Alliance Fran. du N.S. (IL)

Alliance Française du North Shore (IL)
Founded in 1912 as "The French Club of Evanston"
P.O. Box 1750, Evanston, IL 60204 USA

Put a little French in your life
and join our
Alliance Française du North Shore (IL).

We are but one chapter of the not-for-profit cultural and educational Alliance Française organizations, a worldwide network which seeks to educate its members about francophone cultures, language, history and literature.

Is your French a little rusty? Pas de problème! Come and enjoy the camaraderie of French-speaking people in Chicago's northern suburbs along the shores of Lake Michigan (Northern Cook County, Lake County). Benefit from our excellent lecture programs which take place once a month (on Monday afternoons) during our September-April Lecture Season, and benefit from our many year'round activities.

Il y en aura pour tous les goûts!

If you are interested in being part of a friendly francophone environment, visit one of our Lecture programs for the nominal sum of ~$10 at the door. If you wish to join for the year (June1-May31),$50, print out our Membership form , and mail it to us with your check. All skill levels welcome, fluent to beginner. Our members range from native speakers to present and former French teachers to present and former French students. We do not have any office space, so please write to us at AFduNS, P.O.Box 1750, Evanston, IL 60204, or by email, alliancefn @ yahoo.com.

Membership Benefits
Among the many benefits of an annual membership:
--You will receive monthly reminders of upcoming Lecture-Program Topics and Café events by postcard or e-Rappel;
--Members receive their own copy of our annual Member-Directory (published each November),
--Members receive one or two "NewsBrief" newsletters sent out each year.
--The Lecture-Program entrance fee is waived for members.

--Members are also extended privileges at our club's small 'lending library', to borrow from our small collection of French-language books, magazines, publications which are on offer before each Lecture. Ask for Chantal Shapiro or Monique Whiting. Do you have subscriptions to francophone newspapers or magazines such as Paris MATCH, or l'Express? Once you have finished, please bring your old copies to our 'lending library' so they can be circulated to interested members.
--Members are also elegible to access the Members-Only activities such as: Cercle de Lecture, Cercle des Contes, Ciné Club and Classe de Conversation.

Our AF du NS Year-'Round Activities

--- "Café Conversations" ---
"Café Conversations" Morning Edition:
One Monday-morning a month, (usually first Mondays) at 10:00am, we meet at a café "pour bavarder en français." Rendez-vous at the Panera (Wilmette), at 1199 Wilmette Ave, (just east of the C&NW rail tracks).
Bring a friend! Purchase your refreshment and then look for us at the pulled-together tables near the south exit. Open to Members and non-Members, beginners to fluent. Listening in French is required. We generally have 12 to 24 participants each month. Join us! Mark your calendar now for :

- - - June 1, 2009, 10am-11am
- - - July 6, 2009, 10am-11am
- - - August 3, 2009, 10am-11am
- - - tentatively Sept. 7, 2009, 10am-11am

"Café Conversations" Evening Edition:
One Monday-evening per month (on the second or third Monday nite of the month) at 7:30pm, we meet at a café for friendly conversation in French. Rendez-vous at the Panera "LincolnVillage", 6059 N. Lincoln Ave, just east of McCormick Blvd., for one hour.
Panera is at the intersection of Lincoln and Jersey St. (3200 West); the Panera building is one door east of the Borders Books Building. Purchase your optional refreshment and look for us at the tables that are pulled together.
Open to Members and non-Members, beginners to fluent. Listening in French is encouraged. We generally have 6 to 12 participants each month. Mark your calendar now for :

- - - June 8, 2009, 7:30pm-8:30pm
- - - July 13, 2009, 7:30pm-8:30pm
- - - August 10, 2009, 7:30pm-8:30pm
- - - tentatively Sept. 14, 2009, 7:30pm-8:30pm

Newly Forming for September '09: "Café Conversation à Thème" :
Mme. Denise Rano va oraniser des participants. Niveau: Posséder une bonne connaissance du francais permettant une participation active à des échanges et des débats. Veuillez contacter Mme.Rano c/o alliancefn@yahoo.com . Membership probably Required to join this activity.

Our Lecture Programs:

Si vous voulez améliorer votre compréhension et expression
de la langue française, venez vous joindre à nous,
pour écouter et converser en français.

Program
Date
@1PM sharp. Last Season's Lecture Topics ('08 - '09)& New season begins in September, 2009

Sept. 15, 2008 M. Jacky Pluton, Chef de cuisine, will describe "la qualité gastronomique entre la France et les États-Unis"". Mr. Pluton is also an author of The Fairway Gourmet.
www.jackyplutongroup.com
N. B.: Please sign up for Membership before September 5th, so we can have your nametag ready for you on September 15th.

Oct. 20, 2008 M. Eric Aubriot, Chef de cuisine and gourmet wine & foods shop-owner will describe “Le monde des petits commerces” (The world of small business). His shop, "TASTE food & wine" is located in the Rogers Park neighborhood.
www.tastefoodandwine.com

Nov. 17, 2008 Mr. Wylie Crawford will speak about “Le carillon et être carillonneur”, with video. He is the University Carillonneur at the University of Chicago since 1984, and is carillonneur at other carillons. http://rockefeller.uchicago.edu/staff/crawford

Dec. 15, 2008 Mme. Marie-Andrée (Aimée) Laberge, author, will present "Vive le cinema libre -- Films from Québec", aspects of Québec movie-making with clips from Mon Oncle Antoine, the respected 1971 film by Claude Jutra which captured a bygone time and reflects on what the future holds for a society in upheaval.

Jan. 12, 2009 "Causerie", open to Members Only, annual opportunity for Conversation Circles centered on various pre-selected Discussion-Topics.

Feb. 9, 2009 M. Jack McCord, Executive Director at AF de Chicago, will present "Notre Partenariat avec les ecoles publiques de Chicago: our educational outreach programs" with video. www.af-chicago.org. Also, NB: AFduNS Memberships are now available (half-season, thru-July 30,'09) at $25.00 and may be purchased at the door or by mail. Become a Member! Print Membership Form from this site.

Mar.16, 2009 M. Main de Boissière, Consul Général de la France à Chicago, will speak about « Une vue de l’Europe et l’évolution des relations transatlantiques », [" A French view of Europe and Evolution of Trans-atlantic Relations"]. Visit www.consulfrance-chicago.com

Apr.20, 2009 Mr. George Lepauw, Franco-american concert pianist, will present, " Comprendre Debussy" with piano excerpts. Visit www.GeorgeLepauw.com for his performance schedule and to hear piano audio-excerpts.

May 18, 2009 Déjeuner de printemps.
Our Annual Spring Luncheon will be held at Restaurant "Michael" in Winnetka. Begins at NOON. Pre-paid Reservations MUST be received by our Treasurer by May 8th. $36 for Members, $41 for non-Members. (Tax and Tip included.)

NOTES:

--Our Lecture Program starts promptly at 1:00 PM S-H-A-R-P.   Arrive by 12:50pm to find your seat.
--Meet in the Wilmette Public Library's Auditorium (lower level), 1242 Wilmette Avenue.
--Members admitted free; Guests and Visitors pay $10.00 at the door to help defray our expenses for the meeting.
--The Library has elevators if you wish to avoid stairs.
--Parking: You may park in the St. John's church lot *south* of the Library, but DO NOT PARK in the "Library Lot" (north of the Library) unless you have a Wilmette windshield sticker; we have reserved 12 spaces in the center of the Church's lot, and 8 slots accessed from Park Avenue. (Carpooling is optional, email ahead to request carpooling suggestions.)
--Come at 12:45pm to socialize in French and/or browse our 'lending library', a tableful of materials in French.
--You will also hear announcements of current local francophone events which are also posted on our club's bulletin board on view at the meeting.
--Our Guest Speakers and Presenters give a 45 to 60 minutes program.
--We present refreshments after the Lecture, contributed by members, and socialize in French.
--We generally conclude by 2:45 or 3:00pm.
--Our Lecture Program's Conference topics are also announced in local papers such as in the Pioneer Press' Clubs, Lectures, or Community calendars found in its "Diversions", "Images", or "Peek-at-the-Week" pages. We often have listings printed in the NorthSHORE Magazine "Datebook", as well.
--Nearly all our Presenters are fluent francophones.

This view looks north towards The Wilmette Public Library, 847-256-5025, 1242 Wilmette Avenue, Wilmette, IL, 60091

W.P. L. is located just 1 block west of GreenBay Road. (At the corner of Park Avenue and Wilmette Ave). The convenient #213 Pace Bus runs on GreenBay Road nearby.

Program Date @1PM sharp.	Past-Season Lecture Topics ('07 - '08)
Sept. 17, 2007	M. Frédéric Robinel, Director of the Learning Center of AF-Chicago, formerly of Toulouse, France, will discuss "la situation socio-économique de la France et les changements en cours depuis la dernière élection présidentielle"
Oct. 15, 2007	M. Eddie A. Maettaoui, chef-owner of Tagine Restaurant, 4749 N. Rockwell, Chicago (Lincoln Square), will discuss "Maroc: l'ancienne et la nouvelle cuisine marocaine: cous cous, tajines, briwats, etc". Tastings follow the talk.
Nov. 19, 2007	Musicians Amy Conn (soprano) & Rick Ferguson (pianist) will perform some gems of French art song from the vocal repertoires of M. Gabriel Fauré and Mme. Germaine Tailleferre, with program commentary (in French). ...Ms. Conn, a music teacher, has performed with Music of the Baroque, the Bach Chamber Choir, and Musical Offering, among others. She is also on the faculty of DePaul. ...Mr. Ferguson is the co-founder/artistic director of Musical Offering of Evanston, themusicaloffering.org. He teaches music in innovative ways, and is a performer of solo, chamber, and orchestral works both here & abroad.
Dec. 17, 2007	M. David Gista will present "Les bibliothèques imaginaires." ...Mr. Gista teaches at the Art Centers of Evanston and Highland Park. He completed his MFA at École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris (ENSBA). He is currently represented by Galerie Darthea Speyer of Paris and Thomas Masters Gallery of Chicago. www.davidgista.com.
Jan. 14, 2008	"Causerie", open to Members Only, various Discussion-Topic Circles.
Feb.11, 2008	French Music by Jean-Marie Leclair (1697-1764) and Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924) will be performed by Nelson Cleary, violin and Gregory Shifrin, piano.
Mar.17, 2008	Prof. Souleyman Bachir Diagne, Northwestern University Dept. of Philosophy and author. www.philosophy.northwestern.edu/people/diagne.html
Apr.21, 2008	Dr. Zakia Gooding, specialist in cardiology, will present “Un petit aperçu sur l'Algérie: A personal account of life in Algeria - culture, history, geography and politics”
May 19, 2008	Déjeuner de printemps. Our Annual Spring Luncheon was held at Capriccio's Restaurant in Northfield. Begins at NOON. Pre-paid Reservations MUST be received by our Treasurer by May 8th. $34 for Members, $39 for non-Members. (Tax and Tip included.)

Our Classe de Conversation (for Members Only):

AFduNS Classe du mercredi soir:
We offer one class per week and it meets during our Lecture Season (September to April) only. It is an "Advanced-Intermediate & Advanced Level" Classe de Conversation (par Prof. Roland Dubosq) on Wednesday evenings (7:00 to 8:45 p.m.) at the Wilmette Library.
Various materials are used: articles, poems, songs, grammar worksheets. No text is required. Current events are followed on TV5-Monde.
The next quarter of Classes will begin after May, 2009. Fee is approximately $154.00 for the full term.
Students may easily join this class part-way thru the series, for a prorated tuition, whenever there are open seats, to a maximum of 14 students. You may also request to be added to the waiting list if the enrollment is currently full. AFduNS Membership is a prerequisite. Each 10, 11, or 14-week series will not be offered unless 8 or more students have registered and pre-paid before the first meeting of the quarter. For current information, email the club at alliancefn@ yahoo.com. If you wish to audit one class to see if the level and format suit you, please email the club to arrange your visit.
If you are looking for other levels of French, call Mme Janine Pefley at 847-251-6517 or call the New Trier Extension office (NTX), Northfield, Illinois, to leave a message at 847-446-6600, or visit their "NTX Course Catalog Online" at http://www.newtrierextension.org/ where you will find 10 to 16 excellent courses for francophones on a semester schedule.

Our Cercles based on pre-Selected Readings (for Members Only):

AFduNS Cercle des Contes:
This conversation group usually meets the last monday of the month, in the early afternoon, at a member's home, to discuss a short literary work which was assigned at a previous meeting. The selection is usually suited to advanced-beginners and intermediate-level students of French. AFduNS Membership is a prerequisite. Enrollment is limited, so you might have to be put on a waiting list. Send us an email to request further details or ask Monique Whiting, Caroline Erbmann, or Chantal Shapiro.

AFduNS Cercle de Lecture:
This conversation group usually meets every 6 to 8 weeks to discuss a renowned, full-length francophone literary work. The reading and discussion level is suited for both very-fluent, advanced-level francophones and native speakers. AFduNS Membership is a prerequisite. Enrollment is limited so you might have to be put on a waiting list. Send us an email to request further details.

Cercle de lecture titles for the '08-'09 Season will be:
1. Je l'amais by Annie Gavalda
2. La femme rompue by Simone de Beauvoir
3. Les jardins de l'Observatoire by Gilles Perrault
4. L'amour dure 3 ans by Frédéric Beigbeder
5. Victoire, la saveur et les mots by Maryse Condé

Our Cercle de lecture titles for the '07-'08 Season were:
1. L'attentat by Yasmina Khadra
2. Aliocha by Henri Troyat
3. Extension du domaine de la lutte by Michel Houelleberg
4. La dentellière by Pascal Lainé
5. La petite fille de Monsieur Link by Philippe Claudel

Our Ciné Club (for Members Only):

We are seeking volunteers to lead one or two Ciné Club meetings per year. Members may sign up to view a private showing of a film ,
followed by conversation in French as a group, exploring aspects of the film.

Ciné Club Spring '09:
le lundi 4 mai 2009 de 13h30 à 16h

Film : La Petite Lili,
Sortie du film: 2003
Réalisateur: Claude Miller
Vedettes : Nicole Garcia, Robinson Stévenin, Ludivine Sagnier
Romantic drama, 1h44min.
Séance suivie de discussion animée par Madame Monique Whiting
To be shown in the private theater in N.W. Evanston, seating limited to 25 capacity.
Request reservations in advance by contacting Mme. Margot Steinhart at m.steinhart[at]sbcglobal.net.

FILM Titles for '07-'08 were:
--Au revoir les enfants,
--Être and Avoir, and
--Avenue Montaigne.
Contact Margot Steinhart to volunteer for the planning phase, or send an email to our club's email account.

Our Membership Form: Print, then snail-mail it Membership Form

Our Officers and Committees through May 31, 2009: Conseil
The success of our club relies on active participation of our members. What is your favorite aspect of our AFduNS activities? Please consider helping out on one of our committees? Many hands make light work and you will also have the benefit of making new francophone friends. Just mention your interest to one of our current committee members. Your ideas and participation are eagerly awaited.

Our History (Historique): our chapter history

Our ByLaws: view our chapter ByLaws

Our Guest Speakers during a few more of our Past Lecture Seasons: ...more of our past seasons' guest speakers and topics

-- OTHER NEWS for local francophones: -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

-- Annual "Grande Dictée" held at NU-Evanston campus -- On a Saturday in late January, usually $5 per person-- eMail to Prof. Pavlovich at NU for info, mpa347 @northwestern.edu -- Three levels of competition: High school, adult students and teaching professionals; great prizes such as Dining Certificates, francophone reading material, offered by the AATF Northern Illinois/Chicago.

-- Parisian Salon Concerts in Northbrook-- always a Friday, always Free, always 7:30pm. First FRIDAY of the month at Northbrook Public Library. Various talented musicians perform. Parisian anecdotes are offered, in English, by hosts Didier and Jane Lepauw. For upcoming program details, visit them online at http://northbrook.info/com_parisian_salon.php Oftentimes, several audience members speak French together after the music program concludes.

-- LesBavards -- NW Suburban Chicagoland (O'Hare area) -- First Wednesdays of the month, 6:30pm dinner, at a fine-dining restaurant north of O'hare Airport. Informal conversation in French during the meal. This popular monthly dining group was founded in 1999 by Sally Lipscomb. Contact lesbavards @ yahoo.com or visit http://lesbavardsfrancophones.blogspot.com

-- LesBavards du Nord -- NW Suburban Chicagoland (Buffalo Grove Area)-- Third Saturdays of the month, lunch at a casual restaurant in Buffalo Grove. Informal conversation in French. This popular monthly dining group was founded in 2004 by Janet Evans. Contact lesbavardsdunord @ yahoo.com or visit http://lesbavardsfrancophones.blogspot.com

-- LIAISON newsletter -- Francophone activites & listings for Chicagoland, updated monthly . See a sample at http://www.consulfrance-chicago.org/IMG/html/liaison/liaison0808.htm

-- Evanston Public Library -- EPL circulates over 140 films in French, which are listed by epl's Laura Hirshfield in a handy, 19-page booklet, with a descriptive overview for each film. The booklet is revised occasionally to reflect newer acquisitions. The films are on VHS or DVD, and require a $1 fee in addition to your library card in good standing ( Wilmette or Skokie cardholders must also bring proof-of-residence and photo ID to register for EPL privileges).

-- Wilmette Public Library -- WPL circulates over 100 films in French, they are listed on a three-page list called "Foreign Films on VHS".

-- Mount Prospect Sister Cities Commission -- Mount Prospect has established sister cities status with Sèvres, France. Spring and Fall activities with visitors from Sèvres are open to the public and francophones. Check the latest news at www.mountprospect.org/sistercities

-- American Association of Teachers of French, AATF, Chicago/Northern-Illinois Chapter. Their web site: http://www.aatf-chicnorthil.org

-- Alliance Française de Chicago -- The Chicago chapter of Alliance Française has numerous classes and francophone activities every week, supported by hundreds of active members. Visit their site at www.af-chicago.org for the latest info.

-- Alliance Française of Dupage, du Comté de DuPage, Illinois (Naperville) -- The DuPage County chapter of Alliance Française has francophone activities west of Chicago. Visit their site at http://www.afdupage.com for the latest info.

-- U.F.E.- Chicago -- L'UFEC assure la défense des droits et des intérêts des Français de l'étranger et aide les expatriés et les entreprises qui les détachent à bien réussir leur installation, leur intégration et leur retour. There are numerous Chicagoland francophone UFEC activities and outings visible at their outstanding website, http://www.ufechicago.org (Fluent francophones are welcome to participate in their events.)

--Facets Multi-Media, Inc. -- founded in 1975, is a non-profit, 501(C)3 organization, and a leading national media arts organization. There are often screenings of foreign-language films, or classes addressing aspects of francophone films. 1517 W. Fullerton Ave. Chicago. http://www.facets.org

-- French In Chicago .com -- FrenchInChicago.com is a local website owned and managed by the ChicagoWorldCup LLC and is a FREE and interactive portal serving the French community to access all activities, stores, cultural, sports events, social groups, etc...related to the French Community in Chicago, whether you are francophone or francophile. Visit their site at http://www.frenchinchicago.com & you may choose either French or English for the latest info.

-- Contact us at our e-mail address to make any request for your not-for-profit, Chicagoland, francophone activity or resource to be considered for mention here, alliancefn @ yahoo.com .

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Other sites you might enjoy:     favorite_links such as

Bienvenue! You are visitor NUMBER [an error occurred while processing this directive] .
  Since our web debut during October of 2000, we have had over 30 to 50 visitors per week.
   Please come back again soon!

Our Alliance site is generously hosted by The Wilmette Public Library Wilmette Public Library hosting service for community-based organizations.

(dernière mise à jour : 3 juin 2009 par olearymel @ yahoo.com)

Every effort has been made to provide accurate and up-to-date information. The material contained on this site is given for informational purposes only; information relating to current events may be incomplete and cannot be guaranteed; the purpose is to inform and assist Internet users in locating francophone activities in the suburbs north of Chicago, also known as the northern Cook-County area.

Program Date @1PM sharp.	Last Season's Lecture Topics ('08 - '09)& New season begins in September, 2009
Sept. 15, 2008	M. Jacky Pluton, Chef de cuisine, will describe "la qualité gastronomique entre la France et les États-Unis"". Mr. Pluton is also an author of The Fairway Gourmet. www.jackyplutongroup.com N. B.: Please sign up for Membership before September 5th, so we can have your nametag ready for you on September 15th.
Oct. 20, 2008	M. Eric Aubriot, Chef de cuisine and gourmet wine & foods shop-owner will describe “Le monde des petits commerces” (The world of small business). His shop, "TASTE food & wine" is located in the Rogers Park neighborhood. www.tastefoodandwine.com
Nov. 17, 2008	Mr. Wylie Crawford will speak about “Le carillon et être carillonneur”, with video. He is the University Carillonneur at the University of Chicago since 1984, and is carillonneur at other carillons. http://rockefeller.uchicago.edu/staff/crawford
Dec. 15, 2008	Mme. Marie-Andrée (Aimée) Laberge, author, will present "Vive le cinema libre -- Films from Québec", aspects of Québec movie-making with clips from Mon Oncle Antoine, the respected 1971 film by Claude Jutra which captured a bygone time and reflects on what the future holds for a society in upheaval.
Jan. 12, 2009	"Causerie", open to Members Only, annual opportunity for Conversation Circles centered on various pre-selected Discussion-Topics.
Feb. 9, 2009	M. Jack McCord, Executive Director at AF de Chicago, will present "Notre Partenariat avec les ecoles publiques de Chicago: our educational outreach programs" with video. www.af-chicago.org. Also, NB: AFduNS Memberships are now available (half-season, thru-July 30,'09) at $25.00 and may be purchased at the door or by mail. Become a Member! Print Membership Form from this site.
Mar.16, 2009	M. Main de Boissière, Consul Général de la France à Chicago, will speak about « Une vue de l’Europe et l’évolution des relations transatlantiques », [" A French view of Europe and Evolution of Trans-atlantic Relations"]. Visit www.consulfrance-chicago.com
Apr.20, 2009	Mr. George Lepauw, Franco-american concert pianist, will present, " Comprendre Debussy" with piano excerpts. Visit www.GeorgeLepauw.com for his performance schedule and to hear piano audio-excerpts.
May 18, 2009	Déjeuner de printemps. Our Annual Spring Luncheon will be held at Restaurant "Michael" in Winnetka. Begins at NOON. Pre-paid Reservations MUST be received by our Treasurer by May 8th. $36 for Members, $41 for non-Members. (Tax and Tip included.)