grey marble

October 26, 2005


La France Made in USA and Youssou N'dour

Last night French Tuesdays celebrated Guillemette's book with a party at Glo. I headed over to the Chelsea lounge around seven, running into Jason in the subway. He asked me where I lived since he never saw me in that station. He was headed home.

At the lounge, I was told I was on the VIP list and given a silver bracelet. I wandered in and saw Guillemette standing by a stack of books and hors d'oeuvres. Pia had already arrived and was snacking ravenously. "I'm so hungry," she said. I encouraged her to keep eating. The book cover was projected onto the walls behind the dance floor and displayed on plasma screens sprinkled around the room. Guillemette offered me champagne. We toasted and drank.

As more people arrived, Patrick urged me upstairs into the VIP lounge. He was looking for more champagne. At the bar, a few people asked the bartender to refill their glasses. "That'll be eight dollars, please." VIP meant free access to the VIP section, but not free drinks.

I left early. I had tickets to see Youssou N'Dour at the new Zankiel Hall, buried beneath Carnegie Hall. Arriving at the theater, a man asked me if I had an extra ticket. Another thrust money in my face. I said I had. The first man said he asked first and I sold it to him.

The concert was fantastic, if short. N'Dour's voice was crisp and pure and his band, the Super Etoile de Dakar, were incredibly tight. The room was small and sounded great. And when he sang his final song, people stood as he sang about Africa. Posted by eku at October 26, 2005 8:32 AM
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