Latest news with #AllianceFrançaise
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Hemangini Dutt Majumder's new book smells like trouble—in the best way
Hemangini Dutt Majumder returns with her latest Gothic detective mystery, The Scratch and Sniff Chronicles (Niyogi Books), featuring a new kind of sleuth—one who can sniff out more than just lies. The book was launched at Delhi's Alliance Française, amidst a laughter-filled conversation with a panel featuring Patricia Loison, director of Alliance Française; actor Padmapriya Janakiraman; RJ Sarthak; chef Sadaf Hussain; and the author herself. The evening set in the jasmine-scented, flower-filled auditorium was designed to evoke Neelbari, the mysterious ancestral estate in the novel, set in West Bengal's Chandannagar, mirroring the immersive world of Ollie's story. Olympia Chattergé—Ollie, for short—is a 29-year-old sommelier with an aversion to working out, a deep love for food and random Nat Geo factoids, and one highly unusual gift: a hyper-sensitive nose which picks up random fragrances, that often has her jokingly comparing herself to Batman. Nearly every page contains a smell-note: the comforting familiarity of talcum powder, the sharpness of garam masala, the antiseptic zing of Ultracin gel, or the unmistakable aroma of Koraishutir Kochuri (fried bread with pea stuffing).
Axios
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Running of the Bulls returns: Things to do this weekend
This weekend in New Orleans, you can get hit with a bat by a roller skater, check out some monster trucks or celebrate Bastille Day. Zoom in: Here's what's going on around town this weekend. 🍍 Naughty N'awlins, the annual swingers' conference, runs through Sunday. Its events are sold out, but you might run into its Sexual Freedom Parade if you're in the French Quarter. Details. 🥐 Alliance Française hosts its annual Bastille Day Fête on Friday with French music, food, wine and family-friendly activities. Details. 😍 Pedro Pascal lookalike contest? We'll be there. Second Line Brewing hosts the event Friday. Details. 🪐 GalaxyCon begins Friday and runs through the weekend. It's a celebration of all things comic books, pop culture, sci-fi, fantasy, anime, gaming, cosplay, and wrestling. Details 🛼 The Running of the Bulls and its post-run fiesta take over the CBD on Saturday morning. Details. 🌸 Stronghold Studios, maker of house floats, is holding a yard sale to offload float flowers, art, ceramics, giant sculpted props, fabric and more stuff useful for Carnival enthusiasts. Per a press release, the sale dates are Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6pm at 4429 Bienville St. Cash and credit cards will be accepted. 🛞 Hot Wheels brings "Monster Trucks Live: Glow-N-Fire" to the Smoothie King Center on Saturday and Sunday. Details.
Axios
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Your D.C. Weekend: Bastille Day parties, teas and tours
Grab your beret and rosé — Bastille Day is Monday, but French festivities are happening all weekend. Why it matters: D.C. goes big for Bastille between our French expats and Francophiles. 🔜 Pro tip: Many of the events are ticketed and may sell out, book tout suite. 🍷 Bastille Summer Soirée at the Embassy: Party like a diplomat at this chic party with fine wines, a "culinary tour de force," and live music under the stars. Embassy of France | Fri, 6–10:30pm Tickets: $140 🫖 Moulin Rouge Afternoon Tea: Sip French tea with sweet and savory bites, live Can-Can shows, and optional Veuve pours (+$20). Bistro Du Jour Capitol Hill | Fri-Sun, 2:30–4:30pm Book on Tock or OpenTable: $90 pp 🪗 Bastille Day at the Park: The annual family-friendly celebration includes pétanque, pastries, trivia and accordion music. Fessenden Park, Tenleytown | Sat, 2–4pm Tickets: $5 🌭 Pastis Bastille Weekend: Head to Union Market's bistro for raclette, fancy hot dogs, and special rosés and Champagnes. Sunday bonus: Fresh-shucked oysters and Magnum rosé tastings with San Tropez-based winemaker Minuty (12–3pm). Pastis | Sat-Mon, All day Free reservations and walk-ins 🦪 Bleu, Blanc, Rouge at Café Riggs: Head to the swanky Penn Quarter hotel for a Parisian garden party. On tap: A Whispering Angel rosé garden, oyster and crêpe stations, and sweets galore. Riggs Washington DC | Mon, 6–9pm Tickets: $80 🚶♀️ Bastille Day Tour: Join Alliance Française for a French-themed historical walking tour that ends with Champagne and DJ tunes. Lafayette Square → Alliance Française | Mon, 5–9pm Tickets: $29 More fun things to do this weekend 🥥 The Piña Colada Festival returns to all DMV Colada Shops Thursday through Aug 3. Head to a tropical rooftop launch party at the 14th Street location with coconut-y drinks and DJ tunes (tickets $25). 🎶 Flashband debuts at The Atlantis on Saturday with " 2000s Remixed," a one-night-only event featuring eight new bands performing creative mashups and reimagined hits from the 2000s (tickets $32.50). 💃 Romantasy meets dance party at Culture House DC in Southwest for A Ball of Thorns and Roses on Saturday. Pro dancers show off faerie-style performances before the public joins in on the fun — faerie wine included (tickets $66).
Indian Express
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘Afghanistan is not just about the Taliban': Refugee artists in Delhi use music to heal and preserve their culture
As Afghanistan sees a surprising uptick in tourism despite years of conflict, thousands of miles away in New Delhi, it is the ache of displacement and 'desire for homeland' that unites Afghan refugees. On World Refugee Day, June 21, this shared sense of nostalgia and resilience brought together hundreds of people from Afghan, Iranian, Burmese and other refugee communities at Alliance Française for an evening of music and memory. While artists from various countries performed across genres, it was Salaam, a band of Afghan refugee musicians, that left the audience spellbound with their soulful qawwalis. Singing legendary Afghan artist Farhad Darya's songs and weaving in traditional folklore, the band channelled a powerful message of peace. The audience nodded along, clapped in rhythm, and many felt a rare moment of 'home'. In an interaction with members of the band spoke about their artistic journey, how they make music a tool to heal minds and spread the word about Afghanistan. The band was founded in 2013 by Ahmad Haidar Hadis, who previously launched another group, Yuva Beats, in 2010. Hadis, who started his musical journey as a teenager in Pakistan, has over 20 years of experience in music. He sought refuge in India in 2009. Over the years, he has worked with Afghan television and was a member of the prominent Afghan band Nawa. 'There was no platform for refugee musicians in India,' Hadis said. 'That's why I started Salaam. We wanted a space where we could preserve our music, our language, our heritage.' The band's manager, Athena, recounted the group's early days. She said most people who stumbled upon them wanted to ask about the Taliban, how they operate, and the 'situation' back home. 'Afghanistan is not just about the Taliban; we wanted to paint a picture of our people living there. We want to depict our culture before the world – the land is not just about war but many other things,' she said. Athena shared that the band's members fled Afghanistan over the years due to instability and lack of artistic freedom. 'Even during the US intervention, artists were not safe. India was a natural destination because of its friendly ties with Afghanistan and the relative ease of obtaining visas and refugee documentation,' she said. Maasih Jafari, the band's guitarist, said music remains a contested subject in Afghanistan. 'In some areas it's legal, in others it's considered haram, depending on the region's cultural and religious leanings,' he said. Jafari, a self-taught musician, began playing in 2018 and joined Salaam in 2023. He draws from a range of influences, including Hairat, Iranian folk music, and Farhad Darya's work. 'We don't just need peace for Afghanistan, we need it for the whole world,' he said. Remembering the days of displacement and seeking asylum, guitarist Badnashare said, 'You go through turbulent emotions, and it's a difficult experience. The songs you create will resonate with it. Our music shows vital parts of the friendship between Afghanistan and India.' Madiha Hasiq, the band's lead singer, said, 'All our songs are related to our homeland, and music is how we stay connected to Afghanistan.' From embassies to United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) events and Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) cultural festivals, Salaam has found its rhythm in India's diverse music scene. The band sees music not just as performance, but as survival, as a form of emotional release, a way to tell their stories.
The Hindu
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
English play ‘Mary My Darling' to be staged in Bengaluru on Sunday
The city's vibrant theatre scene will see a new offering this weekend as English theatre group Bangalore Little Theatre (BLT) brings its latest production, 'Mary My Darling', to the stage. Directed by Bhaskar Gauribidanur, the play is set to be performed on Sunday at Alliance Française in Vasanth Nagar. The production will feature two shows, scheduled at 3.30 p.m. and 7 p.m., promising an engaging experience for theatre enthusiasts of all ages. Tickets for the show are currently available on BookMyShow.
