Biography of a City
Aquitaine Soirée: from Lascaux to Bordeaux (5/5)
Thursday, February 25th at 5 PM Eastern Time

Today we will dip into France’s great southwestern port city. With its grand façades and majestic river-front, this laid-back city oozes wealth and charm, but we’ll see how the slave trade, as well as wine, played a major role in the city’s evolution. We’ll take a peek at charming squares, fountains, churches and museums to get a taste of this fascinating multi-faceted city.

A Canelé Extravaganza with Dana and Julian in New York and Normandy

Aquitaine Soirée: from Lascaux to Bordeaux (4/5)
Sunday, February 21st at 5 PM Eastern Time

The recipes are all the same, or almost, but the results aren’t. The secret? It’s in the mixing, the moulds and the temperature. We’ll talk you through it and attempt to unravel the mysterious history of this Bordeaux delicacy while musing about French gastronomical traditions in general. Worried we might mess up? So are we, so we’ll cook some in advance just to be safe (and to let us magically do the whole thing in an hour).

A Tale of Terroir
Aquitaine Soirée: from Lascaux to Bordeaux (3/5)
Thursday, February 18th at 5 PM Eastern Time

Travel with us from the Romans to the United States, from Bordeaux to Champagne, from monks’ donkeys to mayors’ cocktail parties, as we discover the colourful story of French wine from vine to glass.

Duchess, Mother, Queen & Lover
Aquitaine Soirée: from Lascaux to Bordeaux (2/5)
Thursday, February 11th at 5 PM Eastern Time

Sex, scandal, scheming and sequestration all play a part in the life of one of the most remarkable and influential women of the Middle Ages. Duchess of Aquitaine at fifteen, Eleanor went on to be queen of both France and England, and mother to two kings.

Aquitaine Soirée: from Lascaux to Bordeaux (1/5)
Thursday, February 4th at 5 PM Eastern Time

Join us in pursuit of a scandalized bishop’s wife, the theft of a giant fish, a dog in a rabbit hole, a bored eight-year-old girl and an obsessed Catholic priest, as we scramble through the caves of France’s idyllic Dordogne region, unravelling the fascinating story of prehistoric art.

Southeast Asian Soirée: Imagining Indochina (5/5)
Thursday, December 10th at 8 PM Eastern Time

Join Dana & Adam as they interview Tek, one of our favorite tour guides living in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Tek will tell his personal story of growing up in Cambodia under the Khmer Rouge and discuss his amazing journey all the way to the present. Bring all of your questions--from the art and architecture of Cambodia to its current society and politics.

Thursday, December 3rd at 6:30 PM Eastern Time*

After our last lecture in each series, our C&S Members are invited to refill a glass and join us for a private reception to reflect on the Soirée with our hosts and discuss the highlights with our fellow travelers.

*NB: Our reception is happening after the 4th virtual tour because our 5th bonus talk on December 10th with Tek in Cambodia will be difficult for Julian to attend from France!

Desperately Seeking Shangri La: Preserving Luang Prabang (Laos)
South East Asian Soirée: Imagining Indochina (4/5)
Thursday, December 3rd at 5 PM Eastern Time

Located on a promontory at the confluence of the Nam Khan and Mekong rivers, Luang Prabang has been listed since 1995 on the World Heritage list for its unique and remarkably well preserved architectural, religious and cultural heritage. With it picturesque old temple complexes, photogenic saffron-clad monks and brightly coloured flowering trees, Luang Prabang oozes atmosphere and charm. Not surprisingly, however, this seeming haven attracts huge numbers of visitors from around the globe.

Let’s ramble together through the tranquil, almost car-free lanes of old Luang Prabang, and ponder the ever-growing problems of mass tourism. How to maintain the perilous balance between preserving tradition and catering to the needs of money-bringing visitors in search of authenticity. How do we guarantee a sustainable responsible tourism for tomorrow?