The French “auto sculptor” will address global design highlights, breakthroughs and trends, starting with the first major mass-production automobile, the classic Ford Model T. He will also discuss the rich history of French contributions to design of automobiles.

His online resume lists one of his accomplishments as being the Lead Sculptor for the interior “garnish and trim” of the Cadillac CTS.

To remind readers of some of the great, not so great and quirky looking French automobiles, there’s several classics, including Peugeots, Renaults, Citroens and their recognizable 2CV and the ever classic Bugatti.

For a look at some of the best classic French cars, click here.

Pierre Paul Andriani, General Motors Designer
La Maison Française
4101 Reservoir Road, NW 
Washington, DC 20007 (map it)
202-944-6091

Dates and Times -  Monday, October 20, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. A reception will follow.

Admission – FREE, but reservation are required. To request seats, send an email to culturel.washington-amba@diplomatie.gouv.fr, include your name and number of seats requested.

Nearest Metro Subway Station – Farragut West – Blue and Orange lines, and then a 15-minute Metrobus (D6) ride.  I’d recommend taking a taxi.  

Parking – Limited free first come, first serve parking is available in the Embassy’s underground parking garage.  Free street parking is also available in the area. 

Images – Bugatti – Flickr, Citroen 2CV from personal collection – ©2008, Jon Rochetti 

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Post from: The DC Traveler

French is the official language in 41 countries throughout Europe, Africa, the Caribbean and South America, and the second most frequently taught language after English. It’s also the official or administrative language of NATO, the World Trade Organization, the European Union, the international Court of Justice and even the International Olympic Committee. 

Visit the lands, taste the food and hear the music of 30 French-speaking countries as their embassies and governments present their respective cultures, people, traditions and culinary specialties.

The Casablanca Band will be performing music from North Africa to the Middle East as well as dances from the Middle East, complete with belly dancer.  And after, DJ Tass and his dancers will cover the globe with the unique styles and rhythms of the French-speaking world.

Grande Fête de la Francophonie   
La Maison Francaise – Embassy of France
4010 Reservoir Road, N.W.
Washington, D.C.

Date and Time – Friday, March 23 – 7:00-10:00 p.m.

Tickets – $20.00 and are available online. 

Nearest Metro subway station – Farragut West – Blue and Orange lines, and then a 15-minute bus ride on the D6 bus. It’s probably best to take a cab to this event.

Parking – The embassy has limited parking, street parking also available.

Post from: The DC Traveler

The island’s name Martinique, is a derivative of the native word for the island of flowers.

Napoleon’s Josephine, the daughter of a Martinique planter, was born on the island. And the 1944 classic Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall film (where the two first met and started their lifelong love affair) To Have and Have Not, takes place in Martinique’s largest city, Fort-de-France.

In the season of Carnaval celebrations, The Embassy of France is hosting their version - a Martinique Caribbean Carnaval costume party.

The event includes a French and Creole buffet, wine, sangria and a rum cocktail bar for sampling some of Martinique’s finer rums. There will also be a silent auction with over 50 items and a raffle to win a trip to the island. And wear your Carnaval best, as the best costumes will be awarded great prizes.

Martinique Caribbean Carnaval
La Maison Francaise – Embassy of France
4010 Reservoir Road, N.W.
Washington, D.C.

Tickets – $90.00 – available online

Dates & Time – Saturday, March 3, 7:00 p.m.

Attire – Carnaval costumes.

Nearest Metro subway station – Farragut West – Blue and Orange lines, and then a 15-minute bus ride on the D6 bus. It’s probably best to take a cab to this event.

Parking – The embassy has limited parking, street parking also available.

Photo credits: flickr
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Post from: The DC Traveler

Born in Calais, France in 1956, he initially studied classical violin. But after hearing the rock-blues of artist such as Johnny Winter and John Mayall in the mid-1970s, he started jazz-rock group. Developing his own style, his sound transitioned to jazz and improv as he used subtle jazz and fusion improv paired with his classical music training to make his amplified violin come alive.

He has toured with some of the greats of jazz, including Stéphane Grappelli, and recorded over 30 albums.  In 2001, Lockwood created a string instruments jazz and improvisation music school, the CMDL (Centre des Musiques Didier Lockwood) in France.

Didier Lockwood will be accompanied by the Enhco and Co. Quartet. For more information, click here.  This concert will be recorded by Mhz Networks, an independent DC television network.

Following the concert, there is a wine reception where you can meet the artists. 

In December, I posted information on The DC Traveler about a black tie party at the Embassy. The French Embassy is a fantastic place to attend an event. The staff is very friendly, the building is beautiful and the food and wines served are always wonderful. 

Didier Lockwood with Enhco and Co. Quartet
La Maison Française – Embassy of France
4101 Reservoir Road, NW
Washington DC, 20007

Date – Monday, January 15th at 7:30 p.m. 

Tickets – $25 – Seniors and students: $20.  Advanced tickets are required to gain admission to the Embassy grounds.

Parking – Limited parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis in the Embassy’s underground garage.

Nearest Metro subway station – A cab may be your best bet but if you want to take Metro, exit at the Friendship Heights station -  Red Line then take the 32, 34, or 35 bus (20 minutes) to Wisconsin and R Streets NW, then a 5-block walk.

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Post from: The DC Traveler