A true born-and-bred Montreal phenomenon, electronic music festival Igloofest has changed thousands of people’s minds about spending hours outdoors in wintry January and February – now in it’s seventh year, the Igloofest party is bigger than ever, spanning four weekends in the picturesque Old Port…

Igloofest turns the Jacques-Cartier Quay into a dance-party zone starting Thursday, January 17 with an amazing, break-the-bank first night: none other than Sasha, yes, the Sasha of the trancy-techno, the blonky drumbeats, the space-echo vocals, shows us what he’s made of (a lot) on the main Sapporo stage. Not only that, but Wolf and Lamb return to deepen the groove. I am very there. The music continues on Friday night in collaboration with Mutek, Canada’s biggest electronic music festival – they’ve got Montreal’s Stephen Beaupré, Germany’s Mathias Kaden and Bulgaria’s KiNK on the program. January 19 brings in acclaimed American DJ Josh Wink and Canadian faves Paolo Rocco and DJ Sneak.

On January 24, Montreal purveyor of hipness, Urbania magazine presents a trio of awesome women producing some of the latest and greatest electronic beats around: Alicia Hush, Miss Kittin and Ellen Allien. January 25 gets it right again with Berlin-based duo Pan-Pot, not-to-be-missed Nina Kraviz (label-mate with Carl Craig and DJ Hell) and Pierre De Lux, and Saturday night gets heavily funky with Germany’s Schlachthofbronx, TNGHT, Tronald Trump and Kaytranada. Stay in town until the following weekend for much-talked about locals who’ve recently made it big A Tribe Called Red, British dubstep master Caspa, Berlin’s Magda, France’s Agoria, housey-experimental Audiofly, and more.

Igloofest’s final and fourth weekend sees Nightlife magazine bringing Hot Chip’s Joe Goddard to the party along with cutting-edge Ben UFO. On Friday, February 8, summer music festival Osheaga presents DJ Oneman adding melodic elements to hip hop beats and dubstep producer Joy Orbison, plus Canada’s The Gulf Stream. Saturday night ends the fest with huge techno-leaning sets from Germany’s Chris Liebing, Tommy Four Seven and Pulses.

Perhaps as a way for dancers to better keep up their stamina over the next few weekends, the Igloofest site has been redesigned this year, with more space to chill out and socialize, as well as a new “village of playful activities.” More flatscreens and LED displays fill the space along with the fest’s immersive, high-tech projections and light show. Igloofest’s secondary space, an indoor venue called the Virgin Mobile Igloo, isn’t a place to rest though – over 40 great local and up-and-coming DJs and VJs like Scott C, Mossa and Montreal new media studio Gridspace turn the Igloo into a sweaty, celebratory hive of dancing bodies throughout Igloofest. And besides simply dancing the night away, Igloofest veterans know how to dress: in bright colours, one-piece ski-suits and flashy toques, accompanied by a tall can of Sapporo and a general spirit of happiness.

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 And, before January 5, 2013, absolutely make sure to enter to this AMAZING IGLOOFEST VIP CONTEST which includes travel, accommodations, VIP tickets to Igloofest and much more!

THE DETAILS

Igloofest at Jacques-Cartier Quay, January 17 to February 9, 2013

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Are you a fashion enthusiast, a foodie, a culture aficionado, or just looking for some quality time with your family? We plan getaways and gifts for everyone! A whole weekend of fashion and well-being are waiting for you. You can look forward to world class restaurants, Bota Bota, the first floating spa in the Old Port, or shopping for shoes at Aldo, the best spot for a fashion-forward getaway. Want to treat yourself? Join now!

The week of October 15to 21is dedicated to gastronomy in Montreal. Friends and lovers, it’s your turn to enter to win a trip for two to feast on delicious dishes created by our local chefs. Included in this prize in also a gift certificate from MTL à Table!

From October 22to 28, we’ll celebrate family life. Take the time to meet up with friends and discover the cultural wonders of Montreal with your children at the Biodome, the Botanical Gardens, and Insectarium. Then indulge in a sandwich at the famous Schwartz’s and many other surprises!

Finally, from October 29to November 4find yourself in the heart of Montreal’s culture, shows, exhibitions and museums with the help of La Vitrine. After soaking up some culture, go to one of Montreal’s finest restaurants where you can discuss your views about art and music while enjoying a great meal. It will be a cultural trip that you’re sure to remember for a long time.

Convinced? You have until November 4, 2012 to enter! Share your favourite Montreal moment on Twitter and use the hashtag #RDVaMTL. We can’t wait to read the stories you have to tell!

To participate, just go on our Facebook page and invite a friend. This contest is valid until 4 november 2012 midnight.

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Now in its 55th year, the annual World Press Photo show, put together by the World Press Photo organization, brings the best of the past year’s press photos together in one place, profiling the focused work of 54 photographers selected by an expert jury – this year the jury chose from among a whopping 5,247 photographers from 124 countries.

Education and artistry are on equal footing in the exhibition, each photo accompanied by written details about the story it tells, which often has a political angle. Winners are divided into 10 categories that reflect the diversity of stories in the media today. In the General News Singles category, Mubarak Steps Down by Alex Majoli took first prize with shots of Tharir Square in Cairo in February, while Rémi Ochlik’s Battle for Libya took first prize in General News Stories, and the Spot News first prize went to The Fury of the Tsunami by Koichiro Tezuka, whose photos show the devastation that hit the town of the town of Natori in Japan. On an even more personal level, Samuel Aranda’s photo of a man suffering from tear-gas exposure won the People in the News Singles award, and Yasuyoshi Chiba’s photos of Japan tsunami survivors gained him the People in the News Stories award. Other categories in this year’s exhibition span Daily Life, Sports, Portraits, Arts and Entertainment, Contemporary News and Nature, where photos span topics as various as Ukrainian feminist groups, Indigenous communities in Bolivia, Dakar Fashion Week, living with Alzheimer’s, the Ironman Championships, the purportedly largest cave on Earth, and more.

It’s also interesting to note that the World Press Photo Multimedia Contest is back for the second year in a row, with three juried winning productions and a special mention, showing an expansion of the definition of press photography. First prize went to Afrikaner Blood, by Ilvy Njiokiktjien (photography) and Elles van Gelder (videography and audio), a documentary that looks critically at a militant South African group that refuses to support a multicultural nation, while the other projects include Half-Lives: The Chernobyl Workers Now, America’s Dead Sea, and Punched Out: The Life and Death of a Hockey Enforcer.

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THE DETAILS

World Press Photo, September 7-30, 2012

Marché Bonsecours, 325 De La Commune East

Photo Credits: Tuna Fish in the Tonnara – Francesco Zizola, Earthquake in Japan – Lars Lindqvist, Battle for Libya – Rémi Ochlik, Dakar fashion week – Vincent Boisot

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Each year our friends over at tripoutgaytravel.com hold a little awards contest that celebrates the best in the glamorous/scandalous world of gay travel.

Montreal has been nominate for “Best Global Destination” – which makes sense for a variety of reasons: stellar gay village, delicious food, accessibility to Americans, cute accents and salacious nightlife. We’re kinda also awesome for hosting the world’s first international “Queer of the Year” contest.

I thought I’d make a little video that highlights the ‘gayness’ of Montreal.

We promise to keep on rockin’ it if you show us some voting love. You can vote with your Facebook or Twitter accounts, or you can keep it anonymous.

But whatever you do, just get out there and vote now… for Montreal!

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The post ‘IT’S AN HONOR JUST TO BE NOMINATED!’ WHATEVER. WE WANT TO WIN THIS! appeared first on Tourisme Montréal Blog.

The “Queer of the Year” has been an international search for the brightest star under the rainbow. Last week, five contestants were flown into Montreal to spend a week competing in various challenges, only one gaining the official title of “Queer of the Year”!

I had the pleasure of hosting this incredible experience. I spent one crazy-ass week with five fantabulous fags from different cities around North America. There were ups and downs, and only one walked away with the title.

So what happens when five gay guys get shoved in a loft for a week?

You need to watch and find out!

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Our first day will filled with tons of excitement, and a bit of jitters. But we gave the guys a couple of MOJOS (alcoholic energy drinks), and they seemed to snap back to life. It was an important lesson for me, as a host. Great reality TV moments are born from liquored up stars. From that moment forth, we made sure the cabinets were stocked.

Apart from wondering whether there were any legalities involved with filming drunk homosexuals, I did have some other important questions. Who were these guys? Would they be able to last for a week of challenges? To what depths would they sink to destroy their queer competitors? Where do unicorn babies come from?

It turns out the five guys were PERFECTLY casted. Meet them in this video.

Highlight of the day: Seeing the looks on their faces when they realized they were staying in a frickin’ gorgeous loft!

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This was a painfully early day for me. We had to wake up the gays at 6:30 AM, this meant that I had to wake up at 3 AM to put my face on. It takes A LOT of time to look this average!

Okay, so maybe I didn’t wake up THAT early, but you can definitely hear a certain morning rasp in my voice at the start of the clip.

The challenge of the day was to prepare a dish that best reflected the guys’ personalities. Sitting around the table that night was a BLAST. It was our opportunity to get to know each other on a deeper, drunker level. And, with the help of some professional chefs, the guys served up one kick ass meal.

Highlight of the day: Travis taking me hostage with a knife.

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For the third day (and second challenge), our dashing contestants had to display their sex appeal through a photo shoot.

It was a certainly a more relaxed schedule than the previous day’s cook-off, so there was some time to chill out and chat with each other on the couches of the fashion studio. Corey, after a late night of partying, honored the custom of any legitimate fashion shoot by a pre-session vomit-fest in the studio bathroom*. This was followed by Travis stating the line that became the catchphrase of the entire week – “You’re perfect for Vogue!”

Highlight of the day: Seeing the guys baring it all for the contest!

*We, at The Montreal Buzz, do NOT encourage or condone any sort of bulimic behavior. Although we might, from time to time, make ironic jokes about it.

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Oh, boys will be boys! And sometimes boys will be girls! Day four was one of those average days where a few guys put on some wigs and high heels to dance around on a stage in front of a couple thousand people.

I loved watching them squeal with delight when they realized what song they’d be singing, and I loved it even more when they were on stage, flashing their panties to a screaming audience. I was crying with pride on the sidelines.

Highlight of the day: Watching the queers prance around for the first time in their high heels!

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A gay needs to maintain his or her physical health. That’s why we included “Healthy Lifestyle” as one of our five criteria of what would make the best “Queer of the Year.” And to prove their healthy-ness, our queers had to compete in the gayest triathlon ever know to earth!

It was probably our most dramatic day of filming, with Sean and Nathan nearly throwing fists at each other. But the conflict made for a fun clip. In terms of humor, drama and sex appeal, this is probably my favorite video from the whole experience! Thanks for the drama my queens… err… I mean, my queers!

Highlight of the day: After all the drama, getting my shoulders massaged by the outdoor waterfall at Strom Spa.

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Today’s western queers are able to frolic around gayly due to the important work done by community-minded, human-rights-advocatin’ individuals of yesteryear. To show their support for Montreal Pride, and the important platform that Pride provides to local community organizations, the guys were asked to do a fundraiser.

And when you have a group of attractive, young men trying to raise money in a gay village, nothing pounds home the dollars like gettin’ down to the skivvies and hosing down some hotrods. Their big gay car wash helped raise a few hundred dollars for Montreal Pride.

Then, of course, there was the awarding of the “Queer of the Year” title! It was a dramatic moment for all of us. What you don’t see is Nathan walking off the stage and disappearing for the night! He thought he had won the title, but Sean inched him out with the public vote.

Did he return? You’ll have to watch day seven to find out!

Highlight of the day: The unapologetically skanky marketing strategy to the car wash!

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As a host, it was my job to remain neutral, yet supportive. I wanted all my little queers to succeed! It would break my heart a little bit each day when two contestants would be left off the podium. On this final day of the week, there was no challenge, thus no winners or losers (or disappointments). Just some good ol’ slutty dancing on a fire truck! Like God intended.

The guys displayed impressive stamina, dancing for nearly three hours in the pride parade. Then they rested up and headed out to Unity Nighclub where I witnessed several sloppy makeout sessions on the dance floor!

Highlight of the day: Having all the boys sitting around the dinner table, chatting about what each fella brought to the competition. Despite the differences and the drama, I could see that there was mutual respect and friendship between everyone… sniff sniff! I think I’m having an emotion!

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For more behind-the-scenes action, join the Queer of the Year Facebook Page and follow us on twitter @QOTYcontest!

The post QUEER OF THE YEAR: BEHIND THE SCENES COMMENTARY appeared first on Tourisme Montréal Blog.

Hey Gay-lovers!

It’s been a busy week here in Montreal with five fabulous guys arriving from all corners of North America to compete for the ultimate title of “Queer of the Year.” Check out the first three days of their adventures, and be sure to surf over to www.queeroftheyearcontest.com to register your vote on your favorite queer!

And stay tuned for more videos!

Day One

Day Two

Day Three

The post QUEER OF THE YEAR: THE BOYS ARE IN MONTREAL appeared first on Tourisme Montréal Blog.

Over the past few weeks we’ve had the pleasure of hearing folks testify why they might be the “Queer of the Year.” We’ve had people come out of the closet, march alone in their small town pride parade and flex their muscles in hopes of making a lasting impression with you!

It was definitely some tight competition with video entries coming from across North America.

After much humming and hawing, the panel (comprised of representatives at Tourisme Montreal, Montreal Pride and other community members) has made their decision! Here are the five finalists!

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The Queen: Nathan Gilligan
Phoenix, Arizona
24 years old

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The Freshman: Corey Vautour
Fredericton, New Brunswick
21 years old

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The ‘Good Guy’: Blake Spence
Calgary, Alberta
27 years old

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The Superstar: Sean Horlor
Vancouver, British Columbia
29 years old

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The Designer/Artist Extraordinaire: Travis Mullenix
Loa Angeles, California
21 years old

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Stay tuned next week (August 9 – 16)! Each day there will be a video posted that highlights the daily challenges that the five contentants are facing. View it all at www.queeroftheyearcontest.com! Bookmark that shit!

And finally, I know this question might be on the minds of many who have tuned into the contest: “Daniel, why are there no female finalists?”

Good question! The judges ABSOLUTELY wanted to have a diverse group of five finalists, which included women and transfolk. In the end we only had one female entry (and no trans entries), and our female contestant unfortunately could not make it to Montreal for the August 9-16 timeframe!

So we are left to cheer on the boys!

Go boys, go!

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The post QUEER OF THE YEAR: FINAL FIVE ANNOUNCED! appeared first on Tourisme Montréal Blog.

There are a lot of fabulous queers in the world. Gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transfolk (and all the beautiful identities in between) are spending their leisure time making the world a better place: helping community organizations fundraise, lobbying for equal rights against antiquated legislation or simply being funny and positive individuals. Why not throw a massive, viral internet party and celebrate them?

The ‘Queer of the Year’ contest has arrived. It’s equal parts “YouTube reality jovial-ness” and “genuine campaign to salute awesome queers.” And it’s pretty easy to enter. You submit a short video that attests to why you might be the ‘Queer of the Year.’ The upload it at queeroftheyearcontest.com. Then you get your friends to vote for you! (All the contest rules here.)

Five fab queers will be flown to Montreal from August 9 to 16, 2010 to compete for the final title.

Do you have what it takes?

So watch the above introductory video. Visit the ‘Queer of the Year’ website. Make a quick video. And maybe we’ll see you in Montreal!

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DETAILS

Queer of the Year Contest
The search for the brightest star under the rainbow
http://www.queeroftheyearcontest.com
twitter.com/QOTYcontest
facebook.com/QOTYcontest

The post THE ‘QUEER OF THE YEAR’ – COULD IT BE YOU? appeared first on Tourisme Montréal Blog.

The Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) is hosting a contest giving US residents the chance to win an ultimate Canadian experience. The winner will choose from 5 Canadian adventures, one of which is focused on the urban experience and includes two nights in Montreal!

“Urban Fare: The energy rushes at you. Exciting. Diverse. Delicious. Chic. Nonstop. It’s woven into the tapestry of these two great cities: Toronto, “The City That Works” and Montréal, “la belle ville.” You see it in the culture and the arts. Taste it in the food. Explore it in the architecture. Catch it in the attitude. Purchase it in the endless, magnificent shopping. Then celebrate it deep into the night.”

To enter, visit the “Canada. See it now.” website and click on “Urban Fare.”

Bonne Chance!

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