Something for the Weekend (26th – 29th March)

Although we will lose an hour’s sleep this weekend in France, I have nevertheless made it a longer one than usual by including an event on Monday evening!

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.

Les Lundis de Lutèce : 50 years of Motown !
On the last Monday of each month, Sylvanie de Lutèce takes over the Baron Samedi bar and gives a sparkling themed presentation on the history of Paris. This month is slightly different however, as she will be spinning through the history of Motown records in honour of its 50th birthday. Such a presentation would have to include music you would think and you would be right. Sylvanie is also an excellent DJ and will be performing afterwards, but during the presentation she will be accompanied by singers Rachel and Orlando from Brown Sugar. Details are still a little sketchy, but expect something soulful, funky…and informative!
Monday 29th at Le Baron Samedi from 7pm.
12 Rue des Goncourt, 75011 (M° Goncourt)

No Sarkozy Day
How do you turn a virtual protest into a real one? This is the challenge that a rag-bag group of bloggers and Facebook users have set themselves this Saturday across France. 300,000 or so people have signed up to the virtual group, but how many will turn up to the various flashmob style gatherings around the country?

The group were inspired by a similar anti-Berlusconi event that took place last December in Italy, even going as far as adopting the same violet colours. They would like to see themselves as part of a new pan-European form of political movement, organised by citizens outside of the traditional power groups such as the unions and political parties, but can this work in a country so used to organised and controlled demonstrations? We'll see at 2pm on Saturday at the Place de la République if this virtual anti-Sarkozy movement will make a real splash and just a gentle ripple.

Crime et Chatiment
Popular opinion has it that Sarkozy was elected in 2007 on a law and order ticket, so he would surely approve of the Musée d’Orsay’s latest exhibition! Crime et Chatiment (Crime and Punishment – a title chosen as reference to this year's Russia celebrations in France) is a look at the way in which crime has been treated by the art world over a two hundred year period between the French Revolution and the abolition of the death penalty in France. Definitely one of the most interesting and thought provoking exhibitions of the year, but organisers have warned that it is not for the faint hearted!
Musée d'Orsay
Until June 27th
Opening days and times can be found here.

Grand Salon d'Art Abordable
If you have ever been tempted to invest in some art but felt intimidated by high prices and snobbish galleries, the Salon d'Art Abordable (affordable art) could be a good opportunity for you to have a relaxing browse. To describe the spirit of the event, the organisers have simply taken the dictionary defintion of the word 'abordable' : accessible facilement, accueillant, aimable, bon marché et raisonnable. Is the art itself interesting and worth purchasing though? Judge for yourself: http://www.salon-art-abordable.com/
La Bellevilloise
21 Rue Boyer, 75020 (M° Menilmontant)
Friday 2pm - 10pm, Saturday 10am - 10pm, Sunday 10am - 8pm
Note: Entrance is normally €5, but you can download a free entrance ticket for two here.

Lights Out for the Territory
A reminder that this Saturday between 8.30pm and 9.30pm is 'Earth Hour'. The exterior lights of many public buildings and monuments will be switched off by the city of Paris, and even the Eiffel Tower will go dark for five minutes. At the same time, 1600 candles will be lit beneath the old lady, which could be a sight worth seeing!