After gaining international attention, Les Boules Roses are returning to Montreal’s Gay Village for the 2013 edition of Aires Libres…

Somebody somewhere is polishing up 170,000 balls this week in preparation for their starring role dangling above our heads for the third time during the pedestrian-only festival Aires Libres 2013 in the Gay Village. They’ll be gracing us with their presence from May 16 to September 3, 2013, so get your party tanks ready!

Designed by renowned landscape architect Claude Cormier, the pink balls stretch down 1 km of Saint-Catherine from Berri-UQAM metro to Papineau. The balls come in three different girths, and five varying shades of pink that create a dreamy ambiance as you stroll outside day or night.

Les Boules Roses gay marries business with art. It brings people together to enjoy the burgeoning restaurant and club scene, all while experiencing a large-scale art installation. Its impact has earned cool awards like the National Honor from the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects, and Phénicia award for International Influence from the Gay Chamber of Commerce of Québec.

The pink balls make the Gay Village one of the most unique and fun open air spaces in Montreal during the summer months. LGBT and straight people from around the world enjoy the pink while chilling on the plethora of terraces consuming gallons (and gallons) of sangria. Gay locals know that when the balls go up, summer has officially arrived. It ushers in another season of iconic LGBT festivals like Divers/Cité (July 30-August 4, 2013) and Fierté Montréal Pride (August 12-18, 2013).

Keep tabs on everything happening in Montreal’s LGBT scene this summer by following Queer MTL on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We have many exciting events happening in and around the Gay Village all summer so stay tuned!

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THE DETAILS

 Les Boules Roses, May 16 to September 3, 2013

The post The ”Boules Roses” Are Returning to Montreal’s Gay Village appeared first on Tourisme Montréal Blog.

Every summer, the Gay Village is blessed from May 17 until September 3 with Aires Libres, the car-free, pedestrian-only, patio-filled stretch of Saint-Catherine street. The 2012 Aires Libres carries over “Les Boules Roses” from last year.

Montreal’s Gay Village shows its colours as the Pride flags come out and Les Boules Roses, aka the Pink Balls, go up in the 2012 edition of Aires Libres!

200,000 pink resin balls are strung across and down 1 kilometre of Sainte-Catherine from St-Hubert to Papineau, creating a canopy of bubble-gum bliss. The massive installation piece was created by landscape architect Claude Cormier, who is also responsible for some of Montreal’s favorite spaces like Dorchester Square, Clock Tower Beach, and Place D’Armes.

Aires Libres brings many other installations to the Gay Village this summer. Mémorama by Daily Tous Les Jours, a series of drop-in booths – wired with cameras – that passersby can take a photo of themselves in fun and creative ways, and then share it in an online photo album.

With Montreal’s Gay Village turning the big 3-0 this year, there will be an exhibition celebrating the anniversary created by SDC du Village and André Gagnon. Banque National will return again this year with a new installation yet to be released, but based on the massive popularity of their Le Manifeste last year, they have their work cut out for them!

The activities taking place this year during Aires Libres are plentiful, with Outdoor Bazaars, Films, Circus, Concerts, Divers/Cite, Pride Festival, and more! What I’m looking forward to the most is “Fruixi”, a fruit and vegetable stand in Parc de l’Espoir (corner of Saint-Catherine and Panet).

This summer is promising to be a good one, especially with all the Aires Libres activities and attractions. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the Queer of the Year finalists mid-August, strutting their stuff in the sun!

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THE DETAILS

Aires Libres, May 17 to September 3, 2012

The post THE GAY VILLAGE’S “BOULES ROSES” appeared first on Tourisme Montréal Blog.