Music: Jean Pierre Rebillard, Musician and Composer

Armed with an impressive repetoire, contrebasse in hand, Jean Pierre Rebillard travels France in the tradition of the troubador, bringing with him rythym and cool, effortless improvisation, and his own joyful take on the classics. He has been master of the upright bass for some 30 years, a serendipitous twist of fate. "I was in a rock band, playing lead guitar" Rebillard explains. "But I couldn't play "Jumpin' Jack Flash" so the leader of the band switched me to bass". Having earned a teaching degree in music but feeling unfullfilled in this role, he changed direction and never looked back. In Lille one day and Normandy the next, playing for the hep cats dancing rock 'n roll at the famous Caveau de la Huchette in Paris to composing a romantic tribute, Rebillard's goal is to keep growing. He released his latest CD "Histoires 2", a compilation of original duets and standards with guitarist Serge Merlaud in November of 2009, and he has recently become a student of classical cello. The cd goes down as smooth as a very expensive Armagnac, perfect for a romantic dinner or getting your tantric groove on. Merlaud plays guitar with sensitivity and nuance, together they create magic! 15 euro available at FNAC Montparnasse, Les Halles, and Les Ternes, also Paris Jazz Corner.

Happy "Quatorze de Juillet"!

Today the french mark the anniversary of a violent uprising by a grass roots organization, the storming of an infamous prison (and subsequent release of inmate Marquis de Sade); the start of the French Revolution of 1780. It is similar to the 4th of July in America in many ways, there are fireworks (feu d'artifice), picnics, and parades. Families and friends gather until late in the night, drinking beer and having a few laughs. There are free open air concerts, and a military air show complete with paratroopers who glide gracefully over the Champs Elysées to land at the feet of Carla Bruni, presenting her on bended knee with a red rose. I began this years celebration with dinner in the garden followed by a spectacular fireworks exhibition viewed from my front window. It is customary in the banlieus (suburbs) of Paris to have fireworks on the 13th, and we counted 8 displays taking place at once! It was balmy and clear, with a delicious breeze that made the evening perfect. As we ate apricot crumble and waited for the show to begin, Madame V explained how historically France has seen the United States as a model. Having fought alongside colonists for independance from British rule, french veterans of the American Revolution were inspired to dream big. Paris being the undisputed cultural capital of the world at that time, Franklin and Jefferson spent much time here and brainstormed with the top minds of the day. Three bloody revolutions, two empires and a restoration later, Marianne reigns supreme and the blue-white-and-red tricolour banner of Liberté Egalité and Fraternité trumps the fleur-des-lys! For over two centuries America and France have struggled together, grown together, and shared the best of each culture. It is in this spirit I wish all my friends here a Bonne Quatorze de Juillet!

OBJECTIVE: Paris Fashion Week

Ever since I was a little girl I have loved fashion. I used to spend hours drawing, creating catalogs complete with wigs, shoes, and jewelry-all the necessary accessories to complete each outfit I had dreamed up. In high school I had one of a kind pieces that my friends actually gave names to, such as the "Carmen Miranda" and the "Tomato worm dress". (I know what you're thinking. I prefer to think of it as "cutting edge".) There is nothing more fun than a fashion show, except perhaps windowshopping the Lacroix boutique on the Rue St. Honoré. Imagine having a seat at Paris Fashion Week! Every time it rolls around I read about it with envy. How could I get in to a show? Any show, of course Dior or Chanel would be baby bear. I could even deal with YSL! The next round begins September 29th, running through October 7th with ready to wear for spring/summer 2011, and getting there is my goal. Can I do it? I imagine it will be a little more difficult than crashing a wedding at Les Invalides! I'll keep you posted.....

Vrai ou Faux?

Upfront: All opinions expressed in the following text are based on my experiences as an American expat living in Paris during the last 3 years, as well as observations and opinions offered by my French friends. Of course, these are generalities, as exsist in every culture, and there are exceptions to every rule! That being said, let's play a little True or False. True or False: The French hate Americans. False! This myth is based in part on the aloof attitude of Parisians the average tourist encounters while on vacation abroad. Parisians are uptight to begin with, a bit neurotic and highly judgemental. When they stare you down with those furrowed brows and icy glare don't take it personal. It's them, not you. On the flip side, the french have an acute sense of american lust for consumption, waste, and how our policies affect the entire planet. But I haven't met a frenchman yet who doesn't dream of getting his kicks on Route 66! True or False: French women don't shave under their arms. Mostly False! Citing the exceptions to every rule clause, I will say that it is the norm for les française to defoliate the armpit area. This has been so since the 1960's. True or False: French men are the worlds best lovers. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha-excuse me-ha ha ha ha, False. True or False: The french produce the worlds best wine. True! (And I should know, I've tasted enough of it!) True or False: The french are lovers not fighters. False. Have you ever been in a queue with a parisian? But seriously, this perception was fomented during the occupation of France by Germany in the early 1940's. French soldiers have fought valiantly throughout centuries, whether it was for their King and Cross in a medieval Holy War, with the rebels in the New World against the tyranny of the English crown, or in WWI, which decimated french resources as well as the population. When Marshal Pétain signed the armistice with Germany in Vichy, it became an act of treason against France to join any army or orgainzed force of resistance against the occupation. Yet many defiant and courageous frenchmen and women joined General deGaulles Free France army, as well as any number of underground resistance organizations knowing full well that they were now traitors under the law, subject to torture and death. You can read the reactions of the french to Pétains folly on my blog entitled "l'Appel du 18 Juin" (the slideshow). Don't forget to vote on this weeks question: Do french women get fat? Vote in sidebar, find out the real truth next sunday!

Willy Ronis: Famous French Fotog

I hadn't seen Madame M since before I left for Bretagne, so when she telephoned and proposed we meet for the Willy Ronis exhibition today I readily agreed. Summer is in full swing, and the hot sun showed no mercy as I weaved my way through straggling tourists on the Pont Neuf, over the Seine to the Monnaie de Paris. Formerly the French Mint, it houses an exhibition hall, a museum dedicated to the minting of the centime (french coinage), and a boutique for coin collectors. There is even a little jewelry shop! But I digress.....we climbed an elegant if not well worn staircase (that wore the obligatory 19th century candelabra lamps like earrings on the rez-de-chaussée) and entered the world of Willy Ronis. A contemporary of Izis, (see my blog entitled "Izis: Photographer Extraordinaire") and Robert Doiseneau, he embraced Realism and had an affection for "le grève", (the strike!) and the working class. This is reflected in a series of photographs of people at work in the factories of Paris, women at the mills turning individual threads into fabric, men in the sweltering heat of the glass factories. There is a dignity and tenderness in his work; a group assembles to form a union, a fisherman kisses his wife and baby goodbye before embarking on the "Deadliest Catch". His nudes are famous, in fact women used to approach him and request he shoot them au naturale! Contributing volumes of work during his career in the mid 1900's to popular french magazines (as did his contemporary, Izis) Ronis made the kind of name for himself that afforded him the luxury of beautiful women begging to take their clothes off for him and his Pentax. He photograped his last nude at the age of 90, when his body got the best of him. Feeling too wobbly when he positioned himself for a shot and refusing to use a tripod, (a lifelong quirk) he started turning 'em down. Realist, Humanist, and most assuredly a Communist, you can visit the work of Willy Ronis until August 22nd, tuesdays through sundays from 11 am until 7 pm at the Monnaie de Paris, 11 Quai de Conti, metro ligne 7 sortie: Pont Neuf. Adults pay 7 euro.