January 14, 2013 – The MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE snowball started rolling some 14 years ago and has now grown to become one of the world’s top winter festivals! This coming February 21 to March 3, the festival’s three sections – gastronomy, performing arts and outdoor activities – promises to once again set the city ablaze with light, much to the delight of the some 900 000 festival-goers who are set and ready to celebrate all winter has to offer, friends and family in tow!
On the menu
Thanks to a savoury blend of chefs from here and abroad, the festival’s wine and gastronomy programme has blossomed. Since 2000, close to 400 chefs, winemakers and speakers have accepted the invitation. This year, Buenos Aires is in the spotlight, presided over by none other than the great Argentinean chef, Francis Mallmann. Many surprises are also expected from Philadelphia (the featured American city) and from Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean (a Quebec region to discover). During the festival, some twenty guest chefs will take to the kitchens of the city’s restaurants. Bon appétit!
On Stage
Music, theatre, dance and circus arts comprise an incredibly comprehensive and eclectic bill! With Argentina as the featured country this year, the show La Pista Tango, which artfully combines circus arts with tango, will open the festival, followed by the jazzy tango of Daniel Piazzola (Astor’s grandson). Spotlights will also shine on the classical piano talent of Alain Lefèvre, Diana Krall’s incomparable jazz, the velvety smoothness of performance legend Tony Bennet, British rockers The Zombies in their Montréal début, the lyrical art of Marie-Josée Lord and much more. Caliente doesn’t begin to describe this 11-day blizzard of talent!
Outdoors
During MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE, the Quartier des spectacles and its place des Festivals turn into a magical family destination in the heart of downtown. Kiddies and adults alike will delight in the interactive slide, mega light projections and illuminated musical performances in a wintry wonderland!
Before Dawn
A festival tradition, the famous Montréal All-Nighter proposes a circuit full of festive events all night long, starting on Saturday, March 2, 2013. Until dawn, night owls can joyfully take to the city to enjoy some 170 different activities, the most of which are free. Museums, performance halls, outdoor squares alive with storytelling and music…all the city comes out to play in the glow of MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE.
