PATISSERIE STOHRER

Of course Paris counts numerous “patisseries” (pastry shop) throughout the city, all of them with their own specialty. A particularly unique one is absolutely the PATISSERIE STOHRER in Rue Montorgueil (near Les Halles and St. Eustache).
The place to go for their delicious “puit d’amour” or their famous “Baba au Rhum”, which today is still made using the original Nicolas Stohrer recipe from a few centuries ago.
This trip last week I only did some window-shopping at Stohrer and didn’t go in. Yes,.. the diet won! I couldn’t resist taking some photos of some of the goodies though! Marzipan fruit,… only 51 euros a kilo. An absolute bargain!

The store’s history informs us that in 1725, the unfortunate bride of Louis XV arrived in Paris from Poland. Marie Leczynska (daughter of the Polish king Stanislas) was unsuited for the position; her lack of French was the least of her problems. To distract the miserable girl, her father sent her off to Paris and sent a personal pastry chef with her. Mr Stohrer introduced Viennese-style pastries to the royal court, but his sweet confections couldn’t improve the royal marriage.

After five years in the tension-filled palace, Stohrer decamped and opened his own shop, on the Rue Montorgueil. His court connections guaranteed an immediate public for his cakes. Here, he invented the “puit d’amour,” a flaky pastry shell stuffed with pastry cream or jelly. The shop stayed in his family for several generations; the decor you see inside the bakery today was painted by Paul Baudry in 1864, who is remembered primarily for his lobby decoration in the Opera Garnier.

It is quite unique that a store is still located in the exact same building where it opened its doors back in 1720. Today Stohrer is run by François Duthu and Pierre Liénard.

Enjoy,

HK

GALERIE VIVIENNE

If you like shopping you can of course go to Galéries Lafayette or Printemps or huge shopping centres such as Quatre Temps at La Défense, but almost it’s as if you’re travelling back in time when you take a stroll through some of the finest shopping “passages” in Paris.

Nowadays, at the time of department stores, shopping centres and impersonal shops, these passages and galleries, unquestionably, preserved the charm of the Paris of yesterday. They make it possible to the visitors, to evolve in a privileged environment, and to go back in time for a moment.

The Galerie Vivienne is one of them. It was constructed in 1823 by Marchoux, at the time president of the Chambre des Notaires; he acquired for this purpose no. 6 rue Vivienne, no. 4 rue des Petits Champs, and the Passage des Petits-Pères, which were all joined together in a single complex just behind the Bibliothèque Nationale.

Initially called after Marchoux, the arcade soon changed its name to Galerie Vivienne and was opened to the public in 1826 as a commercial area that housed fashionable shops. Because of its central location it quickly became very popular and was much frequented.

The galleries often go by pair, one being often located at the immediate proximity of another, even if both can be very different. Almost adjacent to the Galerie Vivienne and dating from the same period is Galerie Colbert (6, rue des Petits-Champs - 4, rue Vivienne.)

Other "Galeries" are : Galerie Véro-Dodat (8, rue du Bouloi - 19, rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau) with its antique dealers, Passage Bourg-l'Abbé (120, rue Saint Denis - 3 rue de Palestro), Passage Choiseul (42, rue des Petits-Champs - 25, rue Saint Augustin), Passage Jouffroy (10, boulevard Montmartre - 9, rue Grange-Batelière), Passage du Grand-Cerf (place Goldoni - 145, rue Saint-Denis), Passage des Panoramas (11, boulevard Montmartre - 10, rue Saint-Marc), Passage Verdeau (6, rue Grange-Batelière - 31 bis, rue du Faubourg-Montmartre), Galerie Royale (9, rue Royale - rue Boissy-d'Anglas), Passage de Retz (rue Charlot - rue Pasturelle), Vendôme gallery (3 rd district), Berryer Passage (between Rue Royale and rue Boissy d'Anglas), Passage Molière (between rue Quincampoix and rue St Martin), Passage St Andre-Rohan (between rue St Andre des Arts and Boulevard Saint Germain).

At Galerie Vivienne make sure you check out Jean Paul Gaultier store, the hand made bags by Natere, the magnificent flower arrangements of Emilio Robba, interesting watches at Garde Temps, or get an unusual bottle of wine at Legrand – filles et fils.

Enjoy,

HK

DANIEL BUREN

Les Deux Plateaux (1985-1986) - by Daniel Buren

at the Cour d'Honneur of the Palais Royal in Paris

One of the hotspots in Paris I visit every single time I go to the city is the Palais Royal. Not only does the palace garden have a fantastic atmosphere and a series of elegant gallery shops around the garden, but the Cour d'Honneur features Daniel Buren's black and white pillars of his 3,000 m² sculpture entitled "Les Deux Plateaux".

Obviously this creation caused an intense debate over the integration of contemporary art and historic buildings. The Palais Royal, never for long a royal palace, eventhough the name misleads us, dates back to 1629 when it was home to Richelieu.

There used to be two theaters, the larger of which has housed the Comédie Française since Napoléon's reign. Today the Palace Royal houses the Constitutional Council and the Ministry of Culture.

Often referred to as ‘the stripe guy’ Daniel Buren also expresses his theme in paint, laser cut fabric, light boxes, transparent fabrics and ceramic cup sets. His stripes are displayed in private homes, public places and museums world wide.

Enjoy,

HK

GOOD TIMES IN PARIS ,…

Notre Dame

Arc de Triomphe

A week ago I spent four days in my all-time favourite European capital Paris. (Yes,... paris AGAIN!)

I organized and coordinated a bus trip for colleagues, relatives, friends and partners. In fact,.. anyone who wanted to join. Got together quite a mixed group of 37 people that really enjoyed themselves.
So did I!!

Even though I was busy sort of playing the role of tour-guide these four days I had a great time there. But that’s not unusual. I ALWAYS have a good time in Paris.

Took the group by most of the best-known tourist sites. Quite a few had either never been to Paris or only once or twice and in that case it was ages ago.

I had put together a programme for the trip, but everyone was free to participate or choose their own things to see and visit.

We were lucky that it was “Nuit des Musées” on Saturday. Most of the museums were open to the public throughout the evening. Even better… it was free admission. Personally I went to Musée d’Orsay, one of my favourites. Luckily the long line (about 600 people in front of us waiting to get in) moved rapidly, and within 10 to 15 minutes I was inside enjoying some of the world’s finest masterpieces. Especially liked the temporary exhibition on the history of photography, showing pictures taken a century and a half ago! Also like the area of the museum that features the Impressionists! The Van Gogh room was particularly crowded.

I thought we’d have time to include a second museum that same night, so we headed to the Musée Rodin, which would be open till 1 AM. Unfortunately the line was really long, and not really moving. The Dôme des Invalides was about to close, so we just walked around the building.

At the Place du Tertre (close to where our hotel was situated) I even ran into a Chinese artist who drew our (my colleague Jurrie and myself) faces two years ago. That was a good laugh. I might write about this story from two years ago in another post. Quite a story!

I really enjoy these trips and also organizing them. I have coordinated trips to Paris for the last 18 years or so, since we take our students there every year in July. Yes… I will be going there again this July! Can’t get enough ey?

But as far as this last trip is concerned,… it will definitely get a follow-up next year. I’ll see where we’ll go next. Berlin perhaps, or Milan…

I will add a few more pictures of Paris here in the next couple of posts.

Enjoy,

HK

MOTHER’S DAY IN BRUSSELS

Two more great shots I took in Brussels last week!

We walked by this huge trumpet bell sculpture near Brussels Midi train station. I talked about Jim in my previous post, and he is absolutely nuts about highblowers in big bands and drumcorps. So this was a unique occasion getting him in the picture with this massive bell.

Let me know if you know the title of this piece of fine art and the artist who made it.

SHIT BRICKS!

Enjoy,

HK

MAGGIORE CACCA

My good friend Jim from Cincinnati (Ohio – USA) loves onions and red peppers… Just to let you know why he regularly comes up with the “maggiore cacca” expression.

I met Jim a number of years ago in the States when I was there to attend the DCI Championships. Since then our paths cross every summer, usually in Indianapolis and at DCI Championships, wherever they are held. Our reunions are always great! What a fun character!

Always enjoy meeting him. Too bad we live so far away from each other!
Jim is our (Jubal’s) biggest fan in the States! He loved our performances during our 2002 USA Tour, especially the concert we gave at Capitol Square in Madison.
Last summer during our second USA Tour he even enjoyed our show and performances and entertainment value a great lot more than most of the top DCI corps! How ’bout that!

He and his wife Jo-Ann travel to Europe every year. Unfortunately we only missed each other by one day in Paris last week. He had left in Wednesday, I arrived on Thursday, but we were able to meet “halfway” in Brussels on Mother’s Day. They came by TGV, I drove. Only took about an hour and 15 minutes to get to Brussels Midi station.

Spent a fun few hours in Brussels with them. Mainly visited churches, the Market Square at City Hall, and bought some olives at the market. Obviously Manneken Pis was included in our walk through the city center!

Enjoy,

HK

IT'S ABOUT TIME

Found the perfect present for my mom's birthday (yesterday...)

She never knows what to ask for het B'day, which is something that definitely runs in the family. We all share the same problem.

Now I got her some long drink glasses, but the best present in years was the clock I got her. I found it in an ad in the paper last monday, so immediately ordered it online, after giving the company a call to see if they had them in stock.

They did, and they promised me they would send the order out that same day, or the following day, which meant it would arrive perfectly in time.

But then I got nervous when I tracked the order and shipment online yesterday. It was still in the process of being sorted at the Post Distribution Center. I thought it would never make it in time.

Fortunately it was delivered (my neighbours accepted the package, for I was still at work) in the afternoon. And mom loved it!!!

It's got twelve little steel photo-frames. It definitely needs black&white shots. That will make it look perfect!

Enjoy,

Hans

CALL ME

No,... I'm not giving out my phone numbers here...

"Call Me" is the title of a Blondie song, which I arranged for our band. We tried playing it at rehearsal last Monday night. Sounded pretty neat, even though we were far from complete. Pretty much only one player in every section.

We also tried the intro to"Earth Wind & Fire's "In the Stone".

I think that might be a great opening for our new set.

I met with our trombone player Paul last Sunday to discuss about the new repertoire. We put together a set that's got some crazy stuff.

We're hoping to play a complete new set next Carnaval!

Today's my mom's birthday,.. so gotta go party!

Enjoy,

HK

LAST POST

Monument in Dordrecht

No,... not my last posting here on this weblog... Don't worry!

I played the "Last Post" taps at the annual national Remembrance Day or Commemoration Day last Friday (May 4).

The Remembrance Day or Commemoration Day is observed on May 4 every year to pay homage to the victims of WW II and other wars. In our city of Dordrecht this has been observed at the monument on Sumatrasquare since shortly after World War II.

Our corps has performed at this event for probably as long as our city holds this commemoration at the monument in town. Traditionally a number of snare drums lead the silent walk to the monument, joined by the mayor of Dordrecht, hif wife, representatives of the city government, former soldiers (though less and less every year) and all those who wish to take part.

At the monument our hornline played a number of chorales before the ceremony began.
At 8PM a two-minute silence was observed (this is done throughout the country) before which I played the Last Post. Mayor Mr Bandell and his wife laid a wreath at the memorial on behalf of the city, followed by a wreath laid by the president of the Committee "Oranjedag" on behalf of the former resistance movement in Dordrecht.

Jubal's hornline played two verses of our National Anthem, afyter which more wreaths were laid by people present.

Always a very emotional and memorable evening. The two minutes silence are always impressive. On a personal note I consider it a great honour playing the Last Post at this event every year. It was my 25th consecutive year playing the piece here at the monument this time.

Enjoy,

HK

CUTEST GIRL EVER !!!!

Need I say more ????

And she isn't even two years old yet...

My little niece is absolutely ADORABLE !!!!

Enjoy,

HK

DELICIOUS !..... FAUCHON

For some reason I keep getting back to Paris in this blog…

Whenever I visit Paris I simply HAVE TO stop at some of the fine Parisian Patisseries. One of my favourite places to buy gâteaux is absolutely Stroher at 51, Rue Montorgueil. Not only is this little street a unique place to be, but it somehow still has the atmosphere of Les Halles.

Les Halles was once the heart of Paris, named after the market founded 1183, when King Philippe II Auguste enlarged the previous marketplace in Paris and covered it, making a series of halls. It functioned as the main source of foodstuffs for Parisians for almost 700 years.

I love taking photographs of the delicious gâteaux in the windows of the paitisseries. Kind of took over the idea of taking cake-shots from my good friend Lisa from the States!

The gâteau in the picture above was on display (for only € 33) in the shop window of another great delicatessen store: Fauchon, at their magnificent store on Place de la Madeleine.

Enjoy,

HK

BIESHOF GIG

Shopping Plaza "BIESHOF"

Three times a year our Mardi Gras band "De Rammen" perform at the local shopping plaza Bieshof (about 500 yards from my house...). They hold a Spring and Fall Fair every year, and in November we play when St. Nicholas is in town. Always great fun....


The Spring Fair is a two-day event. Yesterday there were a lot of people there, today was a bit of a quiet evening. We finished playing at about 8:30PM.


We played OK, but could put some more fun in the performance. Afterwards this was one of the points of discussion when we took "one for the road" at my place. Our band used to be a lot more fun at perfromances, when trumpets were flying through the air, and crazy stuff happened during the gig. We'll have to work on that again!


Yesterday afternoon I met with a colleague of mine on a terrace downtown. Let's say it was a business-meeting. Of course we talked about the possibilities for the exchange programme with that school in Italy I wrote about earlier, and about the trip to Paris we'll be making this month.

He and his wife are coming along too. We're all bringing a bunch of friends too. There will be a total of 40 people going, so that should be fun!


I am putting together a little booklet with the daily programme for the four-day trip for all the participants. I am also including some info on most of the tourist sights in Paris, with pictures and maps.


Enjoy,


HK

PARIS OPERA

One of the most magnificent theatres I have ever been to definitely is the Opéra Garnier in Paris. I saw two ballet performances there, one of the Nederlands Dans Theater, which accidentally had scheduled a series of performances while I was in Paris.

Last October I took a tour of the entire building. Quite impressive!

A massive Grand Staircase at the main entrance... Plenty of marble all around... beautiful Grande Salle... and lots of gold... Loved the Grand Foyer (ballroom).

The Palais Garnier, also known as the Opéra de Paris or Opéra Garnier, but more commonly as the Paris Opéra, is a 2,200 seat opera house in Paris, France. A grand landmark designed by Charles Garnier in the Neo-Baroque style, it is regarded as one of the architectural masterpieces of its time.

Upon its inauguration in 1875, the opera house was officially named the Académie Nationale de Musique - Théâtre de l'Opéra. It retained this title until 1978 when it was re-named the Théâtre National de l'Opéra de Paris. After the opera company chose the Opéra Bastille as their principal theatre upon its completion in 1989, the theatre was re-named as the Palais Garnier, though its more official name, the Académie Nationale de Musique, is still sprawled above the columns of its front façade. In spite of the change of names and the Opera company's relocation to the Opéra Bastille, the Palais Garnier is still known by many people as the Paris Opéra, as have all of the many theatres which have served as the principal venues of the Parisian Opera and Ballet since its founding.

Will be going there in two weeks again...

Enjoy,

HK

WEEK OFF

What a great job... I've got a good week off from work!

Plenty of time to do some fun stuff.

Last weekend we went to a 70s/80s party again with a whole bunch.

Had a couple of drinks at two places before we went.

The band was terrible, but the atmosphere was great.

Left when the place closed. On our way home we stopped at someone's birthday party (yes,.. .at 5 AM!). This baritone player is moving to the States for a few months pretty soon where he will be marching with Glasmen D&B corps from Toledo Ohio.

So you can imagine it was light again when I got home...

Monday was our National Holiday: Queen's Day.

Two performances for the corps that day. A very good concert in front of City Hall in the morning hours.

Traditionally the corps got invited into City Hall by the mayor. And as usual we had a nice glass of "Oranjebitter" (or two...)

Then we spent the free hours on a terrace in the bright sunshione. Had a few Tapas and a few drinks with some good friends from Belgium. Their son is marching his second year with Jubal.

My brother joined us at the table.

The afternoon show didn't go all that well. The square downtown gave everyone some orientation problems. Oh well... a first show performance is always a challenge. Everyone is obviously a bit nervous for that. Very understandable. The square was packed that afternoon. Lots of people came to witness the event. The weather was beautiful! Some good units in the tattoo!

Had a bite at the Jubal corps hall, dropped some stuff off at my place (two were staying overnight) and then went back to town to watch the fireworks and have a few more drinks.

On the way home we stopped for Shoarma. Long time ago since I last went there.

Just finished translating an essay on the Field Band Foundation in South Africa for my Belgian friend Geert. He visited the organization last month and wrote a brilliant piece on the activity.

Enjoy,

HK