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LEWISTON — More than 80 children — preschool through grade 5 — from L’Ecole Française du Maine in Freeport, will perform an opera, “Le Bonheur Selon Les E’Leves de L’ESDM” (Happiness according to the students of the French School of Maine) at La Rencontre, as New England celebrates Le Mois de la Francophonie 2018 (Francophone month).
The public is invited.
La Rencontre will be held beginning at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 15, at the Gendron Franco Center, 46 Cedar St. A meal — featuring corned beef and cabbage, red potatoes, carrots, turnip, rolls and cake — will be served at 11:25 a.m.
The cost of the meal and the opera is $12 per person. Guests may contact the office for reservations at 207-783.1585. E-mail reservations may be sent to boxoffice@francocenter.org. La Rencontre is in no way restricted to French-speakers or even those of Franco descent. All are welcome to attend this fun monthly meal and event, as long as spots remain open.
A free movie, “Paul à Québec,” will be shown 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 19. The 2015 drama is part of the TV5MONE-Days French Film Series and is about Paul and his wife, Lucie, who live in Montreal and are looking to buy a house where they can raise their daughter properly.
On Wednesday, March 28, beginning at 2:30 p.m., the Franco American Collection at USM/LAC will host a public forum: “The Unique Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul” with Julie-Ann Baumer, writer and journalist. Baumer will speak about her articles on the Saints Peter and Paul “Basilica” followed by a cabaret-style sing-along with Les Troubadours. The event will be held at the University of Southern Maine L/A College in Room 170 at 51 Westminster St.
Beginning at 5 p.m. the same day, a public celebration and reception (including the presentation of the flags and singing of anthems for Canada, France and Québec), will be hosted by the Gendron Franco Center and the Franco-American Collection at the Center. Several leaders from the Maine Francophone/Francophile communities will be recognized at this event. Call or email the box office to R.S.V.P.
The events are sponsored by the Québec Government and by TV5MONDE USA, the global French language entertainment network.
The Children’s Opera is a component of the 2018 Francophonie celebrations of French language and culture, organized annually by the consulates of France and Canada, and the Government of Québec. The school is approved by the Maine Department of Education and is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, The French Ministry of Education, and la Mission Laïque Française. The performance in the Gendron Franco Center is free and open to the community.
