EVELYNE BOUTIQUE DRESSES WOMEN AND KIDDIES’ BEAUTIFULLY IN ALL CANADIAN-MADE APPAREL

Canadian clothing designed with authenticity and originality

Evelyne wearing a Birds of North America pant suit

Evelyne Shannon Drouin is passionate about fashion, but not just any kind. The clothing she sells in her beautiful store is made in Canada. Although each item in the collections of 17 brands offers its own unique style, each shares the same attributes. The material is natural; the item must be highly original and a Canadian-made creation. In fact, she sells brands from Quebec, BC and Ontario.

“We go for distinct styles. Most of our clothings is made from natural fibres. This feels lovely against the skin. We have classic cuts that fit, flatter and enhance the client’s silhouette. There is something for every body type. We want our clients to come and shop here for one-of-a kind clothes and accessories    that make them feel good and lifts their mood.”

Variety in Canadian Clothing Content

Walking into her store, I felt a cocoon of calm settling over me. The notably distinct clothing designs had their own natural allure. The classic, the dainty and the different delighted my eye and had its ‘wow’ effect’ on me.  I looked forward to wearing a creation that was completely made in Canada and cut locally with care and love

“People should know that our clothes do not come from any sweat shop. Nothing is made overseas. Everything is ethically and locally made and most items are made from natural fibers.”

Evelyne holding up clothes  by Jennifer Glasgow

Dynamic Designers

I discovered that natural neutral colours are key to sophistication and subtlety.

I loved the long-sleeved dress shirt sporting gentle blue stripes. Then again, a colourful blouse and a polka dot number beckoned me. 

Everything is unique, and because of the high standards of quality, the collections are timeless keepers. Whether it be a pant suit, a print dress or a stand-out top, you’ll discover this store has widespread product. Evelyne coyly showcased some items. She herself was wearing a  pant suit designed by Birds of North.

Evelyne holding up dresses by Cherry Bobin

Cards and Bibs

Moving to the left area of the boutique, my eye caught a catchy corner of greeting cards. You’ll find some whimsical post cards with wonderful phrases on the front – each referring to different situations. Of course everything is hand-made in the maple-leaf nation. 

Take a look at the cute baby bibs and kiddie clothes near the cards. 

Talk about style for toddlers!

Foodie and Spice Connoisseurs

Brimming in gifts, the store has widespread product appeal. There’s a variety of bitters within the collection of mixology. Syrups and La Pincée – a line of mixed spices, peppers and fresh ground herbs in single jars certainly make an original gift. Also on the foodie table are attractive containers for butter, garlic, salt and sundry containers.  Foodie accessories abound here.

 Enjoy meandering and discovering the pot-pourri of Canadian-made goodie

How about adding colourful comfort to your home? The throws and pillows add variety pop, not to mention snooze comfort.

I admired the interesting jewellery by Louve

Jewellery… Simple and stunning

Finally, the extraordinary jewellery is beautiful to behold, it has a quiet dazzle factor. The glittering pair of gold quartz earrings yanked my chain. Long earrings with slither thin lace had its own exotica, as did the wonderful wood pendants of the necklaces. Organic and original, they seemed to embody Evelyne’s philosophy of natural simplicity. These treasures are also framed on the wall, so look up and  down at the showcase to find what suits you.

Jewellery by Pilar Agueci

Jewellery by This Ilk

Evelyne

Evelyne, a Woman of Excellence

Named after her beloved grandmother from which she herself got her name, Evelyne launched her store in mid-2016. Her experience and connections in the fashion world came from working in the wholesale end of things, even having her own agency, called Bold. Grouping her favourite designers from which she selected 17 compelling collections, she launched Evelyne widespread appeal.

A woman devoted to others, Evelyne offers private consultations on choosing what’s right for you. Clothes make the woman here, and the clothing is a treat for us. But Evelyne has a few surprises up her own sleeve. She’s an avid cook and has a bold hobby: boxing. Will wonders never cease? Not as long as Evelyne and her boutique are here.

 

Evelyne Boutique is located at 5127 Sherbrooke West, Montreal,

Check out her website: www.evelyneboutique.com 

Call: (514)903-6554

Arion Baroque Orchestra

CHORAL VOICES CONVERGE ON PURCELL’S MANY FACES AS ARION EXPRESSES IT ALL IMMACULATELY.

Arion Concert, Bourgie Hall, January 13^th, 2 p.m.

Andrew McAnerney

The moment Andrew McAnerney’s choir began to sing with Arion Baroque Orchestra’s playing, the world stood still. The choir’s sublime tonal harmony cast a continual spell on us all as Mr. McAnerney gently wafted his baton, conducting the sixteen choral members of his choir, Studio de Musique Ancienne de Montréal of which he is the artistic director.

Opening the 2019 season with an all-Purcell program, the concert featured three of the 17^th-century composer’s solemn anthems which were played at funerals during the English composer’s life. The first one we heard, Thou Knowest Lord the Secret of our Hearts was expressly written for the composer’s own funeral, and was indeed played at his burial in 1695.

Hear my Prayer, O Lord followed, and then came the memorable Jehova, quam multi sun hostes mei.  This almost modern-in-feel daring work was striking in its lyric and expression, as the amazing tenor, Nils Brown, sang with command the first part of the lyric. Then baritone, Normand Richard exclaimed like a call to arms, “Surge Surge Jehova…. “

tenor, Nils Brown

baretone, Normand Richard

The pair expressed this work’s Latin lyric with such intense conviction, we felt we were beginning to feel Purcell’s depth, not to mention, we immediately wanted to go out and relearn our Latin from school.

This third anthem focused on foes. It featured some vivid, even violent descriptions: “Strike all my enemies on the jaw, break the teeth of the wicked.” This, he implores the Lord to do. No mincing words here!

Purcell ‘s sacred music demands a perfect if not restrained balance of unified tonal vocals that highlight polyphonic passages. This was majestically achieved by the singers’ as they followed the direction of their sagacious choir master, Mr. McAnerney.

Versatility, melodic inventiveness and baroque fugues jumped from rhythmic lightness and alacrity to robust attacks such as in the Welcome to All the Pleasures – the final piece on this outstanding program characterized the composer’s musical ingenuity. Never a dull moment!

soprano, Stephanie Manias

What a delight to hear Mme Stephanie Manias angelic soprano voice, and when it intertwined  in one part with soprano, Rebecca Dowd’s, stunning voice, we felt we had touched heaven. It was as if these two twittering song birds guided us there for just a brief moment.  Likewise, counter tenor, Nicholas Burns was hypnotic in his heart-felt mellifluous delivery – a striking comparison to Nils Brown’s dramatic delivery in this joyous work.

counter tenor, Nicholas Burns

One must also mention that Claire Guimond’s Arion Baroque Orchestra made its own celestial instrumental voice heard both in Chaconne pour cordes et basse continue en sol mineur, Z.730, and also in the Overture of the Ode for the Celebration of Sainet Cécile.

Invigorating at times, lofty with lingering sweetness at other times, 

Purcell work is brimming with colourful contrasts as heard in a minuet, jig, and air in the Ouverture et suite pour la piece Abdelazer or The Moor’s Revenge.

It was a matinee concert of divine music; it held up a highly polished mirror to Purcell’s many faces

One hopes Purcell who lived only 35 years is listening to his own music in Heaven.

One hopes to see more collaboration between Arion Baroque Orchestra and the Studio de Musique Ancienne

Don’t miss Arion’s fourth illustrious concert of the season, titled Les Écrivains de l’Âme. It features the compositions of Haydn, Mozart and Rossini with invited guest, clarinetist, Lorenzo Coppola. This concert takes place on March 14-17.

For more information, visit the website: www. arionbaroque.com or call 514-355-1825.

MUCH TO DO ABOUT EVERYTHING FOR SEASON FINALE

Enrico Onofri

One sure bet with Arion is the program never stints on choices and quantity. Illustrious guests offering world-class virtuoso playing is also a sure bet, such as witnessed during the matinee concert on May 5 inside Arion’s home turf (Bourgie Hall). Titled, A Little Night Music, the concert featured, violinist Enrico Onofri – a popular Arion guest favourite in his dual role as conductor and performer. His comfy rapport with Arion’s baroque string players is utterly pleasing.   

Composers on the program included Biber, Barsanti, Vivaldi, Boccherini and Mozart. Each piece captured the goings-on of night life, especially in Boccherin’s La Musica notturna delle strade di Madrid. Instrumental suitability vividly set the scene for all kinds of various street life. The parade at the end with its final diminuendo was mesmerizing. So softly was the fade of instruments you could almost see the street musicians of the night disappearing in the distance.

Vivaldi’s Concerto in G minor was compelling as flutist Claire Guimond dialogued with violin and basse continue. The expressive performance spun a tapestry of breathtaking techniques, thereby conveying a variety of delicate and robust flavours - colorful music to evoke night-time surprises. This work had an almost avant-garde approach to instrumental roles. The largos and prestos offered exciting contrasts to one another – as did his Sinfonia tirée de la serenade.

All kinds of bowing and rhythms greeted our ears in almost every piece. The concert ended with Mozart’s Serenata nottura, K.239 for two violins, alto, bass, strings and kettledrums. Part-way through, one of maestro Onofri’s strings broke.  The unexpected happens when music of the night reaches the stars.  

Next season's  five concerts feature works by Telemann, Bach, Mozart, and Handel.
Book your tickets now. Call, (514) 355-1825. 
The website is www.arionbaroque.com

ARBORETUM IS A TREE TREAT EVEN IN ICY SNOW

The arboretum is an untouched canopy of thousands of trees for you to walk among – no matter the season. Today, despite the icy trails, I made my way into the forest to photograph the various tree formations and skyline with its blue and blurry sun mirage peering through.

I traveled along the new 4-kilometre trail well marked and soon to open once snow falls formidably. This picturesque wide path is actually a cross-country-skating trail. 

                                                         Wax those skis!

Enjoy the various tree-intricate photos below. No matter the conditions, here the magic has its own seasonal effect. Uprooted trunks take on a  diverse sculpted form. Nothing surpasses nature's own art.

Read about my other trip here

SUPER GRID (Directed by Lowell Dean) ***

A kind of Blade Runner takes on a disease that is wiping out the world. The jacks and the mob control things, but the Campbells, two brazenly brave edgy brothers who lost their own sister in a run ordered by the mob, decide to deal with the mob’s head honcho once and for all. As luck would have it, they find three vials that provide the cure for the disease. Will they manage to hold onto them, their lives and save others? A gritty Canadian film with great special effects and violence that is not over the top. WolfCop star, Leo Fafard takes on yet another futuristic apocalyptic heroic role. Not a dull moment in this grid.

RIDM... Non-fiction films that boldly and artistically dive over the edge

Now in its 21^st year, this renown documentary film festival forges into truths behind the world’s beauty and horror. This year, many film makers are merging past with present in obtuse ways that challenge the movie goer. No other festival brings captivating stories that often linger long after the film is over.

Reviews follow:

SEGUNDA VEZ (Directed by Dora García)

Hard to follow this work which reveals at least three different occurrences and scenes in Argentina – all tied into the premise that seems to show blind obedience outweighing one’s instinct to leave a scene or situation that is as confusing and senseless as that exerted on the participants involved.  Oscar Mascotta, an icon of the pre-dictatorship Argentinian avant-garde, known for his weird happenings and interest in Lacanian philosophy has his ideas in this far-out film transported to the present via varying situations and locations. I found this film too obscure to make a point despite the settings involved. They included: people lined up on a wall having to endure a piercing sound and bright lights; a body in a white bag being set in a field; people watching a helicopter in a field; people sitting and talking about philosophy in a library and being observed; people being questioned in a government office for respond not revealed at all. I found this film awfully long and pointless to ponder any intended significance. Reference to Peron, disappearance and more were shadowed here. I needed no second chance to rewatch this film to realize an important truth: the film’s content deserved far more focus and drama on the bitter subject of Argentina’s miserable past and present.

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Gulyabani  (Directed by Gurcan Keltek)

 Turkish film maker injects stunning photography of water and leaves and sludge with voice-over that reads the diary of a woman suffering under the violent power of the Turkish state in the 1970’s and 80’s. Experimental in cinematography, sound and metaphysics, this film is a beautifully made to tell the horrific cruelty and abuse this woman and many others endured that must never be forgotten. 

Gulyabani is a humongous ghoul with a long beard who wanders at night and scares people.

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THE DISAPPEARANCE OF GOYA (Directed by Toni Geitani)

The Mountain War of 1983 in Lebanon becomes a construed fragmentary collage of foggy landscapes, memories and images that have us questioning what really happened. At the center is a man whose face is seemingly so disfigured, but at the end of the film the mask comes off and nothing is really revealed. This eerie figure is an anonymous propaganda photographer who traverses the chilling landscape of a time that remains full of unanswered questions. Long, tedious and impregnated with overly-long stagnant stills, the film is painfully boring to watch. The point of the subject matter is fraught with pretension

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 SYMPHONIE IN AQUAMARINE (Directed by Dan Popa)

Filmed on four continents embracing such seas as the Baltic, Aegean, Atlantic and more, This films takes us on a journey showing the tedious and dangerous work of those working on big ships. We see ice being chopped in the Arctic and then it cuts to beach with swimmers and a family enjoying themselves. We even travel along the saint Laurence River.  Divided into four movements, this cinematic essay is accompanied with fantastic music and vocals. It gives us a great glimpse into sea culture and those living next to it. Sadly, it is in need of editing as some scenes go on far too long.
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This film was preceded by a darling Wapikoni mobile short with  the village of called Kuuijuaq, being introduced by a local. Humour and authenticity makes this film refreshing and informative. 

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 ZIVA POSTEC, LA MONTEUSE DERRIERE LE FILM SHOAH

                        BEHIND THE FILM SHOAH

                          Directed by Catherine Hébert

This monumentally important and supremely interesting film is truly a brilliant masterpiece by Catherine Hébert, and her focus here is on another brilliant film genius, Ziva Postec. 

Ziva Poste

She put in seven yeas of her life editing Shoah, the master mind of Claude Landmann. The film was made from 1979 to 1985; It was a monstrous task to assemble all the archive footage, testimonies and filming of concentration camps, now lying bare to show the brutality of  the mass genocide of the Jews.  The film focuses on Ziva’s life in Israel and in Paris. She is a humble highly intelligent warm woman who had to deal with the temperament of a highly strung Lanzmann. Ziva is honest in her failings with her daughter Sarah, and vulnerable when she tells about the drowning death of her beloved first husband in Israel. Shoa had a profound impact on her life. She had to stare every day at horrid photos and listen to testimonies. She worked insanely on editing 350 hours of footage that documented the extermination process. These seven years consumed her life at home and in the studio. She still is haunted in many ways by the film. Can you believe that at the première in Paris in 1985,  Lanzmann asked her why she was standing beside him as he went up the red carpet stairs. ”You are following me like a puppy, he said.

Such is the gratitude he showed her then and also while making the film.

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COUNTING TILES (Directed by Cynyhia Choucair) **

Lesvos, Greece is the desperate destination for Syrians
 to reach by boat. In 2015, Three clowns are admitted into the refuge camp to entertain the kids. But in 2016, it’s a no-go for the small little group. These clowns try to get in but end up basically posing aggressively at the police they encounter. At the end after waiting so many days, they finish by blowing bubbles at a little girl  who is with her parents at the port. They resort really to interacting with dogs and themselves. They have a great need to perform.

 Sabine is the main clown force behind persistence. She narrates the story and hers too about her mother who once left Lebanon for Greece during the war. In the end, despite shots of abandoned life jackets on land and more revealing shots of the plight, the film goes nowhere, though we have to admire the daring force of these Clowns without Borders whose persistence to penetrate the camp is admirable yet futile.

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DES HISTOIRES INVENTÉES (Di

rected by Jean-Marc E. Roy) 

André Forcier, the great Québécois filmmaker made several films. Many exerts are spliced in of his films along with the poetic narration and on camera figure of him reveals reality is not really reality.  His films were quintessential quirky Québécois as they shone a light on characters that were unique indeed. However, the film made no sense, and was in fact rather dull.
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MANUFACTURING CONSENT: NOAM CHOMSKY AND THE MEDIA

          (Directed by Mark Achbar & Peter Wintonick

Schooled in the Jewish traditions and belonging to a lower class family of which the father was a Hebraic scholar, Chomsky exerts the restraint and brilliant mind of an intellect deemed the most important mind of the century.

His whole thesis is based on the fact that the masses are controlled by media and the media by the government. In East Timor, the government kept the genocide hush hush and did nothing when invaded by Indonesia; the Carter government was supplying arms to the country. Eat Timor is rich in oil. In Cambodia, bigger news hit the papers because the Americans were not complicity was Pol Pot. The point is, Chomsky who has written dozens of books and visited over 100 countries staunchly urges the common man and woman to think for themselves, and not to follow government and media. A brave quiet man who is attacked on all side, Chomsky is a freedom fighter, but urges us to know what is the truth and in community after community implement as fair place for free dialogue not based on media rhetoric. I67 minutes long, the documentary could have done with more editing.