Serge the Concierge

Celebrate the Roaring Twenties at Bastille Day Ball, July 13, New York

Could not make it to the New York street festivals for Bastille Day on July 12, here's a second chance to be part of the festivities.

On Monday, July 13, you can dance the night away to the sound of the roaring twenties at the Bastille Day Ball.

Where: The China Club

When: 7pm to 2 am

Get some rest and put on your dancing shoes.

Related: No Guillotine: Pastis, Pate, Patisseries, Petit Basque, Ratatouille on Bastille Day menu

Fall under the Spell of Lura, Free Chicago Concert by Portuguese Singer, July 9

If you are lucky enough to be in Chicago this evening of July 9 and not afraid to fall under the charm of Lura, the Portuguese singer will be treating happy ears to her sensual voice as displayed in 'Oh Naia' (below).

Even better, the early show (6:30pm) is Free.

Location: Pritzker Pavilion, Millennium Park (info: 312-742-1168)

Sharing the bill with Lura is Megitza Quartet.

Lura's latest release is 'Eclipse'

Found out about this Summer Freebie via Chicago Reader.

Recent Music Bit:
3 Days of Peace and Yoga, Wanderlust, Music Festival with a Different Recipe, Lake Tahoe, July 24-26

3 Days of Peace and Yoga, Wanderlust, Music Festival with a Different Recipe, Lake Tahoe, July 24-26

Following my No Vacation Nation thread, I was checking the correct definition of 'wanderlust' and discovered by accident the Wanderlust Festival which brings together Music and Yoga from July 24 to July 26, 2009 in Lake Tahoe (California).

Any other festival with a main stage at 8000 feet I wonder?

On the music side, line up counts Michael Franti, Spoon, Gillian Welch, Broken Social Scene, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings to name a few.

I noticed the Yoga Slackers in the Yoga lineup, great name...

For the Consumed to Thrifty crowd who cannot fork out the $120 plus dollars for 3 days, I suggest the Daytripper option: "Friday ($24.50), Saturday ($69.50), and Sunday ($49.50). These passes are for music only and are good for all music events (day and night) for that particular day. They also include the Funitel lift ticket for the days in which there is music on top of Squaw."

More music from a different kitchen:
Music not Druids, Green Man Festival in Glanusk Park, Wales (August 20-23)

Free Jazz, 70 Years of Blue Note Album Covers at Jazz Fest Montreal, July 1-8

Visiting Montreal or just living there, you have about a week left to check 70 Years of Blue Note Album Covers, a Free Exhibit featuring many classic albums such as Dexter Gordon 'Our Man in Paris' (1963, cover below) at Village de la Musique ( corner of Maisonneuve Blvd. and Bleury St).

This 'for your eyes only' treat runs from July 1st to July 8 as part of the Festival International de Jazz de Montreal (Jazz Fest) which closes on July 12.

The hours for the Blue Note Records exhibit are great for 'noctambules' as doors are opened from 12 Noon to Round About Midnight.

Looking for more free stuff offered by this Jazz Festival, check the Free Concerts- Concerts Gratuits listing.

Par ici la musique

Summer events for the Consumed to Thrifty

Happy Canada Day to Our Friends Up North, Should I Visit Toronto this Summer?

It's July 1st and Canada Day festivities are either happening or ready to roll across the land up North.

While driving up the New York Thruway a few weeks ago, the distance to Toronto showed up on a sign which prompted the question of whether a summer visit to Toronto should be considered.

The program for Canada Day in Toronto seems top heavy with country and bluegrass which I am not sure fits my present mood.

On the other hand, the city Summerlicious 2009 which kicks off on July 3rd and runs until July 19 sounds appetizing:

Each restaurant will offer a special 3-course prix fixe menu where patrons can sample the establishment’s delicious fare. The prix fixe menus are available at lunch and dinner at the following price points (some restrictions may apply):

$15, $20 or $30 lunch menus*

$25, $35 or $45 dinner menus*

Amongst the Top 25 Menu Picks for the Event is Mildred’s Temple Kitchen with its lean and clean decor (see below).

As for museums, cheese shops and patisseries, shops and wine stores I should check if make it to Toronto, I should trust your advice on that as I start with a blank slate.

Happy Canada Day!

American Expats, Celebrate 4th of July in London with Green Man on a Boat Party

American Expats in London looking for ways to celebrate the 4th of July (Independence Day) might want want to get aboard the Green Man on A Boat Party described as a sun drenched event on the Thames River.

I would not guarantee that part as it is London after all.

Take a combination live acts and DJ's, spread them around the deck, let them fill your ears for 5 hours (2pm to 7pm).

Here's what's on the program (as quoted from Green Man):

Hotly-tipped newcomers 6 Day Riot will brew up a must-see “melting pop” of ukelele, violin and all-round acoustic loveliness before the dazzling James Yuill takes it to the (Tower) Bridge with his dynamic and highly danceable Justice-meets-Nick Drake songwriting genius.

We’ll have a raft (not literally) of disc jockeys spinning top tunes to while
away a lazy Saturday afternoon, including UK electro fiend and uber producer Serge Santiago and DJs from the legendary London club night Smash & Grab, plus comedy and maybe even a hoola-hooping Elvis to ensure Independence Day goes with a bang.

Tickets are 20 British Pounds a Piece while stock lasts...

The Fun Boat leaves from St Katherine’s Pier at  50 St Katharine's Way and you need to be there no later than 1:45pm.

In London and on a Budget, Free Events Some Kids Friendly are Plentiful

Traveling with kids, maybe you want to join a Family spaceship workshop on Friday, June 26 (listed on Free London Events) where families and children under 7 are invited to join professional artists to create a spectacular 3D space ship and alien for the Waterloo Carnival.

Also in the family friendly department count the Art Trolley Weekend Sessions from 11am to 5pm at Tate Britain (no registration required) which I discovered via London is Free.

What's Art Trolley about?

"Visit and discover imaginative and weird and wonderful materials. You can build a sculpture, draw something that catches your eye or even create a pretty collage. Pose for a picture with your art work and then check out Tate's website to see if your work has been published online."

In a different sphere, London is Free lists the 60's tinged Monday 'Love-In' film & music in Camden Town at inSpiral Lounge.

Let's not forget Time Out London where I found Street Pianos which runs until July 12.

Here's Time Out take on Street Pianos:

"For three weeks 30 pianos will be installed in the street at locations all over London. Decorated to suit their location and marked 'Play me, I'm Yours', they'll be available to anyone who fancies a tinkle. Each piano will have its own songbook attached to encourage communal involvement - and a protective tarpaulin to pull over if rain threatens. A full time piano tuner on a pushbike will ensure the pianos remain in good condition."

This event is organized by Sing London in association with the City of London Festival and artist Luke Jerram whose photo of the London 2009 - (Harrow Rd piano) above illustrates this piece.

I could go on and on but I do not want to get you tired so I might come back with a second helping in a few days.

Just what we need in our Consumed to Thrifty times.

Related:
Yes You Can...Travel Around Europe this Summer with Rail Europe, Reduce Carbon Fooprint, Save Big time

June 24, Bonfires and Festive Night, La Fete de la St Jean

The Fete de la Musique is barely over and the cheering of the arrival of summer keeps coming in France with La Fete de la Saint Jean on June 24 for the summer solstice.

Across the country, bonfires are set, cities treat their residents to fireworks and sometimes an aperitif.
It is also often an excuse for a night out sampling the local food fare.

In Saint Jean de Luz, the Saint Jean festival started on Saturday (June 20) and run until Tuesday (June 23), pretty much non-stop if I am to trust the on site report from Basque Bylines and everyone wears black and red clothing.

Shame on me, I did not realize until this year (2009) that on the same day, June 24, Quebec celebrates its national holiday Saint Jean Baptiste Day (Fete St Jean Baptiste).

Hyvää Juhannus / fete de la St Jean en Finlande, Bodom Lake
by eilwenn

French are not the only ones to light bonfires as the Finish video above proves

Related: Light my Fire: La Trobada on the Canigou, June 22-23 (Feux de la St Jean)

My Consolation Prize for Father's Day, Not a Plane Ticket to France or a Netbook

First of all, Happy Father's Day to the Fathers amongst those of you who read my daily rants.

It would have been nice to get a plane ticket to France to visit the family there in Toulouse and Brittany.

In Toulouse I could go enjoy musical events like the Siestes Electroniques (June 25 to 28).

A Netbook to replace my now deceased laptop would have been second best.

As a consolation prize I did get a chance to catch up on my sleep and spend some time in the park shooting the breeze.

So it was not all that bad.

Bonne Soiree

Playing Iranian Music on June 21 for Fete de la Musique as a Sign of Support?

Here in the western world, is there much we can do to help the people of Iran who are finding their basic rights and freedoms challenged I wondered a number of hours ago.

Then I thought, Fete de la Musique is taking place on June 21, 2009 and it could be a way of expressing our support if musicians across the globe played Iranian (Persian) music as part of their repertoire.

Does 'Persian Surgery Dervishes' by Terry Riley qualifies?

What's happening?