Padam, Padam (argot for ‘Paris’)
This Sunday we celebrate another ‘diva’, this time from France: Edith Piaf. She lived the most extraordinary life; born into poverty, brought up in a brothel, losing her sight as a child and regaining it miraculously. She was born in the hopital Tenon in the 20th arrondissement, next door to where I lived in Paris. On Sundays I used to walk to Père Lachaise cemetery to view her unassuming tombstone.
Piaf became a street singer on the cobbled streets in the poorer districts of Paris. Her singing, with it’s characteristic vibrato, both tough and vulnerable, reflected her pre-war hard scrabble upbringing. She was tiny, only 4’8″, hence the nickname ‘sparrow’. Her style was known as ‘chanson realiste’ springing from the naturaliste movement in literature (Zola), which spoke of the suffering of urban working class women. Her black dresses, white face and red lipstick brought attention to her face and the intense emotion of her singing. The songs included slang and language as used by ordinary people.
On Sunday we will have Susan Black singing Piaf and accordionist Tom Baker of the Bohemianauts playing.
Helen Sabin, brand ambassador for Pernod’s Absinthe Superieure will share with guests La petite heure verte…an absinthe fountain.
This menu can change according to MsMarmite’s whims and inspirations.
Book here: http://www.wegottickets.com/event/132665 £40 bring your own wine. Lunch starts at 2pm. Address available when booking.
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