Le Pompon: a poetic song recital at the Salle Braun
In 24 days
Who hasn't dreamed of catching the tassel to win another merry-go-round ride? Emanuel Bémer and Christophe Blondé tell its story in song, with wit and finesse. A musical show selected for the Avignon OFF Festival, from age 6.
The show
Between poetry, digressions and metaphysics, the duo from the Metz company l'Association d'idées questions the absurdity of the race for success. Emanuel Bémer writes and performs the songs, supported by Christophe Blondé's guitar and voice.
Salle Braun, a community-run theatre in a 1907 building
On Rue Mozart, Salle Braun occupies a neo-Renaissance building constructed in 1907 in the Quartier Impérial, the part of Metz built during the German annexation. Run by a non-profit association, it is in its twenty-sixth season in 2026-2027. Its role in the neighbourhood comes down to this mix of audiences: adults come for café-théâtre, classes and children for a programme backed by the City of Metz, and the improv troupe Le Minou performs here every month. For people living in the centre, it is a local address, where you can go to the theatre without leaving your own streets.
A Thursday in December with the family, from the show to the chalets
3 December 2026 is indeed a Thursday, and the performance is announced for 2.15 pm, lasting 45 minutes. This midweek slot also falls within school hours, and the venue presents its young-audience season to schools, so ask whether families can book before you plan your day. The young-audience price is €7 per child and €9 per adult. If your visit is confirmed, the rest of the afternoon can go to the Christmas market, open from 20 November to 30 December 2026 on several squares in the centre, including République and Saint-Jacques. Check its opening times with the city.
L'Association d'idées and the story of the first pompom
Salle Braun describes L'Association d'idées as a company from Metz. Its song recital starts from a simple question: what if the carousel pompom, the prize that earns one more ride, marked the birth of the competitive spirit? Emanuel Bémer's songs tell the story of the first carousel and the first pompom without labouring the moral. The show has already travelled beyond Metz: JM France, which introduces schoolchildren to music, offered it in 2023-2024 to primary and lower secondary classes, with a teaching booklet. It is also part of the Festival Avignon OFF selection mentioned by the venue.
Practical information
Address: Salle Braun, 18 Rue Mozart, 57000 Metz
Frequently asked questions
Where and when?
On 3 December 2026: Salle Braun, 18 rue Mozart, Metz.
Who is this event for?
The show is for children aged 6 and over and their families.
Can you walk to Salle Braun from the station?
Yes, Rue Mozart can be reached on foot from Metz-Ville station. The venue's website gives no parking details, so if you come by car, allow extra time, especially during the Christmas market.
Which area suits a stay combining the show and the Christmas market?
Choose the centre around the cathedral, where you can visit the chalets on foot with the children. Compare it with other areas and search for accommodation using Staylaro's guide « Se loger à Metz ».
