Alliance Francaise Bastille Day Celebration, July 10
The Alliance Francaise of Minneapolis/St. Paul presents their annual Bastille Day Celebration at the university Club of St. Paul near downtown St. Paul. Music from the French Cabaret orchestra, French food and wine, games of petanque, a vintage French car show, and children's activities. Tickets are $10 for Alliance Francaise members, $15 for non-members.
Pastry and Baguettes at Sofitel Minneapolis: July 14
You might argue about who makes the best pastries and baguettes in the world, but there's no point if you are talking to someone from France. Because the French are certain that they do. The Sofitel hotel in Bloomington is home to Le Petite Marche Bakery, who produce some 6,000 hand made baguettes every month plus innumerable croissants, pan au chocolates and other pastries.
To celebrate Bastille Day, Le Petite Marche will be giving away free baguettes from 7 a.m. until noon on July 14. And in the evening, Sofitel's restaurant, Colette Bar & Bistro, has a special Bastille Day menu and a late night party on their patio.
Bastille Day Shopping Event at Selby and Snelling, July 17
11 chic fashion and homewares stores at St. Paul's most fashionable intersection are having a shopping event on Saturday July 17. There will be French goodies, extra vendors, and a raffle to win a shopping spree at Selby and Snelling stores including lingerie store Flirt, vintage boutique Lula and Twin Cities chains Everyday People and Patina.
Bastille Day Block Party at Barbette, July 18
French restaurant Barbette in Uptown Minneapolis hosts an annual Bastille Day block party. This year the free event runs from 2 p.m. - 8 p.m. and features local music like veteran Irish rockers Romantica and rockers Brass Messengers, this year's hyped indie bands Red Pens, Mayda and the Magnolias, and bawdy entertainment from Foxy Tann and the Whambamthankyoumaam's.
There's more street entertainment from rollergirls, hula hoop-ers and skaters, plus projection art from Minneapolis Art on Wheels, a fire performers, a flea market, and organic food and beverages. The event benefits People Serving People, a local homeless shelter.
Brit's Pub Bastille Day Celebration, July 18
Neighbors divided by a narrow channel, the British and the French have been enemies for much of the last millenium, but in recent times the rivalry has taken on a much more friendly nature, mostly due to being on the same side in WW1 and WW2, and the greatly reduced cost of wine and beer on the French side of the channel compared with the British side, combined with very cheap cross-channel ferry tickets.
Brit's Pub celebrates the Anglo-French relationship with their annual Bastille Day celebration on their rooftop, with veteran British rocker Graham Parker, the The Compleat Wrks of Wllm Shkspr (abridged), and food and drink specials. Sound familiar? It's the same lineup as last year. No cover.
