The first annual Seattle French Fest, premiering as part of the Festál series of global culture events, features A Celebration of French Speaking Cultures to promote and raise awareness of Francophone cultures and traditions, Sunday, March 24, 11 am – 6pm, in Seattle Center Armory.
Live music, theater and dance as well as international food and wine add to the celebration of French culture and regional presence. This inaugural celebration of la Francophonie in Seattle highlights many of the over 70 member states included in Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie.
Performance highlights include:
Tahitian dance by Te Fare O Tamatoa, Louisiana Cajun music from Folichon, French-Canadian tunes and percussive dance by Podorythmie, gypsy jazz from Pearl Django and traditional French language songs from around the world by the Alliance Française Choir and the Théâtre Français Choir.
Festival-goers are also invited to informational seminars on French fashion in Seattle with Seattle’s Fashion Incubator, the Canadian Métis in the Pacific Northwest, the Francophone world, French politics and readings of French language poetry from around the world with Misa Bourdoiseau of Éducation Française Greater Seattle.
Creative activities for children of all ages organized by the Alliance Française de Seattle and booths hosted by Bseveral additional French culture and language organizations in the region compliment these interactive performances and seminars.
Au menu in the international bistro includes foods from around la Francophonie: Louisiana fried oyster po’boy sandwich, sandwich Parisian (ham baguette sandwich), bisque de tomate (creamy tomato soup), salade de crudités (trio of fresh salads) and Belgian moules frites (steamed mussels with fries).
Seattle French Fest is produced in partnership with France Education Northwest under the auspices of the Consular Agency of France. For more information on Seattle French Fest, visit www.fenpnw.org. Click on www.seattlecenter.com or call 206 684-7200 to learn more about Seattle Center Festál and other outstanding public events offered at Seattle Center.
