Bay Area
Francophile List

Published by Suzanne Toczyski, Sonoma State University
December 21, 2006 - January 12, 2007

Due to SSU's Winter Break, publication of the BAFL
will resume mid-January.

To return to the Bay Area Francophile List Homepage,
please click here.

December & January Events | Job & Volunteeer Opportunities | Cinema |
Art | Other Media | Television & Radio
Announcements | Restaurants | Music | Conversation Opportunities
Home Exchanges/Apartments for Rent | Classes | Events Coming Soon!

Send contributions to suzanne.toczyski@sonoma.edu.

*DECEMBER & JANUARY EVENTS*    

December 21, 2006.  GOLDEN GATE BOYS CHOIR AND BELLRINGERS perform a Swiss Christmas Concert at the Wells Fargo Bank Museum, San Francisco, between California and Sacramento.  510.887.4311 or http://www.gggbc.org for details.

December 21-23, 2006.  CHANTICLEER  performs songs by JEAN MOUNTON and more. Thursday:  First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way, Berkeley, 8:00pm; Friday:  Carmel Mission Basilica, Rio Rd., Carmel, 6pm & 8:30pm; Saturday:  St. Ignatius Church, 650 Parker Ave., SF, 8pm.  415.392.4400 or http://www.chanticleer.org for details.  $25-$44.  8pm.

December 22, 2006.  WOODY ALLEN & HIS NEW ORLEANS JAZZ BAND perform at 142 Throckmorton Theatre.  For the last few years, Woody Allen & his New Orleans Jazz Band have been heading off to Europe for their Winter Tour. This year, on their first major tour of the US, they are spending the holidays in sunny (we think!) California and Florida.  Please join us for a rare evening of New Orleans Jazz with Woody Allen & his New Orleans Jazz Band.  8:00pm.  415.383.9600 or http://www.142throckmortontheatre.com for details.

December 22, 2006.  WINTER DANCE WITH THE BAGUETTE QUARTETTE.  Baguette Quartette plays all the dances from Paris in 1930: valse musette, java, tango, fox trot, one-step, polka, marche, paso-doble...With Odile LAVAULT: accordion & vocals; Rachel DURLING: violin; Will BERNARD: guitar & banjo; Jean REPETTO: bass.  9pm Music; 8pm Dance Lesson by Persephone.  ASHKENAZ 1317 San Palblo Ave. Berkeley.  Tickets: $13 & $11, Info:  510.525.5054.  http://www.askenaz.com  or http://www.baguettequartette.org for details.

Through December 23, 2006.  THE LEARNED LADIES OF PARK AVENUE, freely adapted from MOLIERE’S LES FEMMES SAVANTES.  “David Grimm’s new farce transports the literary pretensions and pedantry of the original to the ART DECO world of Cole Porter’s Jazz Age Manhattan.  The course of true love runs afoul of a wealthy mother’s preference for the gold-digging poet who flatters her snobbery in this West Coast premiere.”  TheatreWorks, Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto.  650.463.1960 or 888.273.3752 or http://www.theatreworks.org for details.

Through December 23, 2006.  ALL WEAR BOWLERS.  Homage to the comic traditions of RENÉ MAGRITTE, SAMUEL BECKETT and others.  Berkeley Rep, Roda Theatre, 2015 Addison St., Berkeley.  510.647.2949 or  http://www.berkeley.org for details.

December 23, 2006.  ZYDECO FLAMES perform at ASHKENAZ, 1317 San Palblo Ave. Berkeley.  Tickets: $15, Info:  510.525.5054 or  http://www.askenaz.com

December 23-25, 2006.  RICK STEVES’ EUROPEAN CHRISTMAS.  Colorful montage explores holiday celebrations in PARIS, BURGANDY and more.  KQED TV9, December 23:  3pm.  Show is rebroadcast December 24 at 7pm and December 25 at 2pm.

December 27 & 28, 2006.  A SEASON’S GRIOT 2006.  KQED TV9, 8pm on 12/27 and 2am on 12/28.

December 30, 2006.  PISSALADIERE.  America’s Test Kitchen.  KQED TV9, 11am.

December 31, 2006.  CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR WITH HELENE ATTIA AT BISTRO LIAISON. Make your reservations for a fabulous gourmet 3- course French dinner,or stop in for a drink (and maybe dessert) to ring in the new year à la française.... with great food, music and rhythm!!  Helene Attia, vocals & guitar; Owen Davis, congas.  New Year's Eve Celebration, Sunday, December 31st, 2006, 8:30 pm.  BISTRO LIAISON, 1849 Shattuck Ave. in Berkeley, tel: 510-849-2155.  http://www.liaisonbistro.com  Anyone interested in booking Helene Attia for a holiday party (soloist, duo or larger ensemble), or who would like to buy her CD THE EYES OF LOVE, in French and English (great for holiday gifts!) please contact her at:  Helene Attia, 510-508-3611or hsattia@yahoo.com.  Listen to sound clips of Helene's music at:  www.heleneattia.com

December 31, 2006.  ZYDECO FLAMES celebrate the New Year at Rancho Nicasio.  Dance to Louisiana zydeco, enjoy party favors and a champagne toast.  Rancho Nicasio, On the Town Square, Nicasio.  415.662.2219 or http://ranchonicasio.com for details.

December 31, 2006.  NEW ORLEANS SOCIAL CLUB and others perform at LES CLAYPOOLS 2006-2007 HATTER’S BALL.  Grace Pavilion, Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Santa Rosa.  $50 presale, $60 at the door.  7pm.  All ages.  Tickets at http://harmonyfestival.com.

December 31, 2006 & January 1, 2007.  SWISS NEW YEARS EVE AND NEW YEARS DAY CONCERTS.  http://www.sfsinfonietta.org or http://www.sfcmc.org for details.

Through January 1, 2007.  TRACES, direct from MONTREAL, from the 7Fingers Circus Troupe.  Palace of Fine Arts Theater, 3301 Lyon St., SF.  415.392.4400 or http://www.circuscenter.org for details.

January 5, 2007.  CERCLE FRANCAIS DE PETALUMA ~ GALETTE DES ROIS chez Nadine et Armen.  Détails à suivre.

January 7, 2007.  BEYOND BORDERS INTERNATIONAL FILM SERIES presents a collection of short films about great ideas, including BINTA’S GREAT IDEA (Sénégal), in which a seven-year-old tells the story of her father’s great idea.  As he travels from the Senegal countryside to the city, he is met with laughter, concern, and finally acceptance.  Director:  Javier Fesser.  Rafael Film Center, San Rafael, 415.454.1222 or http://www.cafilm.org for details.  80 minutes.  4pm. 

January 8, 2007.  DBF:  ROBERT BIWER, CONSUL GENERAL DU LUXEMBOURG A SAN FRANCISCO.  Monsieur Robert Biwer est le Consul General du Luxembourg a San Francisco depuis Aout 2001. Sa juridiction couvre la moitie du territoire des Etats Unis, du mid West a la Cote Est. Il est egalement l'Executive Director of the Luxembourg Board of Economic Development, une agence gouvernementale chargee d'attirer les investissements etrangers au Luxembourg. M. Biwer a ete Lieutenant-Colonel dans l'Armee Luxembourgeoise et de 1998 a 2000 il a servi d'aide de camp a son altesse Henri de Luxembourg. A cette fonction,M Biwer accompagna son Altesse dans de nombreuses missions economiques aux Etats Unis et dans plusieurs pays a travers le monde. En 1993 M Biwer entre a la Public Affairs Officer Course of the US Defense Information School a Indianapolis, et en 1994 il termine son cursus a the International Finance Seminar of the Industrial Bank of Japan a Tokyo (Japon). Il est ne en 1959, est marie et a trois enfants.  La participation de $30 sera collectée à l'entrée. Les Membres de la Chambre de Commerce Franco-Américaine beneficient d'une réduction de $5 sur la soirée DB.  18h30 - 21h00.  Ropers, Majeski, Kohn & Bentley (RMKB), 1001 Marshall St, Redwood City. For more information: Carole Granade-Executive Director, French American Chamber of Commerce, 703 Market Street, Suite 450 San Francisco, CA 94103.  Tel: 415.442.4717 or http://www.faccsf.com .

January 11, 2007.  LIFE SCIENCE BREAKFAST at Swissnex, San Francisco.  For more information: Carole Granade-Executive Director, French American Chamber of Commerce, 703 Market Street, Suite 450 San Francisco, CA 94103.  Tel: 415.442.4717 or http://www.faccsf.com .

January 11, 2007.  FRENCH-AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF SAN FRANCISCO ~ CORPORATE VENTURE FINANCING.  The French-American Chamber of Commerce of San Francisco cordially invites you to join them to a: Life Science Breakfast "Corporate Venture Financing:  a creative alternative to traditional Venture Capital".  Swissnex San Francisco.  7:30 am - 9:30 am.  Breakfast will be served.  Swissnex connects the dots in science, education, art and innovation, between Switzerland and Western North America.  Registration:  call us at 415.442.4717; $20 for FACCSF members, $25 for non members, $30 at the door.

January 15, 2007.  ROSS KING (JUDGMENT OF PARIS) IN SAN FRANCISCO.  Hotel Rex- 562 Sutter Street,San Francisco.  Tickets:$25 (advance purchase required). Seating is limited and this event will sell out quickly-reserve today!  6pm-7:30pm.  Terrance Gelenter, Paris Through Expatriate Eyes, 38 Miller Ave, PMB 213, Mill Valley, CA 94941.  Phone: 415.388.4956; Fax:  415.388.1266.  Email: terrance@paris-expat.com

January 16, 2007.  MEMBERS DINNER for the FRENCH AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.  Members dinner at the Fairmont, San Jose.  For more information: Carole Granade-Executive Director, French American Chamber of Commerce, 703 Market Street, Suite 450 San Francisco, CA 94103.  Tel: 415.442.4717 or http://www.faccsf.com .

January 18, 2007.  WOMEN IN BUSINESS LUNCHEON with Laure de Metz, General Manager, Banana Republic Personal Care – Berkeley.  For more information: Carole Granade-Executive Director, French American Chamber of Commerce, 703 Market Street, Suite 450 San Francisco, CA 94103.  Tel: 415.442.4717 or http://www.faccsf.com.

January 18, 2007.  AN OVERVIEW OF U.S. EXPORT CONTROL LAWS RELEVANT TO FOREIGN COMPANIES.  The French-American Chamber of Commerce of San Francisco and Baker & McKenzie cordially invites you to join them for a lecture on U.S Export Control Laws.  Breakfast will be served.  This Event will offer practical advice about:  United States Export Laws and Regulations - embargoes, restricted countries, anti-boycott regulations, deemed export rules and related issues; Encryption Technology - considerations regarding import into export from the United States; Foreign Corrupt Pratices Act.  Featuring John F. McKenzie - Partner from Baker & McKenzie, San Francisco.  Mr. McKenzie's practice is focused on cross-border transactions and international trade regulation, including: Planning and structuring international investments, International mergers, acquisitions, consolidation and reorganization transactions, International commercial and technology development and transfer transactions, Customs and import regulations, export controls and international corporate compliance. Mr. McKenzie joined Baker & McKenzie in 1976. Since that time, he has worked in Baker & McKenzie offices in Caracas, Venezuela and Taipei, Taiwan, in addition to San Francisco. 8 am to 10:30 am @ Trader Vic's Conference Center, 4269 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA 94306.  Registration and continental breakfast at 8:00 am Program from 8:30 to 10:30 am.  There is no fee for attending but seating will be limited.  Please RSVP to Louis CRÉPIN by January 15, 2007 at 415.442.4717 or com@faccsf.com

For more information: Carole Granade-Executive Director, French American Chamber of Commerce, 703 Market Street, Suite 450 San Francisco, CA 94103.  Tel: 415.442.4717 or http://www.faccsf.com .

January 19, 2007.  CERCLE FRANCAIS DE PETALUMA.  Chez Iris.  Détails à suivre.

January 27, 2007.  GENO DELAFOSSE & FRENCH ROCKIN’ BOOGIE.  Authentic zydeco band straight from the Louisiana’s bayou.  Bernard Osher Marin Jewish Community Center, 200 North San Pedro Road, San Rafael.  415.444.8000 or http://www.marinjcc.org for details.   8pm.

On-going.  BLOOD BUCKET BALLYHOO, a Grand Guignol-style horror revue.  Thrillpeddlers, 575 10th St., SF.  415.248.1900 or http://www.hypnodrome.com for details. 

SILICONFRENCH EVENTS.  For an on-going list of events offered by SiliconFrench, see http://www.siliconfrench.com/eventsnews_events.shtml

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*CINEMA*

See "This Month's Events," above, for details on special screenings! All titles listed in alphabetical order, with special dates given in red.

BEYOND BORDERS INTERNATIONAL FILM SERIES presents a collection of short films about great ideas, including BINTA’S GREAT IDEA (Sénégal), in which a seven-year-old tells the story of her father’s great idea.  As he travels from the Senegal countryside to the city, he is met with laughter, concern, and finally acceptance.  Director:  Javier Fesser.  Rafael Film Center, San Rafael, 415.454.1222 or http://www.cafilm.org for details.  80 minutes.  4pm.  January 7, 2006.

EVER AGAIN.  A film about contemporary European anti-Semitism with interviews and film clips from FRANCE, BELGIUM and more.  Includes conversations with impoverished Muslim immigrants in suburban Paris.  Narrated by Kevin Costner.  Opera Plaza, SF, 415.267.4893.

LE PETIT LIEUTENANT. Embarcadero, SF. 

LA SCIENCE DES REVES / THE SCIENCE OF SLEEP.  Opera Plaza, SF.

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*ART* 

Through December 2006.  CHRISTO AND JEANNE-CLAUDE:  THE LAND.  Preparatory drawings for the environmental artists’ large-scale, temporary works.  Sonoma County Museum, 425 Seventh St., Santa Rosa.  707.579.1500 or http://www.sonomacountymuseum.org for details.

Through December 31, 2006.  PARIS STREETSCAPES from LIUDMILA KONDAKOVA.  “Paintings… so rich with clarity and light that they reflect in their extraordinary draftsmanship a sense of artistic and spiritual well-being. One might describe her style as Romantic Realism—her meticulous attention to every detail allows us to become intimately involved in the life of her paintings.  In the artist's words: ‘To me, these streets, with their worn cobblestones and aged buildings, evoke a sense of nostalgia and romance with a touch of melancholy. It is the ideal kind of space in which I would like to live.’”  Martin Lawrence Gallery, 366 Geary Street, SF.  800.510.2450 or http://www.martinlawrence.com for details. 

Through December 31, 2006.  TOULOUSE-LAUTREC AND CIRCLE:  THE ART OF THE BELLE EPOQUE.  Featuring the work of Toulouse-Lautrec, Alphonse Mucha, Jules Chéret, Louis Legrand, James Tissot, Paul Helleu, Manuel Robbe, and Privat-Livemont.  Christopher Clark Fine Art, 377 Geary St., SF.  http://www.clarkfineart.com or 415.397.7781 for details.

Through December 31, 2006.  SWISS PAINTER MONIKA STEINER presents CONFLUENCE.  Plaza Gallery, Bank of America, 555 California St., SF.  http://gtfineart.com for details.

Through January 2, 2007.  GEORGETTE OWENS / BERNARD RENOT:  POINT DE VUE.   Georgette L. Owens was born in Paris, France. At 16 she was accepted at the Beaux Arts Art School and she studied later with Andre Lhote. Picasso came to her first exhibition. Many exhibitions followed: Musée d’Art Moderne, Salon des Indépendants, Grand Palais “Biennale des Femmes”, and “les Contemporaines”.  She moved to the USA and exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art in Cincinnati, The Museum of Art in Cleveland, the New York Museum of Modern Art, and at the George Wiener Gallery, New York. She met Salavador Dali who became her mentor.   Bernard Renot: Invoker of movement, of women, of life. Tense, alive, incisive. Dissecting his subject to abstraction to recompose in his own way.   Renot makes war on rigidity. His themes are inspired by the world at large interpreted with sensitivity, lightness, a slight irony.  Entirely self taught, growing in character and control over 50 years of metier. Strong colors tempered by artistic reflection mirror the man behind  the brush. Alliance Française de San Francisco, 1345 Bush St., SF.  415.775.7755.  >>Opening reception: Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2006  >> 6-8pm >> Free admission Le site de Bernard Renot: http://www.studiorenot.us

Through January 7, 2007.  YOUR HOUSE, MY HOUSE.  Homes from around the world, including an M’BURE from the tropics of FIJI.  Bay Area Discovery Museum, Sausalito.  415.339.3900 or http://baykidsmuseum.org for details.

Through January 14, 2007.  CLAUDE LORRAIN:  THE PAINTER AS DRAFTSMAN.  More than a dozen paintings and scores of drawings by 17TH-CENTURY FRANCE’S LEADING LANDSCAPIST.  From the British Museum.  Palace of the Legion of Honor, Lincoln Park, SF.  415.863.3330 or http://www.thinker.org for details.

Through January 15, 2007.  BEADED BLESSINGS.  The exhibition is comprised of over 4,000 beaded prayers inspired by African amulet traditions. Each contributed piece is a sealed beaded packet containing the written wishes, hopes, dreams and prayers sent in from participants, mainly women, from all over the nation and other countries. Curated by Sonya Clark, Director , Beaded Prayers Project.  Beaded Blessings exhibtion is one of three components of The Beaded Prayers Project which also includes a slide lecture and hands-on workshop. 685 Mission St., SF.  415.358.7200 or http://www.moadsf.org for details.

Through January 27, 2007.  NOTHING AND EVERYTHING, including works by JEAN DUBUFFET.  Fraenkel Gallery, 49 Geary St., SF.  415.981.2661 or http://www.fraenkelgallery.com for details.

Through February 23, 2007.  CULTURAL ART EXCHANGE:  THE GLOBAL EXPERIENCE.  Student Works from Bay Area colleges and universities. In conjunction with a campus-wide program of lectures and events focusing on global issues and ideas, the Sonoma State University Library Art Gallery is pleased to present the exhibition "Cultural Art Exchange: The Global Experience.”  The show will present the work of eleven student artists from around the world who have traveled to (and from) Bay Area colleges and universities for the purpose of studying art. The goal of the exhibition is to provide a forum of exploration on the effects of how international travel and cultural exchange has inspired the artists and their work.  Participating artists have come from Canada, China, Egypt, FRANCE, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Mexico, and the United States to study at the California College of the Arts, CSU Sacramento, San Francisco Art Institute, Santa Rosa Junior College, Solano Community College, Sonoma State University, and Accademia di Belle Arti in Florence (from San Francisco State University).  The exhibition includes work in a variety of media: ceramic sculpture, mixed media, painting, photography, and video.  Jean & Charles Schulz Information Center, Sonoma State University, 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park.

Through May 11, 2007.  JOURNEY EAST:  PATTERNS OF COLLECTING.  Objects from North Africa, India and the former Ottoman Empire.  Judah L. Magnes Museum, 2911 Russell St., Berkeley.  510.549.6950 or http://www.magnes.org for details.

Through Spring 2007.  FRESCO FRAGMENTS by ISABELLE PROUST.  Art at the Inn at the Willows, 15905 River Road, Guerneville, CA.  http://www.inatthewillows.com for details.

On-going.  A NEW 19TH CENTURY :  THE MONDAVI FAMILY GALLERY REINSTALLED.  Reconfigured 19th century European and American collections.  Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University. Lomita Drive and Museum Way, Stanford University, Palo Alto.  650.723.4177 or http://museum.stanford.edu for details.

On-going.  MODERN EUROPEAN MASTERS, including MATISSE, PICASSO, CHAGALL and more.  Meyerovich Gallery, 251 Post, SF.  415.421.7171 or http://meyerovich.com for details.

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.

ARTS OF FASHION.  Yearly competition brings guest designers from PARIS and BRUXELLES to work with and select prizes for United States fashion students. The grand prizes offered to the US fashion students are internships in high profile fashion design houses as Castelbajac or Anne Valerie Hash or the school of the Chambre syndicale in Paris... Or Brussels for La Cambre or Antwerp for Veronique Branquinho or Vienna for Wendy&Jim...  Contact:  Nathalie Doucet, President Arts of Fashion Foundation, 635 Tennessee Street Suite # 402, San Francisco CA 94107.  Tel 415 252 0734  http://www.af-competition.com or  http://www.myspace.com/artsoffashion

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*CLASSES*

REGISTER NOW! SPRING 2007 CLASSES AT SONOMA STATE UNIVERSITY include Second-Semester French (FR102), Oral French (FR202), French Literature After the Revolution (FR411), Special Topics:  Paris! (FR415); French Literature and Cinema (FL214) and French Caribbean Literatures (FR314/ENGL349).  Please contact Suzanne Toczyski, Suzanne.toczyski@sonoma.edu or 707.664.4177 for details.

NEW ADDITION! COURS VIRTUELS DE MAINTIEN DE LA LANGUE ET LA CULTURE FRANÇAISES.  Cours virtuels de maintien de la langue et la culture françaises : une période d¹essai offerte à partir de janvier 2007.  L¹Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley est heureux de vous annoncer la création d¹un partenariat avec eLycée : cette opération a pour but de permettre aux enfants de 11 à 18 ans, qui ne suivent pas les cours d¹un établissement français, d¹améliorer leur maîtrise de la langue et de la culture françaises.  eLycée rencontre un vif succès a travers les Etats-Unis.  Le système d¹enseignement par Internet de eLycée est extrêmement novateur : chaque élève, depuis son domicile, participe à une vraie classe, avec un vrai professeur et un contenu pédagogique original et particulièrement attrayant.  En collaboration avec l¹Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley, eLycée va ouvrir une classe pilote en janvier ; pendant une période de 6 semaines, votre enfant pourra participer à un cours eLycée sans engagement de votre part.  Si la découverte de ce programme vous intéresse, contactez Julian Hirst à julian.hirst@elycee.com, tel : +1 877 624 5330.  www.elycee.com   ENGLISH VERSION:  Online classes for students of French language and culture : free trial period announced for January 2007.  The Ecole Bilingue de Berkeley is proud to announce its partnership with eLycée. eLycée  is an innovative program of after school classes for francophone students, aged 11 to 18, who want to keep up their French language and culture. From the comfort of home, students join real classes, with a real teacher, using technology that has been developed specifically for eLycée.  This remarkable program is a hit with students across the USA. As part of our partnership agreement, we are running a free trial period for 6 weeks from January 2007.  If you would like to know more about this innovative program of after school classes, please contact Julian Hirst at julian.hirst@elycee.com, or +1 877 624 5330.  www.elycee.com

NEW ADDITION! CLASSES DE CUISINE.  L'alimentation saine, c'est delicieuse! Venez tous chez Janet, infirmière et chef de cuisine, pour des classes de cuisine. Mes classes, à San Rafael, sont petites et vous travaillez dans ma grande cuisine professionelle pour apprendre les recettes qui sont bien pour maigrir et prévenir les maladies. Après, nous dinons en famille. Et bien sur, nous parlons français! Janet Dresser 415.455.8939 ou http://www.cookingforyourlife.com

SPRING SEMESTER 2007 CLASSES AT THE COLLEGE OF MARIN include Elementary French I and II, Intermediate French IV, Advanced French I and II.  For the latest schedule, register on-line at http://www.marin.edu .

January 9-March 1, 2007.  FRENCH CLASSES taught by ANNE BISHOP at Book Passage.  Including Beginning French, Lower Intermediate French, Intermediate French, Interactive French, and Advanced French.  Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera, 415.927.0960 or http://www.bookpassage.com for details.

January 15-March 13, 2007.  FRENCH CLASSES taught by GENEVIEVE BLAISE-SULLIVAN at Book Passage.  Including French Literature and Grammar (for advanced students), French for Travelers, and French for Movie Lovers.  Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera, 415.927.0960 or http://www.bookpassage.com for details.

January 26, February 23, March 23, April 27 and May 25, 2007.  THROUGH THE EYE OF THE ARTIST:  A VIEW OF NINETEENTH CENTURY FRENCH CULTURE, taught by ANNE BISHOP at BOOK PASSAGE, Corte Madera. This group will read about the lives of two distinguished woman painters.  Elisabeth Vigee Le Brun began as Marie Antoinette's favorite court portraitist, and survived the Revolution to continue her work in exile, under Napoleon, and during the Restoration.  Berthe Morisot was an intimate friend of Manet's, and joined the Impressionists to break with traditional painting. Examples of their art will be viewed and discussed in class. Two famous novelists, Honore de Balzac and Alexander Dumas 'fils', wrote compelling stories that describe an era of passion, power and courtesans in Paris. Sarah Bernhardt is the legendary actress whose most famous role was Camille in the stage version of Dumas' play La Dame Aux Camelias. TEXTS:  Elizabeth Vigee le Brun: The Odyssey of an Artist in an Age of Revolution By Gita May published by Yale University Press; The Wild Ass's Skin (La Peau de Chagrin) by Honore de Balzac, translated by Herbert J. Hunt, published by Penguin Classics; With Violets: The Life of Berthe Morisot by Elizabeth Robards, published by Five Star; The Lady of the Camelias by Alexander Dumas 'fils', translated by Herbert J. Hunt, published by Quiet Vision; The Divine Sarah: A Life of Sarah Bernhardt by Arthur Gold and Robert Fizdale, published by Alfred Knopf.  Five Fridays; $95.  Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera.  Sign up at Book Passage or on-line at online at http://www.bookpassage.com .  NOTE:  The same class will be given in a smaller group in a private residence on the previous Friday morning of each month.  Anyone interested in that class should e-mail Anne Bishop at annebishop@usa.net.

Through February 12,  2007.  ATELIER D’EXPRESSION EXPRESSIVE offert par PHILIPPE BERTHOUD, Prof Uni (JFK).   Deux formules vous sont offertes:  1. Atelier d'un jour, le samedi 21 oct. à Los Altos, de 10h à 17h, $120; 2. Atelier les lundi matins, de 10h à 13h, à Los Altos, du lundi 23 oct. au lundi 12 fév. 07- 8 séances, $345. On s'engage à la série entière après participation à celle du 23 oct.  L'écriture expressive nous aide à nous épanouir, et ne demande aucun don d'écrivain. Partager nos écrits est facultatif, et a lieu dans un climat chaleureux et confidentiel.  Philippe enseigne l'écriture expressive à l'Université John F. Kennedy ainsi  qu'en Europe. Ses cours, ateliers et retraites d'écriture sont très appréciés.  Renseignements et inscriptions: Ph. Berthoud - 510 234 4799 -  PhilBerthoud@aol.com

Wednesdays:  WELLNESS WORKSHOP IN FRENCH.  Christine Esters’ classes consist of fun hands-on learning in French about the body and exceptional health.  Wednesdays, 18h00-19h30.  $108.  Call the Alliance Française de Santa Rosa for additional details.  707.543.8151. 

Summer 2007. WEEK-LONG COURSES IN FRANCE's LOT VALLEY at LATITUDE. Relax! Enjoy! Discover "deep France" in southwest France's idyllic Lot Valley.  Latitude is a unique cultural center, located in a riverside hamlet, near Cahors and the painted caves at Pech-Merle. Founded and directed by E. Barbara Phillips, Professor emerita, San Francisco State, Latitude, is located in the historic, 14th century Moulin de La Toulzanie and a converted tobacco hangar in La Toulzanie, 7 minutes from St. Cirq Lapopie (featured in the National Geographic Traveller in September, 2005).  From $1250 for lodging, gourmet meals, instruction, pool, camaraderie, and beautiful scenery. Details at http://www.latitude.org

  • June 2-9, 2007 : (1) Two courses ---WINE TASTING, HISTORY, AND DISCOVERY. (A la découverte des vignobles du Lot à travers ses vins –dégustation).  Instructor: Agathe Thullier, bi-lingual French expert in oenology.  Afternoons (2) PAINTING THE LIGHT AND COLORS OF THE LOT: A Watercolor and oils workshop.   Instructor: Jean-Claude Thullier, bilingual painter. For rank beginners as well as advanced students. Mornings.  The workshop will focus on color and light, including  methods of showing light via color. Rapports colorés, harmonies colorées, la lumière au moyen de la couleur. Paysages ou natures mortes.

  • June 9-16:  (1) A TASTE OF SOUTHWEST FRANCE  Instructor: E. Barbara Phillips, Professor Emerita of Sociology & Urban Studies, San Francisco State. Discover culinary/social history of southwest France. Visits with  farmers & artisans who continue to produce gastronomic specialities in  traditional ways, e.g., "cabecous"(small goat cheeses).. "Cazelles" (shepherds' drystone huts), "pigeonniers" (dovecotes) + other Quercynois architectural gems will also be visited,. Explore connections between food, family life, & national identity.

  • June 9-16:  (2) FOOD WRITING FOR FOOD LOVERS  with Dianne Jacob, author of Will Write for Food: The Complete Guide to Writing Cookbooks, Restaurant Reviews, Articles, Memoir, Fiction, and More, which won the Cordon d’or Literary Reference Award in 2005.   These two courses—A Taste of SW France and Food Writing -- will be synchronized so participants can take both!

  • June 23-30: TROUBADOURS, TARTS AND TOURDIONS:  MUSIC, CUISINE, AND DANCE OF MEDIEVAL FRANCE (in English, with music in multiple languages, and one lecture in French).  Instructors:  Shira Kammen, renowned early music specialist and teacher who performs on vielle and medieval fiddle as well as voice, (<http://www.shirakammen.com/>), with collaborating instructor Theresa Nelson  who performs regularly with Ms Kammen and the California Revels.This week-long workshop will involve you in the revelry and celebration of music, food, dance and life of the 14th and 15th centuries when the historic mill, la Moulin de La Toulzanie, was already standing.   Requirements: Participants must have prior vocal experience and should enjoy dancing, cooking, feasting, and revelry. Be sure to sign up early as numbers are limited!

  • June 30 -July 7:  BIG MACS & BAGUETTES:  A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE?  An exploration of French and U.S. cultures -- their connections and disconnections -- led by Dorothy Kaufmann,  professor of  French Literature in the U.S. and American Studies in France.  Dorothy has taught at Mills College, Clark University, and the Université de Saint Quentin-en-Yvelines. She is the author of many articles on Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir and a biography,  Edith Thomas: A Passion for Resistance (Cornell, 2004). She is a fluent French speaker, but this course will be taught in English. The Course includes (1) Language codes and what they mean (2)  To be or not to be. . . French  (3)  Sex and romance: Vive la différence! (4) Loving and hating the U.S. and (5) What is the good life?  Dorothy intends that participants will relish spirited discussion during (and outside of) class!  In English.

  • June 30-July 7:  THE BOOK IS DEAD!  LONG LIVE THE BOOK!   Books, Technology, and Human Knowledge, a week-long discussion from Gutenberg to Google and beyond led by Niko Pfund, currently Vice President and Publisher of the Academic and Tradebook Divisions of Oxford University Press in New York City. A life-long reader of books, he does find himself, somewhat to his surprise, reading on-line these days as well. In English.

  • July 7-14  :  FRENCH TOTAL IMMERSION WEEK   2 courses in the French language  The Invention of Modern European Art. Instructor: Renée Morel, Doctoral candidate, French Literature, University of California at Berkeley .  Instructor, French & Linguistics, City College of San Francisco .  Instructor, The French Class, San Francisco, and San Francisco State University . Renee will  guide us through  modern art history. Her slides are well chosen, and her  speech easy to understand. She will discuss, among others, Van Gogh, Vuillard, and  Picasso. She is a fabulous teacher-- patient, welcoming of questions, superknowledgeable, and understanding.  Mornings.  ALSO:  L’HISTOIRE DE QUERCY. (avec visites guidées) Instructor:   Paul Verdier, docteur d'état en litterature comparé. Afternoons.  Paul parlera des Celtes en Quercy vers le IVe siècle a.c. et la réutilisation du mobilier autochtone: dolmens et menhirs; les envahisseurs" en Quercy: Divona et Auxellodunum conquises par César; le royaume wisigoth de Toulouse-Barcelone et sa limite quercynoise: Tour de Faure et l'arianisme; quelques aspects de la Guerre de Cent Ans : Plantagenêt et Valois à Saint Cirq Lapopie, une guerre franco-française; cathares, protestants et catholiques en Quercy.

  •  July 14-20:  SHAMANS, CAVE PAINTINGS, HISTORY AND MYSTERY, offered by Adrienne Amundsen and Doug Coffee (whose 2005 course, a variation on this theme, was a smash-hit!). Adrienne Ph.D. is a Clinical Psychologist, and Doug, a lawyer in the Bay Area, is a more-than-amateur historian of Neolithic Times and a very decent photographer. In English.

Please visit www.latitude.org http://www.latitude.org/ for more information on the courses, the cost, accommodations, etc.

COOKING CLASSES IN FRANCE OFFERED BY FORMER BAY AREA RESIDENTS.  Philippe Gion & Marie-Pierre.  http://www.ArtandCookingClassesinFrance.com (Philippe Gion was a resident of San Francisco from 1986 to 2001, then time shared between the US and Provence.  Owner & chef of the restaurant "Café Landais" (1986-1990) then, manager of the restaurant of the "Alliance Fançaise,” he was also Executive Chef at Stanford University ("East House Residency", 1997- 2000).  He was a member of the Board of Director at the "Lycée Français Lapérouse" (1988-1991) and creator of the first French Ciné-Club in San Francisco ("Alliance Française Ciné-Club" with the partnership of the Lycée Français).  In 1996, Philippe Gion founded "Art and Cooking Classes in France" dedicated to bringing to our Anglo-Saxons friends and gourmets the best of the joie de vivre in France and, most of all, an attractive approach of the traditional French gastronomy in Provence.)

FRENCH AT CASTRO VALLEY ADULT SCHOOL.  Castro Valley Adult School is offering Beginning and Intermediate French on Monday evenings. Beginners 6:30 pm-8:30 pm; Intermediates 5:30 pm-7:30 pm.  Come and practice French in a low-key, fun atmosphere.  Helpful for travelers looking for survival French.   Heavy emphasis on cultural topics.   The intermediate class offers good practice for those with some experience in French.  Additional out-of-class activities such as dinner outings, wine tastings, picnics, etc. will also be offered.  Reasonable course fees. Call Castro Valley Adult School for more details: 510.886.1000.

THE FRENCH CLASS OFFERS OCCASIONS TO LEARN FRENCH FOR ALL TASTES. Members receive discounts on special events and book groups; membership $60 per year. 415.362.3666 to join or contact us at info@class.com The French Class ~ 500 Sutter Street ~ Suite 310 ~ San Francisco, CA 94102. http://www.frenchclass.com Opportunities include:

  • Beginning October 1, 2005. L'ECOLE DU SAMEDI AT THE FRENCH CLASS IN SAN FRANCISCO. Saturday Classes for Children. The Ecole du Samedi aims to create a comfortable, interesting and engaging atmosphere for children who study French at school and would like to perfect their skills. Activities are conducted in French by experienced French native teachers and include vocabulary, grammar and conversation. 9:30 until 12. The cost is $895 for 25 Saturdays. Books are not included. Register your child now. (415) 362-3666.
  • JUST CONVERSATION. Talk, talk, talk... Discuss different topics every week according to your own subjects of interest. Improve your vocabulary & oral skills. No homework! Groups are small, "et il y a une bonne ambiance".
  • CONVERSATION: SUPER FRENCH. For students who wish to improve their oral comprehension and participation when part of a group of French people speaking together.
  • GRAMMAR AND WRITING CLASSES AT THE FRENCH CLASS. Améliorez votre grammaire et votre français écrit grâce à un cours dynamique, interactif et truffé d'informations linguistiques variées, présenté (cours 607 et 608) par la directrice et fondatrice de "The French Class", Dominique Brémond.
  • INTERMEDIATE FRENCH GRAMMAR. Review and practice all the basics: pronouns, verb tenses, prepositions, sentence structure, and more....
  • ADVANCED GRAMMAR AND WRITING COURSE AT THE FRENCH CLASS. Améliorez votre grammaire et votre français écrit grâce à un cours dynamique, interactif et truffé d'informations linguistiques variées, présenté (cours 703 & 705) par la directrice de "The French Class," Dominique Brémond.
  • GROUPE DE LECTURE DE NOUVELLES INTERNATIONALES AT THE FRENCH CLASS. International News Reading Group. Free for French Club members. Monthly meeting to discuss news around the world.
  • LONG DISTANCE FRENCH. No time to commute to classes at The French Class? Dominique Bremond, the director of The French Class is San Francisco, is now offering "Long Distance French" to people who can't make it to a class. Call her at (415) 362-3666 or send her an e-mail at http://www.frenchclass.com to get your own personalized French tape according to your level and needs.
  • FRENCH BOOK CLUB AT THE FRENCH CLASS. Monthly meeting to discuss the French novel we pick together and read at home.
  • COOKING CLASSES. With Robert Reynolds, former owner of the restaurant Le Trou, in San Francisco, conducted in French and focused on the preparation of delicious yet simple dishes while discussing cultural aspects of taste, food and cuisine.
  • HISTOIRE, ART ET CIVILISATION. "L'art n'est plus ce qu'il était" Depuis Duchamp et ses ready-made, on a souvent vu, dans l'art moderne, une provocation, voire une imposture. Entre abstraction et installations, minimalisme et accumulations, art haut et art bas, art d'ici et art d'ailleurs, comment s'y reconnaître? Parallèllement à la lecture de la pièce de Yasmina Reza, "Art", nous discuterons des oeuvres qui emblèmatisent l'éclatement esthétique, géographique et social de la notion d'art au 20ème siècle. Un cours passionnant présenté par Renée Morel.
  • LITTERATURE ET CULTURE AT THE FRENCH CLASS. "Ingrid Caven" de Jean-Jacques Schul. Prix Goncourt 2000, ce roman nous fait traverser plusieurs décades de 1943 à nos jours à travers la vie d'un personnage quasi mythique : une "femme qui, sur scène, a le sand-froid d'un torero, la concentration d'un moine bouddhiste et la vitale fantaisie d'une animatrice de bordel."
  • OOPS! Going to France in a few weeks and forgot to learn French? Call us now and schedule 4 classes of 90 minutes each 6 hours of instruction.
  • CONVERSATION and LITERATURE. Conversation on current topics and a short novel in French to read at home and discuss in class. Improve your vocabulary and oral expression. This session: "La Cousine Bette" d'Honoré de Balzac. $10.85. Groups are small "et il y a une bonne ambiance." Various times available.
  • FRENCH BY PHONE AT THE FRENCH CLASS. Parlez français par téléphone! Our French by phone program is growing. We now have students in 6 states. The flexibility (schedule at your convenience) and price ($25 for a thirty minute lesson) make it very attractive to people who are either too busy to leave their office or too far away to attend our courses.

FRENCH CLASSES FOR LITTLE ONES IN SAN FRANCISCO. Contact: Jean et Marie store & Maisonette Playroom : Coordonnées: 510.759.1224 - ingrid@maisonettesf.com. Jean et Marie is proud to announce to offer its French immersion program for kids in its playroom, Maisonette. Language study is best started when very young, and that's why we decided to offer this opportunity to little ones as young as 2. Activities for each hour-and-a-half class include games, singing and dancing, puppets, drawing, and storytelling, all in French. For more information, come by the store, at 100 Clement Street, see: www.maisonettesf.com or call 510.759.1224.

THE INTERNATIONAL FRENCH CLUB. Going to France soon or you want to speak French like a French person? Join the International French Club. Next session starts the second week of May Savoir faire. Besides text and exercise books, all classes include the use of material that will expose you to the wide variety of the French-speaking world; among others, French news, French movies, novels, songs and cartoons. You will also be invited to participate in team work, games and role-plays that will express what you have learned. Free evaluation. Before signing up for a class, we will schedule a meeting to evaluate your writing and oral level, and to listen to your objectives in order to place you in the appropriate class and level. Contact Nathalie today at: 415.756.2531 info@ifrenchclub.com Beginner Classes :: Intermediate Classes :: Advanced Classes

FRENCH LANGUAGE INSTITUTE. Learn French at your own pace. French for children, adults and corporate in private or small classes. French Language Institut offers flexibility, fun, customized programs, library, newest educative material, CNED, craft sessions, trip to France and much more! Visit us @ http://www.FL-Institut.com or write to frenchteachers@siliconfrench.com.

LANGUAGES INSTITUTE INC. Languages Institute Inc. is comprised of a team of 8 experienced teachers. All our teachers are native French speakers, passionate about the language and earned a Bachelor or Master's degree. They have much experience to make your learning fun, pleasant and efficient! 1100 East Hamilton Avenue, #3, Campbell, CA. 408.377.1113 or 408.833.9620 or Info@Frenchin.Org or http://www.frenchin.org

LIVELY LANGUAGE LEARNING™. French classes for children ages 7-12. Based on famous accelerated learning method. Small classes. Fun and easy. Email info@optimalearning.com or call 415.898.0013. The OptimaLearning Center of Novato, http://www.optimalearning.com or http://www.optimalearningcenter.org

Other courses available. For classes in Santa Rosa, see http://www.afsantarosa.org or contact info@afsantarosa.org. (From the AFSR: Try our French language school with no commitments. Your first lesson is free!) See http://www.afsf.com for Alliance Francaise classes in San Francisco, and http://www.berlitz.com for Berlitz Language Centers. The French Class in San Francisco offers upper level classes in literature and business language, as well as study in various regions of France. See http://www.frenchclass.com. In the East Bay, visit http://www.afberkeley.org/ or write to afberkeley@sbcglobal.net for more class opportunities. In Marin, contact the Alliance Francaise for a schedule of classes at 415.457.4838 or http://www.afmarin.org. For the monthly newsletter of the Alliance Francaise de Napa and a list of French classes offered, go to http://www.afnapa.com.

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*COMING SOON(ER OR LATER)* 

February 2, 2007.  CERCLE FRANCAIS DE PETALUMA.  Chez Medley.  Détails à suivre.

February 5, 2006.  BOOK CLUB FRANCOPHONE.  La prochaine réunion a été fixée au lundi 5 février, à 7:00pm ish chez Mark qui habite à Berkeley.  Notre prochaine sélection est d'un auteur contemporain, très lu (et apprécié!) ces derniers temps: "99 francs" de Frédéric Beigbeder (je mets ci-dessous quelques informations). European Bookstore en auront des copies avant Noël.  Un avant-goût de l'histoire: “Si vous êtes "scotché" devant votre téléviseur lorsqu'on passe la série "Urgences" - pour conjurer dans l'humour la vision de l'univers hospitalier dans lequel, soudain, votre corps, sa survie, appartiennent totalement à d'autres, alors vous êtes des lecteurs potentiels du roman de Frédéric Beigbeder, "99 francs", une odyssée loufoque et terrifiante sur la planète des "nouveaux maîtres du monde", les publicitaires. Résumer les tribulations d'Octave, de Saint-Germain-des-Prés à une cellule de maison d'arrêt, en passant par l'Afrique, Miami et les toilettes d'une multinationale, serait aussi stupide que de décrire "Urgences" par l'arrivée des ambulances, la pose des perfusions, sur fond de peines de coeur du docteur Green... Dans "99 francs", il faut... plonger. Suivre, à 300 à l'heure.  http://www.econovateur.com/rubriques/gril/lre010202.shtml  Contact Bérénice, berenicevlm@yahoo.com, for details.

February 7-10, 2007.  SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY performs BERLIOZ’s LES NUITS D’ETE, DEBUSSY’s NOCTURNES and more.  http://sfsymphony.org for details.

February 8, 2007.  ELISABETH M. PRUEITT & CHAD ROBERTSON talk about TARTINE.  If you have a weakness for things sweet and delectable, this event will lure you to a new level of dining. In the foreword, Alice Waters writes, “[Tartine] is lavish in the use of seasonal fruit, judicious in its deployment of sugar and decoration and best of all, nearly all of the ingredients used are grown nearby and produced sustainably, so that everything that comes out of the kitchen is fresh, unfussy, simple, and alive.” This meal will have other recipes that complement the desserts Tartine will bring from their bakery to share with guests. Elisabeth Prueitt and Chad Robertson are co-owners of Tartine, rated in the Zagat Survey as the Best Bakery and Best Breakfast in San Francisco.  The price of the combined book and meal is $95 per person/$165 per couple.  6:30 PM.  Contact:  Book Passage, http://www.bookpassage.com for details.

February 9, 2007.  1914-1918:  LA “GRANDE GUERRE” (Première partie).  Conférences offertes par SFBA [San Francisco Bay Accueil] et présentées par RENEE MOREL à l'Alliance Française, 1345 Bush St., SF.  415.775.7755 or http://www.afsf.com for details.  10am-11:30am.  $7 par personne.  Ces conferences seront presentees en francais - naturellement!  SVP, arrivez a l'heure! (Please allow ample time for parking.) rmorel@ccsf.edu for details.

February 23-27, 2006.  CARMEN, PRESENTED BY THE SACRAMENTO OPERA.  The Sacramento Opera, one of the generous and proud sponsors of the SFFF, presents Carmen the most famous French opera with music by Georges Bizet.  Exclusive discount for SFFF patrons! Take 20% off one ticket to Carmen.  Mention "downtown" to receive the discount via phone (916.264.5181), Box Office, or http://cl.exct.net/?ffcb10-fe5a1d777764017b7110-fdf21775756d02787c157674-fefe167170640d-fe9915707467017872-fdef15777d61057a72177874  Ticket.com. Offer valid through 2/27/07. Not valid on previous purchases and does not apply to handling or shipping charges. At the Sacramento Community Center Theater, 1301 L Street, Sacramento.

February 27, 2007.  NEW ORLEANS PRESERVATION HALL BAND performs at Great American Music Hall, 859 O’Farrell (at Polk), SF.  $30.  415.885.0750 for details. 

March 2, 2007.  CERCLE FRANCAIS DE PETALUMA.  Chez Isabelle et Ron.  Détails à suivre.

March 3, 2007.  LE FRANÇAIS DANS LES AUTRES DISCIPLINES.  Journée de printemps à Stanford University / CERAS.  Les members de l’AATF-NC sont encouragés à presenter des sessions sur ce sujet.  Pour toute proposition de session, prière d’adresser vos suggestions par courriel à Agnieszka Waclawek avant le 31 décembre 2006:  agawacl@yahoo.com

March 3, 2007.  FRENCH PIANIST PASCAL ROGE will make his Bay Area recital début on March 3, 2007, in San Francisco.  Winner of two Grammys and a Grand Prix du Disque, Roge will perform an all-French program.  Subscriptions available now; single tickets available Jan 1. Tickets are available online at http://www.chambermusicsf.org  or by phone at 415-392-4400.  See also:  http://www.chambermusicsf.org/index.html#roge

March 9-17, 2007.  PHILHARMONIA BAROQUE ORCHESTRA performs BAROQUE BANQUET, including MARC-ANTOINE CHARPENTIER’S OVERTURE & CHACONNE “LE RENDEZ-VOUS DES TUILERIES, and more.   Various locations:  Fri Mar 9 - Palo Alto; Sat Mar 10 - Berkeley 1; Sun Mar 11 - Berkeley 2; Fri Mar 16 - San Francisco; Sat Mar 17 - Contra Costa. To purchase tickets, call (415) 392-4400 or visithttp://www.philharmonia.orgfor details.

March 10, 2007. SONOMA STATE UNIVERSITY LANGUAGE FESTIVAL. With language contests for high school students, afternoon cabaret, and more! suzanne.toczyski@sonoma.edu for details.

March 14-17, 2007.  SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY performs RAVEL’s SUITE No.2 FROM DAPHNIS ET CHLOE and more.  http://sfsymphony.org for details.

March 16, 2007.  1914-1918:  LA “GRANDE GUERRE” (Seconde partie).  Conférences offertes par SFBA [San Francisco Bay Accueil] et présentées par Renée Morel à l'Alliance Française, 1345 Bush St., SF.  415.775.7755 or http://www.afsf.com for details.  10am-11:30am.  $7 par personne.  Ces conferences seront presentees en francais - naturellement!  SVP, arrivez a l'heure! (Please allow ample time for parking.) rmorel@ccsf.edu for details.

March 16, 2007.  CERCLE FRANCAIS DE PETALUMA.  Chez Chantal et Bernard.  Détails à suivre.

March 17, 2007.  FRENCH CAMP for high school students.  Walden West.  Pour tout renseignement:  Fabienne Vardan, fvardan@fremont.k12.ca.us .

March 25 & 27, 2007.  MARIN SYMPHONY CHORUS performs DURUFLÉ’s REQUIEM, DEBUSSY’s LA MER, and more.  Marin Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium, Marin Civic Center.  7:30pm.   415.479.8100 or greatmusic@marinsymphony.org or http://www.marinsymphony.org for details.

March 29, 2007.  GEORGEANNE BRENNAN talks about A PIG IN PROVENCE:  SIMPLE PLEASURES AND TRADITIONAL FOOD IN THE SOUTH OF FRANCE.  Book Passage and Left Bank:  Cooks with Books.  Part memoir, part travelogue, part cookbook, this is a journey in to the peaceful, rural life in Provence where Georgeanne and her young family bought a small farmhouse 30 years ago.  Filled with delicious recipes and local color and tradition, this story will captivate Francophiles who love good French food.  Brennan runs a cooking school in Frnace and lives part time in California.  $95 per person/$165 per couple.  6:30pm at Left Bank, 507 Magnolia Ave., Larkspur.  Approximately 2-1/2 hours.  Price includes meal, wine, tax, tip & a signed copy of the book.  Tickets must be purchased in advance at Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera, 415.927.0960 or http://www.bookpassage.com for details.

March 30, 2007.  CERCLE FRANCAIS DE PETALUMA.  Chez Christine.  Détails à suivre.

April 1, 2007. MEASHA BRUEGGERGOSMAN, soprano, performs less frequently heard songs by CHAUSSON along with more familiar works by RAVEL and more. Cal Performances, University of California, Berkeley, 510.642.9988 or http://www.calperfs.berkeley.edu for details.

April 6, 2007.  EDOUARD VUILLARD: DE LA DECORATION A L'ABSTRACTION.  Conférences offertes par SFBA [San Francisco Bay Accueil] et présentées par RENEE MOREL à l'Alliance Française, 1345 Bush St., SF.  415.775.7755 or http://www.afsf.com for details.  10am-11:30am.  $7 par personne.  Ces conferences seront presentees en francais - naturellement!  SVP, arrivez a l'heure! (Please allow ample time for parking.) rmorel@ccsf.edu for details.

April 18-21, 2007.  SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY performs Strauss’s LE BOURGEOIS GENTILHOMME SUITE and more.  http://sfsymphony.org for details.

April 25, 2007.  SALIF KEITA.  A key founder of modern Afro-pop, Keita commands attention with his unforgettable live performances, soaring vocals, and emotion-packed songs.  He is currently exploring his Mande birthright; Keita is a direct descendent of the warrior king who founded the Malian empire in the 13th century.  His work blends the traditional griot music of his childhood with other West African influences from Guinea, the Ivory Coast, and Senegal.  Cal Performances.  http://www.calperfs.berkeley.edu or 510.642.9988.

April 25, 2007.  IRVIN MAYFIELD AND THE NEW ORLEANS JAZZ ORCHESTRA.  Stanford Lively Arts, http://livelyarts.stanford.edu or 650.725.ARTS for details. 

April 26-29, 2007.  SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY, along with the SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY CHORUS, SAN FRANCISCO GIRLS CHORUS, and PACIFIC BOYCHOIR, performs BERLIOZ’s THE DAMNATION OF FAUST and more.  http://sfsymphony.org for details.

May 4-5, 2007.  THE MUSIC OF MARIN MARAIS AND ANTOINE FORQUERAY, performed by JORDI SAVALL, viola de gamba, PIERRE HANTAL, harpsichord, XAVIER DIAZ, theorbo and guitar.  At the beginning of the 18th century, the sublime 17th-century French composer Marin Marais’s talent was often compared to that of Antoine Forqueray, his younger contemporary, who was said to have played like a devil, while Marais played like an angel.  This concert explores the work of these extraordinary masters in a concert featuring Marais’ virtuoso SUITE D’UN GOUT ETRANGER and a selection of Forqueray’s intriguing and revealing PORTRAITS MUSICAUX.   Cal Performances.  http://www.calperfs.berkeley.edu or 510.642.9988.

May 5-8, 2007.  SACRED MONSTERS ~SYLVIE GUILLEM & AKRAM KHAN.  Perhaps the world’s most celebrated ballerina, Sylvie Guillem, reigning star of the Paris Opera Ballet, here teams up with choreographer and dancer Akram Kahn.  Their ambitious new collaboration explores the notion aof male and female energies as spiritual forces rotted in creation stories & myths.  Cal Performances.  http://www.calperfs.berkeley.edu or 510.642.9988.

May 11, 2007.  CERCLE FRANCAIS DE PETALUMA.  Chez Marie et Art.  Détails à suivre.

May 11-June 8, 2007.  SMUIN BALLET performs Michael Smuin’s world premiere adaptation of MAURICE RAVEL’s celebrated opera THE ENCHANTED CHILD, plus his playful take on musical instruments come to life.  Various locations, as follows:  May 11-20, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, SF; May 25-26, Dean Lesher Regional Center for the Arts, Walnut Creek; May 30-June 3, Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts; June 8-9, 2007, Sunset Center, Carmel.  415.495.2234 or http://www.smuinballet.org for details.

May 18, 2007.  LA SPLENDEUR DES DUCS DE BOURGOGNE.  Conférences offertes par SFBA [San Francisco Bay Accueil] et présentées par RENEE MOREL à l'Alliance Française, 1345 Bush St., SF.  415.775.7755 or http://www.afsf.com for details.  10am-11:30am.  $7 par personne.  Ces conferences seront presentees en francais - naturellement!  SVP, arrivez a l'heure! (Please allow ample time for parking.) rmorel@ccsf.edu for details.

June 14-29, 2007. IPHIGENIE EN TAURIDE , sung in French by the SAN FRANCISCO OPERA. http://sfopera.com for details.

June 22, 2007.  CERCLE FRANCAIS DE PETALUMA.  Chez Dominique.  Détails à suivre.

June 27, 2007.  CERCLE FRANCAIS DE PETALUMA ~ HAWAII PARTY. Chez Julie B.  Détails à suivre.

July 20-22 & 28-29, 2007!  SIXTH ANNUAL SACRAMENTO FILM FESTIVAL.  Crest Theatre, Sacramento.

July 25-October 27, 2007.  TARTUFFE by MOLIERE, translated by Ranjit Bolt.  Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Ashland, Oregon.  866.545.6337 or http://www.osfashland.org for details.

August 10, 2007.  CERCLE FRANCAIS DE PETALUMA ~ MEXICO PARTY.  Chez Randy.  Détails à suivre.

September 30-October 15, 2007.  STEVE’S TOUR TO PARIS.  Steve Rabinowitsh will lead a series of five walks of the neighborhoods of Paris next September.  The walks will include many little known places, parks, residences and architectural wonders of Paris.  The tour is for first time as well as frequent visitors to Paris. Steve, who speaks French, led a very successful Paris walking tour last year. He lived in Paris for a year and worked as a professional city planner for many years in Colorado prior to being elected to the Santa Rosa City Council. This tour will also include a river cruise on the Seine to Giverny, Auvers sur Oise, Rouen, Honfleur and Le Havre.  The tour is being organized by Nancy Berto at Flying Dutchman Travel.  For more information, call Nancy at 546-1212 or 546-2870.  PRICE: * CAT. A $2801 (upper deck) ; B, $2709 (middle deck, mid-ship); C, $2617 (middle deck forward) price reflects 8% group discount.  In addition to the group discount, there is also early booking discount of $250 pp if booked by Dec. 18, 2006. Includes: 7 night cruise, outside cabin, port charges, fuel surcharge, all meals, welcome and captain’s farewell dinner, 6 guided tours, wine tasting, lectures and French food demonstrations.  DEPOSIT: $400 by check or credit card to Flying Dutchmen Travel.  Send deposit check (credit card # for cruise) to Nancy Berto, Flying Dutchmen Travel, 1455 N. Dutton, Santa Rosa, Ca 95401.Phone 707.546.1212(B) 546.2870 (H) or 800.248.7471 Include name (passport), address, phone, and cabin choice. Not included: int’l air taxes.  Itinerary and prices subject to change. Cancellation insurance available.  Cancellation penalty each portion (Paris & cruise): 121 days prior to departure, $100pp; 120-90 days 40%, 89-60 days 50%; 60-45 days 75%; 45 days no refund.

ALWAYS CALL AHEAD TO CONFIRM DATES AND TIMES!

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