In Montreal, the journalist Louis-Philippe Messier is mainly on the run, with his office in his backpack, looking for fascinating topics and people. He speaks to everyone and is interested in all areas of life in this city chronicle.
What better way to counteract the gloomy vibe than by inviting ambassadors of good luck to comfort food? I’m talking about the Compagnie Créole, which is touring in Quebec to make “the birds laugh” and hopefully the Quebecers too.
So I brought the musicians into the Binerie. They gulped down the pea soup and happily ate their baked beans as a starter, then Joanna chose the tourtière, José the shepherd’s pie and Clémence the maple-marinated salmon.
Photo Pierre Paul Poulin
The Quebec-style baked beans, which they ate first, delighted them.
I had to explain in detail the Binerie Mont-Royal’s menu, which had many exotic options for them.
“What is pea soup? Joanna Bringtown asked, her eyes widening in astonishment as the bowl was placed in front of her.
For the three members of Compagnie Créole who accepted the journal’s invitation, it was an introduction to the 1930’s fashion bounty at this restaurant once frequented by Montreal Mayor Camillien Houde, ice hockey player Maurice Richard and filmmaker Pierre Falardeau .
Funny Putin
I figured that since they’ve been touring our house since 1985, they might already know something about meatloaf and paw stew, but no!
“It’s the first time I’ve had maple syrup on my salmon! exclaims Clémence Bringtown, the singer who has been there from the start. It’s cute, it’s good! »
Véronique Voignard, Clémence’s assistant, met Putin.
She remained fascinated by the strange white grains without immediately understanding that they were cheese.
“I’ve tried Putin, of course, but my stage dress for the song Collé collé was so tight that I only needed a bite to make sure I could perform,” laughs Clémence.
“I like it a lot, it reminds me of the pie I eat sometimes at Christmas,” Joanna says of her Tourtière.
“It’s simple and delicious,” says José of his shepherd’s pie.
“Oh dear God ! exclaims Clemence as the owners of La Binerie set out five desserts in front of them: grape tart (farlouche), apple tart, sugar tart, pudding and unemployment pudding.
Photo Pierre Paul Poulin
The infernal trio of cakes (sugar, raisins and apples), the chômeur pudding and the pudding ended up filling bellies well.
As if by magic, her appetite returns.
Adopted from Quebec
The members of the musical formation come from Guyana, Guadeloupe and Martinique, but met in Paris.
However, many Quebecers pretend to be Quebecers.
That’s what I believed in as a kid and teenager.
“Creole” was synonymous with Haiti to me, and their well-known music (It Makes the Birds Laugh, At the Masquerade Ball, It’s Boosting Morale, etc.) played at my family gatherings, so I thought it was from here.
“It surprises me that Quebecers see us as Quebecers, but maybe it’s not surprising because we’re always very well received here and we travel to the regions where there are always so many people,” Joanna enthuses.
Not content with the endless big centers of Montreal and Quebec, they go to cities like La Tuque and Thetford Mines.
Their infectious music will surely make you smile: “We are here to communicate our joy, it’s our job! said Clemence.
Don’t be afraid of the cold
The singer and musician José suffers from Parkinson’s disease. His gait is impaired, but he sings, dances and plays instruments without any problems!
“It’s a metamorphosis for the whole group once the show starts… and everyone in the room is dancing! exclaims Annie Richard.
“Two members of the group couldn’t go with us due to health reasons, but we’re also joined by two Quebecois musicians who we’ve ‘colonized’ to teach them how to play the West Indian style… and they play like beasts! Clemence calls.
The group that has already filled the Bell Center also performed on an allegorical float at Carnaval de Québec:
“We had heated mittens, it was impressive to see everyone dancing in winter coats,” Joanna recalls.
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