New York University

New York University

The Office of Public Affairs

Tuesday, Sep 08, 2009

N-10, 2009-10

For Immediate Release Contact: Barbara Jester September 8, 2009 212.998.6844 barbara.jester@nyu.edu La Maison Française of New York University, located at 16 Washington Mews (at University Place), will host several special events in September, including an exclusive appearance by French National Assembly Majority Leader Jean-François Copé speaking on French politics on September 17; this event takes place at 19 University Place, room 102. All events are free and open to the public and take place at La Maison Française, unless otherwise noted. For further information, call 212.998.8750 or visit www.nyu.edu/maisonfrancaise.

A schedule of events follows:

Tues., Sept. 15, 7 p.m. Lecture/reading: Sylvie Weil, Simone Weil’s niece and André Weil’s daughter, will read from and discuss her family memoir, Chez les Weil: André et Simone, a twofold portrait of a pair who played key roles in the history of 20th-century ideas. In French.

Wed., Sept. 16, 7:30 p.m. Concert: The Alliance Players celebrate the birthday of Nadia Boulanger, one of the most influential teachers of musical composition of the 20th century. Works by Virgil Thompson, Elliot Carter, Astor Piazzola, Louise Talma, and Nadia Boulanger. Tickets: $20; $10, for NYU students. Reservations: 212.998.8750; email: maison.francaise@nyu.edu.

Thurs., Sept. 17, 7 p.m. Lecture: “The Political Situation in France Today” by Jean-François Copé, French National Assembly Majority Leader; former Minister of the Budget. Note venue: 19 University Place, room 102. In English.

Mon., Sept. 21, 7 p.m. French Literature in the Making: Novelist and essayist Charles Dantzig in conversation with Olivier Barrot, journalist, Un Livre un jour (France 3); publisher, Senso. Dantzig is the author of Nos vies hâtives, winner of both the Prix Roger Nimier and the Prix Jean Freustié, and Dictionnaire égoïste de la literature française, which received the Grand Prix des Lectrices de Elle, the non-fiction prize of the Académie Française, and the Prix Décembre. In French, with simultaneous translation available.

Tues., Sept. 22, 7 p.m. New lecture series opens: “Defining French Taste: Tradition, Quality, and Innovation in the Decorative Arts.” Tonight’s illustrated lecture is “The Manifestation of French Splendor and the Italian Influence” by decorative arts historian Florence de Dampierre and Wolfram Koeppe, Metropolitan Museum of Art curator. In English.

Wed., Sept. 23, 7 p.m. Film screening: Un Certain Goût de l’Amérique: Daniel Boulud (Thierry Bellaïche, 2008; 49 min.). In French with English subtitles. The first public screening on this new documentary traces Daniel Boulud’s path from his family’s farm in the village of St. Pierre de Chandieu to a career as one of America’s most respected chefs and restaurateurs. Screening is followed by Boulud in conversation with Dorothy Cann Hamilton, founder and CEO, The French Culinary Institute. In English. Tickets: $10; $5, NYU students. Reservations: 212.998.8750; email: maison.francaise@nyu.edu.

Tues., Sept. 29, 6 p.m. Lecture: “Wake Up the Cit[ies]: Recent Work by Christian de Portzamparc.” The Pritzker Prize-winning architect discusses his recent work in Paris, Brussels, LA, and NY. Co-sponsored with the AIA/NY. In English. Note venue: Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Pl. Reservatons: http://legacy.aiany.org/calendar/revp.php?id=1025099

Wed., Sept. 30, 6:30 p.m. Institute of French Studies Colloquium: “Eiffel’s Tower” by Jill Jonnes, author of Empires of Light; Eiffel’s Tower: And the World’s Fair Where Buffalo Bill Beguiled Paris, the Artists Quarreled, and Thomas Edison Became a Count. In English.