Montreal on the Cheap

Montreal Weekend, May 24 – 26, 2013

Martin — Thu, 23 May 2013 23:00:20 +0000

Looks like festival season has started which means these newsletters become excessively long… a veritable buffet of options!

The following weekend activities are (mostly) free and family-friendly. Have fun!

Friday, May 24

Botanical Gardens Gardening Weekend, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Exhibitors, presentations, plants and garden supplies, tips and free saplings. Regular admission fees.
Botanical Gardens, 4101 Sherbrooke E, (metro Pie IX)

Outdoor and Travel Festival, 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Besides kiosks, there are many activities for kids and families including workshops, contests, games, demonstrations and equipment try-outs. FREE.
Parc Jean Drapeau, (metro Jean Drapeau)

Saturday, May 25

Outdoor and Travel Festival, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Besides kiosks, there are many activities for kids and families including workshops, contests, games, demonstrations and equipment try-outs. FREE.
Parc Jean Drapeau, (metro Jean Drapeau)

Westmount Family Day, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Play on the inflatable games, get your face painted at the make-up booth, ride the aerial runway, and pet a llama, feed a goat, compete in the egg toss… FREE.
Westmount Park, 4626 Sherbrooke Street W

Dorval Summer Stroll, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Side-walk sales, food tasting, artisans, workshops and music shows. FREE.
Lakeshore Drive, Dorval Village…

Mount Royal Garage Sale, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Mount Royal community garage sale. FREE.
Arena, 1050 Dunkirk Road

DDO Garage Sale, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
DDO community garage sale. FREE.
DDO Civic Centre, 12001 de Salaberry, Dollard-des-Ormeaux

Sunday, May 26

Montreal Museums Day
This one-day, annual event allows free access and bus transportation to explore art, science, architecture, nature, archaeology and history. FREE.
Shuttle buses from Place des Spectacles, (metro Place des Arts)

TMR Family Bike Tour, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Inflatable games, face-painters and bike decorators to get the kids energized before the tour, and a show for the kids and animators afterwards. FREE (donations being accepted for Sun Youth)
Departs Mount Royal Town Hall, 90 Roosevelt Ave.

Ongoing…

Chess Club, Fridays, 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Besides story time held twice a week, the Atwater MCL offers a chess club on Fridays for players of all levels, a hands-on science club on Wednesdays, arts & crafts on Tuesdays as well as math tutoring on Mondays!! FREE.
Montreal Children’s Library – Atwater Branch, 1200 Atwater Ave.

Arts & Crafts, Fridays, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
The Jean Rivard MCL offers arts & crafts for kids on Fridays, as well as science club on Tuesdays, chess club on Wednesdays and a games hour on Thursday!! FREE.
Montreal Children’s Library – Jean Rivard Branch, 4121 42nd St.

Explore the Art of Peru, Weekends, 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM
In conjunction with the Peru exhibition at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, the family weekend workshops will be themed on creating art in the Peruvian style. FREE.
Museum of Fine Arts, 1380 Sherbrooke Street W.

Learn Peruvian Jewellery Decorating, Weekends, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
The MMFA invites you to their day-long drop-in workshop to “take all the time you need to create embossed metal jewellery inspired by Peruvian culture”. FREE.
Museum of Fine Arts, 1380 Sherbrooke Street W.

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Montreal Bike Festival, 2013

Martin — Wed, 22 May 2013 20:06:17 +0000

From May 26 to June 2, bike enthusiasts (and those who love them) can enjoy a week of events and activities – all things bicycle related.

Sunday, May 26 – the Metropolitan Challenge, featuring 75, 100, 125 and 150-km cycling routes.

Friday, May 31 – Tour la Nuit 25km casual cycle through the city at night. Promises to be a visual as well as physical experience (free for kids 12 and under).

Sunday, June 3 – Tour de L’Ile, 25 and 50 kilometres as well as a 100-km morning tour all along the city’s shoreline (also free for kids under 12). Includes a ferris wheel at the finish line!

More info at http://www.veloquebec.info/en/feria/The-Montreal-Bike-Fest

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Botanical Gardens Great Gardening Weekend

Martin — Wed, 22 May 2013 19:32:16 +0000

The theme for 2013 is “Setting up your gardening area”.

From May 24 to 26, the Botanical Gardens expects close to 20,000 visitors to enjoy:

Over 100 exhibitors
Sale of new plants and garden accessories
Interesting presentations by gardening experts
Useful tips

Also, take a stroll to the Treehouse at the north end of the gardens for free saplings of trees native to Québec and planting tips.

Note : Visitors must pay the admission fee to the Botanical Garden.

More info at http://calendrier.espacepourlavie.ca/the-great-gardening-weekend-173806

The Botanical Gardens are at 4101, rue Sherbrooke E, (metro Pie IX).

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Outdoor and Travel Festival 2013

Martin — Wed, 22 May 2013 19:04:14 +0000

For 3 days from May 24 to 26 down at Parc Jean Drapeau, over 100 exhibitors will be on hand to share their passion (and their products) for outdoor travel and adventure at the 2013 Montreal Outdoor and Travel Festival.

Besides kiosks, there are many activities for kids and families including workshops, contests, games, demonstrations and equipment try-outs. Examples include:

scuba diving
acrobatic trampolines
stand-up paddleboarding
outdoor aerobics
Tyrolean traverse
races, from relay to triathlon
bouldering
climbing
kayaking
on-site raft-making followed by racing
GPS intro and search

The festival is open from 1 PM to 6 PM on Friday, and from 10 AM to 5 PM on Saturday and Sunday.

More info at http://www.espaces.ca/page/evenements/festival-plein-air-et-voyage/presentation

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Montreal Museums Day 2013

Martin — Wed, 22 May 2013 18:28:33 +0000

This Sunday, May 26, from 9 Am to 6 PM, the STM and more than 30 Montreal museums invite everyone out to explore what the museums have to offer. This one-day, annual event allows free access and bus transportation to explore art, science, architecture, nature, archaeology and history.

New destinations this year include the Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium, set across from the Biodôme, and the Museum of Costume and Textile of Québec, which recently moved from the South Shore to the Bonsecours Market.

Expect long lines of up to an hour at many of the destination, so plan ahead. Bring snacks and amusements for time spent in line-ups, and plan your itinerary in advance to minimize delays.

More info and participating museums list at http://www.museesmontreal.org/en/Montreal_Museums_Day.htm

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Montreal Weekend, May 17 – 19, 2013

Martin — Thu, 16 May 2013 23:00:17 +0000

A bit quiet this weekend. Might be a good opportunity to explore one of the city’s large parks.

The following weekend activities are (mostly) free and family-friendly. Have fun!

Friday, May 17

Festival Acces Asie
Join artists from Singapore, Indonesia, Iran, India, China, Japan and Canada to illuminate the month of May, the Asian Heritage Month of Canada. Some free events.
Various venues

Fete de Montreal
Expect music in the form of live performances and DJ sets, street food and a giant outdoor picnic (hope the weather cooperates), and some evening multimedia performances. FREE.
Quartier des Spectacles, 185 Sainte-Catherine St W

Saturday, May 18

Sunday, May 19

Ongoing…

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Fete de Montreal

Martin — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:21:33 +0000

Did you know it’s Montreal’s 371st birthday?

In celebration, on May 17 from Noon ’till midnight the city is hosting free music and entertainment downtown at the Place des Spectacles, just outside of Place des Arts (Place des Arts metro).

Expect music in the form of live performances and DJ sets, street food and a giant outdoor picnic (hope the weather cooperates), and some evening multimedia performances. While there, take some time to enjoy the current interactive art installation, 21 Swings.

More details at show times at http://www.quartierdesspectacles.com/en/fete-de-montreal/

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Shopping from the Heart hits again

Martin — Fri, 10 May 2013 02:34:37 +0000

Another year, and another impressive Shopping from the Heart event.

When I first attended a few years back, I was truly awestruck both by the dynamic Julia who organized the event and sponsors and vendors and promotion seemingly effortlessly, as well as by the vendors themselves – all local women entrepreneurs whose spirit and drive shone from behind every table.

Master of ceremonies and impressive organizer, Julia.

Shopping from the Heart is an event with the dual goal of supporting women entrepreneurs in business, as well as raising funds for 3 Montreal children’s charities, the Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation, The Lakeshore General Hospital Foundation Maternity Ward, and the Royal Victoria Hospital Foundation, NICU

The floor of SFTH13

Having grown from its first year in a church hall with about a dozen vendors, SFTH 2013 was held at the Holiday Inn Pointe Claire and boasts about 30 vendors plus some big-name sponsors. And yet, the informality and welcoming atmosphere as well as the drive and passion of the independent vendors is just as apparent. It’s not just a shopping or charity event, but also a bit of networking, a bit of inspiration, and a lot of making new friends.

Not only did this year’s event include the raffle and door prizes that put the icing on previous years, but also a silent auction, a massage chair for a FREE chill-out, a fun photo booth, and live performance from singer Meg Rose Smith.

Meg Rose Smith performs at SFTH13

If you were not able to make it out this year, keep an eye out for details of next year’s event, (following Julia’s blog would be a good way to do that). If you’re not near by but would still like to support SFTH charities, there is a donation form on http://shoppingfromtheheart.blogspot.ca/

Me (in the hat), along with @pamperedpatty, @montreal_mom, @CanadianMomEh, @AskMamaMOE, @Amberzcorner and @OurFamilyWorld (sorry about the above crummy photo… I’ll replace with a better from Valerie if she sends one my way).

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Montreal Weekend, May 10 – 12, 2013

Martin — Thu, 09 May 2013 22:30:31 +0000

Happy Mother’s Day weekend to all. If the forecast holds, Sunday should be a good one to get out.

The following weekend activities are (mostly) free and family-friendly. Have fun!

Friday, May 10

Saturday, May 11

Animatch Walk-a-thon, 9:00 AM
Come walk to raise funds (and awareness) for Animatch. Besides the walk, there will be food, face-painting, a costume contest, lots of demonstrations and activities for dogs as well as pet pampering and vendor booths. FREE to visit.
DDO Civic Centre, 12001 de Salaberry blvd., DDO

Saturday at the Centaur, 10:30 AM
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs - The children in the audience take on roles and become a forest, the dwarfs, and even participate as part of the stage crew in putting together the sets. Every youthful member of the audience actually becomes part of the play. $8 adults, $6 kids.
Centaur Theatre, 453 St. François-Xavier, Old Montreal

Peter McGill Culture – Jennifer Gasoi, 10:30 AM
Talented singer/songwriter Jennifer Gasoi continues to make a name for herself in the world of children’s music. Jennifer has a unique gift for writing and performing upbeat, intelligent, jazz-based children’s songs that adults love too. FREE.
Shatford Hall, 1439 Ste-Catherine W.

Baie d’Urfe Mom’s Day Concert, 2:00 PM
Mother’s Day concert featuring the Island City Chorus. Free admission, but tickets required, contact Ada Colomb, 514-457-9020. Light refreshments and door prizes.
The Red Barn, 20609 Lakeshore, Baie d’Urfe

Sunday, May 12

The Wind in the Willows, 3:00 PM
The Wind in the Willows is the kind of story that inspires young people to read, to write, to value friendship and to love nature. For children 4 years and older. FREE, but passes required.
Stewart Hall Cultural Centre, 176 Bord-du-Lac – Lakeshore Rd, Pointe-Claire

Ongoing…

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Eco-days Around the Island

Martin — Wed, 08 May 2013 19:48:26 +0000

May seems to be the month that various municipalities and boroughs around the island try to get their residents in the gardening and flower-planting mood.

From free boxes of flowers and compost to workshops and presentations, check out what’s being offered in your area!

Dollard-des-Ormeaux – Saturday, May 11, 10 AM to 3 PM at William Cosgrove Centennial Park

The City of Dollard-des-Ormeaux will be holding a flower sale and an information day for lovers of gardening and horticulture: a festival of flowers! In addition, we will be offering: compost (bring your containers), children’s workshops, guest speakers, surprises and much more. First come, first served. Proof of residence required.

http://www.ville.ddo.qc.ca/en/calendar/event_view.asp?EID=569&ID=4&cTYPE=1&month=5&year=2013&cate=

Westmount – Saturday, May 11, from 9 AM at Westmount Public Works Yard

Compost made from leaves collected last autumn will be made available to Westmount residents from 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 11th at the Public Works yard, Bethune Street, while supplies last. Residents should bring a container (either a plastic bag or a bin), a shovel and proof of residence.

http://www.westmount.org/calendar_view.cfm?Event_ID=39

Kirkland – Saturday, May 11, 9 AM to 2 PM at Municipal Garage

The first 500 residents will receive a flat of annuals or perennials! Free compost, free wood chips, information kiosks and more.

http://www.ville.kirkland.qc.ca/en/client/page2.asp?page=579&clef=82&Clef2=12

Beaconsfield- Saturday, May 11, from 10 AM at Centennial Hall

Different perennials from our members’gardens will be for sale. Discover new plants for your garden, or find a special gift for Mother’s Day! Come early, plants go quickly!

http://www.beaconsfield.ca/en/council-meetings/details/774-plant-sale.html

Dorval – Saturday, May 18, 9 AM to 1 PM at the Dorval Arena

http://www.ville.dorval.qc.ca/loisirs/en/calendar/event_view.asp?EID=879&ID=1&cTYPE=1&month=5&year=2013&cate=

Montreal / Ville Marie – Sunday, May 19, 9 AM to 5 PM

Up for grabs are 33,000 impatients, petunias and marigolds! First come, first served. Bring your proof of residence to walk away with up to 24 plants per address, free!

Distribution through eco-quartiers St. Jacques, Sainte-Marie and Peter-McGill

http://www.montrealonthecheap.com/event/ville-marie-flower-distribution/

NDG – Saturday, May 25, from 9 AM

Wide distribution of marigolds, impatiens, “bonanza gold”, “tango mix” compost and mulch. Proof of residence required – limit of 25 flowers / 25 litres per person. Bring your own transport.

Distribution at Kent Park chalet, Macdonald Park chalet, NDG Park chalet, Jean-Brillant Park chalet, William-Bowie Park chalet, William-Hurst Park chalet (Doug Harvey arena).

http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/cdn-ndg

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