Café de la Soul sits down with Patricia La Plante-Collins the hostess and creator of Paris Soirees, a modern day Parisian salon.

Q: For those unfamiliar with Paris Soirees, please tell us the concept behind your gatherings.

A: The Paris Soirées concept is very simple: It’s the best way to meet new and interesting people in a comfortable way in a huge cosmopolitan place like Paris. This is a big issue in Paris and in urban life. Paris Soirées is the result of an evolution in my career of personal event organizing which has also followed my own personal evolution as an African American, and as an expat living in Paris. In the beginning, I planned many events that explored themes about African-Americans creating and living in Paris, historically. Then, once I realized that I would always be living here, I started to think about creating an expat community so that people who live here could also feel a part of something.As the years went by, I also realized that the feeling of being foreign and other, transcends even race. You are not part of their (French) culture. It doesn’t matter who you are or of what origin you are. You’re either French (in your head and behaviour), or you’re not. When I began to see that, I began to identify myself as an expat. The sum of being an American who lives in Paris, an African-American trying to find roots here, minus not being French – but seeing life internationally – on a large scale and permanently, equals my personal experience of being a expat.

With Paris Soirees, I try to create an atmosphere in which all people – French, Americans, expats, other nationalities - can meet and feel at home. You can’t imagine how much it means to feel comfortable and at home in a foreign country (I have lived in a few).

Q: How did you get the idea for Paris Soirees?

A: First of all, as my Grandfather owned a night club, I’ve always heard about acts, events, evenings – during my early childhood. I didn’t go, but I got a sense of what it meant to organize an evening. During my childhood in Atlanta, I was always active in planning the parties of the Girl Scouts, Methodist Youth Fellowship, High School social club etc. Before moving on to Sarah Lawrence College, I attended Spelman College where I was social chairman of my class – planning parties. Among other things.

Q: Your soirees are often referred to as a modern Parisian salon, similar to the traditional salons that began in the early 17th century. It what way are your soirees similar, and how are they different?

A: What a question! Salons have always been about an alternative lifestyle and have always been hosted by women with strong personalities. That’s what I have in common with other women who have historically hosted soirees. entury salons were organized for the nobility as an alternative to life at court. Nobles could be free to express themselves, new ideas could be exchanged and expressed and standards were set in every area as to what was desirable. From the beginning, salons were always hosted by women of society. They were in fact the first “at home” gatherings with a purpose. They served a purpose in French society, which is why they have continued.I also have “at home” gatherings with a purpose. I feel that what I do is a continuation of an intellectual tradition born of expatriate American women such as Nathalie Barney and Gertrude Stein in the 1920s here in Paris. Stein’s parlour was a gathering place for those touched by, curious about and interested in modern art. Nathalie Barney’s was a gathering place for people. It has been said that Gertrude Stein collected modern art while Nathalie Barney collected people. Each salon had it’s own night: Nathalie Barney’s was on Friday and Gertrude Stein’s was on Saturday. Patricia Laplante-Collins is on Sunday.

I think that you could say that salons a serve a different purpose in each era but are always about alternative lifestyles. As we live in a revolutionary era of ex-patriotism here in Paris. I am thrilled to be a part of this movement. There are so many (non-immigrant) expatriate people, from so many different places living in Paris for such different reasons and for such different periods of time. None of us are French and I think that we are all looking for threads to hold us all together and give us a sense of community. It’s an alternative community as it is a world different than the French world. Contrasting the parallel worlds is one of my favourite topics, but I would just like to say that I enjoy opening my home and offering people a place to meet, exchange ideas, develop a sense of community, network and just feel at home. Many friendships, relationships, marriages and business transactions have started in my living room. Above all it’s fun and we all learn a lot culturally too.

Q: What can participants expect when they attend a soiree?

A: They can expect a warm welcome and time to mix and mingle with Americans, French and others. The first hour is Happy Hour. You meet people, relax and enjoy yourself. Then we introduce ourselves – so that everyone knows who is in the room, what they do and anything special that the person wants us to know about himself/herself. Then a delicious dinner is served, prepared by me. It is always some form of fusion cuisine – Southern USA, French, other European or Thai, for example. It’s casual. You are served a plate and then you find a place and eat dinner sitting on the sofa, or in a chair.

Lastly, there is desert followed by a presentation by the special guest of the evening. The topics can range from new age, astrology, art, art collecting, photography, psychology (especially as it pertains to cross culturalism, love and relationships) shamanism, tarot, and book readings on many kinds of subjects: war journalism, history, being single, the history of Paris, fine literature and more. It and I are broadening all the time.

In a nutshell: you meet nice people, network and feel part of an international community in Paris. You have good wine and eat great food (I’m a good cook!) and then you hear a fabulous personality speak informally on an interesting topic. It makes for a great evening.

Q: Your special guests are always so fascinating. How do you manage to find such interesting people?

A: I’ve always been lucky in meeting people. In all the places I’ve lived, Atlanta, New York, Italy, Sweden, I knew really interesting people from that city or country. In St-Paul-de-Vence, I found myself surrounded by local personalities and this has continued here in Paris. I have always felt guilty because I didn’t write about the people that I met. I think that having these kinds of evenings is my way of giving something back, or rather, sharing some of the magical moments that I’ve had through these encounters with special people.

Q: What have been some of your most memorable soirees?

A: There have been so many memorable ones! One of the most memorable would have been my first real soirée with Ernest Gaines; it was held in a gallery near St. Michel on the Quai des Grands Augustines. In 1996, there was an evening dedicated to Langston Hughes for Black History month at the American Embassy. A professor from Columbia University gave a talk on Hughes and his unique habits, way of living and writing. Archie Shepp and a local actor enacted an episode from Hughes’s Simple series. Electra Weston sang, French African poet Sophie Cerceau exclaimed her poetry to drum music. It was quite a show!

I am always honoured and fascinated whenever Bob Swaim, a resident American really operating big time in the French film industry, gives a talk. His story of working as an undercover cop to learn the habits of pimps and prostitutes never fails to mesmerize me. The film that resulted: “La Balance” with Natalie Baye won a French Oscar. When Bob spoke on this a few years ago and then the next night I turned on the cable and the film was on – well that was quite a thrill. For everybody.

Sometimes there’s something special at work in the atmosphere. One recent evening that I particularly enjoyed was with Patrick Moran, an Irish art collector who showed photos of many of the 150 paintings he has collected over the years, gave addresses and many practical tips. Perhaps it was the beauty of the images or Patrick’s calm and lively personality that made me enjoy the evening so much.

When Nell Irwin Painter spoke of her book: “Creating African Americans” in December of 2005 I found many of her remarks illuminating. I always have an ongoing theme of African American writers in Paris inspired by the work of former Professor Michel Fabre.

Q: Clearly, you’ve mastered the art of creating interesting gatherings where people feel comfortable to mix and mingle. Do you organize special soirees for authors/artists/others wanting exposure in Paris?

A: Of course I do and the topics run the gamut. I often feature writers and people organizing workshops. I also organize evenings for groups (often African Americans) who want to experience what it feels like to live in Paris.

Q: So how does one get invited to a soiree?

A: To reserve just email me. I’ll confirm. Bring and envelope with your donation and a card (if you have one). I’m adding Pay Pal for groups.For more information on Paris Soirees contact:

Patricia Laplante-Collins
13 rue de Mulhouse (2e)
Metro: Sentier
Tel: 33 1 43 26 12 88

Email: parissoirees@gmail.com

Q: Any additional information you’d like to add?

A: Yes! Please visit my website to get an idea of the atmosphere that you will find at Paris Soirees. And while you’re there, have a look at my profile as well: http://www.parissoirees.com/

Lastly, I often organize special evenings for groups. For example, if you are interested in a special subject or contemporary African American creativity in Paris, I have a list of speakers that can make themselves available to speak to your group. At the same time, you mix and mingle with Parisians and others, have a nice dinner and some fun too! Just email me and we can exchange ideas. I love meeting new people and I love what I do!