Whether you’re trying to get into the patriotic spirit or you just feel like drinking a few glasses of wine, we’ve got the roundup of events for you to celebrate Bastille Day in Texas.
HOUSTON
This year, the French Consulate will be organizing their annual 14 julliet party in the totally new Lycée International de Houston (15950 Park Row Dr) on Friday, July 14 from 7-10:30pm. On the docket: a charcuterie buffet, cheese, and musical performances, one of which is chanteuse Amélie Buron who will be singing La Marseillaise and the Star Spangled Banner. One invitation per person must be presented upon entrance, except for those younger than age 18. Invitations are available at the locations and on the dates indicated on the Consulate’s website. Two invitations maximum per person may be collected. Dress code is casual chic.
The group MeetUp Houston French Language offers Francophiles and Francophones the opportunity to meet up on the 14th in the house of one of the group’s members in Seabrook where they can admire the weekly Kemah Boardwalk fireworks display on Fridays at 9:30pm from the comfort of their waterfront deck. It’s a potluck dinner with a French theme (wine, cheese, salade niçoise, fries, cassoulet, etc.) from 7pm-1am. (The address of the house is given to those who confirm their attendance.) Sign up to attend here.
Two French restaurants in the city will be decking out their menus bleu blanc rouge for Bastille Day. The Bistro Provence (13616 Memorial Dr.) offers a special menu “à la carte” while Le Bistro (7070 Allensby St.) is proposing a buffet and live music by Deborah Boily and Jerry Atwood.
DALLAS
The 8th edition of the annual Bastille on Bishop party organized by the association Go Oak Cliff will take place on July 14, from 6-11pm (500 N Bishop Ave). Product stands, wine tastings, crêpe stands, pétanque matches, French music, dancing, and more awaits you in the historic neighborhood of Bishop Arts in the Oak Cliff region near Dallas. (Fun fact: Dallas was the location of a small French, socialist community in 1855, then called La Réunion.) Performances are free to attend, but you have to buy tickets to consume alcohol. $25 will get you a souvenir glass, and two pours of wine, beers, or cocktails. You can buy additional drinks at participating locations. New as of this year, treat yourself to the VIP experience at a private bar for resting in the A/C, light hors d’oeuvres, and a restroom. Tickets are available here.
This year again, The French-American Chamber of Commerce in Dallas/Fort Worth has organized a gourmet dinner at Lavandou Bistro Provençal (19009 Preston Road, Suite 200) on Friday, July 14 starting at 7pm. Price is $85 per person for members, and $95 for non-members. Sign up for the dinner here.
AUSTIN
In Austin, where things are a little bizarre anyway, you’ll be celebrating le 14 juillet on Saturday, July 8 with l’Alliance Française. For l’Alliance’s 22nd “Bastille Day”, the festivities will happen from 6:30-10pm in Triangle Park (W 46th St & Triangle Ave). On the program: a raffle, pétanque lessons, French food and drink, jugglers, and dancers. The musical scene will be at the heart of the party with Sandie Donzica, Priscilla Badhwar, pianiste Eddy Hobiza, and the Hot Club d’Austin who will charm you with Parisian jazz from the 1930s. Julie Slim, with the group Rendez Vous, will be singing the French classics. Entrance is free.
SAN ANTONIO
L’Alliance Française of San Antonio celebrates the national holiday at Frederick’s Restaurant (7701 Broadway St # 20) on Friday, July 14, starting at 6:30pm. It’s $55 per person, sign-ups available by email: [email protected].
