As we scuttled around under layers of clothing, slipping and sliding on the slushy snow, we were told Montreal was a totally different city in the summer. It was hard to imagine, but we waited patiently as the temperature rose and the trees outside the windows turned green - would it really be all that dissimilar? Most places come alive in the summer months when the residents are no longer held captive indoors by the bad weather - surely that was the extent of the change here also? We waited for the transformation with interest.
Slowly, the city did indeed change it's colours; the cafe's and restaurants expanded out into the pavements, gardens bloomed and were filled with a rainbow of colours, parks became jam-packed with crowds picnicking and any ponds or water features in these open spaces flowed with water, council-owned flowerbeds (which we had never even noticed actually existed in the winter) were planted with an assortment of colourful blooms in pretty patterns.
Sure enough the city - once more or less silent under the thick blanket of snow - blossomed into a buzzing, vibrant place.
But there have been other aspects which set this transformation apart from elsewhere, most noticeably (and the one which appealed to us when we were weighing up whether to come out here), were all the varied festivals taking place throughout the summer months, many of them with free shows.
Slowly, the city did indeed change it's colours; the cafe's and restaurants expanded out into the pavements, gardens bloomed and were filled with a rainbow of colours, parks became jam-packed with crowds picnicking and any ponds or water features in these open spaces flowed with water, council-owned flowerbeds (which we had never even noticed actually existed in the winter) were planted with an assortment of colourful blooms in pretty patterns.
Sure enough the city - once more or less silent under the thick blanket of snow - blossomed into a buzzing, vibrant place.
But there have been other aspects which set this transformation apart from elsewhere, most noticeably (and the one which appealed to us when we were weighing up whether to come out here), were all the varied festivals taking place throughout the summer months, many of them with free shows.
There have already been a number of events already this year- we have not been the best at finding out when and where and so tend to miss them..
I apologize for being useless and not doing as much to write about as I possibly could have. Blame the ME, blame T's work: together they combine to be non-blog friendly!
I apologize for being useless and not doing as much to write about as I possibly could have. Blame the ME, blame T's work: together they combine to be non-blog friendly!
'Les FrancoFolies de Montréal' ran a couple of weeks ago (13th - 22nd June). This festival celebrates the best in French music and attracts around 1 million spectators to it's charged and free events. We caught it briefly purely by chance after venturing downtown to meet a friend for a drink on the weekend. The show we saw on the big outdoor stage wasn't really to my taste, I have to admit, but as we stood there somewhat puzzled what all the fuss was about, all those around us were singing their hearts out and dancing so I am sure the performers were quite well known (or at least the song was), and I don't think the enthusiasm was solely down to the beer...
One of the - literally - biggest festivals to take place in the city is the Montreal International Jazz Festival ('Festival International de Jazz de Montreal'). It took place from June 28th to July 7th this year. This, the largest jazz festival in the world (as named by the Guinness Book of Records in 2004) was widely advertised, so there was no excuse for us to overlook it - thankfully!
With around 3,000 artists from 30 different countries, just under 700 concerts (around 400 of which are free), featuring up and coming artists through to the big names, it attracts in the region of 2 million spectators.
On Tuesday we were initially planning to watch a performance in the evening with friends, but T ended up having to work late Monday night, well into the early hours of Tuesday, so we ended up having to change our plans due to us both lacking in sleep in a big way. Well aware this could be the only day open to us to go and see some jazz, we forced ourselves to go an early afternoon show. There were a number of performances going on throughout the day, but we settled on a local group from McGill University, taking place in the mall Grand-Place du Complexe Desjardins.
The young quartet were very good, and their hour-long set was over way too quickly. It was certainly different having people carrying handfuls of shopping bags walking past the stage, and others asking us where the pharmacy (sorry - drugstore) was as we stood listening to the music; but it all adds to the experience!
Woken up slightly by the music, we went for a drink at a newly discovered bar down by the Old Port. We may have been living here nine months, but we still have a vast amount of exploring in the city to do - the whole place still feels very unfamiliar and there are many areas we haven't touched yet.
On our way back we came via the main outdoor stage and were mesmerized by jazz act performing, which had a more hip-hop vibe, and was a stark contrast to the quartet. We could have stayed listening to this act all night, but our eyes were closing, as the four hours of sleep we had the previous night caught up with us.
On our way back we came via the main outdoor stage and were mesmerized by jazz act performing, which had a more hip-hop vibe, and was a stark contrast to the quartet. We could have stayed listening to this act all night, but our eyes were closing, as the four hours of sleep we had the previous night caught up with us.
Jazz Festival over for one more year, the other big festival is 'Just for Laughs,' a comedy festival which begins on July 10th - today in fact! Sp hopefully we will be able to go and see some comedy. In addition to this, I will do my best to go and check out another festival: from the circus to fashion and design festival, film to the international firework competition...there is no shortage of choice.
Montreal is a busy place in the summer!
Montreal is a busy place in the summer!