Paris in the Jazz Age

Coffee

• Welcome remarks by Serafina HAGER, Curricular Dean, Faculty of the School of Languages and Linguistics
• Introduction by Jean-Max GUIEU, French Department

A Moveable Feast -- Introduced by Debbie LESKO-BAKER, Chair, French Department

• Annamaria LASERRA, Universita di Roma, tells us why a dissident group of Surrealist writers considered Jazz as the ultimate form of transgression: "Rossignol et saxophone: A propos de la revue Documents (1929-1930)."
• John HIRSH, Georgetown University, reflects on the moveable feast experienced by American writers in Paris: "A City Fit for Geniuses: American Writers construct Paris."

Coffee

Jam Session: International Paris -- Introduced by Pascal KOKORA, French Department:

• Roberto SEVERINO, Georgetown University, talks about the attraction of the City of Lights for the Italian artists and futurists: "Paris, Mistress and Muse. Italians on the Rive Gauche"
• Jean-François THIBAULT, George Washington University, examines the 1923 ballet La Création du Monde, music by Darius Milhaud, on a scenario by Blaise Cendrars, costumes and scenery by Fernand Léger, choreography by Jean Börlin: "Les Ballets Suédois a Paris (1920-1925): métissages culturels"

Lunch (REGISTRATION REQUIRED, see registration .)

Paris in the Jazz Age -- Introduced by Ori SOLTES, Department of Fine Arts:

• Deborah MACANIC, Smithsonian Institution, curator of the traveling exhibition The Jazz Age in Paris (1914-1940), presents a unique film showing rare footage of African-American Jazz entertainers in Paris.

Le Tumulte Noir -- Introduced by John Edward HASSE, Curator, Dept. of American Music, Smithsonian Institution:

• LuLen WALKER, Department of Prints and Drawings at the National Portrait Gallery where she organized the exhibit of the Paul Colin’s portfolio Le Tumulte Noir, presents and analyzes its inspiration. "The Darkening of Paris: Josephine Baker and Le Jazz Hot in Paul Colin's Le Tumulte Noir."
• Thomas SINGER, English Department, whose book, Chronicle of the Lost Generation: the Rise and Fall of the Expatriate Experience, is presently being read by Oxford University Press, talks on Jazz in the context of the French reception of American popular culture during the 1920's: "Beginning the Beguine: Jazz and Popular Art in France."

Refreshments

New Orleans sur Seine -- Introduced ny Dominique MALICET, Attaché culturel adjoint, Ambassade de France

• Ludovic TOURNES, author of New Orleans sur Seine. Histoire du Jazz en France (Fayard, 1999), comments on the deep impact of Jazz on the Parisian cultural avant-garde. "Le Jazz: une avant-garde culturelle dans le Paris de l'entre-deux-guerres"

At the Maison Francaise, French Embassy, next door, 4101 Reservoir Road NW

Welcome remarks by Lazare PAUPERT, Attaché culturel, Ambassade de France and Larry EANET, Jazz pianist, presents a medley of musical pieces alluded in the different papers, illustrating with a rousing performance the spirit of “The Roaring Twenties”

Closing reception. Wine and cheese.