Montreal High Lights Festival - Montréal en Lumière
Montreals biggest winter festival has begun and the feeling in the city is electric. Montreal High Lights Festival or Montréal en Lumière for the French speaking population, is an 11 day festival in the heart of winter dedicated to helping you shake off the winter blues. Toted as three festivals in one, the MHLF showcases the best that this city has to offer in minus degree weather.
Montreal is known as the city of festivals and for good reason. With over 46 festivals scheduled for 2007 alone, rarely a week passes by without finding yourself a party. And what a party indeed. In its 8th year the MHLF has grown to become Montreals 3rd largest festival behind the Just For Laughs Festival and the International Jazz Fest.
This year the festival started off with a bang. Thursday, February 22nd was celebrated in great style by Montrealers and their guests as they watched Eric Lapointe and DJ Champion - two of Quebecs most celebrated musicians - play a free concert in the Old port bordering the St. Laurence river. The crowd, a mix of young and old, danced and partied the night (and the cold) away under a magnificent fireworks display called "The Celebration of Light". Now for those of you who have never seen a fireworks display in the heart of the Old Port of Montreal, heed my words...don't deny yourself any further. It is spectacular!
Since that day, Montreal has been hosting almost 40 renowned chefs, sommeliers and lecturers at restaurants around the city. The Air France Wine and Dine Experience presented by American Express is considered by most to be the highlight of the MHLF. It brings together the best of the best of the culinary world to show off their abilities and to share their passion with the diners for the duration of the festival. Every year, one chef is pre-selected to be the Honorary President Chef and spokesman for the Wine and Dine Experience. This year, it was Daniel Boulud who was chosen. He along with 17 other chefs, represent New York City as this years featured city. South Africa was chosen to be this years featured wine-growing region. Bonne Apetite.
For those of you not interested in gastronomy, the MHLF has lots of other options. The Sun Life Performing Arts schedule is full of ecclectic performances by artists from around the world. Dance, classical and contemporary music, and art performances are just some of the choices that you can expect throughout the festival. Including, the popular Montreal underground event (held on Feb. 25th this year) which challenges citizens to explore the vast underground city beneath the streets of downtown Montreal. There is a foot race for those who want to speed their way through and there is also the discovery route for people who just want to explore at their own pace. Then of course, to wrap up the festival in Montreal style there is the the famous Nuit Blanche (the Montreal All Nighter).
Starting Saturday, March 3rd and going all night until Sunday, March 4th, the MHLF has organized a program with over 75 events and programs for you to enjoy. Spread out over 3 stylish neighborhoods, a free shuttle will transport you and your fellow all-nighters around to different galleries, concerts, stores and outdoor events to be experienced free of charge until dawn. After all of that activity, you're bound to be hungry. Which is why the MHLF has organised the Convivial Pancake Breakfast. Starting at 4:30 am, they will be serving a free pancake breakfasts to everyone and any one who shows up to the Place Bonaventure. How great is that? The idea of the Nuit Blanche (which means white night) was started in Paris and has since spread around the globe. Cities such as Madrid, Rome, Toronto, New York and even Latvia have caught on and are now starting their own. I guess that goes to show that a good idea goes along way.
For more information about the Montral High Lights Festival: www.montrealenlumiere.ca
