Night of Ideas 2023

All Other Cities

Monterrey, Mexico: More Resilience?

Thursday, March 2, 2023, 6:00 pm

How can Monterrey and Houston remain sustainable and welcoming while experiencing strong population growth? Please join us for a conversation on how the two cities are becoming major reception hubs for immigrants, with implications for the environment, urban planning, sustainable and commercial development, as well as the resilience of populations.

 

Co-presented by Villa Albertine in Texas, the Consulate of France in Monterrey (Mexico), the IFAL – Instituto francés de América latina, and Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (UANL) through the Secretary of Extension and Culture.

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Kansas City, MO + Louisburg, KS: Higher/Further?

Saturday, February 25, 2023, 6:30 pm

Venue: Powell Observatory – Astronomical Society of Kansas City (26500 Melrose St, Louisburg, KS 66053).

 

The Alliance Française de Kansas City, in partnership with the Astronomical Society of Kansas City, is thrilled to offer an evening at the observatory in Louisburg, KS. You will learn about Powell Observatory, Astronomy, Messier’s objects, and mythology while touring the constellations. You will also have access to one of the big telescopes accessible to the public to see the moon (1st quarter) and look at some stars and planets… Hopefully Jupiter, Venus, Mars, Orion, and maybe some Leonids (meteor showers) within our reach.

 

This event is organized in partnership with the Powell Observatory – Astronomical Society of Kansas, the Alliance Française of Kansas City and the Villa Albertine in Chicago.

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New Orleans, Louisiana: More Land?

Monday, February 27, 2023, 7:00 pm

The evening will explore the various private and public sector initiatives to combat coastal erosion which destroys the environment (scarcity of species, salinization of bayous water, disappearance of land) and weakens the most exposed communities, among which are fishermen and the French-speaking Pointe-aux-Chiens tribe. In Louisiana, the fight against the effects of climate change and in favor of biodiversity is directly linked to the protection of cultural diversity. Can humans and science reclaim land from climate change?

 

Venue: The Alliance Française of New Orleans, 1519 Jackson Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70115

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Milwaukee, WI: Screening of “Once You Know” Followed by a Discussion

Tuesday, February 28, 2023, 5:30 pm

Venue: Schlitz Audubon Nature Center (1111 E Brown Deer Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53217).

 

The Alliance Française de Milwaukee is once again participating in Night of Ideas, Nuit des Idées; a series of events happening in more than 20 cities in the US around the theme More?. Join them for a showing of Once You Know (Une fois que tu sais), a story about personal and collective resilience in the face of energy depletion, climate change, and other systemic risks. Afterwards, participate in a discussion around the challenge of building a more sustainable and equitable society. Partake in some refreshments before and after the movie. The movie will start at 5:45pm. This event is free and open to the public.

 

This event is organized in partnership with the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center, the Work That Reconnects Network, the Alliance Française of Milwaukee and the Villa Albertine in Chicago.

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Scottsdale, AZ: Once You Know… Conversation in an Age of Climate Change and Water Challenges.

Tuesday, February 28, 2023, 6:00 pm

For years, people around the world have been facing and discussing global warming and climate change. Here in Arizona, one of the biggest issues is the diminishing quantity of water in rivers, dams, and aquifers.

 

Join us for a broader conversation, Tuesday, February 28 from 6pm to 8:30pm for the viewing of the documentary Once you Know, by Emmanuel Cappelin which will focus on the issues of climate change.

 

After the film, there will be an open discussion with the support of specialists, scholars and authors, moderated by Markus Cruse. It will be followed by a light reception.

 

Venue: International School of Arizona (ISA, 9522 E. San Salvador Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85258)

 

This screening is organized in partnership with the Alliance Française of Phoenix, ISA, Global Ties AZ, and Arizona State University.
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Minneapolis, MN: Plus/More Diverse

Tuesday, February 28, 2023, 6:00 pm

Venue: Alliance Française of Minneapolis (227 Colfax Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55405).

 

The French language has been spoken in modern-day Minnesota since the 17th century, being the first European language to be brought to the area. In present-day Minnesota, French is kept alive through bilingual education options and French-language classes in universities and schools. Let’s highlight the diversity of French-speaking cultures represented in Minnesota through presentations and panel discussions with testimonies by representatives from some French speaking countries… followed by a meal with francophone influenced music to bring our community together!

 

This event is organized in partnership with the Alliance Française of Minneapolis and the Villa Albertine in Chicago.

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Dallas, TX: Food Sustainability Panel

Tuesday, February 28, 2023, 6:30 pm

Please join the Alliance Française of Dallas for a discussion on the topic of “Food Sustainability”, where we will discuss ramifications and implications in our day-to-day lives. Five experts will be sharing insights on this complex yet exciting topic.

What does “More?” mean in a context of climate change and increasingly scarce and costly resources? What investments, innovations, and/or mindset shifts will be necessary in order to address looming food challenges in Dallas, in Texas, and beyond? What do we need “More” of?

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San Juan, Puerto Rico: More and More Plastic. What’s Going On?

Wednesday, March 1, 2023, 3:00 pm

In keeping with this year’s international theme of More?, AFPR and its special guests will explore the question “More and More Plastic: What’s Going On?”. Not only will this topic address plastic’s impact on shorelines, rivers, and other marine habitats in Puerto Rico, but also investigate the possible link between plastic and climate change.

 

To facilitate dialogue and explore solutions and courses of action, this free event will offer roundtable discussions with scientists, environmental experts, and community organizers from both Puerto Rico and France. A presentation of short films will provide deeper insight on related environmental issues. Moreover, attendees will also have the opportunity to enjoy an open-air market with local artisanal and agricultural products throughout the evening.

 

Venue: Alliance Française of Puerto Rico, 206 C. Rosario, San Juan, 00911, Puerto Rico

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Pasadena, CA: “Fighting Harder for a Better World”

Wednesday, March 1, 2023, 7:00 pm

In partnership with the French consulate general in Los Angeles and Villa Albertine, the Alliance Française of Pasadena will organize a screening of Louis Garrel’s recent movie La Croisade (2021) on March 1, 2023.

 

This movie touches on youth involvement in the fight against climate change, with tenderness and laughter shining throughout.  The film with be shown in French with English subtitles and will be followed by a Q&A.

 

Where: The Alliance Française of Pasadena (232 N Lake Ave #105, Pasadena, CA 91101)

 

What: Abel and Marianne live happily with their 13-year-old son, Joseph. One day, they discover that Joseph has stolen their most precious objects from the house to sell them. At first struck by the situation, they try to understand. They will then discover that Joseph is not the only teenager to have acted in this way. There are hundreds of them, all over the world, trying to collect money by any means possible to finance a mysterious project. Their mission: to save the planet…

 

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San Diego, CA: Less Is More! Documentary Screening and Debate

Thursday, March 2, 2023, 5:30 pm

Please join us for a screening of Emmanuel Cappellin’s film Once You Know on March 2, 2023. The movie will be shown in French with English subtitles and will be followed by a moderated discussion.

 

The climate emergency is of major concern today, but it can be difficult to measure our impact on the environment. Through this documentary, we invite you to deepen your understanding of the topic and explore possible solutions. If you are interested in environmentalism, this is the event for you!

 

Venue: San Diego French American School (6550 Soledad Mountain Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037)

 

This event is organized by the Alliance Française of San Diego in partnership with the Consulate General of France in Los Angeles, San Diego French American School, and the Solana Beach Eco Rotary Club.

 

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St. Louis, MO: Art, Culture & Knowledge: More Connected and Global Than Ever!

Thursday, March 2, 2023, 5:30 pm

Venue: Webster University, Interdisciplinary Science Building (ISB) 160 Auditorium (8274 Big Bend Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63119).

 

For the second year in a row, and in a collaboration with the Alliance Française in St. Louis, Webster University and the Centre Francophone have been trusted to represent St. Louis by Villa Albertine and the Cultural Services of the French Embassy. Welcoming remarks will be given by Dr. Beth Stroble, Webster University’s Chancellor. Participants such as Dr. Simon Kelly, Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at the Saint Louis Art Museum (SLAM), and The Congolese Choir in St. Louis – among other notable individuals and collectives – will embark us in a night of exchange, performance, and demonstration. This year, we will address the theme: “Art, Culture & Knowledge: More Connected and Global than Ever!”, which simply entails more art, performances, connectivity, and knowledge in a global St. Louis. Each participant will tackle this theme according to their respective discipline/expertise. The idea is to experience and exchange our city’s artistic, cultural, and intellectual opportunities from different angles and perspectives. A Q&A session will follow the presentations, performances, and demonstrations, and the audience will have an opportunity to interact with our guests. Open bar and hors-d’œuvres are in the program!

 

This event is organized in partnership with Webster University, the Francophone Center at Webster University, the Alliance Française of St. Louis and the Villa Albertine in Chicago.

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Denver, CO: 21st Century in the West, an Era of More-Ness?

Thursday, March 2, 2023, 6:30 pm

The Alliance Française of Denver will have the pleasure to host you for a special night of debates on March 2nd, 2023, from 6:30pm to 8pm in MSU Campus, Adirondacks room-Tivoli building MSU CAMPUS Room 440. The event is free and you can register on the link indicated below.

The development of our society cannot do without answers to the ecological, technical, and perhaps above all ethical questions that we face both as individuals (citizens, consumers)  and as members of a community, including at the local level.

A panel of Denver faculty will address these issues in a multidisciplinary way, from water scarcity in the West to the theory of “emergence” in light of developments in artificial intelligence to increasingly data-driven surveillance technologies in everyday life.

Come for a night of discussion, wine, & cheese!

Website

Seattle, Washington: More Transformative Spaces?

Friday, March 3, 2023, 6:30 pm

Transformative, liminal spaces build bridges across disciplines, generations, various identity discourses and representations of who we are and how we see ourselves in the world. They trigger change and transformation, representing a dynamic, performative “in-betweenness”, across modes of artistic creativity, activism, urbanism, societal behaviors, and global citizenry.

 

During three hours of installations, transmedia presentations, and panel discussions, we will address questions about architectural transformations and reuse; storytelling and dance; poetry and image; music composition, and the intersection between scholarly work and artistic creation.

 

Venue: Good Shepherd Center, 4649 Sunnyside Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103

Website

Detroit, MI: Transformational Night of Ideas

Sunday, March 5, 2023, 3:00 pm

Venue: Detroit Historical Museum (5401 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202).

 

As we face population and environmental challenges: how do we support the growth of humanity and the search for more efficient and sustainable technologies and methods to cultivate, feed, water, house, educate, protect, and develop human beings, as well as the living species that depend on them?

We will look at new capture and store clean energy technologies and review the architectural transformations going on at Michigan Central Train Station in the city of Detroit to meet the challenges for incubator workspaces that foster collaboration and creativity. A panel Q&A session will follow. Refreshments provided at the event. Registration required.

 

This event is organized in partnership with the Alliance Française of Détroit, the Detroit Historical Society, BOSAL, Quinn Evans Architects, and the Villa Albertine in Chicago.

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