The Bulletin: Flipping city institutions and whole streets open for 24h [Issue #55]

The Bulletin is a collection of what's happened, what’s happening, and what’s to come in and around Montreal.

The Main

December 14, 2023- Read time: 9 min

A look at Luminothérapie in 2022. | Photograph: © Freddy Arciniegas - Arcpixel - Tourisme Montréal

We've got a lot to catch you up on.

We know the coming new year puts renewal on everyone's minds, but all the news this past week's been a little more than coincidental: Cinema Imperial could close, Notman house could close, the old NFB headquarters could become social housing, and the design for the new Victoria hospital on the McGill campus has been announced.

The new year's also a time for nostalgia, apparently, as seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady explored an alternate reality where he had a baseball career with a new weird commercial for his Montreal Expos rookie card.

And all of that's just scratching the surface for this week's Bulletin.

Read on, and see for yourself.

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

Thursday

All weekend long, Avenue Laurier Ouest is hosting a winter village with heated terrasses, hot drinks, DJs, an appearance by Santa for the kids—all the trimmings.
Collectif Créatif Montréal is helming the first edition of its Holiday Market at Time Out Market Montreal.

Friday

At URSA, the CALACS de l'Ouest is hosting its first feminist evening of music and poetry, (P)reparing the solstice, marking the end of the 12 days of action against gender-based violence.
Dave Arnold (Mr. Sign) is holding an open studio / pop-up shop / one man merch-machine bonanza on Friday and Saturday; details here.
Dress in your finest ugly XMAS sweaters and celebrate the holidays and the life of Ziggy Stardust with the BOWIEMAS event at Bar Le Ritz PDB.
The Wheel Club in NDG will be playing all the songs you know and love from the early era of Rock 'n Roll during its Vintage Wine event.

Saturday

It'll be the last Afrotonik event of the year: A victory lap celebrating yet another unforgettable year of enjoyment and dance floor magic.
A concert inspired by the Northern Lights with classical & contemporary pieces in Swedish, Finnish, Norwegian, English, Breton, and Latvian is taking place at the Oscar Peterson Concert Hall.
Enjoy the vinyl treasures of Canicule Tropicale, an event from DJs Philippe Noël and La Mano Peluda exploring vintage Afro, Latin, and Caribbean sounds, over at La Sala Rossa.
îLESONIQ's doing an off-season event with Ray Volpe for their Volpetron Ascends Tour over at Le Studio TD and special guest Hairitage.

Sunday

Bar Wills is inviting one and all for festive cheer, free beer (if you donate winter clothing) and so much more at a winter holiday party.
Fernand Nault's The Nutcracker is being performed with a colorful show set to Tchaikovsky's music, all beautifully done by the city's own Les Grands Ballets.
Cinéma Public's screening the underrated holiday movie Gremlins at Casa d'Italia.
Les Dimanches Polaires, a free outdoor party at Place Émilie Gamelin, is lighting up the Village with bonfires, decorations and a hot cocktail bar.

Hunting for gifts? Shop local.

If you know someone that really and truly loves Montreal, consider getting them a piece of local photography to make their home sing its praises. We've curated a selection of photographers with a variety of vibes and

Keeping things intimate over at Mile-Ex's new spot, La Marelle. | Photograph: @lerestaurantlamarelle / Instagram

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.

What was once Le Diplomate in Mile-Ex is now La Marelle, a new spot from the Salle Climatisée alum Carlos Melgar.
Scope out the new cafe blending Vietnamese and Italian flavours, as well as a new source for egg yolk coffee, Bê.
The Mile End's got a new spot for negronis and lasagna in the form of Gino's, and it's looking pretty swish.
'Tis the season: You need to see what Dinette Nationale's been working on, and consider grabbing some batches of local sweets for stocking stuffers.
You've gone to the reopened Moishes since it reopened, right?
Consider trying the Northern Vietnamese classics and Southern Vietnamese favorites on for size over at T'ami in Little Italy.
It's not edible per se, but it will be: Danny Smiles has announced he'll be leaving Auberge Willow Inn this month in lieu of taking over the space that once housed Maison Publique.

Keeping track of every scrap

We went into walk-ins to ask three chefs how they're making sure every teaspoon of salt and sugar, every drop of oil, and scrap of vegetables and fish and meat is accounted for. (The Main)

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

A clean, well-read place

Two booksellers have pooled their experience at Librairie Saint-Henri Books to build out a new place for English books in Verdun: Pulp Books, somewhere outside of home and work—the 'third place'—where locals can gather over a love of reading. (The Main)

Achievement unlocked for Legault

It's almost like an achievement, anyway: More than 6% of province's population (560,000 people) is on strike to pressure the Quebec government into negotiating new collective agreements. Here's a run-down of the situation. (CBC Montreal)

Ladies and gentlemen, Martha Wainwright

We spoke to the local famed singer-songwriter about what it was like becoming an artist in the city in the 90's, creating a new venue for the city, writing her memoir, and playing—of course—a game of 20-ish questions. (The Main)

It could be curtains if things don't change

The future of a historic theatre in Montreal's Latin Quarter, which has stood for over 110 years, is in jeopardy due to a lack of federal funding for major renovations. Built in 1913, it says it has been trying to do renovation and restoration work to solidify its long-term survival. (CTV News)

Party all day, party all night

Montreal will table its first policy on nightlife in the coming weeks, where it would have its first zone open 24 hours a day in 2024. The Latin Quarter is being considered for the pilot project. (Radio-Canada)

This one goes out to truly passionate coffee drinkers

The crossroads of a vibrant and thriving community, the Canadian Roasting Society's a unique place to engage with coffee in ways you can’t find elsewhere in the city (or Canada): An incubator for all things coffee in Montreal. (The Main)

Ironically in need of an innovative solution

Notman House, the Montréal startup hub run within a 187-year-old heritage building, will likely be put up for sale as government creditors claim years of unpaid debt. A public workshop will be held at the location Jan. 24. (BetaKit)

Could be a home run

Hundreds of Montreal families could one day live on the site of the former National Film Board headquarters. Residents, community groups, experts, small businesses and other stakeholders will all be invited to share their views on the future redevelopment. (Montreal Gazette)

A look at the new Vic project

Set to open its doors in 2027, the revitalization aims to become an international hub for interdisciplinary research and teaching, focusing on sustainability systems and public policy while celebrating the site’s historical significance. (Construction Canada)

Never again

Fourteen beams lit up in turn in the cold sky above Mount Royal last Wednesday evening, in memory of each of those who were killed at the Polytechnique Massacre of December 6, 1989. Despite the progress made over the past 34 years, however, there are still too many women who suffer violence. (Le Devoir)