Post by davidhr on May 24, 2016 7:50:53 GMT -5
The big public event this past week for Lara was her appearance as the special guest at the ‘combat dit Lumeçon', in Mons, Belgium. Several videos apparently taken by Lara’s ‘team’ are available, at:
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/videos/1136005776440918/
and
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/videos/1136029126438583/
To understand what was going on, a description of the festivities is provided here, first from Wikipedia:
----------------------------------------------------
The Ducasse de Mons or Doudou is a popular festival that happens every year on Trinity Sunday (57 days after Easter) in the town of Mons in Belgium. It is recognized as one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity since November 2005.
The feast comprises two important parts:
The procession, the descent and the uprising of the Waltrude’s Shrine.
The combat of Saint George named Lumeçon;
The Doudou originates in the Middle Ages. In 1349, because the city of Mons was touched by the plague, the authorities decided to organize a procession with the shrine of Waltrude. The shrine was brought to Casteau (a little village located between Mons and Soignies that has been the location of SHAPE since 1967). At the same time, the shrine of Vincent Madelgarus (husband of Waltrude) that is based in Soignies was also taken to the same place. A miracle happened and the plague disappeared after this Procession. In 1352, the date was fixed on Trinity Sunday. After 1380, the fraternity of Saint George has appeared in the procession. The reconstitution of the combat between Saint George and a Dragon took its place in the feast. Because of the ’’less religious’’ origin, the combat was excluded from the procession in the 19th century. The separation between the religious parts of the feast and the non religious began at this time.
----------------------------------------------------------
Then, for what Lara saw take place
www.mons.be/patrimoine-mondial/ducasse-de-mons/doudou/ducasse-rituelle/combat-dit-lumecon
or
www.doudou.mons.be/ducasse-rituelle (translated below).
------------------------------------------------------
In Mons, the Doudou is the popular name for a great week of collective jubilation that begins the Trinity weekend. Ritual Ducasse [Fair] is the pinnacle. It dates back to the fourteenth century.
Four highlights characterize it.
The Descent of the shrine of the relics of Madame Saint Waudru [Waltrude], founder of the city. It is the subject of a moving ceremony on Saturday evening in the college [secondary school] that bears her name. Through this solemn meeting, the Dean entrusts to the Mayor the relics of the saint for the next day’s procession through the streets of the city. This tradition is sealed with the air of Doudou sung with fervor by all present. This air will be chanted throughout the festivities.
The Procession. On Sunday morning, the shrine is placed on a ceremonial chariot, the Golden Coach. This is the start of a day full of emotions and joys. Some 1500 participants, divided into sixty groups, parade in period costumes. They replenish brotherhoods and corporations that, since the Middle Ages, made the wealth and power of the Hainaut capital. Drawn by six sturdy workhorses, the Golden Coach will attract attention during its trip in the city.
The Ascent of the Golden Coach . At the end of the course of the procession, the public gathers massively behind the Golden Coach. In the general enthusiasm, thousands of hands then hoist the coach up to the top of steep path paved along the school. The stakes are high: the legend says that the Golden Coach must climb a single bound ramp to avoid the misfortune to the town. The ascent lasts only twenty seconds. It is so intense, it is punctuated in a vibrant clamor of the public.
Battle called "Lumeçon". St. Waudru relics have barely arrived at the school when already St. George prepares to face the Dragon. He is accompanied by characters from Lumeçon: Devils and Chin-Chin, Men in White and Men in Leaves, Firemen, Policemen in white or blue helmets. It is about 12:30. Combat actors then begin the triumphant descent from the school to the Grand-Place (called the "descent of the street of the Clerics"). Facing City Hall, thousands of people have already amassed. They are eager to snatch the lucky hair that ends the tail of "el biete" the Dragon. Arriving at the heart of the Place, St. George, surrounded by the characters of the game, fights the Dragon (first by spear and sword, and finally pistol). It will be an intense half-hour excitement punctuated by the frantic sound of the "Doudou". The Dragon is finally felled by St. George with one last pistol shot. The ensemble of the characters of the Lumeçon return to the City Hall courtyard. The enthusiastic crowd, meanwhile, chants "And Montois will not perish!". The city's fate is permanent. The party can continue!
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An explanation of Lara’s activity, which didn’t involve anything other than observing, can be found in the article preceding the event, translated below, from (https://www.facebook.com/166959643357708/photos/a.168982793155393.43222.166959643357708/1024686017585062/?type=3&theater) [thanks to the Lara Fabian est ton autre site for the scan]:
----------------------------------------
Lara Fabian is the invitee of Elio
The singer will be at the heart of Mons folklore this Sunday
The mayor of Mons, Elio Di Rupo, has announced, Wednesday morning, that the singer Lara Fabian will be his privileged invitee during the festivities of the fair of Mons 2016. The artist will be present this Sunday May 22 and will participate in the company of the mayor, at important moments of the day.
Sunday at 1100 hours in the Jardin du Mayeur of City Hall, she will be present during the traditional ceremony which is organized by the community secondary school. It is from this garden specially designed for the occasion that she will take the direction of the St. Waudru ramp.
The artist will be dressed in a blue polo shirt traditionally utilized since the establishment by the mayor of these particularly majority invitation lists. Elio Di Rupo moreover will not leave for one minute since they will follow together, the procession of important people until the St. Waudru ramp.
The first important moment of the day on Sunday will be therefore taking place for the Belgian singer who will be positioned at the top of the ramp. With this choice place, she should not miss the passage of the actors of the Combat and the gallant St. Georges.
For it is to watch (and participate) in a time of jubilation that the singer will tread the Mons cobblestones. Once the Golden Coach is hoisted by thousands of arms to the top of this ramp, Lara Fabian will descend with the procession by the street of Clerics to reach the Grand-Place of Mons.
Invited to familiarize herself with Mons folklore, the artist is expected in the middle of the arena. She got the VIP box offered by the mayor. Moreover in Mons, the place is also as popular as the beaches in the Bahamas. We hope that the sun will do well in its fight and that it will thus offer a new experience to Lara Fabian.
--------------------------------------------------
Actually, the sun lost its battle
. Then an article following the event, including a few beautiful pictures, which can be found at (http://www.laprovince.be/1578454/article/2016-05-22/lara-fabian-invitee-d-honneur-de-la-ducasse-de-mons-j-ai-ete-extremement-emue-en). Here’s the translation:
------------------------------------------------------
Lara Fabian guest of honor at the Mons Fair. "I was extremely moved by seeing people live the Doudou" (photos)
Lara Fabian, guest of honor of the Ducasse [Fair], was the star Sunday in the Garden of Mayeur where many fans were waiting. The singer then attended the rise of the Golden Chariot and then the Battle from the balcony of City Hall. We met just before her departure for Geneva where she was to give a concert this [following] Monday.
You have just experienced your first Doudou, what are your impressions right after the fight?
LF: I am extremely excited to have lived a moment as strongly human which is beyond the festivities. A great moment of respect and kindness. We speak of folklore but what I saw mostly they are people that are beyond the craziness, who protect each other, who respect the rules. If someone goes above the crowd, or if someone falls there is a space around him, everybody helps him. I was extremely touched by seeing this. Of course everyone knows the fair – which I had never seen - it is part of the heritage but it confirms the idea that we Belgians we are very caring people and I think we can be very proud when one sees an event such as this one.
You have witnessed the rise of the Golden Chariot before, then the Battle of Lumeçon, which of these two events has impressed you most?
LF: It is the race among the crowd in St Waudru ramp and in the streets, an extraordinary moment.
What was your reaction when you learned that you would be the guest of honor?
LF: It was Mr. Di Rupo himself who wrote to me and proposed it to me, I found it very nice. I really thank him because I spent a memorable moment.
------------------------------------------
Leave it to Lara to find something significant and heartwarming in what is basically a traditional raucous activity. Lara was featured on the cover of “La Province’ (the article translated above) for this activity,
www.facebook.com/laprovince/photos/a.446568325361793.111046.124142897604339/1158979724120646/?type=3&theater
And then there was an article in Pure People (http://www.purepeople.com/article/lara-fabian-et-son-mari-gabriel-amuses-par-un-inoubliable-show-folklo_a185656/1)
--------------------------------------------------------
The couple enjoyed their Sunday outing!
On tour of the four corners of the world particularly to defend her latest album Ma vie dans la tienne, Lara Fabian still found time to stop in Mons, Belgium, to take part in the Ducasse de Mons, a local festival in which she was the guest of honor. The star it is presented there [in the photo] in her husband's arms ...
It is with her husband, the magician Gabriel Di Giorgio, Lara Fabian attended, Sunday, May 22, 2016, at the festival based on ancient traditions held every year in Mons and features giant games, jumble sales, military songs, folk processions and parades ... Despite clearly gloomy weather - clear and very present rain, the singer was thrilled to be there and shared this time with her husband and with former Prime Minister and current Mayor Elio Di Rupo. Moreover, on her Facebook account, Lara Fabian spoke of an "unforgettable experience" after her visit.
Lara Fabian is to meet her fans and, after traveling in countries of the East, we can find her on stage at the Palais des Congrès in Paris on 3 June. She will return again in the capital on October 2, but this time at the Grand Rex. All dates of her tour are on her official website.
Thomas Montet
---------------------------------------------
Many wonderful pictures can be found on this Pure People site (http://www.purepeople.com/article/lara-fabian_a185656/1#m2329300 and subsequent pages), and there are some additional nice pictures to be found on Lara’s site, at
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/photos/pcb.1136261999748629/1136260349748794/?type=3&theater
also on the Lara Fabian Connecting People site
vk.com/album-121236_226475940
as well as from the Lara Fabian est ton autre site, first one taken at the Collegiale Sainte Waudru
www.facebook.com/166959643357708/photos/pcb.1026465910740406/1026465314073799/?type=3&theater
and then of Lara on the balcony with Gabriel
www.facebook.com/166959643357708/photos/a.168982793155393.43222.166959643357708/1026763524043978/?type=3&theater
Concerning the balcony: the second of the videos provided at the top of this Update from Lara’s team was primarily taken from that location, mostly showing what Lara was seeing. It got some criticism for the camera moving too fast; Lara’s Team responded by suggesting that in the future they won’t ‘share’ any more such videos, at which point people apologized. But what the fans were saying was well-taken: if one is going to provide something for them, isn’t it worthwhile to do it well? [On the other hand – something is better than nothing! ].
As is obvious from all the above, this event gave Lara a lot of good publicity in Belgium. It occurred just one day before the scheduled concerts in Poland [and Pure People obviously thought she was still going], but there’s no doubt that if those had not been postponed, Lara would not have been able to go to this fair. We still don’t know why they were postponed, and it’s tempting to think, absent any other explanation, that it was so she could attend this event. That may or may not be true – the mayor of Mons announced her participation last Wednesday, significantly after the concert news was announced, so this may just have been an opportunity that became available at the right time. But he had written to her in advance, so it might have precipitated her action. If she did ‘sacrifice’ those concert dates to appear at this (non-singing) occasion, one would have to think that the priorities were questionable.
Lara’s getting ready for the resumption of her tour (starting June 1st in Geneva) and she posted a picture of her new rehearsal, at:
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/photos/a.215378125170359.50343.201065806601591/1135535563154606/?type=3&theater
As to why a ‘new’ rehearsal, there’s speculation that she will change the setlist for the return to France and Belgium, where there will be 2 additional concerts in both countries in the following week. Lara’s also continuing to add concerts, for example in Turkey : Anatalya (8/24), Cesme (8/26) Turkey, which she emphasized on her FB site, as she did the 8 in France during the fall season. See (https://www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/events). However, she is also continuing to cancel events at festivals, particularly those in July - in Japan, and also at the Festival in Montauban, where she was to appear at the same event as Maurane (https://www.facebook.com/MontaubanEnScenes/?fref=nf). In response to a fan (François Midol) writing in to express his disappointment, Lara’s team responded with this (translated) statement
----------------------------------
Good day, Francois. We understand your disappointment. But you have to know that the organization of a concert involves many people and organizations. It is not only Lara who decides, and certain decisions can be taken despite the personal will of the artist. Furthermore, while we haven’t yet communicated about Montauban, we have communicated here for the moment about the new date in Toulouse. Here’s hoping to see you in Toulouse, Team Lara.
----------------------------------------
So Toulouse (on 9/29) is, in effect, the substitution. No explanation has been provided, other than implying it was the festival’s organization that caused it, although Rozenn Roz wondered whether the New Wave Festival would be taking place around then. Artists cancel individual events all the time, as their availability changes, although that doesn’t exactly endear them to those who made extensive preparations to go. The phrase ‘Caveat Emptor’ applies here!
On the charts, ‘Ma vie dans la tienne’ has risen slightly to #100 in physical CDs (#154 in total sales) in France, while falling a few places to 21st in Belgium. Meanwhile, Lara’s team formally announced that ‘Ton desir’ is the 4th single release from the ‘Ma vie dans la tienne’, and indicated there is a ‘radio edit’ version. It is listed on Charts in France, though still without having ‘charted’. ‘L’oubli’ never did chart, although its video is listed as having 145,000 views on YouTube + 299,000 views on Facebook. Charts in France has an article about the new single www.chartsinfrance.net/Lara-Fabian/news-101698.html#vC4u3tIvwM8RPO4t.01); here’s the translation:
---------------------------------------------
“Ton desir”: Lara Fabian, mischievous, wants to spice up her marriage with a sparking single.
No rest for Lara Fabian. The singer has chosen the new single from her album "Ma vie dans la tienne." Listen to the sexy title "Ton desir" on Pure Charts!
The last album of Lara Fabian is receiving a new start. With "Ma vie dans la tienne," the singer had the need to bare herself to be closer to her fans and to put song in the center of her career. A breath of fresh air and authenticity made possible by a tragic incident: a powerful auditory shock that occurred on the set of a TV show. A blow that allowed her to find inspiration for the song that has signed her return, "Quand je ne chante pas."
A teasing single
A first appetizer followed by the ballads "Ma vie dans la tienne" and "L’oubli", evoking the fight of her mother against Alzheimer's disease. Seducing 80,000 fans, "Ma vie dans la tienne" is now unveiled through a new single, "Ton desir", sent to the French radio stations and written by Elodie Hesme (Jenifer, Tina Arena, Celine Dion ...). With sunny days, the singer apparently wanted a little levity ... To combat the gloom and routine, Lara Fabian proposes to her companion to spice up their intimate life with some role playing. "I'll be your desire / Your doll, your cashmere sweater / Your minute of pleasure / Your desire of sweet-salty", the artist sings on a pop tempo and playful, imagining herself in "high heels and D cup" in the "horizontal or not," and touting her "silk décolletage." Flirty!
----------------------------------------
It was listed as one of the ‘Tip Top’ singles of the week (http://www.rtbf.be/vivacite/emissions/detail_tip-top-la-quotidienne/accueil/article_david-guetta-charlie-puth-lara-fabian-sont-dans-le-tip-top-de-ce-mercredi?id=9300803&programId=8791). The video they used for it was simply the audio plus a picture of Lara. When Lara’s team was asked whether there would be an actual video clip for ‘Ton desir’ (which might be wonderful!), they said they had no information about that. Several people noted they’d heard it on radio stations friendly to Lara, so we’ll see how widespread its acceptance is. That has always seemed to be a warm weather song, and the weather is heating up.
Lara also put a related GIF on her FB site with two girls, one appearing happy and the other dissatisfied, with the embedded statement “It’s all about which way you look”. Lara also put her own separate caption, from the lyrics from ‘Ton desir’ of: “Happiness isn’t complicated, one always has a choice…” She then followed it today with another GIF of Anita Ekburg in a sensuous mood, and the lines from the song, “High heels and D cup,... Horizontal or not…I want your big eyes,.. Immersed in my cleavage of silk..."
Lara’s interview on VivaCité – RTBF took place over the weekend; the timing of the event proved tricky for those who tuned in to hear it. Presumably Lara discussed the re-edition of the album and the Prague concert film that accompanied it. There doesn’t seem to be a replay of it on their website (http://www.rtbf.be/radio/liveradio/vivacite).
Interesting photo(s) of the week: first of Lara with Gabriel in Mons, from the Pure People collection:
www.purepeople.com/article/lara-fabian_a185656/1#m2329300
and then Lara by herself from the same source
www.purepeople.com/media/lara-fabian-a-la-ducasse-de-mons-en-bel_m2329288
Also Lara draped in a Brazilian flag, posted by Eduardo Roberto Andrade on Lara’s FB site
www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1555465564749055&set=p.1555465564749055&type=3&theater
Finally, from Lara Fabian – PHQ
www.facebook.com/353946178085395/photos/a.353954938084519.1073741828.353946178085395/876110185868989/?type=3&theater
In the coming week, Lara apparently will be on the broadcast in Quebec "Sucré Salé" May 26th, at 8:30 PM - [thanks to the Rozenn Roz on the LFIAG Select site for the link] (https://www.facebook.com/sucresaleTVA/photos/a.215709548450541.54446.122880981066732/1110546348966852/?type=3&theater), She will presumably be continuing her rehearsals for the coming concerts. And we may eventually hear about the ‘new projects’, as fans were promised several weeks ago.
David
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/videos/1136005776440918/
and
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/videos/1136029126438583/
To understand what was going on, a description of the festivities is provided here, first from Wikipedia:
----------------------------------------------------
The Ducasse de Mons or Doudou is a popular festival that happens every year on Trinity Sunday (57 days after Easter) in the town of Mons in Belgium. It is recognized as one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity since November 2005.
The feast comprises two important parts:
The procession, the descent and the uprising of the Waltrude’s Shrine.
The combat of Saint George named Lumeçon;
The Doudou originates in the Middle Ages. In 1349, because the city of Mons was touched by the plague, the authorities decided to organize a procession with the shrine of Waltrude. The shrine was brought to Casteau (a little village located between Mons and Soignies that has been the location of SHAPE since 1967). At the same time, the shrine of Vincent Madelgarus (husband of Waltrude) that is based in Soignies was also taken to the same place. A miracle happened and the plague disappeared after this Procession. In 1352, the date was fixed on Trinity Sunday. After 1380, the fraternity of Saint George has appeared in the procession. The reconstitution of the combat between Saint George and a Dragon took its place in the feast. Because of the ’’less religious’’ origin, the combat was excluded from the procession in the 19th century. The separation between the religious parts of the feast and the non religious began at this time.
----------------------------------------------------------
Then, for what Lara saw take place
www.mons.be/patrimoine-mondial/ducasse-de-mons/doudou/ducasse-rituelle/combat-dit-lumecon
or
www.doudou.mons.be/ducasse-rituelle (translated below).
------------------------------------------------------
In Mons, the Doudou is the popular name for a great week of collective jubilation that begins the Trinity weekend. Ritual Ducasse [Fair] is the pinnacle. It dates back to the fourteenth century.
Four highlights characterize it.
The Descent of the shrine of the relics of Madame Saint Waudru [Waltrude], founder of the city. It is the subject of a moving ceremony on Saturday evening in the college [secondary school] that bears her name. Through this solemn meeting, the Dean entrusts to the Mayor the relics of the saint for the next day’s procession through the streets of the city. This tradition is sealed with the air of Doudou sung with fervor by all present. This air will be chanted throughout the festivities.
The Procession. On Sunday morning, the shrine is placed on a ceremonial chariot, the Golden Coach. This is the start of a day full of emotions and joys. Some 1500 participants, divided into sixty groups, parade in period costumes. They replenish brotherhoods and corporations that, since the Middle Ages, made the wealth and power of the Hainaut capital. Drawn by six sturdy workhorses, the Golden Coach will attract attention during its trip in the city.
The Ascent of the Golden Coach . At the end of the course of the procession, the public gathers massively behind the Golden Coach. In the general enthusiasm, thousands of hands then hoist the coach up to the top of steep path paved along the school. The stakes are high: the legend says that the Golden Coach must climb a single bound ramp to avoid the misfortune to the town. The ascent lasts only twenty seconds. It is so intense, it is punctuated in a vibrant clamor of the public.
Battle called "Lumeçon". St. Waudru relics have barely arrived at the school when already St. George prepares to face the Dragon. He is accompanied by characters from Lumeçon: Devils and Chin-Chin, Men in White and Men in Leaves, Firemen, Policemen in white or blue helmets. It is about 12:30. Combat actors then begin the triumphant descent from the school to the Grand-Place (called the "descent of the street of the Clerics"). Facing City Hall, thousands of people have already amassed. They are eager to snatch the lucky hair that ends the tail of "el biete" the Dragon. Arriving at the heart of the Place, St. George, surrounded by the characters of the game, fights the Dragon (first by spear and sword, and finally pistol). It will be an intense half-hour excitement punctuated by the frantic sound of the "Doudou". The Dragon is finally felled by St. George with one last pistol shot. The ensemble of the characters of the Lumeçon return to the City Hall courtyard. The enthusiastic crowd, meanwhile, chants "And Montois will not perish!". The city's fate is permanent. The party can continue!
--------------------------------------------------
An explanation of Lara’s activity, which didn’t involve anything other than observing, can be found in the article preceding the event, translated below, from (https://www.facebook.com/166959643357708/photos/a.168982793155393.43222.166959643357708/1024686017585062/?type=3&theater) [thanks to the Lara Fabian est ton autre site for the scan]:
----------------------------------------
Lara Fabian is the invitee of Elio
The singer will be at the heart of Mons folklore this Sunday
The mayor of Mons, Elio Di Rupo, has announced, Wednesday morning, that the singer Lara Fabian will be his privileged invitee during the festivities of the fair of Mons 2016. The artist will be present this Sunday May 22 and will participate in the company of the mayor, at important moments of the day.
Sunday at 1100 hours in the Jardin du Mayeur of City Hall, she will be present during the traditional ceremony which is organized by the community secondary school. It is from this garden specially designed for the occasion that she will take the direction of the St. Waudru ramp.
The artist will be dressed in a blue polo shirt traditionally utilized since the establishment by the mayor of these particularly majority invitation lists. Elio Di Rupo moreover will not leave for one minute since they will follow together, the procession of important people until the St. Waudru ramp.
The first important moment of the day on Sunday will be therefore taking place for the Belgian singer who will be positioned at the top of the ramp. With this choice place, she should not miss the passage of the actors of the Combat and the gallant St. Georges.
For it is to watch (and participate) in a time of jubilation that the singer will tread the Mons cobblestones. Once the Golden Coach is hoisted by thousands of arms to the top of this ramp, Lara Fabian will descend with the procession by the street of Clerics to reach the Grand-Place of Mons.
Invited to familiarize herself with Mons folklore, the artist is expected in the middle of the arena. She got the VIP box offered by the mayor. Moreover in Mons, the place is also as popular as the beaches in the Bahamas. We hope that the sun will do well in its fight and that it will thus offer a new experience to Lara Fabian.
--------------------------------------------------
Actually, the sun lost its battle
. Then an article following the event, including a few beautiful pictures, which can be found at (http://www.laprovince.be/1578454/article/2016-05-22/lara-fabian-invitee-d-honneur-de-la-ducasse-de-mons-j-ai-ete-extremement-emue-en). Here’s the translation:------------------------------------------------------
Lara Fabian guest of honor at the Mons Fair. "I was extremely moved by seeing people live the Doudou" (photos)
Lara Fabian, guest of honor of the Ducasse [Fair], was the star Sunday in the Garden of Mayeur where many fans were waiting. The singer then attended the rise of the Golden Chariot and then the Battle from the balcony of City Hall. We met just before her departure for Geneva where she was to give a concert this [following] Monday.
You have just experienced your first Doudou, what are your impressions right after the fight?
LF: I am extremely excited to have lived a moment as strongly human which is beyond the festivities. A great moment of respect and kindness. We speak of folklore but what I saw mostly they are people that are beyond the craziness, who protect each other, who respect the rules. If someone goes above the crowd, or if someone falls there is a space around him, everybody helps him. I was extremely touched by seeing this. Of course everyone knows the fair – which I had never seen - it is part of the heritage but it confirms the idea that we Belgians we are very caring people and I think we can be very proud when one sees an event such as this one.
You have witnessed the rise of the Golden Chariot before, then the Battle of Lumeçon, which of these two events has impressed you most?
LF: It is the race among the crowd in St Waudru ramp and in the streets, an extraordinary moment.
What was your reaction when you learned that you would be the guest of honor?
LF: It was Mr. Di Rupo himself who wrote to me and proposed it to me, I found it very nice. I really thank him because I spent a memorable moment.
------------------------------------------
Leave it to Lara to find something significant and heartwarming in what is basically a traditional raucous activity. Lara was featured on the cover of “La Province’ (the article translated above) for this activity,
www.facebook.com/laprovince/photos/a.446568325361793.111046.124142897604339/1158979724120646/?type=3&theater
And then there was an article in Pure People (http://www.purepeople.com/article/lara-fabian-et-son-mari-gabriel-amuses-par-un-inoubliable-show-folklo_a185656/1)
--------------------------------------------------------
The couple enjoyed their Sunday outing!
On tour of the four corners of the world particularly to defend her latest album Ma vie dans la tienne, Lara Fabian still found time to stop in Mons, Belgium, to take part in the Ducasse de Mons, a local festival in which she was the guest of honor. The star it is presented there [in the photo] in her husband's arms ...
It is with her husband, the magician Gabriel Di Giorgio, Lara Fabian attended, Sunday, May 22, 2016, at the festival based on ancient traditions held every year in Mons and features giant games, jumble sales, military songs, folk processions and parades ... Despite clearly gloomy weather - clear and very present rain, the singer was thrilled to be there and shared this time with her husband and with former Prime Minister and current Mayor Elio Di Rupo. Moreover, on her Facebook account, Lara Fabian spoke of an "unforgettable experience" after her visit.
Lara Fabian is to meet her fans and, after traveling in countries of the East, we can find her on stage at the Palais des Congrès in Paris on 3 June. She will return again in the capital on October 2, but this time at the Grand Rex. All dates of her tour are on her official website.
Thomas Montet
---------------------------------------------
Many wonderful pictures can be found on this Pure People site (http://www.purepeople.com/article/lara-fabian_a185656/1#m2329300 and subsequent pages), and there are some additional nice pictures to be found on Lara’s site, at
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/photos/pcb.1136261999748629/1136260349748794/?type=3&theater
also on the Lara Fabian Connecting People site
vk.com/album-121236_226475940
as well as from the Lara Fabian est ton autre site, first one taken at the Collegiale Sainte Waudru
www.facebook.com/166959643357708/photos/pcb.1026465910740406/1026465314073799/?type=3&theater
and then of Lara on the balcony with Gabriel
www.facebook.com/166959643357708/photos/a.168982793155393.43222.166959643357708/1026763524043978/?type=3&theater
Concerning the balcony: the second of the videos provided at the top of this Update from Lara’s team was primarily taken from that location, mostly showing what Lara was seeing. It got some criticism for the camera moving too fast; Lara’s Team responded by suggesting that in the future they won’t ‘share’ any more such videos, at which point people apologized. But what the fans were saying was well-taken: if one is going to provide something for them, isn’t it worthwhile to do it well? [On the other hand – something is better than nothing!
].As is obvious from all the above, this event gave Lara a lot of good publicity in Belgium. It occurred just one day before the scheduled concerts in Poland [and Pure People obviously thought she was still going], but there’s no doubt that if those had not been postponed, Lara would not have been able to go to this fair. We still don’t know why they were postponed, and it’s tempting to think, absent any other explanation, that it was so she could attend this event. That may or may not be true – the mayor of Mons announced her participation last Wednesday, significantly after the concert news was announced, so this may just have been an opportunity that became available at the right time. But he had written to her in advance, so it might have precipitated her action. If she did ‘sacrifice’ those concert dates to appear at this (non-singing) occasion, one would have to think that the priorities were questionable.
Lara’s getting ready for the resumption of her tour (starting June 1st in Geneva) and she posted a picture of her new rehearsal, at:
www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/photos/a.215378125170359.50343.201065806601591/1135535563154606/?type=3&theater
As to why a ‘new’ rehearsal, there’s speculation that she will change the setlist for the return to France and Belgium, where there will be 2 additional concerts in both countries in the following week. Lara’s also continuing to add concerts, for example in Turkey : Anatalya (8/24), Cesme (8/26) Turkey, which she emphasized on her FB site, as she did the 8 in France during the fall season. See (https://www.facebook.com/larafabianofficial/events). However, she is also continuing to cancel events at festivals, particularly those in July - in Japan, and also at the Festival in Montauban, where she was to appear at the same event as Maurane (https://www.facebook.com/MontaubanEnScenes/?fref=nf). In response to a fan (François Midol) writing in to express his disappointment, Lara’s team responded with this (translated) statement
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Good day, Francois. We understand your disappointment. But you have to know that the organization of a concert involves many people and organizations. It is not only Lara who decides, and certain decisions can be taken despite the personal will of the artist. Furthermore, while we haven’t yet communicated about Montauban, we have communicated here for the moment about the new date in Toulouse. Here’s hoping to see you in Toulouse, Team Lara.
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So Toulouse (on 9/29) is, in effect, the substitution. No explanation has been provided, other than implying it was the festival’s organization that caused it, although Rozenn Roz wondered whether the New Wave Festival would be taking place around then. Artists cancel individual events all the time, as their availability changes, although that doesn’t exactly endear them to those who made extensive preparations to go. The phrase ‘Caveat Emptor’ applies here!
On the charts, ‘Ma vie dans la tienne’ has risen slightly to #100 in physical CDs (#154 in total sales) in France, while falling a few places to 21st in Belgium. Meanwhile, Lara’s team formally announced that ‘Ton desir’ is the 4th single release from the ‘Ma vie dans la tienne’, and indicated there is a ‘radio edit’ version. It is listed on Charts in France, though still without having ‘charted’. ‘L’oubli’ never did chart, although its video is listed as having 145,000 views on YouTube + 299,000 views on Facebook. Charts in France has an article about the new single www.chartsinfrance.net/Lara-Fabian/news-101698.html#vC4u3tIvwM8RPO4t.01); here’s the translation:
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“Ton desir”: Lara Fabian, mischievous, wants to spice up her marriage with a sparking single.
No rest for Lara Fabian. The singer has chosen the new single from her album "Ma vie dans la tienne." Listen to the sexy title "Ton desir" on Pure Charts!
The last album of Lara Fabian is receiving a new start. With "Ma vie dans la tienne," the singer had the need to bare herself to be closer to her fans and to put song in the center of her career. A breath of fresh air and authenticity made possible by a tragic incident: a powerful auditory shock that occurred on the set of a TV show. A blow that allowed her to find inspiration for the song that has signed her return, "Quand je ne chante pas."
A teasing single
A first appetizer followed by the ballads "Ma vie dans la tienne" and "L’oubli", evoking the fight of her mother against Alzheimer's disease. Seducing 80,000 fans, "Ma vie dans la tienne" is now unveiled through a new single, "Ton desir", sent to the French radio stations and written by Elodie Hesme (Jenifer, Tina Arena, Celine Dion ...). With sunny days, the singer apparently wanted a little levity ... To combat the gloom and routine, Lara Fabian proposes to her companion to spice up their intimate life with some role playing. "I'll be your desire / Your doll, your cashmere sweater / Your minute of pleasure / Your desire of sweet-salty", the artist sings on a pop tempo and playful, imagining herself in "high heels and D cup" in the "horizontal or not," and touting her "silk décolletage." Flirty!
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It was listed as one of the ‘Tip Top’ singles of the week (http://www.rtbf.be/vivacite/emissions/detail_tip-top-la-quotidienne/accueil/article_david-guetta-charlie-puth-lara-fabian-sont-dans-le-tip-top-de-ce-mercredi?id=9300803&programId=8791). The video they used for it was simply the audio plus a picture of Lara. When Lara’s team was asked whether there would be an actual video clip for ‘Ton desir’ (which might be wonderful!), they said they had no information about that. Several people noted they’d heard it on radio stations friendly to Lara, so we’ll see how widespread its acceptance is. That has always seemed to be a warm weather song, and the weather is heating up
.Lara also put a related GIF on her FB site with two girls, one appearing happy and the other dissatisfied, with the embedded statement “It’s all about which way you look”. Lara also put her own separate caption, from the lyrics from ‘Ton desir’ of: “Happiness isn’t complicated, one always has a choice…” She then followed it today with another GIF of Anita Ekburg in a sensuous mood, and the lines from the song, “High heels and D cup,... Horizontal or not…I want your big eyes,.. Immersed in my cleavage of silk..."
Lara’s interview on VivaCité – RTBF took place over the weekend; the timing of the event proved tricky for those who tuned in to hear it. Presumably Lara discussed the re-edition of the album and the Prague concert film that accompanied it. There doesn’t seem to be a replay of it on their website (http://www.rtbf.be/radio/liveradio/vivacite).
Interesting photo(s) of the week: first of Lara with Gabriel in Mons, from the Pure People collection:
www.purepeople.com/article/lara-fabian_a185656/1#m2329300
and then Lara by herself from the same source
www.purepeople.com/media/lara-fabian-a-la-ducasse-de-mons-en-bel_m2329288
Also Lara draped in a Brazilian flag, posted by Eduardo Roberto Andrade on Lara’s FB site
www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1555465564749055&set=p.1555465564749055&type=3&theater
Finally, from Lara Fabian – PHQ
www.facebook.com/353946178085395/photos/a.353954938084519.1073741828.353946178085395/876110185868989/?type=3&theater
In the coming week, Lara apparently will be on the broadcast in Quebec "Sucré Salé" May 26th, at 8:30 PM - [thanks to the Rozenn Roz on the LFIAG Select site for the link] (https://www.facebook.com/sucresaleTVA/photos/a.215709548450541.54446.122880981066732/1110546348966852/?type=3&theater), She will presumably be continuing her rehearsals for the coming concerts. And we may eventually hear about the ‘new projects’, as fans were promised several weeks ago.
David
