Enjoy an afternoon of French food, culture, and entertainment!
This year’s edition of Bastille Day on 60th Street will include an even greater line-up of exciting events, with new activities including a champagne tasting in the beautiful Skyroom, free film screenings for kids and families, and talented performers making their Bastille Day debut on the main stage.
Enter the popular Prize Drawing for a chance to win incredible prizes including trips to Paris, Bordeaux, and New Orleans. Indulge in French delicacies like crêpes, éclairs, macarons, and more at booths along 60th street. Savor a great selection of wines, cheeses, beers, and cocktails at tastings at FIAF. Enjoy performances by Can-Can dancers, the Chorale Arpège from Martinique, the Franco-American electro/pop/swing band Ginkgoa, the Hungry March Band, and more. Les enfants will get a kick out of face painting, arts & crafts, cooking classes, mime acts, and a vintage Citroën car show.
For over ten years, Bastille Day on 60th Street has been the largest public celebration in New York commemorating France’s Independence Day (July 14, 1789) and France’s historic friendship with the United States.
Event highlights include:
DJ Ol’ Stark: Olivier Stark, aka DJ Ol’ Stark, is a French DJ, music consultant and producer based in New York, who has DJed and organized music events all over the world, including at the Soho & Tribeca Grand in New York, and Le Divan du Monde in Paris. He has been the co-organizer of the music festival & record fair ”Paris Rare Groove Day” for 10 years. DJ Ol’ Stark is currently the music manager of the Chelsea Market art gallery, as well as an avid vinyl digger and collector …and of course, he is highly specialized in French music.
The Arpège Choir: The Arpège Choir of the Saint-Joseph de Cluny School in Martinique was founded in 1999 by Joëlle Fremcourt, teacher of music education and choral singing. The choir counts more than 150 students and is accompanied by musicians. They have recorded several CDs and film scores, and in 2007, they received the special prize of the jury at the Mondial Choral Festival of Laval in Quebec, Canada.
Fencing Demonstration by the Sheridan Fencing Academy: Come enjoy the wonder of the Olympic sport of fencing! Sheridan Fencing Academy is one of the premiere fencing schools in the country. Besides being among top fencers in the world, Sheridan Fencing’s athletes are regularly recruited to the best schools in the country, including Harvard, Princeton, and Duke.
Kids’ Corner: Presented by the FIAF Language Center and the FIAF Haskell Library. Between Madison and Park Avenues. Children will be introduced to French or will have an opportunity to practice the language through arts and crafts, face painting, and games, all organized by age groups. Kids can visit the FIAF “Pop-Up” Library just for kids and enjoy reading French books and participating in story times.
FIAF Bastille Day Book Sale: Between Madison and Park Avenues. The FIAF Library will host a book sale of new and used titles in French on all subjects: novels, non-fiction, language-learning, and more. All titles range from $1-$10. Take home a little French literature along with a macaron for a real taste of French culture!
French Workshops: Brush up your French with a complimentary 30-minute workshop. Space limited to 14 people per session. Limited availability. First-come first-served.