TUCK IN:
Brazilian sass:
The Umami Kitchen at 7, Rue Labourdonnais steps it up on Saturday night by re-introducing Tapas Bar night. This time, it is the minimalist ground floor of the restored building where all the action is concentrated. Groove to a Brazilian music, choose from the surprise menu of finger food that chef Leonardo has put together or have fun choosing between their line-up of margaritas, specially mixed for the evening.
Contact 97877 48481 for details.
Mixed brunch:
There’s a new option in town if you feel in the mood for a Sunday brunch. Le Boulevard Restaurant makes up for its relatively lukewarm ambience with a brunch that promises a mix of the East and the West. At the six live counters, you can ask for omelettes done just the way you like them, crunch into chaat with sticky sauces, plate up waffles, choose from three varieties of pasta or order for some Mongolian stir-fry. The menu also features French and Asian cuisine, apart from meat dishes. A kid’s corner whips up jalebis, nuggets, and cookies. Along with dessert, there’s crushed ice gola to quench your thirst.
Open from 12.30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Atithi on S.V. Patel Salai.
For reservations, call 0413-234 5000
SPLURGE:
Bazaar for a cause:
A small-time fair-like atmosphere is all set to descend on the L’Eglise de Notre Dame des Anges or Our Lady of Angels Church (known locally as the pink church) on Rue Dumas, this Saturday and Sunday. The fair, which raises money for the Boy’s Home next to the church, will have popular game stalls, competitions like singing and lucky draw and stalls which will vend home-made food prepared by locals. Look out for the food stalls which feature French and Pondicherrian specialties — Pondicherry rasools, minced mutton wrapped in puff pastry, chocolate croissants, tarts, fried shrimps and pastries. French CDs, books, candles, clothes and artefacts will also be on sale.
Time: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and from 8.30 a.m. on Sunday.
WHAT TO DO:
AT AUROVILLE:
Drum, the Japanese way:
If you are looking for a weekend with art, culture or activities that differ from the usual fare and come with an international flavour, Auroville seldom disappoints. Find out how the Japanese do percussion at the Sri Aurobindo Auditorium on Saturday at 8 p.m. Yuhei Motoyama, who has been drumming since the age of 12, will play the Taiko or an ensemble of Japanese drums that come in varying shapes and sizes.
Drift to the Caribbean for a night:
If you’d rather pick the occidental over the orient, head to Well Café for a Caribbean night on Saturday. The café has a special dinner of Caribbean signature dishes from 7 p.m. Listen to music from the islands and watch videos on their unique culture. Post-dinner, sit back and enjoy a live music performance by Martinican singer Erica Lernot’s trio. The songs channelize the Caribbean spirit through soft rhythms and poetic lyrics.
Call 0413 262 2219 to save a place.
IN PONDY:
Friday night fever:
The Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) is all set to unleash Friday night frenzy with a live concert at its annual event, Aura 2015. Thaikkudam Bridge, a favourite with youth, after their appearances in the musical show Music Mojo on Kappa TV, which later translated to a number of YouTube hits, will play in Pondy for the first time. The Kerala-based band will play various genres including Carnatic, rock, reggae and film music.
Tickets available at bookmyshow.com. The concert kicks off at 7 p.m.
Pin some time down for needlework:
Pondy, thanks to the influences of the Ashram and the Cluny sisters, has sustained old crafts like hand-embroidery and needlework, with the result that exquisite work is always to be found in the city. The Aurodhan art gallery at Kuruchikuppam hosts a needlework art expo by Aradhita Sinha this weekend. Aradhita, who has exhibited in several cities, will be presenting a series of tableaus worked on fabric in Chinese cross-stitch. The show is on at the gallery from 9.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m.
Tour India’s temples through an artistic lens:
At first glimpse, it is easy to mistake what lies within the frames as charcoal sketches, pencil drawings or watercolour paintings. But ‘India, land of light’ is an exhibition of photographs by Auroville-based Olivier Barot. Around 50 photos hang at the city’s new space for art, Kalinka, on Rue Bazar St. Laurent. Sunsets at Hampi, dawn at Orchha, sculptures at Elephanta, the famed art of Khajuraho and the engravings at Thanjavur, the photos are what Oliver Barot has captured through his lens, over his travels across India in the span of 20 years. This is the second exhibit at Kalinka which visualizes itself as a space for a mix of local and international artists, says Karine Pelade, the proprietor and curator.
Call 0413 233 6976 for details.
The expo is open on all days, except Mondays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. till October.
