Photo: Shirley Nadeau

Saint Brigid’s Guild is known for its tradition of giving, and the annual spring and fall sales certainly prove that. The QCT visited the gymnasium of the Eastern Québec Learning Centre on May 3, the day before the spring sale opened to the public.

Photo: Opéra de Québec

Opera lovers are feverish with excitement! From May 11 to 18, Giuseppe Verdi’s lavish Nabucco will be presented at the Grand Théâtre by the Opéra de Québec, in Italian with French surtitles.

In addition to the famous “Va pensiero” sung by the chorus, which truly launched the career of the Italian composer, this grand work will highlight magnificent music by renowned opera singers.

Photo: Wikipedia Common - Public Domain

This street is named in honour of Raoul Chênevert (1889-1951), one of Quebec’s most renowned architects from the 1920s until his death.

For 25 years, Chênevert was the designated architect of the Commission scolaire de Québec, for which he designed many school buildings in the 1920s and 1930s.

Photo: QAC

Build it and they will come. That’s what the Quebec Art Company is wagering with opening night around the corner for its production of the legendary farce Noises Off.

The “it” being built is a stage set that is not only a two-storey mock-up of a Victorian mansion, it also revolves – yes, on wheels – to reveal the frantic backstage action of a theatre production.

Photo: Denis Baribault

The fourth annual Printemps de la Musique will be taking place at 18 historical venues in Old Quebec on May 17, 18 and 19, rain or shine, and it’s all free of charge!

Photo: Cassandra Kerwin

The Jeffery Hale Student Centre at CEGEP Champlain–St. Lawrence was transformed into a bazaar on May 4 by the Moms’ Nite-Out group, which organizes an annual garage-sale style market. People reserve their tables in advance to sell used sports gear, toys, clothes, books and so much more.

Photo: Lise Lafond

Coffee …. Around the world, people seem to need this tasty hot beverage to start the day, and Canadians do love their coffee. We are close to the top of the list of coffee-consuming countries, beaten only by Finland and the Netherlands.

Wednesday, May 8 at 6 p.m. – Annual General Meeting of the Jeffery Hale–Saint Brigid’s Users Committee in the Kildare Lounge at Saint Brigid’s Home, 1645 Chemin Saint-Louis. The meeting will be followed at 6:30 p.m. by an information session for Saint Brigid’s residents and their families. For information call 418-682-2252, ext. 1454.

Photo: Cassandra Kerwin

There is something captivating about magic, illusions and artistic performances. Even in the 21st century, with many magic secrets revealed on the internet, people still love to see magicians perform. Quebecers flocked to the Quartier Petit Champlain and the Capitole de Québec theatre for the ninth Festival de magie de Québec from May 2 to 5.

Photo: Cassandra Kerwin

In August 1969 Woodstock changed the universe of music. Over three days on a farm in Upstate New York, 32 bands performed for an audience of some 400,000 people. On April 26 and 27, CEGEP Champlain–St. Lawrence (SLC) student band What The Heck (WTH) held their own Woodstock-ish concert at the AI Financial Group Amphitheatre.

Floods, they’ve been around since Noah.

Although no one is building an ark, thousands of Quebecers have been taking whatever steps they can to preserve what they can of their homes and possessions from rising waters, the likes of which have not been seen, say the old-timers, in ages, or ever.

Photo: Shirley Nadeau

Less than a year after What if? – The Musical, written by and starring J.P. Chartier, was staged at La Maison Jaune, a new, sleeker version was presented at the Salle Multi de Méduse on Rue Saint-Vallier on April 26 and 27.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons-Public Domain - Photo by Dr. Charles Nelson

May 1, 1819 – The Quebec Gazette

Weather
The Season has been remarkably fine for the past ten days. In this neighbourhood several of the farmers have finished their wheat sowing, and in general it is far advanced: the quantity sown is greater than usual, from the favourable weather last fall for ploughing, and the cheapness of the seed.

May 1, 1869 – The Morning Chronicle

Photo: Cassandra Kerwin

Gym lights off. Stage lights on. Instruments tuned. The stage was set for another wonderful QHS Music Extravaganza. Quebec High School offered a haven from the rain for those seeking a great musical evening performed by one-third of the student body. Singers, solo artists and band members all faced down their stage fright and focused on their music.

Photo: Cassandra Kerwin

To the sound of classic rock music, four students and one teacher stepped up to the razor for the annual Leucan Shaved Head Challenge on April 25.