June 29: Game face on

The Montreal Jazz Festival isn’t really off my beaten path, nor that of many others.  This world class fest is celebrating its 35^th year.  To celebrate this milestone, Diana Krall, who has honed many a riff here, headline the Sunday outdoor concert.  I join the crowds 2 hours ahead of the event.  People still recall how many had camped out for Stevie Wonder 5 years previously.

I detect the raspiness and pained look as she tries to hit notes, missing at times.  To my physician ears, she has laryngitis.  Not until her hubby Elvis Costello, who is playing the paid concert gig next door in Place des Arts, joins her on stage and takes over vocals does she relax into her music.  I admire her more for this, performing gamely to the expectant crowd despite a shaky voice.

June 22, 2014: Summer solstice sojourn

My life these days is really a fine balance of city and rural life.  I work in small northern communities for a week or two, then return to urban culture for my dose of galleries, restaurants, and concerts.  This weekend, I get a rare treat.  I canoe and camp in Quetico Park.  Watching sunsets over Pickerel Lake, listening to the loon calls, warming up by the fire, snuggling in my warm dry sleeping bag experiencing the lightning and thunder.  Almost worth the bug bites.

June 15: On a different beat

My path from metro to the Botanical Gardens is impeded by hundreds of orange jerseyed cyclists at the finish line--another cycling event in Montreal.  The name on the marquee is Pierre Lavoie, a three time Iron Man champion whose 2 children died from a rare disease called Lactic Acidosis.  He spends much of his energy in encouraging healthy lifestyles in children and fundraising for research into rare diseases.

https://www.legdpl.com/en/

Francofolies is much more local than some of the other festivals that take place in Montreal.  I wander up the street to the Quartier des Spectacles and hang out with the crowds, the performer unknown to me.  King Melrose comes on stage.  His song was played on the radio for the first time this year.  I recognize the catchy tune, “Sauve my soul”.  I am getting into the FrancoPop.  

June 8, 2014: The buzz

A buzz is in the air.  Or rather a hum—the distinct sound of F1, audible kilometres from the track. I may not be car racing’s biggest fan but I do know the names Schumacher, Villeneuve (Gilles and Jacques), Senna.  I get caught up in the F1 vortex.  The road baubles are certainly shiny and eye catching.  A bright orange Lotus, pink Ferraris (quel sacrilege!), Lamborghinis galore. 

A street party is happening in front of Jacques’ Newtown on Crescent Street. 

Ferrari is hosting a party at Hotel St James, a few doors from my home.  I try to spot a F1 driver or two.  Knowing what they look like would help.