Habs need an enforcer if George Parros cannot return: I have the answer

Will George Parros ever return to the Montreal Canadiens lineup? The highly educated tough guy suffered his second concussion of the 2013-2014 season in a fight last week against Eric Boulton of the New York Islanders.

 

 

Parros has only been used sparingly by head coach Michel Therrien, but having a player with his pugilistic talents in the lineup against the rough and rugged teams like Boston and Philadelphia represents a major plus.

 

Will Parros be back? I am sure he does not want to end his career on this note. Then again, he has a degree from Princeton and can probably go on to enjoy a very successful post-hockey career before his brain turns to mush.

 

What should Habs GM Marc Bergevin do? There do not appear to be any enforcers down in Hamilton, where the team's minor league affiliate plays. My suggestion is to go out and get a tough guy now and place him on the Hamilton roster. If Parros calls it quits, bring him up immediately.

 

So who should that player be?  My vote goes to Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond,a six-foot-two, 210 pound forward from Levis, Quebec who played for the New Jersey Devils and the Calgary Flames.  He is now with the Pittsburgh Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Check out these career stats.   What could be better than a French Canadian enforcer on the Habs?

 

 

 

Let's go out and get Pierre Luc.

Will Impact and Alouettes broadcasts move to TSN 690? This and more from Chris Bury

I had a chance to sit down this week with Chris Bury, the boy wonder news and program director at CJAD and TSN 690. Only 36 years of age, he got his start in the business back in 1998 as a producer for the show anchored by the late Mark Rennie. He continued to work full-time while studying for his Journalism Degree at Concordia. “It took six years, but I got my diploma,” he says. 

Bury made a smart career move, accepting an offer to join the now defunct 940 News. Eventually all-news switched to news talk and Bury was gaining invaluable experience as a then very young program director. He’d move on to Q92 (now TheBeat ) and CBC before coming back to CJAD three years ago. “It was quite surreal to be given this job and the very office that was used by the late and legendary Gord Sinclair,” he said.

 

Bury (second to the right) with McKenna, Price and Starr.

While the father of three’s CJAD duties were time consuming enough, last summer Bury was handed the TSN 690 portfolio. He had to make some difficult decisions, letting go the likes of Ted Bird, Ric Peterson, Chantal Desjardins, Sharman Yarnell and reducing Suzanne Desautels’ footprint at CJAD.  Sportscasters Rick Moffat and Abe Hefter were morphed into the newly dubbed TSN Sports Centre. Moffat still does weekday sports, spelled by his new permanent backup Conor McKenna, but has become a regular part of the Elliott Price-Shaun Starr morning show. Mitch Gallo does sports updates for  both stations. Gallo, like so many others trained by Mitch Melnick, has become a very entertaining person to listen to.

 For the near future, Bury says he does not have any drastic changes planned for Montreal’s all-sports radio station.

Will the Montreal Impact and Montreal Alouettes broadcasts move from CJAD to TSN 690? “We are talking to both teams about that right now,” he says. “It is clear that TSN 690 is all sports and CJAD’s primary business is news and information.”

Bury is pleased with the crossover arrangements he has made with CTV Montreal: Lori Graham and Christine Long contributing to the Aaron Rand Show on CJAD and Brian Wilde, Randy Tieman and  André Corbeil becoming part of the Canadiens broadcasts.

"I am happy with TSN 690," he said. "This is a station I always listened to, starting when it was THE TEAM 990. I listened to Mitch Melnick for many years." 

This was my first chance visiting the Bell  Media studios, which became home to CJAD, CHOM and Virgin Radio well more than a year ago and then TSN 690. It is home to the Bell Media French sister stations as well. The TSN 690 and CJAD crews are right next to each other.

Bury also shared with me the fact that longtime promotions guru Matthew Wood has become his assistant program director. 

In my case, I have had the privilege of watching Bury grow in the business. Wearing my other hat as a communications expert for first the Canadian Jewish Congress and then (and now) the English Montreal School Board, Chris and I have spoken regularly during his various incarnations. He has done every task handed to him very well, always rising to the occasion.

A classy event by a classy guy: Bews is in the news at CTV

Wayne Bews has only been the retail sales manager at CTV Montreal for three months, yet the former TSN 690 boss is already impressing everyone around him. 

 

The ageless Mutsumi Takahashi and Wayne Bews.

I enjoyed an extraordinary relationship with Wayne during his TSN 690 tenure. He was the sales manager at the old CKGM when they made the switch to all-sports radio and became THE TEAM 990. When his mentor, original program director and station manager Lee Hambleton passed away, Wayne stepped into his role while retaining his regular duties. It is very clear that had it not been for Wayne's leadership, THE TEAM 990 would not have survived long enough to win the rights to broadcast Montreal Canadiens games and stay alive after owners Bell Media announced their intenyt to close the operation down and replace the rechristened TSN 690 into RDS French-language radio.

The all-sports format has been a dream come true for arm-chair jocks such as I. Now that TSN 690 is secure and partnered with former Astral stations CJAD, Virgin Radio and CHOM, the future looks very bright. Bews was rewarded for his good work with the CTV Montreal appointment. Last week he showed what a classy and creative guy he is by organizing an unprecedented afternoon cocktail for the station’s main advertisers.  Not only were there drinks and hors d’oeuvres, but the event took place in the actual CTV Montreal studio.

 

Bews and Randy Tieman.

I thank Wayne for the invitation, wearing my Suburban Newspaper hat and my other one from the English Montreal School Board (EMSB). At the EMSB, we have enjoyed a solid partnership with CTV for years via joint promotions and advertisements.

Wayne has clearly earned the respect of his new bosses, for advertisers were ever so delighted to get a chance to mingle with senior CTV executives and a number of on air personalities. There was an endless lineup at the anchor desk to get a photo taken with Paul Karwatsky and Mutsumi Takahashi, two of the nicest people you'd want to meet.  Next was a trip to the makeup room in order to record your very own holiday greeting. I was enjoying the banter too much with individuals whom I normally do not get a chance to spend such extended time with.

News Director Jed Kahane,  Executive Producer  Barry Wilson,  Manager of  Creative Services/Marketing/Community Relations and Com Gerry Dixon and Promotions Boss Jason Devine were joined by Rob Lurie, Cindy Sherwin, Caroline van Vlaardingen, Randy Tieman, André Corbeil, Christine Long and Maya Johnson.

I get my chance at the anchor desk.

 

I was happy to meet Spiro Krallis, the founder, owner and  president of sandwich chain Dagwoods. What a business he has built! Julien Hecht, the former GM of The Suburban and the voice of countless radio commercials, was doing the rounds. I recommended to Spiro that he consider a new round of advertisements with Julien raving about their special hot sauce. I also had compliments for Scott Reid, the marketing director for Scores Restaurants - another one of my favorites.

Bravo to Bews!

 

Another successful Viennese Ball of Montreal is in the books

For over 50 years, every November, the Austrian Society of Montreal holds its signature event, the Viennese Ball of Montreal, celebrating the splendor of the Viennese ball tradition during a glorious evening of lively music and dance, elegant atmosphere and a magical debutante performance. A night full of excitement, including dancing till dawn, good food and champagne, prizes to be won, great entertainment, and of course, all for great causes!  Over the years, the Ball has brought together people of many different nationalities and cultures with one common desire: to keep the Viennese Ball tradition alive.

Opening waltz on the dance floor after the call for "Alles Walzer" 

 

Austria’s rich and varied cultural history plays a central role in determining a theme for every Ball. This year’s theme is the wonderful, multi-faceted City of Vienna. Trendy clubs, ‘young’ galleries, modern architecture and stylish shops are as much Vienna as the State Opera, the concert halls, the large museums, the splendid buildings and the nostalgic souvenir shops. From classical music to compositions of the 20^th century, from traditional Viennese tunes in wine taverns to electronic and hip hop, and with street parties until dawn, Vienna’s image truly reflects “from classic to cool”.

 The Ball took place on November 16, 2013 at the Hotel Marriott Château Champlain   under the patronage, and in the presence of the guest of honour, Austrian Ambassador to Canada Arno Riedel, as well as the Austrian Consul General in Montreal Ulrike Billard. Member of the Vienna Provincial Legislature and Vienna Municipal Counsellor Elisabeth Vitouch, as well as Manuela Figar from Vienna’s Press Service which supports Viennese balls worldwide, flew over from Vienna to attend.

The Ball opened with an Austrian Champagne (“Sekt”) reception and a wine tasting event sponsored by the Austrian Trade Commission. Head Table guests entered the Ballroom to the tune of Austrian composer Michael Zehrer’s Faecher Polonaise.

Debutantes and escorts.

Opera McGill singers Chelsea Mahan soprano, and Dimitri Katotakis baritone, sang the national anthems and performed a coquettish scene from Franz Lehar’s The Merry Widow accompanied by McGill’s Rich Coburn. 17 debutantes in identical white gowns and glittering Swarovski coronets, accompanied by their white tied dancing partners , were officially presented to visiting dignitaries before performing their opening waltz to the tune of Johann Strauss Jr.’s  The Emperor’s Waltz (Kaiserwalzer) played by the new Pronto-Musica orchestra directed by Austrian Maestro Alexis Hauser, also Artistic Director of the McGill Symphony Orchestra. The group also performed Kreisler’s “Liebesleid und Liebesfreude”, and after the official call of “Alles Walzer”, had everyone twirling to Strauss’ traditional “Blue Danube” waltz. Harold Birkens' Orchestra, alternating with the Peter Freeman Band, provided music for traditional and modern ballroom dancing until 2.30 a.m.

 

Music by strolling musicians added a special touch to the 5-course gourmet dinner, based on Viennese classics and contemporary fusion cuisine. The Grand door Prize - two plane tickets to Vienna’s neighboring city: Prague, courtesy of Air Transat was won by first-time guest Jean Pierre Bourdeau. Bidding was active at the silent auction, open throughout the evening and the Casino was jumping all night with super prizes being drawn every few minutes. After its successful premiere last year, many dancers took part in the “Midnight Quadrille” to the music of Johann Strauss Jr.'s “Annen-Polka” under the guidance of dance instructor Carole Brown from Arthur Murray. The evening continued at the rustic Heuriger wine tavern from midnight to a record 4.30 a.m. serving Austrian Goulash soup, sausages, beer and wine and featuring lively Viennese music and songs with guests performing.

West Island gang from left to right: Michael Habrich, Zachary Marquis, Niklas Lorenz, Daphne Kullmann, Jennifer Hillebrand, Zachary Battah, Nicolas Barkun, Stefan Nettel, Jean Chammas,  with Ball Committee member Birgit Klema  Erdan (whose daughter Leyla Erdan was an usher at the Ball)

 

As in previous years, all proceeds from the Ball go to deserving causes related to youth initiatives. The primary beneficiary is SOS Children’s Villages, the largest orphan-focused charity in the world, founded in 1949 by an Austrian doctor to help children who lost family and home in the war. The Schulich School of Music of McGill University is also an important recipient in the form of bursaries for the study of music in Austria. The Ball also supports General Romeo Dallaire’s Child Soldier Initiative, Leave out Violence - L.O.V.E. - the leading youth violence prevention organization in Canada, and DSQ (German Language Schools of Quebec) which offer German courses for all ages. 

Ball President Harold Scheer,   President and Chief Investment Officer of Baker Gilmore & Associates Inc from NDG and Master of Ceremonies Gunter Voss from Kirkland.

 

 

Concordia hosts its first Terry's Cause on Campus: Remembering Terry Fox

Concordia University’s Le Gym, in collaboration with the Terry Fox Foundation, the Concordia Student Union and the Concordia Outdoors club, is hosting its first Terry’s Cause on Campus event from December 1-8 to benefit the Terry Fox Foundation and cancer research.

 The objective is to mobilize the Concordia community to run or walk a cumulative distance equivalent to the distance across Canada to commemorate Terry Fox’s 1980 Marathon of Hope. While Terry ran over 5,000 kilometers in his bid to cross Canada from St John’s, Newfoundland, to Victoria, British Columbia, he was forced to stop at Thunder Bay due to the cancer spreading to his lungs. Le Gym hopes to collectively reach over 8,000 kilometers  and raise over $5,000 to outrun cancer.

Terry Fox was a Canadian icon, athlete, and humanitarian who has inspired people worldwide with his commitment to raise money for cancer research. After being diagnosed with bone cancer in 1977, and ultimately having his right leg amputated below the knee, the young man embarked on his Marathon of Hope campaign using a prosthetic leg in order to raise awareness and critical funds for finding a cure to cancer. The cross-country tour, which began on April 12, 1980, started in St John’s, Newfoundland, where Terry ceremoniously dipped his artificial leg into the Atlantic Ocean, with the objective of running across Canada in his bid to fundraise for cancer research. His East-West trajectory, difficult in its own right and made exponentially more difficult with a prosthetic leg, led him to also contend with fierce winds against him, inspiring the documentary, “Into the Wind.”

Terry was compelled to end the Marathon of Hope at Thunder Bay, Ontario, on September 1, 1980 as a result of the cancer spreading to his lungs. By then, he had ran over 5,373 kilometres in 143 days. He persevered despite extreme pain, weather challenges, and hostile drivers, and was cheered on by each community he passed during his Marathon. While Terry Fox ultimately succumbed to the cancer in 1981 at the age of 22, his commitment and fierce determination to persevere despite personal pain has inspired millions worldwide. The annual Terry Fox Run, which takes place in September every year, has expanded from its largely Canadian base to worldwide, with over 51 international runs taking place annually. As Terry said, “Even if I don’t finish, we need others to continue. It’s got to keep going without me.”

Students and community members are encouraged to sign up and run a cumulative distance of 8,000 kilometers equivalent to the distance across Canada, and raise over $5,000. There is no limit to how many kilometers an individual can walk, and students, teachers and alumni are encouraged to participate. In accordance with Terry’s wishes, there is no minimum donation required. To download a pledge sheet, please visit http://www.terryfox.org/CauseCampus/_Library/Pdfs/2013_Cause_Eng.pdf.

The event begins at 7 am on December 1,  with the hours being 7 am to 10 pm from December 2 to 6  and  9 am to 7 pm on December 7 and 8.  The event will wrap up with a commemorative ceremony in which the amount of kilometers reached and the fundraising total will be announced. Montreal’s Terry Fox Run veteran, Eddy Nolan, master caretaker at Roslyn School in Westmount, will be joining the 5 à 7. Throughout the week, a map of Canada will be updated daily with the amount of kilometers reached and funds raised.

Info: 514-848-2424 ext. 3860.

ABBA Memories show set for Place des Arts November 30

I have been a fan of the Swedish pop group ABBA ever since I can remember, yet I never saw them perform live in concert. Montrealers will be treated to the next best thing on Saturday, November 30 (8 p.m) at the Place des Arts when Sheldon Kagan Productions presents  Abba Memories.

"I brought them to the Place des Arts for  two nights in 2011 and the audience response was great," Kagan told me. "ABBA is one of the groups that brings back fond memories. Everyone remembers Dancing Queen and Mama Mia.

"Since the broadway and motion picture versions of  Mama Mia came out a new younger generation relates to ABBA. At this concert many members of the audience sing and dance. It is a feel good show! Montrealers love ABBA!"

 

ABBA Memories comes across as the "true" thing.

The two and a half hour concert will feature an exceptional sound and lights as well as outstanding vocal and musical performances featuring  legendary songs such as Dancing Queen, Chiquitita, Waterloo, SOS, Fernando, Money Money Money, Voulez-Vous, Super Trouper, I Have a Dream, Mamma Mia and many more.  The eight  performing artist, from a group now called One,  are all Québecois: François Rochefort,  Jacynthe Pépin Nancy McIntyre, Sylvain Haché, Claude Jaume, Gabriel Laberge Montpetitm Bruno Dubé, Cynthia Tremblay and Alexandra Chayer. Below is a clip of what to expect.

There has recently been talk that the real ABBA   might reunite next year to mark the 40th anniversary since they won the Eurovision Song Contest and were catapulted to global stardom, singer Agnetha Faltskog has revealed. 

ABBA formed in 1972 when Faltskog met guitarist and songwriter Bjorn Ulvaeus -- whom she later married -- and Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. Andersson and Lyngstad were also married for a while. Both couples divorced. The group's self-penned hit "Waterloo" won the Eurovision Song Contest in Brighton, England, in April 1974, and immediately became a global phenomenon.

They became Sweden's biggest-ever pop act and one of the most successful pop groups in history, selling more than 380 million records worldwide.The band never formally broke up, but their last album "The Visitors" appeared in 1982. In July 2008, all four ABBA members were reunited at the Swedish premiere of the film Mamma Mia, only the second time all of them had appeared together in public since 1986.

For tickets to the Montreal show go to www.laplacedesarts.com or call 514-842-2112.

Breast Cancer Action Montreal to benefit from surprise musical fundraiser

A  few weeks ago Patricia Kearns  picked up the phone at Breast Cancer Action Montreal, where she serves as director of Campaigns and Outreach. A young woman introduced herself as Elizabeth Laushway, a member of the Hart House Chorus, a choir from Toronto.

"How would you like it if we performed a concert in Montreal and all proceeds would go to you? This is something we do. We perform benefit shows in cities across the country. Michelle Landsberg suggested I call Breast Cancer Action Montreal to see if you would be interested."
 
"Interested" Kearns  blurted, "Did you say all proceeds would come to us?"
 
It turns out Breast Cancer Action Montreal was in the process of organizing a fundraising event at Avis Antel's, a member of the board of directors. "We struggle to keep up with all the demands that come our way," she said. "We need to hire more people but we don't have the means. 'Yes, we are definitely interested.' I answered sincerely."

Added Kearns: "We really want to get the word out so to show this group of musicians from Toronto how appreciative a Montreal audience can be. And to add to BCAM's coffers as much as we can."
 
With that in mind Montrealers are invited to an afternoon of sublime music from 19th and 20th century French composers Maurice Duruflé, Gabriel Fauré, Charles Gounod, and Francis Poulenc on Saturday, November 30 (2 p.m. to 3 p.m.) at St. James United Church, (463 Ste-Catherine Street West).  Performed works will  include Gloria, Cantique de Jean Racine, and more. The concert will be directed by David Bowser and features pianist Jacqueline Mokrzewski and soprano Melanie Conly.
 
Tickets can be purchased online at http://harthousechorus-montreal.eventbrite.ca/, or at the door. Proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to Breast Cancer Action Montreal. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. Also check out this Facebook page.

Here is a look at the choir.

The Hart House Chorus is a 50-member SATB choir composed of students, faculty, alumni and members of the community at the University of Toronto.