Montreal Weekender: December 13 through 16, 2012

THURSDAY
Starting tonight, the holiday’s most anticipated ballet is back and putting smiles on everyone’s faces. The world famous Nutcracker performed by Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montreal is the perfect jump into the holiday season with your date, friends or family; it truly caters to everyone, including young professionals! Created in 1964 for Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montreal, this adaptation of the Hoffmann tale by Quebec dancer choreographer Fernand Nault is one of the most charismatic in existence. It is performed by about one hundred dancers, with stunning Christmas sets and animated costumes. The fun part you might not know about? Every year, more than 600 children audition for parts, and around 100 are chosen for the roles of mice, rats, angels, reindeer, sheep, orientals, children at the party and the famous Clara and Fritz! Let the inner child in you shine bright.

One of Montreal’s coolest word of mouth parties brought to you by EverybodyKnows and Notable Awards finalist Moody Jones happens tonight at Salon Daome! Moody is joined on the decks with his partner in crime, Maher Daniel, who just completed his European tour and will now please the crowd with non-stop beats and tunes. The kicker? You only pay $1 entrance fee before midnight if you RSVP by emailing info@EverybodyKnows.ca with your name. Fresh music, a hip crowd and boisterous vibe is guaranteed. 

FRIDAY
All this cold has us young professionals adjusting to the chilly weather and has gotten some of us a little tense. What better way to release than to pop by one of our most loved Montreal spas, Bota Bota, for their two-year anniversary “Ephemere.” For this event, Bota Bota will be reviving its artistic past by playing host to a mirage-like performance. Sounds mysterious and enticing, right? Along with this comes an amazing special where $55 will get you an invigorating water circuit, bathrobe, towel, musical ambiance, candies and sweets and one of the most relaxing nights you will experience. We are frequent visitors, trust us! The indulgence starts at 7 pm and floats on until the night… reservation required, online at botabota.ca, or by phone at 514-284-0333. 

It’s mid-December and for a lot of YP’s upgrading their education and university or college rookies, this means their study semester is nearing its end! To celebrate, KoKo restaurant and Bar in the ultra-cool Opus Hotel is hosting Heels & High Tops, the semester grand finale. Fireworks, champagne and block rocking beats are brought to you by Fafa Khan, who knocked all our socks off at the Notable Awards after party. The city’s favourite Friday is back after a week long-hiatus due to examinations, so put those books away and let loose.

From the faces behind POP Montreal comes the Holiday Puces POP Fair Opening Party! Returning to Saint-Enfant-Jesus Church tonight, Puces POP is Montreal’s biggest and most popular marketplace for handmade art, craft, and design. The fairs attract 6000+ visitors and features an evolving roster of over 90 new and established creators of unique artisanal products, including jewellery, clothing, ceramics, toys, food, printed matter, and more. It’s another great place to seek out unique gift ideas while supporting hard-working creative minds in Montreal and beyond. 

SATURDAY
Dust your skates off, YPs, the TELUS Fire on Ice musical fireworks is back and creating pyro-musical shows that will project across the Old Port and beyond! Starting at 8pm tonight, skate away to the greatest music hits of the past 60 years and the best pyrotechnic firms in Quebec igniting the skies while you attempt your best figure skating moves…or falls. Bundle up as its gets pretty breezy by the water, but the night is well worth it. Mitts and hot cocoa recommended; oh, and a date to keep you company might also not be a bad idea! Only the best pyrotechnic firms in Quebec were selected to ignite the skies over the Old Port.

Did someone say theatre? From classic to contemporary, Centaur, Quebec’s premier English theatre, produces shows for today’s modern theatre-goer celebrating the colourful voice of today’s Montreal. Tonight we suggest “Urban Tales,” the sixth edition of the naughty and wildly funny, anti-holiday storytelling spectacular presenting seven stories to chill your hearts in this age of global warming. Do something different and see what our local artists bring to the stage.

SUNDAY
Concert lovers, Canada’s most eminent musical twins, Tegan and Sara, a Grammy-nominated Canadian indie rock duo, will be performing their catchy guitar riffs, poppy and snappy keyboard synths while singing and making you dance at the same time. With the release of their uber-addictive new album Heartthrob and newest single “Closer,” which makes us wish we still had those good old University hoopla’s to attend, this will be a super feel-good show, not to mention support for Canadian talent. 

Unlike other cities, the snow and lip chap overloading weather doesn’t stop our fair city from partying – no sir! Tonight will especially be a night to cling glasses together as its the Matinee 2-Year Anniversary at Wood 35. To celebrate an incredible two years, the team will also be simultaneously hosting the birthdays of some of Montreal’s heavy hitters, including Mykl Zadourian, Anita Colarossi, Angelo Bertucci, Audree Comtois, Melanie Delorme, and Hind H. Bring your confetti and birthday hats! As always their resident DJs Danny Torrence and Toddy Flores will be rocking the house; do we ever sleep?

Image courtesy of montreal.about.com