28 May 2017 Students recently finished a thematic unit, focusing on the practices, perspectives, and products of French people living in the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Our studies culminated in a special field trip to the Met Cloisters: a unique museum overlooking the Hudson River in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan. We spent a lovely afternoon exploring the various gardens, open arcades, quadrangles, and walkways that originated in southern France. In parti

19 November 2015 Tonight, we returned to Albertine Reading Room and Bookshop in New York City for a discussion of the book, entitled, "The Other Paris" (2015) by Luc Sante, a Belgian American cultural historian. The author shared a selection of his favorite passages from the book, focusing on daily life at the margins of Parisian society prior to the period of urban renewal in the 19th century. Afterward, he opened the floor for discussion and fielded questions from members o

18 July 2015 Last night, a small group of students went to see Paris Combo live in concert at City Winery New York City. What a memorable evening! If you're not familiar with Paris Combo, their music is an eclectic mix of sounds, influenced by cabaret, gypsy jazz in the style of Django Reinhardt, French pop from the 1930's, North African rhythms, and swing. Our group gathered at a long table in front of the stage. (We were lucky to have seats located right in the center of t