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AllIance FrancaIse
Cultural Events Guide
January – June 2015
San Francisco's
French American
Cultural Center
1345 Bush St.
afsf.com
415-775-7755
Bienvenue
Dear Friends,
Contents
Bienvenue
1-2
Membership
3
Library
4
Culturethèque
5
Movie Nights
6
Art Gallery
7
Cultural Events 8-10
Film Festivals
11
Study Abroad
12
Workshops
13
Eateries
14
As Executive Director of the
oldest French American Cultural Center in
the United States, I would like to thank
you for your interest in the Alliance. For
over 125 years, our mission has been to
promote greater understanding between
the United States and the Frenchspeaking world.
Throughout the year, we offer a wide
range of cultural activities to the
community, including flm screenings,
lectures and guest presentations, art
displays and live music. We also maintain
a multimedia library that is open to the
public and frequently work with cultural
institutions in San Francisco on a variety of
events.
As an American nonproft, we receive no
government subsidies and rely on the
support of the Bay Area community to
continue our mission. If you enjoy our
events and services, please consider
becoming a member.
We hope you will visit our website at
afsf.com to keep up with our latest
offerings. While there, you can also sign
up for our email newsletter.
Once again, welcome to the Alliance, and
thank you for your interest in our
organization.
À bientôt ! (See you soon!)
1
Pascal Ledermann
Executive Director
French culture is one
of my passions in life and I am
happy to say such a thing isn't only found
in France. As a former expat living in
Paris, I will be the frst to say that San
Francisco is a mecca of French culture,
and I am honored to serve my
community as Cultural Events
Coordinator.
Do you remember your frst French
experience – a flm, food, book, or song?
French culture can be experienced
through endless mediums. This season
(January to June 2015) you will get
insider access to French movie nights,
concerts, flm festivals, and craft markets,
as well as many discounts to such events
and perks when you become a member
of the AFSF.
I invite you to join us and experience the
best France and the French-speaking
world has to offer. The Alliance Française
of San Francisco is part of your
community and as a nonproft
organization it is important that together
we help it thrive.
I want to thank all of our staff, volunteers,
sponsors, and community partners, but
especially you, for keeping such a rich
culture and language not only alive, but
thriving.
Merci beaucoup,
Anthony Morin
Cultural Events Coordinator
Staff
Pascal Ledermann
Executive Director
Anthony Morin
Cultural Events Coordinator
Zelinda Caudal
Operations Manager
Delia Bratosin
Director of Studies
Bienvenue
Dear Friends,
Gaelle Feliz
Administrative Assistant
Contact Info
1345 Bush St.
SF, CA 94109
415-775-7755
www.afsf.com
Merci
We wish to thank Dr.
Thomas Blair for his
generous support of the
Alliance Française's
cultural department, and
who helped us print the
frst edition of this guide.
We would also like to
thank our many
volunteers, without
whose help we would not
be able to offer such
diverse programming.
2
Membership
Join, Give, and Gain
Your generosity
makes a difference.
Join the AFSF by
Benefts
either becoming a
yearly member,
Borrowing privileges when using our library donor or cultural
(borrow books and DVDs for adults and kids)
sponsor.
Yearly Membership
$60
Promotional prices with our partners
(receive 10% to 20% off your bill)
Exclusive access to Culturethèque
(download hundreds of books)
Raffes and prizes from our sponsors
(fights, food, flm passes and much more)
Please note that any student of the AFSF will automatically
become a member for a full year.
Cultural Sponsorship
Starting at $300
Offcial logo will be viewed by over
10,000 members
Promotion of company's events
(3 to 6 events per year )
Receive promotional rates on group classes
(For corporate lessons to any organization)
Flash promos via newsletters
and social medias (Facebook, Twitter)
3
All sponsorships are tax-deductible
Experience the joy
of giving and enjoy
exclusive benefts
when joining –
benefts offered
only
to
our
members and
cultural sponsors
throughout the
year.
Welcome to the largest French library west of the Mississippi.
We have a growing collection of over 500 CDs, 300 DVDs and
several thousand books, including literary and popular fction,
mystery novels, plays, poetry and works in translation, as well
as an espace jeunesse with hundreds of titles especially for
kids.
The library is open to the public, while members and AFSF
students enjoy exclusive borrowing privileges. We have
materials for both students of French and native speakers.
Library
Books, Films, & More
We Blog!
The library maintains a blog,
which describes over 70
websites you might fnd useful
and fun. In addition, AFSF
students and members can
access a virtual library of ebooks, e-audiobooks and
other materials.
LIBRARY HOURS
Monday through Friday 10am to 5pm
Saturday 10am to 5pm
Sunday Closed
4
Culturethèque
Culturethèque
Welcome to Culturethèque, your online
library and gateway to French culture and
language. Thanks to the Institut Francais, in
partnership with the Alliance Francaise network
in the United States, AFSF members and
students have free access to this service.
Culturetheque currently offers over 500 magazines and newspapers,
fction and nonfction books, audiobooks, graphic novels and comics for
all ages, as well as French radio, videos and cultural games. Even if
you're not a Bay Area resident, AFSF members and students can still
access Culturetheque anywhere in the United States; annual
membership starts at just $60.
For more details, please visit www.culturetheque.com
Read
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Newspapers & Magazines
Graphic Novels & Comics
Fiction and Non-fction
Watch
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WebTV by Institut Français
Videos & Clips
Interviews with artists
Listen
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Streaming Radio
Concerts
Reviews & Interviews
Learn
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Interactive Cultural Games
Web docs & learning tools
Work with audio fles
Youth
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5
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Books for Toddlers
Preteens comics
Young Adult Graphic Novels
Interactive cultural games
Join us every Tuesday at 7pm for our weekly movie night.
On Tuesday evenings, we show a variety of flms
from France and other countries highlighting
different aspects of French-language cinema, both
classic and contemporary. Past series have featured
female directors and GLBT perspectives, among
other topics.
All flms are shown with English subtitles.
Our theater opens at 6:45pm to allow our guests to
fnd seating. Reservations are not required, but as
we have a frst-come-frst-served policy, we
recommend you arrive early. Our theater features
comfortable stadium seating with surround sound.
We do not charge for admission, but we do
suggest a donation of $8.00
For information on upcoming flms,
visit our website at afsf.com
Movie Nights
Tuesday Movie Nights
The Alliance Française of San Francisco has acquired screening
rights from the Institut Français and the Motion Picture Licensing
Corporation. Not all French flms are available for screening.
6
Art Gallery
Local & International Artists
The AFSF is proud to participate in a local
community event known as the Upper
Tenderloin Art Walk. The frst Thursday of
every month is a unique experience to
help build a stronger community, where
local organizations and businesses open
their doors to the public to experience the
work of different artists.
Every two months, we host local and international artists that have come
to display their pieces. Our artists have come from France, Mexico,
India, and Madagascar, among other countries.
For information on our current or upcoming exhibits,
visit afsf.com/cultural-events
First Thursday of the Month
6pm – 8:00pm
lowerpolkartwalk.com/galleries
Are you an artist or a gallery?
The Alliance is always looking for
new talent. Whether you are an
amateur, a professional or own a
gallery, we'd like to hear from you.
Plan ahead; our gallery is usually
flled months in advance.
Email us at afsf@afsf.com
7
Xavier Castellanos
March is “le mois de la francophonie” highlighting the many countries
where French is spoken. During this month, we show flms from a variety
of nations that are part of the French-speaking world.
Our art gallery will host “Monte Carlo Legends” from March 2nd through
April 4th 2015 as we feature the Principality of Monaco. There will also be
a special screening of “The Last Song Before The War” on March 24th as
well as “Monte Carlo: Birth of A Myth” on March 31st held at the
Alliance.
To stay up-to-date, visit afsf.com/cultural-events
The French Fair
of Palo Alto
Saturday March 21st
10am to 6pm Free Admission
At the Lucie Stern Community Center
1305 M Palo Alto, CA 94301
More details at www.frenchfair.org
Enjoy an array of vendors:
Beauty Products
Cultural Events
Mois de la Francophonie
Books
Crêpes & Galettes
Ceramics
Clothing
Fine Pastries
Handcrafted Soaps
Home Accessories
Jewelry
Linens
Lingerie
Sculpture
Skincare
8
Cultural Events
A Taste of Europe
The European Language Fair is one of our most celebrated
events. The Alliance Française partners with the Goethe Institut,
the Istituto Italiano di Cultura, the Center for Modern Greek
Studies at San Francisco State University and the European
Studies Association in a soirée flled with information on
language classes as well as travel.
Our collective mission is to introduce the San Francisco Bay Area
to the many wonderful cultural institutions that play an active
role in language classes, cultural events and the arts.
This event will take place April 16th and is truly a celebration
of some of Europe's fnest languages and cultures.
You can fnd all the details at afsf.com/cultural-events
9
Germany
France
Greece
Italy
Every summer, for the past 37 years, France
has had a tradition of celebrating music. Fête
de la Musique will be held on June 19th,
ringing in the summer solstice with a variety
of musical acts.
The summer music festival is our biggest
event of the year. We invite all fans of music
to come and enjoy jazz, French pop, British
pop, bluegrass and much more. What better
way to start your summer than with live
bands, French food and cold drinks?
Join the fun this summer on June 19th 2015.
Find all updates and a listing of our musical acts at
alliancesf.wix.com/musique
Are you a musician or in a band?
If you are interested in more information on
how you could become our next act or
performer for our summer music festival or
future events, email us at afsf@afsf.com
along with any links to your professional
Facebook page or Soundcloud. We are always
excited to hear new bands!
Cultural Events
Fête de la Musique
10
Film Festivals
Le Passport Cinéma
In San Francisco, there are hundreds of French flms presented every
year, from classics to Northern California premieres. We invite you to
discover the following flm festivals which showcase movies from
around the globe, in venues such as the Castro Theater, the Roxie
Theater and New People Cinema.
As a member of Le Passport Cinema, you will receive promotions or
discounts to certain screenings and events wherever we have
partnerships or affliations. We also host special events where members
can meet and mingle with major French actors and directors.
AFSF members are placed into a raffle to win free passes to these festivals.
SF International Film Festival
The San Francisco International Film Festival is
the longest-running flm festival in the Americas.
Held each spring for two weeks, the SFIFF is an
extraordinary showcase of cinematic discovery
and innovation in the country's most beautiful city,
featuring some 150 flms and live events with
more than 100 flmmakers in attendance and
nearly two dozen awards presented for cinematic
excellence. The Festival attracts an annual
audience of more than 70,000.
April 23rd – May 7th
Tickets available at www.sffs.org
Frameline Film Festival
With an expected attendance of 65,000, the 11
days of Frameline39 will bring together flm
lovers, media artists, and LGBTQ communities
from the Bay Area and across the globe to
behold the best in queer cinema from nearly 800
flm submissions. More than 30 countries will be
represented, including France.
Tickets available at www.frameline.org
11
Castro Theater
New People Cinema
June 18th – June 28th
The Alliance Française is proud to partner with ESA PARIS.
The European Studies Association, a nonproft which has taken
people to study in Paris for 38 years, is a great way to improve
your French and grow your Parisian roots for the month of July
while staying in lodgings in central Paris and attending classes
at a prestigious university in the 6th arrondissement.
The program includes:
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a weekend in the Loire Valley,
a day-trip to Normandy,
museum visits as well as neighborhood walks
(St. Germain des Prés, the Marais, the Latin Quarter)
lectures on French history and culture.
Study Abroad
Paris in July
Transferable credit may be earned for courses. This program is
distinguished by its value, location and extensive cultural
program. Download a brochure and application and fnd out
full details from www.esaparis.org
Now is your chance to take that trip to Paris and learn about its
rich history and joie de vivre!
12
FrenchClasses
Themed Classes
With the Alliance Française, you
not only get cultural events, but
also workshops and themed
classes that allow you to delve
deeper into French culture, with
subjects on cinema, history,
creative writing, literature, the
regions of France and French for
travelers.
These workshops are a great
way to practice your French
without having to commit to an
entire session of classes, as
most are offered once per
month.
Our workshops are taught not
only by native French speakers
but also professionals and
professors that work for nearby
universities such as Stanford,
UC Berkeley and USF.
Our prices are competitive; the
workshops start out as little as
$25 per session.
Cinéma
8 Week Course Dates:
3/09 to 5/02
5/04 to 6/22
Cadavres Éxquis
Monthly Dates:
3/25, 4/29,
5/27 and 6/24
C'est Historique
Monthly Dates:
3/05, 4/02
5/07 and 6/04
French For Travelers
Monthly Dates:
3/14, 4/11 5/09,
and 6/06
For updated information, deals
and to register, please visit us at
afsf.com
13
*Please note that workshop dates may
change suddenly, and not all classes are
open to beginners. To fnd out which
workshops are appropriate for your
level of French, please visit our
language center at afsf.com/languagecenter
Régions de France
Dates:
3/13 to 5/01, 5/08 to 6/26
Did you know?
San Francisco hosts a variety of authentic French eateries,
bakeries and pastry shops that are affliated partners of the
Alliance Française. Below are some of our favorite places that
offer delicacies which will have you coming back for seconds!
Chantal Guillon
is the
premiere place to indulge in
the art of fne French macarons.
With organic, natural
ingredients, and a passion for
this pastry, your palate will be
taken on sumptuous journeys
with their “Persian Rose” and
“Lavender & Black Current.”
L'Ardoise, is a French bistro in
San Francisco, serving
traditional and authentic food
in a cozy atmosphere. In
French, the word ardoise refers
to a chalkboard, on which the
menu is traditionally written. It
has been a neighborhood
favorite since it opened in
2008, receiving great reviews
from both diners and
professional critics.
La Boulange is truly a San
Francisco original, where you
get a little piece of France
right in your neighborhood!
Their traditional pastries,
organic breads and irresistible
desserts are made with care,
using recipes inspired by the
French countryside.
S u p po r t i n g L a B o u l a ng e
supports us, as they are a
long time AFSF supporter.
Chantal Guillon
Macarons & Tea
www.chantalguillon.com
Eateries
French Eateries
L'ardoise Bistro
www.ardoisesf.com
La Boulange
www.laboulangebakery.com
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Learn French
Class Session Dates
Whether you are looking
to brush up on your
French, interested in
traveling to France or
working on attaining a
strong command of the
language, the AFSF has
exactly what you are
looking for.
Sessions begin every 8
weeks. We offer a wide
range of courses from
beginning through
advanced levels.
Our friendly staff,
experienced teachers and
relaxed atmosphere
offers students a unique
experience that will help
them achieve their goals
in mastering the French
language.
Session 2
March 9th – May 2nd
Session 3
May 4th – June 27th
Summer Session
July 13th – August 14th
For up-to-date information please visit
our website at www.afsf.com
The Alliance Française is located at
1345 Bush St. San Francisco 94109