Monthly Programs and Special Events
MONTHLY PROGRAMS
Monthly programs begin at 1 PM (CST) and doors open at 12:45 (12:55 for online programs). See the monthly bulletin and Meetup for event venues, Zoom links and other details.
The evening before each program, we'll send an email reminder with the Zoom link to those who RSVP.
* Members of the Alliance Française du North Shore: Free
To register, please RSVP at Meetup or send your RSVP to programmes@AFnorthshore.org.
* Members of the AF DuPage: Free
To register, send your first RSVP to programmes@AFnorthshore.org with “DuPage” in the subject line. You may RSVP at Meetup for subsequent monthly programs and retrieve Zoom links on that site.
* Nonmembers: $10
Step 1 Choose an event below. Click the blue button to pay with PayPal. No PayPal account is needed: you may check out as a guest with a credit or debit card. We'll email you the Zoom link the evening before the program.
Step 2
Click the picture in the event selected and complete the registration form by 8 PM the evening before the program.
Step 3 (optional)
To add a donation, click the blue button under "Support Our Chapter." Click the plus sign to adjust the donation amount.
Questions? Write to admin@AFnorthshore.org.
SPECIAL EVENTS
See individual listings for details.
April 5, 2025
1–3 PM
Micro ouvert
Join us at our seventh informal open mic. Read aloud a short text (under 5 minutes, please) in French (fiction, nonfiction, drama, poetry, song). If you wish, tell us why you chose your piece. For inspiration, take a peek at videos from earlier open mics farther down on this page.
Send your text—or at least your name, the title of your text, and the author's name—to micro@AFnorthshore.org by Thursday, April 3. This event is free to all. Those not presenting are most welcome.
RSVP at our Meetup site or send an email to micro@AFnorthshore.org.
This program will be held at Curt's Café, Evanston.
April 14, 2025
1–2:15 PM
Instruments Oubliés
Learn about the origins of the guitar and lute dating back 500 years with a live musical performance and lecture by Brandon Acker. You'll see and hear up close beautiful instruments that were popular hundreds of years ago but forgotten by the mainstream musical world today.
En français. Q&A in English.
Brandon Acker is a musician specializing in classical guitar and the lute. He has toured internationally, won awards and has a popular YouTube channel featuring performances and educational videos about the guitar.
This program will take place at the Wilmette Public Library.
NONMEMBERS ONLY
Step 1: Click the blue button below to pay.
Step 2: Complete and submit the registration form.
September 4, 2025
7–8:30 PM
Are you intrigued by the south of France? Curious about the topography, botany, culture and poetry of Provence? Join AFduNS President Karen Baldwin in a discussion of A Northern Light in Provence, by Elizabeth Birkelund.
Ilse Lund leaves her Greenland village to translate the works of an elderly Provençal poet and finds her life irrevocably changed in this tender and romantic novel set in a French village.
She becomes captive to the air, the sun, the vibrant spring colors, and the dulcet sounds of the Provençal dialect. And soon enough, Ilse is captive to the poet, too.
Their warm camaraderie is disturbed when the poet’s son shows up and turns his attention on Ilse. Suddenly, she is forced to learn another language, one her translation skills have not prepared her to decode.
With an eye and ear attuned to the sensibilities of French life, Elizabeth Birkelund has created a love story about a woman forced to choose between the security of her quiet northern home and possibly the life of her dreams.
In English, with post-discussion conversation in French.
Click here to watch a video conversation with the author.
We'll send discussion questions in advance to those who RSVP.
This program will be held at the Glenview Public Library.
NONMEMBERS ONLY
Complete and submit the registration form.
Video Recordings of Past Events
Click an image to watch a video recording.
Video recordings of past monthly programs and the Déjeuners de printemps are available on the Members Only page.
Attendance at an event of the Alliance Française du North Shore implies consent by the attendee that the AFduNS may use photos taken at that event, without restriction, for any publication, exhibit, video or other print or digital format. Please inform the event photographer if you do not wish to have your photo taken.