Join the French Cultural Center for an evening of brandy tasting featuring eight Cognacs and Armagnacs, brought to you by Heavenly Spirits.
Christine and Daniel Cooney will lead a fascinating lecture accompanied by a tasting to explore the limits of one’s palate, comparing French brandies and their exclusive characteristics.
GUESTS WILL ENJOY EIGHT DIFFERENT LIQUORS
- Cognac Organic Selection | Distillerie du Peyrat | France
This Organic Selection is 4 to 5 years old. It is very lively, fresh and fruity. - Cognac Petite Champagne VSOP | Normandin Mercier | France
The grapes used are Ugni Blanc and a little Colombard and Folle Blanche, a very rare occurrence in Cognac. - Cep d’Or XO Premium | Jean Fillioux | France
- Cognac Grande Champagne Très Vieux | Jean Fillioux | France
Jean Fillioux is an iconic Cognac house that has been producing Cognacs for 5 generations. - Bas Armagnac Napoléon | Marie Duffau | France
This Armagnac is fresh and lively, with flavors of cocoa, orange rind and cake batter. - Napoleon 100% Folle Blanche | Artez Bas Armagnac | France
Aged a minimum of 6 years, it displays floral aromatics typical of the grape varietal, white peach, dried apricot and orange peel flavors. - Bas Armagnac Hors d’Age | Dartigalongue | France
The Dartigalongue family started to distill in 1813 and is the oldest Armagnac house. - Bas Armagnac 25 years old | Delord | France
This superb blend displays flavors of cocoa, spices, vanilla, raisins, walnut and cinnamon.
About Heavenly Spirits
Heavenly Spirits is a leading importer of artisanal French spirits, such as Armagnac, Calvados, Cognac, whisky, gin, aperitifs and liqueurs. For the past seven years, the company has been recognized as the number one importer of Armagnac in the US, accounting for 26% of all Armagnac sold each year. The Heavenly Spirits portfolio is represented in 30 US states and includes an impressive list of iconic brands.
About Christine and Dan Cooney
Born in the Cognac region of France, Christine spent summers at her grandparent’s farm north of La Rochelle, where she watched her grandfather, Amédée Foubert, run his winery and distill eau de vie from plums and other fruit grown on the farm. In addition to running his own graphic design and marketing companies, Dan has worked as a Professor of Art and Design for over fifteen years, most recently at Bridgewater State University. His art work, mostly paintings, drawings and sculptures are in collections all over the world. After twenty years of working in the wine and spirits industry and another stay in France, the Cooneys relocated to Massachusetts and, in 2008, created Heavenly Spirits.
New and gently used books in French
WHAT YOU’LL FIND
Books on sale are generally donated books that we cannot keep, including classics, translations and any item we already have in our collections. There will be books for children available, but we encourage interested parties to come early as these items tend to go quickly!
The Library can keep purchased items on hold until the end of the event at 4:00 PM for those shopping in the Back Bay, but all items must be picked up day-of.
If you can’t make it to the sale, we encourage you to peruse the selection of books for sale available year-round by the circulation desk (all at $1 per book); this selection is refreshed monthly.
Join the French Cultural Center’s Monthly Literature Workshop
Un Mois, Un Livre is a monthly literature workshop that is led by Center professor, Benjamin Capellari. Intended for intermediate to advanced French speakers (B1+), it is presented in French in the Library. This month, join the Center for an in-depth discussion on Érik Orsenna’s L’exposition coloniale.
The required book, to be read in advance, can be purchased from the French Cultural Center Reception desk.
Price: Members: $20 | Non-member price: $25
About the French Cultural Center
The French Cultural Center of Boston is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to ensure the vibrant growth of French Language and Francophone Cultures in New England.
Their library houses the second largest private collection of French books, periodicals, DVDs, and CDs available in the United States, in addition to offering online accessible resources through Culturethèque. Their school, a member of the Alliance Française network, offers language classes and programs for adults and children. Their cultural programming showcases the many aspects of Francophone cultures through numerous lectures, concerts, cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, art exhibitions, holiday celebrations and more. Political and artistic personalities often hold talks at the French Cultural Center, making it the hub of French culture in Boston.
The French Cultural Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Your membership and donations are tax-deductible.
French Cultural Center Special Series Opening: May ’68 Revisited
The French Cultural Center will host a reception to inaugurate the winter/spring series of May ’68 events. The Center’s partners from Harvard and Northeastern universities will be on hand to highlight their activities, events and why they believe the seminal events of 50 years ago remain crucial to examine today.
The evening includes the opening of the photo exhibit “May ’68: When Paris Erupted in Protest,” by French photographer Marc Riboud (1923-2016). Riboud, two-time winner of the Overseas Press Club Award and Sony World Photography Lifetime Achievement Award, was known for his beautifully-composed black-and-white photographs and focus on people and places.
About the Exhibition
On May 3, 1968, Parisian students took to the street in protests that spread throughout France, quickly engulfing offices, factories and other places of work. The country came to a near-standstill. This exhibition of works by the late French photographer Marc Riboud reminds us of both the passions of the moment and of the enigmatic playfulness that striking students and workers frequently displayed. The annotated exhibit will provide a timeline of the developments that terminated, unpredictably, with a massive electoral reaffirmation of the government of President Charles de Gaulle.
An advance RSVP is required for this event.
May ’68 Revisited: The Occupy Movement that Paralyzed France
Sponsors
Join the French Cultural Center’s Monthly Literature Workshop
Un Mois, Un Livre is a monthly literature workshop that is led by Center professor, Benjamin Capellari. Intended for intermediate to advanced French speakers (B1+), it is presented in French in the Library.This month, join the French Cultural Center for an in-depth discussion on Guillaume Apollinaire’s Poèmes à Lou.
The required book, to be read in advance, can be purchased from the French Cultural Center Reception desk.
Price: Members: $20 | Non-member price: $25
About the French Cultural Center
The French Cultural Center of Boston is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to ensure the vibrant growth of French Language and Francophone Cultures in New England.
Their library houses the second largest private collection of French books, periodicals, DVDs, and CDs available in the United States, in addition to offering online accessible resources through Culturethèque. Their school, a member of the Alliance Française network, offers language classes and programs for adults and children. Their cultural programming showcases the many aspects of Francophone cultures through numerous lectures, concerts, cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, art exhibitions, holiday celebrations and more. Political and artistic personalities often hold talks at the French Cultural Center, making it the hub of French culture in Boston.
The French Cultural Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Your membership and donations are tax-deductible.
The European Conference
On its sixth annual occasion, this student-led conference, the largest of its kind in North America, will bring together a thrilling and unique combination of policy, academic and business leaders to explore what, going forward, the “European way” might be: its challenges, opportunities, and specifics.
Now that the European crisis seems largely passed, or so it would seem, where is the European Union headed? There are many reasons to be positive about the changes happening on the continent. Not only is growth back, but populism appears on the wane, pro-European leaders are elected, pro-European coalitions are structured, and overall confidence has made its way back within the European Institutions.
Where does the EU go from here? Societal, economic, defense and constitutional questions are quick to arise. The 2018 European Conference’s panels will investigate these issues from multiple perspectives and whenever relevant, disciplines. Each panel will feature world class speakers in their field, including Thomas Greminger, Secretary-General of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, DavidO’Suillivan, Ambassador of the European Union to the United States, and Professor Danuta Hubner, Member of European Parliament (Poland), Chair of the European Parliament Constitutional Affairs Committee, who contribute to shaping tomorrow’s EU and transatlantic relationships. Their kind participation is a unique opportunity to shed light on some of the prime questions facing Europe today with ways of analyzing and offering solutions that may cross-fertilize U.S. approaches.
This year’s program of events is our most diverse to date. It features a full-day negotiation simulation on Friday (sign up via this form, positions are limited), a black-tie Opening Reception on Friday at the Havard Art Museums featuring our opening Keynote Address by European Commission for Competition Margrethe Vestager, a full day of panels, and for the first time ever, the conference will conclude with a piano recital by virtuoso Simon Ghraichy.
For more information, please click here.
Migrating Colors – Opening and Cocktail Reception
Join us for an enlightening panel discussion and presentation on Haitian art and culture as we celebrate the Le Mois de la Francophonie 2018 and the opening of Migrating Colors, our March exhibit on view in our gallery.
Charlot Lucien, President of Haitian Artists Assembly of Massachusetts (HAAM), will introduce us to Haitian art, while several artists will lead a discussion regarding their origins and influences.
This panel discussion will be followed by a book signing and cocktail reception. All proceeds from the book sale benefit HAAM.
About Migrating Colors: This book is the result of 20 years of cultural advocacy and partnerships with cultural, state, city institutions, poets and storytellers throughout the New England area. It benefited from the support of professional photographers, editors and art partners from Rhodes Island to New Hampshire. The books contains foreword comments by Haitian American author Edwidge Danticat, recipient of the 2009 MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship, Massachusetts State Senator Linda Dorcena Forry and Edmund Barry Gaither, Director and Curator of the National Center of Afro-American Artists (NCAAA) who has since the Haiti earthquake helped curate various exhibitions of the Assembly.
Le Mois de la Francophonie continues with an evening of literature featuring Québécoise author Marie-Josée Duquette. We will learn about her two latest books; one that explores Boston through the eyes of a foreigner, while the other chronicles the difficult story of losing the father of her child to a cruel disease. This discussion will be led en français (in French).
About Marie-Josée Duquette: Marie-Josée Duquette is a Quebecer who has been living in Boston since 2010. Holder of a Master’s degree in Environmental Science and a DESS in communication-marketing from HEC, she writes articles on a blog that tells the different facets of American life.
A Mosaïque Benefit for the French Cultural Center
Dress Code: Revolutionary Black Tie. Black attire — with a single, revolutionary accessory — strongly encouraged.
Ticket Perks
Individual Tickets*: $175 | $95 is tax-deductible
*Under 40 ticket price changes to $225 on May 1, 2018
This special ticket price is designed for ascending philanthropists (under 40 years of age) this year. Perks include complimentary open bar and hors d’œuvres throughout the evening, and buffet.
Individual Tickets: $500 | $420 is tax-deductible
Perks include complimentary open bar and hors d’œuvres throughout the evening, and exclusive access to Private Seating with private buffet dinner.
Patron Sponsorship: $1,500 | 100% tax-deductible (less $80 per guest)
Perks include complimentary open bar and hors d’œuvres throughout the evening, and access to complimentary Private Seating with private buffet dinner. Name recognition on all Le Bal materials. As a Patron Sponsor, you and a guest are invited to join us for an exclusive pre-event cocktail party at a private residence on May 8, 2018. Details to follow.
Fleming’s Boston Celebrates New Zealand and California Sauvignon Blanc
Join Fleming’s Boston for a special wine dinner featuring four extraordinary wines from New Zealand & California. This one-night-only event includes a perfectly prepared five course menu, expertly curated by Chef Partner Poi Ali. Tables are limited, so please reserve yours today.
First Course
Popcorn Crab
meyer lemon drizzle, stone fruit compote, pickled radish red onion
VILLA MARIA, Spring Fruit Sangria Marlborough New Zealand, 2015
Second Course
Seared Scallops
frisée, bacon, roasted tomato, lemon-chili vinaigrette
KIM CRAWFORD, Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand, 2015
Third Course
Seared Chilean Sea Bass
valencia orange beurre blanc, served aside a butter lettuce bouquet
FROG’S LEAP WINERY, Sauvignon Blanc Rutherford California, 2015
Fourth Course
Iron-Crusted Tenderloin of Beef
duchess potatoes, maître d’hôtel butter
WHITEHAVEN, Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand, 2015
Dessert
Passion Fruit Crème Brûlée
topped with fresh berries and chantilly cream
Coffee or Tea
Please call 617-292-0808 to reserve today!
Visit Fleming’s Boston at 217 Stuart Street or by clicking here.
