Salons.....

The following is from an online Utne Reader review of a book called ~ Salons: The Joy of Conversation

"From the ancient Greek symposia to Gertrude Stein's famous Paris gatherings, salons have always been the incubators of provocative - even dangerous at times - ideas: the frontiers of cultural change. People who might have otherwise been socially isolated were included in salons, welcomed for their wit, intelligence, charm and insight. And passionate conversation often led to passionate action. In 1991 Utne Reader launched a salon renaissance all over North America when it featured a cover story on salons. The response to the article was staggering, leading Utne to organize a national Salon Association that quickly drew over 20,000 members."

Need I say more? This sounds like something I'd want to be part of: an incubator of provocative ideas; passionate discussion; passionate action; cultural change; wit, intellignece,charm and insight. So... let me know what ya'll think.... Paris here we come...

Oh.... and many of the original Paris Salon Keepers (organizers) were, of course... women ;-)