When I think of events that are soooo Montreal, Nuit Blanche is one of the big ones. People already stay up late in Montreal and love all things cultural and artistic. So, for one night when the weather is bound to be horrid or cold or both, why not get everyone to push through the February blahs by making an event of staying up late to check out art?
There’s always a lot of FOMO during Nuit Blanche — it can’t be helped! But here’s a few things that will make you the envy of others.
îLESONIQ en patins
ÎleSONIQ is fun in the summer. Electronic music and DJs on a summer sunny Sunday afternoon is one of the great pleasures of being a Montrealer. Well, why not put it on skates and hold it down in Quartier des Spectacles during Montréal en Lumière. Now that’s going to be time well spent! Costumes and accessories are encouraged! 9 p.m. – 1 a.m. Free.
Nicolas Party : L’heure mauve
Swiss-born Nicholas Party’s first Canadian exhibition is intended as a dialogue between the artist’s works and those in the Museum of Fine Arts’ collection. Enjoy the way he moves from his own colour-saturated, playful works to those by Otto Dix, Gustave Courbet, and Lawren S. Harris. The exhibition also has a 14-song soundtrack created by Pierre Lapointe. 5 p.m. – 11:59 p.m. Musee des Beaux Arts. $12. Free for people 20 and under. Reservation required.
Live creation – Boris Pintado
Watching an artist go through the process of creating a work is a window in the miracle of the human mind. Spanish artist Boris Pintado’s work has been featured in Art Souterrain and at the outdoor Romeo Gin Museum. He will create a large self-portrait and a few sculptures before your eyes. 6 p.m. – 11:59 p.m. Galerie d’Art Wishbone (395 Notre Dame Ouest). Free.
In heart and life and longing
The Phi Centre’s exhibit about the experience of home, created by artist Andrew Jackson and DESTA Black Youth Network has its final night tonight. See the final works of participants who took part in a 5-week intensive workshop. In addition there will be a DJ set by Scott Clyke. 8 p.m. – 11:59 p.m. Phi Centre (465 St-Jean). Free.
Cité Mémoire
If you enjoy flashing your phones at the Cité Mémoire Augmented Reality videos around the city, a whole set of them are on the Saint Catherine street circuit. In particular, look out for “The Creation of the World” a brand new immersive and interactive installation located at Place Paul-Émile-Borduas. Metro Champ de Mars. 6 p.m. – 11 p.m. Free.
JJ Levine: Queer Photographs
No, we’re not related. But the portrait photography of JJ Levine, a visual hometown artist (Tiohti:áke/Montreal) is visually appealing with subjects from all along the gender spectrum in domestic settings. These are intimate portraits of friends, relatives, and lovers of Levine. Musee McCord. 7 p.m. – 11:59 p.m. Free. Reservation Required.
Chants Stellaires
Listen to Ensemble Vocal à ContreVoix sing songs stamped with the beauty of the universe and its mystery. Shows take place at 8, 10, 12 a.m., and 2 a.m and include Icelandic, Estonian, English, American and Canadian songs, some a cappella, accompanied by organist / pianist Julien Girard. St Johns United Church (110 St Catherine E). Voluntary contribution.
Woven Stories
13 artists will perform in this multidisciplinary cabaret hosted by Kama La Mackerel. Expect music, dance, storytelling, performance, and readings by Skawennatti, Stephen Silverbear McComber, James Viveiros, Jeroen Lindeman, Vanessa Marcoux, Michelle Heisler, Hua Li, Michelle Jiang, Wong Koon Ying, Nathalie Doummar, Phara Thibault, Pascale Rafie and Marie Samuel. Monument National. Free. Requires reservations.
Funk and Soul in the City
It’s first come, first serve to enjoy funk and soul music in Montreal. Artists to be announced or discovered. Two shows take place at 9:15 and 11:15 p.m. Le Balcon (463 St Catherine Ouest). Free.
The Nuit Blanche, part of the Montéal en Lumière festival takes place starting Feb 26th at approximately 4 p.m. and continues until Feb 27th around 3 a.m. Information can be found HERE.
