KOD Spectacular

July 13th, 2011 [most importantly my younger sister's 18th birthday, but also Bastille Day Eve], I was lucky to perform with my friend and wonderful musician Kevin O'Donnell and his band.  It was a fun evening, bursting with talent and laughter.  To show my patriotism, I sang "Non, je ne regrette rien" by Edith Piaf and "Ma Benz", Brigitte's cover of NTM's song.

Rehearsing at KOD's.

Beth Sagal sings.

Back in Chicago...

I've been back in Chicago for a few weeks now, settling in slowly.  Here is a visual taste of summer in Chicago:

Lake Michigan early in the morning

With Che on the back porch

First dip in Lake Michigan, ever.

Time flies

What a whirlwind it's been!  Although I had the best intentions to keep up with my blog while I was in France, things got really busy and I just didn't have it in me to sit down in front of the computer more than necessary.  I had a wonderful visit, filled with friends, weddings, babies, music and tons of love. 


L'opéra de Paris, tôt le matin.




















Provins

Grey day at the Trocadéro

Babies, babies, babies

On Monday evening, I had diner with my friends Fanny & Ben and their delightful little boy Arthur.  I meant to take some pictures, but didn't get to it.  Next time...The "friends with babies" visits continued yesterday. 

I headed to Quentin and Stephanie's for a rehearsal followed by diner.  On the way there, I stepped into the metro only to see a young man walking towards me with a T-shirt that said "I was in Miami beach".  Sigh to the universe.  I pulled out my camera and tried to find the courage to ask him if I could take a photo of him but chickened out.   Upon arrival at my destination,  I saw the following sign, which for some reason spoke to me... 

Quentin and I had a nice rehearsal, brushing up some old tunes in preparation for the festival.  Here is an old video clip of us singing L'appel du monde entier.   The image makes it seem as though we are high on cocaine or have the jitters, but the sound is okay.  A song about traveling...

After rehearsal, I met his 5 month old daughter Evy, who is hilarious and adorable.  
Here we are all together after diner. 

I've yet to meet a few other babies, several pregnant ladies to see as well. 

Old stomping ground

Yesterday I ventured into Paris, direction the bank (7th) and my old digs (18th).

I step down to the metro station and come face to face with this ad.   

Really universe?  Really?

Ligne 9 to ligne 10 to ligne 8.  Ecole militaire.  As I emerged from the metro, the buzz of Paris hit me.  A warm day in the city of lights.  Children walking home with their au-pairs in tow, cafés, stores, tourists, postcards of Paris for sale.  I walked down Rue Cler, still one of my favorites, then rue Saint Dominique.

My stint in the 7th was brief, jumping on the metro again at LaTour-Maubourg, ligne 8 jusqu'à Strasbourg-Saint Denis, change trains, help the man with the baby stroller up and down a bunch of stairs (oh the French metro is great for leg work-outs and so inconvenient for anyone with a stroller), ligne 4.  Gare du Nord.  Again, emerge from the metro but in such a different part of Paris, my old stomping ground.  Walked down the boulevard overflowing with Indian shops, the smell of incense, the same beggar lady is still there smiling away as she stands on her single leg.  Marx Dormoy.   How in the world did I manage to live here for so long....this part of town is so busy and strangely violent.  It's tough and cramped.  My body and mind go into defense mode just to cross the street....keep walking, keep walking, find the big black gate, enter the code (it hasn't changed since I left 6 months ago), enter, close the gate.  Breathe.  Made it.  Walk through the courtyard.  Tom's window is open.  I stand outside and whistle.

Back in Paris

After a long movie-less flight (the TVs were broken along with the reading lights), I made it safely to Paris.  Sunny warm day here.  My wonderful friend David, who is getting married in a few weeks, picked me up.  


Since it's only been 6 months, I found myself surprisingly not ooowing and awwing at every road sign that said Paris, or every building, store or boulangerie.  It's a strangely nice to just feel "normal" about being back and not be having intense emotional reactions at every corner. We stopped by the Café la Sèvrienne for a quick coffee and croissant.  Lovely and delicious.  
Comme c'est bon.  
 

The good news is:  I still know how to speak French.  Also:  cheese is so good and i have really good friends. 

Miami - in just a few words.

I wish i'd been more diligent about writing while I was in Miami, but life just got busy and I tried as best I could to minimize the amount of time I spent in front of the computer...preferring time in the sun instead.

My month in Miami performing The Sparrow was rejuvenating, exciting and simply wonderful.  When I think of Miami, I will remember:  king size beds, 48th floor, the opera tower, "R", the double-tree, cosmos with Carolyn, breakfast with Paige, the beach on 13th street, days with day, miami life center, ashtanga yoga, sparrows fly, michael's, sexy pattie, markie g, an absolutely amazing, hilarious and talented company of actors and an awesome stage manager, the joy and beauty of story-telling, the magic of theatre, standing ovations, tears, book boat, the bullet trick, quick changes, the little girl in the front who answered "yes!" when abu asked "are we all okay with this?", the basketball game, pick-up trucks, short skirts and low-cut shirts, spring farm, the opera, the arsht center, redheads, kanye west, white leather and glass furniture, riley the cat, jim beam, the S&S diner, the Manhattan Café, my sisters, cubans, colombians, frenchies, the DRB, 5, 6, 7, 8, Monty's, the 120 bus, construction, walking in the middle of the street, swimming laps, the Boucher Brother's umbrellas, espanola way, lincoln avenue, walking down meridian on the shady side of the street, M.I.A..

Thank you to the House for this wonderful and unexpected gift.  It was just what i needed and more.  

Happy opening!

And review number 1 is out !

http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/cultist/2011/04/the_sparrow_soars_at_the_arsht.php

Today's program: 
sleep in
work
pool
show number 1
eat a sandwich
show number 2
sleep

The Sparrow in Miami!

Almost all of the Sparrow team.  Day 1.  Arrival at Miami Airport!

The Economics of Happiness

Looks like an interesting film.  Looking forward to seeing it.