What's new this fall à la Montréal

Tourisme Montréal | 1555 Peel Street, Suite 600, Montréal (Québec) Canada, H3A 3L8.

September 2012

Fall is a favourite time of year in Montréal and for good reason! The season’s vibrant colours are already beginning to emerge across the city, with a wide range cultural activities ranging from expos to festivals to concerts to gastronomic events filling the city’s autumnal calendar. Annual fall favourites such as the Magic of Lanterns that lights up the Botanical Gardens or the Montréal POP Festival with its habitual series of incredible concerts are back once again, while great new additions such as the TASTE MTL culinary festival comes to town with an irresistible invitation to sample the flavours of local restaurants at reduced prices. With such an agenda, Montréal remains, without question, one of the most exciting cities to visit this season!

Bota-Bota, spa-sur-l?eau A floating oasis of tranquility on the shores of the city, this contemporary spa is cleverly housed in a former ferry boat anchored at the Quays of the Old Port. Go for the luxurious treatments, of course, but also go to enjoy the unique atmosphere enhanced by a sublime view of the Saint-Lawrence River and urban panorama that affords a wonderful opportunity to sit back and relax on deck, sip a glass of your favourite vintage and sample the seasonal delights created by Chef Éric Gonzalez. As summer draws to a close, his menu will feature a flavourful combination of hot, cold and fish dishes. Gardens of light ? Montréal Botanical Garden Until November 4, the 20th edition of The Magic of Lanterns illuminates the Chinese Garden at the Montréal Botanical Garden. The 2012 edition, entitled The Celestial Banquet, features hundreds of silk lanterns in spectacular shapes and colours that create a fairy-like atmosphere in which mythical characters such as Xi Wangmu, the Queen Mother of the West, sits beside the laughing Buddha, the Goddess of Compassion and the Jade Emperor. And for the first time, the Japanese Garden also dresses up for the occasion. A subtle light show brings out the plants? autumn colours and creates a beautiful and calm setting. The Eaton Centre At the very heart of Montréal, the Eaton Centre is the city?s foremost fashion destination. Sitting along the largest commercial artery in Canada, the five-story complex overflows with trendy boutiques and provides access to the famous underground network. A shining example of the bustling energy and creativity that drives the downtown core, the centre has laid claim to the just title of District Mode de Montréal and welcomes a host of artistic and cultural events, which garnered it a prestigious Grand Prix du tourisme québécois 2012 award. Montréal/Brooklyn Exhibition This fall, the SAS Gallery proposes a fascinating dialogue between artists from Montréal and Brooklyn. The project is part of a series of collective exhibitions designed to showcase the differences and similarities of various approaches to contemporary art. From October 11 to November 17, the SAS will display works from Montréal artist Patrick Bérubé alongside New Yorker Melissa Murray, represented by the Causey Contemporary Gallery in Brooklyn. A History of Impressionnism at the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts From October 13 to January 20, the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts will paint a stunning portrait of impressionism. This exhibition features 74 extraordinary paintings by Bonnard, Corot, Degas, Gauguin, Manet, Millet, Monet, Morisot, Pissarro, Sisley, Toulouse-Lautrec and other French masters, including an outstanding selection of twenty-one canvases by Renoir, and Degas's famous sculpture Little Dancer Aged Fourteen. The exhibition was organized by the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, Massachusetts, which has one of the greatest collections of French Impressionism in North America. The Mariner?s House at Pointe-à-Callière Montréal Museum of Archaeology and History To mark its 20th anniversary, the Pointe-à-Callière Montréal Museum of Archaeology and History will inaugurate a new pavilion on Place d'Youville: the Mariner?s House. Connected to the main building by an underground tunnel, this new multi-purpose, educational space dedicated to history and archaeology will house large exhibitions, conferences, lectures and special events. It will also be home to the Archaeo-Space?a simulated archaeological dig for children and families. Until November 25, Pointe-à-Callière presents the exhibition, The Etruscans- An Ancient Italian Civilization. POP Montréal International Music Festival On the cutting-edge of what?s new in pop culture, this event brings together a contingent of independent artists and showcases emerging and celebrated artistic talents from around the world. Visual arts, uber-stylish fashion shows, workshops, conferences and unforgettable concerts make up this unparalleled program. Artists the likes of Arthur H., Grizzly Bear, Liars, Deerhoof, Cate LeBon, Peaches, David Byrne, Gotye and many others have already confirmed their participation in this 2012 edition, which will take place this coming September 19 to 23. Festival du nouveau cinéma With over over 300 films from here and abroad, installations, performances, cocktail parties and lectures highlighting new cinematic practices and technologies?cinephiles will be in for quite a treat during the Festival du nouveau cinéma de Montréal this coming October 10 to 21. Dedicated to the development and distribution of new trends in cinema and new media, this one-of-a-kind fall film event presents a myriad of experienced and emerging filmmakers with a shared passion to make us see the world differently. A delicious new festival: TASTE MTL From November 1 to 11, the all-new TASTE MTL Festival will invite Montrealers and visitors alike to celebrate the great variety and quality of the city?s restaurants at appetizing prices. For 11 days, foodies will have the great opportunity to discover new establishments and enjoy delectable menus at fixed prices, otherwise known as a table d?hôte, in addition to a host of special events. TASTE MTL offers three fixed prices for evening meal service ($19, $29, and $39 respectively) as well as a fixed late-night menu priced at $19. The list of participating restaurants can be found on the TASTE MTL website. Jamie Oliver in Montréal In collaboration with celebrity British Chef Jamie Oliver, the young and talented Derek Dammann, formerly of the now defunct DNA restaurant, will announce the opening of a new Montréal eatery this September. Located in the heart of the Plateau, this 40-seat establishment will be called the ?Maison Publique? and will also feature a 12-seat bar and private dining room. Oliver is but an investor in this project, with Dammann to be in charge of all culinary aspects. A known locavore, Dammann is sure to create a tantalizing menu of delicious local products ? stay tuned! CALENDAR OF EVENTS Montréal International Burlesque Festival September 8 to 30, 2012 This Montréal Burlesque Festival: a series of fabulous evenings with music girls and lots of fun. image+nation 24th Montréal International LGBT Film Festival End of October 2012 A key stop on the lesbian/gay and independent film festival circuit, with great screenings for the eyes and mind. Rencontres internationales du documentaire de Montréal (RIDM) November 7 to 18, 2012 The RIDM offers an opportunity to reflect on creative vision in documentary filmmaking. M for Montréal November 14 to 17, 2012 Join the key players of the international music industry in a discovery of Canadian and Montréal talents. Salon du livre de Montréal November 14 to 19, 2012 Enjoy hundreds of literary activities such as debates, round table discussions and public readings.