BASTILLE DAY IS STILLfour weeks away, but you can still get your French on this Friday at the Fete de la Musique.
Hosted by L'Alliance Francaise de Washington, this year's event ups the ante by expanding it beyond its French karaoke format. "This year, we're more respectful to the fete's tradition," says Laurent Mellier, L'Alliance Française's executive director. "We still have the karaoke, but it's only an hour long."
They're complementing the seven-hour party by opening the stage for amateur bands and hosting arts and crafts workshops for children.
As the evening progresses, local acts such as indie rockers Bellman Barker and soul-electronica singer Ne'a Posey will entertain as guests luxuriate with French cheese, wine and other treats.
Closing the event will be DJ Stylus, who'll spin hot funk, R&B, deep house and Afrobeat — all on a decidedly Francophone tip.