Arts & Entertainment
COVID-19 forces the 67th Winter Carnival to adapt
Published: January 20, 2021
Photo: Cassandra Kerwin
The ongoing pandemic has forced Winter Carnival organizers to make some major changes and go mostly virtual for the first time in the event’s 67-year history. From Feb. 5 to 14, Carnival-goers can discover Quebec City’s iconic winter magic from the comfort of their homes on the Carnival YouTube channel, #ColdOrNot, I’m Going!
FEQ ‘studying scenarios’ for 2021 festival
Published: January 20, 2021
Photo: FEQ website
Despite the optimistic notice on the Festival d’Été de Québec (FEQ) website – “Next FEQ – July 8 to 18, 2021” – there is little certainty, perhaps even little hope, that the mammoth event will be staged this summer. At best, it might be a FEQ like none before.
Couperin Concerts going for baroque online
Published: January 13, 2021
The Couperin Concerts are back (online) and are “going for baroque” with baritone Hugo Laporte and lutenist, theorbist and guitarist Charles Galipeau.
The concert consists of excerpts from baroque operas and solos for theorbo and lute, and includes works by Dowland, Purcell, Handel, Corbetta, Visée, Lambert, Lully and Couperin. Several arrangements are by Galipeau.
Scott Griffin recalls being spy novelist le Carré’s Canadian “pilot”
Published: December 23, 2020
Photo: Griffin Poetry Prize
Of all the places John le Carré took readers in his two dozen or so spy novels, only once did he make an extended stop in Canada. That place was Espérance, a bustling gold mining town in Quebec’s Abitibi region.
Bonus Episode: The Podcasters
GASPÉ TALES
Published: December 23, 2020
Photo: Gaspé Speaks Podcast Series via Facebook
Expatriate Gaspesians stuck far from the peninsula this holiday season will be able to have a bit of home in their headphones, thanks to a new podcast series launched by New Richmond-based historian Tom Eden in partnership with Vision Gaspé-Percé Now and Canadian Heritage.
Les Violons du Roy offer a free Baroque Christmas concert
Published: December 9, 2020
Photo: Elias Djemil
To ring in the holiday season, Les Violons du Roy recorded Noëls baroques (Baroque Christmases) in November at the Palais Montcalm, under the direction of founding conductor Bernard Labadie.
The Parade des Jouets transforms into the ‘Storm of the Century’
Published: November 11, 2020
The organizers of the annual Parade des Jouets (Toy Parade), which normally features Santa Claus and his elves and other characters winding their way through the Saint-Roch and Limoilou districts of Quebec City, have had to rethink their plans due to the current public health restrictions on large gatherings.
Opera de Québec Gala a virtual success
Published: October 28, 2020
Photo: Screenshot from YouTube
Close to 5,000 people watched the online presentation of the Opéra de Québec Gala in celebration of World Opera Day during the afternoon of Oct. 25. Although the concert hall at the Grand Théâtre was empty, the stage was filled with over 60 musicians and singers.
SLC Fashion Show donates $7,000 to Make-A-Wish
Published: October 21, 2020
Photo: CEGEP Champlain-St. Lawrence
In March, CEGEP Champlain–St. Lawrence (SLC) students responsible for the annual fashion show were crushed when they learned that their event could not take place. “All those months of fundraising, finding sponsors, recruiting and preparing for the evening just all went up in smoke,” recalled student organizer Elizabeth Ratté.
Opéra de Québec gala highlights World Opera Day
Published: October 21, 2020
Photo: Shirley Nadeau
After a months-long pause due to the pandemic, the Opéra de Québec (OdQ) is restarting its activities with a virtual gala concert on Oct. 25 at 3 p.m. to mark World Opera Day, artistic director Jean-François Lapointe announced.
