The Press of Atlantic City March 31, 2017 

SOMERS POINT – "Bienvenue a’ Somers Point, sous notre invite" is the message from the Somers Point Business Association, the city and the restaurants, venues and galleries that would like to welcome guests to Somers Point for the first-ever April in Paris event.

French-themed activities will take place throughout the city Friday through Saturday, April 7-9, with a kickoff event scheduled for Wednesday, April 5.

Wednesday, April 5

Ahead of the weekend events, the Somers Point Arts Commission will present the third annual “An Evening of Spoken Words and Music” 7-9 p.m.  at Great Bay Country Club, 901 Mays Landing Road.

Members of the South Jersey Poet Collective and others will read original works along with classic and contemporary French poetry.

The speakers will include Somers Point poet laureate Maria Provenzano, poet Cole Eubanks and guest poet Joel Dias-Porter. Music will be provided by Chris Simonini on keyboard and bassist Andy Lalasis.

A $10 donation to support Somers Point Arts Commission programs is being requested at the door. Those wishing to dine can order from a light menu starting 6 p.m. (not included).

Friday, April 7

To kick off the weekend’s events beginners Lessons in Conversational French will be offered 1-2:15 p.m. Friday at Gregory’s Restaurant, 900 Shore Road. Shirley Shields, an associate professor of English as a second language and English and modern language, will give lessons on casual French conversation about food, shopping, numbers and more. A French-inspired lunch special along with the regular menu will be available noon-1 p.m. Lessons will also be offered Fridays, April 14, 21 and 28.

Great Bay Gallery, 829 Bay Ave., will present "L’Art de France" noon-5 p.m. featuring an artist meet-and-greet at 5 p.m. and a complimentary wine-tasting sponsored by SJ Wine Friends. The exhibit will include original artwork of the Eiffel Tower, the Notre Dame Cathedral and other French-inspired subjects. The exhibit will continue through April 22. For information see greatbayartgallery.com.

The gypsy jazz band Ameranouche will perform its flamenco swing-style music 7:30 p.m. at Clancy’s by the Bay, 101 E Maryland Ave. Admission is free. All those planning to order dinner are advised to arrive by 6 p.m.

Saturday, April 8

A French Onion Soup Competition will be held 11 a.m. at the Tavern on the Bay, 800 Bay Ave. Somers Point restaurants will compete to see who has the best classic French onion soup recipe. The winner will be selected by a panel of guests including Mark Callazzo, owner of The Iron Room; Scott Cronick of The Press of Atlantic City; Somers Point Mayor Jack Glasser; Ryan Loughlin of The Press of Atlantic City; and Joe Massaglia, host of the WOND radio program "Joe’s Table for Two." A people’s choice award will also be presented based on public voting. Admission is free.

At 2 p.m. Saturday, Passion Vines at 265 New Road will present a wine tasting titled "Allons-y! A Wine Tour of France." There will be a variety of wines to choose from that all come from small, traditional winemakers. Carol Salden of Sojern Travel will guide those attending through a French travel experience. Admission is $25; advance registration is required. Call 888-601-VINE (8463) to reserve or book online at passionvines.com/sku19647.html.

Saturday night will feature a French café and music evening at Gregory’s, 900 Shore Road. There will be two seatings, at 7 and 9 p.m. The restaurant will be transformed into a French café, and  the French singing duo Jac & Co. will perform.

Sunday, April 9

Gregory’s will offer a lunch and film event 12:30 p.m. featuring French-inspired menu options and a champagne toast followed by a showing of the French film “Amelie” (R) at 1:15 p.m. with an introduction by John Pekich, film professor at Atlantic Cape Community College.

The following eateries will be offering French-inspired options throughout the weekend; check with each restaurant for details: The Breakfast Shop, 910 Bay Ave., 609-601-2100; Charlie's, 800 Shore Road, 609-927-3663; The Crab Trap, 2 Broadway, 609-927-7377; and The Doc's Place, 646 Bay Ave., 609-926-0404.

For more information on April in Paris, please visit http://aprilinparissp.weebly.com/