Serge the Concierge

On 60th Street or Brooklyn's Fete du Skateboard? Bastille Day 09 in New York

OK, it's two days early since Bastille Day is really on July 14 but I guess they might have a hard time closing 60th Street to traffic on a Tuesday and in our No Vacation Nation who would take the afternoon off to celebrate?

No guillotines on display, food, music, a lazy Sunday lunch at the terrace of a Cafe on 60th Street could be an option that is if you find a free table for the Bastille Day on 60th Street festivities.

They run from 12:00 Noon to 6:00 PM so it is not too late to join the fun if you are in or near New York City on July 12.

A bit more neighborly and laid back maybe is the 7th annual Bastille Day on Smith Street fest in Brooklyn with Bar Tabac’s annual petanque tournament, "where 80 teams with players from around the world will take place in the largest North American petanque tournament" according to a piece by Diana Rosenthal for Cobble Hill Blog (July 8).

I borrowed Cobble Hill Blog's picture of Smith Street (above) as an illustration.

Brooklyn's Bastille Day bash also started at 12:00Noon but runs until 8:00 pm so you still have time to join in the fun.

It barely started an hour ago.

Check Brooklyn Boule for details on the Petanque tournament.

The younger crowd while muchin on frites and frogs legs can hit the ground rolling at the Fete du Skateboard which I scouted on Rad Collector.

 

Takes place at same location, just started at 1pm and runs until 7pm.

Show me the Pastis!

Related: Celebrating Bastille Day, Gourmet Food and Wine in Franschhoek, South Africa

Young Person's Guide to Tanabata, Star Festival at Japan Society, NY, July 12

Rather than offer a lecture on Tanabata, the Star Festival, the Japan Society in New York decided to stage a play on July 12 at 2pm.

Here's the program:

A child-friendly theatrical performance introduces Japan's famous Tanabata legends (Hikoboshi and Orihime) in an interactive setting with songs and dance by performers from Theatre Arts Japan-KIDS-. Afterward, participants will make paper ornaments and their own traditional tanzaku, thin paper strips for writing wishes and to hang on bamboo branches.

Recommended for children ages 3-10 and accompanying adults.

Tickets:
$15 per family (up to five people), $10 per family, including at least one Japan Society member.
Space is limited. Advanced ticket purchase is highly recommended.

If like me (until today) you never heard of the 'Star Festival' here's what Wikipedia has to say about it:

"Tanabata (七夕, tanabata^?, meaning "Evening of the seventh") is a Japanese star festival, derived from the Chinese star festival, Qi Xi (七夕 "The Night of Sevens")．

It celebrates the meeting of Orihime (Vega) and Hikoboshi (Altair). The Milky Way, a river made from stars that crosses the sky, separates these lovers, and they are allowed to meet only once a year on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month of the lunisolar calendar. The celebration is held at night, once the stars come out."

In related news, from July 6 through 10, 2009, the Consulate-General of Japan in Houston presents the Tanabata Festival through origami, wish-cards, and traditional decorations in the atrium of The Shops at Houston Center.

Muza-Chan (a Romanian expat in Japan) in Customs and traditions of Japan - Travel impressions from last years Tanabata (July 6, 2009) gives us her take on the event.

I took the liberty to borrow one of Muza-chan's photos from her piece (above) taken at the Asakusa Shrine as an illustration.

Tradition and culture on the menu of Tokyo Thursdays # 95

Previously: Anime Expo 09 opens in Los Angeles, Covers all Trends from Shojo to Seinen

Scrabbling or Crosswordpuzzling on Sunday, Have you tried Wordnik?

Are you Scrabbling or Crosswordpuzzling on Sunday?

You might be working on a book, an essay or an online story as I am right now?

Have you tried Wordnik as your little helper?

What's it all about? It describes itself as 'an ongoing project devoted to discovering

all the words and everything about them', not as a static thing but keeping up with them as they evolve.

Quite an ambitious task it is.

It all started at TED where Erin McKean had a chance encounter with the deep pockets of Roger McNamee.

I love words, reading them, writing them, understanding them.

I can see the passion behind a venture like Wordnik yet I cannot quite figure how it could become a money maker.

Maybe it is just treated as a worthy cause by its backers, the new age of enlightenment.

Found my way to Wordnik via Spinning the Web: P.R. in Silicon Valley (Claire Cain Miller, NY Times, July 5)...

First Staircase Challenge-Defi des Escaliers, Unusual Race, June 28, Quebec City

Too bad I found out about the first edition of the Defi des Escaliers in Quebec City on the morning of June 28 after the race was over.

It is still worth mentioning for its unusual setting, staircases (escaliers in French) hence the name, Staircase Challenge-Defi des Escaliers.

Here is how it was run according to the program:

"In this 15 kilometers course, participants will take all the staircases that connect the Upper and the Lower town of Quebec City, alternately going up and down about 30 staircases for a total of more than 2 600 stairs.

This timed challenge is "against the clock", so all participants are starting 5 seconds away from each others."

For those wanting to pace themselves, the Staircase Walk was an untimed activity.

One of the flight of stairs that participants crossed is pictured above (from Defi des Escaliers site).

The event was organized by Courir a Quebec whose next big happening is the Marathon des Deux Rives on August 30th.

Quite a workout it seems!

Grand Fooding D' Ete 2009, Last Stop Toulouse on Sunday, June 28

If not for a last minute look, I would have failed mentioning it, the Grand Fooding D'Ete 2009 (Summer 2009) makes its last stop in Toulouse on Sunday, June 28.

Where: Les Abattoirs

What Time: 6pm to 10pm

Price: 10 Euros (goes to Action against Hunger)

Here's what's on the menu (in French):

---

APÉRITIF
Cocktail « ricardito »
+ PAR MAURO COLAGRECO Le Mirazur, Menton

---

UN PEU DE FROMAGE
Abricot au fondant de brebis
+ Par François Bourgon
Fromagerie Xavier, Toulouse

---

MENU BARBECUNOMIQUE
La salade de riz frit à l'indonésienne, magret de canard laqué aux arachides et oignons croustillants
+ Par Michel Sarran
Restaurant Michel Sarran, Toulouse

Eau de poivron, émulsion de yaourt de brebis, légumes et herbes de la ferme Quyvie, poitrine de veau snackée
+ Par Patrice Gelbart
Aux Berges du Cérou, Salles

Marinade de poulpe au pimentón de
la Vera et vierge de vraie tomate
+ Par Christophe Comes
La Galinette, Perpignan

Langoustine fumée au thym citron, mousse de mangue et fruit de la passion, fine gelée au gingembre
et à l'orange sanguine
+ Par Frank ReNiMel
En marge, Toulouse

---

DESSERTS « regarde-toi dans la glace »
Parfums : Justaholique, Egotique
ou Angélique
+ PAR jULIE ROTHHAHN
Avec les crèmes glacées HÄAGEN-DAZS®

---

S.PELLEGRINO PRÉSENTE
Le Clandestino
+ PAR YANNICK DELPECH
L'Amphitryon, Colomiers

---

VINS DU SUD-OUEST

---

ATELIER ŒNONAUTES®
+ par Jérôme Navarre Chez Navarre, Toulouse

---

Worth every penny if you are in the area.

Psst! The Grand Fooding is coming to New York on September 26 and 27, 2009.

June 28, Try Your Luck at the Door for Pinot Days 09 Grand Tasting, 200 Producers, 50 Bucks

The online reservation for Pinot Days 2009 Grand Tasting in San Francisco is now closed yet some tickets for the event will still be available at the door on Sunday, June 28.

Event starts at 11am so I suggest that if you want to try your luck you show up a bit early.

With 200 producers showcased and a price tag of $50, it is a great bang for the buck.

Here's a sample of the wineries present (from A to E):

Abiouness Wines, Adastra Wines, Addamo Estate Vineyards, Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards. Ampelos Cellars, Ancien Wines, Annapolis Winery, Arcadian Winery, Arista Winery, Athair Wines, Aubin Cellars, August West, Auteur, Balletto Vineyards & Winery, BATON Wines, Baxter Winery, Belle Glos Wines, Benovia Winery, Bien Nacido Vineyards, Bink Wines, Bjornstad Cellars, Black Kite Cellars, Bohemian Vineyard, Buena Vista Carneros, Byron Vineyard & Winery, C.Donatiello Winery, Ca' Momi Wines, Calera Wine Company, Calstar Cellars, Cambria Estate Winery, Canihan Family Cellars, Carmel Road Winery, Chasseur Wines, Chronicle Wines, Cima Collina, Clary Ranch Wines, Clos Pepe Vineyards, Clos Saron, Coterie Cellars, Couloir Wines, Crushpad, Dain Wines, DeLoach Vineyards, Demetria Estate, Derbes Wines, Derby Wine Estates, Domaine Chandon, Domaine Serene, Donum Estate/Robert Stemmler, DuNah Vineyard & Winery, Dutton Estate Winery, Dutton-Goldfield Winery, Elke Vineyards Enkidu Wine, Eno Wines, Eric Kent Wine Cellars

Check the 2009 Participating Exhibitors List for the rest of the alphabet.

Interested in knowing more about the creators of Pinot Days and its history, read 5 Questions with Lisa Rigisich of Pinot Days SF by Ward (WineLog Blog, June 17).

Aficionados of the grape can follow the Pinot Noir news as they happen thanks to this Pinot Noir Thread (on Treehugger)...

I'm feeling thirsty now.

File under Sunday Picks

Related piece: June 25 to 28, Pinot Noir Fever Hits San Franciso with Pinot Days 2009

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

My Little Paris, A Local Guide that Says it Softly

As I was looking for updates on Merci, a Parisian shop, I stumbled upon My Little Paris.

No brash, flashy statements here, what makes this guide to shopping, foodie things, culture and other things local stand out is that they say it softly.

Credit this soft touch in no small part to the charming illustrations of Kanako like her tip of the hat to the song by Jacques Dutronc 'Paris s'eveille' (below) for the Culture pages.

Want to leave categories behind, check the Unusual section whose latest suggestion is Lunch at the Market (June 4) featuring Le Marché des Enfants Rouges,39 rue de Bretagne, in 3rd Arrondissement, Metro Arts-et-Métiers.

I did notice that it is even open on Sunday from 8:30 am to 2pm.

Cecile Debise in Le Marche des Enfants Rouges (L'internaute, in French) notes that people visit this small indoor market (only 20 merchants) as much to have lunch as to do their food shopping.

She writes that this is the oldest market in Paris and that its name has its origins to the previous occupants of the site, an orphanage founded in the 16th century where abandonned children were dressed in red.

This market counts a wine shop as you can see in the slides accompanying her piece.

On a closing note, want to brush up on your French, try the French Version of My Little Paris which seems to be updated more often.

There in P'tits Luxes (June 23), if you are looking for something more than the usual restaurant experience, they suggest Art-Home a table d'hote with a view for 12 on the rooftop of the Palais de Tokyo.

Actually an unusual eaterie, Art-Home (or 'arome' in French) is a collaborative project between Electrolux and the Palais de Tokyo...

An exciting tour around Paris

I hope you enjoyed.

Related: Merci, Do-Good Haute Shopping in Paris, Opened March 5th

Souk Marketplace in Brooklyn wins my heart over National Doughnut Day

Remember when Krispy Kreme was all the craze.

Well if you are not concerned by your waist line, you might gobble cream and sugar and get your cholesterol in overdrive in other words Stuff your face as Huliq puts it.
National Doughnut Day is in full swing on June 5.

Do not blame the side effects on Serious Eats where I first saw it mentioned.

I would pick a pain au chocolat (what in the US is called chocolate croissant) anytime over a doughnut.

As far as food/cultural activities go the Souk Marketplace in Brooklyn next door to BAM wins my heart over National Doughnut Day.

Will there be middle eastern sweats on offer at this week-end outdoor fair (Sat, Jun 6, 12—10pm
Sun, Jun 7, 12—8pm)?

Some of the food could also come from the tagines you can see in the back row of the event's illustration above (from their site).

If you cannot make it to Marrakesh or Tunis anytime soon this might be the closest you get.

Got wind of this Free Event perfect for our Consumed to Thrifty times thanks to Food-Friendly Events, June 5-11 on Eating in Translation.

Have food and wine events worth trying taking place in the coming days or weeks that you want to share, go ahead and let us know.

Thanks, bon week-end!

It's On June 7, Mother's Day in France is Last Sunday of May Except when it's Not

Mea Culpa! Like many things in France, the rule that Mother's Day is the last Sunday of May has exceptions like this year (2009) when it actually falls on June 7.

I found out I had the date wrong when I called my mother in the afternoon on past Sunday and she broke the news to me.

It seems the exception to the rule happens when the last Sunday of May happens to be the Pentecost religious holiday.

Good thing is I was not late and I did not forget about it.

As Kelby Carr notes in Celebrate a Second Time with France's Fête des Mères (About.com), American and other expat moms who live in France get treated to 2 Mother's Day in a year.

I learned from her piece that the Fête des Mères (Mother's Day) was inaugurated by Napoleon and made official in 1950.

If you look at the Mother's Day 2009 Calendar from Women Living Abroad the holiday takes place at many different times of the year depending on the country.

Other countries that share the last Sunday of May Rule with France are Algeria, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Maritius, Morocco, Sweden, Tunisia.

Argentina waits until October 18 for the Dia de la Madre while Mongolia has the The Mothers and Children's Day on June 1.

Korea and Albania treat it as Parents Day on May 8.

Did I miss something?

Related: Le Roux, Basil and Tomato or Pepper and Strawberry, Mother's Day Chocolates in France