Calendar

Aug
21
Wed
Two Centuries of French Fashion at the French Cultural Center
Aug 21 @ 5:53 pm – 6:53 pm

An Ephemeral Exhibit with the Lasell Fashion Collection and Boston Fashion Week

Join the French Cultural Center in celebrating Boston Fashion Week with a unique look at curated French pieces from the Lasell Fashion Collection. This unique exhibit and separate private tour of the collection are for one evening only!

Free and open to the public, the general reception will start at 7:00 PM and run through 9:00 PM, with light refreshments.

Ephemeral Exhibit: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

The Fashion Collection team at Lasell University have curated an exceptional intimate fashion retrospective spanning two centuries and multiple designers. On display will be 17 pieces from the likes of Karl Lagerfeld, Sonia Rykiel, Jeanne Lanvin, and Comme des Garçons among others. These select pieces, including an original 1880 Parisian opera costume, will face each other in an exhibition that tells the story of their eras through their designs and the techniques used in their creation.

Jill M. Carey, Professor and Curator at Lasell University, Stephanie Hebert, Collections Manager, and their team of passionate students will be available to guide guests in this exceptional journey enriched by interactive components.

This event will mark the launching of the website and digital catalog of the University’s own permanent fashion collection.

Private Tour: 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM

Limited tickets to a private tour and presentation of historic French hand fans with fan historian and collector Shelly Goncalves, former president of the Fan Association of North America, are available for purchase.

 

About the Lasell Fashion Collection
Established in 1996, the Lasell Fashion Collection (LFC) contains approximately 3,000 objects and currently resides in the Donahue Center for Creative and Applied Arts. While the collection spans 200 years of fashion history, the LFC is notable for its 20th century designer fashions, with an emphasis on couture. In 2018, over 1,200 artifacts were transferred to the LFC upon the closure of the American Textile History Museum in Lowell, MA. This important acquisition enriched the breadth and depth of the LFC’s holdings, specifically in 19th and early 20th century everyday wear, undergarments, and accessories.

About Boston Fashion Week
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Boston Week! Boston Fashion Week was founded as a civic initiative in 1995. The force behind the week has been dedicated to creating opportunities that increase the viability and visibility of the local industry. The series of fashion related events throughout Greater Boston and beyond serves as a platform for both established industry professionals and aspiring newcomers to showcase their work as well as network with peers and the public.

Sep
12
Thu
Fall Open House at the French Cultural Center
Sep 12 @ 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Discover all that the French Cultural Center has to offer.

C’est la rentrée ! The French Cultural Center invites all French speakers, Francophiles, and French-at-heart to join them for their annual Open House. Get a taste of their exciting offerings and take a sneak peek at the fall season. Sip on French wine and savor tasty treats. Come in, mingle, and discover a little piece of France right in the heart of Boston! 

This event is free. No prior experience with French is necessary. An RSVP is recommended but walk-ins are welcome. 

About this Event

BROWSE THE LIBRARY

Check out the latest arrivals, learn more about upcoming library programs, and visit their book sale with a large variety of books ready for your own personal French library.

EXPLORE CLASSES

Take a placement test and register for a fall class- at a discount! Meet their teachers and learn more about their classes for kids, teens, and adults. 

DISCOVER OUR COMMUNITY

Join or renew your membership and explore their member perks and member-exclusive events.  All those who join at the event will receive a free giveaway!  

HAVE FUN

Enjoy complimentary refreshments (guests +21 receive 2 drink tickets/each), a mini wine tasting, a French conversation corner, tours in English and French, and BINGO with prizes.  They truly have something for every Francophile!  

TAKE A TOUR

Explore the beautiful historic brownstone with a guided tour- in English or en français. You’ll even get a sneak peek into their newly renovated space! 

6:00 PM Tour in French
6:10 PM Tour in English
6:30 PM Tour in French
6:40 PM Tour in English
7:00 PM Tour in French
7:10 PM Tour in English

Sep
20
Fri
Art on Science, 26 Études Opening Reception at French Cultural Center
Sep 20 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Join the French Cultural Center and the Boston / Strasbourg Sister City Association for a gallery opening.

“In the fields of science and art, new paradigms emerge only when we dare to go beyond what is established.” – Irene Georgakoudi, Tufts University, Biomedical Engineering 

The French Cultural Center is exploring science as the catalyst for artistic expression and art as the catalyst for scientific observation! Join them for the launch of their fall cultural programs with an intriguing gallery opening presented in partnership with the Boston/Strasbourg Sister City Association. The gallery opening will include a reception with light refreshments.

Free and open to the public, registration required.

Event in English with French transcripts.  

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

Art on Science: 26 études (AS26) is a collaborative international art project sponsored by the Boston/Strasbourg Sister City Association (BSSCA) that crosses the lines between art, science, and culture. Thirteen artists from Boston and Strasbourg each were paired with scientists from their home city to explore a scientific theme. The result? A testament to the power of curiosity and creativity and 52 incredible works of art accompanied by written scientific commentaries.

Artists took tours of laboratories. Scientists made studio visits. Some pairs worked shoulder-to-shoulder with live specimens, while others communicated virtually to share ideas and resources. Come explore the fields of art and science with us as we unveil these intriguing works!

Sep
21
Sat
Fall Concert: Voice and Guitar at the French Cultural Center
Sep 21 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

The French Cultural Center presents an evening of French and Bostonian composers.

American artists Matthew Hoch (baritone) and Aaron Larget-Caplan (guitar) present an Art Song Recital by French and American composers, including a world premiere by Boston composer Francine Trester.

The concert is a journey from a poetic French café and countryside, to the gardens and landscapes of Spain and America. This concert marks the celebration of Larget-Caplan’s recent award from the Société Académique Arts–Sciences–Lettres. It will be a dramatic and intimate event by two splendid artists.

Composers: Reynaldo Hahn, Roland Dyens, Joaquin Rodrigo, John Cage, Matyas Seiber, and Francine Trester.  

Sep
27
Fri
Wines from Alsace at the French Cultural Center
Sep 27 @ 6:30 pm – 10:30 pm

Join the French Cultural Center for a wine  tasting and dinner with La Voile.

Epicureans rejoice! To kick-off the French Cultural Center’s season of wine tastings, they will explore the lovely wines of Alsace with a wine tasting, followed by a separate three-course pairing dinner.

Come discover the lesser-known wines of Alsace, presented by Alexandre Sojfer, Resident Sommelier at La Voile and 1855 Bar à Vins. Alex will share his expertise working with vineyards from Alsace and why this region’s grounds are so prolific yet less available to the American market than other varietals.

Event in English. Advance RSVP strongly recommended. The general tasting is a standing event – this is not a sit-down seminar. Please email culture@frenchculturalcenter.org to request a seat/chair, if needed.

The following dinner is a sit-down three-course dinner in the French Cultural Center’s Library.

Jan
16
Thu
Holiday Hot Beverages Tasting at French Cultural Center
Jan 16 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Holiday lovers rejoice! This tasting will prolong the holiday atmosphere at the French Cultural Center!

To kick-off their tasting season, the French Cultural Center will explore the different hot beverages that you can sip during the winter time!

Join them for a warm and new tasting presented by Alexandre Sofjer, resident sommelier at La Voile and 1855 Bar à vin.

Event in English. Advanced RSVP strongly recommended. The general tasting is a standing event – this is not a sit-down seminar. Please email culture@frenchculturalcenter.org to request a seat/chair, if needed.

On the Menu 

  • Mulled wine
  • Mulled apple cider
  • Irish coffee
  • Grog
  • Russian punch

For more about the French Cultural Center, please click here.

Jan
30
Thu
Eat Well, Live Well, in English and en français at the French Cultural Center
Jan 30 @ 11:00 am – 2:00 pm

Join the French Cultural Center for a cooking and wellness women’s workshop.

Is living healthy at the top of your resolutions this year? Join physician and Certified Health and Wellness Coach Martine Vounatsos for a discussion and cooking workshop, en français and in English. The discussion will include ways to incorporate wellness into every aspect of a woman’s mental and physical health, from exercise and supplements to sleep habits and cooking methods.

Participants will craft and enjoy a traditional and healthy French meal with Martine in a convivial environment.

Aprons, ingredients, and kitchenware will be provided. Please note, this event is intended for women only.

On the Menu:
Entrée: Soupe de légumes et croûtons
Plat de résistance: Pavé de saumon sur son lit de poireaux
Dessert: Salade de fruits de saison et son rocher coco

To learn more about the French Cultural Center, please click here.

Feb
1
Sat
La Chandeleur at the French Cultural Center
Feb 1 @ 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm

Meet and mingle with other Francophiles while celebrating La Chandeleur!

Also called Crêpe Day, la Chandeleur is a French holiday during which people traditionally eat crêpes and drink cidre. Though la Chandeleur is often associated with the Catholic holiday of Candlemas, it actually stems from pagan traditions. And, of course, there is the traditional coin ritual: if you can flip a crêpe while holding a coin in your other hand, you and your family will not have to worry about financial problems. There is even a fun legend that ties Napoleon’s misfortune with his time in Russia with the flipping of the crêpes!

The French Cultural Center will observe this popular holiday with crêpes and a variety of delicious toppings. All ages are invited and welcome to attend!

Please note: When you register for a family, you are registering per family. You will be required to answer a question on the number of family members that will attend.

Early RSVP recommended.

To learn more about the French Cultural Center, please click here.

Feb
7
Fri
“Paris Via Boston” Concert at the French Cultural Center
Feb 7 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Join the French Cultural Center for a musical trip to Paris from Boston in 3 acts.

This event features an international lineup of musicians exploring a French and Bostonian repertoire through piano, clarinet, and vocal performance.

A highlight of the concert is the US premiere of contemporary French composer Jean-Pierre Armanet’s composition ‘The T’, dedicated to our historic subway, the oldest in North America.

The program also includes music for clarinet and piano by Poulenc, Debussy and a dramatic solo cantata by Berlioz, all performed by graduates of the Longy School of Music of Bard College in Cambridge, which was founded by a Frenchman.

Presented in partnership with Ballets Russes Arts Initiative.

Program:
Jean-Pierre ArmanetThe ‘T’, suite for solo piano, US Premiere (2017)

intermission
Francis Poulenc: Clarinet and Piano Sonata, op. 184 (1962)

Claude DebussyPremière rhapsodie for clarinet and piano, L. 116, (1909-1910)
intermission
Hector BerliozLa Mort de Cléopatre, solo cantata, H. 36,  (1829)

To learn more about the French Cultural Center, please click here.

Mar
19
Thu
Vrai ou faux? How to Identify Fake News with the French Cultural Center
Mar 19 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Vrai ou faux? How to Identify Fake News with the French Cultural Center @ French Cultural Center | Boston | Massachusetts | United States

Join the French Cultural Center for an informative evening around a burning topic: Fake News.

Patrick White will give a short history of fake news. He will compare the Fake News situation in the US and in Quebec, tell us how to find reliable sources, and give us tips on how to think critically about statistics and events being presented in the news.

Joignez-vous à nous pour une soirée instructive autour d’un sujet brûlant : Les Fake News. Patrick White dans un premier temps, va présenter un bref historique des fake news. Puis il va comparer la différence entre les Fake News aux Etats-Unis et au Québec, nous indiquer comment trouver des sources fiables et nous donner des astuces sur comment réfléchir de façon critiques aux statistiques et événements présentés dans les nouvelles.

Presentation in English, Q&A in English and en français / Présentation en anglais, questions/réponses en anglais et en français.

La présence de Patrick White aux États-Unis est rendue possible grâce au programme Mobilité dans les Amériques du Centre de la Francophonie des Amériques, ainsi que grâce à l’aide de la Délégation du Québec en Nouvelle-Angleterre


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