Gen’s Delights top picks for the week of November 18, 2017

With the first light snowfall in Montreal, you might wish to stay warm and cozy in the comfort of your home this weekend. However for those who wish to brave the cold and navigate the new configuration of the Turcot exchange to come out to play, there are tons of exhibitions, shows, concerts and other fun activities to enjoy in the city.  Here below are some of my top picks for the week of November 18th, 2017 :

Events:

Santa Claus 67th annual Parade

If you’re heading downtown, the 67th annual Santa Claus Parade will start at 11 a.m. Come see countless floats, singers, dancers and performers along Ste-Catherine Street between Fort Street and La Place des Festivals, which will be off limits to traffic.

The festivities are expected to last approximately two hours.

For more information: http://www.destinationcentreville.com/en/activites/santa-claus-parade


Theatre:

The Hockey Sweater: A Musical 

This weekend is your last chance to enjoy this heartwarming musical that pays homage to the beloved Quebec short story: The Hockey Sweater by Canadian Author Roch Carrier.  Presented at the Segal Theatre until November 19th.  The story recounts the childhood of young Roch, his passion for Hockey and the tragedy he experiences when the new hockey sweater his mother orders for him by mail-order does not sport the glorious “tricolore” of the Montreal Canadiens, but those of the rival team.

Roch must learn the importance of what’s in your heart, even when it’s not on your sleeve.

With catchy lyrics, and music by Jonathan Monro and featuring a stellar cast of young performers, the hockey sweater is a musical for the whole family to enjoy!

For more information please visit:  http://segalcentre.org/en/shows/the-hockey-sweater-a-musical

39 Steps

The Centaur Theatre is proud to present its second offering of the season: The 39 Steps.

Based on the Alfred Hitchcock film -noir adaptation of UK novelist John Buchan beloved spy thriller novel. The play was adapted for the stage by British actor, comedian and playwright, Patrick Barlow, (Absolutely FabulousBridget Jones’s DiaryShakespeare in Love) and directed by Eda Holmes, the Centaur’s new Artistic and Executive Director.

Get ready for a roller coaster ride and multiple laughs as the four-member cast bring you from a London music hall to the moors of Scotland as you root for ordinary Joe: Richard Hannay in his perilous pursuit to clear his name and save the free world.

For more information on show times please visit:  https://centaurtheatre.com/

The Simon & Garfunkel Story

For only two night in Montreal , The Simon & Garfunkel Story, will play at Théâtre St-Denis as part of its North American tour of more than 45 cities in the U.S. and Canada.

The immersive concert-style theater show chronicles the amazing journey shared by music legends Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel from their humble beginnings as Tom & Jerry to their incredible success as one of the best-selling music groups of the ‘60s, to their dramatic split in 1970.

To capture the essence and magic of the time period during which they knew immense success, this unique 50th Anniversary celebration will boast  original film footage , large projection photos, and will feature a full live band performing all of the folk-rock duo’s best hits, including Mrs. Robinson (featured in the 1967 film The Graduate), Scarborough Fair, The Sound of Silence, Cecilia, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Homeward Bound, and many more fan favorites.

For more information on this internationally-acclaimed hit theater show – November 22 and 23 2017 in Montreal.

Please visit the web-site of  Théâtre St-Denis

https://theatrestdenis.com/en/event/simon-garfunkel-story/


Music:

One Night at Sona

Not everyone understands house music: It’s partly spiritual, physical and ethereal.  514: a magic name in the decade of the 90s in Montreal. It was THE group of promoters / producers who made the city dance like never before! Nearly ten years later, the promoter Eddy Melo, is back with the 514 Group to make the Metropolis dance again with the first of a series of major events.

For those who love music that feeds the soul, on Saturday, November 18th, at the beautiful Théâtre Paradoxe, the 514 Group, will host their launch party. Expect a wild tribute night to the legendary Sona with the exceptional participation of Dj Sneak, Dj Dan, Luc Raymond, Rob Brown and Max Hébert. Come dance to the beats of some of the best electronic music with an underground flavor.  The night will be all about the VIBE!

DJ SNEAK:
djsneak.com / imahousegangster.com / USA
DJ DAN:
djdan.com / 15 years of InStereo / APT / USA
DJ LUC RAYMOND
Release the Pressure
DJ ROB BROWN AKA KRB
LoveHate / Robsoul Recordings France
DJ MAX HEBERT
Frosted Recordings

For more information: http://www.theatreparadoxe.com/en/calendar/#show_173

The Gypsy Baron musical:

– The Opéra bouffe du Québec is proud to present the hilarious operetta The Gypsy Baron by Johann Strauss Jr, in a new French production that will be on display from November 10 to 19, 2017, at the Maison des Arts in Laval.

This musical production, full of humor, romance and mystery, will bring together nine talented Quebec soloists to the stage: Ruben Shaym Brutus, Audrey Larose-Zicat, Frédérique Drolet, Éric Thériault, Rachèle Tremblay, Arminè Kassabian, Guillaume Beaudoin, Dominic Lorange and Richard Fréchette. The cheerful band of bohemian choristers and the OBQ orchestra, led by Simon Fournier, will join them.  The staging will be provided by Yvon Bilodeau, back after the remarkable success of Veronique last season. We follow the adventure of the Gypsy Baron Sandor as he returns to claim his lands, find the hidden treasure left to him by his deceased father and maybe wed the beautiful Arsena,  Unfortunately, the girl and her father Zsupan a greedy pig farmer, may have other plans …

For more information please visit: www.operabouffe.org


Exhibitions and Fairs:

Santas at the Stewart Museum:

From the 15th of November, 2017 to the 7th of January, 2018, come meet the over 30 figurine representations of the “jolly man in red” and take part in an exciting journey to the magical world of childhood.

One of the highlights of the exhibit is a magnificent doll castle that features dancers that come to life at the sound of music.

Many of the Santas were handmade by American artists such as Beth Cameron, Lynn West and Lynn Haney, while others were created by Quebec artist Carole Landreville. They illustrate a fascinating aspect of doll making and show how the artistic representation of one of the best-known and loved figures in folklore has changed.

Guests can also expect to see old photographs illustrating the pleasures of winter and learn about holiday season traditions

For more information please visit:

http://www.stewart-museum.org/en/santas-are-taking-over-the-stewart-museum-106.html

Gallery Les Impatients :  Je le dis comme je le chante !

The mission of les Impatients is to help people with mental health issues through artistic expression.

They are currently hosting the exhibition:   I say it as I sing it.  – held at the gallery des Impatients

I say it as I sing it is an immersive installation born from a series of vocal improvisation workshops held this summer at Les Impatients. Initiated by Maxime Galand and Yannick Pouliot, these meetings allowed participants to work with artists who devote themselves to singing: Gabriel Dharmoo, André Pappathomas and Elizabeth Lima.

Improvisation sessions are born from captivating and strange worlds / ephemeral oases. The exhibition invites the public to discover these worlds, populated by fragile and strong voices, transposed into space and light in the gallery of the Impatients.

For more information please visit:

http://impatients.ca/activites/exposition-dans-la-galerie/

The Book of Giving (Le Livre du Don)

On November 8th, Canadian author Justin Kingsley held a book launch at the headquarters of MO851 in Montreal to promote:  Le Livre du DON.

Member of Les Impatients created unique jackets covers for the book that were sold during the event to raise funds for the organization.

About the book:

An outstanding communicator, Justin Kingsley has been interested in the place and different forms of giving in today’s society.

Inspired by our personal and unique “giving” stories, he interviewed various friends and strangers – from an Olympic champion, a survivor of the Rwandan genocide to even a lady sitting next to him on the plane, to obtain and relate their powerful stories, often touching, sometimes hilarious and, in some ways, a little shocking.

The author will be present at the Salon du Livre de Montreal  (Montreal Book Fair) .


Shopping:

Montreal Book Fair: Salon du Livre

From the 15 to the 20th of November, 2017, Montreal will host the 40th edition of the Salon du Livre.

Over 2,000 authors – including Michel Tremblay, Louise Penny, Patrick Senécal and Justin Kingsley (mentioned above) – will be present to meet the public and do book signing.

New this year are thematic trails that have been developed to guide visitors to spots of interest and special attention has also been given to mark Montreal’s 375th anniversary.

Famous Canadian author Gabrielle Roy’s novel Bonheur d’Occasion will also be highlighted this year.

For a full schedule of events and entry fees please consult:

http://www.salondulivredemontreal.com/

Ogilvy en Fete:

This Wednesday, November 22 from 7–10 PM, The Véro & Louis Foundation presents Ogilvy en Fête!  An exclusive private evening of food, entertainment and shopping at which 10% of your purchases will go to support building a healthy and loving home for people with autism.

This festive evening will offer several gourmet tables, savory bites to decadent sweets. Several DJs will be present to electrify the atmosphere and there will be live animation, such as photo booths, manicure stations and make-up stations, to make the night unforgettable.

For more information please visit: http://bit.ly/2wOjexV