TOKYO IDOLS (Directed by Kyoko Miyake) ***

In Japan, young girls become pop singers who live for pleasing their fans – men of all ages. In fact, most of these old guys idolize these girls - 10,000 young females that devote themselves to becoming an “idol”. They’ll sign their autographs in a line-up post concert for these guys.

In fact, they will do just about anything above board and strict rules to keep their fan base – including Rio. She’s 19 years old and travels on a bike to build her fans that live far away from her town. In fact, Rio spends most of her time using her webcam to delight her audience. But Rio is losing her looks or so she thinks and wants to join the ranks of true artists. Far beyond entertainment, this documentary offers a disturbing look into old men, young girls and the fantasy both have. An otaku is the world for a man whose whole life is wrapped up in these concerts given by the idols. It’s sad but very human. Pedophiles come to mind. It’s a UK-Quebec co production that garnered “Official selection at this year’s Sundance Festival. See it if you want to witness an aspect of Japan that worships young girl youth.  

I was lucky enough to see the film which will be aired at Fantasia July 26^th at 7:30 pm.

 

Consult the program or via the website: www.fantasiafestival.com

A SUMMERY DAY FOR MY DOGGY AT CAP-SAINT-JACQUES

It was the Canada day weekend - a perfect July 3^rd sunny day to take my dog Zak to one of my favourite nearby  nature getaways: Cap-Saint-Jacques. It is one of three Quebec parks that allows you to stroll with your dog on a 5- plus kilometre walk. Greeting me at reception was Alexander, and though he was so nice to me, it was Zak who stole his heart. Nothing like a  cute little dog to make everyone smile.

 The park provides a harmonious setting for dog and owner to bond in boundless nature amidst beautiful birdsong and bucolic waters around the circular perimeters.

I saw Rivièrie de la Prairie, Lake of Two Mountains, Oka and Ile Bizard. Water everywhere and unfortunately the recent catastrophe in this region showed itself as I rounded curves of land bordering the water where I saw bushes in water.

Walking along the path sheltered by forest, I bumped into Charles, a man in love with his boxer-mastiff dog, Minion who towered over my little maltese-lasa apso mix dog. 

Together, we romped through forest and ventured along the water where Minion delighted in cooling himself off.

We also headed to the Cap’s farm and passed the horses, a chicken coup and the sheep that lazed inside a big barn. A gorgeous greenhouse and fields offered pastoral vistas.
Nature here is gentle with wild flowers dressing up fields and the paths we strolled along. I saw a cardinal, an oriole and a cat as we approached the barn. Zak wanted to play with it.

  
Much land here is dedicated to growing organic vegetables.
I entered into the little store selling some organic produce along with maple syrup. 

                                                                                                         Charles told me that three weeks ago, aside from the fox he saw. three cumbersome coyotes surrounded him.  Scary! That, in effect, is why I insisted Charles come with me for the rest of my walk. He has a long stick, but we saw no coyotes today. I was lucky to bump into Minion and Charles, for I was really quite alone as I started my stroll. What was to be an hour sauntering into nature turned into three. It was a day of surprises and enjoyment. Zak and I were most happy gazing out to the fields of flowers.

 

I will return to explore the beach here and maybe even screw up my courage to do some kayaking.

Tourists need not drive to the Laurentians to immerse themselves in nature that is only a 30-minute drive from downtown. Cap Saint-Jacques is kind of addictive and its terrain invites you to explore it on foot, skis, snowshoes and bike. What more could you ask for? Come on folks, it’s summer and this place is the perfect area to saunter into to enjoy oodles of varied vistas as the sun shines down. 

The website is: www.ville.montreal.qc.ca/grandsparcs 

Click here to read about my skiing in the park

JANGO (Directed by Etienne Comar) **

A lousy flat retelling of Jango Reinhardt’s tormented life where the Nazi’s chased him, and his stability was shaken.  His music and gypsy heritage angered them so much, he was chased as he tried to escape over the Switzerland. The acting was amateur, and that may be why the film played music scenes far too long, and despite his composing genius, the director obviously could not passionately handle that nor the gypsy scenes with authenticity. Reinhardt’s final piece that honours the gypsies was so unlike anything he had ever composed, and it is an astoundingly moving piece of passion and pity. Too bad the director was not so inspired. Even the actor who played Jango looked bored most of the time. The film stealer was Bea Palya, the actress who played his mother. She got into the role.

DIANA CAMPBELL: A REAL ESTATE GENIUS

      MONTREAL’S ANGEL OF REAL ESTATE

If you're looking for the best agent possible in Montreal who won't waste your time and energy, then here's where to find her.

 

After five years of looking for a place to buy, I found my answer. It was Diana Campbell. I had gone out with so many other Montreal real estate agents, and everything was wrong: one of the agents put pressure on me; another one kept showing places that did not match my check list; then there was that other one who forgot to tell me there are trains behind the house and the house shakes when they pass.

 I was ready to give up and live under a tree. Then lady luck visited me; the goddess of homes sent me an angel in the form of Diana Campbell.

Diana not only found me the most stunning condo in a superb location, but she did it after only two short days of visiting properties. I trusted this one. She was a keeper. Her communication was outstanding.

Let me tell you about this energetic woman who is also an athlete: she has entered an Olympic triathlon – perfect training for dealing with me.

My journey of buying the condo turned me into a stress maniac.. At every moment, I was emailing her asking her about this and that and when and how. I was a basket case, but nothing phased her.  Despite my nerves, at every stage of buying the condo, she  calmed me down, took care of all kinds of things (notary,  organized cat allergy specialists to eradicate dander), answered questions  excellently, and those that were beyond her expertise, she referred me to someone else if she could not readily find the answer herself. Most importantly, her patience, laughter, cheerfulness and choice to be serious when necessary meant everything to me. She never lost her belief in me, nor scoffed off any question I asked. For her, it all was valid and important because what I wanted to know was valid and important to me. Now that’s an agent you want! 

                         My dog really loves the place,...as much as I do.

Since 2007, darling fun Diana has been changing people’s lives by finding them the perfect property. I call Diana, my princess, because she really is real estate royalty without snobbery. 

        She made it happen for me.

I can’t recommend her enough. What’s more, she's so much fun to be with her. To this day, she’s still here for me.

Her website is www.dianacampbell.com

Email her at: dianacampbell@royallepage.ca

BRÛLERIE DES LAURENTIDES: THE SHANGRI-LA OF COFFEES

                                  100 TANTALZING TASTES AND SMELLS 

Michael Petit is not small in any way when it comes to making perfect coffee. As a former chemist, he knows a lot about blending coffee to produce an exquisite taste.

 In 2011, he began a coffee company, and the results of his hard work are amazing. The coffee sips like silk slipping into your mouth, and the flavours are divine. And they are exciting. In fact, Brûlerie des Laurentides really reflects the beauty and sensual variety reflected in the natural gorgeous setting where each bean is lovingly roasted: the sublime Laurentians in the province of Quebec.

“My family has been in the coffee business for over 50 years – that’s three generations of living and breathing coffee.  I’ve replicated my grandfather’s secret recipe, but with new twists and surprises in each bean. Like making pastry, roasting coffee is a fine art that requires a lot of patience, passion and a sense of timing.”

His father travels around the world searching for that perfect bean - much like someone sleuthing a rare orchid hunt. When the containers bring back the beans from over 15 countries, Brûlerie des Laurentides kicks into a heightened state. That’s when the fine art of coffee roasting comes into play and then ends up in your mouth with magnificent results. Each of the blends is made from seven to 14 different coffee beans with 30% boasting the organic factor.

From these beautiful beans, Michael and his team are able to create 100 different flavours that can’t be found anywhere else on the market!

You don’t even need to open the package to be transported into coffee wonderland. So far, I've had my coffee elixir tasting the maple and the reveil matin flavours. That morning coffee is sweet and so lovely. It really hits the mark.
Smell the chocolate blueberry flavour, the maple pecan one or how about chocolate coconut or chocolate raspberry. And there’s that popular chocolate hazelnut flavour. Exotic flavours include maple/bacon, smoky seventh heaven and amaretto. His more traditional flavours – espresso and filter coffee style – go from strong to mild 

“I produce my own flavour for the coffee. One flavour can take over two years to make that magic moment happen of perfect taste.  And when we get it right, we don’t open a bottle of champagne, we drink endless cups of coffee.”

Michael wants everyone to know how incredible coffee can be when it is roasted right with years of experience and experimentation. That’s why he’s dedicating his life to Brûlerie des Laurentides.

The coffee is sold in more than 300 stores in Quebec, including IGA, Provigo and Metro, or you can purchase it on line no matter where you live. Brûlerie des Laurentides is so in-demand, France and the United States now have their coffee cups filled to the brim with Brûlerie’s special brand.

Buy the half a pound bag or have a big bash coffee party where coffee becomes the conversation piece; buy Brûlerie des Laurentide’s 11-pound bag.
Michael will be at Montreal's Provigo store on Monkland in September.

The website is bruleriedeslaurentides.com

TACTICS FOR LIVING IN A CULTURE OF VIOLENCE

When the president of the United States demonstrates that it's okay to shove aside another person, no matter how important that person is or how unimportant he is, the message is clear. Even at a NATO meeting, violence is okay. After all, violence is a marker for saying: I only count, and I get what I want and I’ll do anything to get it. After all, what’s pushing? I’ll tell you: it’s a degree of violence. The noble Prime Minister of Montenegro opted not to push back. He’s a non-violent man. (Watch it on YouTube)

The event shows, it’s okay to push a person aside; if it’s even okay to do that at a prestigious NATO meeting, it surely is okay to do it on the street or sidewalk, especially if you want to get ahead – as Trump showed the world.

This infant ignoramus looks like an adult, but he doesn’t act like one. Nor does he string a sentence together without repeating his phrases.

So now that we’ve established that violence comes in many shapes and degrees, let’s chart out a tactic to protect ourselves.

Walk fast and walk with your elbows sticking out. That way, you can elbow someone first before they do you.

Take long strides and wear a look of grave determination on your face.

Carry your pepper spray where it is visible for all to see.

Test it out if you want to on anyone or try your recently purchased taser gun. If the police can do this, why not us? They serve and protect us, so we should do the same for ourselves, right? They're  supposed to set an example, right?

Terrorism is here, and it also exists on the streets of daily life. Watch the behaviour of people. They are blind to others. They have little sense of space, let alone any verbal curtsy or quietness of speech.

 Violence is the new norm. But do yourself a favour. Never allow yourself to get used to it. If you do, you’ve lost your only true weapon: humanity.

ARION BAROQUE ORCHESTRA PERFORMS EXHUBERANTLY IN ALL-VIVALDI CONCERT

Audience in Ecstasy as Enrico Onofri Jump-starts the Musical Joy

  Bourgie Hall, May 21^st, 2017

Arion’s closing concert of Vivaldi’s “L’Estro Armonico” was so astounding, the audience could not contain itself.  Vivaldi’s celebrated work brought on applause after applause after applause. 

We were enthralled to hear various segments of this exhilarating masterpiece – specifically no.1, RV 549, No 12, RV 265, No. 8, 108, RV 522, No. 2 RV 578, and No. 9, RV 230. and No. 11, RV 565. Leading the fast and furious passionate pack of musicians was Italian conductor, Enrico Onofri. No stranger to Arion, this violinist has performed before with the ensemble, and has conducted and played all over the world. It’s a sensational experience when Maestro Onofri hits the stage. 

More amazing is the fact that Maestro Onofri rarely turned his back on the audience throughout the program which featured staggeringly difficult but delicious works. Each one offered a minimum of three movements moving gloriously ahead in rhythmic contrasts with dynamic passages of ornamentation, twists, turns and thrilling melodies of harmonic rightness.

Every allegro demanded bionic energy, titanium-like talent spinning speedily in unenviable tempi braced in impeccable clarity and unbridled emotion. The effect was dazzling. The composer’s speedy expressions of fury took off like a galloping stallion. The agility in finger dexterity was remarkable to witness. To accomplish this music, a great variety of moods both subtle and dramatic must fill the soul of each player and be shared in unison as an orchestra.  Arion achieved this. Spritely flirtations, profound sorrows and sublime passages were masterfully communicated due to Arion’s sterling finesse.

The largos and adagios were profoundly moving, even mournful in despair. Such heartfelt sincerity brought us to tears.

This was an evening of great humility where various members of Arion had their moments with Mr. Onofri. So in sync were Arion’s performers with their virtuoso conductor, we took for granted the timing togetherness of the players.

Especially admired was the wondrous flute playing of Claire Guimond, Arion’s artistic director. The two concertos that she performed brought tears to my eyes. Both the A minor with its complexities and the G minor with its sparser yet pretty melodies were accompanied only by a few strings,  being exposed in such a manner requires a true master to pull it off with aplomb. Ms. Guimond gorgeously evoked the delicacy of her instrument with poignancy and power. Her technical brilliance enables her to give remarkable expression to the instrument where breath and fingers agility must work in unison.

Chloe Meyers paired with Mr. Onofri in two works. Each stood at opposite ends facing one another as they played with the harpsichord in between them, with harpsichordist, Hank Knox binding them closer together.  Like two lovers tenderly bidding one another good-bye, the two violinists’ musical connection was inspiring and rare. The audience loved them.

Not much more can be said about the Vivaldi, Arion and Onofri mix. Other than the encore and the endless applause, a standing ovation and the will to not leave without instantly buying a subscription to Arion’s 2017-2018 season.

Vivaldi makes his appearance again with the season’s opening concert on October 5^th, 6^th and 8th. Titled, “La Double Vie d’ Antonio Vivaldi”, the composer and Arion await you. For all information, call (514) 355-1825. The website is arionbaroque.com.

Note that Arion has just released its 32^nd CD! Titled, “Rebelles Baroques”, this remarkable recording features Telemann and Quantz. Pick it up and be transported into a world of godly baroque beauty.