Nov. 4-8: CLC offers film, concerts and lectures during National French Week
Two lectures, two concerts and a film will be held to celebrate the culture of French-speaking countries at the College of Lake County during National French Week, Nov. 4-8.
Students and members of the community who are interested in French-speaking countries and developing a greater understanding and appreciation for these vibrant and diverse world communities are invited to attend the following free events on the CLC Grayslake campus, 19351 W. Washington St.
Nov. 4 at 7 p.m.: A concert by Crossing Borders Music called "Beyond the Headlines: Haiti in Music" will be presented in Room C005 (C Wing Auditorium). Consisting of string quartets by Haitian composers, the program explores untold stories of the richness of Haitian culture using live music, narration, and audio-visual presentation. The concert will also present excerpts of "Kenbe La" (Hold On) by Bel Son Productions, which explores music education in Haiti.
Nov. 5 at 7 p.m.: A lecture by Josephine Faulk, Ph.D. on "The Cathar Heresy and the Albigensian Crusade" will be held in Room C005. Dr. Faulk, a CLC history professor, will delve into the Albigensian Crusade, a 20-year-long crusade in the early 13th century that was launched by the Cathars against a heretical sect in southern France. A precursor to the Inquisition, the Albigensian Crusade solidified the power of the kings of France and left a bitter legacy that is still remembered by the inhabitants of Languedoc.
Nov. 6 at 7 p.m.: "La dame à la licorne," a lecture by CLC student Del Grapes, will be held in Room C005. He will discuss six amazing wall tapestries from the Musée de Cluny in Paris from the late 15th century. Learn about the history depicted by the tapestries, the narrative devices used and the multiple interpretations given to the tapestries' title unicorn. Grapes viewed the tapestries in 2011, before they were removed for space renovation and exhibition in Japan, and again in 2014, with the tapestries newly conserved and re-installed back at the Musée de Cluny.
Nov. 7 at 6:30 p.m.: "Blue is the Warmest Color," a French film from 2013, will be shown in Room A162. In the film, high school student Adele falls in love with older artist Emma, leading to a relationship spanning many years and causing many awakenings: emotional, cultural, sexual, culinary, aesthetic. Cannes jury president Steven Spielberg set a precedent upon awarding this film the Palme d'Or last year, giving it at once to director Abdellatif Kechiche and his two lead actresses. Their physical nudity led to controversy (and an NC-17 rating for sexuality), but the bulk of the film's three hours are devoted to nakedness of a more psychological kind. The film has subtitles, includes adult content and is not suitable for children. It is sponsored by the International Film Series, the French department and the Communication Arts, Humanities and Fine Arts division.
Nov. 8 at 7 p.m.: Soirée Musicale with Florina Cupsa in Room D100. Cupsa will accompany herself on the piano in a program of beautiful French, German and Italian classical songs. An accomplished and original accompanist and performer, Cupsa began her career at a young age. While attending the National University of Music in Bucharest (Rumania), she rose to the level of first soloist with the Romanian National Army Ensemble. She will perform works by Ravel, Poulenc, Verdi, Puccini, Nicolai and other great composers.
French Week events are being co-sponsored by the French department and the Communication Arts, Humanities and Fine Arts division. For more information, contact Maria Manterola at (847) 543-2291 or mmanterola@clcillinois.edu.