France profonde. They interpret it as condescending, implying a backwater inhabited by country bumpkins. No matter how hard you insist you meant it as a compliment to a rural area that has preserved its authenticity, the Aveyronnais will look at you suspiciously, or at best dubiously, and understandably so, since not so long ago the Aveyron was precisely this, backward and underdeveloped. Today, still, the keen observer will detect remnants of those times here and there, even in its main towns (the largest of which, Rodez, has only 53,785 inhabitants, and that’s including the suburbs). Continue reading “Aveyron travel notes”
Aveyron, A Bridge to French Arcadia
“It all began in Paris with a riot of wisteria.” says Paris-based travel writer Thirza Vallois explaining how she became fascinated with this obscure region of France, mostly known for its Roquefort cheese. This led to a chance meeting between the author and two Aveyronnais Georges and Odette, visits to the region and Vallois’ love affair with Aveyron and its enchanting landscapes tucked away on the southern edge of the Massif Central. Continue reading “Aveyron, A Bridge to French Arcadia”
Americans in Paris during the occupation
Charles Glass new book unravels the untold story of Americans in Paris during the Nazi Occupation. Although volumes have been written about how Parisians behaved under German occupation, little has been said about the Americans who stayed in Paris during that time. Continue reading “Americans in Paris during the occupation”
Marcel Marceau Remembered
The world famous French mime Marcel Marceau died Saturday at the age of 84. In homage to “Mr Mime” we rerun an interview he gave to Molly Grogan and Parisvoice in 1997…
Last year, Marcel Marceau celebrated the 50th anniversary of his internationally known and loved character Bip and this year marks the 20th anniversary of his school, the Ecole Internationale de Mimodrame. On the occasion of these milestones, in an interview with The Voice, Marceau had much to say in fluent English on topics ranging from his training and early years as a mime to the influence of Charlie Chaplin on his work and his 300-performance-a-year schedule (never mind that he is 75 years old), both solo and with his Nouvelle Compagnie de Mime Marcel Marceau. Continue reading “Marcel Marceau Remembered”
Pontoise… in the days of the impressionists
Camille Pissarro, considered by many to be the father of the impressionist movement, moved to Pontoise in 1871 where he made such memorable paintings as “The River Oise Near Pontoise, 1873” and “A Cowherd at Pontoise. 1874” He was joined by other painters such as Cézanne and Claude Monet who along with Pissarro immortalized the village and surrounding landscapes Continue reading “Pontoise… in the days of the impressionists”
Steichen, “Lives in Photography”
A major retrospective of Edward Steichen’s photography at Paris’ Jeu de Paume is a chance to see one of the most prolific and influential photographers of the 20th century. Surprisingly this is the first time such a large collection of his work has been shown in Europe. Continue reading “Steichen, “Lives in Photography””