Paris Alumnae/i Network

E-mail:contact@pan-paris.org
Website:www.pan-paris.org
Membership: contact tessa.smith@orange.fr for membership form

PAN Board Executive Committee
President & Managing Editor of Panache	Mary Ann Rivet
Vice-President & Events Coordinator	Patricia Monacelli
Treasurer	Sam Taub
Secretary & Special Activities Coordinator	Danielle Johnson

Other Board Members
Directory Editor-in-Chief	Tessa Smith
Editor-in-Chief of Panache	Mark Tronco
Panache Distribution Editor	Anny Parisse
Graphics Advisor	Peggy Ford-Fyffe King
Art Events Coordinator	Sophie Le Cam
Events Coordinator	Vivian Cruise
Social Events Coordinator & Alumnae/i Liaison	Barbara Hano
Special Projects	Sandra Freland
Writer's Events Coordinator	Laurel Zuckerman

The group meets for a couple of hours for drinks & snacks while they discuss a chosen book.

The next meeting of the reading group will take place on Sunday, June 23 from 6 to 8 pm.

We will meet at the home of Mary and Jacques Fossourier
75001 Paris
Metro: Chatelet

The book is: The Attack by Yasmina Khadre

Please let me know if you plan to attend so I can forward the address and codes. And please let me know what you will bring.

Contact Diana Crane Hervé at craneher@sas.upenn.edu for venue details.

The Reading Group began in January, 2003. It meets once a month. At each meeting, we pick a date for the next meeting. We take turns hosting the group.

In 2013 we read:

• Philip Roth Nemesis
• Mohsin Hamid The Reluctant Fundamentalist
• Jaimy Gordon Lord of Misrule
• P.D.James Death come to Pemberley
• Anne Korkeakivi An Unexpected Guest

In 2012

• Lucy Moore Anything Goes: A Biography of the Roaring Twenties
• Ahdaf Souief Map of Love
• David Benioff City of Thieves
• Michael Lewis, Boomerang: Travels in the New Third World
• Robert M. Edsel and Bret Witter The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History

In 2011

• Edmund De Waal The hare with amber eyes: A Hidden Inheritance
• Helen Simonson Major Pettigrew's Last Stand: A Novel
• André Albert Aciman Out of Egypt: A Memoir
• E. L. Doctorow Homer and Langley
• Tom Rachman The Imperfectionists
• Anne Marsella The Baby of Belleville
• Janet Skeslien Charles Moonlight in Odessa
• Annette Gordon-Reed The Hemings of Monticello: An American Family

We try to alternate fiction and non-fiction. We do not meet during the summer months. Our activities resume in September.

Muséé Maillol
Paris 7
After featuring Canaletto a few months ago, the Maillol museum is currently extending their stay in Venice with an open invitation to past and present Murano glassmakers to display their incredibly beautiful wares. 200 works from 17th century nuptial cups and curious pieces of glass furniture, to Art Nouveau and design objects have been gathered from museums and private collections from all over the world. PAN has a group “coupefils” depart for the extraordinary Canaletto exhibit at 6 pm, followed by a 3-course dinner reservation at the Maillol Museum restaurant, La Cortigiana, at 7:30 pm. We will each have an individual audioguide in English and wander through the exhibit at our own pace.

The museum entrance and audioguide is 14€ per person; the restaurant is 26€. (40€ per person for the whole evening).

To sign up please contact Patricia Monacelli at monacelli@orange.fr

Ile des Impressionistes, Chatou
RER A

Don't miss out on this 2-hour boat trip along the water ways that French impressionist artists loved to paint - you'll see it's much the same as it was back then! This cruise will feature a typical guinguette trio playing popular French musique from the Bal Musette era: traditional dance melodies and enchanting songs popular in the years 1900-1960. PAN has purchased a limited number of tickets for the cruise, at 22€ each.

To sign up, please contact Patricia Monacelli at monacelli@orange.fr

The PAN Directory is published in January each year (see MEMBERS)

The PAN year runs from September 1st to August 31st.
New members joining after September 1st of any given year will be given membership through to the following year plus one (Ex: Join September 30, 2012; membership covered to September 1st, 2014).

Membership forms may be obtained by request from tessa.smith@orange.fr
Or downloaded here: pan_membership.pdf

Dues for new members are currently:

• 40€: residents of Paris region (75, 77, 78, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95)
  
• 30€: Seniors (60+) / Students and recent graduates (2007-2012) / Non-resident (outside Paris region, other countries).
• 10€ added to your subscription gives spouse/partner admission to PAN events at member rates

Complete the membership form and return it by email or post, as shown on the form.
Your membership will be confirmed once the form and payment of annual dues are received.

You may pay by check, made out to PAN and sent along with your form OR you may use PayPal by selecting your membership below and then Add to Cart.
If you wish your spouse or partner to attend events at PAN member rates, return by pressing the Continue Shopping button and select from the Membership menu Add spouse/partner, then Add to Cart again and continue to payment.

Membership

Regular €40,00 Senior €30,00 Recent grad./student €30,00 Non-resident €30,00 Add spouse/partner €10,00

PAN is a non-profit organization that brings together university graduates for professional and social networking. We host social, cultural and educational events, and provide services to members relating to their work and leisure activities. These activities are complemented by our newsletter, Panache, mailed to members every two months, our yearly printed Directory of members, and by our web site www.pan-paris.org. Thanks to the skills and talents of its active Board and membership, PAN is a vital group in the Paris community.

Early Bird dues - valid up to June 30 (dues will increase by 10€ after this date):

• 40€ residents of Paris region (75, 77, 78, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95)
  
• 30€ Seniors (60+) / Students and recent graduates (2007-2012) / Non-resident (outside Paris region, other countries).
• 10€ added to your subscription gives spouse/partner admission to PAN events at member rates

Pay by PayPal by selecting your membership and Add to Cart.
If you wish your spouse or partner to attend events at PAN member rates, return by pressing the Continue Shopping button and select Add spouse/partner from the Membership list, then Add to Cart again and continue to payment.

Membership

Regular €40,00 Senior €30,00 Recent grad./student €30,00 Non-resident €30,00 Add spouse/partner €10,00

Mairie de Montreuil, Metro line 9

Growing peaches along the walls of Montreuil was an industry from the 17th to 19th century, and the best specimens of the prized fruit were devoured by heads of state, kings and tsars for years. At its peak, in 1825, there were 600 kilometers of peach walls and a crop of 15 million fruit. We will be visiting some of the walls that still exist and have become classified sites, after an initial tour of the old village of Montreuil and some homes of current peach growers.

PAN has purchased a limited number of spots in the visit, at 6€ per person.
To sign up please contact Patricia Monacelli at monacelli@orange.fr.

Donations to PAN are welcomed at any time of the year. Thank you for helping PAN to continue to provide entertainment, education, tours, theatre and music!

You are cordially invited to the American University Clubs 2013 Annual Reception & Summer Cocktail in the presence of His Excellency Charles H. Rivkin, United States Ambassador to France this June 24th at the prestigious Hôtel de Talleyrand, George C. Marshall Center, place de la Concorde in Paris.

Date: June 24th
Time: 6:15 pm
Location: Hôtel de Talleyrand, George Marshall Center, place de la Concorde in Paris.

Full invitation and event registration & details can be found on AUC’s website or on our eventbrite page
http://auccocktail2013.eventbrite.com/

Pricing: As you will see, pricing is cheaper for alumni of clubs that are members of AU, which includes PAN.

Paris 7

Aromas and flavors of red currant, freshly picked cherry and wild strawberry with hints of dried herbs, spice and floral notes (so very appetizing!), plus crisp in taste, refreshing and thirst quenching: this is all about Rosés. Rosé is not just one style of wine, but so diverse with such a wide range of colors, styles, textures and flavours that choosing can be overwhelming. The making of rosé wine is quite delicate, and differs much from that of white and red wines. It can, in fact, be produced in a variety of ways, and reflect its terroir in texture and flavour. The history and background of French Rosés include some unusual tidbits that our wine expert Azamat will gladly share. This wine tasting session is a tour of the Rosé Wines of France. We will review how rosé is made, from the harvesting to the bottling, as well as the Rosé producing wine regions. As usual, we will be tasting 6 to 8 different wines, and receive comments and explanations about the different rosé-making processes and different styles, as cooler climate rosés and hot climate rosés. Food pairing will be a part of our discussion, even if rosé wines are generally quite easy to marry. 30€ per person

To sign up please contact Patricia Monacelli at monacelli@orange.fr

Register Now! AmCham France Summer Garden Party June 19, 2013

Clara Gaymard, President of AmCham France and the Board of Directors of AmCham France request the pleasure of your company at

The AmCham Summer Garden Party

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Residence of the Military Governor of Paris
Hotel des Invalides - 75007 Paris

Join us for a special evening including champagne, wine-tasting and live music! Register Now
AmCham France members and partners (including PAN) 50€, non-members and guests 70€

In partnership with:
The American Club of Paris, Brown University Alumni Club of France, Cornell University, Duke University Alumni Club of France, MIT Club de France, Paris Alumnae/i Network, Réseau Oudinot, Stanford Club of European Leaders, UCLA, USC Alumni Club in Paris, University of California at Davis, Wellesley Club of France, Wharton Club of Paris

Our mailing address is:
American Chamber of Commerce in France
77 Rue de Miromesnil
Paris 75008
France
Email: Vancheng KHOU vancheng.khou@amchamfrance.org

Vasily Petrenko conducting
Salle Pleyel, Paris 8

This 6th, last PAN concert is climactic, starring world-lauded German violinist Julia Fischer (born 1983) playing Tchaikovsky's 1878 Violin Concert in D major. Her deep lyrical feeling and captivating virtuosity, a cross between young Menuhin and Isaac Stern, bring out each facet of one of the most beautiful, stirring, exciting and difficult works in the repertory. Fischer, who has performed and recorded internationally, with full and chamber orchestras (and her own quartet), received awards ranging from Gramophone "Artist of the Year" to MIDEM Classical "Instrumentalist of the Year." Replete with unforgettable melodies, the work's first breath-taking "pyrotechnical display" melds into the soulful andante, then without pause, into the exhilarating third movement.
What else could follow this masterpiece but Shostakovich's C minor 4th (and first great) Symphony, Opus 43 (1935-6)? Though the piece was attacked until its composer, persecuted in the peak Stalinist "great Terror" purges for not hewing the Party line, was forced to withdraw it from the 1936 concert, it finally was premiered in late 1961 to enthusiastic and on-going acclaim. Requiring the largest orchestra of all his work, this 3-movement monument of the "great thoughts and passions" of a fiercely independent modernist, is superbly recreated by the Radio France Philharmonic Orchestra, brilliantly conducted by the Russian specialist Vasily Petrenko.

PAN has purchased a limited number of group-rate tickets at 36€ each.

To sign up please contact Sam Taub at sam.taub@acunet.fr

The next PAN bridge game will be June 13, 2013 at 7:15 PAN member Carrie Estill, active tournament competitor, member of the American Contract Bridge League, and celebrated bridge teacher will help us review and master the delicacies of duplicate bridge at her Levallois-Perret home. Take advantage of this once-in-a–lifetime opportunity to play and improve your skills ! We will have 2 tables. Carrie lives in Levallois-Perret, close to the Pont de Levallois (Line 3) Metro stop. Supper is provided. We usually play 8 hands, eat, then play the last 8 hands. Carrie hopes you can come!! Why not take advantage of this once-in-a–lifetime opportunity to play and improve your skills!

Please contact Carrie Estill at caestill@gmail.com so she can organize. Bridge Evening with Carrie Levalois-Perret (metro line 9)

Paris 7

We are happy to be bringing together two PAN members who are prominent writers and who both have been researching the Nazi years in France. Mary Duncan is preparing her next book which partially deals with the Jewish Resistance in Paris and Fred Coleman has just published his acclaimed book, “The Marcel Network”, a Book of the Month Club selection last January, which tells the story of a young French couple who selflessly saved hundreds of Jewish children from being deported during the German occupation.

Free for PAN members, 5€ for non-members.
To sign up please contact Mary Ann Rivet at marivet@noos.fr

Jardin Shakespeare, Bois de Boulogne, Paris

UK’s Tower Theatre Company is coming back in June for their 22nd annual season at the Théâtre de Verdure in the Bois de Boulogne, this year performing The Taming of the Shrew, in English with French subtitles.
All the young (and not so young) men in Padua are in love with Bianca, but her father won't allow any of them to woo her until her elder sister Katherina is married. However, no-one is prepared to take on Katherina’s independent spirit and notoriously fiery temper. Then Petruchio arrives in town. He is willing to go to any lengths to secure a rich wife and his attempts to tame the shrew form the core of a play rich in traditional, sometimes farcical comedy, which nevertheless poses some awkward questions about the roles of men and women in society. Questions brought nearer home by this production's setting in the rock'n'roll years of the 1950s. Those of you who attended A Midsummer Night’s Dream last year will remember how delightful the production was, in lovely surroundings and with the actors so close.

PAN has purchased 10 tickets, group-rate, at 15€ each.
To sign up and for further details please contact Tessa Smith at tessa.smith@orange.fr.

Four artists - Loraine Strait, Yolande, Robert Seabrook and Sterenn - invite you to discover their work through an exhibition of sculpture, paintings and jewellery in a little courtyard in the heart of Paris. Saturday June1st: 14h to 19h Sunday June 2nd: 14h to 18h Address: Atelier dans le cour, 73 rue du Commerce, 75015 Paris. Code: 5496B Tel: 06.07.18.97.46 or 06.07.37.61.44. Metro: Commerce or Emile Zola

Paris 7

Spain has more land planted with grapes than any other nation in the world but it ranks third in production, after Italy and France. There are more than six hundred native Spanish grape varieties. Astonishingly, for a country associated with red wines, the most widely planted grape by far is white Airen. Spain's wine world is dominated by huge co-operatives that produce most of the country's wine and control the country's wine trade, although there is a growing new generation of smaller producers. Finally, Spain's greatest gift to the world of wine is not a table wine at all but its magnificent late-fortified wine, called Sherry. Our wine expert will give us the keys to understanding Spain's wine world, dealing with the five most important wine regions, wine classifications and wine labels, vintages and grape varieties. As usual, we will taste six wines and comment on them.

30€ per person

Paris 16

The charity day at Roland Garros, the Saturday before the actual tournament begins, is called “Les Enfants de Roland Garros”. It’s a welcome combination of charity and sport and a wonderful opportunity to witness some great exhibition matches, see some of the champions on the practice courts, and wander around the promotional stands and grounds. The doors open at 10 am. PAN has purchased a limited number of tickets at 20€ per person, free seating. .

Paris 7

Many of you know Professor Levy from our French literature reading and discussion group. He has been given free rein to talk to us about something he’s researching now, notably the ideas, artifacts, and texts – both literary and other - from the 18th and 19th centuries that went into what we call today computing. It all started way back then, and is not as new as some people think. Join us for this presentation by a fascinating speaker, worthy of a college lecture series! Free for PAN members, 5€ for outside guests.

Paris 8

Named for Philippe Madamour’s collection of antique percolators and run by him and his brother, le Percolateur, opened in 2009, comes highly recommended for its good French cooking at reasonable prices. The setting is supposedly reminiscent of the restaurant Philippe ran previously in New York’s Soho district - cool, refined, and modern with a daily 3-course menu at 29€50. You can see for yourself: http://www.lepercolateur.fr/ . Why not join this fun occasion to socialize with other members? PAN has reserved a table for 10.

Salle Pleyel – Paris 8

Avishai Cohen with Strings, is the culmination of a musical journey, bringing two worlds together - classical chamber music and jazz. At the centre of Cohen's music is a string quartet with a difference; Cohen has replaced one of the violins with a viola in order to benefit from its darker timbre and create more depth. An oboe is added to the ensemble and joins Cohen's core trio with Nitai Hershkovits on piano and Ofri Nehemya on drums.
Cohen's warm vocals subtly create a mood that compliments the luscious instrumentation on his own compositions. The evening's performance will include arrangements of several Israeli love songs, such as 'Nigun Atik' by the poet Nathan Alterman and melodies from Mordechai Ze'ira, one of Cohen's favourite composers. Ladino songs have also been arranged for strings, including the Argentine song 'Alfonsina Y El Mar', along with the powerful centre piece of Avishai's own, 'Concerto for Bass'.
Expect an evening of exquisite and moving music from this inspired Israeli composer and dynamic performer supported by a truly gifted ensemble.

PAN has purchased a limited number of Category 1 tickets for this unique performance at 39€ each.

Theatre des Champs Élysées, Paris 8

NB: 6:45 pm, Radio France and orchestra musicians present the 3 works with question-answer session

Stravinsky's Petrouchka (1947); Pianist Alexander Tharaud in Ravel's Left Hand Concerto in D major; Ravel's Daphnis et Chloé, suite n° 2.

Alexander Tharaud, (born 1968), was "Prince" of French pianists, even before his role as Alexander, the prodigy-protégé in Haneke's prize-winning film "Amour" - playing all the piano music - from JS Bach to Beethoven and Schubert. Here, virtuoso Tharaud performs Maurice Ravel's uniquely virtuoso "Left Hand Concerto" in pure pianistic summitry. With its non-stop 3 movements --slow-fast-slow ending in diabolic cascades, this 1929-30 jazz-influenced piece met the challenge of one hand sounding like two - as commissioned by Paul Wittgenstein after losing his right arm in World War I.
Ravel's "Dahnis and Chloé Suite #2" (1910-11), adapted from the 2nd part of his 1909 ballet, is an "orchestral masterpiece" of rhythmic diversity and lyricism, especially with Daniele Gatti conducting the Orchestre National de France.
Preceding these two is Igor Stravinsky's 1947 "Petrouchka" from the original ballet (in 1909, as Ravel's ballet). No longer shocking, this revolutionary tone poem, with striking sonorities and rhythms, expresses the folk legend of a "Charlatan" bringing to life puppets -- Petrouchka, a ballerina and a Moor -- in a fatal love triangle, at a pre-Lent St. Petersburg carnival.

PAN has purchased a limited number of group-rate tickets at 36€ each.

Mona Bismarck American Center
Paris, 16

Mixing cloths and traditions from the Old World, local production and natural imagery unique to the United States, quilt making evolved into a distinctively American tradition with its own style and iconography. Types of quilts developed to reflect the new country, patterns that never existed before: Star of Bethlehem, Rose of Sharon, Album quilts, and more. Quilt art will feature twenty-five such quilts from the distinguished collections of the American Museum in Britain, an exceptional occasion to celebrate the depth and diversity of the American tradition.

12€ for PAN members, 15€ for non-members.

Paris 7

What makes Lincoln the greatest American president, and the most honest one? (in his time he really was known as "honest Abe") How is he similar to Obama? Dr. Bernard Vincent is a Professor Emeritus of American history and civilization and has written several books on the18th and 19th century period, mostly concerning the United States. His latest book is a biography of Abraham Lincoln, a long-awaited, thoroughly researched version for French readership, which he will be presenting for us, in his perfect King’s English.

Free for PAN members, 5€ for non-members.

Theatre Chatelet, Paris 1er

Music lovers, and especially violin fans, you're going to be overjoyed hearing and seeing the prodigious young violinist Alina Pogostkina (born 1983 Leningrad) and winner of the 2005 9th International Sibelius Violin Competition. "So brilliant... perfect [yet] ... so natural," she masters this most technically difficult and one of the few great violin concerti composed by a virtuoso violinist -- Jean Sibelius's D minor, Opus 47 work (1904, revised 1905). You'll be enthralled by the brooding melancholy with meltingly romantic themes of his splendid symphonic-like orchestration right through to the "fiendish" third movement finale. With this "hard act to follow," David Zinman artfully conducts the Orchestre National de France in Anton Dvorak's 6th Symphony in D major, Op. 60, B. 112 (1880, though the first symphony published). Innovating the symphonic tradition of his friend Brahms and also of Beethoven, Dvorak infuses his 1st and 4th movements with infectious "Bohemian vivacity," pastoral yet urbane, and creates a scherzo that is distinctively melodic and furiously energetic.

PAN has purchased a limited number of group-rate tickets at 27€ each.

Boulogne-Billancourt
Metro Line 9

Les Cent Ciels is an authentic oriental hammam dedicated to one’s physical and spiritual well-being. Our initiation session consists of unlimited access to both the warm and hot steam rooms, the sauna and the pool, with a mint tea offered. Robe, towels and flip-flops provided. Massages and other spa options available, but not included in price. Please have a look at this other-worldly little paradise here: http://www.hammam-lescentciels.com/.

We have negotiated a special group rate of 35€ per person.

I'm pleased to invite you to our upcoming photography exhibition "There and Now." (Includes my work and five other photographers.)
Exhibit runs from April 24–May 1 but Vernissage is Thursday, April 25 (à partir de 19h00) (wine and snacks!)
Afternoon with the Artists is Saturday, April 27 (15h00–18h00) (more wine and more snacks!!)

Galerie B&B at 6 bis rue des Récollets, 75010 Paris

Hope to see you there ...

For additional information, contact Meredith at meredithmullins1@me.com.

Boulogne-Billancourt (metro line 9 or 10)

Benjamin Biolay is a 40-year old French singer, songwriter, and musician with 10 albums to his credit, totally in vogue in France today; his present concert series has been sold out months in advance. His low-key vocal style is somewhat similar to French pop star Étienne Daho. With the singer Keren Ann, whose first two albums he co-wrote and produced, he contributed several songs to Chambre avec Vue, the successful comeback album of singer Henri Salvador, and has since worked as a writer, arranger or producer for other icons of French music, including Juliette Gréco, Julien Clerc and Françoise Hardy. You can see him performing last year at: http://www.oliviamichel.com/archive/2012/11/12/benjamin-biolay-sur-scene-pour-le-festival-des-inrocks.html

Why not join the PAN group curious to know what’s happening with the French music scene today?
PAN has purchased a limited number of tickets to this sold-out concert, at the group rate of 21€.

Paris 7

Rustic, manly, tough and yet elegant: Syrah, the “dark grape” is incarnated dramatically in Côte Rôtie, Saint Joseph, Crozes Hermitage, Hermitage, and Cornas on its native territory, the rocky northern Rhone. Bottled solo there, it reveals scents of leather, smoke, tar, roasted meat, pepper and spice. In the southern Rhone Valley, the smoky, spicy, blackberry-ish Syrah is usually a part of the blends that make up Cotes du Rhone, Gigondas, and Chateauneuf-du-Pape. It brings raciness and dynamism to the fat, fruity Grenache and the serious, austere Mourvèdre. Our wine expert will talk about the viticulture and wine making of the Syrah, historical background, the character and the taste, food matching and finally, how to enjoy the most masculine of all red wines. 30€ per person.

Nesle Theatre, Paris 6

“High drama, dazzling word play and irresistible comic situations” can sum up this fantastic Shakespeare comedy. Join the PAN group attending this showing in the heart of the Latin Quarter. PAN has purchased a limited number of group tickets at 10€ each.

Paris 7
Harriet Welty Rochefort, author of three books about the French, will speak to us about her latest work, JOIE DE VIVRE : Secrets of Wining, Dining, and Romancing like the French. The author of the bestselling "French Toast", who writes with good humor, high spirits, and genuine affection for the prickly, paradoxical, and pleasure-seeking Gauls, will share her insider's view and personal journey through the often byzantine French mindset, showing how joie de vivre permeates the French way of life: the appreciation of the time spent in making and enjoying a perfect feast, the search for the perfect detail, the enjoyment of "small" whether it's the little black dress or a teeny cup of expresso, the no guilt vacations (or long lunches). She also finds less obvious manifestations of joie de vivre - for the French, she says, to have a chagrin d'amour is better than no amour at all, and the most mystifying of all - the French actually get a kick out of fussing and feuding, squabbling and shrugging. Free for PAN members, 5€ for non-members

To sign up please contact Mary Ann Rivet at marivet@noos.fr .

Salle Pleyel, Paris 8

Come herald Easter with its quintessential musical creation -- J.S. Bach's St. John's Passion (composed 1724 in Leipzig) -- in a dramatic, moving performance by the acclaimed Laurence Equilbey conducting her Accentus Chamber Chorus with 32 singers, founded in 1991. If you haven't already enjoyed this unique ensemble a cappella or as here with the Concerto Koln (German chamber orchestra since 1985 specialized in 17th century works), you're in for a memorable experience. You'll recognize some of Bach's famous previous cantata airs integrated both in the magnificent chorales (hymns) and the arias by 6 outstanding soloists, especially the two Grammy Award winning Baroque stars: coloratura soprano Deborah York and tenor Markus Schafer in his oft-sung major role of the narrating Evangelist. The deeply-affecting beauty and richness of this "Passion" will wring your heart and uplift your spirit.

PAN has purchased a limited number of group-rate tickets at 38€ each.

Paris 16

Le Scheffer, in Paris’s 16th arrondissement, is the type of long-established neighborhood bistro that provides the authentic French experience most of us are looking for. According to a Financial Times article, where Le Scheffer ranks alongside legends such as Alain Ducasse, Guy Savoy, the Tour d’Argent and Taillevent, “The food is superb, the service friendly, the atmosphere fun, the prices reasonable.” A 3-course à la carte meal will run about 35€, not including wine. PAN has reserved a table for 10.

Gaumont Pathe Opera Cinéma, (Cote Capucines), 2 Bd Capucines
Paris 9

A rare revival of Pierro Faggioni's ravishing production of Zandonai's best-known melodrama.
Italian composer Riccardo Zandonai's 1914 opera 'Francesca da Rimini' was inspired by an episode in Dante's 'Inferno'. Modern productions are few and far between, and it was last staged by the Met way back in 1986. Now, after more than 25 years, Pierro Faggioni's opulent and realistic production enjoys a welcome revival. Dramatic soprano Eva-Maria Westbroek is cast in the title role of the noblewoman who is tricked into marriage. Lame, deformed and brutal Gianciotto (Mark Delavan) wishes to be married to Francesca for political reasons. Cunningly, he sends his handsome younger brother Paolo (tenor Marcello Giordani) to make the arrangements. Believing she is to be married to Paolo, Francesca readily agrees and the couple fall in love. The cast is completed by Robert Brubaker, singing the wicked Malatestino - whose jealousy incites a murder. Marco Armiliato is the conductor. PAN has purchased a limited number of tickets at 21€ each.

Paris 7

Italy has a rich wine producing heritage and currently produces more wine than any other nation, having overtaken France several years ago. More than 2000 indigenous grape varieties provide highly distinctive, unique flavours and styles. A lot of wines now are generally very well made. Our wine expert will give us the keys to understanding Italy, dealing with the prominent Italian wine regions, the Italian wine classifications and wine labels, vintages and grape varieties. As usual, we will taste six wines and comment on them. It is also an invitation to the hedonistic discovery of the huge diversity Italy offers in terms of wines: from alpine elegance and freshness, tannic bitterness and seriousness (which are by no means unpleasant) to the sweet headiness of the south. 30€ per person

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ALONG THE RIVERS AND THROUGH THE WOODS

On Sunday March 3 Bob Levy will lead us the 12-14 kms. from Vesinet-Centre (RER 'A') to Vaucresson (SNCF); both in ZONE #4. For those who wish to add another 4 kms. the walk will have a secondterminus at Garches (SNCF ZONE #3).

To start we will follow the 'secret' streams which wind their way from bucolic Vesinet, to Le Peq, before looping back toward The Seine. Then it's along the river, crossing the bridge to the Impressionist-rendered village of Bougival. Even if this section of the walk is all you do, it will be well worth it.

From Bougival we climb steeply uphill for 1/4 (one quarter) km. This is a well paved track; the distance is short and there is ample time for rest along he way. From there we continue through forest-trail and lane to the picture-perfect town-square at La Celle Saint Cloud where, in the village square, we will lunch. Continuing on we descend through forest to the Gare at Vaucresson. Depending on time, weather, and interest, the walk will / can be extended 3-4 kms through the Park St. Cloud to the gare at Garches (Zone #3).

NOTES:

• For those who wish to do only the first part of the walk (Vesinet-Bougival) the flat path along the Seine can easily be followed back to RER 'A' at Chatou. A map will be provided.
• Much of this walk is on well-paved trails; mud will be kept to a minimum, though mud there will be.
• A snack break is planned following the uphill from Bougival. Fruit, even a small sandwich is recommended as lunch might be later than usual.
• Technical stops are hard (but not impossible) to accommodate in the walk's first hour. Please plan accordingly. There are several up and downhills throughout the day. None are on difficult trails. ALL are short.
• As always, picnic lunch, strong water-resillient shoes and outer garments.

MEET-UP INFORMATION:
La Défense: Platform RER 'A', direction St. Germain en Laye, rear of the platform (the last car); 9:20 A.M. for the 9:33 RER 'A', arriving at Vesinet-Centre at 9:47. If you wish to take an earlier train or drive, we will meet you at Vesinet-Centre.

From Vaucresson and Garches, SNCF trains run every 30 minutes to La Defense and St. Lazare.

Paris 1

Centrally located and easy to get to, L'Ardoise is an authentic Parisian Bistro, a combination of French culinary art, pleasant surroundings, and a warm and friendly atmosphere. The cuisine is definitely “du marché” and is traditionally French. Take a look at their site: http://www.lardoise-paris.com/ . Chef Pierre Jay trained at one of the city’s oldest and finest restaurants, La Tour d’Argent. A three-course meal comes to 36€, without wine or coffee.

Jazz at the Salle Pleyel
Paris 8

Over the past two decades, Brad Mehldau has earned a spot in the jazz piano firmament next to Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea and Fred Hersch as a supremely expressive improviser who turns performances into emotionally wrought journeys. For this performance, Brad Mehldau and fellow piano master Kevin Hays alternate their personal compositions, arrangements by Steve Reich, Philip Glass and Ornette Coleman, and pieces from the young composer and arranger, Patrick Zimmerli. This is “jazz and beyond.”

PAN has purchased a limited number of group-rate tickets at 30€ per person.

Gaumont Pathe Opera Cinéma, (Cote Capucines), 2 Bd Capucines
Paris 9

Stage and film director Michael Mayer won a Tony Award for the musical adaptation of 'Spring Awakening' in 2007. He now makes his Met Opera debut with this radical new staging of 'Rigoletto' - one of two new productions celebrating Verdi's bicentennial in the Met's 2012-13 season. Inspired by the legendary hi-jinks of Frank Sinatra's Rat Pack, this re-telling transports the tragic story from 16th century Italy to Las Vegas in 1960. Piotr Beczala is the womanizing Duke of Mantua, Zeljko Lucic is his tragic sidekick, Rigoletto, and Diana Damrau is Rigoletto's daughter, Gilda. Stefan Kocan is cast as the assassin Sparafucile, and Oksana Volkova makes her Met debut as Sparafucile's seductive sister, Maddalena. "I've tried to imagine a recent world that captures the decadence of the Duke's palace, where the participants are in pursuit of power, money, and beauty," says Mayer.

PAN has purchased a limited number of seats at 19€ a ticket.

Jazz
Boulogne-Billancourt (metro line 9 or 10)

Pianist Shai Maestro was born in Israel in 1987, but now lives and works in New York with the other two members of his band, Israeli drummer Ziv Ravitz and Peruvian bassist Jorge Roeder. He attended Berklee College of Music and was a member of Avishai Cohen’s band from 2006 until he branched out on his own in 2011. Here is a recent review of the trio from the Guardian: http://www.shaimaestro.com/reviewsarticle.php?reviewsid=17 and a view of their performance on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/user/shaimaestroofficial/featured?v=a0xPZ3eJ9tQ

PAN has purchased a limited number of tickets at a group rate of 13€ per seat.

Guided visit in English
Paris 3

Personalities, history and the architecture of Paris told through the collection in this large museum housed in an imposing mansion in the Marais district. Paris Walks is lending us one of their best British guides, Cerise, to show us the collections which cover Paris in the Renaissance, the 17th and 18th centuries. The history of Paris is told through portraits of personalities with paintings and models of old Paris, whole panelled rooms saved from buildings which were demolished during the rebuilding of Paris and furniture through the ages. The house was for 20 years the home of Mme de Sevigné, famous for her witty letters, and we will hear of her life and times, and also the fascinating period of the Enlightenment with the role of the salons presided over by influential women. The collection includes exquisite 18thC furniture, Mme de Sevigné's writing desk, a superb array of historic shop signs, and some unusual curiosities such as the horse's leg from Henry IV's statue on the Pont Neuf.

10 € for PAN members, 12 € for non members.

Paris 15th (Metro Commerce)

Join Shelley from Paris Bread Co., and spend a hands-on afternoon learning to make North-American style bread like Honey Oatmeal Bread and Cinnamon Swirl. You will be kneading, shaping, baking and tasting … as well as taking home recipes and a complete ingredient list so that you can make your own bread at home. You'll get all the tips from a professional home baker on how to be successful, including where to source all of your American baking ingredients in Paris, and how to deal with French flour!

15€ per person.
Class size limited to 8 students.

Paris 14

This little Parisian bistrot will provide us with traditional atmosphere, a warm and comfortable ambiance on a cold winter’s evening in Paris. The cuisine, inspired by France’s South-West region, is decidedly French and is orchestrated by a young chef who has worked with the finest, Bruno Doucet, who takes his profession to heart:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IL73wtmui1A

PAN’s table has to be restricted to 8 people for this dinner, so reserve your spot quickly. A three course meal comes to 34€, wine and coffee not included.

Paris 7 Do you know what canopy management and a green harvest are in wine terms? Our wine expert will take great pleasure in explaining to us these and other procedures, such as cloning, pruning and training, and allowing us to taste and comment our usual 5 wines (his personal special selection for the occasion). He promises that we will learn some largely unknown and unimaginable facts about grape growing. 25€ per person.

Gaumont Pathe Opera Cinéma, (Cote Capucines), 2 Bd Capucines Paris 9

Gaetano Donizetti's 46th opera "Maria Stuarda" (revised in 1835) is based on Freidrich Schiller's 1800 play which transforms one of the most ferocious political-power duels in British history into a fictionalized high-romance love triangle -- two queens fighting over Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester. "Mary Stuart", the Catholic Queen of Scots since 6 days old (and briefly Queen of France), never met her nine-year older cousin Queen Elizabeth the 1st, jealous of Mary's three marriages and a son, and so fearful of Mary's piety, tall, noble beauty and greater royal legitimacy that she had her beheaded. Donizetti, focusing on Mary's final days, writes some of his most imaginative, brilliant and harmonious melodies for the "bel canto" Mary, sung by mezzo soprano Joyce DiDonati (a specialist of Donizetti and the three queens) and Elizabeth by South African soprano Elza van den Heever. Their emotional arias and duets climax in a spectacular confrontation followed by Mary's unforgettable Act III prayer with the chorus. The handsome lyric tenor Matthew Polenzani is the romantic Leicester, Canadian baritone Joshua Hopkins is Lord Cecil, Elizabeth's Secretary of State, and tenor Matthew Rose is Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury (Mary's custodian for much of her 20-year imprisonment from 1567) in director David McVicar's striking, free visual style reflecting the romanticism of the story and the music conducted by Maurizio Benini.
PAN has purchased a limited number of tickets at 19€ each.

Musée Maillol, Paris 7

The extraordinary « Canaletto à Venise » exhibition is full of master pieces from private collections and the best museums, some never having been exhibited for more than a century, and most never seen in France. PAN has a group “coupe-fils” depart for the exhibit at 6 pm, followed by a 3-course dinner reservation at the Maillol Museum restaurant, La Cortigiana, at 7:30 pm. We will each have an individual audio-guide in English and wander through the exhibit at our own pace. The museum entrance and audio-guide is 14€ per person; the restaurant is 26€. (40 € per person for the whole evening).

PAN’s ever popular annual Christmas Caroling Party will be taking place in December as usual, providing Holiday Season cheer and traditional Christmas carols sung to Nancy Willard-Magaud’s enthusiastic and expert piano playing. The party is limited to members and reservations must be made by December 12th at the latest.

Gaumont Cinéma, Paris 9

The Met Opera's Verdi bicentennial celebration would not be complete without a production of one of the company's signature works. Sonja Frisell's breathtaking staging of 'Aida' immerses the audience in the sheer grandeur of Ancient Egypt, making full use of the Met stage's theatrical potential. Two great performers return to reprise their much acclaimed Met Opera performances in this dramatic setting. Olga Borodina, one of the world's best-known interpreters of the role, sings Aida's royal rival, the proud princess, Amneris. Roberto Alagna plays the hero Radames, who is forced to choose between his love for Aida and loyalty to his country. In the title role, powerhouse Ukrainian soprano Liudmyla Monastyrska is cast as the enslaved Ethiopian princess who forms the third part of this momentous love triangle. The production also stars George Gagnidze as Aida's father, the Ethiopian king Amonasr.

PAN has purchased a limited number of tickets at 19 € each.

Salle Pleyel, Paris 8

This 2nd of the PAN concert series features the revered French cellist Marc Coppey in the unforgettable concerti tradition from Casals to Rostopovitch. Having won every major prize and competition since his teens when he was discovered by Yehudi Menuhin, Coppey infuses music with engaging vitality in a recognizable warm, reverberant sound. Even if you don't adore all of his work, Edward Elgar's Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85, his last notable work (1919), one of his favorites which he conducted at its premiere, is a moving post-WWI mediation. Haunted by autumnal compassion and full of lyrical fantasy, it is especially profound and spiritual as rendered by Coppey. With Eliahu Inbal (a Bruckner specialist) conducting, Anton Bruckner's 2nd Symphony in C Minor (1871-2 revised in 5 versions), exudes such late Germanic romantic features as polyphonic harmonies and fertile, often unprepared modulations. He was a reputed, improvising Viennese organist, and his powerful orchestration resounds with organ echoes.

PAN has purchased a limited number of group-rate tickets at 36€ each.

I'm looking to buy a small, sunny one-bedroom flat in Paris, on a medium to high floor, with a lift, in a residential building with a gardien and in a safe and quiet neighbourhood.

If you or your friends know of any such offers or need more information, please contact Janine at janinelockshin@yahoo.com.

Gaumont Cinéma, Paris 9

To celebrate Verdi's bicentennial, acclaimed director David Alden returns to the Met Opera for the first time in more than 20 years. This is a brand new production of Verdi's tragic tale of a monarch's love for his best friend's wife. The libretto is based loosely on the true story of King Gustav III of Sweden, though heavy censorship prior to its premiere led to the characters and setting being changed. Alden's vivid, dreamlike staging returns the opera to early 20th century Sweden. Fabio Luisi conducts his first Met performances of 'Un Ballo in Maschera' ('A Masked Ball'), which stars Marcelo Alvarez as conflicted Gustavo III and Karita Mattila as Amelia - the object of his affections. Dmitri Hvorostovsky is cast as her suspicious husband Anckarstrom, alongside Stephanie Blythe as the fortune teller Ulrica, and Kathleen Kim as Oscar the page. PAN has purchased a limited number of tickets at 19€ each.

Paris 7

We will be looking at some of the most creative and innovative wine makers on the market in France today. Our wine expert will be selecting five or six wine makers and tell us their stories: their unusual careers in the wine world and their newish and innovative concepts about wine making. We will of course taste and comment on their wine varieties. Two-hour tasting in English by our much-appreciated expert, Azamat Kabisov, 30€ per person.

Paris 15

Head chef and owner, Thierry Blanqui, opened his restaurant in 2001 after working at some of the best restaurants in Paris (the Ritz, La Tour d’Argent, le Doyen). Recommended to us by PAN member and culinary expert, Patti Ravenscroft, a 3-course meal chosen from this fine innovative menu, based on seasonal fresh produce, is 35€, wine not included.

http://www.lebeurrenoisette.com/html/ang_presentation.html.

Boulogne-Billancourt (metro line 9 or 10)

For those of you new to Madeleine Peyroux, she is an acclaimed American jazz singer, songwriter, and guitarist, noted for her vocal style, which has been compared to that of Billie Holiday. See for yourself at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdK21k4lArQ&feature=relmfu. This rare (and sold-out) concert is in celebration of her 6th album, “Standing on the Roof Top”. PAN’s group-rate tickets are at 21€

Paris 1

Traditional Thanksgiving dinner at Joe Allen’s restaurant (30 rue Pierre Lescaut, 75001 Paris – metro Etienne Marcel, line 4). This is a very popular PAN event and the dinner includes cocktail, wine, and coffee for 45 euros. There are only 20 seats – first come first serve. Reservation and payment must be made in advance, please. Your place will only be reserved upon receipt of your check. This event is always “sold out” – so be sure to reserve early.

Join the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Paris for monthly Sunday services at a new time and place:

10:30am, La Maison Verte, 127-129 rue Marcadet, 75018 Paris, Metro Jules Joffrin.
Religious education for children. See www.uufp.info

Salle Pleyel, Paris 8

Chick’s newest trio, hailed as dynamic, deeply interactive and irrepressibly swinging, finds him in the company of a stellar rhythm tandem: bassist Christian McBride (Sting, Pat Metheny, McCoy Tyner), one of the most outstanding and celebrated musicians of his generation, and drummer extraordinaire Brian Blade (Herbie Hancock, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and longstanding member of the Wayne Shorter Quartet). Here’s a sampling: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KVtDrLhQWU&feature=relmfu.

PAN has bought a limited number of tickets to the concert, at a group rate of 39€.

Paris 7

Come along to our annual party dedicated to a time for new and old members to meet. Mix, mingle, eat, drink and get to know members you haven’t yet met or haven’t had much chance to talk to. Old members bring along the food, pot luck style (that favorite recipe?), and the new members bring a bottle of wine, etc (that favorite château?). All members are invited, but space is limited and signing up is definitely required. Please do not plan to attend without registering first.

Laurie McPherson writes:
A friend of mine is seeking volunteers to help her son develop social skills - she's calling it "It takes a village". She learned within the past year that he is autistic. She has done loads of research, talking with professionals, etc., and she (American) and her husband (French) have decided to follow a "treatment" which involves lots of different people interacting with their son individually for an hour and a half at a time on a regular basis (hence the "It takes a village"). So she's making an appeal for volunteers, and I'm spreading the word.

Adrien’s World My name is Adrien and I am 2 1/2 years old. Due to developmental difficulties I can’t learn certain important communication skills by myself. So I need your help to grow up to be like other kids my age! I would love it if you would come and play with me once a week for 1 1/2 hr. It will be a lot of fun! I am like most toddlers my age: I love cars, trains, bubbles and music. But it’s through one-on-one playtime that I am learning to communicate with people. We speak English and French but I don’t care what language you speak, or how old you are as long as you like to laugh, relax and play.

If you can be available for a 1 1/2 hr weekly playtime at our home (Paris 5th), please call or email my daddy at: 06 9505 7772 or playwithadrien@gmail.com before Sunday, October 28th, 2012.

Mummy & Daddy will present the program to all volunteers on Sunday, November 11th from 16h-18h.

Love, Adrien

Guided by a child psychologist, Mme Torterotot, who works with children with special needs, Adrien’s family asks you to join the team in this rewarding project of "building a village" for Adrien to help pull him out of his own little world (inspired by the method of Stanley Greenspan Floortime, Braintraining, 3I, etc). The team of approx 20 volunteers will meet once a month to review Adrien’s progress.
If this does not suit your busy lifestyle, we hope you might know someone to whom this may be of interest. Thank you.

What’s new in France’s many wine regions? We will be looking at each of France’s major wine-growing regions and talking about the new trends and developments in wine making and marketing. And of course, we will be tasting some interesting, innovative wines from each region. The two-hour tasting will be in English and led by our faithful Azamat, 30€ per person

Cité de la Musique, Paris 19
The first of PAN's 2012-3 Concert Series is a musical feast of Robert Schumann, a specialty of the wonderful French star violinist Renaud Capuçon with his preferred Chamber Orchestra of Europe conducted by Yannick Nozet-Séguin. Schumann's only and very late Violin Concerto in D minor (1853), an extremely difficult and deeply moving masterpiece, has an unbearably tender, emotive andante memorably played by Capucon. The concert begins with Schumann's Manfred Overture (1848, Opus 115), the first of a three-part (16-piece) work for Byron's "Manfred" -- one of his finest orchestral creations, from plaintive lyricism to bursting dramatic passion. Schumann's exciting Symphony Op. 97, in E flat titled the 3rd though composed the last (1850), comprises five movements and is called Rhenish (Renane) because of memories of his trip with his wife Clara.

PAN has purchased a limited number of group-rate tickets at 33€ each.

Met Gaumont Pathe Opera (Cote Capucines), 2 Bd Capucines, 9e

PAN's Met Opera film series launches with this new 3-hour hair raising performance of Othello. The beautiful, captivating music of Giuseppe Verdi's penultimate (1884-7) masterpiece expresses his profound insights into Shakespeare's tragedy. Unlike previous Desdemonas, the incomparable soprano Renee Fleming makes you feel anew the fiery innocence and goodness of this doomed, doting wife. The clarion tenor Johan Botha embodies the Moor Othello -- the tragic hero on his inevitable journey from Venetian conquering general and Governor of Cyprus to self-destruction. And the German bass-baritone Falk Struckmann is the Machiavellian ensign Iago, whose torturing jealousy makes him an incarnation of evil. The plot and these probing character portrayals are conveyed especially through Verdi's highly developed orchestral score, here brilliantly directed by Semyon Bychkov .

Paris 7

Join us as Rosemary Flannery discusses her new book, Angels of Paris: An Architectural Tour through the History of Paris. Rosemary will discuss how the project evolved from idea to book, and some of her adventures in finding, photographing and researching angels illustrated in architecture all throughout Paris, from the middle ages to the 20th century.
Free event for PAN members, 5€ for non-members.

Boulogne-Billancourt (métro line 9 or 10)

Gregory Porter hails from California, and qualifies by some as this year’s revelation in vocal jazz. He epitomizes the tradition of Afro-American jazz with its Gospel roots, a voice that ranges from soft and haunting to hard and raging. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1SUyeIqWWM. His second album, “Be Good”, released in February has received high praise. PAN has purchased 10 tickets at a group rate of 16 €.

Paris 1

This is your opportunity to contribute to discussion and decision-making that will influence PAN’s development, and to meet the Board and other PAN members. This year, four Board members are seeking re-election and nine are in mid-term. We will also,of course, be celbrating another birthday, PAN's 18th! The buffet table generously offered by our hostess, Vivian Cruise, and the birthday cake which tops off the evening will add the festive touch PAN evenings are known for. Our sincere thanks to Vivian for having us every year.

Invitation is for PAN members only, as posted to members.

Been meaning to join a choir? AIME - Amateur group seeks experienced SATB to sing diverse repertoire (spirituals, classical, musicals, and more).
Rehearsals Mondays in the Marais, 19h45-22h.
www.chorale-aime.com

Paris 7

Our wine expert will be showing us a range of delicious wines from Ardèche, the Rhone region, and the South-West which are really good value at 3.90 or 4.90 €, worth at least twice their price in blind tastings, and perfect for everyday drinking and enjoyment. Two-hour wine tasting in English, 25€ per person.

Eglise de Pantin, Metro line 5

Our unusual cruise on the Seine during Paris’ fall fashion week will allow us to discover the history of textile in Paris, especially in the northern parts of the city. We will have a fashion show, printing and dyeing workshops, and the story behind the fabric tradition in Pantin and in the Villette. Our three and a half hour cruise will be in French, 19€ per person, tickets limited.

Paris 14

We will be strolling through the international "Cité Universitaire" buildings located in the south of Paris on 345-acre grounds. The Cité was founded just after World War I to facilitate relations between young people of various nationalities and every year it accommodates 10,000 students, researchers and artists in its 40 houses. So far 35 countries and many wealthy art patrons have participated in this worthy project by constructing buildings. We will be able to go into the House of Morocco, the Swiss Foundation building by Le Corbusier, and the Deutsch Foundation building.

Two-hour visit in English, 12€ for members, 15€ for non-members.

Paris 14
Why not join the PAN table for this innovative and tasty experience in French cuisine, our first outing of the new season. We will be enjoying an aperitif, 3-course meal from their extensive and impressive menu, wine and coffee for 45€ per person. See for yourself at: http://www.lesvendanges-paris.fr/home.php?l=en

Paris 7

We will be looking at some of the most creative and innovative wine makers on the market in France today. Our wine expert will be selecting five or six wine makers and telling us their stories: their unusual careers in the wine world and their newish and innovative concepts about wine making. We will of course taste and comment on their wine varieties. Two-hour tasting in English, 30€ per person.

PAN invites you and your friends to its upcoming Art Exhibition of works by members.
Come delight in their talents in our cozy, casual gallery in Montmartre from September 7 through September 15, 2012 - 11 am to 7 pm every day.

Or better yet, join the Artists for the opening or closing parties:
Vernissage: Friday, September 7, 2012 - 7 - 10 pm
Finissage: Saturday, September 15, 2012 - 4 - 8 pm

Au Bon Coin - Annex 2, 29 rue Montcalm, 75018 Paris.
Metros: Jules Joffrin or Guy Moquet

Special event: Readings by two authors: Stories about Paris
From a new book “Best Paris Stories” edited by Laurel Zuckerman
Date: Tuesday, September 11, 6:30 TO 8 pm
This is an opportunity to see the PAN Art Show with live entertainment. No sign-up required; wine and chips will be available after the readings

http://parisstoriescontest.blogspot.fr/2012/09/best-paris-stories-authors-to-read-at.html

For full details and party sign-up contact person: Sophie Le Cam sophielecam@yahoo.com (by email only).

Jazz à la Villette

The deep tones of tenor saxophonist David Murray combined with the raspy voice of Macy Gray. Murray has already been playing with the very best on the jazz scene for 35 years. He started out with an experimental sound and now blends those qualities of free jazz with straight-ahead jazz in his own unique way. Macy Gray has been an established name in alternative soul since her debut album On How Life Is was released in 2000.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwNQRrYPVqQ&feature=fvwrel
Murray and Gray sharing a stage promises to be a musical journey of discovery and recognition. British soul phenomenon Lianne La Havas will be opening the concert.
27€ per person.

Chatou (78) - RER A

Join us in discovering the beauty and history of the villages and towns along the Seine just west of Paris where workers, nobles and artists mingled during the 19th century. This is an hour and a half boat cruise starting and ending in Chatou, accessible with a short walk from the RER station in Reuil Malmaison. 15€ per person.

Wine tasting, in English

Wine from Provence and the island of Corsica are often coupled together in tastings, as they share “sea, stone and sun” and represent the cradle of the vine growing in France. Corsica offers subtle rosé and dry white wines, often drunk young, fresh, as an aperitif or to accompany a light meal. Wine production in Provence started 2,600 years ago, when the Greeks founded Marseille in 600 BC. It is known predominantly for its rosé wine, although reds actually make up a third of the production. We will be tasting a nice variety, and learning all there is to know thanks to our wine expert, originally from the Musée du Vin in Paris. 30€ per person.

A popular tourist attraction, Montparnasse Cemetery is the eternal home of many of France's intellectual and artistic elite as well as publishers and others who promoted the works of authors and artists. There are also monuments to police and fire fighters killed in the line of duty in the city of Paris.

Members 10€, non-members 12€

Fête de la Musique (Country music band)
Le Mesturet
Paris 2

Located in central Paris near the Opera, this is a classic French bistrot with traditional cuisine prepared with passion and creativity by two professionals of the restaurant business - owner, Alain Fontaine and chef, Pascal Brot.

For this special evening, we will have an excellent fixed menu (changes - from the regular menu - will be accepted ) :

• Entrée du jour : Tarte fine aux rougets, compotée d'oignons, vinaigrette à l'ail doux
• Plat du jour : Brochette de gigot d'agneau, ratatouille Languedocienne
• Dessert du jour : Financier maison, compote de cerises, glace lavande

This 3-course meal with apératif and coffee comes to 33€ per person. Wine will be extra, at your own choice. Estimate 43/45€ total if you drink half a bottle of wine.

As the date falls on France's Fête de la Musique, we will have the same country music entertainment as last year.

Salle Pleyel
Paris 8

These are the crème de la crème in their own fields: Brad Mehldau playing piano and Joshua Redman on the saxophone. You don’t get any better. Both of these top musicians, good friends to boot, are more likely to perform alone or in a group, so the piano/saxophone duo will be a rare treat.

PAN has purchased a limited number of tickets at a group-rate of 38€, category 1 seating.

The Tower Theatre Company
Jardin Shakespeare
Bois de Boulogne, Paris

UK’s Tower Theatre Company is coming back in June for their 21st annual season at the Théâtre de Verdure in the Bois de Boulogne, this year performing A Midsummer Night’s Dream, in English with French subtitles. Those of you who attended Macbeth last year will remember how delightful the production was, in lovely surroundings and with the actors so close.

PAN has purchased 10 tickets, group-rate, at 12€ each.

Directed by Myung-Whun Chung
András Schiff on piano

Salle Pleyel
Paris 8

PAN's 2011-12 classical concert season ends with the renowned pianist Andras Schiff (born 1953 in Budapest and English since 2001), whose Beethoven concerto and sonata tours and recordings are remarkable along with his special cycles ranging from Bach to Bartok and Janachek, played with all the major international orchestras and conductors.

After receiving, from age five, most prizes and honors for pianists, Schiff also became a conductor and created his own chamber music ensemble. When you hear him play the Concerto no.3, you'll remember the virtuoso piano solos and music of dramatic intensity, rich in turbulent emotions within varied, dynamic structure which challenged the capabilities of instruments in 1803.

With such "a tough act to follow," Anton Bruckner's Symphony no. 5 (in B flat major, 1875-6), his most contrapuntally complex, more than succeeds.
Myung-Whun Chung, as conductor, elicits one of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Radio France's best performances.

PAN has purchased a limited number of tickets at a group-rate of 29€.

Up to the beginning of the 20th century, Montmartre was THE place for an artist in "Belle Epoque" Paris, the village being much less urbanised than it is today. Let's follow in the steps of Edouard Manet, Vincent Van Gogh, Auguste Renoir, Henri de Toulouse Lautrec, Edgar Degas, Pablo Picasso and others. We will go from the boulevard where all the cafés and famous cabarets are to the top of the hill on small streets with signs of the former bohemian lifestyle of the artists, such as the Bateau Lavoir ateliers.

Visit in English, 10€ for PAN members, 12 € for non members.

Paris 7

Come along to PAN’s spring party, with a fresh flower in your hair. Mix, mingle, eat, drink and get to know members you haven’t yet met or haven’t had much chance to talk to. Dinner will be pot-luck, thanks to you (that favorite recipe?), and a bottle of wine would not be refused. (that favorite château?). All members are invited, but space is limited and signing up is definitely required. Please do not plan to attend without registering first

Paris 7

Located between Burgundy and Switzerland, this cool climate wine region, the smallest in surface in France and undoubtedly also the most complicated, produces wines with some similarity to Burgundy. Jura wines are distinctive and unusual wines, made from grape varieties such as Savagnin, Poulsard, Trousseau, and Chardonnay. We will be tasting our usual 5 or 6 bottles, guided by our wine expert whom we met originally on a tour at the Musée du Vin in Paris. 30€ per person.

Boulogne-Billancourt (metro line 9 or 10)

We have been lucky to get our hands on tickets to see and hear one of the icons of the French chanson, with his classics from a career spanning 40 years and this time accompanied by a 30-piece orchestra. He will also be reciting poetry by Ronsard in true French troubadour fashion. PAN has purchased a limited number of tickets at a group rate of 21€ for this unique evening.

Paris 16

Located in the heart of the 16th arrondissement, the Casa Candido comes highly recommended for its specialty of paella, either the traditional Valenciana variety or aux fruits de mer. Your hearty paëlla, plus dessert and wine will come to 35€.

Paris 7

Located between the Bordeaux region and the Pyrenees mountains, the Southwest is a traditional wine region, probably even older than its famous neighbour and well known for excellent quality, unique personality, and value. Red grape varieties include Cabernet, Merlot and Tannat and white varieties are Sémillon, Sauvignon and Ugni Blanc. Madiran, Jurançon, Cahors, Irouleguy are all from this region. 30€ per person.

Gaumont Cinema
Paris 8

In 1935 when Dimitri Shostakovich first brought the ballet to the stage in Soviet Russia, it exemplified the kind of Soviet art that was not only unknown but also alien to the West: a comedy about life on a collective farm. This live broadcast from Moscow of the ballet will allow us to experience the richness and the charm of the Bolshoi Theatre.

22€ per person.

Longchamp Racecourse,
Bois de Boulogne, Paris 16

Discover the excitement of thoroughbred racing in France with an insider's tour guided by Gina Rarick (www.gallopfrance.com), currently the only American professional racehorse trainer in France and the first American woman granted a license here. Starting with a BYO picnic lunch in the infield of this historic racecourse, Gina will explain how racing works in France. After lunch there will be a tour of the track, the weighing room where the jockeys prepare for the races, the stabling/saddling enclosures and, if possible, a trip down to the starting gates to watch the horses jump out for a race. Dress for changeable weather! Please reserve your place early. This has proved to be a very popular event in past years and we need to give Longchamp advance notice for picnic tables.

10 € for PAN members, 12€ for non-members.

Talk by Ann Saul

Camille Pissarro’s paintings invite you to join him in that place. In Pontoise, the blue sky and reflections lying gently on the Oise River are just as they were then. The “sensations” he felt and captured in his paintings are just as real. This was his genius. Ann Saul has traveled to all the places Pissarro painted (except Venezuela). From her 25 years’ study of Pissarro, she has written a book called Pissarro’s Places. Her slide-lecture covering cities and countryside gives you a taste of the “sensations” of those places and Pissarro’s art. Ann was formerly a Guide at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and a Docent at Terra Museum of American Art in Chicago. Free for PAN members, 5€ for non-members.

Carré Belle Feuille
Boulogne-Billancourt

June and Lula are two young and attractive French girls who are really into American pop/folk music, as well as country and blues. You can find them singing and performing with Joe Cocker on stage at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGIw2RxA8ZA&feature=related .

PAN has purchased a limited number of group-rate tickets at 16€ each.

Les Liaisons Delicieuses
With Chris Boicos and Patti Ravenscroft

PAN has been able to reserve some last-minute spots for this special event, for both Parts 1 and 2, which can be attended separately.

Part 1: Tuesday, April 10 – An evening on Van Gogh, with a talk and slides by Odille Boicos with Chris Boicos, at the Galerie Beckel, Paris 4e.
6 – 8:30 pm, with wine and pates. 25€ per person

Part 2: Wednesday, April 11 - Day trip by Transilien train to Auvers-Sur-Oise to visit the places where Van Gogh painted his last paintings, followed by a delicious lunch at the Auberge Ravoux where he lived and died. The lunch will be one that Van Gogh himself might well have enjoyed.
65€ per person, not including the train, but including 3-course lunch with wine, visit of Dr. Gachet's house, a 2 hour tour in English of the village AND a special visit for the group of the Musee d'Absinthe with a tasting.

Gaumont Cinema
Paris 8

Join the PAN group for Anna Netrebko’s dazzling portrayal of the tragic heroine in Laurent Pelly’s new production travels to the Met from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Piotr Beczala and Paulo Szot also star, with the Met’s Principal Conductor Fabio Luisi on the podium. Approximate running time is 3 hrs. 40 min.

A synopsis of the story is available at:
http://www.metoperafamily.org/metopera/history/stories/synopsis.aspx?id=446 .

28€ per person.

Swan Bar, Paris 6

PAN is making a special effort in support of this up and coming American rock country band with sounds reminiscent of Johnny Cash and Chris Issak. A sampling of their music, from their fourth and latest album, can be had at http://www.girlsgunsandglory.com/ . The four young men hail from the north east, and won the Boston Music Awards "Outstanding act of the year" in 2007 and the Boston Globe 2011 award for the best American group.

15€ per person

The aim of France-Amériques is to strengthen ties and mutual understanding between France and all the countries of North and South America. Today France-Amériques has become a privileged meeting place for French and American opinion leaders from the worlds of diplomacy, defense, business, universities, and cultural institutions.

Events organized by the Association in its town house are extremely frequent and varied. Its members regularly receive invitations to breakfasts, luncheons-debates, seminars, lectures, concerts, literary prizes and dinners.
Every year between September and mid-July, over 60 events are held in the salons, making France Amériques the most intellectually stimulating circle in Paris. A newsletter, La Lettre de France Amériques, focuses on many of these occasions. www.france-ameriques.org france-ameriques@wanadoo.fr

Current calendar can be accessed through http://www.cybel.fr/html/Communaute/fr-am/events.html

Paris 17

Known in the neighbourhood as an excellent address with dishes like mother (French mothers, that is) used to make: traditional, refined or just plain good. Chef Wim Van Gorp is Belgian and a Ducasse and Vongerichten veteran. Full menu with lots of choice, great service, nice ambiance. 40€ per person.

Paris 10

Join us on this fascinating visit to the operational control tower of the TGV at the Gare de l’Est, where the SNCF operators are in charge of the running of the whole train system in France and where all decisions of importance are made. 6€ per person, must be aged 12 or over.

Ile de Chatou, RER A

The antiques fair in Chatou is renowned all over France. Bargains are easy to find on this the last day of the bi-annual, 2-week long antiques fair, a 10 minute RER trip into Impressionist countryside west of Paris. http://chatou.sncao-syndicat.com/ We will be meeting for lunch and then off browsing the 800 antiques stands. 5€ entrance fee, plus the cost of your lunch.

Salle Pleyel, Paris 8

Join the lucky members of the PAN group going to see one of the best reputed saxophone players today, having played first alongside Miles Davis then developing into his own smooth jazz flow of sometimes funk, sometimes furious. His quartet is made up of Benito Gonzales on piano, Corcoran Holt on counter bass, and McClenty Hunter on drums. PAN has purchased a limited number of category 1 tickets at a group rate of 30 € each.

Paris 7

In this first wine tasting for PAN in 2012, we will examine the Languedoc wine region, part of which dates from the Greeks in the 5th century and, along with Provence vineyards, constitutes the oldest planted vineyards in France. Due to outside investment and an increased focus on quality, many vineyards are concentrating on creating a good brand name rather than relying on regional designations. Our prized wine specialist comes from Le Musée du Vin in Paris. In English. 30€ per person.

Petit Palais, Paris 8

PAN member Deborah Jenner is an art historian in 20th century spiritual art and has just had published an essay on Tagore’s work as a painter. She has kindly offered to guide a group of PAN members through the current exhibit at the Petit Palais.
http://www.petitpalais.paris.fr/fr/expositions/rabindranath-tagore-1861-1941

10€ per person, which includes entrance fee.

Homelike Office Space to sub-let in residential building.
16 sq. metres in heart of town.
Parquet flooring / fireplace / quiet.
Perfect for fellow psychotherapist, counselling, writing, research.
Free in February 2012.
Contact Claire on clairem@wanadoo.fr for additional information.

Friends or family coming from the US? Paris has many excellent rental agencies and short-term apartment rental listing sites, but our unique and handy service is: once the search has been narrowed to several good prospects and it’s time to check them out, we’ll do the legwork. You provide us with the rental contact information, and for a small fee, Paris CheckOut will go look, take photos inside and of the immediate vicinity, compare the actual to the listing description, and send you a candid and objective report by email. We also have a growing inventory of previously checked out vacation rentals.

For details, check out our website: http://www.parischeckout.com Discount of 20% when a PAN member is named as a referral.

A classroom can be intimidating so I propose my French programs in either 1-to-1 tuition or small groups: private courses, conversation and refreshment programs, tutoring services.

Feel quickly at ease in your Parisian environment. Learn according to your personal needs (private or business), your current level of understanding and the time you have available. My priority is to help you to communicate with confidence in any private or business situation.

For more information, see Paris Version à la Française
Pascale can be contacted at contact@parisvf.com

Topics include the upcoming climate change and energy bills, as well as an update on the status of other major Washington bills. Let your voice be heard.

Attendance is free.

Dates are set at the end of each meeting.

Le Lutece
8 bd Saint Michel, 75006 Paris

Visit our website at www.capitol-voice.org

For details and information, contact Barbara TUCKER at barbaraht19@gmail.com

Specialities include two-hour tours of the highlights of the Louvre and the Orsay museums as well as tours at the Pinacotheque , Musée Jacquemart-Andre, L’Orangerie, Angels of Paris, Cluny Museum, Marmotton-Monet and the Musée Rodin. I also do visits to hMontmartre and the Marais. The Intro to Paris tour and Chocolate Tour are a great way to get to know Paris in a new and exciting way. Guided tours are a wonderful gift for visiting friends and families. See www.passport-to-paris.com Rosemary can be contacted at rosemary.flannery@orange.fr

Abbie Salny, retired psychologist and college professor, will entertain us with stories of her puzzle writing career, such as how she started, what kinds she creates, her many publications in such journals as the Readers’ Digest and the New York Times, the Survival episode that featured her work, and her appearance on Oprah Winfrey’s show. She will be bringing along puzzles for everyone to do. Free event for members, 5€ for non-members.

Thirza Vallois' books are written for the savvy and sophisticated traveller and for the real lovers of Paris and France

Around and About Paris: The most comprehensive and far-reaching streetwise guides to Paris Averyon, A Bridge to French Arcadia: A unique journey into the last hidden corner of "La France profonde" Romantic Paris: A feast of romance (out of print but still available on Amazon).

All have been praised by the press:
The Sunday Times "and then there are Thirza Vallois's extraordinary Around and About Paris"
The Boston Book Review "Don't leave home without it!"
The Times Literary Supplement "An astonishingly informative companion."

For more details, click below:
www.aroundaboutparis.com or www.thirzavallois.com

Cité de la Musique

La Chambre Philharmonique
If you love violin music, you will treasure listening to Isabelle Faust, a French resident born in 1972 in Germany - one of today’s most prominent young violinists.

As the New York Times enthuses: “Her sound has passion, grit and electricity but also a disarming warmth and sweetness that can unveil the music’s hidden strains of lyricism."

Performing internationally with chamber ensembles and major orchestras, Isabelle has made award-winning recordings of violin masterpieces ranging from JS Bach, Beethoven and Brahms to Fauré, Debussy and Dvorak.

You will wish that her superb performance of Mozart's 5th Violin Concerto in A major (Turkish), K. 219, 1775, with two adagios, could last all evening. The program begins with two of Haydn's symphonies - La Poule, and L'Ours, with conductor Emmanuel Krivine's La Chambre Philharmonique, which he created with first musicians from various orchestras playing period instruments.

PAN has purchased a limited number of group-rate tickets at 20€.

Paris 16

Top seeded players expected for this exciting annual tennis event in Paris include Maria Sharapova, Marion Bartoli, Li Na, and Andrea Petkovic. The Pierre de Coubertin Stadium is an indoor arena which opened in 1937 for the Universal Exposition and was rebuilt after World War II in 1946. PAN has purchased a limited number of tickets for the semi-finals day at 35€ each.

Paris 4
Philippe Amichaud is a proud Auvergnat who offers a « Menu Saveurs du Pays » in his restaurant on weekend evenings, with genuine products from the Auvergne region of France. For our table he is providing a typical regional aperitif, a three-course meal (two choices per course), wine and coffee for 35€ per person. Table limited to 10.

Jazz Club Etoile
Paris 17

Why not join the group of PAN members for this trip back to the rock and roll years. Matthew Lee sings and plays piano with his 6-member jive band, in the tradition of Jerry Lee Lewis and Chuck Berry. You can take a look at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EJL3h85A8w . PAN has reserved a stage-side table. The concert and a first drink costs 27€.

Gaumont Cinema
Paris 8

The Enchanted Island is an 1864 ballet by Arthur Sullivan written as a divertissement at the end of Vincenzo Bellini's La Sonnambula at Covent Garden. The story centers around a shipwrecked sailor and his fairy queen, with nymphs and satyrs to test love’s ardour. This 2012 live performance by the Metropolitan Opera is directed by William Christie, with Danielle de Niese, Joyce DiDonato, and Lisette Oropesa. 28€

Art History Lecture by David Reckford

Paris 7
In his second talk for PAN members, David will be focusing on some works that are less well known in the world's largest museum but that are still very well worth seeing. After you've already set eyes on the masterpieces that everyone rushes to see, such as the Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory, and the Venus de Milo, he takes us on a detour off the beaten track, to the less crowded rooms. Free for PAN members, 5€ for non-members.

Paris 10

Let’s discover together the secrets behind chocolate and its 4,000-year history, as well as the modern techniques of fabrication and the enticing aromas of the different cocoa varieties. The museum visit will end with a demonstration of chocolate-making and a tasting. In English, 1½ hour visit. 14€ for PAN members, 16€ for non-members.

Salle Pleyel, Paris 8

If you haven't yet seen and heard the great Russian pianist Mikhail Rudy, seize this chance during the Paris stop of his international tours and recordings with famous orchestras from St Petersburg to San Francisco. You'll experience Tchaikovsky's 1st Piano Concerto like you never have before, with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France directed by Alexander Vedernikov. From his first concert after escaping to the west (with Stern and Rostropovich in honor of the 90th birthday of Chagall, who became his good friend), Rudy, age 57, as in his recent aptly titled box of 5 CDs, "Le Piano Romantic," masters a repertory from Rachmaninov, Prokofiev and Stravinsky to Brahms, Chopin and Liszt up through Janacek. After his script for the film and play "The Pianist," the BBC made a movie of his autobiography "Le Roman d’un Pianiste ou L’Impatience de Vivre." Tonight's program ends with extracts from Prokofiev's ballet Cendrillon, so lyrical and enchanting, you'll want to dance your way home. 30€ tickets – Cat 2, group price.

The broad scope of PAN activities underscores PAN's fundamental vocation to enrich our lives collectively and as individuals.

Many PAN events have been so successful that they have become annual landmarks on the calendar: among them, the PAN Artists' Exhibition, and, on a lighter note, the Christmas Carolling Party.

Equally popular are the New Member/Old Member soirées and other parties organized to enable PAN members to get to know one another.

PAN also varies its agenda yearly to reflect important changes in the world in which we live and work, with special programs on work-related matters or current affairs, or to commemorate an historical moment or celebrate a major cultural event.

Members have the opportunity to get together in smaller groups as well, to pursue activities such as reading and discussing books within the framework of our Book Club. Artists, journalists and psychologists have, likewise, joined forces with fellow colleagues in PAN for a variety of reasons, both social and professional.

Follow the link for comprehensive listings of American associations and clubs in Paris:

• American Government Offices
• General information & resources
• Mental Health Support & counselling
• Intercultural Organizations
• Political Organizations
• Women's Organizations
• Alumni Organizations
• American Food Stores
• Churches & Religious Organizations
• Miscellaneous membership Organizations

www.expatica.com

Nesle Theater, Paris 6

A Christmas Carol is a very faithful stage-play adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic story of Christmas, memory, and redemption. The dialogue is verbatim Dickens. PAN has purchased a limited number of tickets at 15€ each.

Paris 6

For our holiday wine tasting this year we will be tasting at least four great wines of France, one or two notches up from our usual, chosen by our wine specialist who will be hunting Paris wine stores for us for a Burgundy Premier Cru (like a Meursault), an aged Médoc red, a rare and extremely raffiné Selosse rosé Champagne and a great white sweet Loire, like Vouvray or Savennières. PAN’s wine tastings are the best value in Paris, 26€ per person.

Boulogne-Billancourt (metro line 9 or 10)

Mélanie Dahan is an up and coming French jazz vocalist, whose recently released second album has moved her from jazz versions of the French chanson to a more Latino sound, performing with some very talented musicians who swing easily along with her. Her music can be sampled here: http://melaniedahan.free.fr/NL/Latine.html .
PAN has purchased a limited number of group-rate tickets at 16€ each.

Join us for Holiday Season cheer and traditional Christmas carols sung to Nancy Willard-Magaud’s enthusiastic and expert piano playing. Limited to members and reservations must be made by November 25th at the latest. 15€ per person

Comédie Française, Salle Richelieu
Paris 1

Le Jeu de l'amour et du hasard is a 3-act romantic comedy written in 1730, not actually for the Comédie Française, but for their competitors, the Italian troupe of actors in Paris at the same time. It is a light-hearted story of mistaken identity and romantic jousting. PAN has purchased a limited number of tickets at group rates for 33€ per person.

Poetry reading and discussion
Paris 7

Rosarita Cuccoli is a native of Bologna, Italy and a 12-year resident of Paris. She will be reading and answering questions about her third book, "The Love of a Woman". The book uses the atypical instrument of poetry to describe both the intensity of love emotions and the historical phase in which the underlying story takes place, the two aspects becoming two almost interchangeable layers, depending on the reader's perceptions and sensitivity.

Salle Pleyel
Paris 1

Rickie Lee Jones is an American vocalist, musician, songwriter, and producer. Over the course of a three-decade career, she has recorded in various musical styles including rock, R&B, blues, pop, soul, and jazz standards. She and her 10-piece band will be performing songs from her 1981 album,” Pirates. If her name doesn’t ring a bell, listen to a few of her best-known songs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lg1Ibt4xP7g&feature=related and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weUA0inxa2M

PAN has purchased a limited number of Category 1 tickets at 38€ each.

Traditional Thanksgiving dinner at Joe Allen’s restaurant (30 rue Pierre Lescaut, 75001 Paris – metro Etienne Marcel, line 4).

This is a very popular PAN event and the dinner includes cocktail, wine, 3 courses and coffee for 45€. There are only 20 seats – first come first serve. Reservation and payment must be made in advance, please. Your place will only be reserved upon receipt of your check. This event is always “sold out” – so be sure to reserve early.

Paris 7

We will be putting off our regional approach to French wines until the New Year and engaging in something more unusual: pitting Chardonnay against Merlot. Let’s enjoy ourselves looking at the character of each grape and tasting its varying expressions when planted in different regions. Our prized wine specialist will be happy to guide us along the way. In English. 26€ per person.

Métro Tuileries (line 1)

Hear how the Parisians survived the dark years of the Occupation from 1940-44 on this walk in the area of the Champs Elysées, with stories of daily life, the Gestapo, the Resistance and the Liberation. Two-hour walk will be in English. 10€ for members, 12€ for non-members.

Paris 11

This lovely little bistrot has come highly recommended and has the reputation of a great-value-for-quality sure bet among the locals. You can take a look yourself at: http://www.lebestofparis.com/best-restaurants-in-paris/le-temps-au-temps.
The three course menu is 35€, so as usual we add 10€ for the wine and tip and are asking for 45€ per person. We have to limit the table to 10 people

Salle Pleyel, Paris 1

You'll be overwhelmed by this extraordinary French soprano Patricia Petitbon (born 1970), with a voice distinctive in its lyrical beauty, resonance, drama and intensity. In her numerous recordings and worldwide concerts, she seeks to revive and foster music of many kinds, from early Baroque to modern, masses to operas and operettas and also from many countries, such as the Spanish opera airs we will be hearing: "Mélodies de la Mélancolie" -- by Manuel De Falla, Agustin Lara and Xavier Montsalvatge with the "Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse" conducted by Josep Pons (Catalan). [CD Melancolia - Spanish arias and songs October, 2011 Deutsche Grammophon.]

Category 3 seats at 29€ (group price -15%).

On , Sunday, October 30, 2011 Bob Levy will lead us on the 15 km route from the River Essonne to the River Juine. We will begin at Ferte-Alais on the RER 'D' walking west through that village and continuing west through what should be Autumn forest colors. We cross forest, fields, and one brief hill, by morning's end arriving at the River Juine and the truly charming towns on either side: Janville and Lardy. We will lunch in a willow-filled park along the Juine then wind our way through those villages.

Following lunch those who wish a short day can take the RER 'C' from Lardy returning to Paris. The route will take all of us up to the Gare.

Following the station there is a hill. It is not especially steep, nor is it especially long. It is wide and graded, and in parts nearly paved. Still, for those who wish to avoid it, there is the train at Lardy.

The rest of us will re-enter the Fall foliage and continue onward, finally descending to the Gare Bouray and the RER 'C'. Trains to Paris from Lardy and Bouray run every 20 - 30 minutes.

LOGISTICS: MEETING PLACE and TIMES

1. I strongly recommend purchasing a MOBILIS 1-5 for this day. Without it, the cost can be as much as 18€.
2. We will meet at the GARE DE LYON, RER 'D', DIRECTION MALESHERBES: be there at 9:30 AM for the train at 9:41. We will board the last car going out.
3. Please keep in mind that certain 'D' trains begin their route at Gare de Lyon, so you may not necessarily be able to board this train at an earlier station. Instead, go to Gare de Lyon by any way you can ('D', 'A', '1', '14') and check the departure-signs for 'MALESHERBES'.
4. There is only one train each hour.

Picnic lunch, good shoes, high spirits, and a readiness to laugh required.

Paris 7

Monique Y. Wells is a native of Houston, Texas and a 19-year resident of Paris. Her broad range of interests have led her down a unique career path – from veterinary pathology to personalized travel planning to time management expert; there has never been a dull moment in her professional life since she arrived here! Monique will share her story and answer questions about her activities during our Friday evening session. 5€ per person.

Compiegne (Oise)

Alix de Lauzanne started her cooking school, Private Kitchen, several years ago and has been giving classes to friends and neighbors in her large, well-appointed country kitchen ever since. Thanks to her long-time friend and PAN member, Patti Ravenscroft, we will spend a delightful day there, learning some of her secrets and sharing our own-cooked delicacies for lunch, with wine.

More at: http://cookfrance.blogspot.com/2011_03_01_archive.html
Limited to 8 participants, 40€.

Boulogne-Billancourt (metro line 9 or 10)

Joe Louis Walker is a renowned blues guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and producer, born in San Francisco and on the musical scene since 1964, with a talent extending to soul and black rock and roll music. He participates in jazz festivals the world over and won the best album award at the Blues Music Awards in 2010. PAN has purchased a limited number of group-rate tickets at 16€ each.

Walking Tour by Pam Grant

A popular tourist attraction, Montparnasse Cemetery is the eternal home of many of France's intellectual and artistic elite as well as publishers and others who promoted the works of authors and artists. The visit will be fascinating, like a walking "History of French Culture" class. We will also admire monuments to police and fire fighters killed in the line of duty for the city of Paris. Visit lasts 2 hours and will be in English. 10€ for members, 12€ for non-members.

Paris 15

Why not join the group adventuring into Basque country where a warm welcome and traditional southwest cuisine, generous and genuine, will be awaiting us. A three course meal, plus a half bottle of wine comes to 40€.

Paris 7

In this year’s series of wine tastings, we will start by continuing to examine a different wine region, this time the Rhône valley, where the first vineyards were probably planted around 600 BC. We will examine the different characteristics of the wine production from the northern and southern parts of this region, both red and white. Our prized wine specialist comes from Le Musée du Vin in Paris. In English. 26€ per person. Orchestre de Paris, and its Choir - Saturday, October 1, 2011 at 8 pm Cobos-Pressle Salle Pleyel Reserve now for a triple-treat concert by the Orchestre de Paris starring the great and rarely-seen (in Paris) German-Israeli pianist Menahem Pressler playing Mozart's 17th Piano Concerto, plus Charles Gounod's 1855 "Solennelle" or Saint Cecilia Mass sung by the Choeur de l'Orchestre de Paris and soloists Marita Solberg, Maximilian Schmitt and Thomas Dear, both following the Overture to "Los Esclavos Felices" (1818-21) by Arriaga, the Spanish Mozart. Category 2 seats at 38€ (group price -15%). Old Member/New Member Party - Friday, September 30, 2011 – 8 to 10:30 pm Paris 07 Come along to our annual party dedicated to a time for new and old members to meet. Mix, mingle, eat, drink and get to know members you haven’t yet met or haven’t had much chance to talk to. Old members bring along the food, pot luck style (that favorite recipe?), and the new members bring a bottle of wine, etc (that favorite château?). All members are invited, but space is limited and signing up is definitely required. “More Lives than one – Oscar Wilde and the Black Douglas” - Friday, September 23, 2011 at 7 pm Play in English Paris 6 “The importance of being Oscar” – this powerful show explores the ambition, life and works of the writer, exposing the unique but flawed genius that was Oscar Wilde. A Dear Conjunction presentation at the Nesle Theater. 15€ per person. Paris Metro Nerve Center, Line 7 - Saturday, September 17, 2011 at 2:30 pm Guided visit in French La Courneuve Let’s take a good look at what goes on behind the scenes at one of the operational centers for the Paris metro – how the manoeuvering, the maintenance, and the timing of the trains all work. An RATP employee will be showing us around. PAN has purchased a limited number of places in the 2-hour visit, at 5€ per person. PAN Restaurant Series - Bistrot de Breteuil - Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at 8 pm Paris 7 Many of us have been to the Bistrot de Breteuil, known for its excellent cuisine (chef: Jean-Jacques Jouteux), romantic red and gold velvet interior, and lovely big outside eating area, weather permitting. Let’s go there together and try their summer menu which at 42€ includes a before-dinner drink, 3-course meal, coffee and half a bottle of wine per person. PAN Hike: CHATEAUX AND VILLAGES in the CHEVREUSE on SUNDAY September 4, 2011 This is a terrifically diverse walk of 16 km / 10 miles From the RER 'B' Station at St. REMY les CHEVREUSE (and no, this is NOT a walk we have done before) we walk south through a lovely mile-long arbor of trees to the village of Boullay. Crossing fields we soon re-enter the forest and proceed to the Chateau Breteuil. From there the forest path leads us to the extraordinary village of Choisel, then the Chateau de Mauvieres. A short climb through the Foret Mauviere, then a level route along the GR11: the village of Chevreuse, then the riverside back to St. Remy. Trains depart St. Remy for Paris every 15-20 minutes. For those desiring a somewhat SHORTER day, there is a bus from CHEVREUSE to ST. REMY at 2:50 PM: saving the walker the final 3 kms. MEETING TIME AND PLACE: CHATELET-LES HALLES, RER 'R', REAR of platform, DIRECTION St. REMY. Meet at 9:10 for the 9:25 train. For those wishing to board the train further south, allow 2 minutes for each station between yours and Chatelet-Les Halles. For example PORT ROYALE is 3 stops south so allow 6 minutes more for train to arrive. Sweet Georgia, Wild Albania - Friday, September 2, 2011 – 6:30 to 8:30 pm Talk by Mark Tronco Paris 7 Come join the group around Panache Editor-in-Chief Mark Tronco who will share his impressions and photos of two former communist-dominated nations, Georgia and Albania, acquired by horse trekking and adventure-hunting during recent trips. PAN Writers Series : Writers talking books - Tuesday July 12, 2011 - 6:30- 8:30 pm Featured Writer: Sheila Kohler Paris 4 Sheila Kohler is the author of ten books and the winner of numerous literary prizes including O'Henry awards, Antioch Review Prize, and New York Times Editor's Pick. Her third novel, the highly acclaimed "Cracks", was made into a film starring Eva Green. Sheila currently teaches writing at Princeton and Bennington. If you are in town in July, you won't want to miss this terrific evening. Sheila will talk about her new book, "Love Child". PAN’s Independence Day Cook Out - Sunday, July 3, 2011 - 5 to 10 pm Marly-le-Roi (les Yvelines) Just a 25-minute train ride and you’ll be in the country, just a short walk from Patricia Monacelli’s house where we’ll be celebrating our annual PAN July 4th Cook Out in the back yard. Join us for the best hamburgers and hot dogs in town, with all the American-style fixings, and lots of fun and good company. Bring along a bottle of wine or a 6-pack. 10€ per person for members and friends. PAN Restaurant Series - Le Mesturet - Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at 8 pm Paris 2 Located in central Paris near the Opera, this is a classic French bistrot with traditional cuisine prepared with passion and creativity by two professionals of the restaurant business - owner, Alain Fontaine and chef, Pascal Brot. Typical French dishes, homemade desserts, and an interesting wine list make a perfect choice for the last PAN restaurant outing before the summer. See for yourself at http://www.lemesturet.com/ . A 3-course meal with wine and coffee comes to 35€ per person. Riding the Crest of Revolutions: the Founding Fathers in Paris - Walking tour in English - Sunday, June 19, 2011 at 3 pm PAN member Pam Grant explains how Ben Franklin seduced the French nation and convinced a monarch to aid in the American Revolutionary cause. See where the Founding Fathers made their mark in Paris… Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Thomas Paine, John Paul Jones and many more. The Age of Enlightenment ricocheted between two continents to assure one of the most resilient international friendships to date. Starting at the statue of Thomas Jefferson across from the Orsay museum, following along the quais and the rue Jacob and finishing by the Luxembourg palace. Tour is approximately 2 ½ hours. 10€ for members, 12€ for non-members. Wine tasting: The Bordeaux region - Friday, June 17, 2011 – 6:30 to 8:30 pm Paris 7 Did you know that an average Bordeaux vintage produces over 700 million bottles of wine, 89% of which is red? Or that Bordeaux is made by more than 8,500 châteaux and that there are 60 different appellations of Bordeaux wine? The fun part is tasting it, though, so the ultimate question is …why not join us? We will be tasting 5 to 6 quality wines. Our prized wine specialist comes from Le Musée du Vin in Paris. In English. 26€ per person. “Macbeth” (in English) - Saturday, June 11, 2011 at 7 pm Jardin Shakespeare Bois de Boulogne, Paris UK’s Tower Theatre Company is coming back in June for their 20th annual season at the Théâtre de Verdure in the Bois de Boulogne, this year performing "Macbeth", in English with French subtitles. Those of you who attended “Julius Caesar” last year will remember how delightful the production was, in lovely surroundings and with the actors so close. PAN has purchased 10 tickets, group-rate, at 12€ each. PAN WALK: Le Chevreuse, the river Yvette, an old Railroad route - Sunday, June 9 2013 PAN WALK: Le Chevreuse, the river Yvette, an old Railroad route - Sunday, June 9 2013 On Sunday June 9 Bob Levy will lead us from Lozere along the lovely River Yvette, through villages Orsay Ville, Le Guichet, and Burres. At the village of Gif, it's a climb up and through the lush Forêt de Gif sur Yvette, through the village of Chevry, across wide fields of yellow and green, until the long forest descent into St. Remy de Chevreuse via the abandoned Paris to Chartres railroad bed. While the first riverside kilometers are level, the one climb into the Foret Gif is rather steep. Note: For those wishing a shorter day, there is the option to walk from Lozere to Gif (6-7 km.). However, the pace will be brisk, and the lunch stop will follow the steep climb from Gif. MEET UP Information: • RER CHATELET LES HALLES • RER 'B' • DIRECTION: ST. REMY LES CHEVREUSE • the FIRST CAR / at the front of the train • Meet at 9:00 for the train at 9:12. This train also stops at Saint Michel, Luxembourg, Port Royale, Denfert, Universitaire ... Bourg La Reine RETURN to Paris: Trains depart St. Remy Les Chevreuse every 15 minutes. A picnic lunch, strong shoes, a sense of humor for the women; an alluring scent for the men; a scarf of strong colors for everyone; a simple Bordeaux. If you do plan to participate, please contact Bob Levy prior to June 5 on LEVYBOB@SBCGLOBAL.NET so that we have an idea of how many are coming. Leader Information. LEVYBOB@SBCGLOBAL.NET RAL415@GMAIL.COM PAN Writers Series : Cara Black - Tuesday, June 7, 2011 - 6:30 to 8 :30 pm Featured Writer: Cara Black Paris 4 Award-winning author of murder mysteries, Cara Black is best known for her Aimée Léduc mystery novels featuring a female private investigator based in Paris. Listed in "Great Women Mystery Writers", Cara will talk about her latest novel, "Murder in Passy". Join us for a glass of wine and a thrilling discussion! Roland Garros Finals - “Trophée des Légendes” - Sunday, June 5, 2011 at 11am This year PAN has purchased tickets for the last day of Roland Garros, for the 2 doubles finals of the “Trophée des Légendes”, involving the former greats who are now veterans. John McEnroe has been half of the winning team for the past 6 years. Ticket-holders also can watch the 2011 men’s finals which take place that day live on a big screen from an adjacent court. First-come, first served. 20€. Albert Kahn Museum and Gardens: “Japan in the early 1900’s” - Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at 5:15 pm Boulogne-Billancourt (Métro line 10) Albert Kahn was a wealthy French philanthropist in the first half of the 20th century who sent photographers around the world to take the earliest-known color photographs of everyday people. This exhibit on Japan comes from these archives and constitutes a remarkable historical resource for the period. We will start with a tour of the gardens in which he incorporated elements from all around the world : an English garden, a Japanese garden with a traditional house and tea-room, a rose garden and conifer woods. You can get a glimpse at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fyhh0SNwQ3k . Guided visit to both gardens and exhibit in English, 12€ for members, 15€ for non-members. Lecture in French : Gauguin (1848 - 1903) - Monday, May 30 – 5 to 7 pm Claudine Riou, Professeur agrégé d'Histoire Espace Georges Bernanos : 4 rue du Havre , 75009 Paris Les débuts sont lents et difficiles pour ce jeune peintre du dimanche, chargé de famille, et qui adopte pour un temps la technique impressionniste. Ce n’est qu’à la fin des années 80 qu’il s’affirme avec la génération des néo-impressionnistes avec lesquels il expose. Déjà à la recherche d’un ailleurs, il devient le chef de file de l’Ecole de Pont Aven. Son style fait de larges aplats colorés et entourés de cernes sombres se précise alors qu’il part en Polynésie. Il y fera deux longs séjours entrecoupés d’un bref retour à Paris. Son éloignement de Paris, et son environnement polynésien favorisent la splendeur progressive de ses toiles aux couleurs somptueuses. Ballet « Coppélia » by Delibes - Sunday, May 29, 2011 at 5 pm Gaumont Cinéma Ballet Paris 8 Coppelia is a charming ballet in 3 acts with music by Léo Delibes and choreography by Sergei Vikharev and Marius Petita ; it premiered triumphantly in Paris in May,1870. The leading parts in this new production filmed live from the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow are danced by Natalia Osipova and Vyacheslav Lopatin. PAN has purchased a limited number of seats at 22 €. Wynton Marsalis Quintet & Richard Galliano - “From Billie Holiday to Edith Piaf” - Sunday, May 22, 2011 at 8 pm Salle Pleyel Paris 8 Join us for this very special concert celebrating two of the most expressive and touching voices of the 20th century. Two separate universes that deserve to meet and fuse and do so at the remarkable hands of accordionist Richard Galliano and Wynton Marsalis, on trumpet with his quintet. Take a look: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVxBDEqmwSAP PAN has pre-purchased a limited number of tickets at 38€ each. "Mademoiselle Julie" by August Strindberg - Thursday, May 19, 2011 at 8:30 pm In French, with English subtitles La Colline - Paris 20 Set on midsummer night of 1874, “Mademoiselle Julie” deals with issues of class differences, love (or is it lust?), the battle of the sexes, and the various forms of power between a woman and a man. The production is directed by Christian Schiaretti and stars Clara Simpson, Clémentine Verdier, and Wladimir Yordanoff. PAN has pre-purchased a limited number of tickets at a group rate of 19€. The Coubertin Foundation - Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at 2:30 pm Saint-Remy-les-Chevreuse, RER B The property and permanent collection of the prestigious Coubertin Foundation can be seen only during a reserved group visit, which is what PAN has organised for you; unfortunately these can take place only during the week. For more information : http://www.coubertin.fr/home/index.php?TopM=fc&pageid . You will see 20th century sculptures on exhibit in the Bronze Garden and in the Coubertin park, as well as an important collection of drawings, and hear about the history of the Foundation and the château premises. Duration: 2 hours, in English. 10€ for PAN members, 12€ for non-members. Union Tanguera Danse Company: « Nuit Blanche » - Saturday, May 7, 2011 at 8:30 pm. Followed by a tango ball Boulogne-Billancourt Metro lines 9 or 10 A tango evening on stage with 7 dancers and 4 musicians performing a new creation to the theme of a torrid « nuit blanche ». More information at : http://www.uniontanguera.com/UT_fr/spectacles.html . The hour and a half show will be followed by a tango ball, complete with beginner tango lessons, in which spectators can participate if they wish. PAN has purchased a limited number of tickets at 15€ each. Steve Coleman & the Five Element Band « Astronomie / Astrologie » - Thursday, May 5, 2011 at 8 pm Cité de la Musique (Paris 19) Steve Coleman has become established as one of America’s forefront jazz saxophone players over the last 30 years, greatly influenced by Charlie Parker Sonny Rollins and John Coltrane. Originally from Chicago, but New York-based for years, he founded his Five Elements band in 1981. Find out more about him at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Coleman and listen to his music at http://www.m-base.com/download.html. PAN has purchased a limited quantity of group-rate tickets at 20€ each. Lecture in French: Edouard Manet au musée d’Orsay - Monday, May 2, 2011 – 5 to 7 pm Espace Georges Bernanos : 4 rue du Havre , 75009 Paris Anne-Marie Oppici, Diplômée de l'École du Louvre De formation classique, les voyages complétèrent la formation de Manet et confirmèrent ses admirations : en Hollande où il s’enthousiasma pour Frans Hals et, plus tard, en Espagne avec Vélasquez et Goya. Tous l’influencèrent et lui inspirèrent ses premiers chefs-d’œuvre mais aussi les premiers scandales de la peinture moderne ! Mais vers 1874, il fut la plus “grande conquête” de Monet qui l’attira vers l’impressionnisme lui faisant modifier profondément sa peinture 10€ per person. Julien Lourau, Jazz Quartet Saigon - Friday, April 29, 2011 at 8:30 pm Boulogne-Billancourt Metro lines 9 or 10 Marseilles-based Julien Lourau is a well-known French jazz/blues saxophonist whose group is named after the city in which they made their debut performance. After a period in electro jazz in the 90’s he has returned to more traditional jazz, respecting the fundamentals of a jazz quartet and composing, with talent and imagination, original, but totally accessible, tunes. Find out more about him at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julien_Lourau . PAN has purchased a limited number of tickets at 15€ each. Visit to a Parisian Charcuterie - Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at 5:30 pm Paris 18 The charcuterie Durand has won numerous gold medals and awards for its headcheese, chicken liver pâté, blood sausage, hams and salamis, which has contributed to its expanding reputation in its Montmartre neighborhood. Join us in discovering the behind-the-scenes story at the shop, as well as the kitchen where the catering and delicatessen specialties come to life. 7€ per person. PAN Restaurant Series - Le Trumilou - Tuesday, April 19, 2011 at 8 pm Paris 4 This is an authentic, old neighborhood bistro, located facing the Seine. You can take a look and get an idea of the menu at http://www.letrumilou.fr/menu.html. Traditional French cuisine is in store, with a very reasonable 3-course menu – when we add the wine we can get by for 30€ each. . A congenial evening is guaranteed. Italian Wine, cheese and charcuterie tasting - Thursday, April 14, 2011 at 5:30 pm Marché Couvert des Batignolles - Paris 17 PAN member Patti Ravenscroft, founder and driving force behind Les Liaisons Délicieuses, has allowed us to meet up with some of her favored local fournisseurs. Caviste Alain Beunon and cheese specialist Pierre Girard will be combining forces to give us an introduction to delicious Italien cheeses, cured hams and salamis, along with the wines from the peninsula that compliment them best. Limited to 10 people, 15€ per person. Dave Douglas: Brass Ecstasy Hommage to Lester Bowie - Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at 8 pm Cité de la Musique, Paris 19 Two-time Grammy-nominated jazz musician Dave Douglas is one of the most prolific and original trumpeter/composers of his generation. From his New York base, where he’s lived since the mid 1980s, Douglas has continued to earn lavish national and international acclaim including trumpeter, composer, and jazz “Artist of the Year”… In addition to himself on trumpet, his New Orleans-style Brass Ecstasy band is composed of Vincent Chancey (French horn), Luis Bonilla (trombone), Marcus Rojas (tuba), and Nasheet Waits (drums). PAN has pre-purchased a limited number of tickets at 20€ each. Rossini’s Le Comte Ory (in French) - filmed live from the Metropolitain Opera in New York - Saturday, April 9, 2011 at 7 pm Cinéma Gaumont Opéra Paris 8 Written in 1828, Gioachino Rossini's opera Le Comte Ory, a comic opera in two acts, was his last farsa comica (comic opera). It is inspired by a medieval French legend set in 1200 in which knights end up seducing nuns. Some of the music originates from his opera "Il viaggio a Reims" written three years earlier for the coronation of Charles X. PAN has purchased a limited number of seats at 27€ for this new production filmed live in HD from the Metropolitan Opera in New York. PAN Writers Series : The Second Sex - Tuesday, April 5, 2011 - 6:30 to 8:30 pm Paris 4 Our guests for this first PAN Writers Series get-together will be Constance Borde and Sheila Malovany Chevalier, translators of the acclaimed Knopf edition of De Beauvoir’s "The Second Sex", as well as many other accomplishments, in a brilliant professional partnership going back thirty years. The Petit Hotel Bourrienne - Guided visit in English - Saturday, April 2, 2011 at 3 pm Paris 9 PAN member and professional guide, Patricia Rosen, will show us this rare example of the Consulaire style, a small hôtel particulier built in 1789-98 and only open to the public for groups. It was occupied by Fortunée Hamelin, born (like her friend the Empress Josephine) in Martinique, and notorious for parading topless down the Champs-Elysées. It was eventually taken over by Louis Fauvelet de Bourrienne, Napoleon's private secretary. The visit will be an hour to 1½ hours long, in English. 12€ for PAN members, 15€ for non-members (includes entrance fee of 5€). Wine Tasting - The French Burgundy region - Friday, April 1, 2011 – 6 :30 to 8 :30 pm Paris 6 In this year’s series of wine tastings by region, we have already been to Alsace and the Loire Valley – now it’s Burgundy’s turn. Monasteries in Medieval times played a key role in developing the Burgundy wine industry ; it has the highest number of AOCs of all the French wine regions, and is the most terroir-conscious. Our prized wine specialist comes from Le Musée du Vin in Paris. In English. 26€ per person. Ecole Militaire à St Cyr l’Ecole - Saturday, March 26, 2011 at 2:15 pm Guided Visit in French RER C Inheriting three centuries of history and a tradition of teaching excellence, the lycée militaire in St Cyr l’Ecole still harbors the memories of the royal house of Saint-Louis. Founded by Louis XIV at the request of Madame de Maintenon, the institute welcomed more than 3,000 young ladies until the end of the Ancien Régime. Napoleon I later founded the military academy for infantry and cavalry officers there in 1808. Hour and a half visit in French, 8€ per person. Frank Peter Zimmerman, violin soloist, Friday, March 25, 2011 at 8 pm Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France Under the direction of Christian Vasquez Salle Pleyel Paris 8 This evening’s wonderful program consists of Tricorne Suite n° 2 (Manuel De Falla) ; Concertos for violin n° 1 and n° 2 (Karol Szymanowski) and Richard Strauss’ Don Juan. PAN has purchased a limited number of first category tickets at a group-rate price of 38€ each. Visit to a Parisian cheese shop - Monday, March 21, 2001 at 5:30 pm Paris 20 Shop-owner Jerome Boulestreau is inviting PAN members to a private visit of his boutique for an introduction to his profession. He will tell the story of the shop and describe the production process (raw cream, raw butter, white cheese, etc.) produced near Nantes. Visit in English and French. A tasting is offered. 11€ per person. Joël at the Hotel de Crillon Piano Bar - Saturday, March 19, 2011 at 9 pm Paris 8 One of the most elegant hotels in Paris has one of the friendliest piano bars imaginable. Joel has been the resident weekend piano player there for the past ten years, and has a loyal following among Parisians who appreciate his fine interpretation of jazz and easy-listening standards. We have the OK from the hotel to come as a group, but a small one – so sign up quickly if you’re interested. Count 22€ for your cocktail or after-dinner drink. PAN hike, South of Paris - Sunday, March 13, 2011 – 9:15 am (all day) GR 655/GR11 (10 miles or less) PAN members Bob and Barbara Levy will be leading the walking group over hill and dale: “the countryside is absolutely lovely and varied; early on a pair of climbs through the forests 'Butte de Reims' and 'Cul du Cerf', along lovely village pathways in Vauhallan and Igny, to the banks of the River Bièvre. From there we follow the route of that river; the villages Bievres, Jouy en Josas, and Loges en Josas. We pass the spectacular Abbey de Vauhallan, then the country residence of Victor Hugo, and finally the Chateaux Roches and Montcel” We will meet at the REAR of the RER 'B' platform at Chatelet-Les Halles - Direction St. Remy - at 9:15 am for the 9:23 am train to Lozeres . For those who wish to board at stations further south (St. Michel, Luxembourg, etc.) add two minutes for each stop south of Chatelet André Manoukian Quartet, Jazz Concert - Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at 8:30 pm Boulogne-Billancourt Metro lines 9 or 10 André Manoukian gained notoriety as a jury member on M6’s « Nouvelle Star » but his most genuine claim to fame is as a jazz pianist and composer, having studied at Boston’s Berkley School of Music in his younger days. His Armenian roots shine through his jazz compositions and much of what we’ll hear comes from his newest album, Inkala. Listen to him on : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClmVIUolZKI PAN has pre-purchased a limited number of tickets at a group-rate subscription price of 15€. PAN Restaurant Series:au Boeuf Coronné - Tuesday, March 1, 2011 at 8 pm 188, Avenue Jean Jaurès, Paris 19 This is a lovely, typically Parisian brasserie, founded in 1865 under Napoleon III. In the words of a review by the New York Times: «This instantly likable and nicely informal restaurant is an old place...with an entry through a wooden revolving door, a sense of spaciousness, cushy leather banquettes and real leather chairs. Overall, the food is terrific. …» The fixed menu includes a before-dinner cocktail, starter, main course, cheese and dessert, plus a ½ bottle of wine per person. 35€ See for yourself at: http://www.gerard-joulie.com/boeufcouronne-1.html Table limited to 10 people. IMPRO A LA CARTE - Classic Improvised Comedy in English - Friday, February 25 2011 at 8 pm Paris 18 Join the PAN group for this fun evening of improvisation at O’Sullivan’s pub in Montmartre. The audience picks from a special «Impro Menu»... Short scenes and challenges. Highly interactive, with audience participation - but volunteers only! Duration of the show: 2x40 minutes. 12€ per person, entrance fee (reduced to 10€ if there are 10 of us going together). Manufacture Prelle - Thursday, February 24, 2011 at 5:15 pm Guided visit in English Paris 1 Join us for a tour of the Paris showroom of this Lyonese institution in silk weaving, founded in 1752 and today involved in the restoration of monuments worldwide We will hear the fascinating history of the Lyonese silk weaving trade, as well as see newly woven pieces and a selection of fabrics created for Marie-Antoinette and Catherine the Great of Russia, amongst others. 5€, per person, donated to the restoration of Josephine Bonaparte's state room at the Malmaison. Mighty Mo Rodgers, Blues Concert - Friday, February 11, 2011 at 8:30 pm Boulogne-Billancourt Metro lines 9 or 10 From Chicago, the home of Blues, Mighty Mo Rodgers will be singing and playing keyboard with Anthony Brown on drums, Albie Burks on bass, and Steve Guillory on guitar. His music epitomizes the blues : the emotion, the humor, the anger, and the poetry. Listen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtsQSu0pLxA . The concert will be preceded by a free documentary about the blues in America at 7:15 pm. PAN has pre-purchased a limited number of tickets at a group-rate subscription price of 15€. Cernuschi Museum Guided Visit in English - Sunday, February 6, 2011 at 2:30 pm Guided Visit in English Paris 8 The Cernuschi Museum, specializing in Chinese, Japanese and Korean art, was founded in 1898 by Henri Cernuschi and is located in the small mansion near the Park Monceau which used to be his home. Some 900 objects are on permanent exhibit, most prominent of which is the large Buddha of Meguro, a Japanese bronze from the 18th century. Visit in English. 10 € for PAN members, 12 € for non-members. PAN Theme Party: “Girls and Women in Sports Day" - Friday, February 4, 2011 - 7:30 to 10:30 pm Paris 7 February 4th is a special day, which perhaps you’re not aware of. Officially it is “Girls and Women in Sports" day. It also happened to be the day Facebook was founded by Mark Zuckerberg in 2004. Why not, women AND men, join us in dressing up in your favorite sports clothes (tennis, ski, whatever…) or use your imagination to dress with a Facebook theme (?) and share in the fun. Participate in a pot-luck dinner, and bring along a bottle of wine. But especially, mix and mingle and have a good time. PAN Restaurant Series - “La Bonne Heure” - Tuesday, January 25, 2011 at 8 pm 11 rue Brochant Paris 17 This neighborhood restaurant reserves a lovely welcome for its dinner guests, with a varied menu and great value for your money. The decoration is traditional, with wooden tables and checkered tablecloths, clocks everywhere and smiling waiters to boot. Have a look at http://la-bonneheure.fr/ . Two courses and dessert, plus wine, for 35€ – why not join us? Patti Smith Acoustic Trio - Thursday, January 20, 2011 at 8 pm Cité de la Musique Paris 19 For this unique concert date in Paris, Patti Smith, alone on stage with 2 musicians, wants to return to a simple format to express herself with sobriety and intimacy. A rare sold-out public appearance. PAN has 9 tickets only, purchased last June. 39€ per person. Diana Crane-Hervé - French conversation lessons available Would you like to practice your French conversation? Do you need help writing letters or other types of material in French? French doctoral candidate in literature is anxious to help. 10€ per hour. Contact: Diana-Crane Hervé at craneher@sas.upenn.edu. "Un fil à la Patte" by Georges Feydeau - Comédie Française, Salle Richelieu - Wednesday, January 12, 2011 at 8:30 pm Paris 1 Feydeau’s late 19th century play takes place in the elite world of upper crust Paris: a man who is about to marry the daughter of a wealthy baroness must break the news to his mistress, one of the most notorious divas in the city. He does have his hands full and must outplay other interested parties on his quest to avoid setbacks and pitfalls. PAN has pre-purchased a limited number of tickets at 33€ each. Visit to the Perfume Museum - Saturday, January 8, 2011 at 2 :30 pm Paris 8 « L’univers du parfum… » Located close to the Opera Garnier in a Napoleon III style mansion built in 1860, Paris’ Perfume Museum houses an important collection of perfume objects dating from antiquity to the beginning of the 20th century. Join us for this one-hour guided visit in English, 5€. PAN Wine Tasting Series: The Bubbles, Friday, December 17, 2010 - 6:30 to 8:30 pm Paris 6 Why not join us in the tasting of five to six sparkling wines (two champagnes, two classical crémants and specialties like Blanquette de Limoux and Gaillac perl). We will be explained how a sparkling wine is made, what the difference is between a champagne and a crémant is, how to judge the quality of bubbles and their appearance, what dead yeasts are, and how to recognize the finesse of a great champagne. Our wine specialist comes from Le Musée du Vin in Paris. In English. 26 euros per person. Sèvres Ceramics Museum Guided visit in English, Wednesday, December 15, 2010 at 2:30 pm Sevres (end of metro line 9) Sèvres is the most famous and illustrious maker of ceramics in France and considered by many to be the finest in the world. The Musée National de Ceramique de Sèvres houses one of the world’s largest collections of ceramics, of which 10,000 are permanently on public display, from all countries, periods and techniques. Our visit will be given by museum personnel, in English. 10€ for PAN members, 12€ for non-members. Paris Metro Nerve Center, Line 7 Guided visit in French, Saturday, December 4, 2010 at 2:30 pm La Courneuve Let’s take a good look at what goes on behind the scenes at one of the operational centers for the Paris metro – how the manoevering, the maintenance, and the timing of the trains all work. An RATP employee will be showing us around. PAN has purchased a limited number of places in the visit, at 5€ per person. Writing books about Paris…Thirza Vallois, Friday, December 3, 2010 - 6:30 to 8:30 pm Paris 7 Back in Paris after a intensive lecturing tour in Australia and New Zealand, Thirza Vallois will be giving PAN members an enlightening talk about the books she has written on Paris and the process of how she makes them happen. You will certainly enhance your appreciation and understanding of Paris … and beyond. Free event for PAN members, 5€ for non-members. PAN's Thanksgiving dinner - Friday November 26, 2010 at 7:30 pm Joe Allen’s Restaurant Paris 1 Traditional Thanksgiving dinner at Joe Allen’s restaurant (30 rue Pierre Lescaut, 75001 Paris – metro Etienne Marcel, line 4). This is a very popular PAN event and the dinner includes cocktail, wine, 3 courses and coffee for 45 euros. There are only 20 seats – first come first serve. Reservation and payment must be made in advance, please. Your place will only be reserved upon receipt of your check. This event is always “sold out” – so be sure to reserve early. Chocolate Tour of Paris, Right Bank - Saturday, November 20, 2010 at 3 pm Palais Royal, Paris 1 Come along on a delicious degustation tour at a few of Paris' greatest chocolatiers. During this two-hour tour with PAN member Rosemary Flannery, you will sample several different types of chocolate, as well as enjoy a lovely hot chocolate. Discover why France is the world's capital of dark chocolate, and how it is now on a par with fine wines. 18€ per person. Ateliers des Gobelins Guided Visit in English - Tuesday, November 16, 2010 at 2:45 pm Paris 13 The Gobelin workshop began life in 1450 as a dyeing factory along the Bievre river in the 13th arrondissement , then developed into a tapestry weaving workshop. The technique used was very specific and detailed, and eventually became known as Gobelin stitch or weave. Nowadays, the primary mission of Les Gobelins remains the furnishing of France's important public buildings — presidential and ministerial residences, government offices, embassies in foreign countries, as a way of enhancing the prestige of France by displaying its heritage and savoir faire. Our hour and a half visit will be in English. 10€ for PAN members, 12€ for non-members. PAN Wine Tasting Series : - Friday, November 12, 2010 6 :30 to 8 :30 pm Paris 6 Wines from the Loire Valley The Loire Valley is one of France’s most diverse wine regions, producing excellent and affordable wines in every style. Although best known for crisp dry white wines, including Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadet, and Chenin Blanc, the Loire Valley also produces fruity red wines from Pinot Noir and Gamay and earthy red wines from Cabernet Franc and Malbec. . We’ll be tasting 5/6 wines, all from the Loire Valley. Our wine specialist comes from Le Musée du Vin in Paris. In English. 26 euros per person. La Grande Magie d’Edouardo De Filippo - Saturday, November 6, 2010 at 8:30 pm Comédie Française (Salle Richelieu) Paris 1 De Filippo is among Italy's most distinguished contemporary playwrights. Strongly influenced by the social milieu of his native Naples, he is highly respected in Europe for his farces, in which reality is often treated as shifting and transitory. Shifting reality is the premise of La grande magica (written in 1949), de Filippo's complex comedy about infidelity and faith. The play starts with an adulteress who cuckolds her husband after vanishing as part of a magic show. When she fails to return, her husband is given a small box from which she can be produced if he trusts in her fidelity. But does he? The play is in French. PAN has purchased a limited number of seats at 33€ per ticket. Hike Southeast of Paris, starting in Dourdon - Sunday, October 31, 2010 - all day PAN member Bob Levy has designed a lovely hike southeast of Paris for Sunday, October 31st. We will begin in the walled village of Dourdan (a photographer's delight) then walk through the Forest de Dourdan and along the River Orge, through the villages Sermaise, St. Cheron, and Breuillet (from which we will return). Transport will be via the RER C from St. Michel, Austerlitz, and / or Mitterand (train schedule to follow). The distance is approximately 15 km (9 miles). The IGN map used for this hike is 2216 ET: ETAMPES, DOURDAN. The forest should be rich with Autumn color. A lovely Sunday for all. Calendar « December 2013 Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Menu About PAN Activities This month - events Next month - events Member listings Community Upcoming Book Club Bridge Club Hikes Past events The Board Members Subscription Links Contact Search                         By DotClear & www.devanthery.com - Private