JULY 2007

THE NEWSLETTER OF THE FRENCH CULTURAL SERVICES IN CHICAGO

For a listing of the French Cultural Events in the U.S. and the French movies on U.S. Television check the pages of the Cultural Services of the French Embassy

 
AIR FRANCE IS A PARTNER OF THE CULTURAL SERVICES OF THE EMBASSY

FILM

Voisins, Voisines (2005; 90 min.). Directed by Malik Chibane; starring Anémone, Jackie Berroyer, Frédéric Diefenthal, Mohamed Fellag, Gwendoline Hamon. A Dakar-born rap musician works on his new album from his home in the Parisian suburb of Mozart de Sarcelles, which provides for a humorous and humane portrayal of life in this multicultural community. Presented by Cinema Chicago, the French Cultural Services in Chicago
and the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. Post-screening discussion with Gabriel Klinger, film critic and adjunct professor at Columbia College. July 11 at 7:30 pm. Shown on DVD. Chicago Cultural Center, Claudia Cassidy Theatre, 77 E. Randolph, 2nd Floor. FREE.

 


Music Box Theatre
3733 N. Southport Ave; Tel: 773-871-6604
www.musicboxtheatre.com

Lady Chatterley (2006; 168 min.). Directed by Pascale Ferran; starring Marina Hands, Jean-Louis Coulloc'h, Hyppolyte Girardot and Hélène Fillières. The story of love and passion between a bored young English aristocrat and her groundskeeper, based on D.H. Lawrence's second version of his famous and controversial novel, Lady Chatterley's Lover. The film has been collecting critical raves around the country and was the winner of five César awards, including best film and best actress. Don't miss it! Opens July 6.

The Earrings of Madame De …(1953; 105 min.). Directed by Max Ophüls; starring Charles Boyer, Danielle Darrieux and Vittorio De Sica. A pair of diamond earrings goes through several owners in this all-time classic examination of love and loss. Now playing.


Additional Venues: Please check your local listings the following films:

La Vie en rose/ La Môme (2007; 140 min.). Directed by Olivier Dahan. The story of one of France's most famous artists, the incomparable Edith Piaf, starring Marion Cotillard as the legendary singer, along with an all-star cast that includes Sylvie Testud, Pascal Greggory, Emmanuelle Seigner and Gérard Depardieu.

Paris, Je t'aime (2006; 126 min.). A collection of shorts about Paris and romance by several of the world's most acclaimed filmmakers, including Gus Van Sant and Olivier Assayas, and starring a who's who of international actors.

THEATRE

Les Liaisons dangereuses by Christopher Hampton, adapted from the novel by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos.  Presented by Actors Workshop Theatre, 1044 W. Bryn Mawr.  Tel: 773-728-7529.  Through August 5.

MUSIC

Emmanuel Villaume conducts the Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus in an all-French program: Poulenc's Gloria; Debussy's La Demoiselle élue: and Ravel's Boléro. Grant Park Music Festival, Jay Pritzker Pavilion, Millennium Park. July 25 and 27 at 6:30 pm. A conversation with the conductor follows the July 25 th concert. www.grantparkmusicfestival.com Tel: 312-742-7638.

Toumani Diabaté's Symmetric Orchestra and Vieux Farka Touré. A 15-piece orchestra of master musicians from Mali is joined by several Chicago jazz musicians in what promises to be an historic night. Farka Touré, son of the legendary Alie Farka Touré, makes his Chicago debut. Music Without Borders series, Millennium Park, Jay Pritzer Pavilion at Michigan and Randolph. July 12 at 6:30 pm. www.millenniumpark.org Tel: 312-742-1168.

Birdy Nam Nam. This award-winning group of French DJ's returns to Chicago July 14 at the Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western Ave. Tel: 773-276-3600. www.emptybottle.com

"Barto and Boléro:" An evening of French music at Ravinia. The Chicago Symhony Orchestra performs under the direction of Christopher Eschenbach, with Tzimon Barto at the piano. Program: the Chicago premiere of Dalbavie's Music for Piano and Strings; Saint-Saëns's Piano Concerto No. 2 and a selection of Ravel favorites. July 27 at 8:00 pm. Ravinia Festival, Highland Park. www.ravinia.org Tel: 847-266-5100.

(JPEG) For information on performances by French jazz singer and bass player Cécile Savage in the Chicago area, please visit www.cecilesavage.com.

EXHIBITIONS

"Niki in the Garden." Some thirty sculptures by world-famous French artist Niki de Saint Phalle, best known for her oversized, exuberant "nanas." Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 North Central Park Avenue. Tel: 1-877-CHICAGO. www.nikiinthegarden.com Through October 27.

DANCE

Roxanne Butterfly . The internationally recognized French tap master is part of the Rhythm World tap festival. She performs August 5 at 8:00 pm along with several other dancers, including the legendary Jimmy Slyde. Information: www.chicagotap.org / 773-281-1825. Tickets: www.ticketweb.com / 847-491-7282. Wallis Theater, Northwestern University, 20 Arts Circle Dr., Evanston.

NEWS FROM FRANCE

"Vwa Lakay: The Voice from Home." Frantz Rémy, Patrick Augustin and other Haitians present music, news, and culture from the diaspora as well as the motherland, in Creole and French. Fridays from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. on WHPK 88.5 FM.

"The Old Songs" Traditional and folk music from North America, the British Isles and France. Mondays 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. on WHPK 88.5 FM.

TV5, The International Channel: programs in French from France, Belgium, Switzerland, Africa and Canada. Around the clock throughout the United States. Now available on TV via satellite. Information: 1-888-902-5322 or 303-267-5801. http://www.tv5.org or www.i.channel

Le Journal de 20h de France 2 (in French with English Subtitles):

•Monday through Friday from 8:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., on RCN, channel 65 on Chicago Cable.

•Monday through Friday from 8:00 to 8:30 p.m. on COMCAST channel 240 on Chicago cable.

Radio France International: http://www.rfi.fr. For information on Francophone music, visit RFI Musique at http://www.rfimusique.com

FRANCOPHONE GATHERINGS

Wednesdays from 6:15 to 10:00 p.m. Informal gathering of Francophiles and Francophones at Portillo restaurant, 100 W. Ontario. Information at 312-255-0567.

Groupe Professionnel Francophone. Francophones from various professions meet for cocktails, French conversation and networking in French. Great Street Restaurant, Renaissance Hotel, 1 W. Wacker Drive. The last Thursday of every month, starting at 5:30 pm www.gpfchicago.org; Tel: 773.525.5776.

Alliance Française of the North Shore
http://alliancefn.wlkcommunity.com

  • Café Conversation : July 2nd at 10:00 am at Panera Bread, 1199 Wilmette Avenue.
  • Café Conversation, Evening Edition: July 9 at 7:30 pm at Panera Bread at 6059 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago.

"Les Bavards," a monthly francophone dinner and converstation group in DesPlaines. Information: lesbavards@yahoo.com or http://lesbavardsfrancophones.blogspot.com/ Tel: 847-698-7436. July 11 at 6:30 pm.

"Les Bavards du Nord,” a monthly francophone lunch and conversation group in Buffalo Grove. http://lesbavardsfrancophones.blogspot.com/ or lesbavardsdunord@yahoo.com Tel: 847-921-7864. July 21 at 1:00 pm.

L’Institut Francophone. Weekly francophone gathering, every Monday at Bad Dog Tavern, 4535 N Lincoln Ave, from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.