What happens when you’re caught between bittersweet memories of youth and the realities of middle age, with only a couple of opinionated old gay friends to lend you an ear. From the writer of the hit play Mambo Italiano, another sharp-witted look at what it means to be an Italian/Canadian gay man in an ever-changing world.
https://youtu.be/ZIMZTgcIkF4
Three old friends gather and reminisce about the past — the good, the bad, and the outrageous. They talk about everything from boyfriends to Sunday night dinners, backed by a soundtrack of Blondie, the B-52s, and the Village People. Everything bubbles to the surface while memory and loss stir up questions about healing and moving on.
With an open heart, Galluccio has penned a story about his own loves and losses in an unabashed love letter to Montreal. How do you remember your past? At the beginning of time… when everything is fresh and new. Galluccio’s newest play reminds us that memories are like a good shot of espresso: best shared among friends.
“At the Beginning of Time is my most personal play since Mambo Italiano. It seems only fitting that 20-some-odd years later I am back at Centaur to share this new chapter. In 2018 my life exploded, and I was forced to re-imagine my existence. I was a gay man in my late 50s who thought his life was settled. Overnight I found myself at the beginning of time, in a new chapter, in a new world, and a new reality. New beginnings are frightening and overwhelming, but if you surrender to the journey, the destination will ultimately be… spectacular. Thank you Centaur Theatre for taking my broken heart and turning it into art. Theatre, much like time, heals all wounds.”
– Steve Galluccio
Centaur Theatre
February 21 - March 12, 2023
Built along the port, the formerly walled off old city has a gastronomic tradition that goes back to the colony’s beginnings. A time when hostels welcomed visitors from all over the continent and across the Atlantic. The Maison Pierre-du-Calvet, which was constructed in 1771, today still attests to this tradition, as it is the oldest building in Montréal still welcoming visitors and offering them its copious cuisine in the style of 18th century inns. Since that time, the gastronomic propositions have of course evolded and become more diversified – there are many great restaurants to be discovered in historic Old Montréal.
Near Notre-Dame Cathedral, you can begin or end your evening at L’Assommoir, with its trendy atmosphere and emphasis is on products of the terroir. On De la Commune street, just next to the Old Port, Da Emma is à Montréal Classic. From the decor to the plate, everything here transports us to Italy. More specifically, to one of those dining cellars that you only come across in Rome, which seems almost frozen in time. Located in a basement, the intimate space seats 140, plus another 70 on the terrace in front of the restaurant, weather permitting.
At the entrance, the celebrity wall confirms the reputation of the establishment with a numerous photos of stars from all over the world photographed with Emma. White tablecloths, period paintings, stone walls and wooden ceilings… the Italian charm is immediately felt, and most welcome.
With the urban re-development of the Faubourg aux Récollets west of Old Montréal, McGill Street has become a sought-after stretch of great restaurants and bistros from the Old Port to Victoria square. With its warm décor and friendly, laid-back ambiance, Ikanos invites you to rediscover some of the classics of Greek and Mediterranean cuisine, reinvented by the chef and owner Constant Mentzas. The seafood and fish is carefully selected and grilled in wood fire ovens. Located on the site of the old Soeurs Grises nunnery near the Old Port, the Bistro Brasserie Les Soeurs Grises offers a selection of home-brewed beers and a menu composed of local products.
You can’t talk about Mile End gastronomy without talking about Montréal’s Jewish and Eastern European heritage. It is the centre of the emblematic institutions of this legacy in the city, where immigrant Jews, most of them from Eastern Europe, brought us the bagel, the smoked meat sandwich and cured sausages in the early 20th century. In Mile End you’ll find the two temples of bagels that are Fairmount Bagel and Saint-Viateur Bagel. The story goes that the Montréal bagel is sweeter and more delicate than its New York cousin, a probable result of adapting to local taste. Try out a sausage sandwich at Wilensky’s on Fairmount Street. Smoked meat fans will definitely want to wait in line to try Montréal’s famous smoked meat sandwiches at the restaurant Schwartz on St-Laurent, just south of the Mile End.
The specialties of bagels and sandwiches associated with the Mile End neighbourhood are most probably linked to its being a favoured brunching destination. This tradition has been well established by the restaurant Beauty’s on Mont-Royal Avenue, where bagels are a specialty. Restaurants such as B & M or Fabergé, located on St-Viateur and Fairmount respectively, offer their own updated version of the Mile End brunch. The Syrian restaurant Kazamaza on Parc Avenue even proposes a Middle Eastern version of it.
The multiethnic character of the neighbourhood is, of course, also reflected in the more refined eateries of the area, with some fine cuisine from all sides of the Mediterranean basin. In the intimate décor of bistro Barcola on Parc Avenue, you will discover authentic Northern Italian cuisine. At the limits of Outremont on the corner of Van Horne and Hutchison, the Caffé Della Pace prepares a variety of Italian coffees and offers healthy, homemade vegetarian dishes composed of fresh ingredients. The prices are very reasonable and the atmosphere is friendly, with a piano in one corner and sofas in another. Both families with children and queers rub shoulders here. The fancy bistro Chez Lévêque on Laurier West has remained a very popular spot for the past 45 years. There is a humorous, slightly irreverent tone here, and a religious theme is displayed in reference to the patronymic of chef and co-owner Pierre Lévêque (L’évêque meaning Bishop). This chic Parisian brasserie with a distinctive Montréal touch has never deviated from the concept that made its success: good food and wine, in a trendy but casual ambiance. Their “faim de soirée” menu becomes available after 9pm, with more affordable prices attracting a younger clientele.
Of course, this neighbourhood’s culinary spectrum is much larger than what we can possibly cram into this page, and Local Montréal Tours can design customized gourmet tours that allow for rich and diverse Mile End discoveries.
https://youtu.be/4CsFz9ebRuo
Put on hold for two years due to the pandemic, Igloofest is back in full force in 2023 to celebrate its 15th edition, still featuring two stages, at the Old Port of Montreal over four weekends, from January 19 to February 11. People from Quebec City and the East will not be left out as Igloofest will hold its first weekend of festivities there on March 2-3-4 at Place Jean-Béliveau, right in the heart of ExpoCité, in front of the Videotron Centre.
In Montreal, the electronic music event offers several new features for the occasion, including Après-ski evenings, warm and cozy in various Montreal venues. The family-friendly Igloofête will also be presented on four Saturdays. But first and foremost, Igloofest means 12 festive outdoor evenings with several DJs from here and elsewhere.
The Après-Ski segment is likely to interest those who prefer to dance in the warmth. The gay community will certainly be interested in these “after” parties at Auberge Saint-Gabriel, Centre PHI, Francesco’s, Soubois, or the Society for Arts and Technology (SAT). The organizers have scheduled no less than 27 nights for the true cold warriors. From January 20 to February 11, 2023, the good beats will keep rolling all night from 11 PM to 3 AM!
For the outdoor segment at the Old Port, the evenings of February 9 and 10 will certainly please regulars of gay circuit parties with DJs TIGA and TIESTO among the invited performers. For TIESTO, it will be a first-time participation at Igloofest.
A First for Quebec City
After postponing the first edition of Igloofest Quebec last year, it will be a brilliant start in 2023.
Starting Thursday, March 2, igloosapiens will have no choice but to end their hibernation as Montreal DJ and pillar Misstress Barbara takes over the turntables to thrill the crowd. It's a safe bet that Quebec City's gay community will gather to see and hear one of their dance night icons for many years.
On Friday, March 3, the undisputed Paul Woolford, an omnipresent force on dance floors, and X-Coast, instigator of epic parties on all continents, will break the ice before making way for headliner Diplo; DJ and house music producer, recently nominated for the Grammys for the 8th time and among the most influential in the world.
The hottest party of the winter will conclude on an electrifying note on Saturday, March 4 with the infallible DJ BORING and Montreal’s own Andrea de Tour, before the anticipated performance of Claptone. It’s impossible to stay cool in front of these illustrious artists who will alternate during the three days of festivities!
Once again, the Igloofest organizers have gone all out to satisfy even the most demanding electronic music fans with artists from all over the world.
For more details on the program and tickets:
Montreal - https://igloofest.ca/fr
Quebec City - https://igloofest.ca/fr/quebec/programmation
A few kms from Saint-Sauveur, the small town of Sainte-Adèle stretches along 120² km on both sides of Rivière du Nord, in the heart of the legendary Pays d’En-haut. Claude-Henri Grignon had set his cult classic novel Un homme et son péché here, bringing fame to the village throughout French Canada. The story unfolds right before the arrival of Curé Labelle’s legendary P’tit Train du Nord, which finally linked Sainte-Adèle to Montréal in 1891. This was just before the region started welcoming skiers and tourists, which since have become the main economic engine of the city.
Sainte-Adèle owes its name to its founder, Augustin-Norbert Morin, a lawyer, journalist and politician. He founded the newspaper La Minerve, became the leader of the Parti Patriote, and later deputy of the Parti Rouge. In 1855, he named the new village in honour of his wife, Adèle Raymond. As the Prime Minister of Lower Canada from 1851 to 1855, we owe this reformer the social abolition of the seigneurie inherited by the French Monarchy in 1854. He also contributed to the foundations of Morin-Heights and Val-Morin, a few years before the arrival of Curé Labelle.
Only 64 km away north of Montréal, Sainte-Adèle has since become a renowned and unique crossroads for lodging accommodations and fine dining. In 2013, the cultural life here was stimulated by the opening of Place des citoyens, presenting exhibitions, shows, musical concerts and conferences. This performing arts venue offers an extensive, year-round program. In the heart of Claude-Henri Grignon park, the Place des Citoyens also hosts the Marché public de Sainte-Adèle in the summer. For the past 65 years, Pine Cinema has been an institution in Québec, giving an important place to independent cinema. Lastly, the art galleries and museums complete the cultural visits in Sainte-Adèle.
But Sainte-Adèle is first and foremost a place to enjoy the outdoors, reputed for its magnificent Lac Rond, a real gem located in the heart of town, as well as its impressive hiking trails and bike path circuit, its equestrian and golf centres, its snowmobile tracks as well as 3 ski resorts.
In 1991, 100 years after its arrival in Sainte-Adèle, the layout of the P’tit Train du Nord train tracks gave way to the longest linear park in Canada, with a 230 km bike path linking Montréal to Mont-Laurier up in Hautes-Laurentides. The project was inaugurated in 1996, more than 25 years ago.
The Musée national des Beaux-Arts in Québec City will be presenting this fall the long-awaited retrospective of the seminal Canadian artist Evergon, born Albert Jay Lunt in 1946 in Niagara Falls, Ontario. This major exhibition will span his entire career, from 1971 to the present, with a view to shedding contemporary light on the artist’s long-term output. More than 200 works will be assembled for the first time to highlight this colourful individual and his multifaceted work.
Evergon is regarded as a genuine cultural icon in Canada. He is an artistic and social pioneer who focuses on contemporary questions concerning cultural and body diversity and diversity of identity. For nearly 50 years, the artist’s career has centred on bold photographic, technological, and aesthetic research. His always moving and occasionally irreverent striking imagery is often an extension of classical painting. The simultaneously political and sensualistic nature of his work raises questions on sexual orientation. He revisits with rare vitality genres such as portraits, landscapes, or nudes. Through collages, the art of photocopy and an entire array of exploratory photographic approaches, including the Polaroid, Evergon deepens the terms of queer masculine and feminine identity, thereby shaking up fixed ideas.
Numerous striking works underpin Evergon’s career, in particular the immense colour Polaroids from the 1980s, for which he is internationally recognized. Critics and several artistic institutions in the world have also paid tribute to his award-winning work in holography. His series devoted to his mother Margaret renews the representation of the ageing body as few artists have done and has received widespread recognition. Evergon is an immense creative force: identity, body diversity, love, desire, and ageing are at the root of his work. Like death and life, it is the latter in all its facets that the artist celebrates. Evergon grafts on to life notions of autobiographical fiction and extimity, a revelation of the intimate in the public sphere that is common today but that he explored early in his career. The artist deems all his works to be love letters.
Evergon’s concerns encompass social and artistic issues that go beyond the body’s socially constructed limitations. He thus abandons clichés by representing atypical bodies and goes beyond the canons of standardized beauty while relying on the seductive powers of photography, capable of inventing fictional worlds or theatres as is true of another major series in his career, in which he imagines the life of an entire community, that of the characters the Ramboys. Evergon continues to be in perfect synchronicity with the emancipatory challenges of photography: he has forcefully called into question the notion of the author by creating various alter egos. He disrupts the foundations of the photographic image through an astonishing baroque aesthetic and brushes aside the conventional canons of beauty by representing atypical bodies that he invests with panache.
In the estuary of the Restigouche River, at the end of Chaleur Bay, lies the national historic site of the Battle of the Restigouche, 3 km west of the municipality of Pointe-à-la-Croix. This historic site commemorates the last naval battle of the Seven Years' War between the French and English for possession of New France…
But it was also near this site, to the east of Pointe-à-la-Croix, that over a thousand Acadians fleeing deportation took refuge, in what was called in 1758 the village of Petite-Rochelle. At the time of the fall of Quebec in September 1759, the village was only defended by a fortified post and a handful of soldiers. Under the English threat, this Acadian refuge was nevertheless the last French bastion to capitulate. Here's why…
The last naval battle
At the end of May 1760, the Petite-Rochelle post received unexpected aid. The winter had been harsh, and the population had suffered greatly from famine. A French flotilla commanded by Lieutenant François Chenard de La Giraudais took refuge at the end of Chaleur Bay. Comprising the frigate Le Machault and two supply ships loaded to aid Canada, they had preferred to avoid encountering a larger English fleet that preceded them at the entrance of the Saint Lawrence River. On June 27, the three French ships were trapped by an English fleet of five warships commanded by Captain John Byron, who engaged in battle. The defense of the Petite-Rochelle post, however, was organized and supported by Acadian militiamen and Mi'kmaq warriors. François-Gabriel d’Anjeac, captain of the troops aboard the French ships, had taken command of the post and directed the construction of a battery and a guard post at Pointe-à-la-Garde (east of Pointe-à-la-Croix). This battery caused real damage to the English and delayed their progression towards the French ships. But the fight was uneven…
Estuary of the Restigouche River and Van Horne Bridge
Estuary of the Restigouche River and Van Horne Bridge connecting Campbellton to Pointe-à-la-Croix, viewed from Sugarloaf Mountain, New Brunswick. It is here that remains of the Machault still lie at the bottom of the river (author Blob5825, unmodified, license CC BY 1.0)
On July 8, at the end of a fierce battle, La Giraudais scuttled his ships to prevent the English from seizing the supplies and weapons. Quickly, Captain d’Anjeac led the retreat of his troops into the woods. However, the English fleet preferred to withdraw. Thus ended the battle of the Restigouche. The English had burned all the houses they found on the shore. The disaster was total. D’Anjeac still managed to organize the resistance of the Petite-Rochelle post, which still sheltered a thousand Acadian refugees. It was in vain… The French troops had to lay down their arms on October 30, after the capitulation of Montreal. The Acadians were left in place, plunged into great uncertainty, which did not prevent the Acadian privateers from continuing a relentless privateering war against the English boats. Several families had still managed to flee along Chaleur Bay and had founded the village of... Bonaventure.
This August 24, 2022, marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of René Lévesque, former Premier of Quebec, undoubtedly the most prominent figure in contemporary Quebec history and the most eminent son of Gaspésie.
Among the significant reforms of his government, the LGBT community owes him a great deal for making a major step when sexual orientation was added as a prohibited ground for discrimination to the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms in 1977, a commitment of his party when it was in opposition at the time of its adoption in 1975. Quebec then became the 2nd legislature in the world to ban this discrimination, and this advancement would pave the way for access to equality and make Quebec one of the most welcoming nations in the world for LGBT people.
Born in Campbellton on August 24, 1922, René Lévesque grew up in New Carlisle before continuing his studies in Gaspé and Quebec City. When he dropped out of law school, he turned to radio. Bilingual, he was recruited as a war correspondent by the American army in 1944-45, an experience that deeply impacted him as one of the first correspondents to discover the horrors of the Nazi concentration camps. He then distinguished himself as a journalist in the 1950s, notably for his work on the program "Point de mire". Elected as a Liberal deputy in 1960, he became one of the main architects of the Quiet Revolution.
He was entrusted with the portfolios of Public Works, Hydraulic Resources, and then Natural Resources. He used this position to pilot the electricity nationalization issue at the heart of the 1962 elections. After leaving the Liberal Party, he founded the Sovereignty-Association Movement, and then the Parti Québécois (PQ) in 1968, seeing the political sovereignty of the Quebec people as the natural culmination of the Quiet Revolution. After two defeats in 1970 and 1973, the victory of November 15, 1976, allowed him to form the first PQ government.
A year after rejecting his sovereignty-association project in May 1980, Quebecers returned René Lévesque and the PQ to power in April 1981. He left active politics in 1985. The interest in his memoirs and the reactions to his death in 1987 reflect his unique place in contemporary Quebec history.
Throughout 2022-2023, various events will highlight the centenary of René Lévesque. Those who wish to learn about or remember the unique journey of this significant Premier in Quebec's history should not miss visiting the René-Lévesque Space in his native village of New Carlisle.
For its 23rd edition, the Mtl en Arts festival is back in force, with a few improvements. From June 29 to July 3, the festival will bring together a hundred of artists from various disciplines as well as many artistic activities : exhibitions, live creations, parades and conferences.
This year, the festival will mostly take part in the eastern part of the Village, between Beaudry and Papineau streets, which will encourage a better synergy between the artists and the public, as well as a friendly atmosphere.
« What a pleasure to be back this year with a new edition, highlighting diversity in all its forms », says Stéphane Mabilais, general manager of the festival.
Diversity at the core of the festival
More than ever, it was important for the organizers of the festival to promote diversity through the programming, whether in terms of culture or gender. This year, about 20% of the artists are coming from diverse backgrounds.
Moreover, a new activity is introduced this year: the "station des artistes" conferences. Hosted by a drag queen, there will be three conferences per day where the artists will be presented. In addition, throughout the festival, artists from the Afro Museum will be on site for an exhibition and to lead creative art workshops for teenagers and children.
As part of the "L'art qui redonne" project, LGBTQ2S+ artists Nikki Küntzle (she/they) and Enok (they/them) will create large-scale temporary murals inspired by the mission of ATQ (Aide aux Trans du Québec). Reproductions of these works will be sold in support of the organization.
Studio ZX's festive parade under the theme of diversity will parade down St. Catherine street. Even bigger than last year, stilt walkers, jugglers, dancers and others will be there to entertain the public. Festival-goers are also invited to participate in the parade by showcasing their colors.
Animations for every taste and age
Between Beaudry and Papineau streets, many other moving and still animations will be offered :
• L'expo-vente : an exhibition bringing together approximately forthy visual artists to celebrate local creativity, the richness of diversity and the dynamism of the next generation.
• L’art mobile : creation of large format artworks on a wheeled mobile support.
• Ça déménage : artists Raphaël Dairon and MC Baldassari will give a second life to used furniture by transforming it into unique works of art. This creative and eco-responsible project is possible thanks to the festival's partners, Recyc-Québec and Desjardins.
• Murale collective : under the inspiration of the artist Dalkhafine, the public will be invited to paint a giant mural with the help of the colours indicated. The result will be a beautiful collective work of art.
Animations for every taste and age
Between Beaudry and Papineau streets, many other moving and still animations will be offered :
• L'expo-vente : an exhibition bringing together approximately forthy visual artists to celebrate local creativity, the richness of diversity and the dynamism of the next generation.
• L’art mobile : creation of large format artworks on a wheeled mobile support.
• Ça déménage : artists Raphaël Dairon and MC Baldassari will give a second life to used furniture by transforming it into unique works of art. This creative and eco-responsible project is possible thanks to the festival's partners, Recyc-Québec and Desjardins.
• Murale collective : under the inspiration of the artist Dalkhafine, the public will be invited to paint a giant mural with the help of the colours indicated. The result will be a beautiful collective work of art.
A plant-filled park with a gleaming thunderhead sculpture at its centre is the winning design for a new monument in Ottawa to honour victims of its LGBTQ2+ purge. The LGBTQ2+ National Monument is a partnership between the federal government and the LGBT Purge Fund, which was created from the settlement of a class-action lawsuit against the government. That lawsuit was born from the so-called gay purge, during which several thousand Canadians were investigated, sanctioned and sometimes fired between 1955 and 1996.
The executive director of the purge fund, Michelle Douglas, announced Wednesday that Team Wreford's design won the competition. The monument will feature a mirrored thunderhead cloud inside a large column, with a stage outside for performances and protests, and space inside the thunderhead for more intimate events.
A view of the inside of the monument, which can host intimate events such as vigils. (Team Wreford)
"Our design embodies the strength, activism and hope of the LGBTQ2+ community, and is a lasting testimony to the courage and humanity of those who were harmed by the purge, homophobic and transphobic laws and norms, and Canada's colonial history," the design winners, Team Wreford, said in their pitch. "It rises up as our community has risen up to say, 'We demand change.'"
The area around the monument will feature an orchard, medicinal garden, a healing circle with stones chosen by two-spirit Indigenous elders and a path tracing LGBTQ2+ history in Canada, according to the proposal. The monument is scheduled to be completed in 2025.
Team Wreford pitched the thunderhead as a symbol of a community rising up to demand change. (Team Wreford/Government of Canada)
Team Wreford is tied to Winnipeg. Architects Public City Inc. are based there, as are visual artists Shawna Dempsey and Lorri Millan. Advisor Albert McLeod lives there and has family history in Manitoba's Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation and Norway House Métis community.
The monument will stand in a grassy area on the Ottawa end of the Portage Bridge, which connects Ontario and Quebec over the Ottawa River, just west of Parliament Hill. The winning design was chosen from a pool of five potential designs that had been released in November 2021 for public feedback. Besides the central thunderhead sculpture, the winning design has a path tracing LGBTQ2+ history and a healing circle made of stones chosen by two-spirit Indigenous elders. (Team Wreford/Government of Canada)
