After two years in slow motion due to Covid, Bastille Day is back in force in the Big Apple. Here is the list of festivities that will span more than a week, from Friday July 8 to Saturday July 16.
July 8
Created during the pandemic to help dancers in need of activity, the CityDanceNY troupe is organizing a series of ballets mixing classical and contemporary dance on Friday July 8, Saturday July 9 and Sunday July 10. The July 8 performance will be at 8pm at The Theater at St. John the Baptist Church on the Upper East Side. The program will celebrate Bastille Day with French symphonic works by Claude Debussy and Claude Bolling. Count $35 per place, $25 for students and seniors. The Theatre at St. Jean, 150 E 76th st.
July 10
After an enforced break during the pandemic, the big FIAF festival is back on the streets of Manhattan. The organizers are waiting for you this Sunday, July 10 from 12pm to 5pm, on Madison Avenue between 59th and 63rd Street. On the program: an afternoon of concerts and free outdoor shows, a film screening, workshops and games for children, French craftsmen and luxury brands as well as food and drink stands frenchy them too. The Occitanie region will also win a trip for two to the south of France, register here. All of the day’s activities can be accessed here. Madison Avenue, entre 59th et 63rd Street.
11 July
This Bastille Day week will mark the return of French Restaurant Week, created on the model of the famous New York Restaurant Week. After two years of pandemic which have heavily affected the catering sector, this event is slowly resuming. Four restaurants are taking part: Bar Tabac (Carroll Gardens), Excuse my French (Lower East Side), La Sirène SoHo and La Sirène Upper West Side. They will offer fixed price menus for lunch and/or dinner. From Monday 11 to Sunday 17 July. Info and reservations here.
July 12
After a successful 2021 edition, the Paris American Club is doing it again by organizing a sailing cruise in the waters of New York on Tuesday July 12. Jazz concert and wine tasting are also on the program for this event which will start at 7pm, boarding at the North Cove Marina (Brookfield Place). Count $125 if you are a member of the club, $135 for others. Tickets here. North Cove Marina, Brookfield Place.
July 14th
The Consulate General of France in New York invites you on National Day at 6pm in Central Park (Rumsey Playfield) for its French Festival. The event will begin with a brass band and the Marseillaise before a performance of violins and oboes at 6:30pm. The troupe of Molière in the Park will then perform the play Sganarelle or the imaginary Cuckold at 7pm, followed by a jazz concert at 7:45pm with American singer China Moses. French composer DeLaurentis’ electro-pop will then resonate at the Rumsey Playfield at 8:30pm, before French DJ Joachim Garraud closes the evening between 9:10pm and 10pm. Admission is free, detailed program here. Rumsey Playfield, E 71st St.
Still in Manhattan but on the NoHo side, the French-Canadian singer Myriam Phiro will perform the classics of French song at Joe’s Pub from 7pm. She will be accompanied on stage by her gypsy jazz group, Nuage Rhythm. Together they will take up the repertoire of Edith Piaf, Charles Trenet and Charles Aznavour. Tickets here. Joe’s Pub, 425 Lafayette St.
Rosé will be flowing at the District, Battery Park City’s French market and restaurant. The establishment awaits you on its terrace from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday July 14 for an afternoon of jazz concerts, all-you-can-eat rosé and then the sunset over the Hudson River. Count $95 for the rosé formula, $145 to add unlimited champagne (alcohol should be consumed in moderation). The District will also offer Bayonne ham and oysters for tasting. Reservation here.
Bastille Day will also return to Jersey City this year. The bilingual school The French American Academy awaits you on July 14 from 2pm on 3rd Street (Downtown Jersey City) for a street festival. You will find French cancan dancers, mimes, French food and drink stalls as well as many games and activities for children. The school will also hold an open house on the same day between 3pm to 6pm. The event is free, tickets can be booked here. 3rd Street, Downtown Jersey City.
July 15th
For those who wish to dance, Le Bal Français is joining forces this year with the Consulate General of France for a great evening at the Avant Gardner (Brooklyn). The organizers give you an appointment from 9pm until the end of the night to celebrate our good old French hits, from France Gall to Booba via Céline Dion, Mylène Farmer, Stromae, Daft Punk or Aya Nakamura. Gifts will also be distributed during the evening, including Bal Français t-shirts and other 100% Frenchy surprises. The French airline French Bee will also give away two AR Paris-New York plane tickets during the event. Tickets here. Kings Hall (Avant Gardner), 147-129 Stewart Ave.
July 16
What would July 14 be without pétanque? Alexandra Charpentier, owner of the Winemak’Her wine bar in Park Slope, has planned two large outdoor courts for a tournament scheduled for Saturday July 16 from 11am to 8pm. The parties will be accompanied by French music and rosé. Attention, four teams maximum, book without delay. Info here. Charcuterie and cheese boards also available on site. Winemak’Her, 492 5th Ave.
Le Cafe du Soleil, a French bistro on the Upper West Side, will also organize its pétanque tournament on July 16 from 12pm, against a backdrop of French music with an accordionist and then a DJ. Count $50 for registration per team with a free bottle of rosé. Reservation required by phone (ask for Maxime). Prizes for the winners. Brunch from 9am to 4pm. Cafe du Soleil, 2723 Broadway, 212-316-5000.
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