Something for the Weekend? (5th – 7th February)

Paris seems to be marking the last days of hibernation before the beginnings of the Spring season with a strangely quiet weekend in the city. Nevertheless, here are a few suggestions to get you out of a warm bed.

If you have any events or activities you think should be promoted or which you would like to promote yourself, please add them in the comments. Let me know also if you have any events in the coming weekends you would like to promote.

150 Years of Orchids at the Jardin du Luxembourg
First of all, a recommendation given to me last week by Cergie, who is a true "mine de renseignements dans le monde du jardin"! The orchid collection of the French Senat will be very exceptionally (it's normally open for only one day a year) on display to the general public for 10 days to celebrate its 150th anniversary. It is one of the biggest collections in the world, with over 1300 varieties and is situated in the very pleasant Orangerie in the Jardin du Luxembourg.
5th - 14th February, 10am - 5pm
5 rue Guynemer 75006
Free entrance

Never Mind the Quality, Feel the Packaging
Artists have always worked with the world of commerce, but recently there seems to have been an increase in activity, particular in the fashion industry. There are several interesting examples this weekend in Paris:

Keith Haring/Tommy Hilfiger: Snob shop Colette (213 Rue Saint Honoré, 75001) will see the launch this weekend of a range of sports shoes and boots bearing the designs of deceased artist Keith Haring next to the Tommy Hilfiger logo.

Kehinde Wiley/Puma: The Espace de la Topographie d'Art (15 Rue Thorigny, 75003) will host a temporary shop selling four models of sneakers decorated with the designs of American artist Kehinde Wiley.

Pentawards: But what if packaging itself were an art form? A selection of 150 of the best designs in the world will be on display until the 28th March at the Designpack Gallery (24 Rue de Richelieu, 75001).

Music
For the most interesting events this weekend you have to head out of the city (but not too far).

Vitry sur Seine - Living Colour + Last Poets: Afro-rockers Living Colour team up with early rappers Last Poets to pay tribute to the Black Panther movement. (Theatre Jean Vilar, Vitry sur Seine).

Saint Ouen - Serge Teyssot-Gay + Eric Elmosnino: The guitarist of controversial French rock band Noir Désir and the actor who recently starred as Serge Gainsbourg will perform together for one night only. The film (Vie Heroique) about the life of Gainsbourg will be shown afterwards. (Espace 1789, Saint Ouen, 7pm, €5)

Brunch Bazar
Although this new event sounds fun, I'll admit that I've only included it here for one reason - because there are knitting workshops with the superbly named Wool and the Gang! Starting this Sunday, the monthly Brunch Bazar will serve up healthy food with dance lessons, a brocante, workshops for kids...and of course a knitting workshop! Wool is cool!
http://www.brunchbazar.com/index.html
Au Comptoir Général,
80 quai de Jemmapes, 75010
Free entry