What I’m looking forward to in 2015

I don’t know if you’re like me, but I love the beginning of a new year. I know you’ll tell me they’re difficult to appreciate when January unravels a series of days so cold you feel it in your bones, giving you more than a few excuses to ditch those ridiculous resolutions you’ve hated from the minute you took them.

Well, fair enough, but I prefer seeing this time of year as an occasion to turn the page and start a new chapter. I press the pause button and I take a deep breath, until I’m ready to kick off the new year with a head full of exciting ideas and projects. I browse the web, reading blogs and everything I stumble upon, checking out upcoming events. And I can already declare that on both sides of the Atlantic, 2015 promises to be a stimulating and fulfilling year.

Here’s the list of events not to miss that I have decided to put into my agenda.

1. Jean-Michel Basquiat Exhibit «Now’s the Time», Toronto

It’s the first Canadian retrospective for this multi-talented artist who, during his short life, marked a generation with his powerful and provocative artwork covering themes of racism, social inequities, and death, earning him an international reputation.

Art Gallery of Ontario, April 1 to May 7

2. À Paradise City, Jean Leloup’s new album

We had to wait five long years, but  Jean Leloup, the bad boy of music, is finally back. He who haunts us from the very first notes, envelops us, and makes us forget our troubles, has just released a new album called À Paradis City, yet another journey into his fantasy world.
Out February 3

 3. House of Cards, Season 3

I just can’t wait to find out what the Machiavellian Underwood duo have up their sleeves in this third season, now that the fearsome Kevin Spacey has finally become the President of the United States, going face to face with an equally daunting opponent: Russia.

On Netflix starting February 27

4. The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier, Paris

Starting April 1, the prestigious Grand Palais is rolling out the red carpet for this vibrant exhibit, which first took place at Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, under the direction of Nathalie Bondil and the charming Thierry Maxime Loriot – one of the most spectacular and creative exhibits ever presented. This fabulous adventure is on to its 10^th stopover after Montreal, Dallas, San Francisco, Madrid, Rotterdam, Stockholm, Brooklyn, London and Melbourne. And it’s magical every time!

Galeries Nationales du Grand Palais, April 1 to August 3

5. The Elephant Man, New York

Because it’s not every day you get to see Bradley Cooper in a play, and even rarer to watch him incarnate someone like The Elephant Man – a repellent, disfigured character – and because Cooper delivers a fantastically disarming performance.

Booth Theatre, closing February 21

6. Sophie Calle and David Altmejd Exhibits, Montreal 

Amazing things are happening at the Montreal Contemporary  Art Museum this year. If, like me, you watched Tout Le Monde en Parle recently, you probably fell for French artist Sophie Calle’s irresistible charm. She’s an accomplished artist whose work and methods are completely captivating and absolutely worth your time.

And starting in June, the MAC is welcoming yet another fascinating exhibit, Flux , by Montrealer David Altmejd – whose work I had the privilege of admiring at the Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris. And believe me, it’s an exceptional exhibit, filled with his masterful giants and breathtaking pieces.

Montreal Contemporary Art Museum, from February to September

7. New IRO boutique, Montreal

I won’t try to hide that I’m a fan of the French clothing brand IRO, a mix of bobo chic and rock ‘n’ roll. Well, get ready, because they’re opening their first Canadian boutique, and – oh happy days – they’ve chosen to settle down in Montreal!

4883 Sherbrooke Street, Opening February 2015

Have a good week!

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(photos offered)