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Wine Class & Tasting with Maxine Borcherding
Most of the wine produced in the world is made from eight varietals of wine grape; and six of the eight are native to France. But how is a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc different from a Sancerre? Could you pick out a Washington Bordeaux style blend from a St Est�phe?  An Oregon Chardonnay from a Chablis? Or a Willamette Valley Pinot Noir from a Burgundy?  In this entertaining and educational session led by Wine Scholar Maxine Borcherding, participants will taste and compare how soil, climate, and wine-making style create Old World and New World expressions of classic French varietals. Nibbles will be offered. Date: Saturday, May 14, 4-6pm. Click here for details and to register. 21+ only; presentation will be in English. Alliance members: $25 - non-members: $30. Location: OCI (Oregon Culinary Institute), which is just a few blocks from the Kamm  House.  
Online Bargains ENDING this Friday, April 22
Bidders from 10 states are now competing in the online-only auction but there are still many outstanding bargains to be had. Think gifts, think unique, think French! Some items currently have a leading bid that is just 30% of the retail value. Also look for the "new items," buy-it-now items (signed copies of Cheryl Strayed's book Wild, in French) and the "great deals." Bid before 8pm this Friday, when the sale closes to the highest bidders. Visit the online auction by clicking here; it's free to jump in and bid. And even more (and different) deals will be available on Saturday, April 23, at the Soir�e Proven�ale event at the MAC. Snap up last-minute tickets while they last! Purchase event tickets here
SOIREE JEUX on Friday, May 6    
Come enjoy a fun and unique evening of French conversation and conviviality with games. You may be familiar with some of these games, but playing in French puts a new spin on old favorites. The Alliance is organizing a game night on Friday, May 6, 6:15-8:30pm. Taboo, Mille Bornes, Cluedo, Cranium, Times Up and more. All levels of French are welcome (just be sure to let us know your level when you sign up). Drinks, snacks, and pizza will be provided; games are facilitated by Alliance staff. The cost is $15 for members and $20 for non-members. Click here for details and to sign up.
CINE-CLUB on Friday, May 13: A Comedy
Le pr�nom is a 2012 comedy that will make you rethink how we choose names for our loved ones. Witty and controversial, the lively dialogues turn a friendly evening dinner into an epic fight of words - and fists - but, in a final twist, also bring family and friends closer together through a deluge of awkward truths. The movie earned 5 nominations at the C�sar, the French film award ceremony and two awards for best supporting actor and actress. The movie is available on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video (streaming and DVD). Annabelle Dolidon, Professor of French at PSU, will facilitate a discussion in French at the Alliance on May 13, 6:15-7:30 pm. Ticket price: $5 for members; $7 for non-members. Click here for details and to sign up. 
Alliance Job Postings on the West Coast
   The Alliance Fran�aise de Portland is seeking an experienced instructor to teach adult classes. The instructor will teach one evening class (intermediate level) and one Saturday morning class, starting in the summer term (June 20-Aug. 27), with the possibility of teaching other classes or private lessons as well. Experience teaching children is a plus. Click here for details.        
    The Alliance Fran�aise de Sacramento is seeking an energetic leader with a passion for the French language and culture, and a bold vision to take our organization to the next level. The Executive Director is responsible for the overall direction of the organization, including overseeing the Alliance's French language program; organizing cultural events; marketing; administration; fundraising; budgeting and planning. Click here for details.
DATES & QUICK LINKS
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All Events

Spring Session  

(March 28 - June 4)  

in progress; late enrollments possible. Private lessons also available.   

   

  Conversation

Groups

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

NW, N, or Central   

St Honor� on NW Thurman on

Wed., 6pm, April 20
*   

The advanced group (for levels B2/C1 meets at Palio's in Ladd's Addition on May 7, 11am. 

SE Portland

At Chez Machin, Mon., May 2, at 7pm

 
At Vie de Boh�me weekly on Sundays, 4-5:30pm

Vancouver

At Gustav's

on May 10 at 5:30pm.

  

Merci  

 

 

 Perrier

 

 

    

Fun Volunteer Opportunity, Au Pair, and More

  Portland Center Stage is seeking French-speaking volunteers to help usher 300 gala guests across NW 11th Avenue on a Saturday, May 7 at their "An American in Paris" event. Email Kate Bowman at [email protected] if you can help. Period of time for the volunteer work is 30 minutes.
  Young Frenchwoman with Portland connections
is seeking an "au pair" position: Cassandra, 21, from Angers, has an Associate's Degree in Business. She is looking to be an au pair in Portland starting in October 2016. She is experienced with children and is registered with AuPairCare. Email her at [email protected]. childcare
  Seeking Mother's Helper for this Summer: SE Portland family seeking part-time bilingual (English-French) mother's helper or nanny for 18-month-old twin boys, James and Charlie. Start date is flexible, but sometime in early June would be great. Hours are also flexible, but 2-6pm daily might work best. Possibility a few days could be 9-6pm as well if extra hours are desired. Contact [email protected]
  Delta One (Business Class) to France: The FACC has a few remaining $100 raffle tickets for the drawing on May 20 for two round-trip Seattle-Europe tickets in Delta One (Business Class). Click here for the amenities and here for the raffle details and purchase. Winner need not be present at th
Coffeee drawing.
  Fascinated by Absinthe: Are you curious about absinthe? Learn more abou
t its history by clicking here.
  TimeOut Paris does a nice round-up of the top recommendations for coffee in Paris. Click here. But before you visit them you should study the vocabulary involved in ordering coffee - click here for the editor's favorite online video instruction on coffee terms in French. This entertaining and informative tutorial has garnered close to 80,000 views.
  FrenchEntree describes the process of buying land and building a home in France. Click here.
  Big Shout-Out to Nice: Adrian Leeds just finished filming another House Hunters International show, this time in Nice. Click here for her entertaining article, with beautiful photos by Gordon Ross. Also note that she speaks extensively and positively of our friends at the Institut de Fran�ais - a two-week session at that world-renowned program is up for grabs in the online auction. Click here for the opportunity to bid on that item in the auction that ends this Friday, April 22. At right: the view from Eze, looking in the direction of Villefranche - photo by L. Witt.  
republique fr   TOURNEE CONSULAIRE - A rare tourn�e consulaire is coming to Portland May 16-20. Click here for details.     
         
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Alliance Fran�aise de Portland 503.223.8388 | 1425 SW 20th Ave., Suite 102 | Portland | OR | 97201