..:: Celine's Maniacs Website - The Italian Website dedicated to Celine Dion ::..

Archives .:...

::::::: July 2008 :::::::

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July 31st, 2008

::: Celine in Paris in next December? :::

(7:15 a.m. GMT) According to the French website evous.fr, Celine Dion will take part in the French show Star Academy 8 in December. Her appearance is scheduled for Friday, December 12th. She will be promoting her upcoming brand-new LIVE album (CD/DVD) taken from the successful Taking Chances World Tour.

[Source: evous.fr]

July 30th, 2008

::: Celine @ Star Academie - The Date! :::

(8:15 a.m. GMT) Julie Snyder, the host of the Quebec TV reality show Star Academie, confirmed to the Journal de Montréal that Céline Dion will sing LIVE on the stage of Montreal's Mel Studios (where the show takes place) on February 22, 2009.

[Source: Journal de Montréal; La Presse]

::: From "La Semaine" :::

[Thanks a lot France]

July 29th, 2008

::: Rene Angélil agrees to coach aspiring talent on popular Quebec reality show :::

(4:15 p.m. GMT) Celine Dion's husband and manager, René Angélil, has agreed to coach another generation of aspiring stars for the Quebec TV reality show Star Académie. Angelil will advise and critique performers as they prepare and then perform for Star Academie, which is broadcast on the French-language TVA network as from February 2009..

Julie Snyder, who hosts and produces Star academie, said at a news conference Tuesday that she asked Angelil during a recent telephone call if he would participate in the show. He agreed after a week of reflection. Star Academie is the Quebecois equivalent of CTV's Canadian Idol.

Angelil said the young people who participate in the show enjoy a springboard for their career that was not available to him when he was younger and in a musical trio called Les Baronets.

The show-host, Julie Snyder, confirmed that Celine will join the third episode of the show. "We will be already in Quebec for Celine's Tour and at the end will stay here" said Angélil during the press-conference held in Montreal.

[Source: Cyberpresse, The Canadian Press]

July 28th, 2008

::: From "Hello Canada" :::

[Thanks France]

::: From "Allo Vedettes" :::

[Thanks France]

::: From "7 Jours" :::

[Thanks France]

July 27th, 2008

:: From "The Gazette" ::

::: The Third Annual Fondation Maman Dion Golf Tournament :::

(12:00 p.m. GMT) Last Monday, the truly extraordinary founding president of decade-old Fondation Maman Dion, Thérèse Tanguay Dion (the much-loved TV chef, entrepreneur and "maman" to 14 - including internationally revered songstress Céline Dion), welcomed 288 golfers to Le Mirage Golf Club for the Third Annual Fondation Maman Dion Golf Tournament.

While one of the tournament's intentions was to offer participants an exhilarating day of golf and fun, the ultimate motivation was to amass as much money as possible for the foundation Shocked and dismayed by statistics regarding underprivileged children (this year alone, almost 200,000 Quebec youths, one in four, attended school without adequate school supplies and clothing.)

Maman Dion, taught to help others by her parents, is determined to make a difference. "The heart of a mother or father is not a matter of mathematics," she maintains. "When we love one, three or 14 children, we can equally love 2,000!"

With the support of her team, Maman Dion has done just that. Last week's tourney raised CAD$729,000, which will allow the foundation to give 2,000 children the school supplies and clothing they'll need to begin the school year. Being well-equipped helps with their development, self-esteem and desire to succeed.

Back to deets: After a scrumptious buffet brunch it was on to the manicured course for stimulating play and camaraderie, where my trusty "greens spy, " Mario Dilillo reported that toute la gang reveled in the spirit of the day, while enjoying mega munchies, hole-in-one competitions featuring Bentleys and Mazzies and a distribution of teddy bears (courtesy of Brault & Martineau), reminding all of the difference they were making in the lives of today's children and tomorrow's leaders.

Clearly, the night was on! Believe it or not, the surprises were only beginning as suddenly, the enchanting first couple of music, home-grown legend Céline Dion (in alabaster Lanvin) and husband René Angélil appeared on the red carpet, joining the other Dions whose love and support for Maman and her mandate was palpable. "While they are true Quebec royals," observed proud honorary president Nadia Saputo, "what is most striking about the down-to-earth Dions is their unwavering sense of family."

And it was as a family that the Dions accompanied the rest of the 500 patrons into the magical marquée, exquisitely decorated by Fanadica with the colours used in the packaging of Celine's fragrance Sensational (a bottle was awaiting each guest at his/her setting.) Also awaiting guests were more moments to treasure, as they enjoyed a delectable six-course dinner, emceed by Charles Lafortune.

Three moments in particular will remain with many for a lifetime; first, a heartfelt address by Céline, speaking on behalf of her brothers and sisters, who vowed that they would carry on Maman's legacy. "My mother," she said, "is like the roots of a tree - there to nurture us and provide protection."

Second, organizers dazzled with their charity version of Deal or No Deal - Les Valises Chanceuses, sponsored by GPL Assurance. While the true-to-life valise-toting glamazons were giant crowd-pleasers, along with superglam prizes (worth over $80,000) including a grand getaway to NYC to meet Céline and see her perform, what captivated most was the co-hosting duo of Céline Dion and René Angélil (entertaining and hilarious!)

Finally, a night without song around the Dions is like a tournament with no sunshine (despite concerns, there was plenty!) so it's no surprise that the final surprise of the evening was a performance by the Dion siblings, who serenaded Maman with "Ce n'était qu'un rêve," a song she composed for Celine's first audition with René. Was the above worth delaying the summer vaca? What do you think?!

[Source: Canada.com]

July 25th, 2008

::: Gordie Brown Joining Celine :::

(6:30 p.m. GMT) Singing impressionist Gordie Brown has landed a five-month gig as the opening act for Celine Dion's North American leg of her "Taking Chances" tour. He's closing Aug. 9 at the V Theatre (Miracle Mile at Planet Hollywood Resort) and joins her a week later in Montreal, the starting point.

The tours ends in Sunrise, Fla., on Jan. 30. Meanwhile, there's buzz in the dance community that Dion has signed several of her former dancers from her "A New Day" show, which ended a 4 1/2-year run at Caesars Palace in December. That would fit with the rumors of her return to Caesars for a long-term show starting in 2010.

[Source: Las Vegas R-j]

July 24th, 2008

::: Celine on the cover of this week's "La Semaine" :::

[Source: La Semaine]

July 23rd, 2008

::: Celine invites HELLO! Canada inside her exclusive charity bash :::

Canadian chanteuse Celine Dion takes us behind the scenes of a cause close to her heart in this week's edition of HELLO! Canada. The Quebec-born superstar returned home from her world tour to join her mother Therese and many of her 14 siblings at the third annual charity golf tournament in honour of the Dion family matriarch, affectionately referred to by all as 'Maman'. "They are true Quebec royals," honorary president of the event Nadia Saputo said of the close-knit Dion clan. For the exclusive pics of Celine's family fundraiser and much more, pick up the latest copy of the magazine, on newstands from July 24.

[Source: Hello! Canada]

::: From "Clin d'Oeil" :::

[Thanks France]

::: Celine's NEW Fragrance - Due in September :::

Celine Dion will launch Sensational Moment, a limited edition flanker to Sensational (which has been on the shelves for a few months), this coming September. Sensational Moment promises to capture Dion's emotional and romantic side, and features notes of mandarin, pink grapefruit, blackberry, pink peony, coconut orchid, freesia, ginger lily, white amber, hazelnut and musk. Celine Dion Sensational Moment will be available in 15 and 30 ml Eau de Toilette.

[Source: modelvita; nowsmellthis]

July 22nd, 2008

:: TV5 Monde ::

(7:30 a.m. GMT) To celebrate the 400th aniversary of Quebec City, the French TV Network TV5 Monde will broadcast an exclusive interview with Céline Dion made by the journalist Denise Bombardier.

The interview, taped in Monaco, will last 52 minutes and will be broadcasted on September 7th at 6:00 p.m. CET on TV5

[Source: Télé 7]

:: A Brand NEW interview ::

(7:30 p.m. GMT) By clicking here, you will be able to watch a brand new interview with Celine Dion broadcasted last night on the Quebec TV Network TVA.

July 18th, 2008

:: An unforgettable opportunity for 12 young heros to meet Céline Dion ::

(6:00 a.m. GMT) MONTREAL, July 17 - The event currently taking place in Montreal is the first of its kind: 12 young people from 9 countries are visiting the city to celebrate life and meet with Céline Dion. The children were chosen by a team of Reader's Digest correspondents to take part in the Faces of Love project, the goal of which is to raise funds for various causes endorsed by Céline Dion, including the CHU Sainte-Justine, the Toronto Hospital for Sick Children and UNICEF. For these children, who have gone through so much, a true fairy tale is in the making.

Chris, Milagros, Martunis, Anna, Elisabeta, Samu, Miles, Mario, Donald, Fanni, Andrew and Mary Justin, along with members of their families, are spending a week fulfilling their dreams in Montreal. These children, who have always wanted to see Niagara Falls, go for a helicopter ride or meet an Olympic champion, have had a chance to do all this and more during their stay.

In addition to taking part in a one-of-a-time experience, the children also had an opportunity to join Céline in a personal photo session directed by famous photographer Heidi Hollinger. The exceptional lives of these children, who have overcome challenges to go on living with courage and determination, are immortalized in pictures and words in a book, a calendar and greeting cards. The book, entitled 12 héros parmi nous and published by Publications Charron, will be launched in August of this year. The calendar and a series of greeting cards will be on sale everywhere, starting in September.

"We already know about Céline Dion's long-standing commitment to the Cystic Fibrosis Association, as well as her affiliation with the CHU Sainte-Justine-she and her husband, René Angélil, were the spokespersons for the CHU Sainte-Justine's most recent fund-raising campaign. What is not so well known is the fact that Céline is actually involved: she meets with sick and injured children, comforts them, shares their pain and fear, and brings them that which, more than anything else, can help change their lives. Their hope, determination and strength is largely derived from contact like this," explains Georges-Hébert Germain, who wrote the preface for the book written by 12 well-known Quebec authors and personalities.

[Source: cnw]

July 16th, 2008

:: The New Calendar ::

(5:00 p.m. GMT) Today and tomorrow, Céline will be in Montreal (Canada) to join some photo-sessions that will be part of a new calendar (some websites say that will be the calendar of UNICEF other say for the Celine Dion Foundation). For the occasion, 15 children with congenital malformations have been invited to join the sessions.

[Source: rpp-noticias]

:: 'Blingthing.org Announces First Annual Celebrity Jewelry Auction' ::

(12:00 p.m. GMT) On Thursday, September 25, 2008, the best of Tinseltown will gather at Hotel Bel-Air (Los Angeles) for the first annual blingthing.org Celebrity Jewelry Auction to raise money for scholarships to youths pursuing an education in the arts. Auction attendees will have the exclusive opportunity to bid on a selection of jewelry donated by celebrities from their own personal collections, while guests to the VIP after party will mingle with the stars.

Celebrity invitees include Jennifer Aniston, Victoria Beckham, Jim Carrey, Tom Cruise, Celine Dion, Harrison Ford, Katie Holmes, Angelina Jolie, Madonna, Steve Martin, Paul McCartney, Gwyneth Paltrow, Sarah Jessica Parker, Michelle Pfeiffer, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Will Smith, Britney Spears, Steven Spielberg, Barbara Walters, Denzel Washington, Oprah Winfrey and many others.

[Source: Yahoo]

:: From "24 Heures" ::

July 15th, 2008

:: Celine performing in Frankfurt, Germany (June 14th) ::

[Thanks Corinna]

July 14th, 2008

::: The scans of Celine's Maniacs on the famous 7 JOURS !!!! (Pag. 7-9) :::

[Thanks France]

July 13th, 2008

:: Goodbye Celine ! ::

(10:00 a.m. GMT) Celine performed her latest concert in Europe last night in Montecarlo. According to Mego, she left Europe shortly after the concert. Plus, there are few rumours on the web about a possible coming back of Celine in Europe in 2009. They also say she will come back in China and will perform in Brazil and Mexico. Let's wait and see!

July 12th, 2008

:: Celine & Ne-Yo ::

(6:15 a.m. GMT) Singer and producer Ne-Yo is enjoying his summer vacation overseas in St. Tropez and Monaco. The singer/songwriter was spotted lunching at the members-only Monte Carlo Beach Club with none other than Celine Dion. The two collaborated together on “I Got Nothin’ Left” off Celine’s album Taking Chances.

[Source: Rap-Up]

July 11th, 2008

:: More Pics ::
:: Céline performing in Arras, France (July 7th) ::

[Thanks a lot Titine]

:: From "24 Heures" ::

July 10th, 2008

:: Dion's heart will go on for Quebec town ::

(6:00 p.m. GMT) CHARLEMAGNE, Quebec - Graceland, it’s not. Tour buses do come through occasionally, and the highway into town was re-named Boulevard Céline-Dion last year. A slightly lopsided globe emblazoned with her song lyrics and a “Celine” signature greets arrivals. But the people of this small town off the northeastern tip of Montreal island, birthplace of the closest thing Canada has to an Elvis Presley, are not exactly capitalizing on their brush with celebrity.

Tourists hoping to see where the star was born must content themselves with peering through the windows of the empty, unmarked house, which most recently held a store selling doors and windows. The only apparent cash grab is Pizza Céline in a strip mall on the outskirts of town. Even there, there are no photos of the diva inside and no pies named after her and her family. A waitress explained that they have to be careful about associating the place too closely with Ms. Dion. “There are a lot of Célines, but we couldn’t put Dion,” she said of the pizzeria’s name. “They might sue us.”

Besides, the impression a first-time visitor gets is that most people here view Ms. Dion as a source of pride, not a potential business opportunity. Mayor Normand Grenier took time away from his official duties during recent Fête Nationale celebrations to talk about the impact the singer has on the town of 6,000 people. At 50, he is 10 years older than Ms. Dion, and remembers watching her grow up, hearing her sing as a youngster at her parents’ restaurant and bar, Le Vieux Baril.

“Now she is worldwide,” he said. “She is the ambassador for Charlemagne.” When he travels abroad and introduces himself as the mayor of Charlemagne, people say, “Oh, Celine Dion.” When the town recently undertook to twin itself with another municipality, it had to beat back the suitors. “I think all of Europe wanted to be twinned with Charlemagne,” he said. Claude Gagné recounted the time he needed medical help in southern France and as soon as the doctor learned he was from Charlemagne, he peppered him with questions about Ms. Dion. “It didn’t cost me a thing,” he said of the treatment.

Ms. Dion is the youngest of 14 children, and two of her siblings still live in Charlemagne. It is where her father Adhemar, who died in 2003 at age 80, is buried and where the Maman Dion Foundation, started by her mother Thérèse to help underprivileged children, has its headquarters. The Dion family recently bought back the ancestral house, and Mr. Grenier said there is talk of turning it into a Celine Dion museum, but he thinks that is a couple years off.

After a five-year stay in Las Vegas, Ms. Dion reportedly plans to move into her new mansion on Florida’s exclusive Jupiter Island when she completes her current world tour. But Mr. Grenier said she returns to Charlemagne at least once a year. “She comes to Charlemagne incognito to see her father’s grave site. Every year she comes to hand out baskets of food to poor people. You can see her simplicity,” he said.

When Charlemagne kicked off celebrations of its centennial in 2006, Ms. Dion sent this video message to the townspeople: “Despite the distance that separates us and my professional commitments, I always keep a special place at the bottom of my heart for my native town, which saw me grow up and contributed to shaping the woman I became … Despite the grandiose places I have visited over the years, nothing will replace in my heart the wealth of the love that I received, the values that were ingrained in me during my childhood in our little house on the edge of the Assomption River.”

Don’t try to tell anyone here that she didn’t mean every word. Jacques Savoie watched Celine crawl around in diapers as a child and was flattered when he ran into her at a theatre in Montreal and she introduced him as a singer. “She’s a source of pride for us,” he said. Mayor Grenier’s estimation that 99.9% of the Charlemagne population “adores Celine Dion” does not seem far off. And finding the dissenting voice or voices will not be easy. “We’ve got him tied up somewhere,” the mayor jokes.

[Source: National Post]

:: From the "Tribune de Genève" ::

Video: Fans + Celine's sound-check (Audio)

:: Celine Dion Gets New Nautical Bikini (July 8th) ::

(6:00 a.m. GMT) "Celine Dion returns to her balcony in Antibes, France, this time wearing a nautical-inspired bikini on Tuesday. Looks like Celine, 40, is playing with the water hose and getting her son Rene wet! Rene Angelil is now 7 1/2."

[Source: Just Jared]

July 9th, 2008

::: Update :::
::: Celine performing in Geneva (Switzerland - July 9th) ::

[Source: Tdg, BelgaPictures]

:: Dion and McCartney get equal space for Quebec City concert ::

(6:30 a.m. GMT) The "battle" for seating space on the Plains of Abraham between Paul McCartney and Celine Dion has ended in a draw. To help celebrate Quebec City's 400th anniversary, the pop diva offered to give a free concert on August 22nd. But the site chosen for her show was limited to 100,000 fans who had already stood in line to get reserved tickets. That upset Dion's manager-husband Rene Angelil.

The location of an open-air concert by McCartney on July 20th can hold up to 200,000 people. It wasn't possible to relocate the venue for Dion's show. So to satisfy Mr. Angelil, organizers were able to expand the site of Celine's concert to make room for another 100,000 fans. Gelinas, who heads the 400th celebrations, phoned Angelil in France Tuesday and reported that Dion's manager is "very, very happy" with the new arrangement.

[Source: canadaeast]

July 7-8th, 2008

:: From "La Tribune de Geneve" ::

:: From "24 Heures" ::

:: From "Le Matin" ::

:: René Denies Press-Rumours ::

(8:00 a.m. GMT) There have been few false rumours on these days about the free-concert that Celine will perform in Quebec-city on August 22nd. The english-speaking press in Canada announced: "Dion will sing for about 20 minutes, but her show will also include Quebec performers Garou, Claude Dubois, Marc Dupré, Jean-Pierre Ferland and the Dion family."

In an interview to the French-speaking newspaper, Le Soleil, René Angelil promises that the show will be amazing and denies that Celine will perform for only 20 minutes, "It will be a show completely in French and Celine will be on the stage from the beginning to the end!"

Angélil, who is with Dion's world tour currently in Europe also told he was horrified by the ticket giveaway (distributed by event sponsors). "I want a maximum number of people to see Céline," Angélil said, adding that the idea of the tickets was not his. It was proposed by Pierre Boulanger, Gélinas's predecessor, and the number of tickets was capped at 100,000.

"When I learned there would be 250,000 people for Paul McCartney's free-concert on a different site, I was shocked, surprised." In fact, Dion's concert is not on the same site. Dion's show will be in an open field about three kilometres to the west of the McCartney site.

"The shows will take place where we said they would," said Daniel Gélinas, who heads the 400th celebrations. "But we will reflect. Probably nothing will change."

[Source: Canoe, Canada.com]

:: Update ::
:: Céline performing in Arras, France (July 7th) ::

[Source: La Voix du Nord]

:: Céline in Antibes, France (July 6th) ::

(8:50 p.m. GMT) "Céline Dion shows off her impeccable style in a stunning one-shoulder Hermes swimsuit while on vacation in Antibes, France on Sunday. How regal! The 40-year-old Canadian chanteuse was seen talking on the balcony of her hotel with an unidentified female and reading a magazine about kids."

[Source: Just Jared]

:: Download --> Celine Dion LIVE in Milan (July 3rd) - The Best moments! ::

(4:00 p.m. GMT) By visiting the sub-section World Tour 08-09 (in the Video section), you will be able to download an absolutely amazing video featuring all the best moments taken from Celine's concert in Milan (July 3rd, 2008), Italy.