On April 26 in the Latin Quarter of Paris, several Parisian members of Cabaret Connexion (plus two Americans!) put together a cabaret concert to celebrate our partnership and love of cabaret.

Billed as a Chicago/Paris collaboration , the concert featured several Connexion members led by Mylene Launay. Other Parisian participants included, Jean Claude Ofali, Michele Barbier, Maryline Rollet, Jean-Jacques de Launay and his son Gahis, Dora Carbonnel, and Marcelle Martin. Representing Chicago were Susan Arjmand and David Reithoffer ( who served as MC). Christian Bassoul, of Bal Mouffetard fame, joined the group on accordion. Each singer offered a selection of favorite songs and were beautifully accompanied by Jean Claude and Christian. The setting was Piano Vache, a club that is well known to Connexion participants who attended Paris in 2023.

Jean-Loup Bouvier, maire and président of the Commune Libre de Montmartre was in the audience and was publicly acknowledged by David, in acknowledgement of the Montmartre/Old Town sister city partnership. The concert was extremely well attended. Many of the audience members were fans from Mylene and Christian’s Bal Mouffetard, plus several new fans recruited by Susan and David among their network of Paris friends. Impressively, Michele Barbier offered a strong set immediately after performing a full show of her currently running play, “La Mission de Germaine Tillion” at Theatre du Nord Ouest.

In their introductory remarks the French performers paid hommage to their Connexion experiences and to Claudia Hommel‘s efforts to bring together our groups. After the formal show we concluded with a rendition of “Chicago” a la Frank Sinatra, and an open mic which included enthusiastic audience members. All in all, it was a memorable night which showcased many of our Parisian counterparts and helped them spread the message of the Chicago Paris Connexion to the Left Bank of Paris. Kudos to them for creating such a fun event, and many thanks from Susan and David for being invited to participate.

Here is the link to live through this incredible moment again! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWmoUxfDkNTQX7wtwcZog73danBm8X8OA&si=zDr-OgU2tXIqOGPM

Credits : Text – Susan Arjmand / Photos – David Reithoffer / Videos – Alain Gorich