She came to see the concerts, but this eccentric Quebec City seamstress was the real show

Henriette Belley knew how to make an entrance.

A legend at Quebec City's Palais Montcalm in the '60s and '70s, the seamstress and fortune teller would regularly attend shows at the iconic music venue, flaunting extravagant dresses that she made for the public to admire. Belley, who was born in 1905 to humble beginnings and died in 1980 a public persona, became known for stealing the spotlight at the world-class concert hall.

"She was the big premiere of every concert," said Palais Montcalm's programming director, Nicolas Houle, during an interview with Breakaway.  

The landmark theatre built in Beaux-Arts style that overlooks Old Quebec's fortified gates is opening a new performance hall on Dec. 1 and, naming it in her honour. 

"We thought, 'why not name a place after a member of the audience instead of a popular artist?'" Houle said.

Belley was the obvious choice.

Belley would arrive late, just as the lights were dimming, Houle said.

But the lighting technicians knew to train the spotlight on her as she descended to her front row seat, parading an outfit she had specifically designed for that show.

Her gimmicks were so well-known that even the famous Belgian singer Jacques Brel, who performed a handful of times at Palais Montcalm in the late 60s, waited for her arrival before starting his concert.

"She was really a special woman, you know, she was a character," Houle said.

The new concert hall was originally meant to be a restaurant, but the venue later decided to create a space where emerging artists could be featured. 

"We wanted this place to have personality," Houle said. "We wanted it intimate, but a cozy place, kind of a lounge."

The room has a vintage look, with crystal liquor decanters, and navy blue and gold velvet chairs. Houle noted it is quite different from Palais Montcalm's more formal music halls, where sombre decor draws attention to the performance.

"There is a special atmosphere, and you can have a drink, and go to the bar, so that's a different kind of concert and different atmosphere," he said.