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After an idea by Jean Marc Spiler and Steven Oppes of popular Adelaide band Les Flâneurs Volants, a local committee was formed which has worked hard to create a brand new French festival, the Auburn Frenchfest. The festival will take place this September in Auburn in South Australia’s beautiful Clare Valley.

The inaugural Auburn Frenchfest has an impressive line-up of 29 events across art, market, food and wine, language, music, theatre, circus acrobatics, pétanque, workshops and even some French vintage cars on show!

 

ART AT AUBURN FRENCHFEST

 

Floral workshop

Begin the day with approximately 90 minutes of playing and creating with seasonal flowers to make a beautiful floral crown to wear! All materials, tools and tuition provided. This delightful relaxing workshop is scheduled to allow participants to joyously attend the Long Lunch adorned with their festive floral headpiece.

 

French Fusion – Linhay Gallery

An eclectic group of Artists both local and from further afield were invited to reflect upon the ways in which Auburn demonstrates similarities with country areas of France.

Some have visited France on holidays, others have travelled and studied at ‘French Art School’ with Jacqueline Coates, a well-known Kapunda artist. All have been inspired to create artwork that reflects their experiences in France or areas of Auburn that remind them of France.

 

This exhibition is open not only on the weekend of Auburn Frenchfest but also the two weekends that follow.

 

La Lumière. An Exhibition of Oil Paintings by Auburn Based Artist, Nona Burden

The French Impressionists were interested in conveying their experience of light, and its effect on the world around them.

 

Without light, we cannot experience the world visually. We cannot see forms or colour. Although not painted in an Impressionistic style, these works share similar concerns.

 

What is French Impressionist Painting? 

Nona Burden is an established artist with an extensive exhibition and teaching history. She is a former Lecturer in Painting at Adelaide Central School of Art, and now bases her art practice in Auburn .

 

In her talk, Nona will discuss the significance of the late 19th Century French Impressionism Art Movement within the history of painting. In its time it was considered to be extremely radical. How does it fit in today?

 

Photographic Exhibition: Through the Lens

Be absorbed by the beauty of Auburn and surrounds as you get taken on a natural journey through photographs by Asha Zappone. French details come alive in the valley and the town of Auburn, and the vibes flow through this small bustling town. Whilst the sun reflects off the majestic vineyards, the birds sing, beautiful Auburn comes alive.

 

As you embark on your journey through the town, thirteen year old photographer Asha Zappone will take you on a tour of landscapes and wildlife ‘Through the Lens!’

 

The exhibition is free and will not be a ticketed event, however, entry limits may be applied due to COVID restrictions. This exhibition is open not only on the weekend of Auburn Frenchfest but also the two weekends that follow.

 

ARTIST TALK

A chat with Fiona McIntosh

Renowned local author, Fiona McIntosh will share with you her French inspirations for her novels.A dynamic and engaging speaker, come and be inspired to delve more into the world of writing.

 

AU MARCHÉ AT AUBURN FRENCHFEST

Auburn Frenchfest market

Meet local makers and browse local products such as wine, olives, oil, dukkha, soaps, body products, artworks, honey all whilst enjoying French cuisine to keep your belly full and listening to live French music by Trio Montagne to lighten the soul. Support them as they busk and add that carnival feeling to the main street of Auburn.

 

Then venture outside, to experience the Food trucks and other pop up stalls… enjoy your produce in the park, while watching the happenings in the Le Marquee or the performances by Circobats.

 

FOOD AT AUBURN FRENCHFEST

Wine and Cheese trail – Pick up your cheese hamper, at your leisure from a designated pick up spot (between 10am-2pm on Saturday or Sunday), and wander the village of Auburn, indulging in tasting wines, while enjoying your French cheeses and condiments.

Each hamper will feed 2 people.

Prices:

• Cheese Hamper Only: $35
• Cheese and Wine Trail [includes 2 x souvenir wine glasses and free tastings]: $55
• Wine Glass Only [tasting conditions as per wineries]: $10/glass

Crepe making workshops – Learn how to make perfect French crepes in the Auburn Frenchfest workshops running both Saturday and Sunday of the festival.

 

Long Lunch Finale

Say Au Revoir to the Auburn Frenchfest at Hillsview Estate with wonderful food in a country setting that will have you thinking you are in a small village in France.

 

Ticket will include a wonderful multi-course French inspired menu, a spot of entertainment and French music. Dietary requirements can be considered. Classic wines from Taylors Wines and Ulster Park Wines will be available for purchase.

 

LANGUAGE CLASSES

 

Fun French Class

Come and meet the team of Alliance Française of Adélaïde to learn the essentials of French as well as the do’s and don’ts for your future trips. Lessons run for 20 minutes.

Presenters: Sarah Zaglia and Arnaud Benassy

Interactive Swearing in French class

After sold out shows and five-star reviews at the Adelaide Fringe in Talk Dirty, Stay Classy, the irrepressible Arnaud Benassy is back! READ OUR REVIEW OF THE ADELAIDE FRINGE SHOW 2019 HERE

 

Come and join So French, So Naughty for a night of laughter as you learn ALL (well, most) of your favourite swear words in French. Shows are loud, rude, and hilariously fun. Produced by Sips and Giggles.

 

MUSIC AT AUBURN FRENCHFEST

Cabaret: Marseille que j’aime

A cabaret/café-théâtre performance based around the hugely successful 1930s plays of Marcel Pagnol and the complementary, contemporary operettas of Vincent Scotto/René Sarvil.

 

The characters of the Marseille waterfront come to life in this entertaining series of vignettes, extracts and songs performed by Panache, Adelaide French Theatre, Adelaide’s only French-language theatre group. To be performed in French with English subtitles.

 

Chante! Chante! Chante! workshop of French song of the 20th Century

Louise Blackwell leads this workshop looking at some classic French songs with a focus on their storytelling.

 

This will include a look at the songwriter and the background of their song in a period of social change, with a translation of the text and a jolly good singalong that will bring the poetry and images in the song to life. Featuring:

• Le poinçonneur des Lilas by Serge Gainsbourg
• La Bicyclette by Yves Montand
• Chanson pour l’Auvergnat by Georges Brassens

 

Chantons ensemble – let’s sing together – singing workshop

This workshop will present well-known French children’s songs that relate stories- such as “Il était un Petit Navire”, “A la Claire Fontaine”.

 

There will be animated videos of the songs with the words, preceded by explanations in English. Printed versions of the songs will also be available. Many of the songs use repetition, making them easy to sing.

 

Coro Quarto: Il est bel et bon

Coro Quattro was formed in 2018 by a group of friends who like to share the joy of singing four-part harmony pieces. In the beautiful Our Lady of the Peace church, Coro Quattro will give a wonderful performance of French music singing mostly unaccompanied French music ranging from Renaissance madrigals (e.g. Ce moys de mai, Belle qui tiens ma vie) to the superb vocal quartets of Debussy and Saint-Saens through to modern and jazz standards (e.g. Autumn Leaves, Michelle).

 

La Grande Chorale

Noted Adelaide singing coach and choir leader Stella Panozzo will lead a community singalong at Aubrun Frenchfest. Stella has over 25 years’ experience as a teacher, singer, pianist and musical director. Many of her singing students now have professional careers as performers and teachers

 

Join in with a couple of best loved songs of French diva, Edith Piaf…La Vie en Rose and Non, je ne regrette rien.

 

A working knowledge of French or tonsorial splendour NOT required. Just come with your enthusiasm and perhaps a few dramatic arm flourishes and a fun time is guaranteed.

 

Stella has over 25 years’ experience as a teacher, singer, pianist and musical director. Many of her singing students now have professional careers as performers and teachers in various musical styles, including Musical Theatre, Opera, and Contemporary Commercial Music.

 

Le Grand Ensemble

A concert of French Classical composers performed by local musicians at Auburn Frenchfest.

 

Coordinated by Elder Conservatorium trained local musician Leonie Moore, Le Grande Ensemble consists of members of the woodwind section of the Nurioopta Town Band, joined by musicians from Balaklava and further afield, performing works by Debussy, Ravel, Faure, Bizet and Gounod.

 

The concert will feature local woodwind players, solo piano and harp, as well as a small family string ensemble, playing well-known and loved items by Classical French composers.

 

Les Flaneurs Volants – Le Best of

Drawing on material from the French diaspora and lifetimes immersed in French culture, Les Flâneurs Volants presents songs, stories and fun from around the French world.

 

Le Best Of! draws on the best of Les Flâneurs Volants’ sold out Fringe 20 & 21 shows. READ OUR REVIEW OF THE 2021 SHOW HERE – Featuring the love misadventures of their invented character Jacques and introduces new material that sees the band mashing English and French with riotous effect.

 

Les Gitans Blancs

Les Gitans Blancs will perform at The Marquee, showcasing french jazz of the 30s-50s, manouche Romany music and Eastern European traditional music.

Workshop: Introduction to the basic Manouche Swing / Gypsy Jazz

Manouche Swing or Gypsy Jazz is known to many through the music of early exponents. These include Django Reinhardt, Stéphane Grappelli and the Hot Club of France.The music style is evocative of Paris of the 30s-50s but continues to develop in Europe and beyond.

 

Les Gitans Blancs present this workshop which features demonstrations highlighting the basic elements that characterize the genre, such as la pompe and the distinctive melodies. The fascinating history and contemporary development of the phenomenon will be discussed.

 

Workshop: Laissez le bon temps rouler: music of the French diaspora

Laissez le bon temps rouler….let the good time roll, a term coined by the Cajuns, French speakers of Louisiana.

 

Along with their language the French settlers of the Americas and the Caribbean brought their instruments and music. Isolation from France and influences from settlers from other parts of the Europe saw the music develop its own distinctive character in the various regions settled.

 

Les Flâneurs Volants, French group and Auburn Frecnhfest organisers, present this workshop which will feature examples of the French music of Quebec, Cajun and Creole Louisiana and Guadeloupe. The journey of the French settlers and the development of the music will be discussed. Participants will also have the opportunity to join in with a singalong.

 

Louise Blackwell and the French Set: A Night in Paris

Louise Blackewell, a talented Adelaide singer is accompanied once again by her fabulous band comprising some of Adelaide’s finest musicians Mark Simeon Ferguson on piano, John Aué on double bass, Julian Ferraretto on violin and Josh Baldwin on drums.

 

Together they perform beautiful arrangements of a finely selected, ever-evolving repertoire of songs by French artists such as Léo Ferré, Georges Brassens, Jacques Brel, Barbara, Edith Piaf, Serge Gainsbourg, Jean Constantin, Juliette Gréco, Yves Montand and even Italian jazz-pop figure Paolo Conte, so beloved by the French and adopted into Parisian culture. READ OUR REVIEW OF THE 2021 FRINGE SHOW HERE.

 

Louise recreates an authentic Parisian vibe as she tells stories of this city where she lived and was once inhabited by legends of the cabaret. Louise aspires to take us there and recreate magical moments from this Parisian cultural legacy!

 

THEATRE & PERFORMANCE ART

 

Circobats circus performance and workshop

An Adelaide-based circus, Circobats will be performing and delivering workshops as part of the Auburn Frenchfest. Fun for all ages, welcoming children and adults who want to learn, develop and enhance their skills in the circus arts.

 

Encore! 500 Years of French Theatre

A performance by Panache, Adelaide French Theatre, of excerpts from major French plays from the 17th to the 21st century.

 

The rich tradition of French theatre has never failed to please and delight audiences. They have chosen scenes memorable for their comedy and human interest to give a brief overview of the best French theatre has to offer. Excerpts from Molière, Beaumarchais (Le Mariage de Figaro), Rostand (Cyrano de Bergerac), Ionesco (La Cantatrice Chauve) and J-M Ribes (Théâtre sans animaux). To be performed in French with English surtitles. READ OUR INTERVIEW WITH THE FOUNDERS OF PANACHE ABOUT ONE OF THEIR PREVIOUS PERFORMANCES HERE

 

Of Auburn

Of Auburn is a theatre production depicting the World War 1 experiences of women through personal diaries, poetry and song.

 

The dramatisation weaves the life and poetry of CJ Dennis together with the narration of Madge Yeatman, volunteer nurse in the Great War. Both Dennis and Yeatman started life in the gentle cradle that was Auburn in the Clare Valley in the later part of the 19th century.

 

The evocative wartime images of Frank Hurley and AW Savage together with powerful French songs express the anxieties, sorrows and hopes that women feel through war.

 

Music will be performed live by the fabulous Minnie Little Trio and feature some gorgeous French songs: Maman attend le Facteur, Le Soldat, Temps de Cerises, Gottingen and more as well as some original material.

 

See the play’s website here for more info: https://ofauburn.com and follow Of Auburn on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ofauburn

 

Puppet show:  Le Petit Chaperon Rouge/Les Trois Petits Cochons (Little Red Riding Hood/Three Pigs)

This free event is for the children, and those young at heart!

 

The cast of Panache, Adelaide French Theatre, will perform two marionette performances of the classic stories of Little Red Riding Hood and The Three Little Pigs. Narrated in English, with dialogue in French, and plenty of audience interaction.

 

PÉTANQUE

Pétanque ‘Come and try‘

Come and try Pétanque as part of the Auburn Frenchfest!

 

VINTAGE FRENCH CARS

French car display

Visit the French Car Display on Saturday and be a part of All French Cars Day on the Sunday. The French Amil car turns 100!

 

The inaugural Auburn Frenchfest has an impressive line-up particularly for a 1^st festival! Which activities are you interested in?

 

WHAT: Auburn French Festival

WHEN: 10-12 September 2021

WHERE: various locations in Auburn, Clare Valley, South Australia

MORE INFO AND TICKETS: https://www.clarevalley.com.au/whats-on/auburn-frenchfest/

PRICE: Depends on the individual performance or workshop. Many of the activities and performances are free but for COVID-19 monitoring reasons, you will need to register for a ticket.