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Quoi de neuf / Infolettre
Free Movie Tix for Alliance Members

Thanks to a partnership with IFC Films, the Alliance is pleased to offer 100 complimentary passes for Alliance members to see the film, CLOUDS OF SILS MARIA, at Regal Fox Tower in downtown Portland, on Thursday, April 16 at 7pm. Click here to claim one of the 50 pairs of passes (for you and one guest). If you are not currently an Alliance member and would like to attend, simply sign up for your membership at the same time (an option on the sign-up page). The movie, filmed in English, is by French director Olivier Assayas and stars Juliette Binoche and Kristen Stewart (of TWILIGHT fame). The drama has won several awards; it's the story of a veteran actress who confronts an uncomfortable reflection of herself. Click here for the trailer and here for a review in last Sunday's NY Times. 

Brand New Twist on the May Auction
In addition to great restaurant certificates, one-of-a-kind certificates to outstanding immersion programs on the French Wine view Riviera and in Paris, the spring online auction will feature an entirely new and tempting category - wine and spirits! Look for tempting lots such as a six-bottle collection of WillaKenzie Estate's formidable 2011 Pierre Léon! Or a prized assortment of spirits from Hardy Cognac. Stay tuned for more exciting news on this May fundraiser and how your browsing and bidding, from the comfort of your home computer, will aid the nonprofit missions of the Alliance and the FACC. Email newsletter@afportland.org with donations or questions.
Three "Fun, Free & French" Events in April
FETE DE ROSTAND: Portland Center Stage invites the public to stop by the Gerding Theater on April 26, 4pm-7:30pm, for a Fête de Rostand (Rostand is the playwright who wrote Cyrano, which is playing through May 5). The event, to be held in the theater's large lobby, is free. With a theme of "all things French" you can purchase specialty cocktails, French press coffee, champagne and pastries from the café while listening to local musicians, Hannah Penn and Eric John Kaiser, performing music in French. Readers will remember Hannah (shown here; photo by Paul Thacker) from her memorable performances on the Bastille Day stage, and Eric from his many concerts around town. Click here for the fête schedule and here for information on discounts on tickets to the play, Cyrano.  
CERCLE FRANCAIS: The next Cercle Français, on Thursday, April 23, 12pm to 1pm, will feature Marie Engelhardt who will Cercle titlediscuss George Sand and Chopin. The lunchtime presentation will also feature pianist Diana Ferrua, who will play works by Chopin. Visit the Cercle page for complete details.
RECEPTION & A MOVIE: The Alliance will host a complimentary reception at 6pm on Friday, April 17 at 5th Avenue Cinema to kick off the first weekend of shows during PSU's 4th Annual French Film Festival (from April 17-26). The opening night reception and all the films are free. The theater is located at 510 SW Hall street in downtown Portland. Click here for the film schedule. 
French Commerce Connections
Recognizing the Best and the Brightest: On May 15, the French-American Chamber of Commerce of the Pacific Northwest will organize the first French-American Business Awards dinner for the region. This will be a gala dinner at the Rainier Club in Seattle to recognize the top leaders and companies (from France and the U.S.) who have distinguished themselves in areas that have positively and profoundly impacted trade in our region. Company nominations are being sought. Click here for details and reservations. Interested in building a Portland table? Email linda.witt@comcast.net.
Trade Mission to France: The Portland Business Alliance is currently promoting a June 13-20 trade mission to France and the UK. Highlights will include the Paris Air Show and wine regions. Participants will learn about Oregon's exports and how the the state markets the region for investment. Click here for the online flyer with full details; pricing is $6,700 (airfare to be paid separately).    
Dates to Remember
April 17: Opening Night Reception of PSU French Film Festival
April 26: FETE DE ROSTAND at the Gerding Theater (Portland Center Stage)
April 28: TRAVEL FRANCE Seminar (nearly sold out)
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Spring Term started

March 30! Enrolling soon for the summer. Call 503.223.8388.    

  

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Groups

Some are hosted by Alliance staff, board members or other volunteers. Drop-ins welcome; membership is encouraged but not required.

NW, N, or Central   

St Honoré on NW Thurman on

Wed., 6pm, Apr. 15      

Philippe's Bread on N. Williams on Sat., May 2 for B2/C1 levels (advanced, fluent)  

SE Portland

At Chez Machin, Mon., Apr. 13, at 7p.m.

  At Vie de Bohème weekly on Sundays, 4-5:30 p.m.

Vancouver

At Gustav's in Vancouver, Tues., Apr. 14 at 5:30 p.m.

 

Alliance Partners 

 

 

 Perrier

 

 

   

PClogo
 
Job Posting, Macaron Classes, Cultural Reading and More  
 
Columbia Sportswear is seeking bilingual English-French candidates for an EComm Consumer Rep ColumbiaNew2012 position at their Portland headquarters. Click here for complete details, including the online job application.
Baking Classes on French Macarons: St. Honoré will offer a 2-hour class on April 23 that will cover the basics of preparing macaron shells using Italian meringue and how to make various flavored fillings with buttercream, ganache and fruit curds. The class will be in English by an experienced chef who trained at Le Cordon Bleu. For details and to sign up, click here. Note: the tower of macarons (shown here) is available to order from the bakery's catering menu - remember that all Alliance members get 10% off in-store and PerrierOnIce special orders at all St. Honoré locations.

Perrier Promotion: Costco shoppers, it's now $3.50 off Perrier cases, for a limited time!  

Film for the Whole Family: NW Film is featuring the film, Sur le chemin de l'école (On the Way to School), suitable for ages 10 and up, on April 11 and 12 (sponsored by the World Affairs Council on Oregon). The award-winning documentary by French filmmaker Pascal Plisson extols the true worth of getting, and getting to, an education. Shot in Kenya, Patagonia, Morocco, and the Bay of Bengal, the film follows the perilous journeys of four groups of children on their way to school. Click here for the trailer and here for the schedule. Filmed in multiple languages; subtitled in English.
TV5MONDE Three Months for Free: Members are talking about the promotion that is available for TV5Monde programming, including French Cinema on Demand, for free, for a three-month period. Enjoy award-winning French language films with over 450 screenings per year, subtitled in English! This is the first time in five years that this promotion has been offered. So don't miss the chance to sign up for the limited-time offer. Call 855 209.8333 or click here to sign up online. Promo Code: CINEPHILE.
Cultural Differences: French visitors get frustrated when they find they can't pay by credit card at most American toll booths (called a péage in French). Click here for the reasons why, as explained (in French) in a recent Question Bête article in French Morning, Pourquoi ne peut-on pas payer par carte aux péages américains?  
CINE-CLUB: Later this spring the Alliance will start a CINE-CLUB with French-language conversation and discussion around select French films. Look for more news in upcoming bulletins.  
TRAVEL FRANCE Seminar: The April 28 TRAVEL FRANCE Seminar is nearly sold out. There are just a couple of seats left; click here for info including the reservations link.  

        

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