Kate Nash à Lyon

© G. Chomet

The Kate Nash concert at Ninkasi Kao in Lyon was a fun shiny celebration. Her throaty voice was unfalteringly on key, and her signature yells and flourishes were unfailingly charming. Her stream-of-consciousness lyrics and catchy music are enchanting, and so is she; short red hair and bright red lips give birth to strings of wacky words. You can't stop listening--they charm you with their humour, simplicity, and rawness.

She makes admissions (from the song Mouthwash): "This is my FACE (she screams), covered in freckles, with the occasional spot and some veins....(she trails off)." She makes you turn a little smile (from the song Foundations): "Well, I'll leave you there 'til the mornin', and I purposely won't turn the heating on and dear God, I hope I'm not stuck with this one."

The lights flashed softly, then wildly, turning colours and changing with the rhythm and feel of the music. Pillows acting as clouds hung in clusters from the ceiling, and cut-out lightening bolts and light bulbs dangled below, creating a dream-like atmosphere.

The encore was the most exciting--flashy costumes, hoola hoops, and a loud fast-paced rhythm. Supercute, the opening band, reappeared to demonstrate their funky dance moves and exhilarate the crowd.

Supercute certainly lives up to its name. Composed of three teenage girls, a guitar, ukalalee, keyboard, three sweet voices, fun quirky lyrics, and plenty of strangeness, Supercute is a delight to experience. Listen here.

(Unfortunately I was not allowed to take photos so the one posted above is not mine.)

Would you say "yes" to "Marry me!"?

"Marry me!", the new perfume by Lanvin, is certainly turning heads. I was confronted by this innocent looking little bottle while walking through a department store. My initial reaction was: "I would never buy this perfume!" I find this advertising tactic befitting the era of the hit TV show "Mad Men", in which an advertising company in the 60s plays upon the concept that the pinnacle of a woman's life is marriage. Can we apply this seemingly outmoded concept to the modern woman? Would you say "yes" to "Marry me!"?

Many women would. I see it all around me--in the media, in Hollywood chick flicks, and in real-life. I have friends who have had their entire weddings planned out, from the flower arrangements to the dress, since they were 12 years old. I have seen women fawn with delight over their newly acquired engagement rings, and others who obsess over finding Mr. Right. Even feminists like Naomi Wolf admit to being attracted by the pomp and circumstance of marriage. It seems to me that many women continue to place a lot of emphasis on marriage and the elements of ceremony surrounding it.

So yes, the "Marry me!" line is still relevant for the contemporary woman. In the least, this somewhat controversial advertising campaign is eye-catching and buzz-worthy.

Watch the commercial here.

A Sunday in Vieux Lyon

Sundays can still be exciting in Vieux Lyon. A young couple dances playfully to lively classical music at Place Saint-Jean. Using balls as props for ice-cream scoops, they chase and tease each other across the Cathedral steps overlooking the square. In the square below, the Arts and Antiques Market bustles with people. Down the narrow cobblestone street, good restaurants, interesting shops, various museums, and delightful impromptu performances await. Amusez-vous bien!
Stay informed about Lyon's cultural events: http://www.culture.lyon.fr/culture/