Chouinard and Johnson employed engaging loosely scripted anecdotes of their beloved Parisian excursions between each song. Their real-life friendship offers a natural chemistry of delightful bantering. Over 50 cues of visual images illustrated history, location and mood with a sense of playful whimsy. Paul and Lynn Hempe designed a little garden like atmosphere with various plants and a fountain. All made to theatrically energize the evening. Along with Chouinard's impeccable piano/accordion accompaniment, filling out the band was some fine guitar playing from Gary Rue and acoustic bass from Michael O'Brien.

With the Eiffel Tower in the background, Johnson launched the evening with "I Love Paris" while recalling her first time in Paris with her sweetheart: "His name is Rue and it was on every street sign. Occasionally so was mine." The visual image hysterically indicated "Prudence Crossing" signage. Chouinard's wasn't as romantic. He intended to ride through out Europe for four and half months and schlepped a bicycle, back pack and accordion around, looking ever the part of lost musical Boy Scout. Relieving himself of his overloaded bike, he stopped in the hubbub of the Latin Quarter to rest in a church during Pentecost; only to find he had fallen asleep during the service.

After a not quite intended little nap in church, he pursued a restaurant/cabaret advertising an "open stage." He thought his accordion playing might impress the patrons but the tight-lipped piano lady, pegging him as unwelcome competition, responded to his request with a clucking French-like "non, non, non" response. Dan’s Minnesota roots would soon provide a remedy. A newlywed couple from Minnetonka— no less— coaxed Chouinard out of the club and to the front of Notre Dame where he played and charmed the couple under a romantic moon lit evening.

Johnson's all-time favorite Parisian experience certainly wasn't frugal. She and Rue ventured to see Mozart's opera "Cosi Fan Tutte" but only the most expensive or cheapest seats were available. Deciding to splurge on the best seats in the house—1200f ($240) because "you only live once"— the crowded lobby separated them during intermission. She ordered two glasses of champagne for $20 returning to Gary only to find that he had done the same. "We've got $40 worth of champagne to drink in 40 seconds before curtain," mused Johnson. Chouinard (piano), Rue (guitar) and Johnson (vocals) appropriately performed "Poor People of Paris" whose lyrics illuminate similar excess: "Milk or water from the sink makes a true Parisian shrink, Wine is all they'll ever drink."

Paris has a reputation for being an open and tolerant city. Historically proven, the city is known for its acceptance of black artists like Josephine Baker who in 1930’s America was refused lodging in "whites only" hotels. In Paris, the famous expatriate had Chez Josephine named in her honor. Her signature tune "J'ai Deux Amours," about being torn between the United States—the place of her birth and her adopted home, Paris—received a superb performance with Johnson singing the French lyrics and Chouinard translating while delivering a dreamy piano accompaniment and solo. Flashing iconic images of Baker, Ernest Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Sylvia Beach stunningly reinforced what these artistic expats felt—Paris was their true home.

A tribute to Paris would not be complete without honoring "Le mome Piaf," the little sparrow—Edith Piaf. An international star forever associated with Paris—not to mention drugs and failed romance—she died in 1963. The archbishop refused her a church funeral. A touching highlight of the evening, Johnson perfectly captured heartache with Piaf's famous "La Vie En Rose" complimented by Chouinard's exquisite accordion accompaniment. While Johnson took a break, the combo took center stage with Chouinard playing a zippy accordion to Rue's cool slide guitar playing in two upbeat numbers that really cooked: "Nuages" and "Swing 42."

Johnson returned to pay homage to the great Kurt Weill and Lotte Lenya with his composition "Youkali," singing in French with emotions both joyous and mournful while Chouinard played piano. The song looks at refugees who escaped to Paris during World War II: "Youkali is the land of our desires. It means happiness and pleasure, but it's only a dream, a folly." The two closed Act I with great flair on "The Last Time I Saw Paris," whose lyrics beautifully follow with: "Her heart was warm and gay. No matter how they change her, I'll remember her that way."

Act II got under way with "Paris Wakes Me Up," a little ditty by Irving Berlin about the world's most rhapsodized city. "Another Song About Paris," is an apt title for this show. Like the song suggests, Chouinard agrees that pretty much every famous composer has written one. That song is in fact a composition written by Dave Frishberg and of course its stinging lyrics are perfectly suited for a droll quipster like Chouinard to sing and play: "Another song about Paris, is there room for one more? Is there really a note or word that we haven't heard before? I Could sing songs about Paris until I ran out of breath. I defy you to find me one that hasn't been done to death."

Things get even funnier with lyricist Alan Sherman's "King Louie," about the crumbling of the ancient French monarchy under the self indulgent rule of King Louis XIV, who reduced his country into suffering sycophants. Chouinard elaborated, "Once Louis asked the Cardinal de Polignac the time, the cardinal responded, "Whatever hour pleases your Majesty." Johnson and Chouinard showcase fine vocal harmony here while Rue completes the humor with a 1960s rock riff.

Chouinard took delight in describing the gay life of Paris that provided a refuge for persecuted homosexuals beginning as far back as the French Revolution in 1789. "It's also a city of great shopping," he added, while he and Johnson segued into "Gay Paree," returning an exceptional piano solo from him and just a minor botched lyric from her. Chouinard later responded, "So Prudence, whenever you're in doubt of lyrics, say "Rue de la Met" or "Cafe, Cafe, Cafe."

Johnson and Chouinard exchanged a delightful narrative about the trashy Seine River. Dan: "Each day, 300,000 tons of pollutants are dumped legally. 57 varieties of toxins have been identified. Bacteria levels are 100 times the EU limit for safe swimming." Prudence: "Most places the question to fisherman is, 'Are they biting?' On the Seine it's "Are you going to eat that?'" Johnson provided poignant vocals to the sobering Kurt Weill song "Complainte de la Seine" with atmospheric guitar strumming from Rue. Chouinard lent some of his finest accordion playing of the night to the popular French melody "Sous Le Ciel," while Johnson provided gorgeous French vocals. This song's lyrics are exceptional: "Around Notre Dame a drama erupts now and then. Yes, but in Paree anything can be smoothed over." Live and forgive, indeed.

Michael Reinbold, a continuing web reporter, freelances as a writer and banquet caterer. A passionate believer in SJA's mission of social justice and collaborative ministry, Michael is an SJA Choir member, mass reader, Team Oz AIDS rider and Grace House volunteer cook. With an extensive background in theater, photography and fundraising, he relishes all aspects of the arts, staying fit and inspiring and working with people.

Chouinard had lamented through much of the night that his trips to Paris had been alone and he often felt melancholy. He however announced that he had two tickets for an upcoming trip. Johnson teased, "You're not going alone this time." Chouinard smiled responding, "I'm not." For "Paree, What Did You Do To Me," the dapper piano man felt so comfortable tickling the ivories here, he played with his legs crossed. He and Johnson had a ball of time vocally harmonizing as well. For the encore, Rue came forward to harmonize with Johnson, his wife, and Chouinard on Joni Mitchell's "Freeman In Paris," a great cover song to show off the strengths of a truly exceptional singer, piano and guitar player.

What strikes me about this affectionate paean to Paree is that how funny it is that there are Puritans who still cast out people of decadence, but to this day, Paris remains a refuge for those who do not believe in war and are people that still live for love.

Peg LaSota comes from a photography background. She now works in the digital world, computer instruction, and with "videography" and the restoration of family films. She is enthusiastic about capturing family memories and preserving them digitally. Along with that, her time is spent with her family and her love for learning Spanish, piano, recorder.....and of course singing with the choir!