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Sept 2001 |
| Bastille Day
Bastille Day is a National holiday in France. It is very much like Independence Day in the United States because it is a celebration of the beginning of a new form of government. At one time in France, kings and queens ruled. Many people were very angry with the decisions made by the kings and queens. The Bastille was a prison in France that the kings and queens often used to lock up the people that did not agree with their decisions. To many, it was a symbol of all the bad things done by the kings and queens. So, on July 14, 1789, a large number of French citizens gathered together and stormed the Bastille. Just as the people in the United States celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence as the beginning of the American Revolution, so the people in France celebrate the storming of the Bastille as the beginning of the French Revolution. Both Revolutions brought great changes. Kings and queens no longer rule. The people rule themselves and make their own decisions. |
| Live Video Online
You can now view video performances online on this web site at our On Camera page! |
 Bastille Day Celebration
by Dick Slottow
With a few Frenchmen in our midst, the gathering began with a rousing round of Frere Jacques led by Esther Carrico. The enthusiasm of the crowd was stunning, many of whom sang on key. Needless to say the French cuisine was excellent being comprised of courses with French names. For example, Gratin Dauphinois and Clafoutis were served, accompanied by Pothine de Boeuf and Palourdes Farcie a l'Orientaise, which was excellent. Other stuff of similar high quality was served. But the top of the evening, as seems to becoming common at CYC, was the quality entertainment. A program featuring singers and chorus was terrific. The Corinthian Men's Chorus performed Can-Can by Cole Porter, and added a little dance number that would easily attract talent scouts from New York and elsewhere if they had known about it. Even more surprising was their rousing rendition of the French national anthem, La Marseillaise, which they dutifully sung in French, of all things!
Among the class acts were Colette Clowes who performed only as Colette can do in the song Mi Lord. The applause and whistles nearly broke the china, but the encores were yet to come.
Else Liv Skaar did The Last Time I Saw Paris, bringing tears to the Frenchmen in the audience. Not to be outdone by soloists, our TELLTALE co-editor Bruce Powell accompanied his wife Pascale Powell on the French Button Accordion. She sang Le Petit Vin Blanc, and Sous Le Ciel de Paris" The combined performance was a gem and is hopefully recorded for posterity on the CYC web page, which it should be as Bruce is the father of the page. [the digitized video is now online for your viewing pleasure -- ed.]
This writer suggests everyone tune in to the web and either watch the program for the second time, or enjoy it as the audience did. Not to be outdone by previous talents, Jackie Taylor wrapped the evening up with an award-winning rendition of I Love Paris in the Springtime. This was another of her professional appearances for which she receives whistles and foot stomping as a reward.
To see the complete gallery of 59 photos from the event, simply follow these steps: 1) Click Here (this will open in a new browser window) 2) For the best picture-viewing experience, click "View as slideshow" on the right side of the page. If you like the pictures, you'll be able order prints from Shutterfly. To conclude the evening, the Men's Chorus draped a homemade medallion around Jackie's neck in appreciation for her work in hammering those guys into a splendid group. It must be mentioned that Elaine Lang, a quality piano player and accompanist kept everyone on key. |
On the 14th of July, CYC Frenchmen and women gathered to do honor to releasing French prisoners of State, an excellent reason for tossing a great party. 
