Published on July 13, 2009 – With the luminary Quartier des spectacles, Montréal now has an entertainment district worthy of its world-class cultural offering, with some 30 show halls (nearly 28 000 seats) and featuring L’Astral - an intimate cabaret-style room which features 350 seats and standing room for 600 more people – the permanent home of the Maison du Festival Rio Tinto Alcan on the Festival International de Jazz site.
Hammers and saws are the newest addition to the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal’s repertoire, with the construction of a new performance hall well underway. Expected to be completed by 2011, the new OSM room will feature excellent acoustics and will be able to accommodate 1 900 guests, 200 chorus members and 120 musicians.
The magic of the Quartier des spectacles shines even more brightly at night, thanks to its ingenious Lighting Plan: a nocturnal luminary tribute that reveals the incredible splendor of the buildings and the personality of the institutions that ultimately results in a uniquely urban experience. A perfect homage to Montréal’s culture, the architectural and dramatic lighting brings the Musée d’art contemporain and the Théâtre Maisonneuve of the Place des Arts to life. This energy-efficient installation includes more than 400 light sources, and consumes surprisingly little power -- a 34kW maximum, the equivalent of 340 traditional bulbs – but makes a big impression.
To make the most of the multitude of shows, concerts and plays going on in the Quartier des spectacles and around town, look no further than the Vitrine, Montréal’s cultural window. This one-stop outlet gives you instant access to information and promotions on all cultural and artistic events happening in the city. Plus, you can purchase tickets, on-line or in person, often at reduced prices. And no visit to the district would be complete without a look at the Vitrine’s luminous façade, which allows passersby to interact with the forms generated by 35 000 LED lights, every night of the year, from 7 to 11 p.m. It’s a technological gem, and unique in North America.
Quartier des spectacles
Quartier des Spectacles Lighting Plan
Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal
La Vitrine
