La Maison Française, Embassy of France, Washington DC

Francophonie
    Cultural Festival
                          2012

MARCH 2 - APRIL 15

   Come journey with us as we take a cultural tour of the French-speaking world! During March and April, "Le mois de la francophonie" brings a full month of exciting francophone events — concerts, special events, plays, lectures, films, and more — to Washington, DC. Celebrating the vibrant artistry of performers from all points of the compass, Le mois de la francophonie is a voyage of exploration, discovery, and cultural sharing. I also encourage you to visit www.francophonieDC.org for the complete schedule of events.

We look forward to seeing you throughout the 2012 Francophonie cultural festival!

The 2012 Francophonie Cultural Festival is co-organized by the Washington Francophonie Committee, more than 35 embassies, The Smithsonian Associates, the Library of Congress, La Maison Française | House of France DC, Alliance Française de Washington and the French-American Cultural Foundation. This year's festival is generously sponsored by TV5 Monde, RFI, the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, Dish Network and Campus France.
This year's festival is generously sponsored by:

RECENTLY
at La Maison Française

Maria de Barros

"... She is an eclectic soul who is breaking through to mainstream audiences by daring to be different... We’re so smitten with her sound... De Barros’ music crosses language barriers." — Essence Magazine

"... There’s a breezy confidence in her voice and a resolute optimism in her songs ... She’s irresistible." — New York Times

   Presentation

   Maria de Barros’ music transcends taste, preference and even language. It travels through countries dense with culture, picking up pieces of each along the way, combining distinct inflections of Africa, Brazil, the Caribbean, France and Spain, while allowing the tradition and culture of Cape Verde to permeate.

   Melodies melt off her tongue with the same richness and maturity of a contemporary Cape Verde club singing Ella Fitzgerald, except that this songstress’ club is bursting with a taste of Latin spice, serving Portuguese and African cuisine with dancers to match and audiences swinging their hips to Maria’s sensual Morna and Coladeira beats.

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FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 7PM-12AM
at La Maison Française

SOLD OUT - SOLD OUT - SOLD OUT

Grande fête de la Francophonie

   Presentation

   Perhaps the most eagerly-anticipated event during the Month of the Francophonie, the Grande Fête is an invitation to travel the continents of the world in one night: each year, more than thirty five embassies unite to present their culture and cuisine to an enthusiastic public, accompanied by the sound of a special concert by an artist from the French-speaking world.

7 - 10 p.m.: Visit each and every table to sample the countries' foods and beverages and admire their arts and crafts.
From 8 p.m.: A live concert will complete the ambiance and deliver rythms of the Francophonie world.
10 p.m. to 12 a.m.: We'll crank up the volume to let our guests take over the dance floor and drinks will be up for sale at the cash bar (cash only please).

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SATURDAY, MARCH 31 AT 7:30PM
at the National History Museum - Baird Auditorium
Admission: $25
Tickets: www.InstantSeats.comm

Genticorum

   Presentation

   Over the past decade, the traditional Québecois group Genticorum (Pascal Gemme, Alexandre de Grosbois-Garand and Yann Falquet) has become a fixture internationally, in the traditional, folk and Celtic music circuit. This trio weaves precise and intricate fiddle and flute work, gorgeous vocal harmonies, energetic foot percussion and guitar, and bass accompaniment into a big and jubilant musical feast. The group’s first three albums met with critical acclaim in Canada, the United States and Great Britain and it has since toured extensively, with over 700 concerts in more than 15 countries.

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FRIDAY, APRIL 13 AT 9PM
at the National Portrait Gallery
800 F Street NW, NE
Admission: $35
Ticket purchase: www.instantseats.com
One drink included with admission. Cash bar and food on sale in the Kogod Courtyard Café. You must be at least 21 years old - valid photo ID required.
All ticket sales are final.

Visio-DISCO:
A Remix of Music and Art

Presented in collaboration with "Portraits After 5" at the National Portrait Gallery.

   Presentation

   One of the city’s most spectacular spaces gets a jolt of performance spectacle as the Kogod Courtyard is transformed into a high-energy nightspot where international music, art, culture and dance mix. Arrive before 10 p.m. to visit the fascinating faces in the collection of the National Portrait Gallery and to set the stage for the evening. In the courtyard, a troupe of actors, musicians and dancers conjure up a collage of city life on three continents in the installation performance Distorsions urbaines. Then hit the dance floor to the sounds of composer-performer Koudlam from France, whose mixes draw on everything from tribal beats to symphonic measures.

In partnership with Restaurant Associates and the International Club of DC.

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