Cavalia

It’s hard not to notice the big white tents at the corner of Decarie and the Metropolitain. Cavalia is a multimedia event hosting visual effects, live music, dance, and acrobatics with over 20 horses! The show’s fifth run in Montreal opens on April 21st and runs through to June 1st, so don’t miss you chance to check out show times and buy your tickets!

The Montreal International Literary Festival

With 350 participants, The Montreal International Literary Festival offers a series of activities, workshops, and regular features that provide you with the opportunity to meet a number of international authors, photographers, storytellers, illustrators, publishers and literary professionals.

Tickets can be purchased by phone at (514) 790-1245, in person, at the Festival Ticket Office at the Delta Hotel, or on the Blue Metropolis Website.

Les Printemps du Musée d’Art Contemporaine (MAC) : Abstraction

On April 24th, the Museum of Contemporary Art is hosting an exciting event called Abstraction that will provide the opportunity to enjoy the unusual experience of venturing through the museum throughout the hours of 9PM-3AM! The soirée will feature Quebec artist Claude Tousignant, DJ Vito V, as well as various other exhibits and performances!

The MAC committee organizing the event consists a group of dynamic young individuals whose mission is to “encourage new generations to take an active interest in contemporary art, while raising awareness on the importance of the MAC’s role in preserving and promoting this great heritage in Montreal, throughout Canada and abroad.”

Location: Museum of Contemporary Art: 185 Sainte-Catherine W

Tickets: $100 with profits going to support the museum. Open Bar & Hors-D’oeuvres served throughout the night.

For tickets and more information contact Kim McKenna at (514) 847-6270

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

The parade has been a favorite of mine for years! It takes place on March 22nd at noon starting on Fort and Ste-Catherine W. The event attracts crowds of 600K and there are a number of pubs along the way that take part in the festivities. The Parade is 3 hours long with floats, bands, community and cultural groups. It’s a celebration of St. Patrick, the Irish community, and the welcoming of spring!

Sugaring Off

A visit to a sugar shack is a great way to break out of the winter blues! Maple taffy, traditional food, music, sleigh rides, and some fresh air are all part of the fun! Sugaring off is a fun activity to enjoy with your family or friends. I have been to a number of shacks over the years, and have enjoyed each and every one of them. However, weekends can get very busy, so if you have the luxury of taking a weekday trip, it is highly recommended.

The following are a number of options within a 1 hour drive from Montreal:

Cabane à Sucre Constantin Gregoire

Cabane à Sucre Oswald

Erablière Jean Parent

Cabane à Sucre Bernard Duquette

There are hundreds of additional options that you can also explore as well.

Have a great time!

The Montreal Motorcycle Show

If you're a Motorcycle enthusiast, the Montreal Motorcycle Show is a definite must see! This weekend, at the Montreal Convention center, check out the latest trends, accessories, products, services and upcoming season for an entrance cover of $13.50. The show is open from 10:00-9:00 today and 10:00 to 5:00 tomorrow. There is indoor as well as outdoor parking, or you can hop on the metro to Place D’Armes. Enjoy!

FIFA – The International Festival of Films on Art

The 27th edition of FIFA takes place from March 19th to 29th. The festival is unique in North America and is the largest of its kind in the world. This year, out of 600 international submissions, 300 have been selected for the program. Various genres of films including circus, mime, comics, etc. are presented in various venues including the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, the Musée d’art contemporain, the Grande Bibliothèque, etc. The array of works include film, television, and video and spans various disciplines including photography, architecture, theatre, dance, art history, etc. The diversity of entertainment is a sure crowd pleaser and a great way to ring in what will hopefully be the beginning of spring!

Kayaking

A friend of mine mentioned that her colleague was interested in knowing more about places to Kayak in Montreal. So let’s get our minds off the winter blues for just a moment to look at some of our options:

Parc de la Riviere-des-Mille-Iles is just off the shores of Laval. The park’s main access points are in Laval but it can be accessed from several areas on the Laurentian shore including the Centre de la Nature de Boisbriand. Kayaks can be rented.


Parc Iles-de-Boucherville is located in the St. Lawrence River just south of the eastern end of Montreal. Made up of several Islands, the park's officials have put together a suggested paddling circuit, between and around the islands, most of which is protected from the stronger currents of the broader St. Lawrence. If you bring your own kayak, you'll have a short portage since there is no direct road access to the water. In the summer the park can be accessed from the South Shore and the Island of Montreal via water taxi. Kayaks can be rented.

The Lachine Canal You can paddle from downtown Montreal all the way to Lake Saint Louise. You'll find parking at either end of the canal as well as several other points along the route. Kayaks can be rented.

Just a few more months of winter and then we can shift our focus on to beautiful sunny days!

Swimming

Kathryn had another request regarding cool places to swim in Montreal. There are so many pools, but one option in particular stands out because of the nature of the services they provide; Ecole D’O on Jeanne Mance! They offer a variety of lessons for all levels of swimmers. They have water-fitness classes, aqua massage, dancing under water, and a variety of innovative programs. If you love to swim, or are even afraid of the water, their approach and knowledge caters to all!

Skating Fun!

Kathryn, a Breaky with Becky reader, has asked me about cool placed to skate (and swim) in Montreal. So, for those of you who love to skate, or want to give it a try, here are a few great options:

The Atrium (1000 De La Gauchetiere W) hosts various themes and also has a full schedule of upcoming events including the Montreal All-Nighter festival that I have previously blogged about. Check out the schedule, rates, and rentals, group reservations , birthday packages, and lessons!

Beaver Lake's Refrigerated Rink on Mount Royal

The Quays of the Old Port as part of Old Montreal’s Extravaganza (also a previous post). There is a D.J party every Friday evening from 6:00-9:00. Don’t forget to drop by the Winter Bar before you leave!

Stay tuned for the next posting on places to swim – coming to a blog near you!

Wildside Theatre Festival

The Wildside Theatre Festival is nearly over, but your still have the chance to check out a show before the 25th! Productions are international, the themes are varied, and the tickets are affordable. The festival's objective is to encourage small theatre companies and provide them with the opportunity to use the Centaur Theatre's stage, crew, and PR team.

Shows & Details:

Sahara Crossing

Zeppelin was a Cover Band

The Sputniks

The Shape of a Girl

The Ballad of the Young Offender

Die Roten Punkte - Super Musikant

The Invisible Life of Joseph Finch

Enjoy!

Any Requests?

I have noticed that many of you are looking for things to do in Montreal when you stumble upon my blog. Any special requests this week? I can write about whatever you may be interested in, so post a comment and let me know.

I hope to hear from you soon!

The Ride to Conquer Cancer

Do you want to get in shape and make a difference? The Ride to Conquer Cancer is a 2 day cycling fundraiser (July 10-12 2009) from Montreal to Quebec City with proceeds going to the Montreal Jewish General Hospital. It will certainly be a challenge, but with some drive and determination, you can do it!

You can attend an orientation to find out all about the resources (training and nutrition programs, etc.) that will be provided in anticipation of the event to make sure you have a safe and successful ride.

There is a $2,500 minimum fundraising level to participate in this event. I know this seems like a lot, but if you tap into your network, you will be amazed at how supportive your friends, families, and colleagues can be. I personally raised over $5,500 over 2 years for the Weekend Walk to End Breast Cancer, a 60 km walk throughout the neighborhoods of Montreal. If you want some more details, or personal insights on this event, please let me know!

Cooking Classes & Workshops

Another favorite revealed by my survey shows a high interest in cooking classes and workshops. Check out the following cooking schools in Montreal:

Academie Culinaire Cooking classes are mostly offered in French but there are some held in English.

Bon Appétit Cookbooks An English cookbook boutique in Westmount that offers cooking classes based on published cook books. Class participants get a 10% discount on books purchased during the class.

Masala Cuisine There is a Montreal singles interactive cooking class on January 20th. (Indian cuisine)

Miyamoto Cooking Classes (Sushi)

Karen’s Kitchen (Vegetarian)

Loblaw’s Cooking School Select a specific location for further details.

La Gaterie Theoretical and Practical classes on baking cakes.

One Roast Chicken This is an online cooking school.

Various other Options

Bon Appétit!

Racquet Sports

The responses to my survey have indicated that many of you are interested in racquet sports but have trouble finding people to play with or coordinating your leisure time with your friends’ schedules. The following resources will help you find racquet clubs as well as other people interested in finding friends to team up with in Montreal!

http://www.localmontreal.com/index.asp?L1ID=29&L1BID=216&L2ID=2502
Type in Montreal as the location and a list of participating racquet clubs will come up with a text-box in which you may request a quote for membership. Although they are listed as Tennis Clubs, this is not necessarily the case since some of them also have squash courts and other services. I’m personally a member of the Sporting Club Du Sanctuaire, now known as The Midtown Athletic Club. The membership rates are pricey, but well worth the money if you’re an avid racquet sports player, or exercise fanatic!

http://www.fitness-singles.com/register-land.asp?fit=Tennis&i=1
This looks like a fun site for singles of all ages! I do find however that they ask a few too many questions to get started. This site is not restricted to racquet sports and it claims to be meant for friendship as well. However, the questions about appearance seem to imply dating only, as does the drop down menu for marital status that does not allow you to select a “Married” option. If you’re single though, this site could be a lot of fun!

http://racquetnetwork.com/clubs/?cityId=39&clubId=2&city=Montreal&club=Squash
This comprehensive website allows you to select Badminton, Racquetball, Squash, Table Tennis, or Tennis and provides you with a lot of relevant news, information, networks, venues, associations, etc. and will direct you to their corresponding websites.

Have Fun!!!