Something for the Weekend (28th – 30th January)

A bit of sport, a bit of music, a bit of art and a bit of exploring. The perfect weekend!

Le Prix d'Amerique
If you have never been to a trotting event, this weekend is the perfect occasion. Trotting (harness racing) is a kind of horse-race in which the jockeys are not on the horses, but rather in a very uncomfortable-looking chariot behind. The pace is slower than a standard horse-race as the speed can never get beyond a trot, with the horse and jockey being eliminated if they quicken the steps. The spectacle though is as much in the crowd as on the track for this event which is expected to attract 40,000 spectators including many celebrities. There is even a special limited edition range of gifts!

Sunday January 30th
Hippodrome de Vincennes. 2 route de la Ferme 75012
5 € for adults, free for those under 18
Closest Station : Joinville Le Pont (RER A) where a free bus service will take you to the racetrack

Mo’Fo 11 Music Festival
This 3-day event features over 20 live groups as well as the Mo’Forum, an installation of independent artistic creation. Most of the groups are French, but the standout event is a very rare outing in France for cult Scottish band The Vaselines (http://www.thevaselines.co.uk/ ) on Saturday night. Beware – tickets may be hard to find.

28th – 30th January
Mains d’Oeuvres, 1, rue Charles Garnier 93 400 Saint-Ouen,
M° Porte de Clignancourt or Garibaldi

A Contemporary Art Fair in an Interesting Venue
Contemporary art fairs are frequent events in Paris and generally something to be viewed with suspicion. This event, held at the Halle Fressinet (an old freight storage facility on the Paris – Orléans railway line), is worth visiting for the architecture of the venue alone, although reports from last year said that the art that wasn’t up to much. Perhaps this year’s theme – portraits and autoportraits – will prove more inspirational.

27th – 30th January, 11am to 7pm
Halle Fressinet 55 Boulevard Auriol, 75013, M° Chevaleret or Quai de la Gare
6€

Nouveaux tableaux parisiens
Since 2008, the east of Paris has been the site of heavy construction work with the installation of a new tramway (an extension of the system already running along the south of the city). To accompany this transformation of public space, the city of Paris had the good idea to ask four artists to document the changes taking place. In paintings, sketches and photography, these artists have captured an ephemeral vision of the city for future generations, but we can already appreciate their work at an exhibition in the pleasant and attrative Pavillon Carré de Baudouin.

Until 19th March
Pavillon Carré de Baudouin
121 rue de Ménilmontant
Tuesday to Saturday 11am – 6pm
More information on the project here: http://demarche-artistique.tramway.paris.fr/ewb_pages/d/demarche-artistique.php

Les Lundis de Lutèce
Sylvanie de Lutèce is back for her monthly Paris history discussion at the cool Baron Samedi bar on Monday evening (31st). This time round, a look at some poisoning scandals in 17th century Paris. Note that because of filming taking place in the bar on Monday, the event will begin at 9.30pm.

Baron Samedi
12 Rue des Goncourt, 75011 (M° Goncourt)

Un autre Lautrec à Pigalle
Recently taken over and renovated, Le Lautrec is fast becoming one of the most fashionable bars in Pigalle. Events are organised most evenings, with DJs in the bar or live music downstairs. If you haven’t been yet, the concert this Friday evening featuring two up and coming artists – Rebecca Meyer and Siobhan Wilson – may be the ideal moment.

Le Lautrec
63 Rue Jean-Baptiste Pigalle, 75009 (M° Pigalle)