community calendar
by Kara Schenk

English Speaking Paris


ANNOUCEMENTS

Toastmasters 75 Meet to improve your public speaking, communication and leadership skills. Dec 2, 14, 7:30pm, 122, rue St-Dominique, 7e, tel: 01.56.24.38.63. or e-mail k.marias@worldonline.com.

Health Network International Anglophone health professionals sponsor American Red Cross CPR class. Dec 2, 9am to 2pm. First Aid class Dec 7, 9am to 2pm, The American School of Paris, 41, rue Pasteur. Mº St-Cloud, tel: 01.47.66.50.85.

WICE, presents “Would you repeat that?” a talk by Chuck Hitner, Dec 3, 5:15pm and a free playreading of “The Vase,” Dec 8, 8pm. WICE, 20, bd du Montparnasse, 15e, Mº Duroc, free. (As part of the season of goodwill, WICE is organizing a collection of food for the homeless. All non-perishable goods accepted. Tel: 01.45.66.75.50.)

AARO (Association of American Residents Overseas) hosts a talk by the Latvian Ambassador to France, Madame Sandra Kalniete, on her life and struggle to achieve independence for Latvia. Dec 9, 6:30 to 8:15pm, the Tallyand Building, 2, rue St-Florentin, 8e, Mº Concorde, tel: 01.42.04.09.38, contribution 100F.

The movie discussion group at the American Church gets funny in December with Michael Moore’s documentary “The big One” and Spike Jone’s ultra-strange comedy “Being John Malkovich.” See one or both at your convenience, then join the group for discussion. Dec 16, 7:30pm, 65, quai d’Orsay, 7e.

TESOL France and the British Council sponsor a Saturday forum to discuss training possibilities and language teaching opportunities, Dec 11, the British Council, 6-11, rue Constantine, 7e, tel: 01.45.81..75.91, non-members 50F.

L’Académie Américaine de Danse à Paris. Bilingual dance school presents “The Nutcracker,” a performance by and for children, Dec 18, 4pm, 6, rue Albert de Lapparant, 7e, tel: 01.56.08.14.26.

Bloom While You Work A Saturday seminar for recently-arrived employees designed to ease the transition to French professional and social life, Jan 22, The American Church in Paris, 65, quai d'Orsay, 7e, Mº Invalides, tel: 01.43.34.80.60, contribution 120F.

ART

“Business Art” An exhibition of abstract paintings by Ghoncheh Haery. The American Chamber of Commerce in France, 156, bd Haussmann, 8e, Mº St-Philippe-du-Roule.

Vœux d’Artistes presents the original work of over 100 professional artists with proceeds going to the Children’s Corner unit at l’Hôpital Trousseau. Dec 1-11, noon to 10pm. Anglo/Anglophile night Dec 9, 5-10pm, 17, rue Commines, 3e.

Rod Prosser’s portraits and landscape papercuttings, Dec 12-30, Café Mineschola, 267, rue St-Jacques, 5e, tel: 01.43.25.74.20.

“Call Girl 01.44.43.21.65” An installation/performance commenting on the sex industry by Toronto artist Nadine Norman. Dec 16 to Jan 8, Canadian Cultural Center, 5, rue de Constantine, 7e, tel: 01.44.46.21.90.

Ealy Mays exhibits recent work. Dec 17 to Jan 15, 8pm, 18, rue de l’Hôtel de Ville, tel: 01.42.61.39.35.

The Center for Awareness and Action presents two all-day weekend workshops. Jan 29, “Discovering Your Natural Genius” and Jan 30 “Finding your Writing Voice,” both led by American journalist Diane Covington. Tel: 01.43.20.09.46.

DISCUSSION GROUPS

Metaphysical Café resumes its activities in January. Spiritual topics are discussed in English, led by Jane Grey Ph.D. Proceeds go to UNICEF. tel: 01.42.22.33.35.

Philosophical dinner The Café Philosophique focuses on the theme: “Business Ethics: Myth or Reality?,” Dec 14, 7:30pm, then looks at “Human Rights,” on Jan 25 at 7:30pm. Canard’Avril, 5, rue Paul Lelong, 2e, Mº Bourse, tel: 01.40.95.05.67, participation 225F/200F.

Café Philosophique Philosophical discussions on classical themes, led in English by Gale Prawda Ph.D. “Identity,” Dec 19, 6pm; “Emotions,” Jan 16, 6pm, Les 7 Lézards, 10, rue des Rosiers, 4e, Mº St-Paul, tel: 01.40.95.05.67, participation 30F/20F.

HOLIDAY BAZAARS & EVENTS

Arts & Crafts Festival. Over 75 artists and artisans showing and selling original works and one-of-a-kind gifts. Free admission, lunch, and snacks available. Sat, Dec 4, 11am to 6pm, The American Church in Paris, 65, quai d'Orsay, 7e, Mº Invalides, tel: 01.40.62.05.07.

Service of Nine Lessons and Carols, a holiday tradition at the American Cathedral. Readings, carols by the Cathedral Choir and carols and hymns sung by all. Sun, Dec 5 and Sat, Dec 11, 5pm, The American Cathedral, 23, av George V, 8e, Mº George V or Alma Marceau, free.

Christmas Carol Service, followed by an Irish evening held Dec 10, 8pm at St. Patrick’s Chapel, the Irish College, 5, rue des Irlandais, 5e, tel: 01.45.35.59.79.

Candlelight Christmas Concerts presented by The American Church Choir and The ACP Bronze Ringers, directed by Fred Gramann, featuring “The Christmas Cantata by Daniel, Pinkham,” Dec 12, 4pm, 7:30pm, The American Church in Paris, 65, quai d’Orsay, 7e, Mº Invalides, 100F/50F.

The American Women’s Group hosts a holiday brunch, Dec 13, 10am to 1pm, tel: 0156.68.04.28 for details.

MUSIC

Bluegrass Dec 2, 8:30pm, Foyer des Arts et Loisirs, 12, av Foch, La Garenne Colombes (92), tel: 01.30.53.31.33, 100F.

Sonny Condell Irish acoustic guitarist performs with Garvan Gallagher. Dec 5 & 6, 8pm, l’Hôtel du Nord, 102, quai de Jemmapes, 10e, Mº Jacques Bonsergent or République, 120F/100F, reservations: 01.53.19.98.88.

The Gingko Trio Paris-based acoustic group performs a concert of original pop/jazz songs and arrangements, Jan 21, 8:30pm, Fondation Danoise, Cité Universitaire, 9, bd Jourdan, 14e, tel: 01.45.89.29.47, free.

Stand-up Comedy

Otis Lee Crenshaw performs his unique brand of humor, Dec 12-14, 8.30pm, l’Hôtel du Nord, 102 quai de Jemmapes, 10e, Mº Jacques Bonsergent or République, tel: 01.53.19.98.88, 120F/100F

SUPPORT GROUPS

Nicotine Anonyme Every Wednesday, 7-8pm, The American Church in Paris, 65, quai d'Orsay, 7e, Mº Invalides, tel: 01.56.53.90.02.

The Cancer Support Group, sponsored by the Junior Service League. Open to patients and their relatives. Free weekly meetings. English Support Group: 01.45.48.45.85. French Support Group: 01.41.46.00.80.

Overeaters Anonymous. Compulsive overeating, under-eating or dieting... binge-starve cycles, bulimia and anorexia. English-speaking meetings on Saturdays, 11am to 12:30pm, The American Church in Paris, 65, quai d’Orsay, 7e, Mº Invalides; and in the Saint-Lucien room on the 2nd floor of the Eglise St-Germain l’Auxerrois, on Sundays, 6-7:30pm.

FACTS (Free AIDS Counseling, Treatment and Support) for people with HIV, tel: 01.44.93.16.32.

SOS Help. English-speaking crisis line Call: 01.47.28.00.80.

ACA (Adult Children of Dysfunctional Families), 12-step group to help participants work through negative feelings from the past meets Fridays from 7-8:30pm, Eglise Réformée du Saint Esprit, 5, rue Roquépine, 8e, Mº St-Augustin, tel: 01.42.01.08.97.

THEATER

As the Haynes soul food restaurant celebrates its 50th anniversary, Electra Weston stars in a one-woman cabaret show, the story of Delicious, a young woman who comes to Paris to become a performer. Fri & Sat, 9:15 pm, Haynes, 3 rue Clauzel, 9e, Mº St-Georges, 45F, tel: 01.48.78.40.63.

Walk and Talk Productions performs Wendy Macleod’s “Apocalyptic Butterflies.” Being a husband and father isn’t what Hank Tater had in mind for his 29th birthday. Restlessness sets in and trouble results... To Dec 19, Tue-Sat, 9 pm, Théâtre de Nesle, 8, rue de Nesle, 6e, Mº Odéon/Pont Neuf, 90F/70F, reservations: 01.53.80.11.39.

“Balloon,” the story of two young balloonists who crash in the desert, is a bilingual dramatic-comedy for kids, performed by Les Ateliers Voyageurs. Dec 20-23 & 26-28, 2:30pm, and through Jan, Sat, 4pm, Théâtre des Déchargeurs, 3, rue des Déchargeurs, 1er, Mº Châtelet, 50F/40F, tel: 01.39.14.95.64.

“Waiting for Godot,” directed by Peter Hudson to Jan 1 and “A girl’s Guide to Chaos,” a sassy characterization of the plight of the postmodern feminist, directed by Constance George. To Dec 29, Petit Hébertot, 78 bis, bd des Batignolles, 17e, Mº Rome, tel: 01.44.70.06.69.

The International Players present “Aladdin,” a traditional English pantomime for the whole family. Jan 20-23, Thu-Sat, 8:30pm, Sat & Sun, 2:30pm, Salle Malesherbes, 1, pl du Château, Maison-Laffitte, RER A Maison-Laffitte, 90F/50F, tel: 01.34.62.02.19.