Hey everybody!

It’s been a month since the launch of the new look and I must say you all have shown the Cafe some serious amour par le web (love from the web)! The comments have been pouring in:

- You ROCK! As a graphic designer –among other things– I’m always impressed by the elegant and tasteful design of Cafedelasoul.com. (There are no dancing hamsters, animated gifs, striped backgrounds, nor pulsating pop-up ads to make a viewer dizzy.) I’m also so proud to see your site grow and begin to receive the recognition it deserves as a “one-stop” resource for all things French, not just Parisian! Rock on, or hyphy-on, whichever you prefer… ~Adrienne

- Bonjour! The new site is delicious! What an awesome way to kick off 2007! ~ Rhonda

- I visited Paris back in May 2004 for a few days for the second time since 1984. Before leaving for Paris I discovered your site, and have been keeping up with it ever since. Love it, and I love the new, updated website even more. ~ Patricia

I must give a shout out to Suzanne Hollands of Ivy Paris (www.ivyparis.com) who, being the first to publically welcome Cafe de la Soul back to the web, said:

“Well, we haven’t forgotten this great Black Paris portal (100% Black Paris Juice, not from concentrate) so I hope to see it going from strength to strength.”

Awwww! Merci milles fois Suzanne! And just FYI, in case you DIDN’T know…..Suze is SUPER FLY her own dang self! Her baby, Ivy Paris, ROCKS out LOUD serving as online hub for visual artists in the city of light. Suzanne also hosts and organizes art exhibits and art related events Paris. Yeah. She’s bad. Artists and art lovers alike should check her site for upcoming Ivy events. *Sigh*….all this mutual adoration just makes me want to break out in song…”Ebooooony aaaaaand Iiiiiiiivy..”

CALLING ALL CAFE VISITORS TO USE THE MESSAGE BOARD AND CLASSIFIED ADS……

The message boards are usually on FIYAH! Where my people at? Now I know it is partially my fault for switching things up on y’all and all, but do get in there and do your thizzle (sorry…had to throw that in, as Snoop Dogg will be in Paris this month, fo’ shizzle! okay don’t get mad at me…I’m going to stop now…but it’s kinda addictive, you know like how everybody was singing “Go Shorty! it’s your birthday!” like, for every single birthday party after the song came out…oh what? you still singing it? my baaaad!) Likewise for the classified ads as both environments are your place to connect with others, sell your stuff, make your announcements, etc. So when you get the chance, show the boards and classified ads some love! (not to mention that SOME PEOPLE sent me SEVERAL comments suggesting I add classified ads…don’t make look up the emails and email you…)

RANDOM THOUGHTS ON….

Dans la peau d’un Noir….
Similar to the show Black and White that ran in the States and had me mesmorized last year, Dans la peau d’un Noir (in the skin of a Black man) attempts to take a look at the differences between the lives and lifestyles of two families living in France, one Black and one White. Add a couple of wigs, some contacts and spray-on skin tone et VOILA! The White family is transformed into a Black family and the Black family is transformed into a White family. They actually look pretty darn good, possibly good enough to fool me if I saw them walking on the street. The show itself is quite timely, particularly given the current focus on the unspoken racism that communities of color experience in France and their struggle for equality (read this month’s feature article “Blacks in France: We have a Dream, Too”). If anyone has been following this show, I’d love for you to share your comments either via the comment feature at the bottom of this article or by sending an email to: blackparis@cafedelasoul.com

WHAT I’M CRAZY ABOUT RIGHT NOW…

Vanessa Jackman…
This sister is really something. Not necessarily your typical soul songstress (in fact, her style is more pop/acoustic rock) but dang it if I don’t just love her sound. It’s soothing, it’s uplifting and just very cool. Miss Vanessa will be in concert in Paris this month on the 22nd and 26th. Show her some love! www.vanessajackman.com

Afric’Elance Designs…
Angele Garcia de Medeiros is an up-and-coming designer based in France, raised in Senegal with Senegalese and Cap Verdian roots. I had the pleasure of viewing Madame de Medeiros designs in a fashion show in (of all places) St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. (what? I was on vacation!!). The de Medeiros collection is both colorful and unique, yet maintains a certain African elegance. In addition to her haute couture and ready-to-wear collection, she also offers bridal services and can create the one-of-a-kind wedding dress of your dreams! Visit her site online @ www.africelance.com and let her know Cafe de la Soul sent ya!

Bruce Davidson Photo Exhibit @ Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson…
Photos taken in the 1960’s depiciting the life and the struggle of African Americans as they fought for equality and civil rights. An awe-inspring exhibit that reminds me of how far we’ve come and how far we have to go. Fondation Cartier-Bresson, 2, impasse Lebouis, Paris-14e www.henricartierbresson.org

Alrighty kids…that’s my rant for the month…tune in next month as I share adventures from upcoming tours with my fellow Black Paris Diva, Kat St. Thomas-Williams of Kattrax Tours. And for those of you who haven’t joined us yet, you can read all about us in an article written by Julia Browne of Walking the Spirit Tours in the April issue of Pathfinders Travel magazine. Also, keep your eyes peeled for an announcement regarding new tour dates in 2008!

As always I wish you all peace, love and only the BEST of God’s blessings! Bisous!

Robin Bates
Founder/CEO/Editor-in-Chief
Cafe de la Soul * Your Black Paris Portal