Something for the Weekend (23rd/25th October)

The autumn half-term holidays begin in France, meaning another relatively quiet weekend in Paris. Nevertheless, here are a few suggestions to keep those staying in the city warm as temperatures begin to drop.

Please add any events or activities you think should be promoted or which you would like to promote yourself in the comments, and let me know if you have any events in the coming weekends you would like to promote.

FIAC
The star of the weekend with enormous events at the Grand Palais and the Louvre as well as a host of more minor spin-offs is undoubtedly the FIAC (Foire Internationale de l'Art Contemporain – contemporary art fair). However with an eye-watering and elitist 28 Euro entrance ticket, this seems to me more like the very worst kind of commodity fetishism. Perhaps more interesting therefore is the lower-priced and more accessible Slick event organised at the same time at the 104 Arts Centre.
From Thursday 22nd to Sunday 25th October
http://www.fiac.com/?lg=en

The Paris Burlesque Festival
Paris has always been intrinsically linked to the burlesque, but it is only very recently that it has become fashionable again. The Bellevilloise has long been associated with this art form, offering both lessons and performances, so it is no surprise that the first edition of this festival should take place here. Over the four days of the festival you should expect the unexpected, ranging from photo exhibitions and films to updated versions of peep shows. A piano bar will create the necessary atmosphere for the shows, and DJs will ensure that the party continues long into the night. You can even sign up for striptease lessons yourself!
From Thursday 22nd to Sunday 25th October
La Bellevilloise
19-21 Rue de Boyer, 75020
http://www.parisburlesquefestival.fr/

Mark Eitzel

Whenever my favourite artist comes to town it is always an important event for me, but this time it really will be different. For over 20 years he has been producing critically acclaimed by criminally overlooked albums both as a solo artist and with his band the American Music Club, but each time he has played in Paris, he has always brought his guitar along. This time he will be accompanied just by a piano, and will be playing in the intimate and cosy Sentier des Halles club. Eitzel always offers a humerous and self-deprecating stage presence which makes his dark songs and soulful vocals all the more surprising and effective.
Sunday 25th October, 7.30pm
Sentier des Halles
50 rue d'Aboukir ,75002
http://www.markeitzel.info/

Shopaholics
For those into shopping, two events this weekend. Firstly the re-opening of the self-proclaimed ‘largest computer equipment shop in the world’, Surcouf on the Avenue Daumesnil. Some kind of large ‘meteorite’ will fall outside the shop, and early visitors will be able to pick up the pieces and claim a number of gifts. Surcouf state that prices will be as low as on the internet, but will they be as low as the neighbouring Chinese traders?
Surcouf
139 avenue Daumesnil 75012

The second event is the start of a new monthly rendez-vous known as the Pop-Up Shop Oberkampf. This large space on the Rue St Maur will offer the products of little-known designers at competitive prices.
113 rue Saint-Maur 75011
Saturday 24th from 2pm to 8.30pm and Sunday 25th from 11am to 7pm