Bonjour *|EMAIL|*, Carefree Days and Nights in the City of Light Parler Paris Nouvellettre® Your taste of life in Paris and France http://www.ParlerParis.com Monday, October 5, 2009 Paris, France • Printer Friendly http://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/5-10-09pparis.html • Parler Paris Blog http://parlerparis.blogspot.com/ • Community Calendar (Updated Every Wednesday) http://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/calendar.html • Recommend to Friends http://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/tell-a-friend/index.php • Don't miss a single issue of Parler Paris! "Whitelist" Parler Paris by adding "info@adrianleeds.com" to your address book. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Never Pay for a Hotel Again... The Ultimate Travel Writer's Program Inventory Close-out If you ever dreamed about the romantic life of a travel writer, here's a very unusual opportunity to actually live it at a deep, deep discount. For more information visit : http://thetravelwriterslife.com/twr/pp/cl --------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Parler Paris Reader, There is nothing quite like taking a REAL weekend in my number one favorite city (you guessed it, Paris). It's not often that we working residents of the City of Light actually get to enjoy it like a tourist does, but this was that kind of weekend. The computer shut down on Friday midday and the sound of "You've Got Mail" didn't chime until this morning. There were simply too many things going on, not to mention a visiting friend, to do anything, but take it all in. A few years ago a Mexican friend introduced me to the world of Flamenco by scoring cheap tickets to see Sara Baras perform Ballet Flamenco at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées in the 'nose-bleed' seats. That didn't matter -- it was the first time to have experienced the soul of the music, singing and dance of Flamenco. I was mesmerized and made a habit of seeing her perform at every opportunity. Then not long ago, another Mexican friend re-introduced me to a local association -- "Flamenco en France" which holds performances regularly in a small theater in the 20th arrondissement on rue des Vignoles (number 33). And so it happened that Manuel Gutierrez Cabello, a dancer, accompanied by José and Antonio Cortés singing with Pepe Fernandez on guitar, performed at the little theater that by showtime was SRO. Cabello's feet, wedged into slick leather high heeled boots, in each scene of a different color, moved so quickly that his whole body vibrated. The Cortés' singing was so painfully soulful that their faces wrenched into contortions with each note and Fernandez' playing was as 'sexy' as any Spanish guitar could be. No one wanted it to end, particularly me. To see the video of Cabello from the torso up, visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lExCY-EDTYs And to see the video of Cabello from the torso down, visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-bYhmDOxZs For more information on Flamenco en France, visit: http://flamencoenfrance.fr/ But it did end and made way for Saturday night -- the annual Sleepless Night ("La Nuit Blanche") that had everyone out on the streets to take in Contemporary Art, whether they liked it or not! There were three circuits this year: Buttes-Chaumont, Châtelet-Marais and Quartier Latin. It made sense to stay in the "hood" (Le Marais), as it was decided this was the perfect moment to have a special 'vacation' overnight at "Le Palace des Vosges" (http://www.palacedesvosges) in order to be the "Guinea pigs" to test out the accommodations...make sure the appliances are working well, that the fractional ownership apartment newly completed isn't missing anything, ensuring its comfort and functionality, etc. The streets were awash with culture-seekers and revelers. On route to Notre Dame to see Sylvie Fleury's "cristaux" (crystals) display, several young women were promoting "Free Hugs" and getting their fair share of them along the way. Entering the cathedral was like herding cattle into the coral, but was peaceful and easy as is always seems to be with these public events. Of note is how little security and police one sees on the streets at such potentially rowdy events -- the French are so civilized and the authorities are sure to NOT take too defensive or threatening a position...so it all works well and quite orderly, plus you don't see drinking on the streets like you might in other places, hence no drunkenness. Nonetheless, there were several installations that got our attention: Vincent Olinet's flowering carpet tree at the Hôtel d'Albret on rue des Francs Bourgeois, Michael Elion's "Halo" at the Archives Nationales and in particular, Voisimages' Spiderman at Place du Marché Sainte-Catherine. I was told by my daughter that we missed the best display of all -- JR's "Women" video at the Pavillon de l'Arsenal on boulevard Morland, although we saw part of it at the Mairie du 4ème unknowingly. We didn't stay up all night like much of the culture creatures of the night, anxious to test out the luxuriousness of the Place des Vosges apartment, with its claw-foot Marie-Antoinette style bathtub and Falcon gas stove. We discovered that even with all the 'hullabaloo' going on just outside on the square, one could hear even a pin drop in the quiet and solitude of that back corner courtyard, with its beautiful view on the Hôtel de Sully...'heaven' in the middle of the city. Sunday afternoon we headed across town and over the river to Boulogne-Billancourt to the Espace Landowski where every inch of Brigitte Bardot is on display in an exhibition titled "Les Années Insouciance" (The Carefree Years). In honor of her 75th birthday (28 September 1934), the French "sex kitten," who since 1962, literally fights for the rights of cats as part of her public denouncement of the methods of slaughter of animals, was immortalized with about 2000 photos, films and mementos. I couldn't wait to see the images of the woman who put Saint-Tropez on the map and whose name graces my "studette" ("La Brigitte") associated with my "viager" studio apartment, "Le Saint-Tropez," currently under renovation for rental early next year (http://www.parlerparisapartments.com/rentals/saint-tropez.html ). Scenes of her in her Saint-Tropez home provided much fodder for decorative ideas, but what I learned was way more. This is a woman who knew how to make love to the camera from her earliest years as a young child and who had a "coquettish allure like no other actress of her time"...having changed the face of movies forever. Her illusory presence will hopefully do the same for the eight square meters of space overlooking two courtyards in Le Marais! For more information, visit: http://www.expobrigittebardot.com/ And so the weekend came to an end, with a second viewing of "Julie and Julia" on the Champs-Elysées and light dinner on rue Trésor before saying so long to my friend and a few very carefree, but wildly culture-enriched days and nights in the City of Light. A la prochaine... Adrian Leeds Editor, Parler Paris Share this article with a friend... http://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/tell-a-friend/index.php Respond to Adrian mailto:info@adrianleeds.com P.S. Mark October 13th on your calendar to be at "Après Midi" to help celebrate my birthday (the next day) and all the other Libras, plus get to know other Parler Paris readers...visit http://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/apresmidi.html for details P.P.S. Don't forget, the offer ends soon...GEt one year of French Property Insider at half price ($29)! Plus participate in FPI's free one-hour conference call on October 18th: "Your Pied-à-Terre in Paris: Own It All or Just a Fraction." For more information visit: http://www.frenchpropertyinsider.com/subscribetofpi.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Getting a mortgage in France is easier than you think... Let us show you just how hassle-free it can be to get a French property mortgage for your dream Paris pied-à-terre or villa in the country! Visit http://www.FrenchPropertyLoan.com or contact Mortgage Manager John Rule at mailto:loan@adrianleeds.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------- As Seen on T.V. House Hunters International... Book your personal consultation with Adrian Leeds. French Property Consultation Your Complete Solution to a New Home in France.. Let the Adrian Leeds Group guide you through the process with ease and peace of mind... to have your very own pied-à-terre in Paris or home in the French countryside. Visit http://www.frenchpropertyconsultation or email mailto:info@adrianleeds.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Adrian Leeds Speaks on "Property Investment in France" Money Matters for Women Conference Saturday, October 17, 2009 REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! To find out more or to register, visit... http://www.moneymattersforwomen.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------- A Photographic Project-Journey through Volunteering in Cambodian Orphanages Click here for more information and to learn how to receive Erica Simone original prints when you make your pledge: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/656910738/a-photographic-project-journey-through-volunteerin Visit: Erica Simone Photography http://www.ericasimone.com or email Erica: mailto:es@ericasimone.com?subject=Parler_Paris_Reader ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Sign up now for... Shaping Your Writing for Publication with Kathleen Spivack 10 a.m. October, 10, 2009, Paris To Learn More Visit: http://frenchpropertyconference.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------- You Can Own A Fraction of The Best Address in Paris! Don't miss this unique opportunity to be one of the 13 lucky owners! First price level sold out! For more information visit: Le Palace des Vosges Fractional Ownership Property http://www.PalacedesVosges.com/ or email: mailto:maryellen@adrianleeds.com --------------------------------------------------------------------- You don't need to be rich to dine well in Paris - you just need to know where to go. Insider Paris Guide for Good Value Restaurants The first online restaurant guide to Paris! Published since 1996. Written and Regularly Updated by Adrian Leeds For more information, visit Insider Paris Guides at http://www.insiderparisguides.com/member/go.php?r=39&i=l0 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Welcome to your home in Paris. Home is how you will feel in a private apartment in Paris that has the "seal of approval" from Parler Paris Apartments and me, Adrian Leeds...Parler Paris Apartments http://www.parlerparisapartments.com Le Bonaparte...Charming and Beautiful. A charming and beautifully decorated studio apartment overlooking on one of the chicest designer streets in Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Reserve now! Visit Parler Paris Apartments: http://wwww.parlerparisapartments.com/ or email: mailto:Apartments@AdrianLeeds.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Meet Other Parler Paris Readers at "Après Midi." NEXT MEETING: October 13 AND EVERY SECOND TUESDAY OF THE MONTH, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. (closed August) The second Tuesday of every month, Parler Paris and French Property Insider readers gather at La Pierre du Marais for a drink and a "schmooze" -- it's an opportunity to meet and chat with other like- minded people and a great way to make friends! 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To subscribe, visit http://www.francetoday.com or call 1-800-901-6560 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Buy and sell with Parler Paris classifieds: http://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/advertise.html Read past issues of Parler Paris: http://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/issues/readpastissues.html Know someone who would be interested in the opportunities in Parler Paris? Forward it for FREE to your friend, relative, or associate here: http://www.adrianleeds.com/parlerparis/tell-a-friend/index.php [FOOTER] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 2011, Adrian Leeds® Adrian Leeds Group, LLC, http://www.adrianleeds.com