Noon
The minute you step into the huge downtown sector reserved for the Festival, you’ll find Sainte-Catherine Street swept up in the beats of the Big Easy and beyond. Get your bearings by visiting the many kiosks that offer everything from program schedules and souvenirs to cold refreshments and sumptuous snacks. Then kick back with families and festivalgoers of all ages, happily picnicking and soaking up summer’s rays on the esplanade of Place des Arts. Savour the moment: You are in the heart of one of the world’s largest urban festivals devoted solely to music.
2 p.m.
The program is jam-packed with jazz, blues and world beat, with dashes of electronic and contemporary music. Sample it all by strolling from one site to another, taking in some of the 350 free performances offered on the outdoor stages. Or, pick up tickets for a show at one of the indoor venues, where artists like Aretha Franklin, Woody Allen and Charlie Haden will be thrilling audiences from around the world this summer.
9 p.m.
Succumb to festival fever and join the thousands who flock to the main stage for the big show, turning downtown into a giant open-air dance floor. Whether you’re a toe-tapper or a hip-hopper, the friendly and exuberant atmosphere will have you dancing in the street.
Midnight
Cap off the night by chilling with musicians and music-lovers in the intimate ambiance of the Upstairs Jazz Bar & Grill and enjoy a cold one over a few sizzling improv sets. Or check out The House of Jazz, one of the oldest jazz clubs in the city, where luminaries like Oscar Peterson and Oliver Jones (both natives of Montréal), Liza Minelli and many other great names from here and afar have graced the stage. These two jazz landmarks are also great for star-gazing, since festival headliners have often been known to drop by these hot-spots for some post-show R&R.
Festival International de Jazz de Montréal
June 26 to July 6, 2008
