THURSDAY
Who doesn’t love the openings of new and unique restaurants in our fair city? Tonight comes another addition to our culinary landscape. FAB BOSS presents the “official” Grand Opening of Restaurant Brama Trattoria Moderna in the charming neighbourhood of Little Italy. Beginning at 6pm, you and other young professionals can enjoy a complimentary cocktail and Italian-inspired menu items that use only the very finest market fresh Quebec produce. While you indulge, the beats of DJ JoJo Flores will be echoing around. Capacity is limited, therefore an RSVP is mandatory by emailing either billy@fabboss.com or Fabio@fabboss.com.
It’s that time, Montreal party people! Our favorite sub-zero winter music and dance festival, Igloofest, starts tonight in the Old Port. It launches in grand fashion this weekend with some of the most sought-after DJs on the planet and our city’s hottest crews getting ready to dance the night away. Tonight the Sapporo Stage gets the evening started with 18-year-old Montreal wunderkind and John Digweed protégé Richie G at 6:30pm, followed at 8:30pm by New York’s highly respected Wolf+Lamb, founders of the label and club nights of the same name. As a finale at 10:15pm, the much-loved Misstress Barbara takes the stage. Aside from the music, there is the famous one-piece photo competition, a variety of drink stations, a very colourful crowd and so much more!
FRIDAY
Young professionals, start your engines for the 4th edition of the Montreal International Auto Show presented by Desjardins Insurance from January 18th to January 27th. Among some of the more exciting things we can expect this year are manufacturers revealing their hottest innovations including McLaren, Aston Martin, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Maserati, Fisker, Porsche, Rolls Royce and Bentley. You will be able to walk through the Centennial Avenue and relive 100 years of history featuring 10 iconic cars representing their decade to bring some nostalgia to the place. The Auto Show’s much anticipated annual contest will once again give a few lucky winners the chance to walk away with incredible gifts… such as cars, of course. There will also be some good will on premise in collaboration with Héma Quebec and CTV Montreal; the Blood drive will be held at the Grande Place of Complexe Desjardins, from Monday, January 21st to Friday, January 25, 2013.
The PHI building, a smart space for art with a host of production studios and creative spaces that has the most sophisticated technical resources available in the hands of artists and innovators, will be offering a free screening of one of TIFF’s top ten films from Canada, “The World before Her.” The movie focuses around 20 young women from across India that arrive at a modest Bombay Hotel for an intense, month-long beauty boot camp. Winning the coveted title means instant stardom, a lucrative career path and, for some girls, freedom from the constraints of a patriarchal society. The movie creates a lively, provocative portrait of the world’s largest democracy at a critical transitional moment. A wonderful and moving film worth a watch. Free tickets are limited and allocated on a first come, first serve basis.
SATURDAY
In the mood to support a great cause and start off the New Year with some good karma? Then stop by “Resolution: A FUNdraiser against animal cruelty” to benefit the SPCA taking place at BoutiqueFLY today from 1 pm to 7 pm. The event will feature recipes and tasting by vegan chef extraordinaire Maria Amore, cruelty-free skincare and cosmetics with Jennifer Horvath from Arbonne, and more. 20% of all sales will go to benefit the SPCA towards their fight against animal cruelty in the fur and food trade, so join them for an afternoon of delicious food, fun shopping and tips for a healthier and happier life. For info visit the event page here.
The Apres Ski event series focuses on some of the top local DJs spinning all night long (literally, until 5am) in the amazing space of Espace Griffintown, allowing for us to shake off that winter cold and celebrate together with great music and people. Tonight you can hear the funky beats of Kevin Mcphee, a resident of Turbo Recordings, the Montreal-based international electronic powerhouse which re-invented itself as the home of New Jack Techno in 2012, garnering year end praise from Resident Advisor, XLR8R, and the CBC, among others. DJ TVP, who’s been responsible for crafting some of the most memorable after-hours parties in Montreal, and Bordello, hot off the success of his releases with Toronto-based studio whiz Gingy, has just returned to Canada from a slamming European tour that saw him play peak time sets at such venerable club institutions as London’s Fabric, Paris’ Social Club, and Amsterdam’s Melkweg. Talk about a hot trio!
SUNDAY
Who doesn’t love a soft, tasty and perfectly made Belgian waffle on a Sunday morning? Well, we found a Belgian gem to discover: Engaufrez-vous. Located on 8 Rachel street East, this waffle brunch will take place from noon to 3pm. Their waffles are known to be exceptionally authentic, transporting you to the charm of rural Belgium. The menu also offers some creative waffle dishes, including their waffle Gaspesienne that is made with fresh Atlantic salmon, cranberries, maple syrup and a dollop of fresh cream to sweeten up the texture. Count us in! Check out their website for more information.
The fun and joy of Fête des neiges de Montreal is back and celebrating its 30th anniversary! It’s a wonderful reason and time to gather your friends and experience winter like you did during the good old days. A wide array of activities will be offered at Parc Jean-Drapeau, including such features as tube sliding, the zip-line, dog sledding, snow-shoeing, cross-country skiing, boot and ice hockey, snow-scootering, skating along the river, and an on-site presence of the fabulous Snow Village. Grab a hot chocolate, bundle up in your coziest scarf and let the inner child in you come out.