Archive for the ‘notable Americans’ Category

The Roots of American Music

Thursday, February 18th, 2016
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On Wednesday, February 17, the cultural service of the American Embassy in Paris hosted a concert entitled “The Roots of American Music.” Soprano Nicole Taylor, accompanied by pianist Daniel J. Ernst, sang a medley of spirituals that were composed or arranged by 20th century African-American song writers.

Nicole Taylor, Soprano

Nicole Taylor, Soprano
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

Daniel J Ernst, Pianist

Daniel J Ernst, Pianist
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

The backdrop for the performance was a work of art rendered by French artist Batsh.

Stage for Performance

Stage for the Performance
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

Batsh

Batsh
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

More art by Batsh can be viewed on his Web site and here.

Following the wonderful performance before an appreciative audience, everyone repaired to the Green Room for beverages and hors d’œuvres. Among the attendees at the concert was Madame George Pau-Langevin, Minister of French Overseas Territories.

Madame George Pau-Langevin, Minister of French Overseas Territories

Madame George Pau-Langevin, Minister of French Overseas Territories
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

There are a number of videos of Nicole Taylor on YouTube, including this one, a performance that she gave in Doha, Qatar in 2012.

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A Great Day for a Fourth-of-July Garden Party

Wednesday, July 4th, 2012
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Every year at this time the American ambassador in Paris holds a garden party at his residence to celebrate Independence Day. This year was no exception. Although rain was forecast, the weather turned out to be largely warm and sunny, with only a smidgen of rain. It was, then, a great day for a Fourth-of-July garden party!

The theme this year was American food, and there was lots of that!

I went to the corn dog stand and got two delicious corn dogs, one after the other, served with mustard.

Cord Dog Stand (in foreground)

Corn Dog Stand (in foreground)
Photography by www.DiscoverParis.net

Make Mine with Mustard

Make Mine with Mustard
Photography by www.DiscoverParis.net

Then, I made my way over to the beverage stand where I saw that three American beers were being served. I opted for the craft beer Blue Moon. Nice!

Three American Beers

Three American Beers
Photography by www.DiscoverParis.net

After the beer it was time for fried shrimp. I walked past the hamburger stand…

Hamburger Stand

Hamburger Stand
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

Serving Hamburgers

Serving Hamburgers to an Eager Crowd
Photography by www.DiscoverParis.net

…and made my way to the fried shrimp stand.

Serving Fried Shrimp

Serving Fried Shrimp
Photography by www.DiscoverParis.net

Then, over to the Häagen-Dazs stand for some ice cream…

Häagan-Dazs Stand

Häagan-Dazs Stand
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

…where I ordered a MiniCup Macadamia Nut Brittle. I went back later for a Cream Crisp Cookies & Cream. Heavenly!

I had eaten my fill, so I could safely walk around and look at the desserts without feeling tempted for more. There was an American flag made out of colorful puddings. What a great idea! As people took the dessert, a server behind the counter would immediately replace the empty space with an appropriately-colored pudding.

American Flag

American Flag
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

Then there were cookies and doughnuts…

Cookies and Doughnuts

Cookies and Doughnuts
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

And cheesecake…

Band Admirer

Band Admirer
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

Oops! Wrong photo. And cheesecake…

Cheesecake

Cheesecake
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

And cotton candy…

Cotton Candy Stand

Cotton Candy Stand
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

A Fourth-of-July celebration wouldn’t be complete with flags, speeches, and music…

Bringing up the Colors

Bringing up the Colors
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

The official choir of the American Embassy, The Dip Notes, sang the “Marseillaise” and then the “Star Spangled Banner”. Great harmony, ladies!

The Dip Notes

The Dip Notes
Photography by www.DiscoverParis.net

Both American Ambassador Charles H. Rivkin and French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault gave speeches about the importance of French-American friendship in confronting the problems of our strife-torn world.

Ambassador Rivkin and Prime Minister Ayrault

Ambassador Rivkin and Prime Minister Ayrault
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

And finally, The Diplomats, the U.S. Naval Forces Europe band, played rock, funk, rhythm and blues, and pop.

Band Admirer

Band Admirer
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

Oops! How did that photo get in again? Here is a picture of the lead singer belting out “Flash Light” by Parliament. Awesome!

The Diplomats

The Diplomats
Photography by www.DiscoverParis.net

It was a great day to be an American in Paris!

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We participate in Wanderfood Wednesdays. Head over there to explore food from around the world!

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Celebrating the Memory of Carole Fredericks

Thursday, June 28th, 2012
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Photo of Carole Fredericks

Photo of Carole Fredericks

Carole Fredericks was an American woman who moved to Paris in 1979 and achieved considerable success there as a singer. After her death in 2001, she was buried in the Montmartre cemetery. Yesterday, friends and acquaintances met in front of the apartment building where she lived, at 91bis, rue du Mont-Cenis in the 18th arrondissement, to celebrate her memory.

Daniel Vaillant - Mayor of 18e Arrondissement

Daniel Vaillant - Mayor of 18th Arrondissement
Photo by www.DiscoverParis.net

The Plaque

The Plaque
Photo by www.DiscoverParis.net

The mayor of the 18th arrondissement, Carole’s sister Connie Fredericks-Malone, Carole’s brother Taj Mahal, and the master of ceremonies Timothy Ramier, Esq., gave speeches about Carole’s life and how she has been an inspiration for so many. Following the speeches, a memorial plaque affixed to the wall of the apartment building was unveiled.

Taj Mahal and Connie Fredericks

Taj Mahal and Connie Fredericks-Malone
Photo by www.DiscoverParis.net

After the ceremony, a concert in Carole’s honor was given at the Centre Musical Fleury Goutte d’Or – Barbara. Among the performers were her brother Taj Mahal and her sister Connie. It was both a stirring and an inspiring event!

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Author and Historian David McCullough Feted at the U.S. Ambassador’s Residence

Saturday, May 26th, 2012
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Monique Y. Wells and David McCullough at the U.S. Ambassador's Residence in Paris

David McCullough Autographs His Book The Greater Journey for Monique Y. Wells, Co-founder of Discover Paris!
Photo by www.DiscoverParis.net

David McCullough, award-winning author and historian, was guest of honor at the U.S. Ambassador’s residence in Paris last night. His most recent book, The Greater Journey, is about Americans who lived in Paris from the 1830s to the 1900s.

In his speech, McCullough talked about the importance of the Franco-American relationship, asserting that the United States would not have gained its independence without the financial, military, and intellectual support of France. In reference to France’s intellectual influence, he stated the the founding fathers who came to Paris felt at home here because the ideals of freedom were being discussed in intellectual circles at that time.

A speaker on hundreds of college campuses, McCullough spoke of his dismay that students today are historically illiterate. He talked about the importance of studying history and stated that history is more than just political and military narrative. History covers all human activity, including art, architecture, music, and poetry.

History, he said, shows that individuals cannot achieve great things alone, that they must work with others in a community. An historian, he said, is forcibly a short-term pessimist and a long-term optimist.

McCullough came to Paris for the first time in 1961. He loves the city and the research that he performs here. He was particularly proud to announce that his granddaughter, who attended the event, is currently studying French in Paris.

A film crew from the Public Broadcasting System filmed McCullough’s presentation. Journalist Morley Safer and stage and screen star Olivia de Havilland (who played the roll of Melanie Hamilton in the movie Gone with the Wind) were among the guests.

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The Odyssey of Max McCalman

Friday, April 1st, 2011
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Max McCalman
Maître Fromager
(c) Discover Paris!

In this month’s Paris Insights newsletter, we depart from our standard format to bring our readers a special issue on food and the world of cheese.

We had the occasion to meet Maître Fromager Max McCalman last month when he traveled to Paris to accept the “Best in the World Book on Cheese” award at the Paris Cookbook Fair for his book Mastering Cheese: Lessons for Connoisseurship from a Maître Fromager. During the conversation we learned about the fascinating odyssey that led McCalman to his true vocation in life, namely that of a leading American expert on cheeses.

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Bonne lecture!

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