Bay Area Francophile List This Week!

March 9, 2006. THE FRENCH CHEF –THE OMELETTE SHOW, an episode from Julia Child’s original 1960s cooking series, followed by QUEEN OF SHEBA, a delicious chocolate almond rum cake made out of simple ingredients, as demonstrated by JULIA CHILD. KQED TV9, 1:30pm & 2pm.

March 9, 2006. CARA BLACK reads from her new AIMEE LEDUC mystery, MURDER IN MONTMARTRE. The Booksmith, 1644 Haight St., SF. 415.863.8688 or http://www.booksmith.com for details.

March 9, 2006. HOT CLUB OF SAN FRANCISCO performs at AT UPTOWN club in Oakland, CA @seventeenth, 510 17th St., Oakland. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Wednesday-Saturday. Happy Hour 5-9 p.m. Wednesday-Friday. 510.433.0577. Thank you for continuing to support live Gypsy Swing. Hot Club Hot Line 415.931.0909 or http://www.hcsf.com

March 9, 2006. ARISTIDE AND THE ENDLESS REVOLUTION(Rossier, 2005) . Red Vic, 1727 Haight St., SF. 415.668.3994 or http://www.redvicmoviehouse.com for details.

March 9, 10 & 12, 2006. DIARY OF A CHAMBERMAID (Buñuel). Luis Buñuel updated the famous Mirbeau novel about the decadent French upper classes of the nineteenth century to 1928. Against a fittingly autumnal landscape on a country estate, the master unfolds his darkly humorous tale of a chambermaid, both demure and cunning (as portrayed by Jeanne Moreau), who takes a position in a cheerless château and immediately becomes the newest objet d'art for a whole family of perfectly ordinary perverts, from the shoe-fetishist paterfamilias down to the gamekeeper, Joseph, a reactionary and a rapist. With Michel Piccoli (1964, 97 min., in French w/English subtitles). Thursday, March 9 at 7:00 in Stevenson 1002, Friday, March 10 at 7:00 and Sunday, March 12 at 4:00 in Warren Auditorium, Ives Hall. Sonoma State University, 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park. For more information, check the SFI website at http://www.sonoma.edu/sfi

March 9-26, 2006. THE WIDE-ANGLE CINEMA OF MICHEL BRAULT. Documentary collaborations between BRAULT and Quebec radio personality PIERRE PERRAULT; 5 decades of collaboration, POUR LA SUITE DU MONDE (Of Whales, the Moon and Men), DRIFTING UPSTREAM (with a young Genevieve Bujold), ORDERS, and more. Nearly 80, Brault will appear at screenings in conjunction with his current PFA teaching residency. Pacific Film Archive, 2575 Bancroft, Berkeley. 510.642.1412 or http://www.bampfa.berkeley.edu for details. $4-$8.

Opening March 10, 2006. JOYEUX NOEL (Christian Carion). Academy Award nominee for best foreign language film based on a true story: Christmas Eve 1914 – On a World War I battlefield, a momentous event changed the lives of soldiers from France, Germany and England. Clay, SF, 415.267.4893 or CinéArts@Empire, SF, 415.661.2539. View the trailer at http://www.joyeuxnoelmovie.com

Through March 10, 2006. 11TH ANNUAL CONTRA COSTA INTERNATIONAL JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL. Century 5 Pleasant Hill, 2314 Monument Blvd., Pleasant Hill, 510.839.2900 ex.256. http://www.jfed.org/jewishfilmfestival

March 10, 2006. THOMAS HIRSCHORN: DYSTOPIA SYMPOSIUM. 6-9 p.m., Timken Lecture Hall, Graduate Studies/Wattis Institute Lecture Series, Timken Lecture Hall, San Francisco campus. In the past decade, Paris-based artist Thomas Hirschhorn has emerged as one of the most provocative, ambitious, and inventive figures in contemporary art. Combining disposable and inexpensive materials such as aluminum foil, cardboard, plastic, and masking tape, his displays allude to a wide array of cultural and philosophical topics. Influenced by his graphic design training, Hirschhorn deliberately situates his art as an act of communication between diverse communities, belief systems, and aesthetic strategies. Speakers: Thomas Hirschhorn; Pamela M. Lee, associate professor of art history, Stanford University; Ralph Rugoff, director, CCA Wattis Institute.

March 10, 2006. SANDOR DIABANKOUEZI, from CONGO, and DJIALY KUNDA KOUYATE perform FULL OF JOY, traditional music of the griots and healing songs from the heart of Africa. Featuring “The Twins” ASSANE AND OUSSEYNOU KOUYATE of SENEGAL. 7:30pm. $20/$22 at the door ($70 for entire series). CIIS Public Programs, 1453 Mission St., San Francisco. 415.575.6175 or http://www.cciis.edu/publicprograms for details.

March 10, 2006. ZYDECO FLAMES perform at Eagles Hall, 2305 Alameda, Alameda. 415.285.6285. $13; 9pm.

March 10 & 12, 2006. NEW ORLEANS ZINE READING. Book release party for New Orleans zine anthology STORIES CARE FORGOT, benefiting the New Orleans Community Bike Project and the People’s HurricaneFund. Friday: Rock Paper Scissors Collective, 2278 Telegraph, Oakland, 510.238.9171 or http://www.rpscollective.com for details; Sunday, Needles & Pens, 438 14th St., SF, 415.225.1534 or http://www.needles-pens.com for details. Donations accepted.

March 11, 2006. MILL VALLEY FRENCH TABLE. Champagne Café, next to the Throckmorton Theater on Sequoia. 10am to 11am. Venez nombreux! suzanne.toczyski@sonoma.edu for details.

March 11, 2006. LIAISONS DANGEREUSES: LES RAPPORTS ENTRE L'ETAT ET LES RELIGIONS EN FRANCE. Conférence illustrée de nombreuses diapositives par Renée Morel (en français, naturellement!). La laicité est une passion française. Elle a été au coeur de controverses et débats, parfois violents, pendant plus d'un siècle et demi. Inscrite dans la constitution, elle fait régulièrement l'objet d'interrogations, en raison des récentes transformations du paysage social, politique et religieux de la France. Les origines de la laicité - au XIVe siècle, Philippe le Bel revendiquait déjà l'autonomie du pouvoir politique - et sa formation progressive depuis la Révolution de 1789, permettent de mieux en comprendre la nature réelle. Si la laicité concerne l'ensemble des relations entre l'Etat, ses citoyens et la sphère du religieux, elle s'est vite focalisée sur la question scolaire. L'Ecole Polytechnique (1794) sera la première "grande école" prestigieuse fondée hors de l'Eglise clericale. De nos jours, le problème du "foulard islamique" (loi de mars 2004 sur les signes religieux ostentatoires à l'école) nous rappelle que les rapports entre l'Etat, les citoyens et les religions restent délicats. L'histoire de la laicité continue à s'écrire... The conference (10:00 AM-11:30 AM) will be followed by a period for questions (11:30-11:45) and, for those interested, by a pleasant lunch with Madame Morel [limited seating; reservations a must!]. CONFERENCE: $12 ($10 FOR AFB members); CONFERENCE AND LUNCH: $38 ($35 for AFB members). Attention! Comme pour le TGV, les reservations sont obligatoires! Contactez Claire Vanbrunt: <c.vanbrunt@comcast.net> ou 510.849.2283. Alliance Francaise de Berkeley, 2004 Woolsey Street, Berkeley (descendre à la station "Ashby" de BART).

March 11, 2006. CARA BLACK talks about MURDER IN MONTMARTRE, her new AIMEE LEDUC detective novel. Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera. 415.927.0960 or 800.999.7909 or http://www.bookpassage.com for details. 7pm.

Through March 12, 2006. LE PRINTEMPS DES POETES. L’Alliance française of San Francisco celebrates “Le Printemps des poètes”. In promotion of poetry in all its forms and aspects, “Le Printemps des poètes” takes place in France and abroad from March 4th to 12th. We will be very happy to celebrate this event with you! Send us your poems or any kind of texts (haikus, spam, prose…) in French or in English and we will be honored to exhibit them at l’Alliance Française for the whole month of March. You can send it by mail : 1345 Bush Street, San Francisco CA 94109 or by email : emmanuelle@alliancefr-sf.org

March 12, 2006. CONCERTS GRAND presents DAVID VISCOLI performing works by DEBUSSY and more. Newman Auditorium, Santa Rosa Junior College, 1501 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa. 707.526.2447 for details. $14-$25. 3pm.

March 12, 2006. MUSICIANS FROM MARLBORO perform RAVEL’s QUARTET and more. Chamber Music San Francisco, 415.392.4400 or http://chambermusicSF.org for details. Florence Gould Theater, Legion of Honor, 34th & Clement, SF. $38/$33. 2pm.

March 12, 2006. RICK STEVES’ EUROPE MARATHON, including BELGIUM: BRUGES AND BRUSSELS and much more. KQED TV9, 4:30pm-11pm.

March 12, 2006. CROSS CULTURAL JOURNEYS presents a MOROCCAN EVENING. Tour historic and romantic cities of that country. Experience the magic of Fez beneath the stars. Sausalito, 415.332.0682 for directions. Free; space limited.

March 12, 2006. OSIRIS PIANO TRIO performs RAVEL’s TRIO IN A and more. Mt. Tam Methodist Church, Camino Alto and Sycamore Avenue, Mill Valley. 415.38.4453 for details. $10-$20. 5pm.

March 12, 2006. LE SILENCE DANS LA FORET (ba Kobhio and Ouénangaré, 2003). Parkway, 1834 Park, Oakland, http://picturepubpizza.com for details. 2pm.

March 13, 2006. LOUISIANA STORY. Documentary shot in Cajun country in 1948. Mill Valley Library, 375 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley. 7:30pm. Presented by Friends of the Library.

March 13 & 16, 2006. KIRSTEN LOBE reads from PARIS HANGOVER, her novel about a 30ish NY model who chucks it all to make a life in Paris. Contact Terrance Gelenter, Director of Paris Through Expatriate Eyes, 38 Miller Ave, PMB 213, Mill Valley, CA 9494; Phone: 415.388.4956; Fax: 415.388.1266; Email: terrance@paris-expat.com

March 14, 2006. OSIRIS PIANO TRIO performs MESSAIEN’S QUATUOR POUR LA FIN DU TEMPS. Luther Burbank Center, 50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa. 707.546.3600 for details. 7:30pm. $16-$34.

March 14, 2006. CREOLE BELLES and ANDREW CARRIERE perform at Ashkenaz. 8:30pm. $9.

March 15, 2006. HORS JEU (1998). De Karim Dridi avec Rossy de Palma, P. Ambrosini. Two out of work actors, Ange and Concepción, meet up during the making of a seedy television commercial. Having shared magic mushrooms together, they fall in love. Ange later auditions for the part of a killer in a film but, when he is turned down for the part, he suffers a psychological collapse. Having acquired a gun, he decides to play out the role of the killer for real… $6 ($3 AFSF members). In French with English Subtitles. Auditorium de l’ Alliance, 1345 Bush Street San Francisco, 415.775.7755

March 15, 2006. HANNI SCHMID WYSS, Swiss classical musician, performs at Old First Concerts, 1751 Sacramento St., SF. 415.474.1608 or http://www.oldfirstconcerts.org for details. Post concert reception sponsored in part by the Consulate General of Switzerland. 8pm. http://www.swissroots.org

March 16, 2006. MAGIC AND CINEMA: MELIES, EPSTEIN AND FEUILLADE. A series of French silent films with live musical accompaniment by The Ahl-I. During Winter 2006 the Alliance Francaise of San Francisco presents a series of fantastic silent film masterpieces. These programs will be introduced by film historian, David Giovacchini, of Stanford University. They will feature new soundtrack music performed live by ambient-jazz-world group, The Ahl-I Nafs. Program 1: The Man in the Moon Has a Headache: The Short Films of Georges Méliès (1902-1905) Méliès was cinema's first great fantasist. The short films he made between 1902 and 1905 are treats. His experiments with special effects laid the ground work for everything that was to come after Program will include: The Impossible Voyage; The Untamable Whiskers; The Cook in Trouble; Tchin-chao, the Chinese Conjurer; The Wonderful Living Fan; The Mermaid; The Living Playing Cards; The Black Imp; The Enchanted Sedan Chair; The Scheming Gambler's Paradise; The Hilarious Posters; The Mysterious Retort; The Eclipse; and Méliès' best known work, A Trip to the Moon. $3 AFSF members $6 non members. Auditorium de l’ Alliance, 1345 Bush St., San Francisco, 415.775.7755 or http://www.afsf.com for details.

March 16, 2006. HOT CLUB OF SAN FRANCISCO performs at The Baltic in Point Richmond. 7:30-10ish. http://www.thebaltic.org Thank you for continuing to support live Gypsy Swing. Hot Club Hot Line 415.931.0909 or http://www.hcsf.com

March 16, 2006. AU HASARD, BALTHAZAR (Robert Bresson). "Robert Bresson's Balthazar is a donkey born, like all beings, to suffer and die needlessly and mysteriously. Hence the Russian roulettish au hasard in both the title and the arbitrary fragmentation of the framing..." (Andrew Sarris). Balthazar the donkey is the central character of Bresson's film; passed from one owner to the next he is both witness to and victim of their suffering. The other main figure in the film is a young farm girl (Anne Wiazemsky) who befriends Balthazar and suffers some of the same fate. (1966, 95 min, In French with English titles). Thursday, March 16 at 7:00 in Stevenson 1002. Sonoma State University, 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park. For more information, check the SFI website at http://www.sonoma.edu/sfi

March 16-19 & 23-26, 2006. JESS CURTIS / GRAVITY AT CounterPULSE. Jess Curtis/Gravity presents an evening of fun and thoughtful interdisciplinary dance and aerial works choreographed Jess Curtis in collaboration with international guests Jörg Müller (France) and members of Blue Eyed Soul Dance Company : Claire Cunningham (Scotland), and Jami Quarrell (England). Tickets: $15-20; Info/Res : (415) 435-7549 www.jesscurtisgravity.org; 8:30 pm. CounterPULSE, 1310 Mission St @ 9th, San Francisco.

March 17, 2006. ETEL ADNAN talks about IN THE HEART OF ANOTHER COUNTRY. Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera. 415.927.0960 or 800.999.7909 or http://www.bookpassage.com for details. 7pm.

March 17, 2006. PERSPECTIVES SUR LA PERSPECTIVE (1e partie): DE LA PERSPECTIVE NATURELLE A LA PERSPECTIVE ARTIFICIELLE. Conférence animée par Renée Morel, proposée par San Francisco Bay Accueil à l’Alliance Française de San Francisco, 1345 Bush St., SF, 415.775.7755. Jusqu'au XVe siècle, en Occident, les peintres ont souvent multiplié les angles de vue à l'intérieur du même tableau, privilégiant ainsi les qualités narratives de l'image aux dépens d'une observation réaliste. Mais, à la Renaissance, la recherche de l'unité spatio-temporelle fait que l'on va focaliser le regard. En 1425, l'architecte italien Brunelleschi fait la première démonstration de la perspective linéaire, que le peintre Masaccio applique dans sa fresque de la Trinité à Santa Maria Novella, à Florence. Bientôt, les méthodes empiriques qui, depuis toujours, gouvernent la représentation, sont supplantées par une maîtrise scientifique des principes de la perspective. Pour la première fois, la peinture est conçue comme un savoir rationnel, défini à l'aide de règles, un système totalisant qui permet de produire un art d'illusion. Cette révolution picturale va transformer notre manière de voir! 10am-11:30am. $7. AF de SF, 1345 Bush St., SF. 415.775.7755 ou http://www.afsf.com for details. SVP, arrivez a l'heure! (Please allow ample time for parking.)

March 17, 2006. MY LUNCH WITH ANNA. Screening of Alain Buffard’s film about Anna Halprin. A question and answer session will follow, featuring Anna Halprin & Alain Buffard. 7pm. ODC Theater, 3153 Seventeenth Street, San Francisco. 415-863-9834. www.odctheater.org. 7pm.

March 17-19, 2006. ALAIN BUFFARD IN SAN FRANCISCO. The French choreographer, dancer and video artist Alain Buffard will be at ODC in San Francisco, March 17th through 19th. Buffard is a major rising figure in French contemporary art. This is his Bay Area debut. On his way to New York, he will come to San Francisco for three days to show work and screen his film, a tribute to legendary Bay Area icon, Anna Halprin. A week before this program in San Francisco, a retrospective on Anna Halprin's work will open on March 8th, at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Lyon, France, with a performance choreographed by Anna Halprin for 4 dancers including Alain Buffard. This program is supported by the Cultural Service, Consulate General of France in San Francisco.

March 18, 2006. FOURTH ANNUAL SONOMA STATE UNIVERSITY LANGUAGE FESTIVAL, including language contests for local high school students and a cabaret in the afternoon. For details, contact Suzanne Toczyski, 707.664.4177 or Suzanne.toczyski@sonoma.edu .

March 18, 2006. BUYING A HOME IN FRANCE. Seminar presented by Laurence Raybois, author of Chez Moi: The Foreigner's Guide to Buying a Home in France. Saturday March 18, 2006, 9am to 4pm, at The French Class, 500 Sutter Street in San Francisco, Suite 310. Information and registration at The French Class, 415.362.3666. The fee is as follows: $95 if registering on or before February 28, 2006, $115 after that; $80 for spouse/domestic partner of person paying full price, if registering before February 28, 2006, $100 after that. The presentation will cover the following topics: A step-by-step summary of the process, with an emphasis on the French peculiarities; A close look at prices and types of real estate for each geographical area; Renting your property for profit; Undertaking a construction or remodeling project; The cultural mistakes to avoid in the process; Questions and answers. Details: The French Class, 415.362.3666.

March 18, 2006. HANNI SCHMID WYSS, Swiss classical musician, performs at House Concert, 2692 Shasta Road, Berkeley, http://www.cowart.com/concerts/ for details. Post concert reception sponsored in part by the Consulate General of Switzerland. 8pm. Tickets $15 RSVP. Sponsored by the Consulate General of Switzerland. http://www.swissroots.org

March 18 & 19, 2006. GOOD BOY. Alain Buffard’s solo is about the fragility of the body, of overcoming illness, and of survival. Performances take place at ODC Dance Commons, 351 Shotwell Street, San Francisco. 415-863-9834. http://www.odctheater.org

March 19, 2006. HANNI SCHMID WYSS, Swiss classical musician, performs at the United Methodist Church, 1543 Sunnyvale Ave., Walnut Creek. $20 and $10 sen/jun. 2:30pm. Sponsored by the Consulate General of Switzerland. http://www.swissroots.org

March 19, 2006. CLASSICAL GUITARIST PAUL GALBRAITH performs works from his forthcoming CD of music by DEBUSSY, RAVEL and Bach. Spreckels Performing Art Center, Rohnert Park. 707.588.3400 or http://www.spreckelsoneline.com for details. 7:30pm.

Through March 19, 2006. NORTH BAY REP presents BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, based on the 17th-century French fairy tale. San Rafael Community Center, 618 B Street, San Rafael. 415.485.3333 for tickets.

March 20, 2006. BOOK CLUB FRANCOPHONE. Première réunion le lundi 20 mars, à 6 :30pm, San Francisco (chez Bérénice autour d’un potluck, envoyez un email à blemarch@sfsu.edu pour l’adresse exacte). Notre première sélection est «Une Si longue lettre » de Mariama Bâ, auteur du Sénégal. Venez partager et discuter de vos idées sur ce petit livre décrivant la culture et la société de l’Afrique francophone.

March 20, 2006. JULIA! AMERICA’S FAVORITE CHEF. When Julia Child volunteered in Europe during World War II, she met her two lifelong loves: her husband Paul and FRENCH FOOD. She changed the way Americans cooked, ate, and thought about food. KQED TV9, 9pm.

March 21, 2006. BIRDY NAM NAM. Blasthaus presents the San Francisco debut of one of France's most exciting new acts, Birdy Nam Nam. Entirely created on the turntables, BNN's first album was received in high acclaim worldwide. A fusion of 4 DJ-technicians who decided to focus on music after winning the 2002 DMC World Team Championship. BNN take the turntable to a totally different level. Check it. An entire week of events celebrating the launch of SF's newest destination for art, music and cuisine, BOCA, the Bar of Contemporary Art. 8 pm doors / show 9 pm. BOCA, 414 Jessie St., San Francisco / 21+UP http://www.blasthaus.com/calendar.html $7 advance ($1 service charge) / $10 door / capacity limited / 21+UP

March 21, 2006. HANNI SCHMID WYSS, Swiss classical musician, performs at Old St. Hilary’s Church, Tiburon. $15. 8pm. Sponsored by the Consulate General of Switzerland. http://www.swissroots.org

March 21-25, 2006. BOUQUETS TO ART. Regula Allenspach-Weil - Floral Designer Bouquets to Art - at the De Young Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco www.bouquetstoart.org. What is a better introduction to Spring than dozens of stunning, elaborate floral arrangements displayed in a dramatic museum setting? And what better way to see the new de Young than when the museum is filled with Bouquets to Art? This eagerly awaited annual event, now in its 22nd season, features the work of one hundred and thirty noted Bay Area florists, designers and garden clubs. Each participant selects a painting or sculpture from the de Young in advance, and creates a floral design related to the artwork or setting. For more information: Consulate General of Switzerland, 456 Montgomery Street, Suite 1500, San Francisco, CA 94104, Tel: 415 788 2272 or Vertretung@sfr.rep.admin.ch for details.

March 22, 2006. MARTHA, MARTHA (2000). De Sandrine Veysset avec Lucie Régnier, Valérie Donzelli, Yann Goven. Interdit aux moins de 12 ans. Dedicated "to the need for consolation," Sandrine Veysset’s MARTHA...MARTHA tells the incredibly bleak tale of a woman who collapses under the weight of her own desperation. Martha (played with reckless abandon by Valerie Donzelli), a young wife and mother, begins to loathe the quiet, boring life she has managed to carve for herself. $6 ($3 AFSF members). In French with English Subtitles. Auditorium de l’ Alliance, 1345 Bush Street San Francisco, 415.775.7755

March 22, 2006. THE FRENCH CELLAR WINE APPRECIATION CLASS: THE RED WINES OF BURGUNDY. All classes will be held on Wednesday evenings at 7 PM for approximately 2 hours. Classes will be limited to only 16 participants. The cost of classes including wines for tasting, are $50 per person, except for the Deluxe and Champagne classes, which are $80 per person. A selection of French cheeses, pâté and fruit will be served buffet-style for your enjoyment. Reservations will be booked in advance with a credit card and cancellations must be made within 48 hours of each class for a refund. We look forward to you joining with us in sampling the great wine finds of France. À vôtre santé! 32 East Main Street Los Gatos. Tel 408.354.0993 or fax 408.354.2723 or http://www.thefrenchcellar.com or thefrenchcellar@worldnet.att.net

March 23, 2006. THE AFRICAN FRANCOPHONE WORLD. This first lecture in the James Irvine Arts and Lecture Series will focus on the African francophone world. Critic, curator and writer Simon Njami will give the keynote address. Planning by Louis Choud-Sokey of UC Santa Cruz. Museum of the African Diaspora, Mission Street, SF. 10am-6pm.

March 23, 2006. CERCLE LITTERAIRE DE L’ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE DE SANTA ROSA discusses LE PETIT GARÇON de PHILIPPE LABRO. Animated by Raymond Lemieux at the AF, 613 Fourth St., Suite 200. 707.543.8151 or http://www.afsantarosa.org for details. 7pm.

March 23, 2006. HIROSHIMA, MON AMOUR (Alain Resnais).A French actress, in Hiroshima to make and anti-war movie, meets and falls in love with a Japanese architect. In the 24 hours before she must return home, the lovers are haunted by their memories of their different wartime experiences. Alain Resnais’ first feature from a brilliant script by the novelist Marguerite Duras. (1959, 88 min., in French with English subtitles). Thursday, March 23 at 7:00 in Stevenson 1002. Sonoma State University, 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park. For more information, check the SFI website at http://www.sonoma.edu/sfi

March 23, 2006. VITALIC. Blasthaus presents the San Francisco debut live performance by France's VITALIC. An entire week of events celebrating the launch of SF's newest destination for art, music and cuisine, BOCA, the Bar of Contemporary Art. 9 pm - 2 am. BOCA, 414 Jessie St., San Francisco / 21+UP. http://www.blasthaus.com/calendar.html $15 advance ($1 service charge) / $12 door / capacity limited / 21+UP

March 23, 2006. GABA (German American Business Association) presents LEADERSHIP IN MULTI-CULTURAL ENVIRONMENTS. 6pm-9pm. SAP Labs, Building D, 3410 Hillview Avenue, Palo Alto, CA, 94304. $30. For more information: http://www.gaba-network.org Co-hosted by Silicon French www.siliconfrench.com.

March 23 & 24, 2006. COMING TO TERMS. Many societies are forced to confront the past as they chart their course to the future. In BURUNDI, former enemies are learning how to share power without violence, while in northern Spain, a BASQUE family is divided on the question of self-determination. KQED TV9. 8pm on 3/23 and 2am on 3/24.

March 24, 25, & 31 and April 1. 2005. CHANTICLEER performs EARTHQUAKE MASS, a rarely-heard masterpiece by ANTOINE BRUMEL, a top Renaissance composer in the Franco-Flemish tradition. In San Francisco's Grace Cathedral on March 24 & 31; in Santa Clara on March 25, and in Berkeley on April 1. http://www.chanticleer.org or 415.392.4400 or info@chanticleer.org for details.

March 25, 2006. CELEBREZ LA FRANCOPHONIE A L’ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE ~ CONCOURS DE DICTEE. Venez tester votre connaissance de la langue française à l’Alliance. 3 dictées seront proposées: Une en 3 niveaux de difficulté pour les francophones une seconde pour les français de langue maternelle, et une dernière pour les élèves des établissements franco-américains. De nombreux prix à gagner! 14h, Suivie à 15h30 de la projection du film “Monsieur Ibrahim et les fleurs du Coran” (2003 François Dupeyron). Alliance Française , 1345 Bush Street San Francisco, Entrée libre, RSVP 415.775.7755.

March 25-April 9, 2006. LE THEATRE DE LA BAIE DU SUD joue POPCORN. Le Theatre de La Baie du Sud va jouer une nouvelle piece fin mars debut Avril. After the success of “Impair et Père” in 2004, the "Théatre de la Baie du Sud " (South Bay Theatre) is proud to invite you to "Popcorn" by British playwright Ben Elton. The play will be performed in French with English subtitles. Under 15 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian. Outline of the play : An independent film director is going to live the craziest and most dangerous time of his life. Hollywood, TV, violence, sex and drugs… an explosive and thought provoking cocktail! Community School of Music & Arts at Finn center, Tateuchi Hall, 230 San Antonio Circle, Mountain View. 3/25 8:00pm ; 3/26 7:00pm ; 4/8 8:00pm, 4/9 7:00pm. At the door: $15 ; Reservation: $12 at http://www.theatrebds.com/prochainement.html or contact a member of the theater group. Students, SFBA, Alliance Française, Seniors : $12 (please bring your membership card).

March 29, 2006. SAMIA (2000). De Philippe Faucon avec Lynda Benahouda, Nadia El Koutei, Kheira Oualhaci. Samia is a teenage girl belonging to a family of Algerian Muslims who have settled in the southern French town of Marseilles. Although lured by the pleasures and opportunities that contemporary Western culture offers her, Samia is continually restrained by her family. Naturally, they expect her to follow their traditions to the letter and, for a woman, this means staying at home all day looking after their men folk. In the end, Samia has no option but to rebel against her family and find a new life for herself… $6 ($3 AFSF members). In French with English Subtitles. Auditorium de l’ Alliance, 1345 Bush Street San Francisco, 415.775.7755

March 30, 2006. CLAIRE’S KNEE (Eric Rohmer). An intriguing and insightful comedy from Eric Rohmer about a man’s secret and peculiar obsession with a younger woman. When a diplomat is on vacation without his fiancee, he is introduced to two young teenage girls. Although he insists he has put all his romantic feelings behind him, the two girls prove difficult to ignore. (1970, 106 min., in French w/English subtitles). Thursday, March 30 at 7:00 in Stevenson 1002. Sonoma State University, 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park. For more information, check the SFI website at http://www.sonoma.edu/sfi

March 30, 2006. NOUS NON PLUS performs at the Café du Nord. For information about this “best French rock band in all of New York City,” peopled by former members of SANS CULOTTES. http://noisepop.com/2006 for details.

March 30 - April 2, 2006. THE ENCHANTING WORLD OF JACQUES DEMY. Cinephile turned filmmaker Jacques Demy (1931-1990) created a filmic world shaped by his deep appreciation for the works of René Clair, Jean Cocteau, Robert Bresson, and Max Ophuls (to whom he dedicated his first feature Lola) as well as many classical Hollywood directors. Themes of chance and absence, circular plotlines tracing the destinies of his characters, masterfully choreographed camera movements, and a penchant for decorative elegance are trademarks of Demy's cinematic style. Demy's connection to musical structure, expressed through his frequent collaborations with composer Michel Legrand, gives yet another distinctive quality to his melancholic tales of love. From the spectacular opening glissando of Bay of Angels, in which Beethoven's Seventh Symphony accompanies a tracking shot along the French Riviera, to the sung-through recitative of The Umbrellas of Cherbourg or the expressive dance numbers of The Young Girls of Rochefort, Demy's world is one of harmony and grace. His use of location shooting-in his hometown of Nantes, Cherbourg, Rochefort, and, remarkably, Los Angeles-reveals his love for locale. Demy's world is steeped in tender emotion, his eye for cinema an extension of his love of life. (Susan Oxtoby) Movies include: Lola, Bay of Angels,Model Shop, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, Jacquot,The Young Girls of Rochefort. Supported by the Cultural Service, Consulate General of France in San Francisco. Pacific Film Archive, 2575 Bancroft Way between College and Telegraph - http://www.bampfa.berkeley.edu/pfa_programs/enchanting/index.html

March 31, 2006. IRVIN MAYFIELD AND THE NEW ORLEANS JAZZ ORCHESTRA at the San Francisco Jazz Festival spring season. Palace of the Fine Arts Theater, 8pm. http://sfjazz.org or 800.225.2277 for details.

March 31 & April 1, 2006. HUMANITIES WEST presents EMPEROR CHARLES V: CONQUEST, FAITH, AND SPLENDOR IN THE WORLD OF A RENAISSANCE PRINCE. Although Charles V was Emperor of Spain and had dominion over Austria as well, much of this conference may be of interest to francophiles, including performances of secular music from the sixteenth century and secular music from the sixteenth century. For more information: 415.391.9700 or http://www.humanitieswest.org for details.

Through April 1, 2006. NAPA VALLEY MUSTARD FESTIVAL. 707.938.1133 or info@mustardfestival.org or http://www.mustardfestival.org for details. Many events sure to please Francophiles! Opening night, January 28: LAISSEZ LES BONS TEMPS ROULER, Culinary Institute of America, Greystone, St. Helena. Live auction to benefit key organizations that help preserve the flavor of New Orleans.

On-going. THRILLPEDDLERS perform BLOOD BUCKET BALLYHOO, a Grand-Guignol-style horror revue. The Hypnodrome, 575 19th St., SF. 415.248.1900.

THE BRANSON SCHOOL SEEKS PART-TIME FRENCH TEAHER, 2006-2007 SCHOOL YEAR. Located in Ross, California, The Branson School is an academically rigorous coeducational day school, serving 320 students grades 9-12. The Branson School is seeking a part-time French Teacher beginning September 2006. The ideal candidate will have a degree in French with teaching experience at the high school or university level. Advanced degree and expertise in literature and history of the French-speaking world outside of France preferred. Prior experience in independent schools is a plus. Interested candidates should send a letter of interest and resume to: Margaret Cecchetti, Language Department Chair, The Branson School, P.O. Box 887, Ross, CA 94957 or Margaret_Cecchetti@branson.org. The Branson School is an equal opportunity employer.

FRENCH LANGUAGE TEACHERS NEEDED IN MONTEREY. Visit the website: http://www.dliflc.edu See Vacancy Announcement FPS-06-001, How to Apply section. 831.242.4403

DIRECTOR, ADULT LANGUAGE SCHOOL IN BERKELEY. Alliance Française de Berkeley seeks native or near-native French speaker to manage adult language school and bring innovative ideas for classes and cultural events. Must be fluent in French and English, bi-cultural, have 5 years teaching experience, excellent communication and managerial skills, and good contacts with local French community. Requires person with excellent interpersonal skills and ability to multitask. Director manages part-time staff and teachers and assists Board with outreach to Bay Area French community, event planning, strategic planning, and budgeting. 25 hours/week, afternoons and some evenings and weekends. Send cover letter and CV by February 28 to: Marsha Black, President, Board of Directors, Alliance Française de Berkeley, 2004 Woolsey Street, Berkeley, CA 94703; or e-mail, with cover letter and CV in body of e-mail: afberkeley@sbcglobal.net.

CALIFORNIA LANGUAGE TEACHERS ASSOCIATION conducts its Placement Information Exchange as a service to members, to schools and school districts (elementary, middle school, high school, and community college) at no charge. The association's role is limited to providing information: to the teachers who are seeking positions, to the schools and school districts which post vacancies. Responsibility for taking further action rests with the recipients of the information. Go to:http://www.clta.net/jobs/index.html for details.

EDJOIN. The Education Job Opportunity Network is a portal to thousands of teaching and other education job openings throughout California. Go to: http://www.edjoin.org/ for information.

ARISTIDE AND THE ENDLESS REVOLUTION (Rossier, 2005). Red Vic, 1727 Haight St., SF. 415.668.3994 or http://www.redvicmoviehouse.com for details. March 9, 2006.

CACHÉ. With Juliette Binoche and Daniel Auteuil; in French, with English subtitles. Embarcadero Center, SF ; Shattuck, Berkeley, 510.464.5980; Rialto, Santa Rosa, 707.525.4840 .

JOYEUX NOEL (Christian Carion). Academy Award nominee for best foreign language film based on a true story: Christmas Eve 1914 – On a World War I battlefield, a momentous event changed the lives of soldiers from France, Germany and England. Clay, SF, 415.267.4893 or CinéArts@Empire, SF, 415.661.2539. View the trailer at http://www.joyeuxnoelmovie.com Opening March 10 in the Bay Area!

LOUISIANA STORY. Documentary shot in Cajun country in 1948. Mill Valley Library, 375 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley. 7:30pm. Presented by Friends of the Library. March 13, 2006.

LE SILENCE DANS LA FORET (ba Kobhio and Ouénangaré, 2003). Parkway, 1834 Park, Oakland, http://picturepubpizza.com for details. 2pm. March 12, 2006.

WHEN THE SEA RISES (Yolande Moreau & Gilles Porte, France, 2005). Balboa, SF, 415.221.8484.

THE WIDE-ANGLE CINEMA OF MICHEL BRAULT. Documentary collaborations between BRAULT and Quebec radio personality PIERRE PERRAULT; 5 decades of collaboration, POUR LA SUITE DU MONDE (Of Whales, the Moon and Men), DRIFTING UPSTREAM (with a young Genevieve Bujold), ORDERS, and more. Nearly 80, Brault will appear at screenings in conjunction with his current PFA teaching residency. Pacific Film Archive, 2575 Bancroft, Berkeley. 510.642.1412 or http://www.bampfa.berkeley.edu for details. $4-$8. March 9-26, 2006.

Now open. WORKS BY EUROPEAN, AMERICAN AND MEXICAN MASTERS, including TOULOUSE-LAUTREC, TISSOT, ROUAULT, BRAQUE, CHAGALL and more. Pasquale Iannetti Gallery, 531 Sutter St., SF. 415.433.2771 or http://www.pasqualeart.com for details.

March 9-May 13, 2006. UTOPIA UTOPIA. Exhibition of works by Swiss artist THOMAS HIRSCHHORN. California College of the Arts CCA, Wattis Institute, 1111 Eighth St., SF. http://www.wattis.org or 415.551.9210 for details. http://www.swissroots.org

March 10-May 13, 2006. THOMAS HIRSCHHORN ~ UTOPIA, UTOPIA = ONE WORLD, ONE WAR, ONE ARMY, ONE DRESS, presented by The CCA Wattis Institute for Contemporary Arts. Opening reception: Thursday, March 9, 7:30-9:00 PM. In the past decade, Thomas Hirschhorn has emerged as one of the most provocative and inventive figures in contemporary art. Utopia, Utopia = One World, One War, One Army, One Dress, his ambitious new exhibition project, examines the ubiquity of camouflage in contemporary society. Without advancing a specific political position, it asks us to consider anew what it means when a costume of war becomes a universal style - adopted not only by military and paramilitary groups around the globe, but also by fashion, consumer products and even children's toys. Spanning references from music videos and art history to war and haute couture, Utopia, Utopia invites us to freshly confront our experience of the world as it exists today. This exhibition was co produced by the CCA Wattis Institute for Contemporary Arts and the Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston. For further information on the CCA Wattis Institute please visit http://www.wattis.org . CCA Wattis Institute for Contemporary Arts, Logan Galleries, 1111 Eighth Street, San Francisco, Tel: 415.551.9210, Gallery hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; closed Sunday, Monday. Sponsored by: Consulate General of Switzerland, 456 Montgomery Street, Suite 1500, San Francisco, CA 94104, Tel: 415 788 2272 or Vertretung@sfr.rep.admin.ch for details.

March 18-June 18, 2006. INTERNATIONAL ARTS AND CRAFTS exhibit. International perspective on the history of arts and crafts. De Young Museum. 415.863.3330 or http://thinker.org/deyoung for details.

Through March 25, 2006. CONTEMPORARY EUROPEAN ABSTRACTION. Work by many artists, including CHRISTIAN DE CAMBIAIRE. Newmark Gallery, 251 Post St., SF. 415.392.3692 or http://www.newmarkgallery.com for details on the show. For more information about the artist, see: http://perso.wanadoo.fr/christian.decambiaire/

Through March 25, 2006. AN EXHIBITION OF WORK BY WILLIAM KENTRIDGE, including UBU TELLS THE TRUTH (1996-97), Portfolio of eight etchings. This suite of 8 etchings depicts the notorious despot Ubu Roi, created by avant garde playwright ALFRED JARRY in 1896. In Jarry's farce, Père Ubu--a mediocre, middle level official--is urged by his wife to murder Poland's royal family to become king himself. His is a reign of terror and corruption, and his character comes to personify all that is base, cruel and stupid in the world. Originally designed for marionettes, Jarry's farce caused an uproar in Paris and helped shape the progress of avant-garde theater in the 20th century. In the late 1990s, Kentridge was invited to participate in an exhibition entitled "Ubu + 100". He produced a whole series of narratives about the character, fitting the iconic villain into a South African context. In these etchings, Kentridge splits the Ubu character in two (a similar format to his ongoing narrative feud between Felix and Soho in his other works), suggesting with the different forms, a rift between the public and private self. The absurd but devastating despot is pictured in chalk white outline, wielding his sword and pontificating through a megaphone, while the nude figure is shown trapped within, subsumed by his outer persona but constantly trying to rid or cleanse himself of his public actions. Walter & McBean Galleries, San Francisco Art Institute, 800 Chestnut St., SF. 415.771.7020 for details.

Opening March 25, 2006. ALBERT HADJIGANEV ~ Paintings by the Paris-educated Bulgarian artist. Axelle Gallery, 434 Post St., Union Square, SF. 415.434.4341 or http://www.axelle.com/sanfrancisco/ah/index.htm for details.

Through March 30, 2006. NEW ACQUISITIONS: FINE ORIGINAL PRINTS FROM THE 16TH CENTURY TO THE PRESENT, including works by RENOIR, TISSOT and more. Pasquale Iannetti Gallery, 531 Sutter, SF. 415.433.2771 for details.

Through April 2006. WHY DO THEY HATE U.S.? FOREIGN CARTOONISTS VIEW A DOMINATING CULTURE. Contemporary life in the United States through cartoons from more than 25 countries on such subjects as American elections, George Bush, Iraq, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Hurricane Katrina. Cartoon Art Museum, 655 Mission St., SF. 415.227.8666 or http://www.cartoonart.org for details.

Through April 1, 2005. HENRI MATISSE: RHYTHM AND LINE. Aquatints and etchings. Meyerovich Gallery, 251 Post St., SF. 415.421.7171 or http://www.meyerovich.com for details.

Through April 1, 2006. THE WORK OF LYNNE MICHAELIS. Lynne Michaelis was born and raised in Sydney, Australia, where nature inspired her early passions. An ever persistent curiosity made her a keen explorer and from age eighteen she travelled extensively. Influences during the time she spent in Jerusalem (where she lived for 27 years), are clearly noticeable in her work. With a strong interest in medieval history and art, and a deep need to experiment with nature’s forces, she developed a unique personal duel between paper and its intricacies by studying Filigree, a weaving art form using thin threads of either gold or silver. Now living in San Francisco with her husband David, Lynne Michaelis is reaping the benefits of having been a part of so many different world cultures, and it is here, at the furthest point of the Western worlds, where she further perfects and pursues her art and career. Her work is part of a number of significant private collections, both in Jerusalem and San Francisco. She also enjoys working in close collaboration with designers and art consultants on specific projects. Alliance Française, 1345 Bush Street San Francisco, 415.775.7755.

April 7-May 12, 2006. MATERIAL WORLD ~ CCA ART EXHIBIT. Alliance Française and California College of the Arts present ” Material World”, a group exhibition of graduate students, alumni, and faculty curated by Charles Beronio with a screening curated by Virginia Kleker. The show addresses an array of concerns regarding the world we inhabit and issues of globalization, economy, commerce, consumerism, materialism, the immaterial, and the sublime. This exhibiton marks the first in an annual exchange between Alliance Française and the California College of the Arts. Alliance Française, 1345 Bush Street, San Francisco . Free. 415.775.7755.

Through April 23, 2006. BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHS BY SWISS ARTIST HANS MAULI. American Conservatory Theater A.C.T. Gallery at the Geary, 2nd Floor, 415 Geary Street, San Francisco, CA 94108-5834. M information at: http://galleryatthegeary.com/pages/mauli.html Join us for the Artist reception on Saturday, March 4 from 5pm-7pm

Through April 30, 2006. POLITICS AND WIT: THE COMIC GENIUS OF ANDRE GILL. Portraits by the French artists from the 1860s. California Palace of the Legion of Honor, Lincoln Park (near 34th and Clement), SF. 415.863.3330 for details.

May 19-June 30, 2006. SYLVIE SEREX-BONNET presents MEMOIRES OUBLIEES. Sylvie Serex-Bonnet is from Geneva, Switzerland and lives in the Bay Area. She has a Master Degree in Psychopedagogy from the University of Geneva with a specialization in Psychoanalysis for Children. For several years she has been involved professionally as well as personally in helping children in difficulty. She spent five years in the hospital for children in Geneva and was in charge of the psychological support of the children having cancer, leukemia and children abused and neglected. She started to do painting as a self-taught person and then, took some classes at the "Beaux Arts of Geneva". These past few years have awoken in her a need to share her paintings. Her aim is to set up an exhibition which would entirely profit a specific foundation working to help suffering children. Alliance Française, 1345 Bush Street, San Francisco . Free. 415.775.7755.

June 17-September 17, 2006. MONET IN NORMANDY. Claude Monet spent much of his artistic career in Normandy in northern France. This exhibition will showcase approximately 50 paintings that highlight his special relationship with the topographical character of this region. California Palace of the Legion of Honor, Lincoln Park (34th at Clement), SF. http://www.thinker.org/legion/index.asp or 1.866.912.6326.

June 29-October 9, 2006. CARRIE MAE WEEMS: THE LOUISIANA PROJECT takes a critical look at the legacy of Louisiana through its varied cultures, including Franco-Caribbean and African, that were thrown together in a new way. Museum of the African Diaspora, Mission Street, SF.

On-going. FOLK ART by French Canadian artists PATRICK AMIOT & BRIGITTE LAURENT. Outdoor exhibits on-going on Florence St. in Sebastopol. http://www.patrickamiot-brigittelaurent.com/ for details.

On-going. MATISSE AND BEYOND: THE PAINTING AND SCULPTURE COLLECTION. SF Museum of Modern Art. Magnificent works of painting and sculpture culled from SFMOMA's own collections provide a quick tour of modern art from Fauvism to Minimalism. Daily. Exhibition tells the story of modern and contemporary art including landmark works by MATISSE, BOURGEOIS and others. San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, 151 Third St., San Francisco. 415.357.4000 or www.sfmoma.org

On-going. BETWEEN ART AND LIFE: THE CONTEMPORARY PAINTING AND SCULPTURE COLLECTION, including works by LOUISE BOURGEOIS. SF Museum of Modern Art, 151 Third St. (at Mission), SF. 41.357.4000 or http://www.sfmoma.org for details.

MILLION DOLLAR DINNER TELEVISION SEASON TWO DEBUTS ON JANUARY 15TH and will include a variety of FRENCH RESTAURANTS. Happy New Year and Bon Appétit! Season 2 restaurants on Million Dollar Dinner Television include top spots like Absinthe, Jack Falstaff, Shanghai 1930, Citron, COPIA, Paragon, the Park Chalet, Jardiniere, and Farallon. Food, wine, chefs, recipes, Putumayo music and more, it's almost like you were there -- and since this is Million Dollar Dinner Television, maybe you were!!! TWO broadcasts a week, plus Video on Demand (VOD) on Comcast Cable. http://www.MillionDollarDinner.comfor more details.

BLOG POUR FRANCOPHILES, published by a French native living in San Francisco. Great daily reading material for novices and more! http://www.geneline.blogspot.com/

CITIZENVALLEY.ORG. CitizenValley repose sur le principe du journalisme citoyen où chaque internaute peut y participer en proposant un article (cela peut être son point de vue, une expérience, son resto favori...), des photos, des vidéos, en participant aux forums ou simplement en laissant un commentaire. On travaille déjà par exemple avec l'Alliance Française de Santa Clara, l'école ISTP et d'autres cercles francophones et volontaires,en reprenant leurs articles et en les encourageant à participer. Et on espère rapidement impliquer les étudiants et les professeurs de français de la baie à ce projet. Nous sommes par exemple à la recherche de personnes qui seraient motivées par animer une rubrique, un forum, une fonction(correction d'articles, promotion, graphisme...). Notre espoir est que CitizenValley devienne le portail de la communauté francophone et francophile de la Valley (et elle est nombreuse!)et soit le site de tout le monde, pour tout le monde. Animateurs: Hélène et Jean-Baptiste, 408-661-1452 or jbsu@citizenvalley.org or http://www.citizenvalley.org for details.

TELEGRAMME.NET. A free, non-commercial electronic newspaper dedicated to the French-speaking community in the United States, published by Philippe Crouzillacq, a full-time French journalist currently living in Paris (France ;-). Visit http://telegramme.net or e-mail overseas.telegram@gmail.com for more information

BAY AREA FRANCOPHONE PARENTS. Are you a Francophone or Francophile parent in the Bay Area? Then visit the Frenchparents.org web site. It's Bons Plans (Recommendations) forum is full of interesting local tips, and to really participate, subscribe to the biweekly online newsletter, where new memebers are introduced and announcements and want ads are posted. Hope to see you soon on http://www.frenchparents.net.

FRANCE TODAY. France Today, the Journal of French Travel and Culture, takes you on a journey to France ten times per year with in-depth information on travel destinations all over France and practical travel tips to make your trip a care-free one. Subscribe now for only $32 - Bay Area Francophile List price (regular price $39). Click here for details: http://www.francetoday.com/subscribe_ft_bafl.php

JOURNAL FRANÇAIS. Journal Français is your Vital Link to France and the French Language, as well as your Best Resource for French Products and Services available in the U.S. Entirely in French. One year subscription, 12 issues shipped/one per month. Only $34 -Bay Area Francophile List (regular price $41). Click here for details: http://www.journalfrancais.com/subscribe_jf_bafl.php

WWW.PARIS-EXPAT.COM. Paris Through Expatriate Eyes. Enjoy a FREE monthly subscription to PARIS THROUGH EXPATRIATE EYES' monthly newsletter THE PARIS INSIDER. We've been expanding the content of the newsletter and developing new Paris programs for travelers. Visit www.paris-expat.com and enroll on the home page. Win free tickets to French movies... and more! Email Terrance at terrance@paris-expat.com or call 415.388.4956 for details.

FRANCETIME: The Online French Connection - Le Reseau francophone mondial. FranceTime is the place where Francophiles interact in English or French: French news, virtual/real Tours, Free classified, chat rooms, travel tips and advice and more. Don't miss our virtual our of Paris, "Paris en Images". We are looking for volunteer writers who want to share their knowledge of the French culture (i.e., travel tips, reports, journal, culture, etc.). If you want to submit material, go to http://www.francetime.com/submit.php. Visit us now at http://www.francetime.com. A tout de suite.

THE FRENCH CLASS NEWSLETTER. FRENCH NEWSLETTER: language and travel tips, list of activities in French such as wine tastings, free conversation groups, French parties, cooking classes, dinner, museums visits, workshops, etc. Only $30 per year for 6 issues. Call The French Class, 500 Sutter Street, Suite 310, SF (415.362.3666) for details.

TV5 NOW AVAILABLE ON CABLE! Watch the best in French programming on TV5, now available on Cable TV with Comcast in many cities in the San Francisco Bay Area. TV5 is only $10.99 a month in addition to your Comcast cable subscription. For complete details about service, prices and availability or to subscribe call toll free 1-888-824-8058.

MILLION DOLLAR DINNER TELEVISION SEASON TWO DEBUTS ON JANUARY 15TH and will include a variety of FRENCH RESTAURANTS. Happy New Year and Bon Appétit! Season 2 restaurants on Million Dollar Dinner Television include top spots like Absinthe, Jack Falstaff, Shanghai 1930, Citron, COPIA, Paragon, the Park Chalet, Jardiniere, and Farallon. Food, wine, chefs, recipes, Putumayo music and more, it's almost like you were there -- and since this is Million Dollar Dinner Television, maybe you were!!! TWO broadcasts a week, plus Video on Demand (VOD) on Comcast Cable. http://www.MillionDollarDinner.comfor more details.

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*ANNOUNCEMENTS*

BOURSES POUR LES JEUNES ETRANGERS. Le Ministère des Affaires Etrangères et l'Ambassade de France aux Etats-Unis proposent chaque année des bourses destinées à permettre à de jeunes étrangers (18-25 ans) parlant français de séjourner en France pendant une dizaine de jours et de particper à un programmes d'activités culturelles et/ou sportives (v. pièce attachée). Pour les 10 états de la zone consulaire, les cinq bourses concernent les villes ou régions suivantes Paris (3) du 17 au 24 juillet ou du 24 au 31 juillet ou du 31 juillet au 7 août 2006 La Rochelles francofolies (1) du 11 au 20 juillet 2006 Alsace (1) du 6 au 20 août 2006 Seul le billet d'avion Etats-Unis/Paris/Etats-Unis est à la charge du candidat retenu. Le descriptif et le formulaire de préinscription sont disponibles sur le site du Service Culturel de l'Ambassade : http://www.frenchculture.org/education/support/youth/index.html Il importe que le formulaire de préinscription parvienne au Consulat de France à San Francisco avant le 10 mars 2006. (Jean-François QUESTIN, Attaché culturel adjoint, Consulat Général de San Francisco, http://www.consulfrance-sanfrancisco.org

WIN A TRIP TO PARIS! Folies Fantastiques Prize Drawing (proceeds benefit the French American International School & International High School). Enter to win one of 3 fabulous prizes, including a trip for two with airfare to Paris or a B&B stay at the Ritz-Carlton! To find out more about this wonderful opportunity or to purchase tickets, please visit: http://www.frenchamericansf.org/ways_to_give/foliesfantastiques_2006.htm Please direct questions or comments to Sabra Stoner at sabras@frenchamericaninternational.org.

SOIRÉE DES ARTS GALA. Sunday, April 30, 2006. The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco. The Soirée des Arts, originally conceived as an homage to the culinary talent in San Francisco, has evolved over the years to acknowledge unique individuals who have, through art or technology, made a difference to our community and beyond. This year’s honorees will be Joyce Goldstein & Paula West. A six-course dinner will be prepared by celebrated Bay Area chefs and a silent auction will allow guests to bid on some fantastic items. Funds raised at the Soirée des Arts benefit the arts and technology programs at the French American International School and International High School. Individual Ticket: $225, Patron Ticket: $325 (includes a champagne reception with the honorees and performers). Visit http://www.frenchamericansf.org/ways_to_give/soiree.html for more information. Please direct questions or comments to Sabra Stoner at sabras@frenchamericaninternational.org.

BOOK CLUB FRANCOPHONE À SAN FRANCISCO. Lectures en français; réunions tous les deux mois; rotation de “host place” et potluck possible. Discussion très ouverte, pas trop structuree, mais plutôt un échange d’opinions/d’idées sur le livre et sur le thème du livre. Choix de textes à décider ensemble. Contactez Bérénice Le Marchand, blemarch@sfsu.edu

NÉFETARI®! Néfetari® skin care products and services caters to each individual’s special needs. Its owner, Houria, has studied under world-renowned skin experts and dermatologists and brings over 15 years of knowledge to Néfetari’s clients. This experience and a unique attention to each client’s needs, allows Néfetari to guarantee results, even for the most troubled skin. Nefetari uses and recommends only the highest quality skin care and make-up products, by Sothys® Paris, made from all-natural ingredients. For more information, go to http://www.nefertari.com or call 650.324.0659

CANOE ISLAND FRENCH CAMP. Canoe Island French Camp is nestled in the center of the sunny San Juan Islands of Northwestern Washington. Campers from ages 9-16 live and explore their own 47-acre island while taking part in a unique mix of French language and culture and the outdoor and artistic activities of a classic Northwest summer camp. With only 40 participants each session, campers can customize their experience -- artistic and theatrical, adventuresome and athletic - or a mixture. Days are filled with new friends and exciting activities, all with a French flair. http://www.canoeisland.org/

CAPITAL RISQUE dans la Silicon Valley : rapport du service scientifique du Consulat General de France a San Francisco Le Capital Risque est une activité consistant à financer en capitaux propres des entreprises nouvellement créées et à fort potentiel de croissance. Cette activité semble désormais retrouver une certaine vigueur aux Etats-Unis et en particulier dans la région de San Francisco. Le consulter. 415.442.4717 OR http://www.faccsf.com for details.

YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS INITIATIVE. The Office for Science and Technology of the Embassy of France in the US, is organizing for the second time, the Young Entrepreneurs Initiative. This initiative provides young U.S.-based researchers and entrepreneurs the unique and exciting opportunity to pursue their project to create an innovative company in France especially in the fields of biotechnology, nanotechnology, materials and information technology. Entrepreneurs selected to participate in this program will receive financial assistance and suitable support from the Office for Science and Technology and its French partner institutions to ensure that their projects can be carried out. There are no restrictions on age or nationality. To apply or for further information, please visit our website at http://www.france-science.org/innovation/yei The deadline for applications is March 5th, 2006. Startup Booster Spring 2006 Targeting Life Science Entrepreneurs, this workshop series will take place in April and May 2006, more information to come. If interested, please contact Aurelie Vincent avincent@faccsf.com

FRENCH CONTRACTOR. Experienced French general contractor, Gerard Dahan, votre contractor français. Nous specialisons en cuisines et salles de bain. Nous avons de tres bonnes references. Gerard, from Paris has been working in the S.F. Bay Area for many years. His specialty is kitchen and bath remodeling. Please call Gerard at Norcal Construction, 510.471.9551.

EXPERIENCED FRENCH TEACHER FROM PARIS available for private tutoring in San Francisco, Berkeley, and Oakland. Sorbonne educated; trilingual; 12 years teaching experience; 8 years working at one of the most acclaimed language schools in Paris; extensive experience tutoring students of all ages and needs at every level, from advanced University French to introductory French. My emphasis is on communication, and I use grammar as a tool, not an end in itself (except if that is what you need for an exam!). I am patient, gentle, and dedicated to teaching you French, in a way that will help you build your confidence. I like to consider myself as a coach, encouraging my students to improve through a very progressive and personalized approach. Call Sandrine at 415.513.8179. (Local and international references available)

BELLATERRA TRAVEL, LLC. BellaTerra Travel offers fully planned tours to some of the most beautiful destinations in Europe: Haute-Savoie and Provence. Explore the sights and sounds of these regions on this 11-day tour originating in Annecy and concluding in Avignon. This tour takes on the leisurely pace of Southern France while keeping an ambitious itinerary sure to offer you a variety of new and never-to-be-forgotten experiences. A lot of free time is included, allowing you to enjo the feel of each locale. Charminyg and historic accommodations that are typical of each region were carefully selected. You will only change hotels one time allowing you to have a place to call "home" and from which you will take day trips. Come with us and experience a real "French vacation"! Trip highlights include a gondola ride up the highest peak in Europe, shopping in ritzy Geneva, strolling through the medieval streets of Annecy and Avignon, wine tasting in world-renowned Châteauneuf-du Pape, and much more! BellaTerra Travel is based in San Francisco. Visit http://www.BellaTerraTravel.com or call 1-800-9-BELLA-TT.

COLORS OF PROVENCE, Fine Table Linens and Accessories. Bring a touch of Provencal sunshine and elegance to your home! Colors of Provence is an online boutique offering tablecloths, napkins, kitchen accessories, purses and bags imported from Provence. Please come see our selection of products at http://www.colorsofprovence.com. (Distributor is located in Menlo Park)

GÎTES FOR RENT IN THE DORDOGNE. Bay Area Family has 2 different houses set upon a hill in a hamlet of old stone houses dating from the 1700's. Beautiful stone 1 bedroom and 3 bedroom homes with a fully equipped kitchen, bathroom, separate WC, living room with big stone fireplace, TV, DVD player and CD player. All amenities are within walking distance down the country lane. The Perigord is famous for its food: black truffles, canard, pâté de foie gras, cèpes, and walnuts, with many good restaurants in the area; as well as the rich historic sites as many famous grottes (caves), Bastille towns, Castles, and old villages are less than 1-hour drive away (Lascaux is only 20 minutes). Visit our website: www.lesgitesfleuris.com for details.

FRENCH CONSUMERS ADORE AMERICAN PRODUCTS! I seek to associate with an individual or company wishing to develop a market for selling their product or service in France. Originally from Santa Rosa, CA, I now live in the south of France, GARD (30) (4+ yrs). Since you subscribe to this on-line Bay Area Francophile List, you certainly understand that French consumers (especially the young) adore American products and lifestyles. So, if you have a serious product to sell and desire to profit from this lucrative marketplace please write me, identifying your product or service for my consideration (jhillpresentsFR@aol.com or VillesVillagesFR@aol.com). If I feel we can establish a profitable alliance I will respond with my particulars within 3 days of receipt. Amicalement, John-North HILL, "John Hill Presents" Chusclan, France.

FRENCH ESCAPADE. Don't be a tourist, be our guest. Discover France another way. Delight your senses and renew your romantic side in the exquisite South East of France with this fully escorted 9-day tour from the Alps to Provence in a group of 6 by French Escapade. Your personal bilingual tour guide and chauffeur will treat you to highlights of the local culture-from the majestic Alps to the eleventh-century forts and cathedrals, quaint French towns, lavender fields, outdoor markets and French cafes. Every night, you will revel in traditional 4-course gourmet meals, prepared just for you and relax by the fire in a charming restored 19th Century country estate with spectacular view on the Alps. Women-only tours available. Visit www.frenchescapade.com

PARIS THROUGH EXPATRIATE EYES. Enjoy a FREE monthly subscription to PARIS THROUGH EXPATRIATE EYES' monthly newsletter THE PARIS INSIDER. We've been expanding the content of the newsletter and developing new Paris programs for travelers. Visit www.paris-expat.com and enroll on the home page.

LA MAISON DES ARTISTES OF SAN FRANCISCO has been conceived to be an art center gathering together "young artists" with an international concept where pictorial art, music and dance are the symbolism of the Art in the general way. It is simply a warm meeting place where all individuals can get an artistic training from teachers with degrees in art and hence qualified. All classes will be full of wealth and life. For being alive means being open, which will allow for a richer learning experience. In addition, La Maison des Artistes will host quarterly art and music exhibitions by the students. This will facilitate the exchange of artistic flavors and communications among the" young artists" as well as provide an opportunity to present their work to the public. La Maison des Artistes was created in 1999 by Bernard-Emmanuel Beneito who is a former French teacher from Ministry of National Education Paris for 34 years and international post-expressionist artist, academical Knight from Greci Marino Order - Italy. Until now, La Maison des Artistes was strictly a painting school located in Palo Alto. With the desire to offer more styles of art to more people, Bernard-Emmanuel Beneito has expanded La Maison des Artistes to include sculpting-ceramic work as well as music classes. Opening September 2004 in the heart of San Francisco in plush Hayes Valley, La Maison des Artistes is open to all ages and all abilities and hopes to enrich the lives of all. Locations: 333 Hayes Street, Suite 106, San Francisco CA 94102. Email: stlbluesart@netzero.com; Ph/fax 415.621.4813. Note also: LA MAISON DES ARTISTES OF PALO ALTO, 926 Emerson street. 2nd floor Palo Alto CA 94301. Email : stlbluesart@netzero.com. Ph/fax 650.327.9893

FRENCH IMMERSION FAMILY HOME DAYCARE - Pre-school curriculum, ages 2-5 and after-school French Programs For Elementary School Kids (Beginning &endash; Fluent). Santa Rosa 707-539-6888 for information; Lic. 493004688.

POSTERS FRANCAIS. Pour les petits comme pour les grands, des posters pour chacun. Posters2France (a lire en francais : Posters de France), http://www.posters2france.com, propose des posters varies de la France de Robert Doisneau ou de Rene-Jacques aussi bien que celle de Yann Arthus-Bertrand et beaucoup d'autres. Vous y trouverez aussi Babar, le petit Prince, Tintin et les vieilles publicites francaises. 50% de reduction sur les prix web pour les ecoles et professeurs pour toute commande superieure a $100. (Distributor is a local San Franciscan.)

LA CAVE (formerly Curbside Bistro) is open for lunch. Located below the Alliance Française, 1345 Bush Street, San Francisco. 415.923.1375. La Cave serves excellent soupes, salades, and ensuite (afterward/dessert) with genuine French style. Here you can try French favorites such as coq au vin (chicken with wine), and faux filet sauce bordelaise (sirloin with Bordeaux sauce). For dessert, try le bouchon special maison (the house special), a hot luscious, dark chocolate cake with raspberries outside and liquid chocolate inside.

CAFÉ SOCIETY, 1000 MAIN STREET, NAPA, CA 94559. Café Society, an authentic French bistro and retail store by day and an intimate cabaret style nightclub by night, is a feast for the senses. The bi-monthly Cabaret Evenings at Café Society are extremely popular and fast becoming a favorite venue for top-notch performers. Audiences may enjoy authentic bistro food paired with French wines, Belgian Beers, Italian espresso, Parisian hot chocolate and a selection of specialty beverages while listening to stellar Bay Area performers. The Café Society store is constantly evolving with a rotation of fine European antiques, lighting, gifts and jewelry assembled from shopping trips to France and Italy by store proprietors, and award winning interior designers Joan and Steve Osburn. Café Society is located at 1000 Main Street in historic downtown Napa, directly next door to the Napa Valley Opera House. For more information on happenings at Café Society and ongoing events including poetry readings, French conversation, writer's café, poetry readings, Conversation Café, cabaret evenings, tastings, book signings and other lively presentations, visit www.cafesocietystore.com or call 415.487.2333 X118. A TASTE OF PARIS AT YOUR DESK...CAFE SOCIETY NOW DELIVERS! Call or Fax 11-2 Monday - Friday for delicious French Bistro Food including: Croque Monsieur w/Salad, Mocha Frappes, Prosciutto & Gruyere Baguette Sandwiches, Gourmet Soups like Roasted Tomato Garlic & Hearty Chicken Vegetable, Spinach Quiche w/Salad, Salade Nicoise. Tel: 707.256.3232 x203 Fax: 707.256.3237

LUNCH IN A BOX from LEFT BANK IN PLEASANT HILL. Left Bank, Pleasant Hill's popular French brasserie, has launched a new dining option targeted to local businesses and anyone who wants fresh, delicious meals with Left Bank flavor and style. WHAT: a variety of sandwiches, side salads and sweets, freshly made-to-order and boxed for easy pick up. Just think "Left Bank To Go." WHERE: Left Bank brasserie, 60 Crescent Drive on the Plaza in Pleasant Hill, conveniently located off the 680 freeway. WHEN: Available every day, from 10am-10am; Minimum 24 hour pre-order is appreciated. HOW TO ORDER: Call Left Bank at 925.288.1222 and ask for Caite Daniel or the Manager on duty. PRICE: $10.95 plus sales tax; $1.00 per bottle for bottled water or assorted soft drinks available upon request. All items may be prepared platter style. Delivery options available.

PARISIAN CAFÉ JAZZ IN PLEASANT HILL. Left Bank of Pleasant Hill features jazz on Friday evenings from 7pm to 11pm, including LAURENT FOURGO from Paris! 60 Crescent Drive, Pleasant Hill. 925.288.1222 or www.leftbank.com for more details.

RAQUEL BITTON. A formidable Bay Area musical presence, Raquel Bitton has sold out Carnegie Hall 3 times (3000-seat theater) and major symphony halls around the country. She is the star of the award winning film PIAF..Her Story, Her Songs, distributed by Lionsgate Films. She appeared at numerous prestigious film festivals internationally, promoting her award-winning film and was the recipient of a Special Jury Prize at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, among many other honors. The DVD of PIAF..Her story..Her songs will be released by Lionsgate films in early 2006 with an intense promotional campaign for RAQUEL BITTON, this coinciding with the February release of PARIS BLUES. Tour dates will be posted at: http://www.raquelbitton.com Internationally reviewed as the greatest interpreter of the music from the Edith Piaf repertoire, RAQUEL BITTON celebrates the extraordinary life of the legendary Edith Piaf through her songs. A 20-piece orchestra backs Bitton’s one-woman tribute to the “little sparrow.” Elegant orchestrations are arranged by long-time collaborator Bob Holloway. Bitton tells stories of Piaf’s life that mirror the timeless songs that catapulted Piaf from singing in the streets of Paris as a child to becoming the highest paid entertainer in the world at the time. Bitton’s unique, heartfelt renditions (sung in French) and her powerful delivery take her audience on an intensely moving and emotional journey. Singing in French and English, Raquel has developed a variety of additional elegant French-themed presentations including “Pops goes to Paris,” “Postcards from Paris,” “Chansons d’Amour,” and “In a Jazzy Mood.” Book RAQUEL BITTON for live performances at Performing Arts centers, Theaters, and Pops appearances. AGENT: Gerald Prolman, President, Sparrow Productions, E.mail:Sparrowprdct@aol.com

KING WAWA AND THE ONENESS KINGDOM BAND. The Oneness Kingdom Band is an original band skillfully flavored with a distinctive variety of music destined to transport the listener to a different world. With Haiti as your first destination- enjoy the ride as you are piloted onward for an uplifting and spirited musical journey through Latin America, Africa and Brazil. The sound is tropically unique with a magic pulsation agreeable to the heart and powered to make your dance! Everyone will love the Caribbean rhythms of King Wawa and The Oneness Kingdom Band! Contact 510.410.6963 or visit http://www.kingwawa.com or email wawa@kingwawa.com or onenesskingdom@msn.com

AN EVENING OF FRENCH CABARET. Join us and be transported to Paris for an evening of French cabaret. Edith Piaf, Mistenguette, Maurice Chevalier, Jacques Brel, Josephine Baker - let their words enchant you! Featuring Moana Diamond, Craig Jessup and Danny Slomoff along with Jerry Frohmader on piano, Dartanyan Brown on bass and Ron Sfarzo on accordion. One Thursday per month at142 Throckmorton Theatre, Mill Valley. 415.383.9600 or http://www.142ThrockmortonTheatre.com for details. 8pm.

HELENE ATTIA. Singer/guitarist Helene Attia performs a wide selection of music, including world jazz, pop, and Latin which she sings in French, English, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese. She is available to perform as a soloist or with her band, for concerts, weddings, private parties, festivals, conventions and private events. For booking information please contact her at: (510) 508-3611 hsattia@yahoo.com , or visit her at www.heleneattia.com

XAVIER DE LA PRADE, ACCORDIONIST and specialist of French café music, can lead sing-a-longs with lyrics to over 50 French songs. M. de la Prade often plays for the Alliances of Marin and Santa Rosa along with the Lafayette Club of Marin County. Anyone needing a French accordionist should contact him directly at 415.662.2105.

HENRI-PIERRE KOUBAKA performs ancient and contemporary Mandingo Music from Senegal, Mali, Guinea and Kongo with vocals and acoustic guitar. When not performing solo Henri-Pierre Koubaka leads a band which often incorporates a variety of instruments such as balafon, violin , cello, bass . guitar . This large ensemble may also feature dancers while the unavoidable percussion section contributes secular and spiritual rhythms. 510.501.1900. kumpo@yahoo.com.

DIAMANO COURA WEST AFRICAN DANCE COMPANY. Founded in 1975 by dance scholars Zak Diouf and Naomi Washington, this Oakland company is known to raise the roof with its joyous drumming and dancing. Diamano Coura means ‘those who bring the message’ in Wolof and these powerhouse dancers in traditional dance do just that. 510.733.1077 or http://www.diamanocoura.org for details.

BERKELEY. Conversation Group has been meeting in Berkeley for the past 12 years. The teacher is a native speaker with a Master's degree in French literature and a teaching credential. The level is intermediate, advanced. We read and talk. Call Michele at 510.549.1675 or e-mail michouthorsen@aol.com for dates and times.

BROWN-BAG LUNCH WITH THE COMMONWEALTH CLUB One for intermediate speakers of French, and another for advanced. At its office downtown, 595 Market Street. The contact and meeting information is given below. Membership in the Commonwealth Club may be required: http://www.commonwealthclub.org/languages.html

Monthy dinner meetings. DINNER WITH THE WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL. You can write to these groups requesting to be placed on their distribution list. The dinners are held at different restaurants in San Francisco. http://www2.itsyourworld.org/yp/language_dinner_contact.php

BAY AREA FRENCH GROUP. Last November marked the 21st anniversary of the Bay Area French Group. Thanks to the interest and contagious enthusiasm of our members, our membership has grown from 4 to 40 people from Marin, San Francisco, the Peninsula, and the East and South Bay. As a member, you will receive a monthly notice with information about each "réunion," with French conversation and food, from our "sécretaire extraordinaire," Marian Hirsch. This notice, and your e-mail notice, if you provide us this address, includes the date (a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday at 7 PM) and directions to the member's home. Please remember to bring some light food or drink so that our gracious host has fewer preparations. You are encouraged to invite other French-speaking people, since that is how our group grows! Our annual dues is $10.00, which covers: postage for mailing monthly meeting notices; monthly e-mail notices, if you provide an e-mail address; periodic membership list updates (by Marian); opportunity to attend monthly French Group gatherings; annual birthday celebration for the French Group. CONTACT: jandot5@mac.com

Monday evenings: FRENCH CONVERSATION with Anne Marie MacEligot.Every Friday 6pm-7pm. Interested in speaking French with others? All levels are welcome to this informal gathering. Cafe Society, 1000 Main Street, Napa. Call for additional information 707.256.3232 x206. Email sales@cafesocietystore.com or http://www.cafesocietystore.com.

Monday evenings: FRENCH CONVERSATION group. Every Monday 7:30 pm-9pm. Join "le petit groupe" in San Francisco. Call for additional information 415.269.7718 or cobrion@hotmail.comFirst Monday of the month: THE FRENCH CONNECTION OF THE SILICON VALLEY. 1st Monday of the month, 6:30pm to 9pm. Networking plus speaker plus buffet for more info, register at : http://www.dbf.net. 1001 Marshall St., Redwood City CA.

Second Monday of the month: MARIN INTERFRENCH. Meetings chez Michel à Greenbrae. zsolution4u@yahoo.com or http://www.interfrench.com or 415.925.1241 for details.Tuesday afternoons: FLUENT FRENCH SPEAKERS GROUP at the Belvedere-Tiburon Library, 1501 Tiburon Blvd., Tiburon, at noon. Contact Len Rogers, 415.435.2651 for details.

Tuesday afternoons: CAUSERIE a OAKMONT. 4-5pm. Berger Center, 6634 Oakmont Drive.

Every other Tuesday afternoon: CAFE PHILOSOPHIQUE. Organized by The French Class, 500 Sutter Street, Suite 310, SF, 415.362.3666. Every other Tuesday at5:30, free activity for the members of our French Club. Please call for information on how to become a member of our French Club.

Tuesday evenings. CAUSERIE A HEALDSBURG. 5:30 - 7:30 only. Call Sue Phillips 707.433.8074, Myrna Green 707.433.3677, or Audrey Darby 707.431.1619, for details.

Tuesday evenings: CAUSERIE A SEBASTOPOL. 6pm - 8pm. Copperfield's Annex, 176 Gravenstein Highway North. For information, call Madeleine(707.829.1297).

Tuesday evenings: FRENCH CONVERSATION IN MENLO PARK. All levels welcome! Place: CAFE BORRONE, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park CA 94025. Time: 6:30 p.m. (people come anytime between 6:30 and 10:00). LOOK FOR THE TABLE WITH THE FRENCH FLAG AND DICTIONARY!

Tuesday evenings: FRENCH CONVERSATION GROUP meeting 7:30-8:30pm every Tuesday at Cafe Borrone (http://www.cafeborrone.com/) located at 1010 El Camino Real, in Menlo Park. All levels welcome. For more information, please email bay_frenchclub@yahoo.com

Wednesday mornings: PETANQUE A JUILLIARD PARK. 211 Santa Rosa Avenue Santa Rosa, 10am. Call Marty Montague at 707.584.0893 for information.Wednesday afternoons: CHEZ GLORIA CAMERON. 707.433.9490 for information.

Wednesday afternoons: JE TRICOTE, TU TRICOTES, NOUS TRICOTONS. Venez joindre Monique pour une après-midi sympa à tricoter ou à apprendre à tricoter. Tous les mercredis de 14h00 à 16h00, à partir du mercredi 4 janvier. Votre don pour l’école sera accepté avec plaisir. Téléphonez au 707.543.8151 à l’Alliance à l’avance pour réserver. Amenez seulement votre tricot. /Come and join Monique and enjoy (learning) knitting and speaking French at the same time in this relaxed atmosphere. She meets every Wednesday afternoon from 2 to 4 pm, starting January 4, 2006. Please call 707.543.8151 in advance to attend. Just bring your knitting and a donation for the school will be always welcomed.

Wednesday evenings: GROUPE DE RENCONTRE, Folsom Street, San Francisco, 19h à 21h. Pour des personnes qui veulent apprendre la langue française ou qui la parle plus ou moins bien et seraient intéressées à se retrouver régulièrement pour converser en français. Red Poppy Art House, 2698 Folsom (at 23rd), SF. 19h à 21h. Gratuit. Contactez: Achille, massoma7@yahoo.com

First Wednesday of the month. CONVERSATION AT ZAZIE. Dinner group meets at Zazie, 941 Cole, San Francisco, organized by the restaurant, every firstWednesday of the month. There is a French language dinner table. Call beforehand to reserve your spot: Zazie, 941 Cole, 564-5332 http://dinesite.com/info/rstrnt-307188/?&t=372424

Second Wednesday evening of each month: CONVERATION A VILLA MARIN. Marin, a San Rafael retirement residence, has a French table; if you are fairly fluent and would like to dine at the French table, call Raymonde Kaplan at 415.492.2567. Subtitled French film shown after dinner.Third Wednesday evening of each month: NETWORKING AT INTERFRENCH WORKSHOPS, Santa Clara. Please note that the InterFrench Workshops have moved. We will be meeting now every 3rd wednesday night at the beautiful Silicon Valley Bank facility at 5200 Patrick Henry Drive in Santa Clara. Please let your friends know as you are only among these special 10% of people that actually read their email! Do NOT enter through the main lobby and look at the map on our website as it may be difficult to find the first time: http://www.siliconfrench.com/events_directions_svbank.shtml

Thursday afternoons. CAUSERIES DU JEUDI. 1710 Mendocino Avenue Café. 4:30pm-6pm, with Marina Velichensky.

Second Thursday of the month: LES DYNAMIQUES. 18h30. El Torrito, 10330 North Wolfe Avenue, Cupertino (entre la 280 et Stevens Creek). Denis, 408.746.0123 or Marie-Helene, 408.379.7817.

Third Thursday of every month: NEW CAFE EVENT! Join Cafe Society for acelebration of the European cafe lifestyle with French wine & hors d'oeuvre, Belgian beer and more. Every Third Thursday 6-9PM. Napa Riverfront District. For additional information, please contact Susan Hewitt 415.487.2333 x118 shewitt@cafesocietystore.com.

First Friday of the month: SONOMA-PROVENCE FRENCH CHAT. Sassafras Wine Bar, 1229 N. Dutton Ave., Santa Rosa.All levels of French are welcome Beginning at 6:15 p.m. We'll meet in the lounge area where you can order food and beverages. Sassafras is open until 9 and is located at 1229 North Dutton Avenue, Santa Rosa (College Avenue heading west, right onto Dutton, left into large parking lot of Santa Rosa Business Park. E-mail sonprov@sbcglobal.net for more information.

First Friday of the month: LE CERCLE DES AMIS FRANCOPHONES. Le Cercle des Amis Francophones is a social group and potluck for gay and lesbian francophones. We meet on the first Friday of every month at a private home in The San Francisco Bay Area. Call Ralph at (415) 861-3155 or Stefen at (510) 531-7836for info.

Friday mornings: PETANQUE A JUILLIARD PARK. 211 Santa Rosa Avenue in Santa Rosa. Call Marty Montague at 707.584.0893 for information. 10am.

Friday afternoons: FRENCH FOR FREE at The French Class, 500 Sutter Street, Suite 310, San Francisco. Everybody is welcome. 12:00 to 2:00pm.

Fridays afternoons: FRENCH PLAY GROUP IN SAN FRANCISCO. Contact: Sybille Schneider : Coordonnees: sybilleschneider@yahoo.com. Join us with youryoung ones in one of SF's parks or in a home for this French playgroup. We meet Fridays around 4pm.

Friday evenings: FRENCH CONVERSATION GROUP in San Francisco. Venez pratiquer votre français avec nous ! Un groupe de conversation française (sfofrench) se rencontre chaque vendredi soir, de 19h à 22h00, à Cafe Segafredo (dans la salle du fond), 235 Powell Street, à San Francisco. Tous les niveaux de français sont bienvenus. Tout le monde est sympathique et l'atmosphère très détendue ! Nous organisons parfois d'autres activités (cinéma, restaurant, randonnée, etc.). Pour de plus amples renseignements, contactez : sfofrench@yahoogroups.

First & third Fridays of the month: SALON DE CONVERSATION FRANCAISE A GLEN ELLEN. French salons in Glen Ellen for advanced students, first and third Fridays of the month, 6 to 7:30pm. Small groups starting in February. For more information and to reserve, call 707.938.0321 or email Yannickponte@yahoo.com.Third Friday of each month: CONVERSATION (Tous Niveaux) à l'Alliance Française de Berkeley, 2004 Woolsey (near Ashby BART station) à partir de 18h30. Beginners Welcome! Potluck style hosted by Madeleine and Xavier. Contact: afberkeley@sirius-mail.org or 510.548.7481.

Saturday mornings: LA GARDERIE PLAY GROUP AT THE ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE DE SANTA ROSA. Have coffee downtown while your child learns French. Drop off your child (3-16) in room "Le Petit Prince" every Saturday from 12:30 pm to 1:30pm. S/he will be well taken care of by a French speaker. Plenty of books, tapes, movies. Cost, $5. 707.543.8151 for details.

Saturday mornings, every two weeks. LE SAC A HISTOIRES. La bibliothèque de l’Alliance Française de San Francisco propose un atelier lecture pour enfants. Le samedi matin tous les quinze jours, de 10h à 11h, Emmanuelle lira et racontera des histoires pour les enfants de langue française, francophones et francophiles, à partir de 5 ans. La lecture se fera en français pour faire découvrir des aventures et des contes de langue française. L'atelier aura lieu dans la bibliothèque de l'Alliance. Les enfants doivent maîtriser le français et être inscrits auprès de la réception (415-775-7755). Enfants membres AFSF: Gratuit. Enfants membres Bay Accueil: $3/enfant. Autres enfants: $6/enfant Auditorium de l’ Alliance, 1345 Bush Street San Francisco, 415.775.7755 or http://www.afsf.com for details.

Saturday mornings: CHOUCHOU, French Bistro, in SAN FRANCISCO. A group of adult working students from City College of San Francisco has organized a conversation group which meets every Saturday from 9:30 to 11:00. All levelswelcome, beginners to native speakers. Address: 400 Dewey at Laguna Honda, across from the Laguna Honda Hospital. San Francisco. To confirm meeting details and for more information, contact Robert at liborsf@sbcglobal.net, or (415) 387-9010.

Saturday mornings: GROUPE DE CONVERSATION A BERKELEY. Un groupe de conversation en français se tient depuis 10 ans à Berkeley, le samedi matin de 9heures 45 à 11 heures 45. Si intéressé, contacter Michele Thorsen au 510-549-1675 ou michouthorsen@aol.com

Second Saturday of the month: FLUENT FRENCH SPEAKERS OF MILL VALLEY. Champagne Cafe, on Throckmorton right next to the Sequoia Theater. 10am-11am. Write suzanne.toczyski@sonoma.edu for details.

Last Saturday of the month: FRENCH WALK. For all ages. Jogger-Strollers ok. 10am. For meeting place and time, call Fabienne, 415.482.8479 at the latest the night before the walk. If interested, bring a picnic.Last Saturday of each month. FRENCH PLAY TIME AT THE PARK. 10:00 a.m. A growing group of parents and children have started meeting the last Saturday of each month for play time and French conversation at a local park. Not all the children speak French, but they all like to play and will benefit from hearing the language. For more information, call Evelyn at 576-1434 or email to sonprov@sonic.net. Sundays at noon: PETANQUE A JUILLIARD PARK. 211 Santa Rosa Avenue inSanta Rosa. Call Marty Montague at 707.584.0893 for information.

SUNDAY BRUNCH IN FRENCH! Leonard Pitt & Kimberly Vergez are hosting monthly Sunday brunches with French conversation in a “17th-century French cottage” in Berkeley. A variety of Viennoisserie (croissants & other morning pastries) will be provided, plus other treats, fresh juice, mimosa cocktails, steaming pitchers of coffee, steamed milk, chocolate chaud ... all the continental morning delights. Beginners and children are enthusiastically encouraged. All levels of French fluency will be represented, and a cooperative atmosphere of joyful camaraderie will help the shy. Everyone will receive a French flag upon arrival; simply wave it when you need help and more fluent speakers will come to your aid tout de suite. We all know breakfast is the best meal of the day, and what better way than to combine this with French conversation in an atmosphere of fun and conviviality. 9:30am to noon, $20 per person, children welcome at half price. Reservations a must. 510.841.0686 or leonardp@sbcglobal.net for details.

HAITIAN MASS. Fourth Sunday of the month. 6pm. Mission San Rafael Arcangel, 1104 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael, CA. 415.454.8141. http://www.saintraphael.com.