Sunday, July 6
Thursday: a group of us gathered at a nearby outdoor pub prior to the free U2 DVD concert at Agora stadium. Then it began pouring rain... Huddled under patio umbrellas, we figured they'd cancel the concert. But the rain lightened up by 9 as the music began.
U2's Elevation Tour DVD was projected on a large screen with music blaring over the stadium sound system. A decent crowd gathered despite the sketch weather.
After thirty minutes, the screen rose as a U2 cover band took the stage, complete with Popmart-era costume. They'd obviously memorized concert videos, as their U2 impressions were spot on. Good performance too. (I saw U2 for real at GM Place in Vancouver two years ago. A two hour set, including two encores. Best $50 bucks I ever spent.)
Afterwards, we headed to St. Patrick's, the local Irish pub - how fitting. The cozy pub featured a guitarist and fiddler playing Celtic music.
Saturday: headed to Degobert, a European discotheque-style bar, with huge dance floor, elaborate lights... and lasers!
Sunday: checked out the Festival d'Ete, which runs from July 3rd to 13th. Four hundred Canadian and international musicians and entertainers, with stages around Vieux Quebec and on the Plains.
Note of interest: in Quebec City, traffic first moves in one direction, then the other, then traffic is stopped in both directions for pedestrians to cross. This allows for improvised J-walking - crossing through the intersection diagonally.
Tuesday, July 15
Last Tuesday, saw "Charlie's Angels 2" in French for cheap downtown. Understood half the dialogue, which is sufficient for such a silly, pointless movie. And having Demi Moore dubbed by a French actress benefitted the film. Wonder if the same would work for Keanu?
Wednesday: saw the New Pornographers, a Vancouver rock group, in concert. An upbeat, energetic show, but the dinner theatre layout of the club prevented any dancing, save for a few zealous fans in the front row (no, not me). Due to their name, the band was turned down for an upcoming charity concert festival. The Barenaked Ladies had similar problems early on.
Thursday: visited the University of Laval in Ste-Foy with some Quebecois friends. Although the campus isn't as nice as UVic, the pub was much more lively than Felicita's.
Saturday: borrowing a marker board from the hall, a group of us played Win, Lose or Draw in our room, girst against guys. Later, we headed to Pizzeria d'Youville on rue St. Jean for gourmet, European-style pizza. Very good.
