An avalanche of new attractions

Our winter Festival

gets bigger and brighter!

Montreal, Tuesday, February 9, 2010 - After the immense success of last year’s 10th anniversary edition, two facts are beyond question: the MONTREAL HIGH LIGHTS Festival presented by Hydro-Québec has firmly established itself as the city’s urban winter event par excellence, and Montrealers can’t get enough this wonderful winter stuff! And among the many reasons for this outburst of joy in the heart of winter, look no further than the BMO Bank of Montreal Celebration of Light, the perfect antidote to the winter blahs! For this 11th edition, February puts on a fresh face with a host of new attractions, the most important being the newest expansion of the site itself to include the Place des Festivals: alongside Old Montreal and the Quays of the Old Port, the heart of the Celebration of Light, this new playground greatly expands the parameters of the Festival… and bigger is better, in every sense! While weekends reign as ever in Old Montreal and on the Old Port (with different programming every day), the celebration continues all week long on the Place des Festivals (excluding Sunday and Monday)! In other words, more activities than ever and more opportunities for fun on a more accessible site! This new vintage of the city’s free outdoor winter celebration uncorks from Thursday, February 18 to Sunday, February 28.

The Place des Festivals, a new place to party!

Not even a year old, and already Party Central: expect the Place des Festivals in the Quartier des spectacles to live up to its reputation as the ultimate HQ for communal celebration this winter, especially with the addition of its brand-new Espace L’Oréal, and an array of surprises set to electrify the downtown core…

Next stop: the universe, with Yuga, le film in the Ambiosphère L’Oréal!

Step right up for the astonishing Ambiosphère L’Oréal, an enormous 21 metre (70 ft.) white sphere that can accommodate over 300 people at a time. Inside, a simple-looking opaque, spherical white inner wall becomes the portal for a voyage into the universe once six synchronized high-performance projectors whirr into action! Yuga, le film, a world premiere presentation, is a special, spectacular 14-minute animated presentation courtesy of Montreal’s Space & Dream, taking the viewer on a completely immersive journey revealing nothing less than the history of the universe! This project, presented free of charge every day, every half hour, from noon to 9 p.m. (and until 3 a.m. during the Nuit blanche) in partnership with L’Oréal, is also made possible thanks to the support of the Quartier des spectacles and Industry Canada.

Still in l’Espace L’Oréal, fans of tall tales will want to lend their ears to Storytellers’ Corner, where our wizards of the word await to enlighten and entertain with masterful monologues: fantastic stories, fables, songs, tales from Spanish, African, Amerindian, Indian, Maghrebian, Chilean, Portuguese, Martinique, and especially Québécois and Acadian traditions. Every day, from noon to 1:30 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Right next door in the Place des Festivals, the new Urban Cabane à sucre tempts High Lighters with maple products and comforting drinks, as well as braziers and a hospitality area that contribute to a surreal winter ambience! And don’t miss the superb Leonard Cohen Artworks Exhibition in the Galerie Lounge TD, on the 2nd floor of the Maison du Festival Rio Tinto Alcan, where drawings and sketches by the immortal poet and singer-songwriter-annotated self-portraits, nudes and female studies, everyday objects-invite the viewer to share an intimate moment with the consciousness of this exceptional Montreal artist, who has spellbound a global audience for 40 years. Free admission. February 18 to May 9, 2010. And speaking of warming up, don’t forget to stop by Complexe Desjardins, hosting activities throughout the Festival…

Right next to the Place des Festivals, welcome the return of a MONTREAL HIGH LIGHTS classic, the Festival of Quebec Cheeses presented in collaboration with Complexe Desjardins. It’s a must-see event offering a fantastic opportunity to discover and enjoy Quebec’s finest cheeses as well as this year’s vast selection of wines from Portugal, from Wednesday, February 17 to Saturday, February 20.

The new Crossroads of Flavour in Complexe Desjardins

From Tuesday, February 23 to Saturday, February 27, Complexe Desjardins is transformed into a giant marketplace to host the all-new Crossroads of Flavour, a culinary tribute to the best the Quebec producers and artisans have to offer. Divided thematically into zones representing the regions of Quebec, the Grande-Place welcomes such attractions as the Bakery, offering breads, pastries and chocolates, the General Store and its many organic products, the Cellier de chez nous featuring Quebec alcoholic beverages, the Zinc, a relaxing zone where guests can raise a glass or enjoy culinary demonstrations by chefs-like the ones presented at GE Café-and the Lait à la bouche Mobile Boutique, a futuristic circular boutique presenting some 40 innovative dairy products made from 100% Canadian milk.

The High Lights Event returns… in the Place des Festivals!

We’re thrilled to announce the return of the High Lights Event presented by Hydro-Québec, featuring an all-new show! Initially conceived to mark last year’s 10th anniversary edition of the MONTREAL HIGH LIGHTS Festival, this wild urban happening was such a massive hit with Montrealers that we’ve brought it back for this 11th edition! After a blowout success on the Musée Pointe-à-Callière square in 2009, the event moves onto the expanded playground of the Place des Festivals this year. Better yet, it’s been utterly transformed and re-dynamized into a wholly new creation entitled Les Ombres, featuring almost 60 performers (including singer Elsiane and DJ Dee) in a unique staging concept laid out on an exclusive multi-level stage, with the Ambiosphère L’Oréal at the base of the stage and featuring projections and pyrotechnic effects! This multimedia spectacle, conceived once again this year by special events master Olivier Dufour, promises to wow us with a full spectrum of sensory illuminations! Watch out for dropping jaws! February 20, the first Saturday of the Festival, from 9 p.m. After the spectacle, DJ Dee takes over to keep the party hopping!

… and an array of new additions for every taste

Meanwhile, Old Montreal and the Old Port-the very heart of the Festival-are young once again with an array of familiar, beloved attractions and new additions sure to bring a whole new meaning to “the pleasures of winter.”

The Giant Labyrinth

The Celebration of Light has yet another surprise to thrill young and old alike: the brand-new Giant Labyrinth! Imagine a massive maze measuring 24 x 36 metres (80 x 120 ft.) and 450m long (1500 ft.), made entirely of fir trees, ice and snow! Throughout the Festival run, bring friends and family to the entrance to Jacques-Cartier Quay and challenge yourselves to find the exit! A new attraction for the whole family made possible thanks to the support of Industry Canada.

The Milk Hospitality Tent: games and knitting workshops

The Milk Family Fun Zone returns, and this year it’s better than ever! The new Milk Hospitality Tent welcomes you to knitting workshops, board and parlour games and a variety of activities to warm you up in good company! And don’t dare miss out on the 120-metre adrenalin-rush offered by our famous Milk Ice Slide, right next door on Place Jacques‑Cartier.

Cookies and fun in the Sphère AXA

Kids and teens will be happy to learn that the Sphère AXA has invited their faves from Télé‑Québec to host an autograph session during the first weekend of the Festival. After showing off their artistic culinary talents by decorating gingerbread cookies (a workshop in collaboration with the Gingerbread Guild Foundation, Saturday, February 20 from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.), youngsters can meet the popular personalities from the program Tactik (3 p.m.). The following day, Toupie et Binou (Toopy and Binoo) welcome them (1:30 p.m.), followed by personalities from the program Kaboum (3 p.m.). Come and fill up your autograph scrapbooks!

Warm up with wine tastings in the Portuguese Happy Hours

What’s better than warming up with a delicious winter wine tasting? And when the selection is drawn from the Great Wines of Portugal, featured country at this edition of the Festival, the temptation is all the more irresistible! Join us at the Bistro SAQ for the Portuguese Happy Hour! (18 and over. $6 for 3 coupons).

The Alouettes join the Celebration of Light!

On Sunday, February 21, the BMO Skating Rink on Bonsecours Basin is the place to be: kids, teens, parents, the BMO mascot, cheerleaders, and… our beloved Alouettes! The CFL champions meet their fans for the first time since their illustrious Grey Cup victory! At 3 p.m., they’ll host an autograph session near the rink, reserved for BMO clients, and from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., fans can skate with a dozen of their sports heroes-in the presence of the mighty Grey Cup!

The Grand Opening Night with Malajube!

Get ready for a hard-hitting BMO Bank of Montreal Celebration of Light Opening Night on Thursday, February 18! Join us at 7:30 p.m. for Let’s Get This Party Started!, part of the Quays of the Old Port Events presented by Hydro-Québec, featuring street characters and the Cirque Carpe Diem. At 8 p.m., feast your eyes on the official pre-show BMO Fireworks pyrotechnics countdown, followed by a free outdoor concert by Quebec supergroup Malajube. (and fans who want a foretaste can head to the Sphère AXA at 5 p.m. that evening for the launch of Malajube’s interactive video, 100 mots pour la folie, based on their song Contrôle, produced by the National Film Board of Canada.) And to close out the party on a perfect note, we’ve asked DJ Mary Hell and VJ Pink Rubber Laby to whip up a thunderous dance vibe for the premiere of the AXA Electro Evenings in the heated, 20-metre Sphère AXA. And it’s all free!

Nights packed with fun-and it’s all free!

The Quays of the Old Port Events presented by Hydro-Québec

Starting at 7:30 p.m., the Quays of the Old Port Special Events presented by Hydro-Québec light up the night with illuminated street character, dancers, circus and fire artists, projections and pyrotechnics. After the inaugural edition of Let’s Get This Party Started!, enjoy the wonderment of the musical and visual allegory Epsilon on Fridays, the traditional Torchlight Procession (February 20) and Calling All Nighthawks!, kicking off the Nuit blanche. On the closing day of the Festival, at 1:30 p.m., welcome the return of the Pointe-à-Callière Port Symphonies.

The BMO Fireworks

At 8 p.m., as a prelude to the free outdoor shows, the BMO Fireworks displays light up the night sky and ignite your evenings with an explosion of colour: first, with the opening Countdown and, in addition to our Friday fireworks, the Celebration of Light Fireworks, on Saturday, February 20, and Pleins feux sur la Nuit blanche, on the final Saturday. Breathtaking pyrotechnic displays, especially in a wintertime environment enhanced by the magical refractory possibilities of snowfall!

Our most impressive program of free outdoor shows ever

Once again this year, the BMO Shows reign over the crowds gathering at the entrance to Jacques-Cartier Quay! The action begins in the afternoon with four performances by lovable duo Petite Jacinthe et Victor (Saturdays and Sundays, 2 p.m.). Follow the February 18 kickoff performance by Québécois group of the moment Malajube with a set by electro-rock hybrid We Are Wolves, currently setting tongues wagging and jaws dropping all over the U.S. and Europe (February 19), the powerhouse voice of new Québécoise soul darling Nadja (February 20), electro-pop group of the moment La patère rose (February 26), and-kicking off the Nuit blanche (February 27)-completely unhinged group les Denis Drolet, whose Chants de Plume pulls of the unlikely coup of both paying homage to an icon and leaving fans doubled over with laughter!

The AXA Electro Evenings

Incredibly, the Festival may reach its hottest point at the end of every evening, thanks to the AXA Electro Evenings presented in collaboration with NIGHTLIFE Magazine! Join us in the gigantic heated sphere for a kaleidoscope of music and videos, featuring such hyper-energized thermometer-busters as DJ Mary Hell / VJ Pink Rubber Laby (February 18), PomPe tes PiPes Olympic DJ Team / VJ Simply Complicated (February 19), Ouananiche Live A/V (February 20), Radio Radio DJ set / VJ Brille Brille-Tetsouille (February 26), as well as special Nuit blanche performances by DJ Hatchmatik / VJ Homing (9 p.m.), FM Radio Gods / VJ The Cameron Brothers (midnight) and DJ Mini / VJ Homing vs The Cameron Brothers (1 a.m.).

Activities all day long

The BMO Ferris Wheel and a free-wheeling carnival ambience

The Celebration of Light even has its own carnival! A huge success last year, the BMO Ferris Wheel and its fun-fair ambience return with games of skill and the heated nomad tent, hosted all day long by the fine folks from NomadUrbains! Fun and frolic for all!

The BMO Skating Rink

Every year, many Festival fans kick off their celebration by flocking to the BMO Skating Rink for a little free skating, or one of our hour-long skating workshops (6:30 p.m., Thursday and Friday; noon, Saturday and Sunday). Children go wild for the non-stop activities featuring street characters and entertainers. Free admission during site opening hours, upon presentation of a coupon available from the BMO Power of Blue Welcome Kiosk (quantities are limited). And skaters will be happy to welcome the return of the BMO Shuttle! The carriage stands at the ready to whisk them to the rink.

A photographic Festival

Meanwhile, don’t forget the camerawork on Jacques-Cartier Quay. Have your photo taken free at Studio photo AXA, another popular attraction. And don’t miss the New Orleans Photo Exhibit presented by Hydro-Québec, a free one-of-a-kind exhibition dedicated to the featured city of this 11th edition of the Festival. Take a pictorial trip to the dreamlike Big Easy.

Warming up winter

With all the outdoor activities presented during the Celebration of Light, fans may want to ward off Jack Frost with a little indoor warmth. But that doesn’t mean the fun stops! Head to the Dôme Hydro‑Québec and enjoy the sensation of its infrared rays, or stop by the Braziers Place and the Brazier Bar, where the warmth comes courtesy of firepits, roasted mashmallows and grilled sausages, and non-stop fun provided by illuminated characters and street entertainers. You’ll find plenty of other warming (and cooling!) drinks and snacks in the Milk Maple Kiosk, the Café Jura Tent and the Amarula Tent. The ever-popular Bistro SAQ on Jacques-Cartier Pavilion remains the perfect oasis, serving up warmth, quality wines and Quebec cheeses (every evening from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., from noon on weekends and until 3 a.m. during the Nuit blanche). Then stop by the mini version, the Bistro SAQ Express. Finally, warm the hearts of the little ones with a delicious visit to the Little Gingerbread House, with all profits from cookie sales reinvested in activities for children organized by the Gingerbread Guild Foundation.

Off-site activities

Some Celebration of Light activities will be held off-site, including the Montée en raquettes du mont Royal (Snowshoe Event) and the Célébration des Tuques bleues, the annual nocturnal benefit hosted by les Amis de la montagne, celebrating its 13th edition on Thursday, February 18 beginning at 5:45 p.m. It’s a festive event that contributes to the conservation of Mount Royal. Registration: www.lemontroyal.qc.ca.

The Biodôme also returns with its stunning Moonlit Evening, inviting us to a blue-lit wonderland where nocturnal creatures divulge their secrets… From February 20 to March 6, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (and until 2 a.m. during the Nuit blanche).

Old Montreal and Quays of the Old Port

Thursday, February 18, both Fridays, February 19 and 26: 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Saturday, February 20 (High Light Event): noon to 11 p.m.
Saturday, February 27 (Nuit blanche): noon to 3 a.m.
Sundays, February 21 and 28: noon to 6 p.m.

Place des Festivals

From February 18 to February 27: noon to 9 p.m.

(3 a.m. for Nuit blanche)

Off on Sundays and on Monday, February 22

Get all the info…

For all the info on the outdoor program and all Celebration activities, fans can always head to the new BMO Power of Blue Welcome Kiosk. Fans who present a BMO debit card will be eligible for special benefits!

All the info on the BMO Bank of Montreal Celebration of Light is in the free official program, available on the Festival site, from many Old Montreal businesses and stores, and from most Montreal tourist sites. You can also call the HIGH LIGHTS Info Line at 514 288‑9955 or toll-free at 1 888 477‑9955, or visit montrealhighlights.com.

The 11th annual MONTREAL HIGH LIGHTS Festival runs from February 18 to February 28. Don’t miss it!

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