The Success Chain

The European predilection for the remix is rather high at the moment, and has been a metaphor for culture, history, and politics, along with its usefulness in music. Its applications in other realms is one that adds an instant irony to any situation, and makes it possible for all sorts of meta-commentary. It’s very popular today, especially among the growing underground, subterranean, alternative cultures throughout the continent. At its roots, the origins are certainly in hiphop, which comes from a tradition of rapping that has origins on the African continent. Although the origins could also be in avant-garde art, which began in France, with the first cave paintings or perhaps with the invention of dreaming in the 20th century.

Perhaps its origins are hard to find, or elusive, or perhaps they come to wind around each other in unusual ways that suggest all of these histories are true originators, and they are all uniquely connected. The best artistic minds are the ones that can make the connections for people, and in Montenegro, one of the great minds is very certainly Rambo Amadeus . He was born Antonije Pusic, in 1963, and his first album came out in 1988, O tugo jesenja. He is a musician, and is often called a hiphop artist, and both monikers are really just scratching the surface, but scratching is one of his skills, certainly.

In Montenegro, the hotel selection is excellent, and in the past few years, it has become a tourist attraction that has helped restore some of its pre-troubles popularity. The mountains are some of the most rugged in the world, and the beaches are worthy of evoking a longing in the most hardened old sailor. The country itself, then, is a geographical remix of the best landscapes on earth, and it makes sense that there would be an artist to try to capture it all. Amadeus considers himself a media manipulator, among other things, and he’s been very successful at creating art out of a desire to move things, and found a way early on to make comments when no one else felt like talking.

When the gluten-free diets start to affect the sourdough bread industry in San Francisco, some of the more forward-thinking bakeries start to figure out how to offer gluten-free options. It can be done, and the results can be absolutely delicious. So when theatre as an art form starts to fall into serious trouble, finally giving way to the threat of the talking pictures, there are way and means of making the stage come to life again. In San Francisco, the key has always been a careful but bold ability for reinvention, and it happens all over, but in particular, the Magic Theatre has come through with a spectacular flair, and it’s also absolutely delicious.

With Loretta Greco at the helm as artistic director, it continues to be a very powerful force in global theatre. For locals, or anyone lucky enough to have reservations at a hotel in San Francisco during the season, it’s a great night out. It’s very much alive and well these days, and it’s been able to change with the times. With Luis Alfaro’s version of Oedipus kicking off the year, there is evidence that the bold choices are still the core of what they do. This was an amazing production, and the power of the performance still lies squarely in the hands of the very capable actors.

It’s a continuation of the Magic’s incredible history. It began in 1967, at the Steppenwolf Bar, with a production of an Ionesco show. That was a tumultuous time, and Ionesco is a playwright who understands what revolution is all about, and the combination of elements made for an electric beginning. This is where Michael McClure got his theatre muscles toned, and where Sam Shepard made his home for some rather important years in the history of the new American Realism. These would be hard times to live up to, but the people working and making theatre here now are every bit as formidable as the last generation, and there’s more Magic to come.

Figuring out which Paris restaurant to eat at is a daunting task, basically because there are hundreds of excellent restaurants in Paris. But, with a lot of research, probing friends incessantly and first hand experience, there are two restaurants that stood out more than all the rest. Also, these two restaurants have a proven track record of consistency in exquisite food, excellent service and the pricing is not for someone on a budget, because you’ll be getting your money’s worth!

As far as bistro’s go ‘Spring’ is on the top of the list and getting a reservation will prove challenging not only because of the superb food, but because it’s one of the smallest restaurants in Paris – 16 seats, and tiny tables with no frills, like flowers! This marvelous restaurant is run by chef Daniel Rose, an American who has mastered the French cuisine. The menu is ‘prix-fixe’ every night and allows for no substitutions. His ingredients are fresh from that days fare at the Place des Fetes market. That days menu might consist of prepared snails encased with tiny diced tomatoes and herb in Tunisian bik pastry, deep-fried and brushed with citron-cardamom confiture. The second course being a mound of brandade, made from fresh cod and mashed potatoes, deep-fried, turning it into latkes, served with a eye-pleasing winter fennel and arugula salad with colorful sections of grapefruit, orange macerated in a sherry vinaigrette. Dessert could be a poached pear topped with chocolate and whipped cream with chestnut paste. Spring is located at 28 rue de la Tour d’ aAuvergne 9th, and the average meal will cost 48 Euros.

If you’re staying at a one of the cool hotels in Paris, then you’ll want to be seen at ‘Chez Dumonet – Josephine’ . Chez Dumonet’s cuisine is exactly why you came to Paris in the first place. The food served here never disappoints, such as the seared escalope de foie gras cooked along with white grapes and served with creamy mashed potatoes, or monkfish with white beans; marinated herrings or potent boeuf bourguingnon. For dessert, which is a must, try the unctuous chocolate mousse, the millefeuille, which can serve 3, or the Grand Marnier souffle’ that can rival the Eiffel Tower. The establishment should be declared a national monument and the 1930’s light fixtures, the white-linen tables and the humorous waiters only illustrates this old-world bistro as a true classical French restaurant. Located at 117 Rue du Dherche-Midi, 6th and a meal will cost you on average, 50 Euros, 120 Euros for two.