The Bulletin: Spanish-Andalusian eats, a skateboard party, and an iconic park redesign [Issue #93]

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

The Main

September 5, 2024- Read time: 9 min

Photograph: Camille Gladu-Drouin

Is summer... over? 🥺

Even though the calendar says we've still got until the 22nd of the month, farmers are still yanking a wealth of crops out of the ground, and the city's still got its fair share of festivals left in the chamber? the chillier Wednesday night on which we're writing this Bulletin begs to differ. We mean, come on: We're wearing socks and pants right now.

For those of you thinking 'so what, I love autumn!', we just want to remind you that that wonderful panoply of colours and crisp air only lasts so long before the grayer days hit, and they hit hard. There's only so much time to enjoy the rest of this season while we have it, so enjoy it while you can.

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

Thursday

@festivalmeg will be in full swing with a stacked musical palette featuring pop, rock, R&B, Latin, and electronic acts.
@festivalquartiersdanses will be out there, democratizing dance by bringing it to spaces like streets, parks, public markets, museums, and beyond.
@foufouneselectriques is hosting Droogs Fest all weekend long, focused on punk, ska, and Franco punk.

Friday

@sans_soleil_mtl's announced events throughout the weekend and beyond, from @evan___c to @silverfvks.
It's the @sdc_hm's third edition of the Montreal Cup, an urban party dedicated to skateboarding.
@promenade_fleury is hosting a sidewalk sale between Papineau and St-Hubert all weekend long with entertainment and good family vibes.

Saturday

@sat_montreal is hosting artists France Jobin and Markus Heckmann in a live performance of their work Entanglement: Dome.
@montrealmakersmarket is back at it with a collection of more than 75 vendors selling everything from art, clothing, and ceramics to jewelry, accessories, stickers, home decor, plants, and more.

Sunday

@espacepourlavie has brought the Gardens of Light back to Montréal’s Botanical Gardens, perfect for a crispy summer evening.
The large-scale international exhibition @expoworldpressphotomtl has returned to Montreal with photography by journalists from all over the world.
Gearheads take note: There's an antique car show open to unmodified vehicles of 25 years and older on Greene Avenue in Westmount.

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September 5th from 12 to 5pm will be @manocornuto.mtl's 5th anniversary, details below. | Photograph: @audreyeve.beauchamp

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.

Our biggest list yet

We've new wine and martini bars, cheap yet swanky eats and Ukrainian pierogi, and so many arrivals in Old Montreal we almost lost track. The selection is strong right now from established chefs and fresh faces alike—plus pop-ups and second locations from known names. (The Main)

@carino.mtl is bringing its Spanish-Andalusian cuisine pop-ups to @deplepickup every Thursday this month.
September 5th from 12 to 5pm will be @manocornuto.mtl's 5th anniversary with guest bartending from @wolfandworkman, @alimentsviens on the slicer, a @manofigamtl coffee takeover by @trafficcoffeeco, smash burgers from @notreboeufdegrace , arrosticini by the host & an outdoor keg from @peroni_ca.
@barmamie will be at @boucheriegrinder on Sept 8 from noon to midnight for special three-course menus.
@barvinvinvin is celebrating the end of summer on September 6 with $1 oysters and ears of corn plus tons of cocktails.
@nozy_restaurant_ has two omakase services coming up this Saturday: 13 dishes paired with sake tastings.
Celebrate La Fête des Récoltes at @marcheatwater and @marchejeantalon on Sept 7 and 8, featuring events like a large-scale corn roast that's free for the first 600 people each day.
@leburgerweek has returned for its 13th edition until Sept 8, and as expected, it's stretching the imagination RE: what could go on a patty between two buns.
Save the date: @vinodiscobar is celebrating its first anniversary on September 21.
@bbagels_mtl opened earlier this year in July, making bagels twice the size and served hot; crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside (and vegan!).
@cafegentile's Septembrivo is back with special menus and cocktails every Thursday of September (except today, sorry).
On September 11, @saelow_mtl is hosting @manonvirgule for a wine tasting: 5 cuvées to discover.
Set alerts on @caramia_mtl, featuring pop-up pasta dinners in unexpected places by @emilienoel and @michelle.a.marek.
@levindanslesvoiles has new workshop sessions in September and Novemer to (re)visit the basics of tasting, from the vocabulary to the flavor wheel, plus tasting techniques.

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

She's a honky tonk institution

"I’d hear stories about the Wheel Club from both sixty-year-old pubgoers in the area and my thirty-year-old friends from music school," writes Jenny Greenberg. "Once I walked into its dark basement illuminated by glowing red and green sconces and strings of lights, I quickly understood that these were more than stories. This was a place of legends and deep lore." (The Main)

That's so lit

There was once a time when Montreal’s Anglo writers were central to the city’s culture. Now there's a new wave of writers cresting in Montreal's anglo literary scene, and books, reading, and writing are all cool again with a subcultural swagger. (The Main)

"Inshallah, the future holds expansion"

In Montreal, cultures collide and manifest in various art forms, making Habibi Boom more than just a music collective, but a movement. Focused on uplifting the sounds and talents of SWANA communities, it's creating spaces where marginalized voices can be heard and celebrated. (The Link)

Fresh look with a preserved soul

Jeanne-Mance Park will get a $27-million makeover over the next two years that will include a more accessible, resurfaced multi-sport field, a fenced-in dog run, a refurbished wading pool, a new splash pad and a renovated chalet. (Montreal Gazette)

Any reservations about this? Or will you be making reservations?

If you know, you know, but for those you don’t: The Michelin Guide is among the most recognized awards for worldwide culinary excellence. The first Michelin Guide with a Québec selection is set to be revealed in 2025. (The Main)

Experts, schmexperts

Experts say it's risky to open a mall selling luxury products at a time when interest rates have risen quickly and people have less disposable income, but here we are: The first phase of Royalmount has opened with retail and hospitality galore. (CBC Montreal)

Step into my garden

Walking in here may feel like something out of a science fiction movie: Lab-like equipment, where vegetables are grown, is everywhere. According to the store's founder, the urban hydroponic systems are the future of farming. (CTV News)

So what's it gonna be?

The idea of a tramway directly linking Lachine to downtown Montreal has been ruled out, while the team responsible for the “Grand Sud-Ouest” project is working on more local scenarios. (La Presse)

A magic bullet, or a gutshot?

The city administration is finally set to unveil its nightlife policy, seven years after Mayor Valérie Plante first promised it. That’s the good news. This may please the promoters who organize raves/electronic music parties, but it’s far from clear it’s something most venue operators want. (Montreal Gazette)

Griffintown's gonna love this

CDPQ Infra wants to construct two downtown stations for the REM, Griffintown‑Bernard‑Landry and Bridge‑Bonaventure “at the same time” in the first section of the REM and is currently negotiating financing with the province. (La Presse)