Paris Events

Irish eyes will be a smiling this month in Paris! Forget all rugby, football and other rivalries between France and Ireland because this is a month to look to Saint Paddy and enjoy some green beer! Although the Seine doesn’t run green on March 17, it’s still a great spot for celebrating and offers anyone visiting the City of Lights, a spot of romance, intrigue, and a even a dip if you so dare! So from my four leaf clover to yours, here’s what on this month in Paris!

30 Seconds to Mars ‐ March 5, 2010

Few bands can claim that their name is derived from a Harvard professor but 30 Seconds to Mars most certainly can! They started out as something of a family project but in recent years they’ve grown in popularity among the masses. Most people consider this band to be the play thing of actor Jared Leto (who is after all so often seen leading the charge) but 30 Seconds to Mars actually have musical integrity. In fact it’s rumoured that if a venue promotes 30 Seconds to Mars in a manner whereby they’re merely associated with Jared Leto, the band refuses to play. C’est tout!

Venue: Palais de Omnisports de Paris ‐ Bercy, Metro: Bercy

Elvis Presley Tribute ‐ March 9, 2010

The King reigns again on the centre stage and it’s for one night only ‐ in Paris! Believe it or not, this show is getting glowing reviews and selling out on a regular basis. Although it’s not quite like the real thing, it will have to do if you’re looking for a bit of an escape with the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll! There’s even an Ann Margaret in the show for good measure!

Venue: Le Zenith, 211 Avenue Jean Jaures, Metro: Porte de la Villete

St Patrick’s Day ‐ March 17, 2010

Sure ‐ we all wear green and drink green beer on St Patrick’s Day. Hell, even the Chicago River goes green ‐ but let me clarify on that one. In 1962 pollution control workers used dye to trace illegal sewage in the Chicago River. They soon realised that it could add an element of fun to the celebration of St Patrick’s Day ‐ unique only to Chicago ‐ et voila! This is good stuff indeed but have you ever wondered where the roots of the true St Patrick’s Day parades and festivities come from?

Well believe it or not, the very first St Patrick’s Day parade was held in New York City on March 17, 1762. Considering that St Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, this day is traditionally a religious holiday in Ireland ‐ so much so that until the 1970s, Irish law demanded that all pubs be closed on this day. However in 1995 the Irish government realised that celebrating St Patrick’s Day in Ireland might be of interest to tourists and an entirely new sector of the tourism industry was born. On average one million people travel to Ireland, every year for this celebration.

Peter Gabriel ‐ March 22, 2010

Who can forget Red Rain, In Your Eyes and Sledgehammer ‐ all songs from an iconic singer and song writer with a fabulously interesting career? Peter Gabriel might have stunned the world when he left Genesis years ago, but that single move gave the music industry a brilliant solo artist who is still as relevant today as when he founded Genesis back in 1967. On the road now in support of his latest CD ‐ Scratch My Back, Monsieur Gabriel will pull into Paris for one night and one night only. If the venue is anything to go by, this man is still pulling in the crowds.

Venue: Palais de Omnisports de Paris ‐ Bercy, Metro: Bercy

The Cranberries ‐ March 22, 2010

Irish eyes will be smiling when the Cranberries take to the stage at Le Zenith in March. After a four year hiatus lead singer Delores O’Riordan has become an Honorary Patron of the University Philosophical Society, so to celebrate The Cranberries have set out on what is more of a reunion tour, than anything else. The show will no doubt be great and it’s set to include many of Delores O’Riordan’s solo hits, on top of the many classics from The Cranberries.

Venue: Le Zenith, 211 Avenue Jean Jaures, Metro: Porte de la Villete

‐ Lisa Buros