Paris In August

Loud Sundays at La Villette - at least three free
musical events every week.

Samba, Rumba, Jazz and Catacombs

Paris:- Saturday, 28. July 2001:- This column is being tattered to shreds by August, with events beginning this week and some of them continuing until the end of the month. Should they be listed below as 'this week' or as 'coming events?'

There are so many of these that they are scattered throughout the column - from top to bottom. Just keep scrolling until you find what you think might suit you. If it isn't here, I'm probably saving it for August 2002.

• This Week's 'Openers'
• Coming Events, Exhibitions, Salons
• Major Events, Exhibitions, Salons
• More Events, Exhibitions, Salons
• Photo, Cinema and Multimedia
• Dance, Music, Opera, Theatre
• Culture, History, Science
• Unclassifieds

Lili Petit d'Homme - is a clown show by the Allégro Furiozo Company, most likely for kids - and their parents if they're good. Beginning on Wednesday, 1. August, it continues until Tuesday, 28. August. Except Saturdays, daily at 15:00 and at 16:30 on Sundays and the 15th of August. At the Théâtre Astral in the Parc Floral de Paris, in the Bois de Vincennes, Paris 12. Métro: Château de Vincennes. InfoTel.: 01 43 71 31 10.

Au-dessus des Catacombs - the long wait is over for the reopening of the Catacombs, with its new photo exhibition continuing until February 2002. Note - the 'tour' is 1.7 km long, and there are quite a number of entry and exit stairs. Closed on Mondays and some holidays, but open on Tuesday from 11:00 to 16:00 and from Wednesday to Sunday from 9:00 to 16:00. At the Catacombs, 1. Place Denfert-Rochereau, Paris 14. Métro: Denfert-Rochereau InfoTel.: 01 43 22 47 63.

Carreau du Temple - Jazz - this is a new five day festival, is to be held in a 'Temple' for it. Featuring various groups, from Wednesday, 1. August to Sunday, 8. August; at 21:00. At the Carreau du Temple, Rue Dupetit-Thouars, Paris 3. Métro: Temple. InfoTel.: 01 45 08 55 25.

Photographies Hongroises - 'from the romantic to the avant-garde,' features 100 photos rarely seen outside Hungary from the 1880-1925 period - from Budapest's Hungarian Museum of Photography, selected by Kàroly Kincses, with Anne Cartier-Bresson and Catherine de Bourgoing. This important exhibition continues until Sunday, 28. October. Except Mondays, open daily from 10:00 to 18:00. At the Musée de la Vie Romantique - Hôtel Scheffer-Renan, 16. Rue Chaptal, Paris 9. Métro: Saint-Georges, Blanche or Pigalle. InfoTel.: 01 48 74 95 38.

Bals - Concerts - will be found at the Kiosque à Musique at Villette every Sunday until the end of August; usually starting about 17:30. These free concerts can be a lot of fun if the weather comes too. At the Parc de la Villette, 211. Avenue Jean-Jaurès, Paris 19. Métro: Porte de Pantin. InfoTel.: 01 40 03 75 75.

Ciné l'Eté - if you are 25 or under this program offers seats at independent cinema for 25 francs. The list of participating cinemas can be found on a postcard, available nearly everywhere. At the boxoffice, be prepared to prove your age. The program continues until Friday, 31. August. These conditions are also accepted at the outdoor movies at La Villette and the Parc André Citroën. InfoTel.: 08 20 00 75 75.

Walk-In Outside Movies - are now a tradition at the Parc de la Villette, which has a sit-down place for you to watch free movies on some sort of pop-up screen. Films roll until Sunday, 26. August; and start about 22:00 when it's dark enough. Deckchairs are also available. Prairie du Triangle, Parc de la Villette. Métro: Porte de Pantin. InfoTel.: 01 40 03 76 92.

Les Piscines, Paris Plage - here is a short list of the open-top pools open this summer in Paris. 'Open-top' means the pool, and does not guarantee water-free sunbathing space.

- Piscine Roger-Le-Gall, 34. Boulevard Carnet, Paris 12. Métro: Porte de Vincennes.
- La Butte-aux-Cailles is historic and has triple-pools, at 5. Place Paul-Verlain, Paris 13. Métro: Place de l'Italie.
- The Piscine Champerret has, like the pool at Auteuil, grass to lie on, to catch sunrays without getting wet. At 36. Boulevard de Reims, Paris 17. Métro: Porte de Champerret.
- The Piscine Hébert was built in 1896 and renovated in 1992, but remains a bit small. At 2. Rue des Fillettes, Paris 18. Métro: Marx-Dormoy. Closed on 28. August until 1. September.
- Piscine Georges-Hermant, 4. Rue David-Angers, Paris 19. Métro: Danube.
- The Piscine Georges-Vallerey was built in 1924 for the Olympics and is where Johnny Weissmuller won the 400 metres before becoming Tarzan. At 148. Avenue Gambetta, Paris 20. Métro: Porte des Lilas.
- The Piscine d'Auteuil, in the Bois de Boulogne - two pools and grassy sunbathing - on the Route des Lacs à Passy, Paris 16. Métro: Ranelagh.
- Dim inside, sun outside at Boulogne-Billancourt at the Parc de Billancourt pool, 165. Rue du Vieux-Pont-de-Sèvres. Métro: Billancourt.

These are not all the pools there are, but the ones where you can get some soleil as well as your feet wet. Look for the brochure titled 'Nager à Paris.'

Romanes - Cirque Tsigane - is with the subtitle 'Nothing In the Pocket' - which may mean this a a gypsy-type of circus, or a reference to a clown's costume. No shows on Sundays, otherwise at 21:30 until Saturday, 11. August. This is part of the Quartier d'Eté program. The Web site should have complete details. In the Jardin des Tuileries, Paris 1. Métro: Tuileries or Concorde. InfoTel.: 01 44 94 98 00.

Quartier d'Eté - a vast variety of events make up this summer's Paris program of artistic treats - from techno to opera to circuses - to be performed on streets, places and unusual locations throughout the city. This program goes on more or less non-stop until mid-August. Some of these events are free and others are not. The Quartier d'Eté Web site should have complete details. InfoTel.: 01 44 94 98 00.

A Beach - has been installed somewhere in or near the gigantic Stade de France, featuring a mini-sea for sailboats and some sand for a beach - with palms! This will be touched up with beach tents, deck chairs and parasols - but apparently no swimming is possible. Experts will be giving sailing lessons to the 6-17 age group while there will be an inflated 'castle' for the little people to bounce in. For big people, the beach will be equipped with sound, games and contests. Oh, there will also be a beach café too. Until Sunday, 12. August; from 10:00 to 18:00 daily. At the Stade de France, in Saint- Denis. Take RER 'D' to Stade de France-Saint-Denis or RER 'B' to La Plaine-Stade de France. InfoTel.: 08 25 30 19 98.

Except for a couple of events that fold up their tents at mid-month - like the imported seaside at the stadium above - just about everything in this issue's column continues to the end of August, or beyond it. Except for the exceptions, of course.

Note - some of the following events have already begun, but continue with future dates as well.

Trésors de Byzance - is merely the Bibliothèque Nationale showing off its collection of original Greek manuscripts, number about 50 items you can't see elsewhere. The exhibition begins on Monday, 20. August and continues until Sunday, 2. September. At the Bibliothèque Nationale, 58. Rue de Richelieu, Paris 2. Métro: Bourse. InfoTel.: 01 47 03 81 26.

Les Pepitas - are advertised as a 'fanfare groove' if you know what I mean, and I don't know. From Thursday, 2 August at 18:00 in the Luxembourg until Saturday also at 18:00, the Pepitas will also put on one show in the Tuileries at 19:30 on Friday, 3. August. For one, try the Boulevard Saint-Michel entry and for the other, métro Tuileries. InfoTel.: 01 44 94 90 00.

Noites do Brasil - August's Saturday nights at the Divan have a latin tradition, beginning on Saturday, 4. August at 23:00 and going until sunrise - and until 23. August. Featuring samba, 'funk de Sao Paulo,' samba reggae and other good, hot stuff. At the Divan du Monde, 75. Rue des Martyrs, Paris 18. Métro: Pigalle. InfoTel.: 01 44 92 77 66.

Cordel do Fogo Encantado - is music from Brazil's northeast, featured in Paris within the Quartier d'Eté program. First date is Tuesday, 7. August at 19:00 at the Square Maurice-Gardette, Rue du Général-Blaise, Paris 11. The following night's location is the Square Carpeaux, Paris 18. Then from Thursday, 9. August they stay put until Saturday, 11. August, in the Jardin du Luxembourg - for performances at 18:00. This is a Quartier d'Eté production.

Postonove Brasilian Night - put on by the Favela Chic for one night only - on Saturday, 11. August, with the blastoff at 21:00. Somewhere in the Jardin des Plantes, Rue Geoffroy-Saint-Hilaire, Paris 5. Métro: Monge, is closest. InfoTel.: 01 44 94 98 00. The Quartier d'Eté Web site should have more details.

Danse - within the 'Festival Quartier d'Eté' program, there will be three dance events, starting with Anokha on Tuesday, 31. July - until Friday, 3. August; then the Ardha Nareeswara group will take over from 7. to 10. August; and finally there will be the 'Europe Danse' taking place from 13-15. August. All of these will be in the Cour d'Orléans at the Palais-Royal. Paris 1. Métro: Palais Royal-Louvre. The Quartier d'Eté Web site should have complete details. InfoTel.: 01 44 94 98 00.

Classical Music - Sainte-Chapelle is the scene of classical events, featuring soloists from the Orchestre Symphonique Français and the harp and flute duo of Gabriel Fumet and Iris Torossian. At 4. Boulevard du Palais, Paris 1. Métro: Cité. InfoTel.: 01 42 77 65 65. The Eglise Saint-Séverin also features the Orchestre Philharmonique de France, on 11 and 14. August. Paris 5. Métro: Saint-Michel. InfoTel.: 01 42 50 96 18. Notre-Dame will be the scene of one performance by its Gregorian Ensemble, on Tuesday, 14. August; at 20:30. Paris 4. Métro: Cité. InfoTel.: 01 42 34 56 10. 'Violins de France' and the 'Trumpets and Organ' of Versailles will stage one performance on Tuesday, 21. August; at 20:30 - at the Madeleine, Paris 8. Métro: Madeleine. InfoTel.: 01 42 50 96 18.

Musique En l'Ile - features 'Les Voix de Neva' from Saint Petersburg, on several dates beginning at the end of July, and at two locations - the Saint-Germain-des Prés church and Saint-Louis-en-l'Ile church. Other concerts will be given by the soloists and choir of Christ Church, from Greenwich in the US; plus the flute and harp duo of Gabriel Fumet and Iris Torossian. Finally there will be one performance by the soloists and choir of the Kremlin Museum's La Capella, on Tuesday, 28. August. For complete details see the Festival Musique en l'Ile Web site. Paris 4 and 6. Métro: Saint-Germain and Pont Marie. InfoTel.: 01 44 62 00 55.

Musique Classique Au Vert - the Dana Ciocarlie and Khroma lead a string quintette for one performance on Saturday, 18. August; at 16:30. Jordi Saval follows on Sunday, 26. August; at 16:30. At the Parc Floral de Paris, Route de la Pyramide, in the Bois de Vincennes. Paris 12. Métro: Château de Vincennes. InfoTel.: 01 55 94 20 20.

Chillida - is one on the 20th century's most important sculptors and this exhibition features his works in all materials from lead to paper. Until Sunday, 16. September. Closed Mondays; open on Tuesdays from 12:00 to 21:30, Wednesday to Friday from 12:00 to 19:00 and on weekends from 10:00 to 19:00. At the Jeu de Paume, 1. Place de la Concorde, Paris 8. Métro: Concorde. InfoTel.: 01 47 03 12 50.

The Château de Budapest - part of the Hungarian season called 'MAGYart' begins with this exhibition about the history of Budapest's Château; repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt. Most items on display are from the Budapest History Museum. Until Sunday, 16. September. Except Mondays, generally open from 10:00 to 17:40. At the Musée Carnavalet - Histoire de Paris, 23. Rue de Sévigné, Paris 3. Métro: Saint-Paul or Chemin-Vert. InfoTel.: 01 44 59 58 58.

Regards Persans - is an exhibition presenting the last 20 years of photography in Iran, represented by 200 photos and 20 photographers - which in turn represent three photographic schools in Tehran alone. Continuing until Friday, 31. August. At the Espace EDF Electra, 6. Rue Récamier, Paris 7. Métro: Sèvres-Babylon. InfoTel.: 01 53 63 23 45.

37th Salon de la Marine - discover the salon that presents the French Navy's official painters, plus other artists attracted by watery scenes every other year. Until Monday, 27. August; from 10:00 to 17:50 daily except Tuesdays. At the Musée de la Marine, 17. Place du Trocadéro, Paris 16. Métro: Trocadéro. InfoTel.: 01 53 65 69 69.

Maillol Peintre - is an exhibition of 60 of the painter's works, from the period of 'Nabi' to the '40s. Until Saturday, 20. October; from 11:00 to 18:00 daily except Tuesdays. At the Musée Maillol - Fondation Dina Vierny, 59-61. Rue de Grenelle, Paris 7. Métro: Rue du Bac. InfoTel.: 01 42 22 59 58.

Cinquante Ans de Sculpture Espagnole - presents 19 significant Spanish artists, from the last half of 20th century, with some works made especially for this expo, which will be shown later in Madrid, in the Retiro. Very large pieces, mostly in metal. Continues until Sunday, 23. September. Free entry, from 7:00 to 23:00, in the gardens of the Palais Royal, Paris 1. Métro: Palais-Royal.

Da Adversiadade Vivemos - from the '60s and '70s, 14 of Latin America's most dynamic young artists, chosen by Carlos Basualdo. Also on view, Niele Toroni and Dan Graham. The first two until Sunday, 16. September and the third until 14. October. Except Mondays, from 10:00 to 17:40; until 18:45 on weekends. At Paris' Musée d'Art Moderne, 11. Avenue Président Wilson, Paris 16. Métro: Iéna or Alma-Marceau. InfoTel.: 01 53 7 40 00.