Weird News of the Week: Mimes and Paris Nightlife

At the behest of the Paris mayor’s office, squads of mimes will now be deployed in an effort to reduce the city’s nighttime noise pollution.

Um, come again?

Yes, “Pierrots de la Nuit” use street performance to encourage partiers to keep it down. Paris launched the project this past weekend.

Hmm. Here my love of quirkiness is in conflict with my discomfort/fear of clowns and mimes. I also wonder if having a mime trying to shh people might actually risk more rowdiness. I mean, it might be difficult to ignore the mime even though he or she is silent (ah, that’s power!), but might it not tap into some sort of rebellion, too?

It’s all done in good humor, of course. I’ll be interested to see how it plays out.

The following video is in French, but provides a few key visuals.

On that note, I’m off to the City that Never Sleeps for most of April. I might encounter mimes there (because you can encounter any and every thing in New York – one of the reasons I love it!), but I somehow feel safer in the knowledge that mimes aren’t yet an organized noise-reducing tactic in NYC.

Have a joyous month. If you don’t hear from me for awhile, know that it’s because I’m out exploring and enjoying my trip. (Or maybe a mime has stolen my voice!)

To read more about the “Pierrots de la Nuit” initiative, here’s the article from ARTINFO. There’s also a dedicated blog and Facebook page.

What do you think? Night mimes: good idea or childhood nightmare come true?

Swedish Gym Flashmob; Eiffel Tower as Backdrop

Why yes. That is a large group of people doing Swedish Gym exercises to the Eurythmics in front of the Eiffel Tower.

And yes. I was a part.

Saturday March 17 was not only St. Patrick’s Day. It also saw a flashmob at Trocadero sponsored by the enthusiastic gym suedoise association.

I am fond of flashmobs. A gathering organized simply to do something silly? Pourquoi poi? Random, fun, free – it fits my criteria.

Fete des Jardins + Monday Music

Fete des Jardins, Chanzy Park

This past weekend was the 15th annual Fete des Jardins in Paris, a celebration of the gardens and green spaces of the city.

I had forgotten about the festival, so was pleasantly surprised to stumble into some festivities in my small neighborhood park.

The sun has been shining gloriously the past few days. Though the pile of projects is ever beckoning, I do what must be done when the oft-hidden sun appears: go outside and bask in it. Never know when it will be sunny in Paris again!

My friend Ericka and I went to have a quick catch-up in Chanzy park. There were a few booths set up for Fete des Jardins, but nothing spectacular. After about half an hour, though, musicians started streaming in from all sides.

Then a man who looked like he had just been lolling around enjoying the weather like the rest of us jumped up – the conductor! All of a sudden we were surrounded by an orchestra.

Playing Dress Up

A few weeks ago, I noticed a Tweet from Melissa at Prete Moi Paris asking if anyone was up for a clothing swap party.

I had recently cleared out my closet in attempts to make space for my new roommate so I didn’t have much to offer. (Also, as my style favors comfy above all else I was sure no one would exactly be clamoring to get at my stuff).

I had a hunch that this was still something to go to, though. Melissa often covers fashion and I was just imagining what delightful threads she probably had. I emailed and said, I have no clothes, but I can bring food and beverages, that ok? It was. I was in.

Boy, did I luck out! It turned out to be just me, Melissa and Milla, another fashion blogger. And looky here – everything I tried on fit!

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday: Street Scene

Paris feels so relaxed. I still claim August as my favorite month.

Everyone (who’s still in the city) is out and about, finally enjoying the rare run of sun…including this guy:

I can’t tell you his story, only that he was good-natured in letting me take his photo.

In the brief moment of exchange I couldn’t tell whether he was homeless or just a character. Two little kids took him to be a character with that long gray beard and interesting attire and started talking to him. He jovially played the part for them.

In any case, it was almost too much to take in before he rode off again. (Is that an IV drip bag?)

And the sign in back reading poesie (poetry)? Definitely intriguing.

Paris Local Expert

From a Stranger in Paris last night to a Local Expert today, I sure do get to take on many identities by living in the City of Light.

I realized something recently: in just a few months I’ll be reaching my five-year anniversary of the move to Paris. Half a decade! That will match – and then quickly surpass – the amount of time I lived in New York.

Wow. Paris becomes the place I’ve lived the longest since leaving my mama’s house at 18. Definitely nothing I ever planned. Isn’t life grand?

Actually not the view from *my* Paris home. Friend/Blogger Jennyphoria lives here!

French Touch NYC

Standard Hotel, NYC

Ok, so I’m back in Paris, but my mind is still Stateside. I’m trying to hang onto the creative inspiration of the writing residency as long as possible.

And New York? What can I say about New York? That city simply pulses with energy. All these years later and it still feels like the place where all is possible to me. Without even trying I seem to end up in amazing adventures. Why do I feel so open and free there?

You want more Paris, though? Well, let me tell you, there was a whole lotta French going on in the Big Apple. Not just all the French I actually heard (and I did!), but tons of cafes and patisseries, too. Here are a few shots of NYC’s nod to France. And then just some gratuitous pics of the city that have nothing to do with France…just because I like ‘em.

Endless nutella…Crepe Stand on top of the Standard Hotel

…and obligatory rooftop shot to prove I was there

Cafe Gitane in the Jane Hotel

Trout Salad

More French-inspired finds

Fete de la Musique/Bon Iver in Paris

It’s Fete de la Musique today, when bands, choirs, shower singers – whoever wants! – take to the streets and make song.

I wish I had time to go frolic, but I’m in a flurry of activity getting ready to leave for the States. I’m looking forward to it (I mean *really* looking forward to it), but it’s going to be intense. I fly into New York right into weekend wedding fun, then travel up to Vermont for my final writing residency of my MFA program. I’ll be giving a lecture on James Baldwin’s time in Paris, as well as giving a reading, in addition to the workshops, readings, and lectures that already comprise the packed 10-days of residency.

I’ve been cleaning all day getting my apartment ready for friends & renters who will be staying while I’m away. I popped out for some errands, and the music party had already begun. A rock drummer was tapping out beats in my corner cafe. At a bar down the road, a rock band was setting up equipment and testing their sound. Across the street in front of the Indian restaurant a Music and Meditation yoga group was chanting.

A young man (he actually was tall, dark, and handsome) from the group saw me eyeing the information they had put out (the word “free” usually gets me to stop) and he asked if I wanted the “experience” of meditation.

Um, maybe, I said.

How about now? he said.

Belleville’s Portes Ouvertes

Any guesses as to where this photo was taken?

If you said in the middle of Paris’ 20th arrondissement, gosh you’re good!

I, for one, was surprised (and delighted!) to come upon this patch of woods behind a very unassuming door in the city.

These sorts of serendipitous discoveries were numerous this weekend, as Belleville’s annual Portes Ouvertes took place over 4 days. Nearly 130 artists’ ateliers were open to the public.

I have to admit, finding interesting passageways and cute spaces was as much, if not more, my goal than looking at art as I set out. I just love stumbling into different nooks and crannies of the city, discovering spaces that are often hidden from sight.

Cutie-patootie courtyard

I started out on Rue Denoyez, which is definitely not a secret. It’s a popular street for graffiti artists and it changes by the day. It’s always a good bet if you need a riot of color.

I then went wandering at random. There was a list of all the different artists showing work, but I liked the idea of just popping in and out as the spirit moved me. Much of the arty scenery was simply found by walking around the back streets.

My favorite discovery was a little area around Rue des Cascades and Rue de Savies. It felt like its own private neighborhood – and the neighbors made us feel that, too! Many of the people on the street looked at us like we didn’t belong there and a woman yelled at us not to take a picture of her bar.

We went in to places, anyway. It was “portes ouvertes” after all!

Can't begin to describe how, ahem, interesting this studio was

On the lookout for those who don’t belong!

Rue des Cascades/Rue de Savies

Trying for an arty shot to go with the event:

Pouty Sion in Paris painters' forest

And me in my more natural pose (Can’t. Contain. Laughter.):

A great little stroll!

If you’re in Paris, there’s still time to visit. Today is the last day – Portes Ouvertes from 2 – 9 PM.

Overall Mischief

In college I bought two pairs of overalls from a vintage store, one sky blue with the kid’s brand “Osh Kosh” written on the front, the other pair navy, and more of a nod to lumberjacks.

I’m not sure why I was so proud of these overalls, or why I insisted on wearing my hair in pigtails when I wore them. Was I making it clear that I was still a child at heart?

I’m more subdued in my rebellion now – though I haven’t quite come to terms with the whole adult thing yet.

I have never seen a French person sporting overalls. (I know! Where is their fashion sense?) So when I spied a whole group of them in blue overalls congregating near the Pompidou Centre, I knew something was up. Unfortunately I couldn’t stick around to see what, but I knew it was probably good.

Overall-clad French people plotting mischief

What do you think is happening or *going to happen* here? All theories welcome. (We can write a story together!)