Thanksgiving approacheth, so we're taking a moment to celebrate certain things we're thankful for:

• Despite all the past years' closures, we've got great live music venues hosting great shows on the reg.
• Charlotte Cardin released a new album.
• It's still possible to grab a quille of beer for less than $10 at most dive bars.
• The food culture here's never been better, and we've got nowhere to go but up.
• More cycling lanes and pedestrians in the past year than we can remember.
• The SAQ has really stepped up its wine game lately.
• The idea of AJ McLean for mayor.
• Our local dep owner Jacques will sometimes let us buy smokes at 11:01 pm.

Fun fact: When the British took over Canada in 1763, celebrating Thanksgiving became dependent on where you were living at the time, which meant that while they carved up turkey in, say, Halifax? Montreal didn't bother. Eventually, Parliament established an official day to get into awkward conversations with relatives over mashed potatoes in 1957, and the rest is history.

Fun facts aside, this week's Bulletin isn't really that Thanksgiving themed, but there is a lot to be grateful for.

Here's what you need to check out in between whatever food coma you've got penned in, and enjoy that statutory holiday if you got it (here's what's open on Monday, by the way).

Activities, parties, points of interest, art exhibitions, you name it: These are the weekend events you don't want to miss.

Follow us, literally

Join us — yes, us — for free guided tours during the CORRIDOR festival as we walk you through Griffintown to learn about its industrial heritage and public art!

Designed for curious local explorers, the tours reveal all the neighbourhood’s hidden treasures. We don't want to ruin the surprise, but: When you take one of these tours, you'll find out there's a lot more to Griffintown than just condos.

Register to join us for a free tour here.

Speaking of CORRIDOR Festival:

The CORRIDOR Festival, organized by Corridor Culturel, continues to highlight public art, music and heritage until October 8 in Griffintown and along the Lachine Canal. More than a dozen events—artistic performances, musical evenings you name it—are being offered to highlight local communities' and contemporary artists' creativity.

Check out their listed events for the weekend on their website here, or read on to see some events we've highlighted.

Thursday

• The 2023 edition of Festival du nouveau cinéma, the 52nd edition in the event's history, is taking place from October 4 to 15.
• The sake festival Kampaï Montréal is taking place at Marché Bonsecours, with over 150 sakes and spirits from Japan.
• Montreal's Black and Blue Festival, one of the biggest gay circuit parties raising funds for gay charities all around the world, is taking place this weekend.
• The CORRIDOR festival and Montreal's official Drug Brunch organizers are hosting DRAG BBQ, an outdoor drag and comedy cabaret with good food.

Friday

• The concerts, shows, installations and poetic, rebellious and unprecedented events of Festival Phenomena are on right now until Oct 21.
• Roll up your sleeves, slap on that cologne, and grab those bell bottom jeans: The Montreal Pinball Arcade is hosting an all-you-can-play night for $15.
• Time's running out to visit the Expo World Press Photo Montréal's results of the 2023 World Press Photo Contest, an annual exhibition showcasing the best and most important photojournalism and documentary photography of the past year.
• Groovy and Chill invite you to take an eclectic musical and visual journey to dance or just chill to with the local scene over at L'idéal bar.

Saturday

• Une nuit dans le Village will feature 20 Montreal establishments in the Village staying open all night, from karaoke bars to cabaret spots and drag shows.
• Bonne Famille and Club Sagacité are joining forces with Corridor Culturel for the last block party of the summer at the Corridor Festival.
• Want to take shots of the city? Photowalk Montreal's next guided photography session will take place on Saturday afternoon, October 7, at McGill University.
• Atelier Terma in Bedford is celebrating its second anniversary with sale: 50% off on imperfect pieces and 10% of on everything at the shop.

Sunday

• Don't miss out on the Vintage Synth Arcade full of synths and drum machines open for one hands-on evening only.
• All you can drink rosé, plus oysters and skewers at $40 per person is one reason to check out PÉTANQUE DANS L'PARC, but so is a good round of games at this event hosted by Nolan, Stem Bar and Plan Vin.
• Griffintown: Art at the Heart of the Neighbourhood, a satellite activity as part of the CORRIDOR festival, will feature artistic Performances, workshops, and more.

WHAT TO EAT & DRINK IN AND AROUND MONTREAL

Scope the latest restaurant openings, recommendations on where to eat, plus new menus, old classics, and everything in between.

• Ye olde Dominion Square Tavern's been reopened as Bar Dominion after being mothballed for a year, thanks the the Cloakroom Bar and Provisions.
• Running from Oct 6 to 9, Mondial de la bière is back to offer an assortment of beer discovery activities, from guided tours to pairing workshops.
• Is it the First Friday of the month already? Les Premiers Vendredis is holding its last session of the year with a BBQ edition at the Olympic Stadium.
• NYC-based chef Mike Chanthamynavong is taking over Paloma’s kitchen from October 4th to 14th, bringing experience from spots like Montreal's Le Filet and Le Servan in Paris.
• Heavy on the good wine, vibes and food, have you scoped out the newest spot June Buvette in Pointe-Saint-Charles?
• RAMEN RAMEN FES, a celebration of the iconic Japanese dish, returns to Montreal for its 2nd edition as of Monday, October 9 and will run until Sunday, October 22.
• We're always interested in (relatively) new Indian spots opening up in Montreal, and Kismet's among the latest with heaped plates of tandoori chicken, butter chicken poutine, and more.
• Chez Symbiose is holding a glou-glou event called Butinage, giving you the chance to try out new boozy arrivals just as they're made available at the SAQ and local specialty grocers.
• Love burgers? The bars and restaurants of the Burgundy Lion Group—Wolf & Workman, Brit & Chips, Cartier Arms, Bishop & Bagg, and Burgundy Lion Pub—are holding a 'Burger Royale' with sweet 'n' beefy deals.

Here, you'll find a weekly round-up of the latest local news, from entertainment to current affairs and more.

"But I’m still here."

A shortage of affordable housing, the opioid crisis and the lingering effects of the pandemic have contributed to a rise in visible homelessness in the city. Here are ten Montrealers sharing their stories of hardships. (CBC Montreal)

Homelessness is on the rise. This is what it’s like for those caught in the crisis

The rising cost of living and lingering effects of the pandemic have pushed thousands of people further into the margins. Ten Montrealers share their stories.

CBC NewsAbout the Author

A new and very unreal museum

The Centre for Montreal Memories has opened in the Quartier des spectacles between the Café Cléopâtre and the Le Centrale food hall, a space dedicated to the history of Montreal and stories of Montrealers. (La Presse)

So, is that why we can't fix that pothole?

Toronto is about 25 per cent richer than Montreal when per-capita GDP is taken into account, said Quebec Finance Minister Eric Girard in a recent speech. Having a poorer economy means that Quebec can’t always count on the same quality of public infrastructure as Ontario, he said. (Montreal Gazette)

Montreal is biggest reason Quebec is poorer than Ontario: Girard

Toronto is about 25 per cent richer than Montreal when per capita gross domestic product is taken into account, Quebec’s finance minister said.

Montreal GazetteFrédéric Tomesco

Montreal's last video rental store shuts down

Superbly and deliberately anachronistic, Mr. Major got into the DVD rental business in 1998 exactly when the Internet was beginning to destabilize the film industry. Now Cinoche is closing after a decade. (Journal de Montréal)

Hibernation, reflection, affection

It's a common story: When Millie Yates moved to Montreal in the summer of 2017, she thought she would only stay for six months. Turns out that that was the beginning of a beautiful love story written about her and her alone. (Globe & Mail)

It’s hard to say goodbye to my Montreal apartment. I did a lot of growing up here

This apartment has given me the greatest gift: my friendship with myself

The Globe and MailMillie Yates

My power! It's fading!

Quebec's electoral map could look different the next time the province goes to the polls because of demographic changes as eligible voters increase in some ridings and decrease in others. The island of Montreal may see its impact diminish. (CBC Montreal)

Quebec’s population is changing. Its electoral map is going to have to change, too | CBC News

Quebec’s electoral map could look different the next time the province goes to the polls because of demographic changes that saw the number of eligible voters increase in some ridings and decrease in others. Some areas, like the Outaouais, may see their political weight grow, while others, like Mont…

CBC

The Church of EDM Parties, Florists, and So Forth

A new pilot project by the Ville-Marie borough aims to help churches remain financially viable while freeing up space for community groups — but wait, they need approval from the city in order to do this? (Montreal Gazette)

It will soon be easier for churches to diversify use of space

A new pilot project aims to help churches remain financially viable while freeing up much-needed space for community groups.

Montreal GazetteJason Magder

Go automatic or bust?

Montreal's become an international hub of artificial intelligence, but in this unique niche, is the city's big AI players acting responsibly? The name of the recent All In AI summit implies we're diving in headfirst, but to what end? (Le Devoir)

Montréal, leader de l’IA responsable ou vernis moral d’une nouvelle démesure?

Cette industrie participe de plain-pied à la production du capital algorithmique, qui façonne une partie de nos vies.

Le DevoirJonathan Durand Folco

The old ways die hard

Wearing a mask may no longer be compulsory except in certain healthcare settings, but there are some who persist at the practice on their own. Thing is, it's surprising how they're treated with disdain, even by people who complied with the rule during the pandemic. (Urbania)

Les irréductibles du masque - URBANIA

Divulgâcheur : ils trouvent qu’on est vite passé à autre chose.

URBANIAHugo Meunier

"It may seem foreign to the average citizen"

This 1954 short film is an introduces us to the "automatistes," followers of an abstract art form initiated by Paul-Émile Borduas and developed in Montreal. It's explained by the artists themselves to a host as they drop in at their cooperative studio. (National Film Board of Canada)

And that wraps yet another weekly bulletin. We’ll be back with more curiosities, local stories, and events to discover next week.

If ever you catch something we should know, don't hesitate to reach out to us on Instagram.