'Safeco Insurance Festal: Bastille Day' Celebrates All Things French 7/11, 7/12

Vive la France with picnics, French wine tasting, cooking demonstrations, games and music at Safeco Insurance Festál: Bastille Day - a French Celebration. The festivities begin with a ticketed Fireman's Ballâ on July 11, 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. Free activities are offered on July 12, 11am - 6 p.m. All events take place at Center House, Fisher Pavilion and Fisher Green.

The festival marks the French national holiday in memory of the liberation of the infamous Bastille Prison, the start of the French Revolution and France's democratic beginnings. Festival-goers enjoy picnics on the grass, French wine and pastries, cooking demonstrations, children's games, music and more. They are encouraged to sip, eat and shop your way through French culture at this festival of gourmet delights and fun for the entire family.

Special guests and activities this year include Sophie Blouet, a French watercolorist, in an exhibit and painting workshops, and Adama Yalomba and his band from Mali performing for the first time at Festival. Playing and singing in French and Bambara, the group illustrates the French influence on the world.

Did you know? Juliette Binoche is a French film actress born into a family of artists in 1964. Binoche's early films firmly established her as a star of some acclaim and earned her a European film awards and nominations. She is also an accomplished painter. The film 'English Patientâ' was her greatest hit garnering her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She was also nominated for Best Actress for the film 'Chocolat' Binoche is involved in several charities; and is a godmother to nine Cambodian orphans. Seen as France's most famous actress of international renown, Binoche still performs in small films and theater plays.

Join us at Safeco Insurance Festál and become a culture carrier (someone who contributes to cultural understanding through the sharing of stories, songs, music, food and family traditions). This festival is produced by Seattle Center in partnership with France Education Northwest under the auspices of the Consular Agency of France. For more information on Safeco Insurance Festál and other Seattle Center programming, click on www.seattlecenter.com.

Safeco Insurance Festál, presented by Seattle Center in partnership with community organizations, is a year-long series of FREE events that honors the cultural richness and diversity of the Pacific Northwest. Safeco Insurance Festál plays a vital part in Seattle Center efforts to connect our dynamic and varied communities.

This collection of 22 events is presented with the generous support of Safeco Insurance, Wells Fargo, Verizon Wireless and KUOW 94.9 Public Radio. Additional support is provided by The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, The Boeing Company, Seattle Center Fund and the City of Seattle.

Seattle Center 305 Harrison Street, Seattle, WA 98109-4645 TEL 206.684.7200 Fax 206.684.7366.

For more information visit www.SeattleCenter.com

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