Music: Romance Language

Map It:  Dupont Circle 

BASTILLE DAY IS STILLfour weeks away, but you can still get your French on this Friday at the Fete de la Musique.

Hosted by L'Alliance Francaise de Washington, this year's event ups the ante by expanding it beyond its French karaoke format. "This year, we're more respectful to the fete's tradition," says Laurent Mellier, L'Alliance Française's executive director. "We still have the karaoke, but it's only an hour long."

They're complementing the seven-hour party by opening the stage for amateur bands and hosting arts and crafts workshops for children.

As the evening progresses, local acts such as indie rockers Bellman Barker and soul-electronica singer Ne'a Posey will entertain as guests luxuriate with French cheese, wine and other treats.

Closing the event will be DJ Stylus, who'll spin hot funk, R&B, deep house and Afrobeat — all on a decidedly Francophone tip.

Fête de la Musique dates back to 1982, when it was created by the French Cultural Minister, Jacques Lang, who urged professional and amateur musicians to take over the country's streets, parks, museums and gardens and fill them with music.

"At first, it was quite a small event," explains Sylvain Cornevaux, L'Alliance Française's deputy director. "Year after year, though, it's become a huge event. Now, everyone celebrates this event all over France."

For those who are a bit reluctant to utter their broken French, rest easy. "Our goal is to make sure that everyone feels comfortable," Mellier says. "Sometimes, we have conversations with people who will take an hour to make a full sentence in French. But we love that. We have the patience and desire to talk and welcome them."

» L'Alliance Française, 2142 Wyoming Ave. NW; Fri., 4-6 p.m., free; 6-11 p.m., $10; 202-234-7911. (Dupont Circle)

Written by Express contributor John Murph
Photo by Mario Tama for The Washington Post