On the second Saturday of each month, film fans can step inside Downtown's JavaVino cafe and be transported to a foreign land. That's when the cafe, working in partnership with the Racine Public Library, offers a foreign film night.

The series, which is one of several Racine Public Library programs hosted by JavaVino, features a different film each month, along with the usual beverage and food services available at the coffee, wine and sandwich shop. Admission to the films is free, and seating is cafe style.

"The concept is for people be able to come watch a film and enjoy a beverage of their choice, and a bite to eat, in a relaxed atmosphere," said Ramez AbdulNour, co-owner of JavaVino.

It is a concept that fits well with the mission of JavaVino - a cozy gathering place where people can come to experience a variety of activities from reading a book, to listening to music or looking at artwork, explained AbdulNour.

"We were having a lot of fun doing our poetry night and were looking for other cool things we could do," he said.

The film series, which started in January, is also a way for the library to expand its programming out into the wider community, said Rebecca Spika, programming assistant with the Racine Public Library who works closely with JavaVino on joint projects.

"We've been trying to do more collaborative programs, working with other non-profits and businesses in the downtown area," said Spika. "If we can go out into the community and show people what we have and do, they might come to the library and check out what else we have to offer. Once we get them there, they won't want to leave."

Slice of life

The films shown in the JavaVino series come from the library's foreign film collection, which boasts a total of about 1,000 titles. Most of those shown at JavaVino are fairly recent films, made within the last five years, and all of them have won awards from independent film festivals, such as those held in Cannes, France, and Toronto, Canada.

"We look for films that will bring a piece of the world to Racine, Wisconsin," AbdulNour said. "A lot of them are about average people's lives in other countries."

This month's screening, on July 12, will feature a film from India titled "A Peck on the Cheek." Directed by Mani Ratnam, it tells the story of a young girl named Amudha who discovers, on her ninth birthday, that she has been adopted.

Her determination to find her biological mother leads Amudha and her family on an adventure to strife-torn Sri Lanka.

In August, film goers will "travel" to France for Sandrine Bonnair's "Her Name is Sabine." This film paints a moving and beautiful portrait of Sabine, a 38-year-old autistic woman, as seen through the eyes of her sister, a famous French actress.

An informal discussion is offered after each screening, for those who are interested, Spika noted. Others may choose to head on to other activities in the downtown area.

"We scheduled the films early because we want to encourage people to spend some time down here - maybe go have dinner afterward, or walk around and check out the music on Monument Square," she said.

"We want them to make a late afternoon/evening of it," AbdulNour said.

That's not all

Filmgoers with Racine Public Library cards can also take home additional foreign films from the Racine Public Library's collection from JavaVino's Foreign Film nights. The library will have extra films to loan out at each screening, according to Spika.

Eventually, the series' organizers hope to enhance the foreign film experience by offering cuisine to match the culture featured in the film. They would also like to make the series more interactive by having patrons make suggestions for films to be shown. And, if the second Saturday Foreign Film series really takes off, they are open to the idea of showing films more than once a month, Spika said.

Meanwhile, they hope people will stop in and share their enthusiasm for this free evening of entertainment and culture.

And don't let the words foreign film scare you away, said AbdulNour. A lot of times people hear those words and automatically assume they describe dark, complicated stories. That's not true, he said. Some foreign films are comedies, while others are heartwarming stories.

"It's not what you think," AbdulNour said. "This series would make a great introduction to foreign film."

More than coffee at JavaVino

The second Saturday Foreign Film series is one of several continuing special events at JavaVino. On Friday nights, the cafe offers live music, featuring a variety of local and regional performers, with no cover charge. Complimentary wine and/or beer tasting is sometimes offered during those times.

This week's live music schedule will be a little different, due to the July 4 holiday (JavaVino will be open during the July 4 parade, beginning at 6 a.m.). Tonight, Deb Roland will perform at 7 and on Saturday, Allyson McCombs will perform at 7:30 p.m. For more about McCombs, go to http;//www.allysonmccombs.com

The following are some other offerings at JavaVino:

n Saturday Stories!: Family storytime featuring stories and crafts (ages 3-8) presented by the Racine Public Library. The next story times will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on July 12 and Aug 2. Free, no registration necessary.

n Poetry Rountable: Teen and adult poetry enthusiasts unite monthly to discuss contemporary American poetry, highlighting a different poet each time. 7 to 9 p.m. on the third Thursday of every month; July 17 and Aug. 21. Presented by the Racine Public Library.

For more information on these events, go to http://www.myjavavino.com or http://www.racinelibrary.info

If You Go

WHAT: Foreign Film Night, featuring "A Peck on the Cheek," directed by Mani Ratnam (India), on July 12 and "Her Name is Sabine," directed by Sandrine Bonnair (France), on Aug. 9.

WHERE: JavaVino Cafe, 424 Main St.

WHEN: Show time is 5 to 7 p.m. on the second Saturday of every month. Regular hours for JavaVino are 7 a.m.to 5 p.m. Monday; 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

COST: Admission to the films is free.

INFO: Information is available at the Racine Public Library's web site, http://www.racinelibrary.info or by calling the library at (262) 636-9217. Info is also available from JavaVino at (262) 633-0660 or http://www.myjavavino.com