It’s the 10th edition of the Montreal High Lights Festival, and with Paris as the featured city, some of the bigger events are already sold out. Not to worry: Here’s our guide to some of the more unusual (but no less spectacular) events.
Creative Cuisine
We all love a good wine pairing, but how about Wine and Parisian Macaroons? Pullman hosts Expert pastry chef Christophe Morel, who will prepare savoury macaroons and serve them with their perfect partner. Then sample the fare of a Canadian trio of chefs as they prepare a nine-course feast featuring ecogastronomy and biodiversity. Truffles Galore! needs no explanation. French chef Patrice Hardy and Daniel Vézina from restaurant Laurie Raphaël team up for two evenings dedicated to the fantastic fungi.
Body Language
World-renowned dancer and choreographer Marie Chouinard returns to open the festival’s artistic program with her company’s production of Orphée et Eurydice, a sensual and powerful piece. Then tune your ears up for The Montreal Symphony Orchestra’s musical voyage to France with Parisian conductor Jean-Claude Casadesus, highlighting works of Hector Berlioz and Camille Saint Saëns. Cap it off with Le Festival Mondial du Cirque de demain de Paris, an extraordinary show gathering the best acrobats, tightrope walkers and trapeze artists in the world.
Late Nights, White City
With free shuttle service during the All-Nighter, and tons of free events, we can make a night of it – several nights in a row. Burn off some calories skating or slidingat the Old Port as you bask in the glow of the fireworks, then warm up in the SAQ Bistro. Head downtown via Metro (and admire the expositions), where visual arts and cinema are holding court. End the evening in the Plateau at a Café Campus dance blowout. (Or perhaps soaking up sounds at Laïka is more your style.)
Montreal High Lights Festival
February 19 – March 1, 2009
www.montrealenlumiere.com
514-288-9955
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