Storming your own Bastille

By Mary Alice Blackwell

Published: July 10, 2008

Once upon a time I was backpacking across Europe. When I landed in Paris I was hot, tired and thirsty.

Naturally, I drank the water … in a bathroom … and don’t remember too much more of the trip. Other than it was extremely hot and crowded.

In my fogged state, I couldn’t understand why people kept throwing firecrackers at my feet. Was my gigantic backpack a giveaway that I was a tourist?

Why was every museum closed? I just want to rest.

My, there was a huge military presence. Soldiers in protective vests and carrying big guns were on every corner. Tanks rolled down the Champs-Elysees.

Look! There are jets flying over the Arc de Triomphe leaving behind contrails of blue, white and red.

A very tall man bumps into me. It’s David Hasselhoff.

It could only mean one thing.

I had landed in France on Bastille Day.

Their Fourth of July comes 10 days later than ours. Thirteen, if you are Canadian. That’s when, in 1789, the storming of the Bastille marked the start of the French Revolution. Sure, there were only about seven prisoners in the famous lockup, but the symbolic coup signified that the king was no longer in charge.

Give me liberty. Give me equality. Give me fraternity.

Please, somebody give me something to drink other than tap water from a public bathroom.

I hadn’t thought too much about that day until Jane Norris started sending me these emails about Bastille Day … right here in the Charlottesville area.

Viva la celebration.

DelFosse Vineyards and Winery has a two-day event. And, there is stuff going on with the Wintergreen Summer Music Festival. I was going to tell you about them, but Jane beat me to the punch. Look on Page C4 to find out which world famous chanteuse will be singing “La Marseillaise” this weekend.

But Francophiles don’t have to go all the way to Nelson County. Zinc also has cooked up its own Bastille Weekend Celebration.

The French bistro on West Main Street is the place to go for a bite to eat, or a Zinc drink or to watch a futball game. It’s also a spot to listen to a little music. This weekend’s lineup has what you would call a French connection.

The Eames Coleman Trio kicks off the three-day Bastille celebration with a progressive jam at 11 tonight. Panda Transport takes over Saturday evening with an experimental mix of electoracoustic and bossa nova.

By the way, Thierry Holweck and Kathy Compton met in Lyon, France, and decided to become Panda two years ago. Saturday’s free show also will mark the release of their new CD, which, in itself, is another good reason to celebrate. (For those who haven’t heard this talented twosome, you might be heard half of the Panda with the Straight Punch to the Crotch. Compton is the versatile blonde who sings and plays just about every instrument for the Punch bunch.)

France’s own Holweck will return to Zinc on the BIG day to storm the stage at 6 p.m. as DJ Thierry.

One tip. If you are hot and tired and thirsty, order your drink from the bar.