If you haven’t noticed yet from this blog’s coverage of Mutek, Osheaga, Jazz Fest and Just for Laughs, Montreal is a city obsessed with its festivals. The reason is simple: for many cold months, Montrealers are stuck in their apartments drinking red wine and waiting out the winter, so when summer hits, no one is ready to go home until at least October… Though Montreal boasts some huge, big-ticket festivals like those mentioned above, it also boasts some smaller, yet no less big-time fests. From French music to beautiful lanterns, there’s something happening every night from now until it’s time to put the snow tires back on. Here are the Top 5 Montreal Festivals you may not have heard of:
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5 Places to Enjoy Jazz Music in Montreal
The MONTREAL JAZZ FEST has just wrapped up. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find great spots around the city to hear trumpets and saxophones year-round. Here’s my list of recommendations for those of you who missed some of the big gigs from the summer festival. Read out more about my alternative picks to enjoy up-and-coming young musicians, old ragtime classics or world-influenced jazz beats.
Montreal Nightlife: Ginger
For the third installment in the Montreal Nightlife video series, I visited Ginger, an asian fusion restaurant with a wild side on Avenue des Pins, near St-Laurent Boulevard. I spoke to Ginger’s Jeremy Hufana about the restaurant, as he fielded phone call after phone call from people looking for a reservation…
Tweeting Live from the Montreal Jazz Festival!
Calling all music lovers! From June 30 to July 12, I will be TWEETING live from the MONTREAL JAZZ FESTIVAL. Check it out!
Hidden Hotspot #4: Laïka
Whether I want to work all day long, chain-drinking cafés au lait and eavesdrop on other regulars talking about Tokyo and Berlin, or simply spend an evening sharing a bottle of white Bordeaux with a friend while listening to some of the world’s best DJs, Laïka is a favourite venue in the Plateau area.
Montreal Culture Pick: Pierre Lapointe
This talented 28-year-old artist sings about French prostitutes and forests of disappointed lovers, while spending his free time at a columbarium. Pierre Lapointe has reached local and international fame with his first two albums, while his latest one, Sentiments humains, was just released in April 2009. Read more to find out why you should pick up his album while you’re in town.
Hidden Hotspot #3: La Quincaillerie
Our poor lonesome cowboy sometimes needs a place to go, like in those old westerns, whenever he feels like drinking Scotch and meeting up with friends. After several years of unfaithful affairs with other bars, La Quincaillerie remains the best alternative for successful Wednesday nights.
A Google Map of Montreal Nightlife
If you’re visiting Montréal to come experience our incredible Nightlife scene, there are so many options that it can be hard to get your bearings. You may have come to town with a couple places in mind. You may have, if you’re very astute, handsome and intelligent, been reading this Nightlife blog and gotten a couple ideas for where you want to go. But, if you’re planning to jump around the city a bit, to let the night winds take you where they will, it’s nice to know where all those spots are in relation to each other. For this reason, I’ve taken the time to make a special Nightlife in Montréal Google map for you to help plan your nights out on the town…
My Pick: aKido
You can find a self-proclaimed “World’s Best DJ” in every city. But electronic music isn’t all about techno beats and repetitive jingles. Coming up with something different is hard – and it often seems about as likely as Lady Gaga going without hair products for more than 24 hours. aKido, however, has done it. Read more to find out why you shouldn’t leave Montréal without his latest release.
Tiga’s Coming…
Montréal born DJ/Producer Tiga is bringing his beats home on Saturday June 6th. Come get yer sexy on…
