What Is Going On In Paris
Battuta
The legendary horsewhisperer Bartabas is at it again with his Battuta show. This peculiar art form, an equestrian opus of sorts, has reached an astounding pinnacle. Horses and trainers alike fly through the air in death defying stunts. Throughout the production acrobats barely miss a hard clipping from sharp hooves while they perform awing stunts with their animals; all the while making it look completely effortless. However, the stars of the show, Bartabas and his gorgeous Andalusian horse, aptly named Caravaggio, are the ultimate man and beast combination. Their rousing performance will leave many jaws on the floor. The entire performance is accompanied by a Moldavian brass band and Transylvanian string ensemble.
Battuta takes place in the Parisian suburb of Aubersvilliers at Theatre Zingaro. Prices range from 24 – 50EUR and the show goes on until December 31, when it packs up and heads to Hong Kong. For more information please see the Theatre Zingaro website.
Les Folles Nuits Berberes
Cabaret Sauvage’s is running wild this month with its Mad Berber Nights. Against the plush velvety interior, performers provide amazing acrobatics, sultry songs and delicious dancing. Hosts Karim Ziad and Aziz Sahmauoi lead the dancing pack with the help of their 7 musician/dancers. A Moroccan quartet entitled B’net Houariyat provides the beats, a heavy mixture of sounds from the l’Hourara tribe. All of this comes after a gastronomical delight of a meal. A night at the Cabaret doesn’t get much better than this.
Mad Berber Nights run through December 29. Dinner and show is 50EUR. Joining the madness of the cabaret only is 19-22EUR. The Cabaret Sauvage is located at Parc de la Villette.
London Coming festival
Eurostar’s London Coming festival has been dubbed “The best of London to Paris” this year. Although previous years have seen many fashion and music “best of’s”, this year takes a new twist and is bringing film into the picture. Many fantastic cinematic selections will be played such as Monty Python’s witty satire “Life of Brian.” Side-splitting spoofs on films like James Bond picture “Casino Royale” will also be rolled out during the “Best of English Cinema” at the fest. Some of the musical notes at the festival portray London’s deeply rooted rock n roll history. There are several features that are not to be missed such as “24 Hour Party People” by Michael Winterbottom, which reveals Manchester’s Factory Records climb up the ladder of fame and hard plummet out of the spotlight; Julien Temple’s “Joe Strummer” about the legendary rock band The Clash; and Todd Hayne’s “Velvet Goldmine,” considered one of the best films at the fest.
The festival runs December 7-8 at the Bibliotheque Nationale. You can check the Bibliotheque website or the Eurostar London Coming My Space page for further information.
West Side Story
Who doesn’t love a good tale about lovers scorned and street gangs galore? That is exactly what the Theatre du Chatlet’s presentation of the West Side Story is about. Nearly fifty years after its making, the theatre is celebrating the long running Broadway musical with a show of there own, choreographed by renowned Joey McKneely. McKneely precedes the show in memory of the original chorographer and creator, the limitless talent Jerome Robbins. The American musical, performed in English, goes through the lives of the teenage rival gangs, the Jets and the Sharks and the sideline love story between “Jet” Tony and Latina Maria.
Tickets for the Theatre du Chatlet’s West Side Story production are 15-90EUR. Please see Theatre du Chatlet’s website for further information.
Alexis Gruss Circus
The famed Alexis Gruss circus has set up again in Paris for its 34th annual go round, running from November 10 through March 9, 2008. This unique experience allows guests to pick how they want to spend their day at the circus. Since it assembled at Porte de Passy, visitors can mill through historic grounds before or after their circus performance. Guests can also opt for a dinner package to make the day a complete one. Prices range from 17-50EUR and is well worth every penny. Please see the Alexis Gruss Circus webpage for more information.
Benjamin Franklin Exhibition
American Benjamin Franklin wowed the world with his immensely useful findings, especially that one called electricity! Paris’ Musee Carnavalet invites you to take pleasure in their one of a kind exhibit which celebrates Franklin’s life, particularly from 1776 through 1785. The amusing exhibition runs from December 5 through March 9, 2008. Please see Musee Carnavalet’s website for further information regarding this event.
Bruce Springsteen
All American rock n roller Bruce Springsteen and his E Street Band are back in Paris to shake the Palais Omnisports de Paris Bercy down. He plans to give fans the best of his fantastic gospel, folk and blues music and is even bringing his orchestra along with his band for the occasion. The concert series, which celebrates the release of his newest “Magic” album, is his first in five years with the E Street Band in Paris.
Tickets range from 53 – 89EUR. Please visit the Bercy website for more information.
Cineaqua
The Cineaqua Aquarium is one of the best in the world. Aside from amazing aquatics, it often has some of the finest events that will completely amuse even the most rigid adult. It is a child friendly place and will teach the whole family something new. Although many events and expos run year round, the ones in place right now are some of the best. Claude Charles Mollard’s Les Origenes exhibit is a collection of photos from some of the earth’s very first cultural origins. There is also Yan Bighetti de Flogny’s take on the world in crisis from an artistic/scientific point of view and the Un Jour Sur Terre photo exhibit which features incredible photos of mother nature at her best.
Tickets range in price so please see Cineaqua’s website for more details.
Disneyland Paris Turns 15
The magical world of Disney turns 15, in Paris that is. The birthday bash runs from April 2007 through March 2008 and has so many wonderful activities and special offers that we could not possibly name them all. However to give you a taste there is very special low prices and the new Stay & Play free for children under 7 to make parents happy, the UNICEF Benefit Disney Princess at Heart collection from top European designers for those who love a good charity and many fantastic new attractions like Disney Pixar’s Car’s Race Rally ride and Crush’s Coaster based on Pixar’s hit Finding Nemo which will delight children and adults alike.
Don’t miss out. Log onto Disneyland Paris now to book your stay at the biggest birthday party of the year!
Galeries Nationales du Grand Palais
The Galeries Nationales du Grand Palais is introducing a one of a kind collection from legendary painter Gustave Courbet (1819-1877). Courbet helped spawn the “New Painting” era and influenced artists like Manet. The exhibit offers a unique look at Courbet’s work, which is gradually gaining more and more appreciation from celebrated historians and artists today. The showcase helps visitors better understanding the true character of his realism, the degree to which he was influenced by romanticism in eras previous and insight as to why he is so influential in New Painting.
Rates are between 5.50EUR and 7.50EUR. Please see the Galeries Nationales du Grand Palais website for further information the Gustave Courbet exhibit.
Le Roi Lyon
Adapted from the popular musical, the Lion King, Le Roi Lion has put a new spin on Simba the lion cub’s life. Throughout the stage play the cub struggles to accept his responsibilities and find his place while he becomes closer to becoming King of his pride. To boot, the play has added five new numbers which were written by the legendary Elton John and talent Tim Rice. The musical has also finally been translated into French and his played by an all French cast with nearly forty actors and twenty musicians.
This wonderful story takes place now through April 30, 2008 at the Theatre Mogador. Tickets range in price from 25 – 99EUR. Please see Le Roi Lion for more information.
Paris Dog Show 2008
2008’s Paris Dog Show, held at the beautiful Le Parc D’Exposition de Paris Le Bourget show grounds, features the best of the best in doggie beauties. The fairest of them all will be crowned the 2008 champion. The show kicks off the new year, running from January 5-6. Please see the Paris Dog Show website for details on tickets, getting their and other useful information.
Paris International Boat Show
The time has come again for Paris’ beloved international boat show. Each December, nearly 300,000 visitors burst through the doors of the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles in excitement to see what the boat show has in store. Nearly 1,200 exhibitors showcase 1,400 brands and display just as many boats; almost one for per brand! Hundreds of new models are also shown, some for the first time in public. The boat show has also caught “green” fever and many environmentally friendly initiatives will be on display.
It is easy for guests to figure out just where they want to be in this massive boat show, which is housed in five halls of Paris Expo over 10 days. Six themed areas will be guests guide. They include sail boats, motor boats, the environment, equipment, water sports and a fun area for children.
The boat show runs from December 1 – 9, 10:00am until 7:00pm. For more information please visit Salon Nautique Paris.
Paris International Boat Show
The time has come again for Paris’ beloved international boat show. Each December, nearly 300,000 visitors burst through the doors of the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles in excitement to see what the boat show has in store. Nearly 1,200 exhibitors showcase 1,400 brands and display just as many boats; almost one for per brand! Hundreds of new models are also shown, some for the first time in public. The boat show has also caught “green” fever and many environmentally friendly initiatives will be on display.
It is easy for guests to figure out just where they want to be in this massive boat show, which is housed in five halls of Paris Expo over 10 days. Six themed areas will be guests guide. They include sail boats, motor boats, the environment, equipment, water sports and a fun area for children.
The boat show runs from December 1 – 9, 10:00am until 7:00pm. For more information please visit Salon Nautique Paris.
Retrospective Zao Wou Ki
Contemporary art fans will delight at Chinese artist Zao Wou Ki’s collection, showing now through January 6 at the Chateau Musee Municipal de Nemours. As if the painter, engraver, lithographer and illustrator’s extensive and varying collection was not enough, it is interestingly the first time that a large majority of the collection as appeared in public. Wou Ki’s unique blend of his oriental heritage and western background are apparent in the deeply mysterious yet peace renderings of each work.
Tickets for the Retrospective are 7EUR. More information can be found at the Chateau Musee Municipal de Nemours website.
Salon du Cheval de Paris
The Salon du Cheval, or Paris Horse Show, is an event dedicated to the beauty of the equine family. Parisian’s know the annual event has arrived when they hear hooves clapping the pavement as the kick off parade, which features over 300 horses in approximately 30 breeds, winds its way through 11 miles of town. The event, which runs from December 1-9, has the traditional makings of any other horse show with dressage, show jumping and rodeo which draws horses and riders from around the globe. Specialty events also take place such as a performance by the stunning and dutiful Spanish Lipizzaner’s as well as a special areas and attractions for young riders and children. The pinnacle of the show and closing event is dedicated to the first horse, the elegant Arabian.
2007 marks the 36th Salon du Cheval, which is held in the Paris Expo Center Porte de Versailles. Tickets for adults are 12.50EUR, children from 6-12 are 8EUR and under 6 is free. Please visit Salon du Cheval’s website for details.
The Paris Story
Have you ever wondered what made and continues to make the city of lights so special? Well now you can find out if you have about an hour and a half to spare. The Paris Story is an interactive event which explores the playful, historic and cultural sides of the spectacular city. It also goes over many different attractions, such as the 1,000 museums, that the city has to offer. This story will amuse Parisian’s and tourists alike and is not to be missed. It is also child friendly.
The Paris Story takes place at 11b rue Scribe, 365 days a year and has 9 daily show times. Tickets range in prices from 6 - 26EUR. Please see the Paris Story website for further information.
