Francophiles Can Mark Bastille Day
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In the absence of a Bastille, the Francophiles of Los Angeles will storm the Triforium next Saturday at 6 p.m. in the city’s first open-air celebration of France’s national holiday.
Fireworks, hanky-panky and dancing in the street are de rigueur in France on the night of Bastille Day, July 14, which commemorates the destruction of a Paris prison during the French Revolution.
Colette Boehm, instigator of the Triforium celebration (corner of Temple and Main streets) on behalf of UCLA’s International Student Center, reminds us that in Los Angeles, fireworks and/or hanky-panky are prohibited.
Nevertheless, Boehm guarantees “dancing under the stars,” along with a program of entertainment, food and drink.
Variety of Entertainment
Tahitian and Basque dancers (the latter from Chino) will perform; a singer billing herself simply as Gabrielle will offer popular French songs; Dianne Davisson, along with Boehm, will tap dance (“not particularly French, but lively”); students of Los Angeles’ Lycee International will play, dance and essay “La Marche des Petits Soldats,” and participants will be urged to dance to the music of Rima Rudima.
“The city of L.A. wanted to pick out the band,” Boehm said with a sigh, “but I’m told they’ll play French music, bal musette, whatever.”
The celebration is free, and light refreshments (by CouCou Bistro), soft drinks and possibly wine (“we’re working on it”) will be for sale.
French Consul General Bernard Miyet will open the ceremonies of an event Boehm hopes will become annual.
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