For Immediate Release Media Contact: Natascha Bodemann 646 388 6677 nbodemann@fiaf.org French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF) presents Open House Wednesday, September 12, 6 8pm & FIAF First Tuesdays October 2, November 13 & December 4, 6 8:30pm New York, New York, August 9, 2012 The French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF), New York s premiere French language and cultural center, is thrilled to kick off the season with its second annual Open House, a fall fête offering a taste of FIAF s year-round events and classes on Wednesday, September 12th from 6 8pm. On October 2, November 13, and December 4, guests are invited to meet and mingle with fellow Francophiles at FIAF s acclaimed First Tuesdays events. On Wednesday, September 12, students, Members, and friends of all ages are invited to stop by FIAF s beautiful Beaux Arts building at 22 East 60th Street for our Open House, featuring 30-minute French classes, classic French fare, groundbreaking cinéma, and a visit to FIAF s Le Skyroom, transformed into a verdant, organic spa. Featuring a stunning floral design, the spa will offer pampering mini treatments from exciting French beauty brands all free! Plus, guests get a sneak peak at FIAF s newly renovated Florence Gould Hall when they pop in to watch Green Porno, s witty and entertaining short film series about the reproductive habits of animals and insects, presented in its New York theatrical premiere! Organic Spa Le Skyroom Guests are invited to indulge their senses with the latest in organic beauty treatments à la française. Sumptuously decorated with floral arrangements from Fleurs NYC, FIAF s Le Skyroom will be transformed into an organic spa, offering hand treatments from natural skin care lines Odacité and Kure Bazaar; hi-tech reflexology sessions from ultramodern YeloSpa, featuring the YeloChair, a zero-gravity experience that induces a deep state of relaxation; natural perfumes from haute parfumerie Honoré des Prés; and samples of Detox Tea, a reinvigorating blend from Kusmi Tea all free! Additionally, guests will be treated to exclusive discounts and free samples of a variety of sensuous French beauty products.
New York Theatrical Premiere! s Green Porno Florence Gould Hall Visitors get a sneak peak at FIAF s newly renovated Florence Gould Hall while they enjoy s award-winning, critically acclaimed series of very short films about the reproductive habits of animals and insects. These scientifically accurate yet extremely entertaining films will play continuously throughout the evening, allowing guests to come and go as they explore the rest of FIAF s offerings. Preview of Céleste Boursier-Mougenot s portraits FIAF Gallery The FIAF Gallery presents a special preview of portraits, a site-specific video and sound installation exploring the realms of the musical and the visual from celebrated French artist Céleste Boursier-Mougenot, one of the featured artists in FIAF s annual fall arts festival, Crossing the Line 2012. Take a private tour with FIAF s new Director of Visual Art Programs Antoine Guerrero and the artist, and enjoy a visit of this immersive installation, closed to the public until September 14. Wine & Cheese Tasting Tinker Auditorium While conversing en français, sip artisanal French wines and sample classic French cheeses courtesy of Président and Société Specialty Cheeses. Fall Season Preview Tinker Auditorium Discover FIAF s exciting offerings for the fall season, including the acclaimed fall performing arts festival Crossing the Line, as well as special readings and talks with luminaries in the arts, media, and haute cuisine, FIAF s popular CinémaTuesdays film series, sneak previews, family events, and more! Free French Mini-Classes Language Center Brush up on your French with a 30-minute crash course at the FIAF Language Center. Space limited to 12 per session. Discover French Literature Haskell Library FIAF s Haskell Library, the country s largest private French library, welcomes visitors with guided tours of its renowned collection of books, DVDs, and more. Discover FIAF s brand-new ebook lending library with over 500 French titles covering all topics! Following the Open House, FIAF s First Tuesdays continue throughout the fall, offering a special opportunity to visit your French home in New York City on the first Tuesday of each month. All events are free for FIAF Members and open to the public. On October 2, November 13, and December 4 from 6 8:30pm visitors are invited to come together to celebrate the best of French culture all in one night! Rendez-Vous Le Skyroom from 6:30 8:30pm
Stop by for wine and conversation, en français. This Fall, Rendez-Vous will feature a selection of delicious Rhône Valley wines, offering Members and guests a chance to discover this celebrated wine region. FIAF Members Free, Non-Members $12. Tickets available at the door. CinémaTuesdays Florence Gould Hall at 7:30pm (7pm on November 13) Enjoy screenings of great films by famous filmmakers including Clyde Bruckman s The Battle of the Century and Sofia Coppola s Marie Antoinette; Jean Rouch s The 15-Year-Old Widows and The Human Pyramid; and Jean-Luc Godard s Masculine, Feminine. FIAF Members Free, $2 Advance Tickets, Non-Members $10, Students $7. FIAF Gallery 6pm Discover the latest FIAF Gallery exhibition with Antoine Guerrero, Director of Visual Art Programs. Free and open to the public. Free French Mini-Classes Language Center, 6th Floor Attend stimulating 15-minute discussions in French on topics including literature, cinema, French social issues, and art de vivre. Free; first-come, first-served. Explore French Literature Haskell Library Display of new acquisitions, library tours, magazine give-aways, and more! Note: First Tuesdays in November has been rescheduled to Tuesday, November 13 due to Election Day on Tuesday, November 6. Rendez-Vous in December will take place from 6:30 7:30 in the Gallery. LISTING SUMMARY What: When: Where: Admission: Information: Transportation: FIAF s Open House Wednesday, September 12, 2012, 6 8pm FIAF, 22 E 60th Street (between Park & Madison Avenues) Free and open to the public 212 355 6160 fiaf.org Subway - 4, 5, 6, N, R and Q to 59th Street & Lexington Avenue; F to 63rd Street & Lexington Avenue; E to 53rd Street & 5th Avenue What: When: Where: Admission: FIAF First Tuesdays Tuesday, October 2, 2012, 6 8:30pm Tuesday, November 13, 2012, 6 8:30pm Tuesday, December 4, 2012, 6:30 7:30pm FIAF, 22 E 60th Street (between Park & Madison Avenues) Free for FIAF Members. Non-Member admissions detailed above.
Information: Transportation: To become a Member, visit fiaf.org/membership 212 355 6160 fiaf.org Subway - 4, 5, 6, N, R and Q to 59th Street & Lexington Avenue; F to 63rd Street & Lexington Avenue; E to 53rd Street & 5th Avenue Open House Image List, Green Porno www.fiaf.org/press/2012-10/open_house/green_porno/green_porno3.jpg www.fiaf.org/press/2012-10/open_house/green_porno/green_porno4.jpg www.fiaf.org/press/2012-10/open_house/green_porno/green_porno5.jpg www.fiaf.org/press/2012-10/open_house/green_porno/green_porno8.jpg www.fiaf.org/press/2012-10/open_house/green_porno/green_porno10.jpg Céleste Boursier-Mougenot, portraits portraits Céleste Boursier-Mougenot http://www.fiaf.org/press/ctl12/celeste_boursier_mougenot/celeste_boursier_mougenot1.jpg http://www.fiaf.org/press/ctl12/celeste_boursier_mougenot/celeste_boursier_mougenot2.jpg Céleste Boursier-Mougenot Céleste Boursier-Mougenot http://www.fiaf.org/press/ctl12/celeste_boursier_mougenot/celeste_boursier_mougenot3.jpg Merci! FIAF s Open House is supported by Président and Société Specialty Cheeses. FIAF s Fall Rendez-Vous are supported by Rhône Valley wines. Special thanks to American Airlines, the official airline of FIAF; the Cultural Services of the French Embassy; Florence Gould Foundation; Institut français; New York State Council on the Arts; New York City Department of Cultural Affairs; Robert de Rothschild; The Peter Jay Sharp Foundation. About FIAF FIAF's mission is to create and offer New Yorkers innovative and unique programs in education and the arts that explore the evolving diversity and richness of French cultures. FIAF seeks to generate new ideas and promote cross-cultural dialogue through partnerships and new platforms of expression. www.fiaf.org.
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