'Céline sur les plaines' concert for Québec's 400th anniversary, 8-22-2008

[firebird]

They even write about it on the organisor's official site. Come on, René, have a heart, show the people in Quebec how much you need them...

 

THE SOCIÉTÉ DU 400E ANNIVERSAIRE DE QUÉBEC STILL HOPES CÉLINE DION WILL BE PART OF THE CELEBRATIONS

 

Québec City, Tuesday, 22nd, 2007 –Following the statements given by Mr. René Angélil to a journalist of Le Soleil daily newspaper, the Société du 400e anniversaire de Québec wishes to make it clear that it intends to continue doing everything possible in order to bring Céline to Québec City in 2008.

 

Ms. Dion has been at the top of the list of artists that the Société wants to bring to Québec City so that the celebrations will shine forth. Different options have been proposed to Mr. Angélil. However, up until now, the manager’s requests have not met the Société’s mandate which has been created to organize unique festivities that will bring the most people together.

 

In that spirit, the Société first suggested to include Céline in the celebrations’ opening event. Later, the organizing committee offered to have the incomparable singer perform on stage on the Plains of Abraham. This extraordinary show would have been a pivotal moment worthy of the megastar in an historical calendar of events. This outdoors performance free-of-charge would have been an amazing gift to the people of Québec City and Québec, thus celebrating in grand style this significant anniversary.

 

Furthermore, all the artists and cultural organizations which will be part of the 2008 festivities have enthusiastically agreed to present something unique for the 400th. Such is the case for Robert Lepage, Franco Dragone and Cirque du Soleil who will perform works exclusive to next year’s commemorations. On the other hand, Mr. Angélil proposes to present the show Celine will perform around the world starting January 2008.

 

‘We are saddened to see the negotiations with Mr. Angélil fail for the moment and we continue to invest energy into featuring Céline in our calendar of events,’ declared Mr. Pierre Boulanger, President and CEO of the Société. ‘Yet, we must respect the mandate that we were given and manage carefully the public funds we were granted. That being said, we still hope to find the meeting ground which will satisfy all concerned… most of all the people of Québec.’

 

N.B. Please note that regarding U2’s possible participation to next year’s celebrations, the Société’s part in the producer’s dealings is strictly limited to letters of support and absolutely excludes any financial effect.

 

The Société du 400e anniversaire de Québec is an autonomous, non-profit organization which is financed by the Government of Québec, the City of Québec and the Government of Canada, and whose mandate is to coordinate and produce these celebrations.

- 30 –

 

Source : Société du 400e anniversaire de Québec

Martine Descarreaux

Project Manager - Media Relations

418.648.2008

[Céline's Blues]

WOW!

[winforlife]

The word "non- profit" should clue René that there is a finite amount of money for this event. Despite what she says about leaving financial matters to her husband, Céline has persuaded him to get involved in risky ventures, ie-LV. Céline isn't a shrinking violet and her roots in Quebec are still very much intact. It would be a shame if her reputation was tainted if René is unwilling to resolve this $$ issue.

[Célinefull]

Once again - I really disagree with René on this.

[Filine]

I totally understand were René comes from, but I am so afraid that this will backfire on Céline and René. Like someone said before, she won't be able to win this one. She'll be slaughtered in the press when she refuses. She will be slaughtered in the press when she gets paid. But this can't be just a money issue. René is a tough but fair and honest businessman with principles, there must be something more to it.

 

I am sure that René not just feels insulted because of the money, but because they take Céline for granted and expect her to rush over to do her part. The organisation must think it's Céline's obligation. René is right when he feels this organisation is playing on their emotions, because I know and they know that normally they would do anything for Québec in general.

 

The organisation won't get U2 without money, because why would U2 care about a non-profit performance just to promote a city. It's not that they would get anything else out of it. René is definately not stupid...

 

They have their own international artist and they are not willing to get her the same. I can imagine René feels like she's second choice... They obviously rather have U2 than Céline. The societé wants something unique for the 400 celebrations and has offered Céline to sing at the opening ceremony or at the biggest open air (multiple artist?) concert in Québec history. Céline and René are working their butts off to present a new show for her tour and they are offering this concert probably because there's not much time for other obligations during her tour and she's coming over to do this one anyway.

 

Welcome home, Céline, after 5 years of Las Vegas This sucks.

Edited May 29, 2007 at 10:24 AM by Filine

[Filine]

I found this article:

 

http://www2.canoe.com/infos/chroniques/jea...529-092401.html

 

In short:

 

It appears that René is backed up by the people of Québec and the media and that the organization of 400 years Quebec was brought in serious discredit. In the eighteen months they are working to organize the celebrations barely nothing was acomplished, there haven't been many public statements from the organization. The majority of people outside of the province of Québec doesn't know anything about the celebrations.

Edited May 29, 2007 at 07:05 PM by Filine

[Cheerfuljane]

That does shine some light on the subject.

Thanks Cindy.

[JP]

There's new developpement from last week (Sorry, i lost that topic so i couldn't post it lol)

 

It's not 100% sure but they said that Celine could participate, Rene and Quebec still talking and they reserve the 'Plaine D'Abraham' from August 18th to August 25th...

 

Let's pray all together, our hopes are not dead!

[CelinesDIVO5]

400th anniversary of what? lol

[Love,]

There's new developpement from last week (Sorry, i lost that topic so i couldn't post it lol)

 

It's not 100% sure but they said that Celine could participate, Rene and Quebec still talking and they reserve the 'Plaine D'Abraham' from August 18th to August 25th...

 

Let's pray all together, our hopes are not dead!

 

What a historical case:

 

Rene Angelil vs. The Province of Quebec

 

:mdr:

[CSCfan]

LOL! Well I hope she will do Montreal in that week an Toronto just after the 13th..

[JP]

400th anniversary of what? lol

Of the foundation of the city of Quebec

 

LOL! Well I hope she will do Montreal in that week an Toronto just after the 13th..

Nope, Mike Gauthier said that Montreal will be in the first week of september.

[Bellamy]

There's new developpement from last week (Sorry, i lost that topic so i couldn't post it lol)

 

It's not 100% sure but they said that Celine could participate, Rene and Quebec still talking and they reserve the 'Plaine D'Abraham' from August 18th to August 25th...

 

Let's pray all together, our hopes are not dead!

I think it's this article?

http://www.mediamatinquebec.com/index.php?...che&id=1986

[JP]

OMG thanks Bellamy!! It was not that article but this one is pretty complete.. Here's what the article said:

 

Celine will OFFICIALY sing August 24th on the Abraham Plaines for an outside concert

 

Rene will announce it next week

They would like to put 2008 chorists with Celine, Rene and Celine were pretty happy with that but the city refuse the project because it miss originality..

[pepillo90]

PEEEEEEEEEEEERFECTOOOO!!

[Davey84]

oh oke lol this is next year!!! I was thinking will OFFICIALY sing August 24th ... isn't it the 31st already!!?? lol lol... sorry the new cover went to my head!

[CSCfan]

Whoohoo!!!!

 

I'd LOVE the idea of a 2008-piece choir! Geesh, why do they have to make it so complicated!

[mirage]

when he will announce that... will he announce also other things? ;-) hehehe

[Bellamy]

OMG thanks Bellamy!! It was not that article but this one is pretty complete.. Here's what the article said:

 

Celine will OFFICIALY sing August 24th on the Abraham Plaines for an outside concert

 

Rene will announce it next week

They would like to put 2008 chorists with Celine, Rene and Celine were pretty happy with that but the city refuse the project because it miss originality..

You're welcome. But what do they mean the city refuse the project? Means Celine would have a concert there, but not as part of 400e celebration of the Quebec City?

[CSCfan]

No.....they refused "2008 choir" thing..

[firebird]

In today article of Le Soleil they announce the 22nd as the date. They even say Celine will do a unique show which will be different from her tour. They are even trying to offer free entrance.

http://www.cyberpresse.ca/article/20071016...1/6585/CPSOLEIL

[nano]

cool.

[Filine]

cool.

 

I wanna go!

[nano]

cool.

 

I wanna go!

me too.

[Xpresso]

Finally they all agreed to make this happen! It will be an amazing night in beautiful Old Québec City!!!!

[Celinenvegas]

In today article of Le Soleil they announce the 22nd as the date. They even say Celine will do a unique show which will be different from her tour. They are even trying to offer free entrance.

http://www.cyberpresse.ca/article/20071016...1/6585/CPSOLEIL

 

So would that be AUGUST 22nd? I don't read French, was there anything else in that article besides the

confirmation of Celine being there? Is it a festival type thing or a regular Celine concert? I'd assume it's

also outdoors - yes? Did it say how you get FREE entrance or can tix be purchased?? Thanks.

 

Who's going???

[Tal]

Kathy....Vic....road trip??

[Kerry Elizabeth]

I am so there. It is only about three hours from where I live!!!!

[katie555]

First of all Filine totally agree what you said on May 29 2007, 11:24

 

Furthermore, it is so sad that people love her so much and you always find some ****heads out there, who may think that she owns them big time, and she should dance as they play.

Edited October 17, 2007 at 12:06 AM by katie555

[firebird]

Is it a festival type thing or a regular Celine concert?

It's a Celine concert, but since it's in Quebec you'll never know and she'll invite one of those people that nobody really wants to see *cough*Garou*cough*

 

I'd assume it's also outdoors - yes?

I guess so. It's on the plains of Abraham. I have no idea how big that area is, if they put up a stage (a la Streisand Happening in Central Park)

 

Did it say how you get FREE entrance or can tix be purchased?? Thanks.

The article says that the organiser hope to make it possible to be free, but they could also ask for a "small" entrance fee (whateve "small" means to them - and it's Celine performing, so they could also ask for 100 $) It's not decided yet. No info about tickets.