Sixteen Parisian Dogs and a Cat

When I first saw this picture I noticed the cigarette butt and the dog stepping gingerly around it 

It occurred to me that dogs might find their environment unpleasant -- even under the arches of the Place des Vosges, one of the iconic sites of Paris.

Other dogs seem to find the whole being-with-humans thing very glamorous.

 We saw some lovely mutts in Paris

Gloriously shapeless.

Kept on a short leash. 

Paris also has its unleashed dogs.

Unleashed.

 She has coordinated her dog and shoes.

 I saw a dog pass its nose over a urine stain as if scanning a barcode.

We didn't meet a Parisian dog we didn't like.

 We passed this Labrador many times at its restaurant near the Musée Picasso. This is a rare moment when he's not surrounded by adoring fans. Bill is sure he is the envy of all the dogs in the neighbourhood.

And here is our one Parisian cat, Aggie -- owner of Shakespeare and Company.

Backstage at Massey Hall

Cal Woodruff is an old friend of Bill and me. He's also the Front of House Manager at Massey Hall.

Today he invited us to tour the empty theatre. He thought we might find it a good subject for pictures. 

Massey Hall is about to close for a two year renovation. Gordon Lightfoot will be the theatre's final act in its current incarnation.

In the lobby, Cal filled us in on the history of the theatre. Two more friends joined us. We are about to see the theatre up close at the end of its first golden age.  

Cal took us to the very top of the theatre, at the top of the stairs at the back of the second balcony. He told us that the Moorish arches are a conscious reference to the design of the famous Alhambra in Granada.

The intimacy of Massey Hall has been justly praised throughout its history.

 The tour continued backstage. We passed some back-up lighting equipment.

 And went up into an area just above the stage. Bill tried to get some pictures of the scaffolding but there was just not enough light.

There was enough light to show the lovely texture of the old theatre.

 We took the stairs to the first balcony. 

What a gorgeous theatre.

 We enjoyed a performance by Mavis Staples last week from just about this angle.

 Then Cal took us out onto the famous stage. In Canada this place is sacred ground.

Note again the Moorish arches above the second balcony. 

 Tomatoes From Canada at work.

 We passed through the second floor bar. Once a gentlemen's smoking room.

 Then we went down to the basement to the modest dressing rooms.

Arrows to help the performers orient themselves backstage.

 Stairs if you want to walk onstage from "stage left".

 Bill found this poster from his first Massey Hall concert (1960s). He remembers the colourful audience decked out in Indian attire.

Tomatoes From Canada appreciate the hospitality we were shown today. Thanks Cal!

Parisian Posters

Let's have a little tour of the decorations of the streets of Paris -- posters, graffiti and a mix.

 It's easy to see where Jacques Villeglé, the Parisian poster-collage artist, got his inspiration. The posters change constantly, get torn by rain etc and create collages.

John and I saw these Dorff posters all over town. He models his own underwear. 

Two weeks later here's Dorff doing a crucifixion pose.

 These new graffiti-style images are surely selling something, no? The tagging is part of the design. 

My last two photos in the City of Light this visit.