17e Montréal en Lumière

Du 18 Février au 5 Mars 2016-01-31

17th Montreal High Lights Festival

From February 18 till March 5 2016

Pour plus d'informations, S.V.P. aller a :

http://www.montrealenlumiere.com/

For more information please go to:

http://www.montrealenlumiere.com/en

Chronique des événements assisté / Chronicle of events attended

20 Février  @ 19h30 @ Salle Bourgie, Musée des Beaux Arts de Montréal

February 20 @ 07:30pm @ Bourgie Hall, Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

Trio Fibonacci – Concert Mystique / Fibonacci Trio – Mysticism  

 Programme / Program :

A) W.A Mozart (1756-1791): Trio en sol majeur / Trio in G major K.564 (1788)
B) Arvo Pärt (né / born 1935): Mozart-Adagio pour trio / Mozart-Adagio for piano trio (1992, réviser / revised 2005)
C) Hildegarde de Bingen (1098-1179): O Viriditas Digiti Dei (Ô Verts Doigts de Dieu / Oh Green Fingers of God)

Cette œuvre a été composée à l'origine pour voix de femmes accompagnées par le bourdon d'un violon médiéval appelé le vielle. Pour ce concert, il a été redonné la vie en le transcrivant l'œuvre pour violon moderne et sons préenregistrés.

This work was originally composed for female voices accompanied by the drone of a medieval violin called the vielle. For this concert it has been revived by transcribing it for modern violin and pre-recorded sounds.
D) Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992): Louange à l'Éternité de Jésus pour violoncelle et piano / Praise to the Eternity of Jesus for cello and piano (1944)
E) Jean Sibelius (1865-1957): Trio « Korpo » / Trio Korpo (1887)

L'œuvre ci-dessus par Sibelius a été découvert en 1982 et reste inédite. Cette performance est le premiere Canadienne.

The above work by Sibelius was discovered in 1982 and remains unpublished. This performance is the Canadian premier.

La définition de la MYSTIQUE est comme suit:

1)      Doctrine religieuse selon laquelle l'homme peut communiquer directement et personnellement avec Dieu.

2)      Comportement dominé par les sentiments religieux.

Le Trio Fibonacci nous a emmenés dans un voyage à travers le temps et l'espace couvrant les dix siècles entre la musique ancienne d’Hildegard von Bingen (du XIe et XIIe siècles) à celle d’Arvo Pärt (encore en vie) et passant par Mozart, Messiaen et Sibelius. Ils ont exploré la pure nature divine et ont clairement montré que la musique est le moyen par lequel «les Fieux» et l'humanité se communique entre eux.
La diversité du programme serait un défi pour la plupart des artistes, mais le Trio Fibonacci a réussi son coup avec brio, en créant un environnement sonore de beauté purement révérencielle.

The definition of MYSTICISM is as follows:

1)      Belief that union with or absorption into the Deity or the absolute, or the spiritual apprehension of knowledge inaccessible to the intellect, may be attained through contemplation and self-surrender.

2)      Belief characterized by self-delusion or dreamy confusion of thought, especially when based on the assumption of occult qualities or mysterious agencies.

The Trio Fibonacci took us on a voyage through time and space spanning the ten centuries from the ancient music by Hildegard von Bingen (in the eleventh and twelfth centuries) to that of Arvo Pärt (still living) and passing through Mozart, Messiaen and Sibelius. They explored the pure divine nature and clearly showed that music is the means through which ‘the Gods’ and humanity communicate with each other.

The diversity of the program would be a challenge for most artists but the Trio Fibonacci pulled it off with flying colors, creating a soundscape of sheer reverential beauty.

**********************************************************************

21 Février @ 20h00 / February 21 @ 08:00pm @ L’Astral

Cordâme – Satie Variations

Lineup / Lineup:

Back row (left to right)

Mark Nelson - batterie, percussions / drums, percussion

Jean-Félix Mailloux - contrebasse / double bass

Guillaume Martineau - piano / piano

Front row (left to right)

Marie Neige Lavigne - violon / violin

Sheila Hannigan - violoncelle / cello

(cliquer ci-dessus pour lire sa discographie / click on above to read her discography)  

Eveline Grégoire-Rousseau - harp / harpe

Pour célébrer le 150^e anniversaire du compositeur / pianiste Erik Satie (né Éric Alfred Leslie Satie, le 17 Mai, 1866 à Honfleur, France, mort le 1 Juillet 1925 à Paris), le compositeur / arrangeur / contrebassiste Jean-Félix Mailloux a présenté la premier concert du dernier CD « Satie Variations» de Cordâme (son l'ensemble qui occupe l'espace commun entre le jazz et classique). Satie était un personnage haut en couleur dans l’avant-garde Parisienne du début du 20^ème siècle dont ses œuvres ont été un précurseur des mouvements artistiques ultérieurs tels que le minimalisme, le surréalisme, la musique répétitive, et le Théâtre de l'absurde. Ceci a été rendu évident avec le programme d’hier soir, qui a résidaient plus fortement sur le côté jazz de Cordâme. Ainsi un grand nombre de pièces avaient une saveur d'Europe orientale. Globalement, la performance a été bien exécuté à l'exception du premier numéro, Gymnopédie - Africaine, où j'eu l'impression que le côté de jazz (contrebasse, batterie et piano) n'a pas tout à fait se marient avec le classique (harpe, violoncelle et violon). J'attribu ce bref «moment» à «prendre les premières pas sur un territoire inconnu. » J’ai écouté le CD ce matin – ça sonnait super – donc je suis sûr que ce ne sera pas un problème dans les performances futures.  

In celebration of composer/pianist Erik Satie’s (born Éric Alfred Leslie Satie on May 17, 1866 in Honfleur, France; died July 1, 1925 in Paris) 150^th anniversary, composer/arranger/double bassist Jean-Félix Mailloux presented the first live performance of Cordâme’s (his ensemble that occupies the common space between jazz and classical) latest CD “Satie Variations.”  Satie was a colourful figure in the early 20^th century Parisian avant-garde whose works were a precursor to later artistic movements such as minimalism, surrealism, repetitive music, and the Theatre of the Absurd. This was made clearly evident with last night’s program, which resided most strongly on Cordâme’s jazz side. As well many of the pieces had an East European flavour. Overall the performance was well-executed with the exception of the first number, Gymnopédie – Africaine, where I got the impression that the jazz side (double bass, drums and piano) didn’t quite meld with the classical (harp, cello and violin). I attribute this brief ‘moment’ to ‘taking the first steps unto unfamiliar territory’. I listened to the CD this morning – it sounded great – so I am sure this won’t be a problem in future performances.

Pour les concerts à venir mettant en vedette Jean-Félix CLIQUEZ ICI.

For future concerts featuring Jean-Félix CLICK HERE.

******************************************************
        

Louis Riel: Une Bande Dessinés Théâtrale / A Comic-Strip Stage Play

 

Théâtre et Marionnettes  du 25 Février au 5 Mars @ 20h00 en Anglais et Français

Puppets and Theater from February 25th till March 5th @ 8pm in French and English

Une production du Rustwerk Refinery / A Rustwerk Refinery Production  

Adaptation au Scène, Conception de Marionnettes, Metteur en Scène / Stage Adaptation, Puppet Design, Director: Zach Fraser

Dramaturge / Playwright: Attila Clemann

Comédiens / Cast: Charles Bender, Jimmy Blais, Anne Lalancette, Jon Lachlan Stewart, Cat Lemieux,

Régie / Stage Manager: Claude Lemelin

Assistante Régie  / Assistant Stage Manager: Melissa Kay Langille

Scénographie / Set Design: Romaine Fabre

Lumières / Lighting: Luc Prairie

Musique / Music: Tristan Capoccione

Régie Production  / Stage Production: Tristynn Duheme

Assistantes de fabrication des marionnettes / Puppet making assistants: Elizabeth de Medeiros, Ely Christos     

        

Ceci est un projet ambitieux qui apporte de façon très vivante l’épique bande dessinée biographique, par Chester Brown, sur Louis Riel (1844-1885), l'une des figures les plus controversées du Canada. Entre 1869 et 1885, il a mené le peuple métis à la fois ce qui est maintenant le Manitoba (la Rébellion du Rivière Rouge - 1869-1870) et en Saskatchewan (la Rébellion Nord-Ouest - 1885). Bien que simpliste dans leurs nature, les marionnettes à deux dimensions amène ce moment du début de l'histoire Canadienne dans le 21ème siècle et donne une meilleure compréhension au public sur la situation politique et culturelle actuelle de la nation. Le casting était incroyable, et dans leur performance, a donné l'impression qu’ils étaient plus que cinq. Cela a été renforcé par l'éclairage, la scénographie et la musique. Je recommande fortement que toute personne lisant cet article pour aller le voir quand il vient à un endroit près de chez vous. Il est très amusant, visuellement stimulant et éducatif.

This is an ambitious project that vividly brings to life the epic comic strip biography by Chester Brown of Louis Riel (1844-1885), one of Canada’s most controversial figures. Between 1869 and 1885, he led the Métis people in both what is now Manitoba (Red River Rebellion - 1869-1870) and Saskatchewan (North-West Rebellion - 1885). Though simplistic in nature, the two-dimensional puppetry brought this early moment of Canadian history into the 21^st century and gives the audience’s greater understanding on the nation’s current political and cultural situation. The casting was stupendous and in their performance gave the impression that they were more than five. This was enhanced by the lighting, set design and music. I highly recommend that anyone reading this article to go and see it when it comes to a venue near you. It is very entertaining, visually stimulating and educational.

Également publié ICI / Also posted HERE.

Photo credit (below)  / crédit photo (ci-dessous): Sabrina Reeves

************************************************************************

Monthly Film Chronicle - February 2016

Chronique  Mensuelles de Film – Février 2016 

A monthly chronicle of films (features, medium or shorts) seen throughout the current month from any source. Commentaries will be limited to 99 words or less. Film festivals will be hyperlinked. If time permits certain films will be elaborated on and be posted under the label “Film Box Office” (100-399 words) or “Film Review” (400 or more) (number of words based on English only). 

Une chronique mensuelle de films (long-, moyen- ou court-métrages) vu tout au long du mois en cours de n'importe quelle source. Les commentaires sera limitée à 99 mots ou moins. Les festivals du film seront notés avec un lien hypertexte. Si le temps le permet certains films seront élaborer  et afficher sous l'étiquette « Film Box Office » (100-399 mots) ou « Film Review » (400 ou plus) (le nombre de mots est basé sur l’Anglais seulement).

(Last update  / Dernière mis-a-jour: February 20 Fevrier 2016

Films are listed the order seen scrolling down. Films seront énumérés en ordre vue défilant vers le bas.)

********************************************************************************

My Enemies / Mes Ennemis, Canada 2015, 106m, Stéphane Géhami

Twenty-something Cédric is devastated when his girlfriend dumps him on the metro platform. When he returns to their shared apartment he leaves in a state of fury, taking only his unfinished novel. Fate brings him to the boarding house of Isabelle, a 76-year-old former star pianist and faded beauty. To maintain her sense of youthful beauty and self-worth, Isabelle has surrounded herself with a bevy of young eccentric male boarders who ‘adore’ her. Cédric and Isabelle become entangled in a bizarre ‘love-hate’ relationship. As with his first feature, this is a meaningless meandering drama about lost souls seeking love.

Cédric, dans ses vingtaines, est dévasté quand sa petite amie le quitte sur la plate-forme de métro. Quand il revient à leur appartement partagé, il laisse dans un état de fureur, en ne prenant que son roman inachevé. Le destin l'amène à la pension d'Isabelle, 76 ans, ex-star du piano et beauté fanée. Pour maintenir son sens de la beauté juvénile et l'estime de soi, Isabelle s’est entourée d'une foule de jeunes pensionnaires masculins excentriques qui «l’adorent». Cédric et Isabelle se coincer dans une relation « amour-haine » bizarre. Pareillement à son premier long métrage, ceci est un drame méandre sans signification concentré sur des âmes perdues qui cherchent l'amour.

********************************************************

El Club, Chile / Chili 2015, 98m, Pablo Larraín

In an isolated house in the small coastal village of La Boca Chile, four priests and a nun (all     marginalized by the Church) live dismal and regimented lives. Their only passion is training their greyhound and placing bets on him when he races. Things unravel quickly when a fifth priest arrives. Soon after he arrives, a vengeful fisherman calls him out to face ‘justice’. The others hand him a gun; to go out and scare the fisherman away. Instead, he shoots himself. Soon after, the Vatican sends a sixth priest to ‘investigate.’ This is a dark and gritty psycho-thriller.

Dans une maison isolée dans le petit village côtier de La Boca en Chili, quatre prêtres et une religieuse (tout marginalisés par l'Eglise) vivent des vies mornes et enrégimentés. Leur seule passion est la formation de leurs lévriers et placer des paris sur lui quand il fait la course. Les choses dénouent rapidement quand un cinquième prêtre arrive. Peu de temps après son arrivée, un pêcheur  vengeresse l'appelle à faire face à la «justice». Les autres lui remettre un pistolet ; de sortir et d’effrayer le pêcheur de s’éloigner. Au lieu de cela, il se tire une balle. Peu de temps après, le Vatican envoie un sixième prêtre pour  «investiguer. » Ceci est un psycho-thriller sombre et courageux.

**********************************************************

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, United States / États-Unis 2016, 108m, Burr Steers

This parody of Jane Austen’s popular novel combines the issues of manner, upbringing, morality, education, and marriage in the society of the landed gentry of the British Regency in the 19^th century with the horrors of a zombie apocalypse. The major characters and general plot has been retained. The ‘basic’ difference is that Great Britain has been infected with a zombie plague. Colonel Darcy is now a zombie hunter and the Bennett sisters have been trained in the Chinese martial arts and weaponry by their father. Opposite ends of the cinematic universe combined in this thoroughly entertaining film.

Cette parodie du roman populaire de Jane Austen combine les questions de manière, l'éducation, la morale, l'éducation et le mariage dans la société de l'aristocratie terrienne de la Régence Britannique du 19ème siècle avec les horreurs d'une apocalypse zombie. Les principaux personnages et l'intrigue générale a été retenue. La différence «de base» est que la Grande-Bretagne a été infectée par une peste zombie. Le Colonel Darcy est maintenant un chasseur de zombies et les sœurs Bennett ont été formées dans les arts martiaux Chinois et des armements par leur père. Des extrémités opposées de l'univers cinématographique combiné dans ce film très divertissant.

*************************************************************

Fidelio: Alice's Odyssey / Fidelio, l'Odyssée d'Alice, France 2014, 97m, Lucie Borleteau

Assigned to serve on The Fidelio, thirty-year-old Alice leaves behind Félix, her fiancé. She is replacing engineer Patrick Legall, who died mysteriously by falling overboard. She is the only woman on board and soon discovers that the Fidelio is captained by Gaël, a former lover, now married with children. Her feelings for Gaël rekindled; she faces a difficult choice – follow her passions or to remain faithful to Félix. Though the film consists of a strong international cast, it is weakened by overly focusing on sexual passions rather than the intrigues of being the only woman in a male-dominated crew.

Alice (âgée de 30 ans) embarque sur le Fidelio.  Elle laisse son fiancé, Félix. Elle remplace l'ingénieur Patrick Legall, qui a décédé mystérieusement en tombent à l'eau. Elle est la seule femme à bord et découvre en si peut de temps que le Fidelio est commandé par le capitaine Gaël, un ancien amant, maintenant marié avec des enfants. Ses sentiments pour Gaël sont ravivés; elle fait face à un choix difficile – de suivre ses passions ou de rester fidèle à Félix. Bien que le film soit constitué d'une solide distribution internationale, il est affaibli en se concentrant trop sur les passions sexuelles plutôt que les intrigues d'être la seule femme dans une équipe dominée par les hommes.

*****************************************************************************

La 34^e édition des Rendez-vous du Cinéma Québécois  

 The 34^th edition of the Rendez-vous du Cinéma Québécois

Du 18 au 27 Février / From February 18 till 27 2015

Pour plus d'informations, S.V.P. aller a:   

For more information please go to: 

http://rvcq.quebeccinema.ca/

Lien à l’article / Link to article   

*****************************************************************************

  

San Miguel’s Writers' Conference 2016

The Genius of it all!

by Nancy Snipper

                            Wisdom, Writing, Workshops and Wonder

Write down these words: accessibility, cultural inclusiveness, excitement and inspiration!  Everyone talks; everyone learns; everyone laughs and everyone walks away looking younger and happier than ever. After all, San Miguel de Allende’s colonial charm is a darling place to excite the senses, inspire writers and invite party-goers to celebrate. This festival beckons a myriad of muses to enrich your soul in honour of the written word. Susan Page is executive director of the festival.

Photo Credit: Christine McReynolds

Photo Credit: Christine McReynolds

 

  

Everyone flocks to the keynote speakers 

This year, the literati line-up of nine notables was as powerful as the margaritas pouring into our glasses at the festivals’ fabulous fiestas. These astounding writers included Joyce Carol Oates, Gail Sheehy, Elizabeth Hay, Scott Simon, and other gifted giants of international acclaim.

Photo Credit: Christine McReynolds

One hilarious keynote writer who elicited non-stop laughter was the comedic Luis Urrea. He spoke vividly about his younger years, recreating his childhood, painting his sober days working as a janitor and also at the infamous Tijuana garbage dump whose assortment of characters there forged indelible friendships for him – many who ended up in his novel – one that bi-culturally strode Tijuana, San Diego and the amazing pueblo of Rosario.

Photo Credit: Christine McReynolds

His imitations of his friends, his macho dad whose machismo extended into everything Mexican; he believed it was great if it was invented by Mexicans. His elegant American mother was the foil for his gruff dad.  A finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, Mr. Urrea has written novels (The Devil’s Highway, Nobody’s Son), poetry and essays. He is so entertaining. He says he belongs to the nation of words, and his are uproarious.

 

Photo Credit: Rebecca Woodland

Another fine speaker – Scott Simon - whose novel Unforgettable about being with his dying mother – an extraordinary  Jewish woman whose humour became known throughout the world via Scott Simon’s tweeting their mini-conversations – he at her bedside in the hospital, both keeping that unbreakable mother/son  as millions of tweets touched the world.

Known as VPR’s great interviewer, Mr. Simon was both moving and humorous. His work at a mentally challenged home in Chicago revealed how he began to change his perception of humanity because of the great friends he made with these adults, and how they taught him to love through example.

Photo Credit: Rebecca Woodland

 Lisa See whose three astounding books explore the cultural hardships of the Chinese. Her description of the practice of female foot binding was riveting. She surely is the authority on ancient customs – many which have been addressed in her books.  On Golden Mountain: The Hundred Year Odyssey of My Chinese-American Family, she brings to life the world of her grandparents who led the wave of the Chinese coming to America. Her grandfather started a ladies’ underwear business -“crotchless” being the operative word here. In another book, she uncovers the secret 17^th century language invented by women who communicated to one another; they shared the same husband. Her deep curiosity   compelled her to visit the remotest region of China where she uncovered this secret communication.

Her book, China Dolls is being made into a TV series by the great screenwriter /producer, Kirk Ellis famous for his successful HBO "John Adams" miniseries. In his keynote address, he took us through a lesson of cinematic development from the silent to the neo-realism of the Bicycle Thief to clips from his hero, Satyajit Ray and from the great Iranian director Jafar Panahi.

Gale Sheehy basically reenacted her trajectory rise to stardom as a writer. Her professional relationship with Clay Felker – top editor at New York Times resulted in a longstanding marriage and the adoption of a Cambodian girl she met during one of her assignments in Cambodia. Moving, touching hilarious and energetic, Sheehy gave me goose bumps. Her presentation included film clips from parts of her career. She is a performance artist, now moving beyond her world-famous novel, Passages, continuing her mantra of daring.  Her latest book, Daring: My Passages was put to the test when she closed the evening, inviting anyone from the audience to share their most daring moment.  How poignant and relevant to the evening’s theme of daring.

A plethora of invaluable workshops 

Seventy-seven incredibly dig-deep workshops addressed almost every aspect of writing – all genre varieties, marketing your work and giving it its much needed electronic buzz, to agent pitching and every conceivable topic in between – all this to give your writing an assortment of strategies to get it where it needs to go.

I particularly learned about character-shaping and plot construction in David Corbett’s wonderfully enthusiastic and helpful session.  Incorporating suspense and using setting to illuminate character are interesting and often overlooked topics. Susan Brown and Newfoundland’s Donna Morrissey  stimulated us, offering  techniques  along with the do’s and dont's in their respective workshops, but I was critical of  Morrissey’s refusal to answer questions, and it would have been nice to share with each other what she asked us to write in her workshop on setting. She was more intent on reading from her own book to give examples than hearing what others wrote during her workshop.

Elizabeth Rosner’s Bending the Rules workshop was fun and encouraging. She offered examples of writing from famous writers who broke all rules. She was the maverick who talked about construct taking all kinds of novel forms – that passion is the cornerstone of great writing, not rules.

David Corbett

Susan Brown

Donna Morrisey

Elizabeth Rosner

Enlivening the poetic spirit 

San Miguel’s writers and literary conference is deeply involved with outreach programs for children. Open mike to read your writing, spontaneous questions asked to the keynote speakers, agent panels, book signing and more – are all part of the five-day conference. Poet, Judyth Hill, dubbed the conference’s poet laureate, enlivened our poetic spirit. She created two amazing poems that colourfully resonated the Mexican spirit in the opening and closing evenings of the five-day whirlwind conference. Outdoor excursions, cantina prowls, story-telling and cross-cultural panel discussions informed and entertained us all. 

                                                    

                                Photo Credit for 2 photos above: Christine McReynolds

Go to www.sanmiguelwritersconference.org