Gimme the light

About a week ago (or has it been two?!), a friend invited me to her performance at the Faites de la lumière out there in the nomansland in the 20th where every metro line is equidistant from a center where there is no service. That is NOT to imply it is a cultural wasteland, quite the opposite; the tourists may hold the center of Paris, but the locals of partying and creating on the outskirts. Case in point, cette fête. An old winding street is blocked off to traffic, artists are invited to make installations on the theme of light, and the public runs amok. Sorta a cross between a street fair and art gallery opening. Little kids are "painting" the sides of buildings using projectors, people are dancing under blacklight swathed in underwear and dayglo paints, teenagers are talking too loud on cell-phones.

This is a fine event for such a large city. It's the sorta thing I could imagine in Olympia, WA (Pop. 35,000), but Paris? Pas mal.

Speaking of Oly-town, Mind Your Pig, Latoya did a concert over at the Clipper the other night. I'm sure it was a kick. Just listen to this:

Mind Your Pig, Latoya - Angel (2005)

The ladies are playing at Ladyfest (as well as Wanda Jackson!). The link to the song will only last a week. So get 'em while they're hot and you can say "I knew them when..."