Something for the Weekend (November 30th - December 2nd)

As Christmas approaches, interesting events are harder to find, but here are a couple of strangely vintage suggestions for the weekend.

Reminder: It is the first Sunday of the month, so that means plenty of free museums. You can find a complete list of the participating museums here.


Wonder Vintage Market
At the giant 104 arts centre this weekend is a vintage 1950s bric à brac sale. Around a selection of vintage cars (including a Delorean), you'll find 700m² of stands selling clothes, accessories, furniture and various other items. To complete the atmosphere you can also have your portrait taken in a re-created 1950s kitchen!

http://wondervintagemarket.com/

Bon Plan: If you find the prices a little steep at the vintage market, head into the Emmaüs charity store that has set up shop in the old Riquet indoor market opposite the 104. Prices should be far lower, and all purchases are for a good cause!


Jazz Band Ball
If you find a good vintage outfit at the vintage market, why not try it out at a dance being held this Saturday night at the town hall of the 5th arrondissement. No fewer than six different big band orchestras will be performing, and the venue will certainly be chic.

More information here.

Something for the Weekend (November 23rd - 25th)

Black Friday
Black Friday is an American post-Thanksgiving commercial frenzy, but it's also - more interestingly - the winter edition of Record Store Day. Join in with the event in Paris at Fargo, where you'll be able to purchase many of the special vinyl releases created for the occasion. 

http://www.facebook.com/boutiquefargo 


Salon des Vins des Vignerons Independents
Celebrating the production of independent wine producers across France, this event will enable you to stock up on top quality wine at low prices in time for the holidays. As you enter you are given a souvenir glass to take around the show with you, that you fill up at any stand that takes your fancy. On top of that, it is quite easy to find free entrance vouchers in the press and online - here for example!

November 22nd - 26th, Parc des Expositions, Porte de Versailles


L'Envers du Décor: Open Days
This Sunday, seven of Paris's leading photo studios will be opening their doors - a rare opportunity to see how these mysterious places operate and to discover some interesting spaces.

Find the full list of participating studios here: http://www.leclubdesstudios.fr/ 

Something for the Weekend (November 16th - 18th)

This weekend in Paris seems to be purely dedicated to photography. Here are a few of the events.

Paris Photo

The big photo event of the weekend is Paris Photo under the glass roof of the Grand Palais. For its 16th edition, it brings together over 150 exhibitors (galeries and publishers) displaying the photos of over 1000 photographers.

Big event in prestigious location means big prices though. Entrance is €28!

http://www.parisphoto.com/

Photo Off

When there are big events though there are also smaller 'off' events. Supporting young and emerging photographers, Photo Off at the Bellevilloise also brings together galleries and photographers, but also a 'Photo Off' prize for best gallery, and a 'Photo After' evening event with live music.

http://www.labellevilloise.com/2012/10/salon-photo-off-2012-2/

Mois de la Photo

After taking a break last year, the Paris-wide 'mois de la photo' (photo month) event sees exhibitions and happenings throughout the city during the whole of November.

See the official website for full details of all the events: http://www.mep-fr.org/moisdelaphoto2012/en/

Something for the Weekend (November 9th - 11th)

Some interesting things to do in Paris this weekend.

Braderie Sol en Si 

Judging by the lights in the streets and the windows of the main department stores Christmas is coming soon. This event - a sale of clothes and goods donated by top brands in aid of an AIDS charity - is your chance to find some bargains and donate to a good cause at the same time.

Saturday and Sunday at La Cartonnerie, M°Goncourt

Full information here: http://www.solensi.org/braderie-sol-en-si-2012-les-10-et.html

Salon de la Photo 

The Salon de la Photo is the biggest photography event of the year in Paris, covering both equipment and the art of photography.

Entrance to the event, at the Porte de Versailles, costs normally 11 Euros, but you can get a free invitation by filling in this form: http://www.invitationphoto.com/formAmateur.aspx. The invitation should arrive immediately afterwards by e-mail.

Food truck festival

There was a time when the food track served nourishment to the common man, but now instead of being parked up alongside a construction site, they are invited to festivals in the courtyard of the Ecole des Beaux-Arts. Vans from Denmark, Marseille and New York will be serving the food, at €30 Euros a pop.

http://lefooding.com/evenements/2012/la-pompe-a-bulles/#.UIqUZWf6mSp

Paris Polar

First mystery of this crime fiction festival is deciphering the (noir) website. Once cracked, you'll learn that at the town hall of the 13th arrondissement there will be two days of readings, debates, conferences and the chance to meet several leading authors.

More information (if you look hard enough) here: http://parispolar.fr/