LEWISTON — The Franco-American Heritage Center has announced its offerings for the monthly La Rencontre luncheon, scheduled for Friday, Aug. 3. The luncheon begins at 11:30, is $7 and happens in the Franco Center’s Heritage Hall.

The lunch will be pork fried rice, chicken chow mein, shrimp lo mein and fortune cookies, all provided by Wei-Li Restaurant. The featured entertainment will be Musique Tout Partout, who joined the group in June for the Festival Franco Fun.

RSVPs can be made by calling Claudette at 786-6936 or the Franco Center at 783-1585.

Based in Boothbay Harbor and dedicated to keeping traditional Quebecois French music and culture alive, Musique Tout Partout perform spicy Cajun dance tunes and songs from the Maritime folk tradition. Tout Partout is an expression that turns up in certain French songs and means “all around.”

Vocalists Dolly Rollins and Isabelle Lewis both grew up in traditional French households in Maine. Born near the Canadian border in Jackman, Lewis ‘s first language was French. She performed folk music for many years with a group called “The Relatives.” Rollins’ family roots in Quebec take her back there often.

Jim Rollins admits he gave up the accordion in the 1950s largely because it wasn’t cool. After years of playing guitar and a stint with a Mexican band, Jim rediscovered the beauty of his original instrument. “I like fast songs with a heavy beat,” he said.

Jim discovered rhythm guitarist Mike Colbert in a guitar workshop. Colbert not only kept a steady beat, he had a French name. He soon graduated from Johnny Cash ballads to French dance tunes.

The Franco Center presents La Rencontre as a way to reconnect with, entertain and enjoy the extended Franco-American family in the area. Meals and stories are shared, friends are reunited and memories are made. All guests are welcome.

The event features a fully catered luncheon, followed by a performance, both of which change every month.

Guests are strongly encouraged to speak in French. If English is spoken, you may be asked to make a small donation; all in good fun, of course. Everyone is invited to share stories.