Tonight is the second of three special concerts in which Verdun stars perform to help celebrate the hundredth birthday of an important heritage site in the borough.
Marlène Drolet and three other artists will create a “Soirée Napolitaine” performance tonight. The event takes place in the Notre-Dame-des-Sept-Douleurs Church, 4155 rue Wellington at 7:30 p.m. Entrance costs $5.
Last week, Michèle Bolduc, Manuel Blais and Simon Chaussé created the soirée des grandes valses.
For frequent concert attendee Fabiola Renaud, the best song during that concert was the “duo des chats” in which the performers even wore cat masks.
The church is so beautiful, it’s nice to look around as the singing surrounds you,” she said. “It was more of a play, not only music.”
Renaud was particularly moved by the performers’ stories about growing up in the shadow of Notre-Dame-des-Sept-Douleurs.
One of the performers spoke about his father owning the pharmacy across the street,” she said. “His father used to play piano at the back of the pharmacy and he would sing along. It was so touching. I was listening and I was so charmed. It made me proud to live in Verdun too.”
Next Wednesday, March 26 will be the third performance in the hometown series. Popular hometown singer Annie Comtois will pay tribute to the heros and heroines of French music by performing the best known works of Charles Aznavour, Edith Piaf, Dalida and Jacques Brel.
Her performance will begin at 7:30 p.m.
The hometown concert series is the fourth celebration in a year of centenary events. It accompanies the launch of an 80-page guide to the church and its history.
The church also plans to display an exposition about Catholic architecture throughout Quebec during its open doors from June until July.
In August, on the weekend of the 28, 29 and 30, there will be a three-day outdoor festival, including a mass.
The final celebration of the Notre-Dame-des-Sept-Douleurs Church Centenary will take place on October 26 followed by a birthday brunch.
