French Newsletter July 2024
URGENT: This evening has been cancelled !
Quiz du 14 juillet
Date: Cancelled
Venue: Wesley Church, 100 13th Ave, Tauranga
Quiz Start Time: 7pm
Cost: $20 per person
Bring: Yourself, your friends, your partners, in fact anyone who wants to have fun, stretch their mind in hexagonal directions, and discover what they know about all things French, and your BYO. We will provide some spot prizes.
Format: Tables of 4-6 people (not necessarily pre-arranged). Questions are about France, French things, Francophone countries and Franco-NZ links. Questions are in both French and English, so no French language knowledge and no dictionaries are required. No laptops or other digital devices please.
Lots of multiple-choice questions plus some that require answers. For example:
1: France has which geometric shape ? a) pentagon b) hexagon c) heptagon ?
2: One of the Beatle’s songs begins with the Marseillaise. Which one ?
a) Michelle b) Here comes the Sun King c) All you need is love
3: Toi Tauranga, what is it ?
French Classes start up again from 22nd July 2024
If you haven’t already done so, please let me know if you will be continuing/returning/starting so groups can be organized. Proposed class times and levels are on the website but are relatively flexible. Face to face groups, Zoom and private classes will be held. Phone or email if you have any particular queries.
“Language is not a genetic gift, it is a social gift. Learning a new language is becoming a member of the club – the community of speakers of that language.” -Frank Smith
Click here for the Proposed Term 3 Timetable. It will be confirmed by July 17th.
À l’écran – French Movies Luxe Cinemas :
The June French Film Festival was another great success and, as usual, several of the films will be back on general release in the very near feature. “The Taste of Things”, “The President’s Wife”, “Jeanne du Barry”, “Divertimento”, “Mr Blake at Your Service”…. Not part of the festival, but also of interest – “Coup de Chance” & “Andrea Chénier” (opera).
For details on Tauranga & Papamoa screening times, go to the Luxe Cinemas’ website https://www.luxecinemas.nz/.
Other suggestions: On Screen
The Tauranga Film Society
The Tauranga Film Society meets every second Wednesday from around 6pm at Cinema Luxe, 21 Devonport Road. The programme for the year contains a wide variety of non-mainstream and classic films and always includes a number of screenings from the Francophone world. Films you won’t see elsewhere.
The films are free for members of the Society. You can join for a year for $120 or opt for a 3-film sampler for $40.
Contact Michael O’Brien for more details.
Phone 07 576 7575 or Email: michael@obriengeotech.co.nz
Website: https://www.nzfilmsociety.org.nz/tauranga.html
Keep in mind
Get back the World’s Biggest Haka Record from France
The current record, held by the town of Brive in France, dates from 2014 when 4028 spectators & rugby players from both sides joined together for a haka at the end of a match against Bordeaux-Bègles.
“We need this record back,” says the Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust. “It is a question of national pride”. The trust has issued an invitation.
“Come to Eden Park on Sunday 29th September 2024 and bring the record back to NZ”. More details will be available from 23rd July.
Rendez-vous le 29, alors ? Notez la date dans votre agenda.
Les Misérables
This will be the 4th (I think) attempt by the Tauranga Musical Theatre to stage one of the most celebrated musicals in theatrical history, adapted from Victor Hugo’s classic tale. The show will run from 11-28 September 2024 at Baycourt Theatre.
Find the Francophone
Wouldn’t it be nice to use your one, two or 3+ words of French, when you order your next café ou petit déjeuner ?
All is possible with the high number of French travellers currently on working holidays in our area.
Sam is no longer the lone francophone at Benny & Brew in Otumoetai. Pop in and you will find the smiling Cyndie, Margot and Marylou. Be warned, the café will be closed from 15th July for building repair work but back on Tuesday 30th July with exciting changes and a delicious new menu. Fingers crossed the winter raclette et fondues will be back too.
On the Tauranga side of the bridge, Capucine is at the Banana Bloom Café (and wants to share a flat on a week-to-week basis and find some more part-time work) and Éléonore is at the Demitasse Café .
On the Mount side, the Alpino may be an Italian restaurant but barista Justine is definitely French. Elise is at the General Café and Maïlys flies the French flag at the Little Guy Bagel and Coffee House .
These are a few I know about, however I’m sure there are more, with most keen for offers of short-term, part-time jobs – gardening, house-keeping, anything considered.
Les Bonnes Adresses autour de chez nous
If you are looking for some Swiss chocolate, or an osteopath, professional arborist, yoga teacher, mobile barber , someone to tandem skydive with, a pétanque pitch, a tasting tour, or want cornrows, braids or hair extensions, have a look HERE for Bay of Plenty French residents and businesses who offer such services plus businesses, Gourmet Trader and Vetro, that sell French products, food and cooking utensils.
The Tauranga Tree in Paris
Just the usual reminder that, if Paris is on your agenda, do stop and say bonjour to our tree in the Tuileries Gardens. ‘The tree and me’ pics are always appreciated. We like to see how it’s growing ! Here’s how to find it :
Starting at the end of the garden with the hexagon (on the left on the map), head up the Grande Allée. The Tauranga Tree is the fourth tree on the right after the Allée de Cataglione.
Watch out for heat waves « Une canicule » is a heat wave, and « une canicule n’est pas un canular » (A heat wave is no joke).
Bon voyage ! Enjoy your travels ! Travel safe.
