In conjunction with the exhibit "The Pleasures of Paris: Prints by Toulouse-Lautrec," the Yale University Art Gallery will host a festive community celebration 4-7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 11, on the Chapel Street sidewalk in front of the museum.
Music will highlight the street fête, beginning at 4 p.m. with a performance by Alma Loiseau on the accordion. At 4:45 p.m., the steps of the Yale Art Gallery will become a cabaret stage featuring Mirror Visions Ensemble members Tobé Malawista, Scott Murphree and Richard Lalli in the roles of such legendary performers as Yvette Guilbert, Aristide Bruant and others. Among the songs they will present will be "Madame Artur" and "Le Fiacre." Following this hour-long performance, guitarist Tony Lombardozzi will play more nostalgic French tunes.
Additional entertainment will be provided by a strolling juggler, and there will be sidewalk vendors offering gourmet snacks, ice cream crêpes, balloons and flowers.
Inside the Yale Art Gallery, visitors can hear vignettes about the Bohemian performers and habitués who appeared in Montmartre's cafés and in Toulouse-Lautrec's prints and posters. Richard S. Field, curator of prints, drawings and photographs and organizer of "The Pleasures of Paris," will present these 10-minute talks every half hour beginning at 4:30 p.m. and ending at 6:30 p.m.
Visitors can also receive a souvenir of the occasion in the form of a photograph as a Toulouse-Lautrec character, which will be created by photographer Marianne Bernstein and designer Andrew Rubenoff, two members of the board of the Members of the Yale Art Museums.
In addition, the museum shop will offer an array of items relating to "The Pleasures of Paris" exhibit, including reproductions, stationery, playing cards, games, jewelry and tote bags. Among the many books and catalogues that will be on sale is "The Art of Cuisine" by Toulouse-Lautrec and Maurice Joyant.
In the event of rain, a pared-down version of this celebration will be held in the gallery's sculpture hall.
The Yale University Art Gallery is located at the corner of York and
Chapel streets. Admission is free.
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