Merci beaucoup! - Thank you for your incredible support for the very first French Affair Expo. The response was absolutely overwhelming with over 4,000 people coming to experience a slice of French life.

As this was the first year for the Expo, we had no way of knowing how popular the day would be, so were completely unprepared for these numbers. Thank you again for your patience. Planning has already begun to make sure that the event next year can cater for these numbers and more. Thanks also to sponsors, exhibitors, market stall holders and our team of cheery volunteers for contributing to the success of the day.

Lights, camera, action - The French Affair Expo will now be recorded. DVD specialists, Miramage will be taking footage on the day to create a short DVD as well as a clip to feature on our website. So, remember to smile. : )

Prizes, prizes and more prizes - There's now even more great prizes to win! A private French lesson from Lingua Franca - great for those wanting to learn or improve their French. Make sure you chat to Katrina as she's just joined us as an exhibitors on the day.

And we're delighted to have five Rhodia stationery packs to give away. Rhodia enjoys a rich French heritage, with its cultural influence evident in the classic, stylish design, high quality and functionality of its notepads. This iconic French stationery is being introduced and exclusively distributed within Australia by Telegram Paper Goods.

More interviews - Just when you think you've heard enough, listen to Warren Boland on ABC radio this Saturday morning shortly after 9.30am for another interview about the Expo.

On the air - Listen to Peter Dick on 4BC Friday afternoon between 12 noon and 3pm to hear him chat about the Expo with event organiser, Sue McGary.

Sue also has an interview on 4EB's French program on Saturday at 5pm - although this one will be VERY interesting as it's in French. Should be quite entertaining ..

The word is out - This week, grab a copy of Brisbane News to see a story about how the Expo came into being on page 7 and then our ad on page 26. We also get a mention in The Village News (for folk who live in New Farm and the inner city suburbs) and the About Town section of BMag. We're waiting with anticipation for City News to come out to see the great photo of the Can Can dancers along with a story on the French Affair Expo.

More entertainment - The French students at Gregory Terrace School are busy rehearsing a short play and some poetry - in French, of course. They are a welcome addition to our entertainment line-up for the day, sharing the stage with the gypsy swing duo "Paris Dreaming", Can Can dancers, the Chantefique choir and more.

Read all about it! - This week, you'll find the French Affair Expo mentioned in the diary section of Brisbane News, Style Magazine and B Magazine. And check out Friday's City Beat column in the Courier Mail for a story about France at Leisure's participation in the Expo.

Oh So Chic - We're delighted to welcome Oh So Chic as an exhibitor. Their range of furniture and decor items can add a wonderful touch of France to your home.

And Le Classic Boutique are busy picking out some gorgeous outfits for us. They will be one of the stores in our fashion segments with salon style parades taking place throughout the day.

Prizes galore - Just by being at the Expo and you can win a champagne breakfast for two people from Belle Epoque - with unlimited tea and coffee. So many great prizes to be won - over $ 3,000 worth - and that's not including the major prize of a $1,000 travel voucher from French travel specialists, France at Leisure.

Even more prizes - Did we mention that Le Forum, the French magazine specialists will be giving away two x $20 vouchers?

And Agapi Hair and Beauty (on Leichhardt St, Spring Hill) have given us a whole range of hair and beauty products. Indulgent pamper packs for guys and girls for you to win on the day.

Yes, another exhibitor! - If you're looking for a specialist in teaching a foreign language to children, here they are! Alpha Tykes will be at the Expo to share their revolutionary, Australian designed teaching method with you. And they're giving some prizes away too, so you could win one of five individual French lessons for your child.

Magazines Galore - They're coming from near and far! Milan & Bayard Jeunesse are coming from Sydney to share their range of French magazines for children and Le Forum will make the long trip from Perth to introduce you the huge selection of French magazines for all ages from Uni Presse. What a treat!

Mmm Strawberries - The French style village produce market gets bigger and better with the addition of Kandara Strawberries - and it's not just strawberries you'll be able to take home! Depending on the fresh harvest that week, you may also feast on rasberries, ruby grapefruit and navel oranges. Mmmm ..

More Prizes - The prizes just keep getting better and better. You now have the chance to win a dining voucher from the fabulous new French Restaurant, La Provence at Coorparoo as well as a double pass to the Kookaburra Queen's Bastille Day event on Friday, July 17th.

Market Baskets - These finely woven baskets are often used by French women to carry their fresh produce home from the village market. Not only are they practical - they can also help make a difference in the world. The baskets are handcrafted by artisans in the northern region of Ghana, West Africa and a local venture supports their efforts based on fair trade practices. This generates an income stream that goes directly back to craftsmen and women in the third world. We're proud to be able to support their efforts.

Fashion and French just seem to go together. Ladies, if you're looking to spice up your wardrobe, perhaps our fashion segments will give you some inspiration.

Throughout the day, mini-parades will feature fashions from Chercher La Femme, Les Fringueurs, Le Classic Boutique and Sex Kitten. And as an added bonus, each store will be giving away vouchers or products - valued between $50 and $150 each.

Exhibitors keen to be involved - We have more exhibitors keen to showcase their slice of French life. Belle Epoque will be joined by the Absinthe Salon to share with you their passion for love, life, food and friends. You certanly won't want to miss their stand.

Perfume, skincare and aromatherapy company Le Reve will be there and book specialists, the American Bookshop are also confirmed.

Official photographer appointed. Wow! The French Affair Expo now has it's own offficial photographer to capture all the action on the day. And if you need a photographer, particularly one who speaks French, give Stephan-Maxime Garcia a call on 04 49 25 42 11.

Radio interview. Make sure you're listening to 4BC at around 9.30pm this evening as Ian Maurice will be conducting an interview with me to chat about the French Affair Expo.

Click here to listen to the interview ..

Prizes galore! Just confirmed - the first 150 Expo visitors will receive a copy of Alliance Francaise's "Le Guide" - the complete guide to everything French in Brisbane - valued at $35 and packed with discount vouchers. And Palace Cinemas have thrown some double cinema passes into our growing prize pool Now over $2,000 in prizes to be won in random draws PLUS the major prixe of a $1,000 travel voucher from France at Leisure, drawn at 2.30pm.

Exhibitors and Market Stalls are filling up fast! More confirmations in today from the American Book Shop who will be exhibiting with their range of French travel guides and novels.

French Sin will be tempting taste buds in the market area with rillettes, pates, French Toulouse sausages, duck confit and maybe some fresh terrine. And they are joined by Liz's Own with a fabulous range of olives and antipasto.

Lady Jane Edwards will perform the official opening for the event. As the Honorary French Consul in Brisbane, we are delighted to have Lady Jane join us to launch the very first French Affair Expo. Damien Hubert, the Director of Alliance Francaise de Brisbane will introduce Lady Jane and welcome visitors to this inaugural event.

Can Can Dancers are now part of the entertainment program. How could we celebrate everything French Expo without the high kicking, skirt swishing exuberance of the Can Can? The dancers from Danceworks will show you how it's done.

Free massages are yours when you visit the French Affair Expo. After the excitement of browsing all the stands, the team from Rainesforest Massage and Day Spa will be there to revive your tired shoulders and neck with a relaxing seated massage.

More exhibitors are keen to join in the fun. We're very excited to welcome Air Austral to the French Affair Expo. This experienced airline recently launched a brand new service from Australia to Paris and are keen to spread the word. Make sure you visit their stand and see what they have to offer.

Our caricaturist is now confirmed - and he'll be kept busy sketching visitor's portraits in the style of artists who line the streets of the famous Montmartre area of Paris. Make sure you visit him to take home a momento of the Expo.

And another addition to our French village style market - a wonderful fruit and vegetable stall with all the freshest produce straight from the farm.

Saucing it up with another Market Stall: Delighted that Roza's Gourmet Sauces are joining us in the market area. Their range includes mayonnaise, mustard, pesto, chutney, salsa, jam, dressings and dips. All are gluten free, made with fresh natural ingredients and are free from artificial preservatives. YUM!

Even more Market Stalls: Things are really hotting up in the village market area. Le Flam House will be dishing up Tarte Flambee (like a French version of pizza) straight from their very hot oven. And Fromart Cheese will surely tempt your taste buds with their award winning hand crafted gourmet cheeses.

Another exhibitor locked in: Jouisseur Products can't wait to showcase their range of luxury gift packs at the Expo and have given us a Romance Pamper Pack to give away. Le French Motor have also donated to the ever growing prize pool so there are now over $ 3,000 worth of prizes to be won.

Market Stall Holders are lining up to be in our French village style market. Two more confirmed: Heritage tomatoes are absolute tomato fanatics so you don't want to miss their tasty display. And who can resist a traditional French crepe? Patrick's Crepes will set up their mini-kitchen to satisfy any hunger cravings with their delicious sweet and savoury creations.

More Exhibitors confirmed today. We're delighted to welcome “My Little French House” and “The Design Team” - French interior designer Marine Clave from Blue Pearl Decor and Julien Fantone from Idea Creations as exhibitors to the event. Now that's a great team!

Chantefique - the choir from Alliance Française have agreed to perform. Fresh from their success singing at the recent French Film Festival, this seventeen voice choir will be performing two x 20 minute shows during the afternoon. With a selection of French songs (and the occasional English verse), they'll bring a wonderful atmosphere to the Expo.

Simone Perele are providing $20 gift vouchers for the first 1,000 Expo visitors. What an absolute treat! Simone Perele uses European laces and their underwear is made in France and Mauritius. The lingerie is exquisite and with such high quality, it just lasts and lasts.

Paris Dreaming, featuring brilliant guitarist Ewan MacKenzie and accordion player Kay Sullivan are now confirmed. Performing French gypsy swing, they evoke the atmosphere of the Paris cafe scene of the 20th century.

French Twist - we're delighted to have French Twist as the cafe for the day. Exhibitors and guests will love their fabulous coffee and delicious pastries handcrafted with a twist. They will also have a stand in the market area so you can take home their fresh bread.

February 2009

French Conversation Corner - This fun group is friendly and welcoming of French speakers at all levels from absolute beginner to native French speakers.

February, March and April 2009

Exhibitors and Prize Contributions - Exhibitors are booking in to be part of the event including French Desire, LBF Digital TV, Les Fringueurs and The Language People. Prizes have also been provided by Montrachet Restaurant, Milan Presse / Banyard, Les Fringueurs and The Language People. It's shaping up to be a great day!

Alliance Francaise are excited to be joining us as an event partner as they're keen to share the French language and culture with the people of Brisbane.

Brisbane News are our official media partner and will be supporting the Expo with media coverage leading up to the event.

France @ Leisure, the French travel specialists, are on board to provide the major prize which will be drawn at 2.30pm on the day. All visitors to the French Affair Expo will have the chance to win a $1,000 gift voucher from France @ Leisure!