Have you been? Should we go? Can you go and see a show and not break the bank? DW's hairdresser says we should go. It's not cheap. Paris seems very intimidating. Everybody speaks French, for example. Maybe we should just go listen to somebody play a guitar for spare change along the Seine. We arrive April 1st. With our two kids who now are twenty somethings. One week. Apt in 15th on Rue du Theatre. People have told us lots of stuff. I just seem to have a little difficulty processing it. There's still time.

I have never been to Chez Michou but fans of female impersonators and traditional French songs absolutely love it. It is certainly "authentic" and not at all aimed at random tourists. You need a relatively solid base in French popular culture from 1940-2000 to get full benefit from such a place.

My base in French culture is not too solid.

You might still like it, but a lot of the show would probably remain a mystery to you. On the bright side, it would probably pique your interest in a number of singers unknown to you.

I would assume your "kids" would be heading for student cafes and hang outs in the evening - not sure this is for you if you don;t understand French - and are not familiar with the culture. Although - at least an experience - and better that the tourist trap las vegas style shows.

But their are a bunch of other things to do in the evening - always musical activities, we love the ballet and opera if not too heavy. Also love the film festivals.

You might prefer Au Lapin Agile, which is totally different and also might require some knowledge of French or appreciation of old drinking songs, but nothing particularly heady. And thanks for the butterscotch brownies recipe. Runningtab has it pasted on the fridge and plans to dive in shortly

Maybe we'll think about this a little more. Thanks for all your comments. Let me know how the butterscotch brownies turn out. I think they're the blue meth of brownies, but I'm biased.