La Maison Française of New York University, located at 16 Washington Mews (at University Place), will host several special events in November, including a roundtable discussion, “Kurt Weill in Paris,” on November 14, at 4 p.m, which focuses on Weill’s 18-month exile in France. All events are free and open to the public, and take place at La Maison Française, unless otherwise stated. For further information, call 212.998.8750 or visit www.nyu.edu/maisonfrancaise.

A calendar of events follows:

  • Thurs., Nov. 6, 7 p.m. Illustrated lecture: “Surrealist Masculinity” by Michele Cone, School of Visual Arts; author of Artists under Vichy, French Modernisms.
  • Fri., Nov. 7, 4 p.m. Lecture: “Thèâtre et philosophie” by Alain Badiou, philosopher and author of La Théorie du sujet, with discussants Martin Puchner, Columbia University; editor of the English edition of Badiou’s Rhapdosie pour le heater; and Bruno Bosteels, Cornell University, translator of Rhapdosie pour le thèâtre. In French.
  • Mon., Nov. 10, 7 p.m. Literary conversation: “French Literature in the Making” with Marie Nimier, novelist, author of Sirène (Prix de l’Académie française) and La Reine du silence (Prix Médicis), in conversation with Olivier Barrot, host of “Un Livre un jour” (France 3); publisher, Senso. In French. Simultaneous translation is provided for this event.
  • Wed., Nov. 12, 6:30 p.m. Institute of French Studies colloquium: The film Paris: Vélo Liberté (Karena Albers and Tad Fettig, 2008, 30 min) is screened, followed by a roundtable, “Bike Share: From Paris to New York,” with the film’s senior producer Véronique Bernard, Fordham University professor Rosemary Wakeman; and Caroline Samponaro, director of Bicycle Advocacy, Transportation Alternatives.
  • Thurs., Nov. 13, 7 p.m. Illustrated lecture: “Art and Catastrophes: René Thom’s Legacy” by Marc Chaperon, Université de Paris 7 - Denis Diderot. This lecture focuses on the influence of mathematician Thom’s theories on various art forms, and is held in conjunction with a conference at NYU’s Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences.
  • Fri., Nov. 14, 4 p.m. Roundtable: “Kurt Weill in Paris,” a discussion, with musical selections, investigating the life and artistic output of Weill during his 18-month exile in Paris. Presented in conjunction with the U.S. premiere of Weill’s only work in French, Marie Galante. Participants include: Yves Abel, music director, Opéra Français de New York (OFNY), co-artistic directors of OFNY, Jean Philippe Clarac and Olivier Deloeuil, and Kim Kowalke, president, Kurt Weill Foundation for Music.
  • Mon., Nov. 17, 7 p.m. Roundtable: “Surrealism and the Caribbean,” a discussion of Martinique - Charmeuse de Serpents by André Breton and André Masson, to celebrate the publication of the first English translation. Participants include: David Seaman, translator of Martinique Snake Charmer; Martica Sawin, author of Surrealism in Exile and the Beginning of the New York School; and J. Michael Dash, NYU professor and author of The Other America: Caribbean Literature in a New World Context.
  • Thurs., Nov. 20, 7 p.m. Illustrated lecture: “Magic of the Masquerade: Africa and the Caribbean” by Phyllis Galembo, University of Albany, SUNY; author of Dressed for Thrills. Presented in conjunction with the exhibitions The Poetics of Cloth at NYU’s Grey Art Gallery, The Essential Art of African Textiles at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Shrines and Masquerades, Washington Square East Galleries.
  • Fri., Nov. 21, 4 p.m. Illustrated lecture: “Bandes dessinées” by Nicolas De Crécy, speaking on his work. De Crécy is the writer and illustrator of such graphic novels as Le Bibendum céleste and Léon la Came. In French.
  • Tues., Nov. 25, 6 p.m. Illustrated lecture: “Albi Cathedral and the Architecture of Louis Kahn” with Nathaniel Kahn, filmmaker, My Architect; Carol Krinsky, NYU professor; author of Synagogues of Europe; and Robert McCarter, architect; author of Louis I. Kahn. Note venue: The Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Place (between W. 3rd and Bleecker Sts.). For reservations: rsvp@aiany.org. Co-sponsored with the AIA-New York.

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