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Paris Events Calendar

Paris Events Calendar – April 2016

March 30, 2016
Heather Stimmler

March 31-April 9
Celebrate the arrival of spring at Nuba, on the rooftop of Les Docks en Seine! Their Casa Sunsets Festival is a program of nightly entertainment, from 5pm-6am (and Sunday brunch), featuring live music and DJs. Free entry (dress nicely and get there early). And hope it doesn’t rain (again). 

April 1-3
The Journées Européennes des Métiers d’Art is a European-wide festival of artisans who open their doors to the public. The website is all in French, but a little auto-translate help is all you need to find the artists, jewelry makers, designers, furniture makers, ironsmiths, and more. 

April 2
Blending culture with social, Sinfonietta Paris brings you an evening of Schumann piano trios exquisitely performed by the Trio Karénine — violinist Fanny Robilliard, cellist Louis Rodde, and pianist Paloma Kouider — at the Institut Finlandais (behind the Cluny Medieval Museum, Latin Quarter). Sit closely to the performing artists; afterwards, enjoy an excellent cocktail reception with wine and mingle with musicians and fellow culture lovers. Presentation of the evening is in English and French. From 8-11pm. Tickets €25 (wine and hors d’oeuvres included). Register on the website; places limited.  

April 2-3
Veggie World Paris is an event celebrating the vegan lifestyle, held for two days at the CentQuatre, a trade show of organic, ethical, and vegan foods. Advance tickets are €8. 

April 2-3
The largest gardening festival in Versailles takes place this weekend at the annual Eprit Jardin: L’Art de la Promenade, with free entrance exceptionally to the Potager du Roi.  Free entry, the festival takes place from 10am-7pm on the parvis Saint-Louis and rue Maréchal Joffre, rue d’Anjou and at the potager. 

April 3
Cheap books for a good cause! The Spring Used Book Sale benefitting the SOS English-Language Listening Line takes place today from noon-4pm at the Orrick Law Offices (31, avenue Pierre 1er de Serbie, 16th). Paperbacks are €1, hard covers €2. They have books in every category, with a ton of general fiction, young adult, and children’s books. There is also a bake sale with homemade sweets and savory goodies. 

April 5
The American Church in Paris is hosting an Evening of Oriental Jazz: A Dedication to Syrian Refugees, “incredible live performance from the internationally renowned Naïssam Jalal & Rhythms of Resistance. This cosmopolitan ensemble was founded in 2011 by Franco-Syrian flutist and composer Naïssam Jalal and combines jazz, classical, European and Oriental musical influences.” An authetic Syrian reception will be held after the performance. Starts at 7pm, tickets €10 (€5 for students). All proceeds go towards AUP’s student-run club Baytna à Vous who have been fundraising to help Syrian refugees alongside the international associations CODYSSY and Souria Houria. 

April 5-12
The 33rd Festival International du Film d’Environnement presents about 100 films and documentaries from all over the world dealing with environmental issues, some in competition for awards, all open free to the general public, in 13 cinemas around Paris. 

April 6-30
Looking for a more interesting show than the Moulin Rouge to warm up the Parisian spring? George Bizet’s famous opéra Carmen is adapted for the modern world in the first Cuban musical, Carmen La Cubana which takes place in 1950s Havana on the eve of the Revolution. Très sexy! At the Théâtre du Châtelet, in Spanish with French surtitles. Tickets from €12-€87. 

April 8-10
Gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free, nut-free or meat-free? The Salon des Allergies Alimentaires et des Produits Sans is a trade show of producers specializing in foods for those allergic to or avoiding certain ingredients. At Paris Porte de Versailles, entry €10. Open 10am-6:30pm.  

April 8-10
The 11th annual European Independent Film Festival is showcasing 77 of the best independent films from 31 countries all across the globe, a cultural experience not to be missed! 

April 12
Think the French and the English can’t get along? Comedy brings everyone together! Comedic greats Eddie Izzard from the UK and Gad Emaleh from France are performing together for Franglish Night at L’Olympia. These are both amazing comediens, it’s a once in a lifetime show! Tickets from €58. 

April 15
Lost in Frenchlation presents French films with English subtitles on the big screen. This month see the feelgood film Rosalie Blum, tonight at 8pm at Studio 28 (10 rue Tholozé, 18th, M° Abbesses). Tickets €7.50.

April 15
Fiber arts fans won’t want to miss the book signing event for Stitching Up Paris: The Insider Guide to Paris’s Knitting, Sewing, Notions and Needlecraft Stores at the knitting tearoom, Oisive’thé (10 rue de la Butte aux Cailles, 13th) from 6-9pm. Jioning thz authors Keiry and Barbara will be the podcaster Helen of Curious Handmade with her shawl designs. Everyone welcome, lucky prize draw and light refreshments.  

April 16
Attention vinyl fans, the third annual Disquaire Day (or Record Shop Day) takes place at over 40 record shops in Paris as well as in shops around France, Switzerland, Belgium and Luxembourg. Check out the website for participating shops and events. 

April 19
Ladies! Cocktail lovers! Bookworms! Join me at The Chamber for the ladies-only Erotic Book Club, where a small group of very cool local ladies (English-speaking expats) sip cocktails and enjoy a gourmet cheese platter while discussing the latest erotic book of the month. For Aoril we’re continuing the short stories from Best Women’s Erotica 2011. Just 7 spots open, we meet from 8pm in a private Parisian residence in the 15th. 

April 22-24
For all fans of street art, the world’s greatest urban artists will be showing their works at the first Urban Art Fair – the Foire Street Art à Paris – at the Carreau du Temple, represented by 30 galleries. Entry €12. 

April 29 -May 8
The third annual Paris Beer Week celebrates local craft beers from the Ile de France region (Paris and the surrounding areas). Events, tastings, tours and more, with the grand finale on Saturday the 7th at La Bellevilloise with 45 breweries in attendance. For the full program see the website or facebook page. 

April 29 – May 8
The annual Foire de Paris (Paris Fair) is one of the bigegst events of the year, occupying the entire Paris Expo Porte de Versailles (15th arr.) with hall after hall of food and wine, home and garden, fashion & accessories, travel and world cultures, arts and crafts, the famous Inventions Contest, and a “Makers Fair”. It’s chaos, it’s fascinating, and there’s always something interesting to learn (or buy, or eat). Just don’t go on the weekend unless you like being trampled! 

Through September 18
Fan of Ice Age, Horton, Robots and other animated films of Blue Sky Studios? Don’t miss the exhibition of their work in 800 drawings, paintings, and sculptures at the Musée Art Ludique, Docks en Seine, 34 quai d’Austerlitz, Paris 13th. Tckets €11-€16.50.

Through September 30
The Mémorial de la Shoah is hosting a free exhibition on Women in the Resistance. A fascinating look at the role of women — including many Jewish women — who resisted the Nazis during the occupation. It features the recent publication of historic graphic novels on the subject published by Editions Casterman. Although the Holocaust Memorial’s permanent collection is in English and French (and worth a visit itself if you are curious about the history of the Jewish people in France both before, during and after WWII), but the exhibiti is in French with audio-guides in English. Free entry. 

Planning Ahead

May 23-27
Join Heather and fellow travel journalists for our 5-day Travel Writing Workshop here in Paris. Open to residents or visitors, experienced travel writers or anyone interested in starting a travel blog or learning how to make a living from travel writing. There are a few spots left for the May workshop, and other dates available in August and October. Sign up now for the early bird discount! 

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