Category: Paris

Saint Merry rocks it out baby bubbah to the boogie da bang bang the boogie to the boogie da beat … with Mendelssohn!

By Michael Stevenson, aka Dai Bando

“Serendipity” means “finding something other than what we were looking for.” That’s what happens much of the time when we travel, and serendipity struck again when we found St. Merry’s Chapel the other night.

I had actually read about St. Merry’s Chapel months ago, and intended to pay a visit when we got to Paris in July. St. Merry was a Catholic monk who became the patron saint of Paris’ Right Bank in the year 884. Saint Merry church, built in 1500, is now known as “petit Notre Dame” for the building’s marvelous architecture.

After a great afternoon at The Pompidou Musee, experiencing a fantastic exhibition on Jack Kerouac and The Beat Generation (more about that later) Linda and I sat in a nearby cafe to eat and drink some wine, and to figuratively and literally recharge. That’s when I spotted nearby Saint Merry.

Once there, I felt a connection to this place in ways I did not feel at Notre Dame. The chapel is beautiful and the church’s mission is, as well. There’s a great spirit here, and that spirit does not have white hair, dentures, and vote Republican.

St. Merry focuses on helping to promote local young artists, in their words – “promoting the word of God in the language of our time.” They have hip hop and grafitti artists perform at the church, as well as classical musicians. (Read specifics on their Arts program here )

St_Merry_Art

After finding St. Merry, we quickly hustled into the building and asked a woman when the next concert would be? “Maintenant!” she whispered and pointed towards the assembling group of musician near that church altar. And then the music started, with organ, cello, and beautiful French voices performing Minteverdi, Purcell, and Mendelssohn. No Sugar Hill Gang, but maybe next time.

It was really beautiful, as serendipity often is.

Saint_Merri_Church_Interior_2,_Paris,_France_-_Diliff

No Stan Getz But Plenty Horns

We attempted to hear hear some music at a popular jazz club in Paris last night. I was thinking Stan Getz and Astrud Gilberto’s “Corcovado.” Instead of “quiet nights and quiet stars,” there were millions of cars beeping soccer chants (think “Ole, Ole” being performed at your steering wheel.) It was absolutely bonkers. C’est la vie.

Hooligans
Hooligans

Eiffel Tower at Night

On our first night in Paris, Linda and I took a 10 pm cruise down the Seine river. You can get these boats near the Eiffel Tower, at Pont Neuf and at Pont d’Alma. So much fun. The tower is magnificent when it lights up! When I get lit up, I only think I’m magnificent, but this is the real deal. Here’s some video off my iPhone 6. If it looks familiar, you may remember the boatride in the movie “Charade” with Carey Grant and Audrey Hepburn.

I just read that “the Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel now considers any illumination of the tower to be a separate work of art that falls under copyright. As a result, it is illegal to publish contemporary photographs of the lit tower at night without permission in France and some other countries.”

So, voila.

Rockin’ Ride to Rodin

Needing a to rest our weary legs as we were walking to the Rodin Museum, a Paris bicycle-taxi driver offered his services. We accepted, foolishly not agreeing to a fee right away. Upon entering his chariot, the driver asked, “You like music?” He spoke in a heavy Eastern European accent (later telling us he was from Romania.)

I replied “Oui, I like music!”

“I have music!” he said through a wide grin.

Our lean and lanky driver then dialed his boombox to “11” and and away we went – pedaling thru the busy Paris streets along the Left Bank, and blasting Techno, Rap and Club music, while Linda danced.

Once we arrived at our destination, our new Romanian friend definitely over-charged us, Linda says “we got taken for a ride, twice!” But it was worth it.!

More pictures from the Rodin later.. The museum was  wonderful.