2010 Fall Season...

The fall season is a wonderful season.
Here are some pictures taken in the garden of Bernard Bujold - LeStudio1.com on the Monday of Thanksgiving 2010...

Pictures 1 and 2: Bernard Bujold in the park;

Picture 3: Bernard Bujold and a Gerard Depardieu's wine

Link to photo album LeStudio1.com

The old Place des Arts in Montreal...

While the Montreal Symphony Orchestra is looking forward to inaugurate its new auditorium in September 2011 at a cost of about $ 260 million (Construction costs), many wonder what will be done with the old Salle Wilfrid Pelletier!
Note that the Director of Place des Arts, Marie Lavigne, saw reconfirmed her mandate ...

Picture 1: Piano Nobile Place des Arts;

Picture 2: New building of Montreal Symphonic Orchestra;

Picture 3: Kent Nagano

Link to comment in The Gazette ;
Link to article nomination Marie Lavigne ;
Link to photo album LeStudio1.com

METRO My Grocer...

Bernard Bujold (LeStudio1.com) stopped at a grocer METRO downtown Montreal last Sunday afternoon and he came face to face with a homeless man who put bags of chips in his backpack ... "He looked at me and smiled and he said simply: It's better when it's free ... "
The store entrance opens directly onto the street and is a corridor that Store managers can not really watch except that products are on display for customers: chips, soft drinks in boxes, etc.

Bernard said to the manager on duty what he had just noticed and she simply said that the store manager knew about the situation but she could not do anything because the corridor is too difficult to access for the cashier to go catch the thieves in the street. She added: "I understand your surprise but we are downtown. What do you want to do, that's life ..."
A store clerk then suggested to Bernard to enroll in the loyalty program METRO & Me. He replied: "I prefer the program: It's better free ..."

Picture 1: METRO store downtown Montreal on Notre Dame Street

Picture 2: METRO card program

Link to METRO website

The history of Premier Robert Bourassa

For those interested in Quebec politics, read the book by journalist Julie Brault: "Robert Bourassa.
Easy to read, this is a book that summarizes the entire career and the significance of the role of Robert Bourassa in Quebec's modern history. Julien Brault's work is not voluminous (379 pages) but the book helps to understand power politics in Quebec.
By reading the book we also understand why Robert Bourassa has been with Rene Levesque one of Quebec politicians who influenced his time and made himself a place into history.

Photo 1: Cover of the book;
Photo 2: Julie Brault (CBC Photo)
Link to official website of the book ;
Personal website link Julien Brault

Larry King Live from Montreal...

Larry King left Montreal with ... a bag full of bagels! He said he would eat some during the return trip on his private jet.
The host star of CNN gave a sort of 'master classes' on the art of journalism and his career in front of nearly 1,000 guests at an evening fundraiser for the Jewish community of Montreal. (Combined Jewish Appeal - Federation CJA)

Asked who he would like to receive as a guests on CNN before his departure on 16 December, Larry King said Bernard Madoff, to who he would ask why he did not flee the United States? The interview is not confirmed yet but they're working on it.
Another guest, he probably would never receive would be Bin Laden. His first question would be why he left one of the richest families in his country?
Bernard Bujold took several photos of Larry King during his lecture and he presents them here with a summary of some of his best stories.

Link to Photo Album Larry King - LeStudio1.com

Bill Clinton will be speaking in Montreal

After Larry King Wednesday night (October 6) in Montreal, next is Bill Clinton who will also give a lecture on October 29 before the Members of the Chamber of Commerce.
There will be time for questions after the speech of former president United States and it will be moderated by former Prime Minister New Brunswick, Frank McKenna.
Photo: Bill Clinton
Link to Bill Clinton's website

The new album of Cecilia Bartoli - SOSPIRI

Cecilia Bartoli launched yesterday (October 4) her new album: Sospiri.
A double album with a magnificent illustrated book. We find Mozart and Handel arias of great sensuality and bel canto of Bellini and Rossini.
Two discs of exceptional quality that are among the best in the entire collection of Cecilia ...
Photo 1. Cover album;

Photo 2: Cecilia Bartoli in a mirror
Link to excerpts from the album Cecilia Bartoli

The English in Old Quebec... - Louise Penny

Bernard Bujold read during the weekend the new book (in English) by Louise Penny: "Bury your Dead". She has also written (in French) and now in book stores: "En plein coeur." (See article dated 13 September 2010)
Both are thrillers in the style of Kathy Reichs, but more descriptive about the places.

"Bury Your Dead" takes place in Old Quebec and the story revolves around a historian who seeks the tomb of Champlain and is found murdered in the basement of the library of the anglophone community of Quebec.
In addition to an great thriller, the author presents the vision and the fears of the English-speaking community as a minority in Quebec. Too bad the book is not available in French since it joined the debate surrounding the article in Maclean's Magazine about Québec ...

A must read!
Photo 1: Cover of the book;
Photo 2: Louise Penny
Link to website Louise Penny

Evening at Birks Montreal...

The popularity of luxury goods is the new trend in major cities worldwide, and Montreal is no exception to this wave.
Two examples: the Ogilvy's Store which will expand across the province of Quebec including the Quartier Dix30 and Birks has renovated its store in the downtown Montreal where is installed Ferrer Jerome's Birks Café. This cafe is open since past few weeks but the grand opening will be held on November 4 and Ferrer intends to seduce the guest at the opening night. (He personally convinced Bernard Bujold to attend ...)
LeStudio1. com was present last September 30 at: "A night where girls shine." (Because I am a Girl)
Mademoiselle X - LeStudio1.com was also there ...
Here are some photos of the event hosted by the wife of Justin Trudeau, Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau and where the singer Annie Villeneuve attended.

Picture 1: Guests at Birks;

Picture 2: Annie Villeneuve.

Link to photo album Evening at Birks - LeStudio1.com

The woman photographer - Michèle Dionne

Michele Dionne has great talent as a photographer!
Personally, I do not support the Red Cross in any of its causes. This behavior dates from the flood in the Saguenay Lac St-Jean (the small white house in July 1996). I negotiated for Pierre Péladeau creating a special fund of $ 1 million to the Red Cross to help the people of Saguenay. Ultimately, much of the funds went to help the people of Manitoba. Péladeau had neither forgotten nor forgiven when he died in December 1997 ... He did not accept that his money (Quebecor - Donohue) go help the English West ...
That said, Michele Dionne's book is very well done and her photos are worthy of National Geographic quality.
I attended the launch and must admit that Michele Dionne is a woman with class, beautiful and a great photographer.
I could compare her with Mila Mulroney as the couple Dionne-Charest is a bit like Brian and Mila when they were in the political life. Except that Mila had more "character" than Michele and Brian Mulroney more ambition than Jean Charest.
Physically, there is also the appearance of Princess Diana in the silhouette and in the eyes of Michele Dionne.
I recommend the book, not to help the Red Cross, but for its high quality as a photo book.
Here are some pictures that I took at the launch party held in Montreal (September 30-2010)

Link to photo album by LeStudio1.com