Cassita
French chansons from Bohemian Paris

Just below the Sacre-Coeur Basilica, in the heart of old Montmartre, lies the famed Parisian café, Au Lapin Agile. Long the center of 19th century Bohemian Paris, this dimly-lit cabaret was the favorite haunt of famous artists like Picasso, Modigliani, Utrillo, Braque, Léger as well as writers, comedians and musicians (like Georges Brassens). Today, the Lapin Agile still stands in the shadow of Montmartre, and every evening Parisians and tourists gather at the cabaret to celebrate the history of French chansons.

We are honored to bring the Lapin Agile's house accordionist and chanteuse, Cassita, to San Antonio. Born in Burgundy, Central France, Cassita has spent the past 35 years singing in Parisian clubs and cabarets and celebrating the work of Paris' greatest songwriters. She accompanies herself on accordion and usually performs solo. Her interpretations of French singers like Charles Aznavour and Edith Piaf are well loved at the Lapin Agile by a French clientele searching for a glimpse of old Paris. Piaf herself performed not far from the Lapin Agile, in La Pigalle, Paris' red-light district, so her songs are well entrenched in the hills of Montmartre.

Come celebrate the wistful romance of Bohemian Paris, where the cabarets were the heart and soul of the old city. Where the line between the luminaries in the audience and the luminaries on stage was so thin as to be invisible. Where the wisdom of the streets mixed with the innovators of high art. Where the French chansons were birthed.