It was the 16th French Soirée held at my place that Sunday 1st of December 2024, for my students and partners to celebrate once more a whole year of learning this beautiful and complex language Le Français. I must admit that each one of these soirées leaves its own unique imprint, weaves its own magical ambience thanks to the members’ participation and contribution.
At the end of each of these evenings, we are left blown away by the scope and variety of French items presented by a generous and dedicated group of individuals, by the colourful spread of tantalising food items, the decadent deserts, the well-presented poetry and songs, all in a spirit of conviviality. Thus, Soirée of 2024 was no exception to the preceding ones, except that this one had all of us scampering indoors as heaven opened, just as we finished the third item of the program. Plan B came into action quickly with everyone carrying their chairs indoors where the best informal gathering unfolded. The rain didn’t damper the organisation and participation of all. On the contrary it brought its members closer together in an unforgettable experience of a lifetime.
The soirée unwrapped softly its layers of cultural bliss throughout the evening, opening up with a fun-filled “breaking the ice” game – Jeu d’autographes- in French, prepared and organized by Maggie, setting the mood for an exciting evening. From there, the participants were treated to a moving live song:” Je vole” of Louanne Emera, sung by our talented music-teacher- guest, Hollie, leading the stage to the famous fabulist Jean de la Fontaine’s fable – Le Corbeau et le Renard-, vividly presented by Paige, pausing alongside renowned surrealist poet Jacques Prevert with two of his well-known poems: Déjeuner du matin -movingly executed by Veronica, followed by- Chanson – beautifully shared by Christine. The spell of poetry was momentarily interrupted to keep the mind buzzing with two pictorial quizzes and a written one masterly prepared by Paul, all with much fun and laughter.
Love under all its forms pursued its resonance throughout the evening with Guillaume Apollinaire surrealist poem- Le Pont Mirabeau– with Linda confidently taking us along the Seine, moving on to the romantic Alfred de Vigny with an extract of his profound poem – La mort du Loup- recited by Cecil with great poignancy, giving suit to Edith Piaf’s iconic song – L’Hymne à L’Amour – whose enunciated lyrics by Kerry and Dianne, moved us while the violin echoed the ebb and flow of love. On another love beat, the bohemian lifestyle of renowned singer and poet, Charles Aznavour, unravelled through the streets of Montmartre with –La Bohême –whose recited lyrics came alive with Pam and Karin, accompanied by a vibrant rendition on the piano and intermittent chorus. Love triumphed with an endearing song of poet and songwriter, Jean-Yves Duteil: Prendre un enfant par la main-joined by everyone,whose momentous melody continued to make our heart sing well beyond its final note.
This memorable night wrapped up as usual, in a bouquet of fireworks, with our well-known Christmas songs: Vive le Vent et Mon beau Sapin with an encore of an Australian version of EdithPiaf’s – La vie en Rose -, en français bien sûr, all energetically sung by the audience, accompanied by our two in-house professional musicians, Peter and Ken, on the violin and piano respectively.
Once again, my sincere thanks to everyone for your dedication to learning, your enthusiasm in participating in all activities, your generous spread of food and your devotion to the success of a very special evening whose magic bound us together, in a shared moment of togetherness, joy and laughter, kindling in our hearts the true Christmas spirit.
After 12 years of experience, holding a French Soirée on the 1st Sunday of December for my adult students and their partners, I must admit that it is my best recipe for life, where the ingredients are as follows:
Two bunches of dedicated Francophiles beautifully trimmed, infused in a large bowl of nurturing spirit for few months.
Add a cupful of commitment, a punnet of patience, a ladle of fun, a spoonful of perseverance, a sprig of time.
A packet of French Christmas songs, 2 cloves of French poems, a bundle of French skits.
Whisk gently every week, drizzle with a scatter of encouragement and a squeeze of love.
Adjust seasoning before serving on the 1st Sunday of December.
You will be served a memorable French dish, bursting with the aromas of friendly company, exquisite music, lively songs, romantic poetry, flavorsome skits, with a dose of laughter, delectable morsels, wine, champagne, and decadent desserts which will warm the cockles of your heart in a unique spirit of conviviality and sharing. A fragrant life experience.
La soirée du 3 décembre 2023 fut l’apogée d’une année d’apprentissage du Français, sa langue et culture. Le temps était au rendez-vous dans le jardin verdoyant où les tables étaient en fête avec leurs nappes blanches et leurs decorations festives créant une ambiance chaleureuse.
Rien de plus beau que de rassembler tous mes étudiants et leurs conjoints à une soirée inédite où la poésie dramatique de Jacques Prévert et engagée de Raoul Follereau se mêle aux lyriques mélancoliques et romantiques de Piaf, Françoise Hardy et Barbara nous mettant sous le charme de la langue française. Rien de plus agréable et distrayant que de participer en groupe aux quiz portant sur la culture française ainsi que d’être divertis par un sketch amusant écrit par un de nos participants, Paul.
Bien sûr, pour une ambiance réussie, une nourriture variée et soignée était de rigueur pour aiguiser la conversation et les papilles. La soirée, étant proche des fêtes de Noël, s’achève toujours comme un feu d’artifice, avec des chants de Noël connus, avec au piano Ken et au violon Peter. Il faut dire qu’à ce moment là tous les invités s’y mettent pour cette touche finale, qui réchauffe le cœur et l’esprit.
Ce fut la note parfaite d’une belle soirée conviviale.
Some highlights of an exceptionally entertaining and convivial evening with the magic of great weather, talented participants, delectable food and soul-lifting songs.
Sunday 8th of December 2019, was by far our best soirée where the bar was raised higher by all 4 levels of French Students and their partners in a flower-filled garden with delicious amuse-bouche and champagne circulating while Verushka’s beautiful voice resonated: Jour Un de Louane Emera and A Fleur de toi de Vitaa in the last rays of sunset.
Appealing tables of delectable gourmet dishes admirably catered by our cordon-bleus students were most welcomed by all present. Lively conversations echoed from table to table while food and wine were appreciated. From then onwards, the evening buzzed with various items prepared and executed by our most talented dedicated students.
Paul Verlaine’s melancholic: Mon rêve familier, was brilliantly brought alive by Cecil, followed by a mood-contrasting fun rendition of La Vie en Rose, enthusiastically sung by all and accompanied by our vibrant musicians: Ken and Peter. Fiona and Linley kept the audience riveted by their clear and animated recital of La Fourmi de Robert Desnos ending with a local twist. Les têtes de célébrités – ( celebrity heads) prepared and well-performed by Linda, Chris and Stacia, engaged the audience which was followed by a most enjoyable scénette (skit) – Madame L’ Inspectrice- une scénette comique – which brought much laughter and fun by the clever use of words, props and disguise by our most talented students- Paul, Maggie, Sue, Deb, Val and Ken. Val concluded with aplomb the entertaining part of the evening with a well- known fable of La Fontaine: Le corbeau et le renard.
Our French Soirée wouldn’t be complete without our traditional Christmas French songs; first of which was written by Deb for the Tuesday class: Joyeux Noel – sung with gusto and great clarity by the class, a testimony of talents. The Wednesday class took to the stage with: Chante Noël (Sing Noel, an African Christmas song). All present, joyously joined in to: Vive le vent (Jingle bells), finishing the evening with: Mon beau Sapin (Christmas tree).
Merci beaucoup to all for an admirably fun-filled, soul-lifting, convivial soirée made possible with the dedicated participation of every one, sharing in your incredible talents. Bonne année 2020.
Another successful evening to conclude a year of cultural activities in the learning of French with Frenchlessonsperth.com
Sunday 4th of December was a very special convivial evening with the participation of every one present, creating a unique microcosm of community spirit. This was and is only possible due to the many talented and dedicated groups of students.
It was a most joyous celebration of French culture through a vast array of items, including favourite French songs: La Mer de Charles Trenet, Je vole de Louane Emera, as well as the traditional: Mon beau sapin – all sung whole-heartedly during the course of the evening, uplifting soul and spirit. A confidently-recited fable of Jean de la Fontaine, – Le Corbeau et le Renard – as well as a delightfully executed piece of music of Debussy were very appreciated by all present bringing another dimension to the evening.
The diverting pace was kept buzzing with 3 skits in French, arranged, written and presented by the students themselves, showcasing their hidden talents as actors. The added props and convincing acting brought much laughter and entertainment to the audience. Of course we can’t have a French soirée without food and wine! Tables were beautifully laden with delectable food from savoury to sweet, to dazzle the eyes, titillate the palate and replenish the soul.
A memorable soirée indeed with the help and participation of everyone. Merci beaucoup.
Mardi Gras – also known as Fat Tuesday or Shrove Tuesday, concludes the last day of eating fatty rich food before the start of the penitential period (fasting) in the Catholic Church. It is still customary in France to cook ‘Crepes’ on that particular day.
So our Tuesday class cooked and enjoyed deliciously melting-in-the-mouth crepes to celebrate, le mardi gras on Tuesday 12th of February.
Quelle belle soiree inoubliable! Students from the 3 groups and their spouses, attended a great evening of french culture on the 18th of December 2012, at Marie-Anne’s place to celebrate a great year of learning French, its language, customs,poetry, songs,movies and more..The guests were served a delicately prepared platter of Hors d’Oeuvres, followed by deliciously cooked home-made quiches, salmon mousse for Entree with a salad. Plats de resistance consisted of: Boeuf Bourguignon,Chicken Marengo served with spinach rice and ratatouille. All very tantalising to the eyes and the palate! Of course last but not least, were the mouth-watering desserts such as: Creme Caramel, Fruit tarts,Chocolate cake and ice cream. Needless to say that Champagne and wine were also great companions of the evening.
Once this sumptious meal was over, the guest-spouses were treated to live entertainment in french, performed by our students. One of the most uplifting song from the french movie: Les Choristes – “Vois sur ton Chemin” was sung in french by all students, followed by a recital of Jean de La Fontaine fable: Le Corbeau et le Renard performed by Val. Cecil gave a passionate recital of one of Piaf’s songs: Les Amants d’un Jour, followed by a short skit of Jacques Prevert: L’Accent Grave by Ginny and Aileen. This gloriously french evening concluded with another befitting song: Mon Beau Sapin with live accompaniment. On the piano: Jenny and violin: Peter.
A wonderful evening in a truly french style!
French Soirée 2016
French Lessons Perth 