The scavenger hunt began in Manhattan in 2008 and the first installment was called First We Take Manhattan, after the Leonard Cohen song. Since then, the scavenger hunt has spread to over 25 other cities. For the 10th anniversary the event chose Montreal because it’s Leonard Cohen’s birthplace. Maybe the Leonard Cohen angle is a clue to one of the locations on the target sheet, but don’t take my word for it.

Participants arrive at L’Escalier at 552 St. Catherine East (between Berri and St. Hubert) at 10am on August 28. Once there, participants will register, receive a breakfast and size up competitors. Then contestants will receive a participant kit that includes a t-shirt and a target list. The target list is basically your bible and includes addresses and cross streets of the landmarks that Wikipedia wants photographs of. Then, the scavenger hunt begins. There doesn’t appear to be any restrictions on how to get from one target to the next. If you’re fiercely competitive, you should consider hiring a sports car and a driver with an excellent understanding of the city and an affection for speeding tickets. After all, it’s a competition.

After a day of running around town in a delirious Wikipedia content snapping fervour, contestants meet back at L’Escalier for the scores to be counted. The three teams with the highest number of points get $300 dollars each, there’s also a mysterious Grand Prize (that may or may not be an amazing camera) and $150 for whoever snaps the best single photo. All in all, it seems like a great way to explore the city and a nice and competitive way to honour Wikipedia, the website that has given us hours of entertainment and user-generated information. Plus, maybe you’ll even win the scavenger hunt. Maybe not. But Wikipedia does so much for us; maybe it’s time to give back.

THE DETAILS

Wikipedia Takes Montreal, August 28, 2011 (10 am to 6 pm)

Homebase: L’Escalier de Montreal, 552 Ste-Catherine East, (514) 670-5812

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The easiest way to begin this post is by starting with a look at a couple of Montreal’s most impressive churches. There is, obviously, a religious connection between choral music and church, but I’m a music guy, so I’ll just mention that they have some of the best acoustics in town…

Churches

Notre-Dame Basilica: This jewel of Old Montreal is renowned around the world for the impact of its Gothic Revival architecture, incredibly colourful interior and Casavant organ. During the course of the year, it is home to a range of choirs, symphonies and ensembles, but on April 23^rd it will be the Basilica’s own choir adding their voices to the Easter Mass.

Saint-Joseph’s Oratory: Another of Montreal’s iconic landmarks, the Oratory is a truly spectacular basilica located on Mount Royal, which is equally recognised as being the home of the recent canonized Saint André Bessette. Their boys’ choir, the Petites Chanteurs du Mont-Royal, has been singing at the Sunday morning mass for over 50 years and Easter Weekend will be no exception.

Choirs

Studio de Musique Ancienne de Montreal: The Studio, which matches an incredible choir with accomplished period musicians, has been one of Montreal’s true musical powerhouses for over 30 years and specializes in music from the Renaissance and Baroque periods. You can find them at Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel on April 22, performing works from Victoria, Gesualdo, Morales and Tallis.

Choeur de L’UQAM: Alongside the Société Philharmonique de Montréal and featuring soprano Elyse Charlebois and mezzo-soprano Andrea Kövagó under the direction of Maestro Miklós Takács, this esteemed choir will celebrate the music of Frank Liszt on April 22 at the Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste.

Fans of this post should take special note that the Montreal Chamber Music Festival runs from May 5 to May 28 and we’ll have preview coming on the blog soon…

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