The Bulletin: A mushroom festival, extreme athletics, and a big loss for Old Montreal [Issue #94]

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

The Main

September 12, 2024- Read time: 9 min

Jackalope's coming to town. | Photograph: Jaysson Gallant - Tourisme Montréal

As summer winds down, Montreal is buzzing with last-chance adventures before the next, colder season sets in. But this hasn't stopped organizers from putting on high-octane demonstrations of skateboarding and bouldering, public dance performances, and open markets—and don't even get us started on how massive the restaurant and bar event offerings are this week (plus some sad news to share out of Old Montreal).

Assuming you'll be hitting the public markets to get the last of September's best crops as you plan for which soups you'll be batch cooking, consider grabbing our new limited-edition tote bag. It's perfect for all those end-of-summer finds.

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

Thursday

@bailedazaza and @bonnefamille_ head to Esplanade Louvain for a funk party with @recommune.
@festival.afromonde invites all communities to celebrate Africa, the Caribbean, and other cultures of Montreal through humor, dance, and music.
@placedesarts is hosting the dance festival TEMPÉO to introduce you to various dance styles, alongside professional dancers and musicians.
Animaze Festival, a collection of independent animation from worldwide creators, will feature works in various genres and styles.

Friday

@jackalopefest arrives with world-class competitions and demos by world-renowned skateboarding, bouldering, BASE jumping, and breaking stars.
@stickyricemagazine is curating a sunset-kissed beach party at @piedducourant with a blend of styles from jersey, deconstructed club, global club to heart-stirring vocals.
It ain't an unlucky day when @tatouage_dfa_tattoos hosts a Friday the 13th flash day where getting ink goes for $80.

Saturday

@barleritzpdb will host an 80s dance party that'll heat the joint up.
Enjoy the vinyl treasures of @caniculetropicale, an event from DJs @caniculetropicale_philnoel and @la.mano.peluda exploring vintage Afro, Latin, and Caribbean sounds, over at @lasalarossa.
@fungifestmtl will be in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue for all kinds of free events, from a mushroom market filled with local growers to talks hosted by growers and mycologists.

Sunday

@grandsprixcyclistes will transform Mount Royal into a veritable race track where the world's cycling elite will battle it out.
Shop, dance, eat and support local at the @shemeansbusinessmtl pop-up event, featuring 30+ of the cities most inspiring female entrepreneurs.
Montreal Bowling has made itself a destination for NFL games with drink specials and $1 wings—perfect for huge groups.

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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.

These bones were made for brewing

"Our recipes, flavors, and ideas are the retelling of that experience based on our desire to turn a profoundly negative experience into something positive that can be shared by all," Bad Bones states. (The Main)

RIP, @caffeunpodipiu: Co-owner @dyansolomon announced the permanent closure of their Italian restaurant in Old Montreal on Sept 5.
Don't miss @dobeandandy at @sataybrothers' Sataypalooza tonight (Sept 12) from 5pm to 9pm.
@nitatoutgarni is having an afternoon of ice cream & vino with friends from @cremeriedallarose on Sept 15.
@parcelles.austin will host chef @mchanth for a simple, reservation-only, fixed menu at $65 per person on Sept 15.
Go party at @cafedenise on Sept 15 while they host a BBQ with tacos, an outdoor bar, tequila & mezcal from @lesinsolites.agence and hours of Reggaeton.
@barbisoubisou invites @restaurantbeba over on Sept 12 for the second edition of their event, Open Kitchen.
@mellonbrasserie is hosting a day of lagers on Sept 14: 14 invited breweries, pretzels by @automneboulangerie, and slices by @thepizzatoni.
On Sept 15, @restaurant_jaja_mtl is hosting a day of feasting with knackwurst style sausages by @landouille_mtl, @naked.friday.wines wines from @maelstrom_vin, and boozy slushies.
@menu_extra will be cooking at @hiatusmontreal on Sept 17 for a 10-course tasting menu.
@brasseriedieuduciel celebrates the 26th anniversary of its Laurier Ouest pub with special beers & barrels, festive paella by their chef @coco_perrot_, and DJs and dance on Sept 14.
@cinemamoderne will celebrate their 6th anniversary with 80s and 90s DJ sets, a screening of Paul Verhoeven's Showgirls and promos at the bar on Sept 18.
@soeursracines invites one and all stock up on wine, piquettes and eats while they enjoy the grounds of their vineyard on Sept 14.
@oenopole is heading to @bar.wills on Sept 15 for a wine tasting event, plus souvlaki by @michelle.a.marek. @boucheriechezvito, and @automneboulangerie, DJs, and more.
Shop the new @balmoralsports fall & winter collection during their pop-up at @elenamontreal on Sept 14 and 15 from 9am to 5pm.
@lardoise_epicerie is hosting its annual oyster party on Sept 14.
@carlota.boulangerie's @chef.mariana.martin is hosting workshops to learn how to make pan de muerto throughout September and October.
@buboymtl is hosting @cafe.kuya's new head chef @jbraggs31 and their "legendary fried chicken sandwich" on Sept 15th for a pop-up.
For $44, @palmamtl has a new table d’hôte menu exclusively available on Wednesdays that's an amazing and delicious steal.
From September 10th to 14th, @isledegarde is enjoying the end of summer with a big daily oyster party.
@barbaravin_ and @98doughh are teaming up for a good ol' fashioned épulchette, plus panuozzo, corn cake for dessert, and wines on Sept 15.
@marchejeantalon is hosting the return of @fermentfestmtl, a lineup of free lectures and workshops to discover the world of fermentation on Sept 14 & 15.

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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 time was ripe for a North American tour

On September 8, 1964, Montreal experienced the Beatlemania phenomenon, as John, Paul, George, and Ringo performed two shows at the Montreal Forum as part of their first North American tour, and one of its three Canadian stops. Here's the full story, plus one personal anecdote. (The Main)

All eyes on indecisions

"It’s considered a Liberal fortress, but these days it feels like the ramparts of Lasalle—Émard—Verdun are shaking. Who knows? Maybe the byelection here on Sept. 16 could send the Trudeau Liberals to the dungeons." (National Post)

Big dreams & a quarter century to go

By 2050, Montreal wants to develop a vast 184-kilometre tramway network and extend the metro, including the blue line to the west. Plante's administration also still dreams of building the pink metro line to connect the city centre to the northeast of the city. (Le Devoir)

“The lifeblood of Montreal’s neighbourhoods”

As of this summer, eleven streets in total have been transformed into seasonal pedestrian-only destinations, creating almost ten kilometres of walkable car-free surfaces. The experiment has proven so popular that it has drawn praise, and not a little astonishment, from visiting urban planners. (The Walrus)

Tall tales or all truth?

Montreal is one of few cities in North America that require tour guides to pass a course before being officially licensed. Our permit requirement system is not without its merits, but the city should consider subsidizing tuition costs for those who find fees are beyond their reach, writes Bill Brownstein. (Montreal Gazette)

Little boxes on the hillside

Since the turn of the 2010s, many shoebox homes have disappeared under a demolition peak with the sharp rise in real estate values and the search for building land, particularly in old neighborhoods. Should we lose these heritage structures for the sake of densification? (Journal de Montréal)

8 names outta Quebec

From mascarpone-piped lobster éclairs to panko-coated spam pops, these 30+ spots are serving up the most unforgettable meals—putting them all in the running for enRoute's coveted Top 10 list. Which restaurants will make the list this November? (enRoute)

Bleeding (edge) talent

Québec's tax credit cut for the visual effects (VFX) industry has worsened an already struggling sector, leading to layoffs and instability for artists. Many artists are now facing the uncertainty of moving to another country to find work or returning to university to change careers. (The Rover)

How big is Montreal's traffic problem?

It's been nearly a year-and-a-half since the city held a summit on road construction. Meanwhile, the Plante administration argues it takes time to see the full effects of everything being done to improve project coordination and communication. (CBC Montreal)

Photograph: Christinne Muschi / The Canadian Press

Commitment to the Montreal film community

Montreal’s Cinéma du Parc announced that they have accepted a “major donation” from Quebec filmmaker Denis Villeneuve. The arthouse cinema is officially reopening this Thursday, Sept. 12 following major renovations (and a partial reopening in May). (Cult MTL)