RIDM HAS CAPTIVATING DOCUMENTARIES OF POWERFUL IMPACT

WILCOX (Directed by Denis  Coté) ****

The film is really a reflective comment on all those who go wandering and never return. The film mentions two men in particular who left – one of whom committed suicide later on.

This film portrays a young self-sufficient man who wanders in Quebec’s countryside, finds places to shelter himself, engages with some very eccentric characters, know show to survive by basically finding fruit and lettuce grown in fields. This man is a drop-out from civilization; he is a hermit wishing to find his own freedom. There are moments of happiness and of sadness. If only we all could retreat into nature, observe that before us, while living the life of a nomad. Never having to rely on the curse of civilization as it is today has its rewards.

 The film is without dialogue, yet the silence with some electronic type sounds in the background gave lent its own special drama and calm.  We really felt the soul of this man, beautifully portrayed by Guillaume Tremblay.

Mont Saint-Bruno National Park Shows Autumn Splendor

I love this huge national Sépaq park with its network of trails that can be enjoyed at every time of the year. Signs direct you to the three main lakes.                                                    
A 27-km network of trails circles the following lakes: Lac Seigneurial, Lac des Bouleaux, Lac des Atocas, Lac du Moulin and Lac de la Tortue. A 3.5-km hiking trail, which starts at the Discovery and Visitors Centre, offers a more rustic alternative. You can also hike a shorter 1.5 km loop within this circuit.

This historical park is a must-see during the four seasons, and so I always head out there at different times of the year. Each time, nature seizes 

my senses in various ways. 

                                           Walking on the fallen leaves was fun

 Rocks with smooth slate-like surfaces to rest on

Lac des bouleaux, a place to ponder

The sites, smells and birdsong change, as does the ground beneath your feet. Gliding on snow, stepping on the sunny paths in summer, dodging wet parts in spring and walking on leaves in autumn, each season presents a special beauty. The lakes are highlights here. Enjoy the view. 

 


This lone boat on Lac de Bouleaux sure beckons, but it's used by the park in case of an emergency. 

canoe on Lac des Bouleaux for you to rent in summer

                   

                                       

So many photos were taken that day; but I chose a sampling to reflect the natural beauty of this Sépaq park. Thank you Philippe for making my visit  possible! I shall return.


 Read more about Nancy's experiences in the park:

MONT-SAINT-BRUNO NOW HAS DOGGY-FRIENDLY ROUTES

WINTER WONDER AT PARK-MONT-SAINT-BRUNO

PARC NATIONAL DU MONT-SAINT-BRUNO

Claire Guimond Shares the Baton with Mathieu Lussier as Co-Artistic Director

The brilliant bassoonist Mathieu Lussier made himself known with his performance Telemann’s Concerto for “flute a bec and bassoon in f major”. He is truly a virtuoso player and was perfectly paired to Claire Guimond’s marvelous flue playing. Their timing was perfect, most notably heard in the allegro movement. The orchestra seemed to come to life with this work. One must single out Vincent Lauzer. His recorder performance was spell bnding. Telemann would have been so pleased hearing how brilliant Vincent rendered his C Major Concerto. 
However, something seemed to be amiss with the  first three  previous works on the program – none of which were composed by Telemann, though the concert was titled Telemann in Paris. But all were influenced by him and lived during his time.

There seemed to be a the tenuous approach by the orchestra, It must be hard to conduct an orchestra while playing the bassoon at the same time. The other pieces seemed to suffer from a lack of direction. The usual crispness and sparkle were missing in the first part of the program, save for that Telemann Concerto. This lackluster delivery was not up to the usual standard of Arion. Were the under-rehearsed?

I also would suggest that if Mathieu is to talk between performances – and talk he certainly did, he make an effort to translate even part of his monologue, as Claire always used to whenever she had something to say (which usually happened before the orchestra started playing).

Mathieu Lussier

Arion’s musicians are brilliant, but this opening concert of the season did not reflect their enthusiasm and wonder. Maybe, it was raining in Paris during their Sunday performance, and Francoeur, Naudet, Leclair. Blamont and Rebel – the other composers on the program did not bring their umbrellas to shelter the musicians from it. 

Visit www.arionbaroque.com for the upcoming concerts.

Claire Guimond

On that note, it must be highlighted that the great Cliare Guimond received the Betty Webster Award, Congratulations, Claire!

                            https://oc.ca/en/betty-webster-award/

APRIL IN Autumn (Directed by Warren Sulatycky) ****

When April comes home to Toronto and catches up with her Sister Sara, she discovers in the garden an old metal box full of letters and a beautiful water colour of a rose. She bumps into an old friend of hers who introduces her to a gallery. One of the workers there is able to identify who did the painting of the rose, and so April goes to his apartment. She is certain this is the man whom her mother loved years ago, but the birthday party reveals otherwise. Sara has invited a homeless man to the party, and April is convinced this is the man. Mistaken identities seem to be happening here or is it? A lovely film with authentic performances, but the ending was disappointing.

CAP-SAINT-JACQUES NATURE PARK IN AUTUMN

Walking in Leaves and Gazing at Trees

I’m back again to walk among trail to enjoy the golden hue of meadows, trees and leaves that are now blowing on the ground. I ended up taking part of the beaver and rabbit trails that are as diverse as the trees this stunning reserve possesses. Some flashes of red were evident. Autumn had arrived. We came to some cross-country ski trails and went to another part to see the water.  Truth is, no matter what time of year or where you go, this park delights your senses; for me it's the perfect respite. It’s so close to Montreal, yet far enough away from the crazy chaos that invades our lives every day.

Read more about my seasonal visits