We at LFBK had a true garden of French pleasures to pick from in decorating our (and your!) calendar bouquet this Spring.
Fill your Spring baskets with a few of our NYC side French Faves ….
Cinema
Burning Bright: New French Filmmakers at FIAF May 7–June 25, 2019, @ FIAF
A “perennial” blossom in at Manhattan’s, this year’s FIAF’s CinéSalon series presents recent noteworthy films by nine exciting French filmmakers. Many of the screens serving as the US and/or NYC premiers.
Fiction, documentary as well as full and short works, highlight the creativity and innovation of viewers have long associated with French cinema. Tickets and further info found HERE.
MoMA does it again! The dependably trendsetting museum presents a noteworthy visual arrangement of a legendary International artist.
Carriere’s takes Flaubert and Shakespeare, the lives of Danton and Van Gogh, Biblical themes, and ancient, lyrical poetry over an impressive 65 career are as epic as the “arrangement of works presented. Screenwriter, novelist, artist, genre trailblazer – this is an event of Film buffs and Francophiles alike.
Jean-Claude Carrière himself will be on deck to introduce many of the screenings. This is a rare showcase and appearest by a (#nojoke) legend of our time. Tickets will ‘get picked” fast – get yours TODAY!
Art
Our pals @ MoMA sure do have France-on-the-brain! The museum presents the first solo museum exhibition in the United States of the work of Simone Fattal (Lebanese and American, b. 1942).
200 works spanning 50 years – abstract and figurative ceramic sculptures, paintings, watercolors, and collages drawing from a range of sources and narratives are on view for fans and those new to the artist’s work to explore and enjoy.
A timely exhibit: Simone Fattal: Works and Days examines the impact of displacement, as well as the politics of archaeology and excavation. Imagined and literal history alike, memory, replication, and time are tackled in various forms and modalities. Eye-opening, entertaining, startling, and stirring. Enjoy a day of walking in the shoes of a genuine genius. Further show details here.
High above the NYC skyline, High Line presents En Plein Air, a group exhibition that broadens and challenges historical ideas of outdoor painting. Amongst the artist’s featured is French artist Daniel Buren, with his signature stripe piece The Garland over the elevated walkway.
Daniel Buren (b. 1938, Boulogne-Billancourt, France) is best known for his use of alternating stripes that he began in the 1960s. For the High Line, Buren installs hundreds of striped flags organized in 16 sections that crisscross the Western Rail Yards. The work continues a project presented first for documentation VII in 1982.
An art walk like no other – beauty above, majesty below. Take a stroll – what do you have to lose? Only your heart as you fall in amour with all the displays of French mastery coloring the crisp Springtime sky!
Mask-Making Fun for Kids with Artist Elodie Blanchard: June 1st 11:30 @ the Fiaf Gallery
Kids get a kick out of Award-winning French artist and designer Elodie Blanchard playfulness mask-work. Bring your wee-Franco-fans to the FIAF Gallery. Young Masters ages 5- 15 are welcome to this hands-on art-making workshop. Children (and parents too!) use felt and others tactile, unconventional materials to create color pieces – perfect for refrigerator display!
Concerts
Philippe Treuille Premieres: May 18, 7:00 PM @ 209 Madison Ave
Composer Philippe Treuille premieres of two new pieces for full choir and orchestra at Church of the Incarnation.
An evening in two parts: the first half of the program will feature Nuptialis, a wedding piece. The second half of the program will feature Baptismus, a baptism piece.
Beautiful and moving. Whatever your language of choice, familiarity, and/or origin this evening of modern classical music history is for everyone. Book your tickets to grace and peace here
OrelSan at Brooklyn Steel: May 19th @ 8 PM
The zut with class – let’s get head boppin’! Brooklyn brings the #realreal with the rhymes and beats of French rapper OrelSan performing tracks from his last album La fête est finie.
Known in the clubs and on the streets, OrelSan won mainstream acclaim for his 2011, his album Le Chant des Sirènes for which was named best urban music album of the year by taking home Les Victoires de la Musique (the French equivalent for the Grammy Awards)
Grab some Parisian ‘cred this Spring, giving the hipsters on Bedford something to talk about.
Yann Tiersen at the Beacon Theater: May 28, 2019
Singer/songwriter Yann Tiersen performs in a rare NYC gig celebrating the recent release of his album ALL. Known for his composition of the soundtrack of the “Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amélie Poulain”, Yann Tiersen is a has an impressive ten albums and several E.P in his impressive discography.
Tiersen’s hometown of Brittany is a constituent element in his work, in ALL as well as previous albums. New and long-standing fans will appreciate an impressive evening my a true musical virtuoso. Tickets available for purchase HERE.
Read
Scholastique Mukasonga: Saturday, May 11- 7:30PM @ SubCulture 45 Bleecker Street NYC
We would not be worth our social consciousness salt if we did not make extra special note of a truly remarkable event NYC is honored to land on our shores this Season.
French-speaking Rwandan, storyteller, feminist, survivor, poet, and activist Scholastique Mukasonga is one of the scholars PEN America and The Guardian feature this year’s collaborative tour of artists and literary game-changers. A group reading featuring artists from all around the Globe, Mukasongamost certainly being a standout.
Conclusion
WOW! How will you EVER fit in all this AND the upcoming workshops and classes LFBK has planned for you?
Never fear! Summertime is NOT the time for stress – in any language. With slacking off in mind, LFBK has arranged our (and yours!) language learning asked so students can skip out to the beach without taking a vacation from their French.
Be a Traveler NOT a Tourist: Paris Crash Course: May 11th & June 5th
No Commitment French Summer Classes Beginner: June 12th, Intermediate: June 19th
Kick back, do some LFBK web browsing – more fun while wearing sunglasses! Have a question? Shout us out – we can’t wait to communicate.
See you on Nassau Ave (and/or in McCarren sunbathing …)