May15

House Hunters International this Thursday May 16th!

by Paris Weekender
Posted In: Everything Else

My episode of House Hunters International is finally airing tomorrow (Thursday, May 16th) at 10:30pm EDT, and again 3 hours later, at 1:30am on Friday, May 17th on HGTV! Click here for more details.

Apartment December 2012

If you have not already done so, be sure to read my full account of the property purchase and renovation process in my series of posts from last year. Click here for more details on renting my apartment on your next trip to Paris. And be sure to read my local Maine newspaper’s write-up on my HHI episode!

I’ll be watching the episode for the first time on Thursday night along with you!

 

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May08

Caroline Nin in Concert!

by Paris Weekender
Posted In: Must Do in Paris

Recently, I posted an interview with Caroline Nin, where we discussed Caroline’s new Edith Piaf concert series in Paris and the roots of her performing arts career.

Here are just a few updates on the concert schedule:
  • The show is currently (and through May 22, 2013) every Wednesday at 8PM
  • From May 29, 2013 through June 26, 2013, the show will be every Wednesday at 7:30PM
  • Additionally, two more dates have been added: Thursday, June 20, 2013 and Saturday, June 22, 2013, both at 7:30PM.
  • The concert series will take a little break for the summer, but due to popular demand, the show has now been extended from September 12, 2013 through December 21, 2013: every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30PM.
I invite you to visit Caroline’s site for further details, including information on the theater and purchasing tickets.

caroline nin - carte postale final7_e

Unfortunately, I was not able to attend the concert myself, but my friend Ana graciously offered to write up a review of the concert for Paris Weekender:

Located at the turn of a narrow street at the western edge of the Marais, the Théâtre Essaion de Paris is easy to miss. Indeed, I walked right by it before doubling back and descending the stairs leading to the lobby.  After a bit of a wait near the ticket counter, the group (which was predominantly Anglophone) was ushered into a lovely, vaulted room seating about 75. 

As the tickets were general admission, there was a bit of a dash for seats with the best view—although they are beautiful, because of the columns, there were locations that were significantly more attractive than others.  The group waiting outside largely respected the line, so I suggest arriving early, and picking seats quickly once you enter.  The space is very intimate, seating no more than 75 people, grouped in three sections around the performance area.  We ended up in the second row, to the left of the “stage,” with a clear view of the trio—a bassist, pianist and Ms. Nin herself.

In charmingly-accented English reflecting her time in London and her Parisian roots, before each song, Ms. Nin shared personal anecdotes, weaving them seamlessly with English translations of the French lyrics and Edith Piaf’s own biography.  She translated the lyrics, and placed the song in context—progressing chronologically, the songs ranged from Piaf’s early days in Paris to her time in the United States.  Although I own a single Edith Piaf CD gifted to me before one of my séjours en France, I must admit to only being familiar with a handful of her songs and not knowing any of her personal history.  The vignettes were especially fascinating to me, but revealing to my Parisian friend as well, who had significantly more background. 

As a jazz singer, Ms. Nin has a voice very different from the original chanteuse.  Piaf’s rasp is replaced by Nin’s smoother, less gravelly tone.  Although disorienting at first, in some ways her take was even more enjoyable than the original, and certainly provided a unique take on Piaf’s songbook.  The combination of stories and music lasted just about 80 minutes, including two encores—a lovely Wednesday evening!

***

Thank you, Ana, for sharing your experience with us!

 

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May01

A Little Beef Burgundy Trick

by Paris Weekender
Posted In: Everything Else

When you are craving a bit of French comfort food, nothing beats boeuf bourgignon. I found a fantastic slow cooker recipe for the dish in Lynn Alley’s The Gourmet Slow Cooker: Simple and Sophisticated Meals from Around the World. In all my years in France, I never had beef burgundy as flavorful and tender as the beef burgundy I make with Lynn’s recipe.

Beef burgundy

I do have one little trick, however. Logically, beef burgundy should be made with Burgundy wine. Lynn’s recipe calls for 2 cups of a full-bodied red wine, like a pinot noir or a Beaujolais. Pinot noir and Beaujolais, full bodied?? I don’t think so. Instead, use a Burgundy or a Côtes du Rhône. The last time I made the dish, I actually used a Sicilian Nero d’Avola and the results were delicious.

Do you have a favorite recipe for this famous French dish?

 

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Apr24

Interview: Singer Caroline Nin

by Paris Weekender
Posted In: Must Do in Paris

I first met Caroline Nin at an event sponsored by My French Life and her voice captivated me. When I learned of her new concert series, a celebration of the works of the iconic Edith Piaf, I was eager to hear more of Caroline’s story. 

2009_VANGUARD1
Caroline Nin, photo by Belinda Rolland

Caroline, please tell us about your current Edith Piaf concert series.

HYMNE A PIAF was touring until March 28th in Australia. The show has been performed and acclaimed outside France for the past 6 years: at the Sydney Opera House, the Royal Festival Hall (Queen Elizabeth Hall), the Edinburgh Fringe Festival …. I decided earlier this year to bring the show to Paris for the first time.

You had your opening night on April 10th. How did that go?

The opening night was sold out. The exact same show was in Australia two weeks before and the whole Australia tour was already sold out, so I felt at home. No, seriously, it was such an honor, the first ever season of HYMNE A PIAF sold out from the first night. I think Edith Piaf would have been proud.

What was your inspiration for this series?

I started singing Piaf’s repertoire in London 10 years ago. It was in a different show, a variety show with some of my original material, songs of Jacques Brel, of Marlene Dietrich, of Grace Jones and I realized the impact Piaf’s songs have had. This is how I decided to write the show HYMNE A PIAF.

How can we purchase tickets?

You can go on the Theatre’s show link. Alternatively, we have an English-speaking box office that you can reach at +33 7 77 25 37 64 or my team takes bookings at info@carolinenin.com.

How did you decide to become a professional performing artist?

I have always known that I would be a performing artist, hence a professional one. I have performed many, many times over the years. It is the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 1999 that made me decide to become a professional performing artist. It was a magical season and the joy of performing live during that Festival was so great that I realized that it was all I wanted to do in life.

2012_PIAF
Caroline Nin, photo by Haydn Wood

Could you tell us a bit about your background?

From a very young age I was always putting on shows: one woman shows, singing, dancing. I joined drama school at the age of 19 in the Marais in Paris and very soon became a singer at the very fancy restaurant HOLLYWOOD SAVOY in the late 80s. I never looked back, singing was my thing. I have sang ever since. 

And about your professional training?

I was classically trained in the beginning of my singing career. I moved from Paris to London in the early 90s and there I didn’t train in singing at all, but I studied music reading and writing at Goldsmith Universty College in London for two years. When I moved back to Paris in the early 2000s I went back to classical training with a fantastic Swiss soprano. In Australia, since I was touring all the time, I didn’t have an established voice coach. Now, back in Paris, I am regularly training with a French coach who works mostly with classical works.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

Live performance.

What is the moment in your career you have been most proud of?

When I performed HYMNE A PIAF at the Elisabeth Murdoch Hall in Melbourne in June 2011 in front of a sold out audience of 1,200 people and the show was nominated that very night: Best Cabaret Show at the Helpmann Awards in Australia in 2012, I became the first French performer nominated for such a prestigious award in the history of Australia’s Performing Arts.

What has been the greatest challenge of your career? 

There always has been many “one greatest challenge”s of my career: to dedicate my life to singing and performing. It takes a lot of courage but every time, it proves to be the right choice.

Once the Edith Piaf series has finished, what is your next project?

After opening night, the Edith Piaf season was extended until the end of December 2013, a request from the Theatre director. I am hoping for a very successful season, which will lead to larger venues in Paris, Piaf’s hometown. I am opening the show in London in October 2013 and have an amazing offer from the hottest NYC Cabaret venue (well! for me!) but it’s only IN THE CARDS, and Australia and New Zealand in a year, exactly. Piaf is keeping me busy but ….. I am writing my own lyrics and am working on a new Cabaret show, which I am hoping will open at the end of 2014.

What are your goals for future projects or performances?

I am working on a more personal show, with original songs, I am looking at a total change of look and style. I don’t think I can say more ….

Which is your favorite show venue in Paris (as a spectator)?

Salle Pleyel for Classical Music.

Olympia for Chanson.

Duc des Lombards for Jazz.

Zénith for Pop, Rock, World Music.

Bercy NO THANK YOU, it’s too big (25,000 audience). Not my thing.

For short-term tourists to Paris, if they could attend one cabaret while visiting, which would you recommend?

I would, obviously, recommend that they see my show at the Theatre de l’Essaion!!! Just joking! Having said that, Paris is a big city with vast options. A big Cabaret venue, Le Lido de Paris (where I currently perform 8 nights a month at the moment ….) is quite an experience: feathers, glamour, big show and sound.

Le Cabaret Sauvage at the Parc de la Villette has a lot to offer. If the tourists are short term, though, why can’t they come to HYMNE A PIAF at the Essaion Theatre?!!! See I did it again!!!!

***

Click here to visit Caroline’s website. Thank you, Caroline, for sharing your story with us!

 

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Apr17

A Shout-out to My Hometown

by Paris Weekender
Posted In: Everything Else

This time it hit particularly close to home.

I was born at what is now Brigham and Woman’s, one of the hospitals where many of Monday’s bombing victims were taken. I grew up in Concord, MA, home of the shot heard ’round the world. I remember being surprised when I first learned that April 19th or Patriot’s Day is not a holiday nationwide. It is such a festive day in the Boston area. When I was little, the biggest thrill was getting to walk in the middle of the street when it was closed to traffic in anticipation of the parade. But of course I quickly began to associate Patriot’s Day with the running of the Boston Marathon.

On April 15, 2002, I ran the Boston Marathon. I was certainly not an elite athlete, but I poured everything I had, physically and emotionally, into training for the three months leading up to the big day. I trained on the marathon course, running the last 9 miles every Thursday evening with my track club. I crossed that finish line dozens of times, but nothing could have prepared me for the real thing.

Boston, more than any other place I have ever lived, is a city of runners. Even if you don’t run, you know the marathon course. Everyone is respectful of runners, and in the weeks leading up to the race, even the (we) notoriously aggressive Massachusetts drivers yield to runners unconditionally.

Trinity Church and the John Hancock Building, Copley Square, Boston
A peaceful Copley Square this past Christmas

I have heard some newscasters attempt to convey the spirit of the Boston Marathon, and they all say the same thing — unless you have been to the Boston Marathon, as a runner or a spectator, you just can’t fully understand.

I have been to the New York and Paris marathons and as exciting as they may be, the atmosphere does not even come close to the atmosphere along every inch of those 26.2 miles from Hopkinton to Copley Square. In Boston, everyone is cheering at the top of their lungs. Strangers encourage you to take that next step as if their lives depend on you finishing. People hand you food and water. Everyone is your friend, your personal cheerleader. Everyone is united with one common goal — to entice every last runner, no matter how fast or slow, to finish the race.

I remember the approach to the finish line vividly. I was exhausted not only from the distance, but from those last few miles of hills, hills and more hills. But I was elated. My mom was waiting for me at the finish and miraculously found me only minutes after I crossed.

It was most definitely one of the best and most special days of my life. I was proud of myself, but so much of my happiness was thanks to the immense outpouring of support I felt from the onlookers. Onlookers is not really the right word — it’s too passive. The fans at the Boston Marathon are active participants in this yearly ritual. Bostonians turns running into a team sport.

I ran Boston just months after September 11, 2001, and yet I can tell you: there was nothing further from my mind that day than the threat of a terrorist attack. The idea of a terrorist attack in the middle of this joyous occasion was completely outside the realm of possibilites.

My heart of course goes out to the victims and their families. And my heart also goes out to the thousands of runners who worked so hard for this day and who were denied the great joy I experienced that day — either because they were not allowed to finish or because they did finish but then the happiness was quickly overshadowed by sorrow.

Sadly, the Boston Marathon will forever be associated with these terrible events. But I am also certain that the runners and the supporters will be back next year on Patriot’s Day even stronger and more determined than ever.

***

Addendum: If you would like to make a donation to help the victims of the bombings and their families, here is one reliable option set up by Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and Boston Mayor Tom Menino: The One Fund Boston, Inc.

 

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