Eurocircus.com ~ Marseille

Sending a special Thanksgiving out to the Meetup group of Marseille and all the newbies trying to figure out how to prepare that turkey. Hope everyone gets their fair share of tryptophan and cranberries today.

Every holiday season I look forward to spending time with my family in Le Tholonet and indulging in chocolate. As a chocolate lover, I lean towards the darker, sweet bitterness over the more popular milk chocolate favored by the majority in my family... which is to my advantage on the whole. This year was quite a disappointment though, as my heart sank staring at the primarily “chocolat au lait” versions, good beyond anything I remember as a child, but just adequate in relation to my adulthood introduction to fine dark chocolates. Realizing that I could no longer depend on my “source” of dependable chocolat noir led me to searching for places in and around Marseille that I can get my yearly fix....or to be truthful, when I get the craving!

Sobé Asso is hosting Oda la Lune this Saturday night at the Bicok at 57 cours Julien on Saturday at 9pm...

Pour terminer l'année en musique, ODA LA LUNE propose un dernier concert en 2010 au "Bicok" à Marseille avec ses invités le 18 Décembre 2010 à 21h00 PAF : 5 €

"De la chanson réaliste métissée au jazz et musiques du monde; Un univers rétro teinté de poésie. "Avec la voix chaleureuse de Samantha Eyssette au chant et à l'accordéon, le jeux virtuose de Marco Rateau à la guitare et au Bouzouki et les rythmes enjoués de Willy Le Corre aux percussions. C'est dans cette ambiance colorée et intime que le trio Oda la lune nous invite à danser et chanter sur des mélodies sensibles."

The making of this authentic NY cheesecake started with a trip to a kid-friendly restaurant in the Vieux Port. It wasn't something really top of mind but culminated into a real craving after that evening. I guess I was put off by the idea of having to go to this greasy-spoon of a restaurant just to fill the craving of something made normally at home. What about the patisseries or the supermarket? Unfortunately at this moment the availability is rather dismal in Marseille and the store bought versions...well not the same. One premade Gâteau au Fromage Blanc definitely worth a mention is Frü which makes two versions in  lemon and in blueberry, but at nearly 5€ a tiny pot, it can get pricey. Alas, I got to work on recreating a bit of this comfort food in my own kitchen.

First  finding a recipe and since there are so many varieties is daunting in itself, but I honed in on my preferred New-Yorkaise version which calls for Philadelphia cream cheese. There is a ricotta type known in certain neighborhoods in New York and is renowned for being lighter and less dense (lending itself to being very moist). I longed for something that you get at one of those Jewish delicatessen late at night on Columbus Avenue or on the Lower East Side. Also a graham cracker crust was needed in which its crisp texture complements the melt of the creamy cheese filling, not too sweet but has a tangy finish, is a must.  Finally after much reading and preparation,  the grand experiment was underway which was to make a cheesecake worthy of its crowd pleaser reputation... and using only  ingredients found easily in any Marseille neighborhood.

THE AMERICAN GALLERY is pleased to invite Democrats Abroad and the international community to its next opening: British artist Charlie Jeffery - Different Liquid Substances, Gradually Modified in the Mind.  The artist will show his art outdoors in the garden as well as inside the gallery, and will do a performance. Sunday 12 December 2010 at 1:00 pm for a Holiday Season Brunch Come and meet the artist - we hope to see you there!

Fall finds me struggling to get into the swing of new school and work schedules, trying to get caught up with everything left in the wake of exploring or vacationing during the summer and... clearing out an unencumbered pathway in my home to get it all done. By summer's end, my apartment's tiny closets are brimming with all the bright ideas of projects and souvenirs that looked good at the moment of purchase...i.e. the complete Hello Kitty beach set for castle construction for my daughter or the bi-weekly collection of the "19th century dollhouse kit" bought at the local marche au journal. When I was a young, we had the ritual of spring and fall cleaning which always grew into our weekend garage sale. Writing up all the neon signs made in the shape of arrows pointing to our house, I dreamed of the potential riches gained from selling my ratty-haired Barbies and old tennis shoes.

Before you choose your clothes this morning, think blue, since today starts La Fête Bleue in Marseille. It is the 1st time I have noticed this celebration, but in the summertime, who can keep them all straight and it just seems like one long party? This is the 4th of these festivals which includes music, dance and performances around town for 3 days, but done in blue which is also the "dresscode". In fact, wearing blue is enough to get you in free to the Soirée Groove Unity on Wednesday night, otherwise pay 5€.  Many of the major buildings and momuments will also be lit...

Maybe you've seen the 3rd Orange Freestyle Cup posters up all over town, but just in case not..., it is not to be missed since it is the Marsilia beach-meets-street spirit at its best. This event has drawn the best windsurfers (freestyle and ramp), BMX, skateboarders (World Skateboarding Cup) , SUP (stand-up paddleboarders) and a skydiving show all topped off with great music in the evenings on Plage de Bonneveine.

If you still have the shout/dance left in you, the afterparty starts at La Voile at 11 and keeps going until 5.  I would suppose it will be packed, so if you have plans to eat there, reserve like now. Also...

There is a rather large graffiti-painted globe in place Alex Jany, the square I peer down daily at from my apartment. On the platform base credit goes to coolglobesmarseille.com and happens to be a city-wide art project which grew out of the "Clinton Global Initiative in 2005". Marseille, being selected as Water Capital of the 6th World Water Forum in 2012, plays perfect host to one of the first European stops in this tour for 2010. 

At first glance on Marseille maps, there are 4 major beaches stretching along corniche Kennedy taking the bulk of  the public traffic (all along the 83 or 19 bus line). Plages Catalan, Prophète, Borély and Pointe Rouge and so much has been written about these beaches and promoted by the Tourist Center downtown. My interest though, lies in the little places scattered up and down the rocky coastline since a look over the craggy Corniche, you are bound to see many Marseillaise sunning themselves contentedly on some lone rock or on wooden-deck perched over the sea.