Thursday, February 25, 2016

They Called Him "Chocolat" - Exhibition at the Maison des Métallos

Since its release on February 3, the film Chocolat, starring César-winning actor Omar Sy, is getting good reviews in the press (3.4/5) and even better ones from spectators (4/5)*.

Chocolat - movie flier

Gérard Noiriel's book entitled On l'appelait "Chocolat", le veritable histoire d'un homme sans nom (They Called Him "Chocolat," the True Story of a Man without a Name) and the exhibition of similar name are also generating considerable attention.

The exhibition is being held at the Maison des Metallos, a large cultural center in Paris' 11th arrondissement. Located on the first floor, it consists of several panels and videos (in French) that present the life of Rafael Padilla, the Cuban slave who became famous in France for his role as the clown named "Chocolat."

On l'appelait "Chocolat" - exhibition flier
© Discover Paris!

Chocolat bore the brunt of the slapstick antics of a white clown named "Foottit."

Foottit et Chocolat
© Discover Paris!

The two men created an act that entertained thousands at the Nouveau Cirque, 251 rue Saint-Honoré, in the 1st arrondissement.

Panel describing Foottit et Chocolat's performances at the Nouveau Cirque
© Discover Paris!

In the center of the middle room of the exhibition, two costumes from the Roschy Zem film attract the eye. Chocolat traditionally wore the suit on the left in the image below, while Foottit wore the costume on the right.

Costumes from the film Chocolat
© Discover Paris!

There were several visitors present on the afternoon that we saw the exhibit, which I found remarkable given the off-the-beaten-track location of the Maison des Métallos. The presentation is simple but filled with information and images that bring Rafael's story to light. In one of the panels, we discover that Chocolat was hired to perform the lead dramatic role in a production called Moïse that was staged at the Théâtre Antoine (10th arrondissment) in 1911. The French public was not ready to accept a black man in such a role and the production failed.

In this same panel, we learn that Chocolat was only given the name "Rafael Padilla" upon his death!

Behind the wall where the fourth segment of the exhibition is displayed, a Lumière Brothers' film of two Footit and Chocolat performances play in a permanent loop. But more interesting for me were the videos in the first room in which Noisiel is shown in Havana, investigating the places that Padilla might have frequented during his childhood (he was sold as a slave at approximately 10 years of age), and in Paris, retracing the steps of the successful clown through the arrondissements where he lived and performed. Of note is the fact that Noisiel consistently refers to Padilla as "tu", the diminutive form of the French pronoun "vous" (you) throughout the Paris video.

The most fascinating tidbits of information that I gleaned from this exhibition are that Padilla:

- Performed at the Hôtel Talleyrand, which would become the site of the U.S. Consulate in Paris.

- Beginning in 1908, regularly visited Paris hospital to provide "laughter therapy" for sick children; received a medal for this service in 1911.

- Performed in over 1500 roles on stage throughout his career in France.

In the final two panels, there is information about recent portrayals of Padilla, including the Zem film. There are also photos of the unveiling of the Foottit et Chocolat plaque at 251, rue Saint-Honoré, the former address of the Cirque Nouveau.

Image of unveiling of the Foottit et Chocolat plaque
© Discover Paris!

Foottit et Chocolat plaque
© Discover Paris!

The exhibition is open until February 28. Entry is free. If you are in Paris, I strongly encourage you to go there to see it!

Maison des Métallos
94 rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud
75011 Paris
Metro: Couronnes (Line 2); Parmentier (Line 3) arrêt
Tuesday through Saturday 2 PM to 8 PM
Sunday 2 PM to 7 PM

*Source: AlloCiné (February 24, 2016)

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Thursday, February 18, 2016

Dawn's Early Light - A Retrospective of American Song and Dance

On February 12, 2016, artistic directors Asha Thomas and Crystal Petit staged a magnificent performance at the American Church in Paris that paid homage to American music.

Crystal Petit and Asha Thomas
© Discover Paris!

Called Dawn's Early Light, this roughly one-hour preview vividly showcased everything from blues and Broadway to gospel and contemporary tunes. Combined with inspired choreography, it stirred my soul. At times, it even took my breath away!

Opening number
© Discover Paris!

In addition to being one of the artistic directors, Asha Thomas is the choreographer for the show and dances in it as well.

Asha Thomas
© Discover Paris!

Never have I seen such expressive light in a performer's eyes as I saw when she danced to Stevie Wonder's "Knocks Me off My Feet."

Artistic director Crystal Petit is also the lead female vocalist in the show. She delivered a moving rendition of Nina Simone's "Work Song" as well as a beautiful interpretation of "Battle Hymn of the Republic" that was coupled with a powerful spoken word performance delivered by male vocalist Jua Amir.

Crystal Petit
© Discover Paris!

Jua Amir and Crystal Petit
© Discover Paris!

Amir joined the musicians on stage to give a rousing performance of Tracy Chapman's "Talkin bout a Revolution." He also dances in the show.

Josiah Woodson and Jua Amir
© Discover Paris!

Brian Scott Bagley of Looking for Josephine fame and Nicola Ayoub also shone that evening, with each dancer providing spark and fire to the evening's performance.

Nicola Ayoub and Brian Scott Bagley
© Discover Paris!

Brian Scott Bagley
© Discover Paris!

Nicola Ayoub
© Discover Paris!

Music was provided by musical director/trumpetist/guitarist Josiah Woodson,

Josiah Woodson
© Discover Paris!

pianist Daniel Gassin,

Daniel Gassin
© Discover Paris!

bassist Jerry Thompson III,

Jerry Thompson III
© Discover Paris!

Drummer Laurent-Emmanuel "Tilo" Berthelo,

Laurent-Emmanuel "Tilo" Berthelo
© Discover Paris!

and guest violinist Tarani Merriweather Woodson.

Tarani Merriweather Woodson
© Discover Paris!

The group is seeking funds to support the production of the full-length version of Dawn's Early Light.

For more information, visit the Web site www.dawnsearlylight-production.com.

Triumphant cast
© Discover Paris!

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Thursday, February 11, 2016

Art and Food Pairing™: Les Grandes Robes de Lamyne M. and Ivoire Gourmand - Part 2

After the superb guided visit of Les Grandes Robes de Lamyne M. at the Saint-Denis Basilica, Tom and I walked over to the "Quartier de la Gare" to have lunch at a restaurant that Lamyne recommended. Called Ivoire Gourmand, it is located across the tram tracks from the Saint-Denis SNCF station at 1, quai du Port. It is a bright and cheerful place where customers can enjoy take-out as well as informal dining.

Ivoire Gourmand
© Discover Paris!

Dining room and counter
© Discover Paris!

Ivoire Gourmand menu
© Discover Paris!

I ordered 7 ailes de poulet avec 1 accompaniment (7 chicken wings with one side dish) and selected aloko (plantains) as the side dish.

7 ailes de poulet with aloko
© Discover Paris!

Tom ordered Maffé Poulet (chicken in a peanut-based sauce). We both selected Jus Bissap (a soft drink made with hibiscus) for our beverage.

Maffé Poulet and Jus Bissap
© Discover Paris!

We both enjoyed our selections. My chicken wings were buried beneath a layer of slightly cooked onions and thinly sliced tomatoes. Brown gravy, hot pepper sauce, and a milder yellow sauce flanked the heaping portion of plantains served alongside.

Tom's dish consisted of a large chicken leg (thigh and drumstick) in a rich maffé sauce and an enormous helping of long-grain white rice.

The bissap was sweet and flavorful.

Our server was pleased to learn that Lamyne had sent us to the restaurant. As we tucked into our meal, he lingered at our table and told us the story of how he came to France from the Ivory Coast by way of Italy. He said that his father lives in Rome.

We could not finish the huge quantities of food heaped upon our plates and asked if we could take the rest home. Our server happily dished up the remaining chicken, rice, and aloko into a carry-out container. We were contented to have the chance to dine on the leftovers the following day!

Ivoire Gourmand has two locations:

1, quai du Port
93200 Saint-Denis
Tel: 01.48.41.56.46

and

47, avenue Aristide Briand
93240 Stains
Tel: 01.48.27.20.24

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Thursday, February 4, 2016

Art and Food Pairing™: Les Grandes Robes de Lamyne M. and Ivoire Gourmand - Part 1

If you've never been to the basilica at Saint-Denis, famous for its royal necropolis, now there's a unique reason to visit.

The exhibition entitled Les Grandes Robes de Lamyne M. (The Giant Gowns of Lamyne M.) is one of the most extraordinary that you'll ever see. It's being held at the basilica. Originally scheduled through April 30, 2016, it is being prolonged through July 2 to coincide with the Festival Saint-Denis. Tom and I were invited to attend opening of the exhibition hosted by the designer of the gowns, Lamyne M.

Saint-Denis Basilica
© Discover Paris!

Les Grandes Robes information panel
© Discover Paris!

I first brought you news of plans for Les Grandes Robes in 2014, when I covered a fashion show of Lamyne's works that was held on a canal boat cruise. Professor Maya Thebault and students from La Source, a vocational high school in the town of Nogent that trains textile professionals, were on that cruise. They gave a presentation of the project before the fashion show began.

Les Grandes Robes is inspired by the medieval garments represented by the gisants (recumbent statues, or effigies) of French queens and princesses whose remains are located at the basilica. The garments have been created in contemporary fabrics commonly worn by Saint-Denis residents - examples include African wax, denim, jersey, and ceremonial cloths from North Africa. Students from La Source, as well as women from Saint-Denis' Floréal district, worked to create the gowns on display.

Blanche de France gown
© Images and collage by Discover Paris!

Eight gowns are being shown in the basilica. Seven of these fashion creations measure three meters (9.8 feet) in height; the eighth (Jeanne II de France) is an astounding four meters (13.1 feet) tall! Six are displayed in the crypt and the remaining two, including the tallest, are found in the apse.

Jeanne II de France gown
© Images and collage by Discover Paris!

Lamyne M. looks up at Marguerite de Flandres gown
© Images and collage by Discover Paris!

Lamyne's intent in creating these garments was to pay homage to the grandeur of women and to begin a dialogue between the historic and the contemporary. He notes that many of the citizens of Saint-Denis would never think of coming to the basilica because they do not find themselves reflected in it. His gowns bridge the gap between France's monocultural past and the numerous cultures that intermingle in the city of Saint-Denis today. (Over 120 nationalities comprise the current population of Saint-Denis.)

Each gown tells a story. For example, the vibrant red of the gown that represents Constance de Castille recalls her death from excessive hemorrhage during childbirth. The cloth is African Wax.

Constance de Castille gown
© Discover Paris!

The numerous shirt collars and ties that comprise the gown representing Isabelle d'Aragon evoke the white collar workers who commute to Saint-Denis' Plaine district but who know little to nothing of the community that lives outside their office windows.

Isabelle d'Aragon gown
© Discover Paris!

The exhibition was curated by Franciade, an association dedicated to promoting the cultural heritage of Saint-Denis, and the Saint-Denis Basilica. Additional information about the exhibition can be found on the Saint-Denis national monuments Web site.

Following our visit to the exhibition, a reception was held where we spoke with Lamyne, the designer of the gowns. He told me about an African restaurant called Ivoire Gourmand that is roughly ten minutes' walk from the basilica. Tom and I went there for lunch immediately after the reception. I'll tell you all about it in Part 2 of this Art and Food Pairing™ post next week.

Monique and Lamyne M. at reception
© Discover Paris!

For information about Lamyne M., visit his Web site at www.lamyne-m.com

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