Paris Grooves

Rockin' w/ Rodolphe on sax in Oberkampf

So I really need to upgrade my blog account so I can post video.  Nadine linked up a nice performance opportunity for me with this Hip Hop Jazz band.  They had a gig in the Oberkampf area of Paris and I sat in on a few songs.  It opened my heart to work with these guys- Yann, Dan and Rodolphe.  Helmie, my new BFF–a Congolese singer and a September 5th Virgo, was there with her manager/friend/photographer.  Shay Mane, sound designer/producer, came through with Alfie, a respected music/arts event producer/consultant.  Merci beaucoups to LeRoi for being my guide and making sure my travels to and from the venue unfolded with ease.

Alfie sent a message about the jam at New Morning, the most reputed jazz club in Paris.  http://www.jazzine.com/clubs/new_morning.phtml Aimee and DJ NoJoke accompanied me to the club in Chateau d’eau.  The website for New Morning isn’t coming up for some reason, but do check out this spot.  The musicians were incredible!  I got open and did a full performance of a song—complete with freestyle verses, a hook with the audience, a spoken word insert and a written verse.  It was great to share energy with those guys.  I left Paris for Baku the next morning at 5am.  Not pretty, but I felt fulfilled.  Ahhhhhhhhhhh, there is nothing like good music, nothing better in the world.  Um, except maybe good food.

Ooooh la la Paris.  Cet a été trop longtemps. Oh Paris comment je vous manque.  Italy was too close to Paris for me to not stop by and say hello.  Of course, so much is moving right now that I spent the first two days in my friend’s flat.   I stepped out to go to the market and took a stroll through Montrouge, a suburb that is literally a hop, skip and jump from the city.  Tempted to walk to Paris I opted for the Metro instead.   My hipster super-fly homegirl Nadine lined up a few activities.  We saw Sandra Nkake at Le’Cigale http://www.sandrankake.com, sipped guava juice and champagne at Beau Lounge, a lucious late night spot with chocolate decor (the carpet, the chairs, the walls—all chocolate).  Mmmmmm.

I met some of the most down-to-earth fabulous women in the world.  Check out Aimee, jewelry designer and stylist, a http://www.aimeedjimi.com/.  She and her friend, Lauril, a talented graphic designer, did the Dave Letterman and wrote out “The Top 10 Reasons Toni Must Move To Paris”.  Started this entry while still in Paris…I’ve flown through Istanbul, spent a few days in Baku (Azaerbaijan that is…) and am finally home on Planet Brooklyn.  Will fill you in on the mini-tour later (the

Aimee, Lauril & Toni @ Aimee’s Showroom in Chatelet

Toni Blackman w/ Sandra NkAKE post-show @ Le’Cigale

performances, the food, etc..), but thought I would post my update.  Bisou…for now.

First Ladies, Corporate Execs, Cutting-edge Thinkers and Hip Hop

Me & my panel moderator Antonio Campo Dall’Orto, MTV Europe Executive

Toni w/ Bros, Italy’s best known graffiti artist

I’ve just arrived in Paris.  I had to jot a few notes about the Pio Manzu International Conference in Rimini, Italy.  The flight from Bologna was only 1 hour and 20 min.  Nice.  I think it took longer to get my luggage, find the RER and train it over to my homegirl’s spot in Montrouge once I landed in Paris.

Well, the events in Italy were quite an experience.  First, we stayed at the Grand Hotel. This quaint, historical landmark where Federico Fellini shot his legendary film, “Armacord”.   Second, we ate exquisite Italian cuisine—fresh vegetables and fruits, the freshest fish I have had in a long time.  The food ’sensitivities’ preventing me from enjoying the desserts, but  I was still in ‘foodie heaven’.  Oh, I even ate my first persimmon.  I guess, the important stuff was the content of the conference and the kinds of people who attended.  The guests and honorees included UN Officials, first ladies, corporate execs, scholars, filmmakers, etc.   I am so inspired to ‘next level’ my efforts with my own work.  I’m practicing brevity with my blog entries so check out the site for more info on the conference:  http://www.piomanzu.org/it/

It was magical for me because this is the first time I’ve been recognized for my work and philosophies (on the international stage and alongside some of the world’s best and brightest).   Validation is important at this stage of my development.  I have a few major visions we are implementing in 2010 so this experience is like food for the soul.  Ahh.  I am so filled with gratitude.

Ok, on the road…soooo skype time.

Congo in Harlem Saturday Night

There’s an entire month of events poppin’ to raise awareness of what’s going on in the Congo, but tomorrow-

Saturday, October 10, 2009 7:30 PM
Film screening of “LUMO”
Panel with the filmmakers, Jo & Lyn Lusi (Founders of HEAL Africa), Carrie Crawford (Friends of the Congo) to follow screening + reception with Toni Blackman.

View complete schedule at www.congoweek.org.

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