Paris’ Alternative Nightlife III
  • 10
  • Feb
  • 2011

Text: Rooksana Hossenally for Vingt Paris
Needless to say that Paris doesn’t quite have a bustling nightlife to rival London or New York, but it does have its fair share of quirky and traditional bars, restaurants and cabarets, as well as a number of alternative arty music events in venues all over the city. Popular with the capital’s ‘in’ crowd, venues like La Bellevilloise and La Maroquinerie in the 20th, Point Ephémère in the 10th, Glaz’Art in the 19th and Mains d’Oeuvres at Porte de Saint-Ouen are experiencing a rise in popularity, and it’s not hard to see why. The events held at these venues often combine art and music in quirky unusual spaces that have quickly become the place to be seen, especially for those of you dying to be part of the Paris Boho scene!

For something a little more street-art focused head to Jaurès in the northeast of the city. Along the banks of the Canal Saint Martin in Paris’ prime Bohemian hotspot, you’ll find the Point Ephémère (a.k.a. Point FMR), with its industrial face and exterior seating. In association with the French record producer SPPF, it has been a respected leader and innovator in its selection of gigs since its creation in 2004. Before being transformed into a cultural bubble of coolness, the Point Ephémère was a shop of building materials. The Usines Ephémères, a collective that has been seeking out quirky venues to set up temporary cultural centres for twenty years founded the Point Ephémère, which in English, means ‘faddish’ and implies a temporary nature. However, judging by the venue’s unrivalled success, it has become a real anchor for the creative community in Paris and is here to stay.

The venue serves as an intimate 300 capacity concert space, has an exhibition space and a bar/restaurant, which always seems to be jam-packed no matter the time of day. There are also dance studios and artist residencies. Big names from all four corners of the globe often grace the stage, making this venue one of the most musically diverse places in the city. Although the Point Ephémère doesn’t seem like much to look at, it is the place to be seen and everyone there knows it, especially in the summer when crowds overflow and scatter along the canal.

Point Ephémère, 200, Quai de Valmy, 75010 Paris, tel. 01 40 34 02 48 / resto 01 40 34 04 06  M° Jaurès – Louis Blanc

The temptation of Eve by Pietragalla
  • 05
  • Feb
  • 2011

Pietragalla is a very talented dancer and choreographer. In this spectacle she’s dancing solo. She uses the power of women, their strenght, their courage and their sensiblity. It’s a stunning spectacle from 25th of January until 12th of February.

Le Palace, 8, Rue du Faubourg Montmartre, 75009 Paris

The Ethic Ethnics : Ethical globetrotters
  • 04
  • Feb
  • 2011

Inspired, responsible and ethical globetrotters, the Ethic Ethnic mixes inspiration from other places with a so Parisian “je ne sais quoi” which only they know how to wear. Local arts and crafts is their muse, organic their credo.

Start at Monceau / Goutte d’Or / Belleville /St.-Paul / Ledru-Rollin / Daumesnil / Italie / Daguerre /Palais Royale. To find out more www.shoppingbyparis.com

The Bobos Chics or Bohemian Chic
  • 02
  • Feb
  • 2011

The Bohemian Chic takes care of their look with timeless basics and designer items and doesn’t need to have the latest look. Their style is encapsulated in three words : elegance, timelessness and personality.

Start at Commerce / Vavin / Sèvres-Babylone / Mabillon / St.-Eustache / Franc-Bourgeois / Valmy. More at www.shoppingbyparis.com