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A “pick me up” in English refers to an event in your day that brings you a bit of energy. Our newsletter hopes to do just that, and all in English. Our goal is to help integrate English speakers into the French community, as well as help

Francophones gain insight into Anglophone culture and language. Advice, criticism and questions are welcome.

- Editors

AngersPick Me Up

Fancy a homemade scone? A cup of tea? Then we suggest you head to My Favourite Place, the brainchild of Mary Greene and the newest addition to the Angers café scene. The idea first came about two years ago, when Mary, originally from Ireland, recognized the need for Anglophone goods in the market. The result is Angers’ first Anglophone-culture based coffee shop.

Walking into this cozy and unpretentious café, you are sure to find Mary buzzing about the bar, doing her best to serve the constant flow of clientele. She’s created a modern space that still manages to evoke her vision of the Irish corner stores cum coffee shops of her childhood. In the front of the store, we find shelves stocked with a wide variety of Anglophone products, many of which you simply can’t find elsewhere in Angers. From Pop Tarts to Marmite, English speakers can count on My Favourite Place to provide comfort food from home, while curious locals can browse the shelves for a taste of peanut butter or marshmallow fluff. Flowing through to the back, you find yourself in a social space, perfect for a chat over a pot of tea.

Amidst the hubbub she stays devout to her belief in superior and genuine customer service as the key towards any successful business – as encompassed by a sign at the bar reading “céad mile fáilte”, a hundred thousand times welcome.

“The feedback has been extremely positive” says Mary, who addresses all her customers in English. Whereas she first anticipated a young,

English speaking clientele, the actual result has been people of all nationalities and ages. It seems clear to Mary that there is a strong Anglophone population in Angers, from a variety of countries that haven’t received proper representation. Such a coffee shop works towards the goal of integration as well as acceptance of the different cultures that call France home. Positively adding to the culture, unobtrusively, seems to be Mary’s goal. “I know this is dangerous language to use” says Mary, “but France is becoming more globalized, as is the rest of world; a coffee shop like this embraces the differences which come with such a movement”

French speakers have been supportive and open-minded to the English-centric theme of the shop, which embraces a quainter version of Anglophone culture, distinct from the

(con’t p.4)

“My Favourite Place”: The Unique New Addition to Angers’ Cafe Culture

FEBRUARY 08, 2011ANGERS’ NEW ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSLETTER

By Alexandra Bonder and Elaine Smith

As an American arriving to live in France for the next year, I came prepared. I brought about ten books with me. Though now I know that was totally unnecessary; there are loads of great books to be found in Anger’s English Language Library, but it’s its ability to bring together English speakers that is really inspiring. The English Language Library is more than just a library. It is a place where Anglophones and Francophones can come together and learn about each other’s culture, all while improving their English.

There’s Coffee Hour on Friday mornings, where people can discuss and relax, and game night once a month. On top of this there are many tutoring services offered, as well as private sessions, for people of all ages.

Most of the events are full of regular participants who would like to improve their English. Many native-English speakers come to the library to assist and have a chat with those wishing to expand their linguistic boundaries.

If you ’ re in teres ted in vo lunteer ing or participating in any of the events, visit the library at 60 Rue Boisnet or refer to the website at www.ellia.org  .

The beautiful and talented actress Jeanne Moreau returned to Angers in January for the 2011 Festival Premiers Plans. In her eighth year of jury presidency, she celebrated her 83rd birthday and presented one of the eight selected films each day of the festival.

Moreau’s dedication to the next generation of European filmmakers led to the creation of the Ateliers d'Angers (“Angers Workshops”). The Workshops, directed by Ms. Moreau, offer young filmmakers direction and training towards the goal of creating a first feature film. Now in its sixth year, this eight-day workshop offers film screenings, a masterclass, one-on-one sessions with Moreau and the other instructors, and lab works to be screened at the end of the workshops.

Moreau herself made her theatrical debut in 1947 at the Avignon Festival and later became the leading actress of the Comédie-Française. In the 1950s she began working with the emerging generation of French filmmakers, starring in Louis Malle's directorial debuts Li& to the Scaffold (UK) and Elevators to the Ga(ows (USA). Moreau was internationally known after her role in Truffaut’s New Wave classic Jules et Jim (1962). She received a Cesar Award for Best Actress (Old Lady Who Walked on the Sea), a BAFTA for Best Foreign Actress, and a Best Actress award at the Cannes film festival for Peter Brook's Moderato Cantabile (1960). Moreau has written and directed three of her own films throughout her career—Lumière, L'Adolescente, and Lilian Gish.

ANGERS’ NEW ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 08, 2011

Jeanne Moreau Makes her Annual Visit to Angers

Angers’ English Language Library Offers More than Just Books

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January 26th was Australia Day! This day commemorates the arrival of Captain Cook’s First Fleet at Botany Bay, Sydney, and is typically celebrated over a beer and a barbie.

...In honour of Australia’s ‘birthday’, why not whip up a batch of this Australian children’s party favourite? Spread butter or margarine on white sliced bread and cover with hundreds of thousands(‘sprinkles’ for our North American counterparts out there). Cut into triangles and enjoy!

By Sara Niemann

By Abby Rode

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The Kyrie Kristmanson Experience : Mauléon, 2011

ANGERS’ NEW ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 08, 2011

Record Review - The Origin of Stars, Kyrie Kristmanson

The selected songs come off the album The Origin of Stars, a compilation of her previous two Canadian-released albums. Though Kristmanson’s had the chance to play with a variety of musicians recently, including playing with the Afiara String Quartet through Canadian Broadcasting Corporation last Spring, we saw her perform with Olivier, a jazz musician on trumpet and Francois on bass. Kristmanson explains that she reinterprets (con’t p.4)

By Alexandra Bonder and Sara Niemann

By Amy Leigh Richards

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Bold and uninhibited, Origin of Stars charges out of the soul of young Ottawa native Kyrie Kristmanson and demands our attention and emotion. Kristmanson is an award-winning vocal and multi-instrumental musician signed to the independent Parisian label No Format. Her latest album presents strong musicianship that captures emotion and energy with a simplistic approach that adds honesty and intimacy to each piece.Many of the tracks carry an atmospheric, free-form style, giving the music an element of expressive, improvised movement. The album’s namesake contains a soothing tone with lyrics that compare the peace of the heavens with the violence of man. The wind and the skies appear often in Kristmanson’s lyrics and enforce a connection between the musical expression and the wavelengths of nature. Amidst the reveries the album turns to some free jazz excitement with “Eruption” and “Comet of Desire”. Walking bass lines and improv trumpet solos create a playful, energetic atmosphere akin to a swingin’ underground club in 1960s Paris . Kristmanson demonstrates versatility between the sexy groove of “Song X” and the unusual phrasing and gentle musings of “Who”, but shines brightest with the haunting and beautiful “Wicked Wind” and the a cappella success of “Song for a Blackwind” with the sound of crickets accenting Kristmanson’s powerful heartfelt cries. Kristmanson often sings with a touch of a charming French accent and even includes a piece entirely in French—“Oh, Montmartre”, a poetic ode to the history and artistic touch of the 18th arrondissement— just in case you had any doubt of this young lady’s many talents.! Kyrie Kristmanson is currently performing in France and Canada. To find upcoming shows and learn more about Origin of Stars, visit www.myspace.com/kyriekristmanson.

Amidst the many talented musicians that exist, Kyrie Kristmanson stands out. Her skill as a musician and songstress as well as her charismatic crowd-address all make for an unforgettable show. We were able to partake in the Kyrie Kristmanson experience in Mauléon.Kristmanson, an Ottawa, Canada native, and English speaker, now bases herself in Paris where she is in the process of pursuing her music career as well as taking on a master’s thesis in Music and Philosophy.Kristmanson is able to master the guitar, trumpet, and tambourine, all of which melt seamlessly into a folk- and blues - inf luenced set . During her performance, each song took on a life of its own and the audience quickly became mesmerized by the flow of her voice and variety in her compositions, which included trumpet duets, a cappella interludes and even a bit of audience participation. At the end of the show, we eagerly stood with all the rest of the audience in demanding a double encore. We were beyond impressed by the courage and passion this woman shows in her ability to stand up in front of all-French audiences. Kristmanson is able to address her audience in a way that intercedes linguistic barriers. “My goal is to have each audience connect to each song emotionally, and to be able to understand the story conveyed,” Kristmanson tells us after. “Since I am addressing a French audience, I have to pay particular attention to my annunciation, and expression, and concentrate on allowing the audience to re-live the experience of the song, as it was intended”. It is true that throughout Kristmanson’s show we felt as though we were being taken away; you are not just listening, you are experiencing. When we tell this to Kristmanson she laughs “Most of these songs were recorded in Canada, where there is a lot of space, and a more wild atmosphere, I wanted this feeling of space to come through, and bring my audience on a journey”.

the many McDonalds and huge corporations the French of Angers may be used to. Mary is quick to point out that her coffee shop, although a business, is not an impersonal corporation like the prior. Rather, My Favourite Place is thoroughly home grown; Mary herself has lived in Angers for 9 years and is married to a French-native. My Favourite Place represents the pre-existing English culture of Angers from an insider’s perspective.

In the future, Mary would definitely like to add more cafes to her enterprise. “I was told that I should start with Angers, and then move on to Nantes, maybe Paris. You see, if I can win over Angers, I can succeed anywhere” she says with a grin.

Interested?Visit My Favourite Place at 4 Rue de l’Espine

Traditional French food is delicious. Buttery, rich and often marked by a principle meat dish…making vegetarianism a bit daunting in Angers. And so, here is Lili’s falafel recipe, traditional Lebanese style – Enjoy:

Ingredients:! 1. FALAFEL• 1 cup of peeled broadbeans (fava beans)• ½ cup of chickpeas• 1 medium onion (yellow or red)• 1 spoon of dried coriander or ½ bunch of fresh

coriander• 1 spoon of bicarbonate soda• 1 cup of oil! 2. TARATOR (Sauce)• Tahini (sesame paste)• ½ cup of lemon juice• Garlic to taste

Directions:• Mix the peeled broadbeans with the chickpeas with the

onion, peeled and finely chopped, then add coriander and bicarbonate soda to the mixture and let rest for 15 minutes.

• Heat oil in a saucepan• Scoop spoonfuls of the mixture into the heated oil• Remove scoops from oil when they take on a red colour• Add salt as desired.

...SA7TEN=bon appetit

ANGERS’ NEW ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 08, 2011

her music depending upon her band members, much like she performs in a way that will speak to her audience. “I ’m sort of medieval in the way I do music” Kristmanson tells me, “I don’t give the musicians I work with sheet music, I play the songs for them a few times, it’s important for them to be able to understand the emotions and the story conveyed.”

February 2nd was Groundhog’s Day

Puxatony Phil, the official American groundhog, predicted just how soon spring will arrive. If Phil sees his shadow we endure six more weeks of winter. But if Phil doesn't see his shadow, spring is on its way!

And the 2011 verdict is... Spring is coming

(Phil didn't see his shadow)!

Kyrie Kristmanson Experience..con’t from p. 3

My Favourite Place...con’t from p.1

Vegetarian’s Delight: Falafel

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Interested in Volunteering?

Suggestions, Comments or Questions?

! E-mail the Editors at:PickMeUpAngers@hotmail.com

Interested? Download Kyrie’s Album “The Origin of Stars” on ITUNES. Copies are also available at most record stores or check out her website at

By Lili Abou Hamad