The Bulletin: What's Montreal got that other Canadian cities don't? [Issue #84]

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

The Main

July 4, 2024- Read time: 9 min

Not everyone can boast that their city's a source of photos of Pierre Elliott Trudeau enjoying a waterpark (La Ronde's Aqua Parc, which lasted from 1985 to 1994). | Photograph: Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec

Scroll down this week's edition of the Bulletin, and you'll find some answers to a question that's been on our minds: What are the things that make Montreal special, and that other Canadian cities can learn from?

Highlighted in an opinion piece by Marcus Gee in the Globe and Mail, the author argues that it's the "little things that impress a visitor the most": Our seasonally pedestrianized streets, the vibrant everyday lives lived out in ruelles vertes, an increasingly expansive cycling network, stages set for arts and culture for the public eye—the list goes on.

Maybe you'll think it's nothing but an oversimplification, or that our failings outweigh our perks, but it's hard to argue with Montreal on a good day—and there are a lot of them at this time of year.

See for yourself with everything we've tracked down for this weekend.

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

Thursday

The 38th edition of L’International des Feux Loto-Québec at @larondesixflags is back with a performance by Japan.
@haydar514 and @notanthonysaade from Beiroots Groove Ensemble will be playing at @sans_soleil_mtl, and if you can't make it, there are more shows all weekend.
@festivaljazzmtl continues! There'll be tons of free shows, but one highlight to check out: L’Afterjazz Vinyl Jams at the ephemeral bar PHONO, where Montreal collectives @mimsanctuary and @ferias.mtl bring together some of cities finest selectors for free shows.

Friday

@mtlcomiccon's pop-culture fan convention that showcases artists and products from entertainment genres like sci-fi, horror, anime, gaming and comic books is back in town until July 7.
Celebrating the pedestrianization of @plazasthubert, PlazaPalooza is back: Sidewalk sales, entertainment, workshops, and a music lineup featuring local DJs and artists.
It'll be music maker and DJ extraordinaire @spaceghostoakland's first time playing in Montreal, and it's going down at @osmo_x_marusan with an event in collab with @laramarecords. Details here.
The Festival mondial de musique des femmes d’ici et d’ailleurs will put on a performance at Théâtre de Verdure in Parc La Fontaine with artists Mis Blandine (Democratic Republic of Congo), Maria Siga (Senegal) and Vivi Makado (Ivory Coast) for an evening of Afrobeat, jazz, blues and Afro fusion.

Saturday

This'll be the last day to explore @vitrinefest's multidisciplinary collection of visual arts, music, comedy and food & drink across the Sud-Ouest.
Check out performances from MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE (@mtlccirque), running from July 4 to 14.
If you like rock climbing, @cafe_bloc is repeating their terrasse opening party with a BBQ, DJ sets, and $10 admissions for the entire day.

Sunday

Time's running out to see the Pop Art collection on view at the @mbamtl, bringing together works by Canadian artists associated with the movement alongside contemporaries including Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Tom Wesselmann and Eduardo Paolozzi.
@petiteitaliemtl is hosting Ital Autofest, an Italian car show to admire classic and modern models that are the pride of the home country.
@riversidemtl is hosting a daytime brunch fete, CARNIVAL ON THE CANAL, with Trinidad’s soca master Benjai performing live, backed by undisputed DJs.
2024 marks 25 Years of digital art with ELEKTRA at @arsenalcontemporary, the largest exhibition dedicated to digital art in North America. Check it out.

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@stevemarcone, one of the minds behind @laspadamtl, a new restaurant featured this month. | Photograph: Scott Usheroff / @cravingcurator

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.

Much like the explosion of ingredients that hits kitchens at this time of year, the summer season has brought us all kinds of new names on the scene, from established chefs with new projects to young guns out to prove themselves. (The Main)

It's that time of the month: @lespremiersvendredis returns to the Olympic Stadium, taking a trip through the Mediterranean.
July 7 marks the 6th anniversary of @helicoptere.mtl, and they'll be cooking up a party with @restaurant_jaja_mtl inside the former's latest project @copilote.mtl. Menu's only $40!
Not to be missed: @has_dac_biet will be stopping at @noragrayresto on their North American tour on July 7 and 8.
@parapluie.mtl is inviting one and all to eat and party as they do in Marseilles on July 6 from 4 pm til late: No reservations. Expect DJs, merguez, pastis, a southern French menu and other goodies.
@barmamie is holding a kebab pop-up at @laboucheriedemamie on July 5 at noon alongside local cuts of meat, cheeses and charcuterie during the day.
@disco__mayo is on fire: July 5 will see the the pop-up cooking tacos alongside a vinyl sale at the corner of Clarke and St. Zotique from 5 to 7 pm.
July 6 marks your last chance to check out @marchejeantalon's Festiv'été hot sauce competition with five different vendors' creations plus music, workshops, and free tastings.
Save some cash by pregaming at Rachel's Martini Lounge inside @namesontheway, where all martinis are $7 every Thursday from 6 to 9 pm.
@provisions.bar.a.vin has launched Bertha’s, a to-go counter selling South American style roasted chicken. Check out the menu here.
@symbiose_vins is hosting a wide range of beer and cider producers with free tastings at @pelusobeaubien on July 5 with an afterparty at @barplanbmtl.
On July 8, @bar.darling is welcoming chef @alejandro_ramirez_huerta for a Mexican evening in collaboration with their own chef @alejandro.v.vega.
Into a road trip idea? Bromont's @babar.restaurant is hosting a special night on July 8 with buckets of private imports, local products, and more.

Where to eat, according to chef Hiroshi Kitano

Hailing originally from Japan, chef (and DJ!) Hiroshi Kitano's journey to becoming a celebrated figure in Montreal is as rich and layered as his work in the kitchen. Here's where he likes to eat in the city these days. (The Main)

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

The new nighttime hospitality

Remember those dark spots where we would storm the dance floor until the early hours of the morning before digging into poutine from a 24-hour deli? Now, nightclubs have gradually been supplanted by new, more diverse and flamboyant formulas. (Le Devoir)

Glory be to the 514

Why, in one columnist's opinion, has Montreal succeeded where other cities have failed in terms of regreening, pedestrianization, arts and culture, and swathes of bike paths—despite its obvious flaws? (The Globe and Mail)

Welcome to Jurrasic (water)Park

It was in May 1985 — the same year that the majestic Le Monstre ride opened — that Aqua Parc officially opened its doors. At the time, it was the largest complex of its kind in the world. Occupying approximately ten acres of land, it's something we probably could've used during that last heatwave. (24 Heures)

Our construction sites are too confusing for new tech

So, WIRED tested out Meta’s Ray-Ban Smart Glasses in French-speaking Canada to trial its AI's translation feature meant to give wearers a quick, hands-free way to understand text written in foreign languages. Here's why it was too rudimentary and buggy to be anything more than a novelty. (WIRED)

The Julep, then and now

For the Wall Street Journal's Time Capsule series, they regularly spotlight a cherished restaurant, hotel, or landmark that’s changed remarkably little over the years. This week, they paid a visit Gibeau Orange Julep alongside some other local recommendations. (Wall Street Journal)

Visitors line up at Gibeau Orange Julep for its namesake refreshment and a variety of fast-food eats.

Not too shabby

Take a look inside the the new train station pavilion designed by Sid Lee Architecture, a new iteration part of a transformation project that upgrades exo’s entire transit network with a hub designed as a community landmark. (ArchDaily)

Wait a minute, this sounds like rock and/or roll

A church in Ville-Émard was saved by the organization Théâtre and Groupe Paradoxe which converted it into an eco-responsible performance hall. Read up on its transformation, as well as comparable projects found across the city. (Journal de Montréal)

How's that task force coming along?

Last Friday, activists occupied a building in Hochelaga to denounce the fact that it has been transformed into an "illegal" Airbnb, circumventing the rules for temporary tourist accommodation. (TVA Nouvelles)

Them's the rules.

Regulations came into effect last week, and will be enforced in June 2025: The Quebec government will require all signs on commercial businesses, aside from the company name, to be predominately in French. The Retail Council of Canada's Quebec chapter president says it could cost as much as $25 million. (CBC Montreal)