The House of Jazz – A feast for all your senses
As the name might give it away, the House of Jazz is all about the sophisticated side of jazz, down to the last detail. From the moment you walk in, you will notice the meticulous New Orleans’ interior decoration covering every square inch of the room.
The tables are placed in an auditorium-style arrangement, converging towards the stage as the focal point of the restaurant. I highly suggest you grab a seat facing towards the stage, because as beautiful as the music sounds, half the excitement is watching some of the most talented artists play this intricate music with such ease.
With daily performances, it’s no wonder their clients stick around for many hours at a time. The Taurrey Butle Trio, a band I had the pleasure of watching, blew my mind. As a musician, I’ve always had the utmost admiration for jazz performers for it is the hardest style of music to play. I couldn’t take my eyes off the pianist’s fingers, which seemed to be moving at a speed of a thousand miles an hour.
These men share a chemistry that is reflected in their music; they play as if they’re the only ones in the room. The pianist raced his fingers up and down the keys with agility, the bassist held up some of the best tempo I’ve ever head, and the drummer jammed away like only someone with ADHD can.
Aside from the music, The House of Jazz serves an array of dishes you can easily enjoy while watching the show. I highly suggest ordering the plate of ribs if you don’t mind getting your fingers dirty.
Montreal’s lucky to be home of such an authentic jazz establishment, with amazing toe-taping beats and a service reflecting the New Orleans hospitality.
Love Mob Montréal
Ok… vous connaissez les principes des Flash Mobs? Des gens qui se donnent rendez-vous dans un endroit pour effectuer une action qui sort de l’ordinaire, souvent dans le simple but de s’amuser.
Il y en a de plus en plus dans le monde, et à vraiment toutes les sauces !!
(Improv Everywhere en fait d’EXCELLENTS: voici une petite compilation de leurs meilleurs que j’avais mis sur mon blogue)
Cette semaine, il y en a eu un à Montréal. Comme ils l’expliquent sur leur événement Facebook, les organisateurs voulaient fêter « le 40e anniversaire du Bed-in de John Lenon et Yoko Ono pendant lequel ils chantaient l’amour et la paix. Montréal, c’est aussi la ville qui symbolise le plus l’amour en Amérique du Nord. Enfin, quoi de plus beau que de faire une grande déclaration d’amour publique!»
D’accord, alors voici une petite et belle animation qui préparaient les intéressés:
Bien faite non? On s’attend alors à quelque chose d’original, d’excentrique…
Je vous laisse regarder le montage final de l’événement.
On s’entend pour dire qu’il n’est pas mauvais… mais en tant que montréalais, ne pouvons-nous pas aller… juste une coche par dessus? Se démarquer? Que les gens se rappellent de ce vidéo? Que les gens le «ReTweet» ou le partagent sur Facebook? Parce qu’on s’entend que dans deux jours…
Je pense vraiment qu’on peut faire mieux. 
Halloween Massacre
It’s PARTY TIME…
If you are like me, you are already looking for a costume to wear this year. Yes, Halloween is my favorite holiday. I get all dressed up every year even if I’m not going trick or treating (and no you can never be too old for free chocolate and candy). If you haven’t started yet, the time has come! Get ready for the biggest Halloween party this year.
Presented by LND Productions, Halloween Massacre will be held at Bourbon Street Club St-Adele on Saturday, October 31st. This is an event not to miss! More than 4000 people are expected. There will be SIX rock bands performing live and house music by DJ Uppercut and Domenico Pandolfo. And if that’s not enough for you, get ready for some heat with live percussion (tam tam) performances by Hovo aka Dahov (www.dahov.com).
Be sure to get your costume ready because there will also be prizes for the 2 best costumes, including a trip to anywhere in the world! More than $2000 in prizes. It all starts at 9:30 p.m. and guess what… barbeque all night long. They thought of everything!
Guess what?! It does get even better! You don’t need to worry about the designated driver… they offer bus service (courtesy of Shootdown Order)! Departure from Cote-Vertu metro station at 8:00 p.m., coming back at 3:30 a.m. from Bourbon. There is a small fee of 10$ and you have to reserve in advance. You have to confirm by email shootdownorder@hotmail.com.
Tickets for the event are $15 pre-sale and $20 at the door. Get your tickets at Admissions.
Reasons to miss this party: NONE!
Keep up with them on Facebook.
Formula One Returning Home?
Ever since I was little, my dad would start bragging and getting excited about the Formula One weekend weeeeeks before and when it was finally time, he would make sure to wake up early, sit in front of the television and start yelling and cheering for his favorite drivers.
When we think of Formula 1, we automatically think Montreal summer, closing off many streets, traffic, downtown full of people who come from abroad… my dad yelling in front of the television. I think most Montrealers were as disappointed as I was when news came out that F1 would no longer be held in Montreal following a financial dispute last year. I mean, come on… Montreal has been hosting the Grand Prix since 1978. It attracts hundreds and thousands of people and brings in more than $100 million for the economy. Why would anyone in the right mind put all this in jeopardy?
I got excited again (and got my dad excited) as I came across some articles last week. It looks like negotiations are going on between Grand Prix F1 du Canada Inc. and Formula One management and if everything goes well, Montreal will be on the Formula 1 schedule again for June 2010. Normand Legault, the F1 promoter who no longer wants to be involved, said: “I never doubted that the Canadian race would regain its rightful place on the F1 schedule and my discussions with F1 management led me to believe that the event would return soon”. Now there is a down side to this; the only way to have the race back is by having the support of the provincial and municipal governments (which means our money). Mayor Gerald Tremblay stated that the F1’s return had to make economic sense.
Let’s keep our fingers crossed for F1 to be back and let’s pray that it won’t cost us tax payers an arm and a leg!
Apple-Picking Season is Here: The Verger Labonté Orchard
This article was written by SoniaMary and AniTriemer.
Wanting to do something a little different with my friends this year, I went online to search for a good apple-picking orchard. One that stood out was the Verger Labonté, located in Ile-Perrot. The website promised a variety of traditional activities such as tractor rides, a petting zoo, home baked goods, and, of course, a variety of apples, pumpkins, and squashes to pick. But what caught my attention were their “famous apple muffins” (among other baked goods made fresh daily) and their corn and sunflower mazes (that’s right, I said mazes!).
I was glad to find out that the self-advertised Verger Labonté does not disappoint! The aromatic scent of baked apple goods intoxicates you from the moment you walk into their homemade goods store! Their “famous” muffins really do melt in your mouth! One is compelled to buy at least one box of these delectable morsels to take home, or even a box of their delicious apple-crumble, as well as a carton of their superb homemade apple juice. One should take note however, that due to the fact that there are no additives in their products, the apple juice is not pasteurized and will only last one week of refrigeration.
You can feel good about encouraging this orchard as Verge Labonté prides itself on using as little pesticides as possible, if any. A bucket of apples will cost you 12$ and your pickings are to be shared with up to 4 people. However, if you intend to bake or cook with the apples that you have picked, you may want to research which type of apple will work best for your dishes. For example, Spartan apples will hold up better when baked, and so, are better to use when making desserts, while McIntosh apples are preferred when making applesauce.
Since 2006, the orchard’s corn and sunflower fields have been tended to create an intricate maze much to enjoyment of children and adults alike. This activity not only entertains, but also helps raise awareness for various causes. This year, the labyrinth is being used to educate the public about the hardships in Vietnam. Various clues about Vietnam are well hidden throughout the three mazes and a questionnaire is handed out at the beginning of the adventure. The mazes vary in level of difficulty and the most intricate one requires at least an hour and a half of your time, but I assure you that it is well worth your time and effort. It should be noted that a dollar of every ticket sold goes to a humanitarian organization that helps with the demining of yet-active mines hidden in the soils of Vietnam.
Overall, this is another activity we are lucky to be able to experience in Montreal and since the season (and sunny days) are limited, I suggest we all take a day and go enjoy this wonderful, family-oriented experience!
Check out their website for more information: www.vergerlabonte.com
Montreal Clubbers To Welcome Two New Spots… On The Same Week-End!
For those of you who aren’t in the know, both CLUB ELEMENT and MUZIQUE NIGHTCLUB will be opening their doors during the weekend of October 9th! Let’s take a closer look at what both spots are aiming to deliver:
•••
CLUB ELEMENT
www.elementclub.ca
66 Blvd. Industriel
Saint-Eustache, QC
Straight from their Facebook group:
Venez découvrir un tout nouveau club sur la rive-nord. Un concept venant directement des plus beaux clubs de Las Vegas. Un concept rejoingnant les 4 éléments soit: air, eau, feu et terre.
OUVERT: Jeudi, Vendredi, Samedi
Right, so it’s technically not IN Montreal, but it’s in its “environs“. Not much else has been revealed as of yet: no pictures, no videos, no flyers. Their head resident DJ is DJ TaG. From what I’ve been told, ELEMENT is as far in distance & time as downtown is for Laval nightlife fiends. No traffic, simply two highways and you’re there! The official opening is on October 8th, a Thursday night, and because one of my homies is actually part of the ownership, I will no doubt be there for support!
•••
MUZIQUE NIGHTCLUB
(no website as of yet)
3718 St-Laurent Blvd.
Montreal, QC
Straight from their Facebook group (2):
Tucked away in the upper part of Montreal’s nightlife corridor, Muzique Nightclub eagerly awaits its revival of the St. Laurent night scene. Muzique features 2 rooms where a collaboration of Montreal’s best DJ’s spin a collection of Modern Urban, Electro, House and Rock, where it is finally once again possible to enjoy phenomenal music in a relaxed and elegant atmosphere. Unparalleled service and an eclectic ambiance combine to make your weekly escape a unique experience every time. Warmer nights will feature a rooftop terrace where guests can truly unwind and have fun, all the while enjoying the one club that aims to provide the essentials: good music, a more mature clientele, and most of all a place where you can truly enjoy yourself. On October 9th, Muzique invites you to attend our GRAND OPENING. Come participate in the reshaping of the nightclub experience… Remember, its about you and its about the sound. 21+ Dress to impress
Their description is pretty self-explanatory, and quite frankly, their concept is surprisingly seductive. There is no denying that their sleek logo design (seen on the above flyer) and its matching contemporary nightclub name, Muzique, make for a very powerful first impression. Yet, there is something even more impressive tucked away in their Facebook groups (one for Fridays, one for Saturdays). If you look through their Pictures section hoping to find snapshots of the exterior or interior design, you are instead presented with a clever and effective series of concept flyers (13 to be exact) which work in favor of solidifying their aspiration as an up-and-coming nightclub that is all about the music.
Here are just a few of my favorites, but I encourage you all to head over to their Photo Gallery to look at all of them:
As for DJs, the FB group lists DJ Payce & DJ Zoo in the Main Room, and DJ Kidd & DJ Goldenchild in V.I.P. Room, but here is a recent status update by Payce which also lists Keith Dean…
If I had to make a suggestion, I would strongly recommend that they get in touch with DJ Special K… Either way, as a music aficionado, I am sold on the concept and will definitely be checking Muzique out when the time comes.
Swine Flu: The Pig is Back
Recently, the government of Canada started an ad campaign for swine flu awareness…. the panic for the pig is revived! So I thought I’d add a little to the panic. Here are some fast facts about H1N1.
How the Pig is Spread
It does not spread by eating pork, soooooo pork chops are still cool. It spreads through coughing, sneezing, or touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the nose/mouth.
Symptoms
Symptoms are similar to those of seasonal flu: fatigue, headache, fever, sore throat, sneezing, coughs, muscle aches and a runny nose.
The Vaccine
The government of Canada signed a 400 million$ contract with GlaxoSmithKline for 50.4 million doses of the H1N1 vaccine. According to a first clinical trial of the pandemic vaccine, one dose of the human swine flu vaccine provides almost 100 per cent immunity three weeks after vaccination.
Rules of Prevention
- Wash those hands often, especially after being in the metro/bus/train/any public place.
- When coughing or sneezing, do it into your arm instead of your hand. I think this could get trendy. And if it does, maybe smelling your armpit can be as well … we’re halfway there.
- Keep everyday surfaces in your house or office disinfected. There are some easy-to-apply sprays & wipes.
- Simple rule of thumb => Sick = STAY AT HOME until better!
It takes about two to seven days, after being infected, to start experiencing the symptoms.
The vast majority of people who are infected are not serious cases at all. Although if you have immune-suppressed health conditions or are a pregnant women, you might want to pay attention to those prevention rules since you could be more vulnerable.
Basically, there’s no need to panic just yet. The government has taken more than enough precautionary measures, so you can take your own. And if you’re the panicky type then just get the shot: they’ll be available in November.
For additional panic on H1N1: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/alert-alerte/h1n1/faq_rg_h1n1-eng.php#vac
For the radio ads: http://www.fightflu.ca
Bored on a Monday Night? Comedy Works Open Mic Night May Be The Answer
If you are looking something fresh to do downtown on a Monday night at 8:30 PM, Comedy Works on Bishop (corner of St-Catherine) has Open Mic Night, where your everyday person can have his shot at standup comedy in front of a crowd. While I’m not completely sure how to register for a spot, I do know it’s not complicated and the hardest part is that you need to contribute four people to the crowd. Even at that, one comedian got his spot last minute during the show. For this review, the night I attended had a big set of acts; a nice mix of first timers and experienced comedians. The MC, however, could not establish an effective connection with the crowd.
As far as the atmosphere goes, it was alright: the stage is located on the second floor, completely cut off from the bar at the entrance. Like most comedy clubs, the lighting is dim and the bar is standard enough to offer you your everyday run-of-the-mill drinks. However, beer aficionados be warned as there were only a few select brands on tap. Seating was ample enough, and there are no “bad” seats like the ones you’d find in movie theatres. Even though the room was small, you won’t feel crammed up as you watch the shows. As one would expect, there was a modest cover charge (5$) and a one drink minimum (which may seem like a scam to most) but in my opinion is fair priced. After 2 pints, the total for my night was less than 20$. For transportation, Guy-Concordia is your metro. Drivers will appreciate the fact that parking was pretty abundant since it was, after all, a Monday night.
The crowd during the night I frequented was pretty supportive: even when bad jokes were plenty, some people would force a chuckle. Of course, there were comedians that were more successful than others and simply ripped the place apart in tears. Overall, the night was time well spent. Probably an unknown highlight of this place is that big name comedians have been known to stop by and try out some of their content on the crowd, almost like a focus group. It is a good way to get a sneak-peak of upcoming comedy shows without paying the outrageous prices for tickets. While I would like to believe this place is a hidden gem amongst group of friends, I’m pretty sure Comedy Works will now be packed on Monday nights after this review hits the streets.
This review was written by Jordan V for Montrealing.com
Tams Tams Electroniks: Du Mont-Royal au Parc Jean-Drapeau, en passant par le Musée Juste pour Rire!
Quoi de mieux qu’un ami ou un membre de la famille qui visite Montréal pour mieux la visiter soi-même? C’est comme si on avait besoin d’une excuse pour se botter le et profiter des mille-et-une activités que la ville a à nous offrir! L’été est presque terminé, mais les journées chaudes, elles, loin de là! Et ce n’est pas seulement le soleil qui continue de chauffer le coeur des gens.
Premier stop: les tams tams du dimanche au pied du Mont-Royal. Fermez vos yeux un seul instant et vous vous retrouvez au milieu de l’Afrique. Ouvrez les et vous vous trouvez encore submergé par l’Afrique, mais cette fois en compagnie de l’Asie, des Amériques, etc.
Vous êtes à Montréal ! C’est joli et les gens s’amusent. Ils n’ont pas de soucis, ils sont même dans leur monde. C’est électrique!
Deuxième stop: le World Press Photo 2009, présenté du 4 septembre au 4 octobre 2009 au Musée Juste pour Rire, ouvert tous les jours de 11h à 22h, à seulement 5$ pour les étudiants! Et vous allez aimer, c’est sûr. Des photos sportives aux photos de tous les jours, en passant par les arts et les portraits. En marge de cette exposition principale, vous trouverez d’autres présentations très intéressantes aussi, dont Antrhopographia, une exposition de photoreportages sur les droits humains. Coeurs humains s’abstenir.
>Wu Xiaoling, China, Xinhua News Agency.
“Blood drops from the forehead of Haitian judoka Ange Mercie Jean-Baptiste, during the women’s 57kg preliminary round at the Beijing Olympics, on August 11.”
Troisième stop: le pikinik electronik. Un peu d’alcool par ici, un peu de drogue par là, mais beaucoup de danse partout! Les gens en veulent et redemandent!
party time
for and from the camera
puisque c’est mon premier article, me voici au milieu, pour que vous ayez une idée de la personne qui parle (écrit)!
Certaines personnes sont sur le site du parc Jean-Drapeau dès l’après-midi, et restent jusqu’à la fin de la soirée, voyant et entendant les DJs défiler un par un. La soirée est presque finie, les gens commencent à rentrer. C’est joli et les gens s’amusent. Ils n’ont pas de soucis, ils sont même dans leur monde. C’est rythmique !
Et vous, que faites vous dimanche prochain ?
What Makes Montreal City So Great?
As I was gathering my excitement after agreeing to write for this website, I started thinking about the different subjects I could address. The one subject that I had to start with was Montreal city itself: what is Montreal? Why do we love Montreal? What makes Montreal so great? I started messaging friends and asking them their opinions and interests about Montreal. Here is a gathering of all the answers I received.
First and foremost, the best answer I got was: “Montreal is great simply because we have you living here…” Ok, ok, so it wasn’t the best answer!
Our Diversity
Some said they loved Montreal because it’s the home of the infamous HABS! Others said they love it because of the poutine and the beautiful women. One thing almost everyone mentioned was that Montreal was great because of its multiculturalism and diversity. One said: “Montreal is a cultural melting pot where different cultures coexist together to give it its uniqueness”. Sure, it’s officially a bilingual city, but it is most probable that when you go to the bank, the teller will be able to answer you in Greek. When you go to the garage, the mechanic will probably be Armenian. If you need a taxi, the driver will probably be Arab. When you call to get some construction done around the house, the person who answers will probably be Italian.
The Food & Culture
Someone commented: “Wherever I’ve been in the world, I always wanted to get back to Montreal to finally EAT! You can eat your way around the world just by staying in Montreal.” Whatever type of food you are craving for, you will definitely find it here! Thai, Chinese, Lebanese, Italian, Armenian, Haitian, Afghan, Indian, Greek…something to satisfy everyone’s taste buds. We all come from different places and backgrounds and we have different beliefs and cultures. One striking importance is that we are tolerant of each other and are open to new ideas, and to our advantage, we learn about different cultures without having to travel.
Our Lifestyle and Nightlife
Now how about the night life we have? HELLOOOOO! Do they not come from abroad to enjoy the night life of Montreal? Do we not hear it all the time that our night life rocks? People partying until 3 AM, running around on the streets, rain or shine, winter or summer. And how about the dozen or so restaurants that are open late so we can go fill up our breadbaskets after all that drinking? Montrealers do not sleep before 5-6 AM on weekends. In the mood for jazz? We have relaxing jazz bars. You want to sing? How about a karaoke bar? You just want to hang out with friends? How about a shisha lounge or a bar to frequent?
It is also important to mention the numerous events and festivals that we have. Just to name a few: Montreal International Jazz Festival, Montreal World Film Festival, Francofolies, Vues d’Afriques and Montreal Fireworks Festival.
The Beauty
Onto the beauty of Montreal, one of my favorite places is the Old Port. I can go there for hours every day and not get bored of just walking around and sitting near the water. So many different activities and terraces to enjoy. It is always full of people and music. Also, how wonderful is the view from the top of Mount Royal and how relaxing is it to lie down on the hill after a barbeque at Beaver Lake? Just picture it; long romantic walks, watching the sun rise from the top of the mountain, taking a break from a busy life, reminiscing with friends…
Social and Political Aspects
An important point that was brought up is our freedom. Our voices can be echoed throughout the world, not just Montreal, with the amount of power we have here as individuals.
Other important facts that we can not forget are our free healthcare system and our amazing education system. We can all agree that both are cheaper than in the States and it is very easy for students to get financial help from the government. As a matter of fact, you can get financial help for any type of personal or professional project. In Montreal, where there’s a will, there is always a way!
One person said: “sure we pay a lot of taxes, sure people screw with our tax money and yes people who shouldn’t be on welfare keep getting it, but on the other hand we can all agree that those who really need help also get it.” We have shelters and many different wonderful organizations that help the ones in need, making sure that people are not starving or sleeping on the streets.
International Recognition
Finally, as someone mentioned: “Give these few words to anyone on the planet with a half brain and they will say hey that’s Montreal! St-Catherine street, Crescent, Peel pub, the Old Port, hot sesame bagels 24 hours a day, poutine, smoked meat, the Jazz fest, and last but not least… hockey!”
So yes we have a ton of pot holes on the streets and sure we pay a lot of taxes, but for all the amazing points brought up here…Montreal is great nonetheless and it’s our home!