Sacramento State students can come and celebrate the influence French art has on American culture by attending “Le Fete Francaise: A Celebration of the French Arts,” March 14 through 19.

The fete is supported by nine different Sac State departments, and will include free and ticketed events such as concerts, lectures, wine and cheese receptions and a coffee and croissant breakfast followed by a Flute Studio performance.

Laurel Zucker, a flute professor at Sac State, is the creator and director of “Le Fete Francaise.”

“The reason I created this festival is because I love French culture, the language, arts and film, books and poetry,” Zucker said. “I love Paris. I?ve been to France many times?I just absolutely adore it.”

Glenn Disney, the event manager for the Music Department, recommends attending the main concerts, especially the opening gala.

“The 13th is the opening concert and President Donald Gerth will introduce it,” Disney said.

“(The concert will also feature) Dale Scholl Dance/Art group, which will be a pretty interesting performance,” he said. “The CSUS local jazz band, which is one of our more popular groups, will be performing, as well as some of our top faculty. Claudia Kitka will sing soprano, Laurel Zucker will be on flute and Richard Cionco is going to play the piano,” Disney said. “It will close with the CSUS Orchestra featuring the ‘Symphonie Fantastique’ which is Hector Berlioz?s most famous work, certainly one of the more well known ones in classic literature. It should be a pretty good concert. Of course there?s food afterwards, so you can?t beat that,” Disney said.

Another highlight of the French celebration will be an informal breakfast and concert in the Capistrano Hall lobby from 10 to 11 a.m. today.

“The CSUS foundation is providing a wonderful croissant and coffee reception,” Zucker said. They invite students, faculty and guests to join them at 10 a.m. in the lobby, to eat breakfast and listen to the California premiere of Le Chants de Nectaire.

“This has been a real collaborative effort, with all of the professors in all of the departments joining in to make a cultural celebration of France and its arts,” Zucker said.

For ticketed fete events, call the CSUS Ticket Office at (916) 278-4323.