Kicking off its 10th year, the Sacramento French Film Festival has invited French composer Raymond Alessandrini to direct an orchestral accompaniment for its first film/concert, which will be performed by the Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra. “It’s something we’ve never done before. It’s quite exceptional,” said French Film Festival Executive and Artistic Director Cécile Downs. The show will be held at the Crest Theatre on Jan. 29 and 30. “It’s a very big event for us,” Downs said. “We (often) have guests, but usually they are just coming to present a film that is already finished. Having the composer of the score coming is more exceptional.” The film to be shown is a 1928 silent film

 Parlez vous français? Non? That’s OK! Crowds permeated the lobby of the Crest Theatre Friday as the Sacramento French Film Festival, whose theme this year is "My life is a French film!", celebrated their opening night with an excellent reception and two French-directed films, one short and one feature length. The film of the night was “A l'Origine (In the Beginning)”, directed by Xavier Giannoli. Based on a true story, it had multiple accents of beauty throughout, including a scene where the protagonist con-man is stuck in a storm, raving like a lunatic in true Learish fashion. The film also played on morality issues, especially the morality of the thief. Cinematically the film was bri

The Crest Theatre transformed into a circus ring for the first weekend of the French Film Festival. The night began with a high-production fashion show, Cirque de la Mode, and the curtain came down after the showing of “Lola Montés,” which was the inspiration for the whole night. Audience members were greeted by a ringmistress wearing a futuristic can-can dancers’ outfit, whip in hand, strutting across the stage and warning the audience, “This show is not for the faint of heart!” And the show proved to be beyond vibrant. DJ Roger was spinning French electro tunes from the likes of Yelle and the Prototypes as the models took to the stage. There were can-can outfits, fishnet stockings, pl

It has never occurred to me that Father's Day weekend always happens at the same time as the summer solstice. Is that by coincidence? The longest, sunniest day of the year falls on the weekend that we celebrate our Dad's. That's kind of cool! At least for those of us who celebrate them. Otherwise, think of it as an extended day for you to be having fun! This weekend is packed with family friendly events for the whole family to enjoy at budget friendly prices. There are a few things I've mentioned that are a little more pricey... but they sound so fun! Whatever your budget is and whomever you'd like to spend your time with, check out what this weekend has in store. Thursday 6.18 Class: Sm