We do not go out in an American fashion. aWe don’t think to go to the bowling or to see a music-hall. But even when we are going to a ballet or to see a French movie, it’s different from what we were used to. Everything looks like a true entertainment, the audience seems to be happy and really enjoying the performance. These are the last nights out we had recently…
Don Quixotte, a ballet
First of all, we don’t spell it Don Quichotte but Don Quixote, good to know but that really complicates the pronunciation. The morning before the show, I’ve got an email with a detailed presentation of the ballet, and picture of a windmill for coloring. I won’t be lost, or bored during the ballet. We went to the Boston Opera House, on a Friday night, in Theater District. I didn’t take my opera binoculars (they are stuck in some cardboard in France), but I could see the faces of dancers because we were seated on the second row, close to the orchestra. Great! We are not very often seated so close to the stage, with tickets quite cheap (45$ a person)
People in the audience were wearing their fancy outfits. It was not always a success, but it’s nice to not be so casual to go to an opera (it’s very casual the way people are dressed in Paris for going out to the opera, I mean casual chic, but still casual). I was happy because I had my super black heels! First time of this year I was wearing them.
Some big differences (without speaking of the place itself, too ‘bling’ for my taste):
- You can eat during intermission AND during the show. We had a glass of sangria, the special beverage for this show. We didn’t finsh it at the end of the intermission, but we could take it inside. Crazy to drink in an opera seat. I liked the feeling.
- You can buy stuff from the show during intermission. Posters, Don Quixotte statues, tutus, used ballerinas signed by famous dancers. What a good marketing plan! But not very romantic…
- The audience is hot, and clap a lot. There was no “bis” at the end of the ballet, but dancers were applauded a lot, after each “pirouettes”. It was surprising at the beginning, but very refreshing.
Why this night wasn’t really “Americain”? We should go and see a music hall. Maybe for next time.
A french movie in a independent movie festival
I love Julie Delpy, as a director and an actress, so when I saw that she was going to Boston to present her movie 2 Days in New York, I really wanted to see it, even if it’s French thing, and I try to stick to American one… But her movie takes place in New York and deals with American-French relationships, so my rule isn’t broken in this particular case.
I’ve already talked to you about how cinema works here, popcorn and all this stuff. What we could find in this festival…
- We can drink beer during the movie (I avoid it, don’t want to disturb my neighbors with an unexpected break in the middle of a fantastic scene)
- The audience laugh a lot, and very often. Emotions are expressed out loud: clapping or this special sound, the Ohhhh ! during emotional part…
[NB. What this Ohhhh ! about? It seems to manifest something which is cute: cats, children, or babies, obviously. We can hear these typical Ohhhh ! in TV shows with a live audience. But it’s happening in real life too. When I’m talking to somebody about something rather personal, I can expect an Ohhhh ! to close my sentence
“I have 3 sisters.” Ohhhh !
“I get married in last November” Ohhhh !
“I talked to my mother on Skype. » Ohhhh !
I was surprised at the beginning, but now I know when they are coming, and I can acknowledge them.]
I really like the movie, but I can’t laugh out loud. I stayed quiet, even calm. I was smiling, but not laughing. I can do better than that. Manu’s already improving his emotional implication.
Since this movie, we went to see The Avengers, I was desperate because that’s not my favorite type of movie (I mean, to speak frankly I normally hate them, I think I’m losing my time). But I want to be nice and cool with Manu, since I’m in love with him (Do I earn my Ohhhh ! ?). We were stuck among people full of popcorn and nachos in their hands, and they clapped when Hulk were hitting somebody, or they raised their fists when National Super Hero won. What the hell! I finally enjoyed more this show than the movie itself. It’s just for fun, and I’m starting to like it.
« Girls night out »
I was invited to spend the night with other girls in a lounge bar (small tables, low lightening, cocktails list with strange names nobody can understand). We were 8 girls from all the world (India, Singapour, US, Bosnia, France…). I love this kind of cosmopolitan ambiance, it reminds me of my year abroad in Italy, when I was 22. But in this case, half of the girls were in a Harvard Phd. Time changed.
Unfortunately, everybody left at 9pm (ok, it was Tuesday). From what I’ve seen, American nights are over very early (and start very early too, around 6pm). I had to end the night with the other French girl, drinking cocktails and then going to a tapas place, in order to eat something after 11pm. When I heard the waiter was speaking Spanish, I knew it was time for me to come home.
Ideas to go out, in an American way:
- Going to « games » = we live in the city of Red Sox (base ball), Celtics (basket) and Bruins (hockey)… we have to try at least one of these games!
- Roller derby! It puzzles me…
- Music Hall!! But which one…
- Bowling (I may have play once, and I was terrible…)
Any ideas?
