I SPY Montreal » March Break

March Break with Circus Incognitus at TOHU

Jessica Howard — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 15:19:55 +0000

Duruing March Break, TOHU is offering a combination of free outdoor and indoor kids’ activities, plus a high-flying circus show.

Starting at 1:30 p.m. from March 5 to 9, the circus-arts centre is set up for kicksledding, games, plus construction of snowcastles and snowmen. These activities are free, as are guided tours of the centre and indoor circus workshops.

If you want to turn the outing into an afternoon adventure, consider springing for tickets to the main event: daily performances by Circus Incognitus at 2 p.m. The show, which costs $12 for age 12 and under, and $35 per adult, involves lots of clowning around, juggling and acrobatics. Here’s a clip:

Tip: There is a café at the complex, suitable for coffee or a light lunch.

March Break at TOHU
When: Free outdoor and indoor activities start at 1:30 p.m., March 5 to 9. Circus incognitus performances are at 2 p.m., March 5 to 11. Tickets cost $12 for children 12 and under, $35 for adults. Show lasts 75 minutes. Get tickets online.
Where: 2345 Jarry St. E., St. Michel
Parking: There is an onsite pay parking lot.

Guided Tour: Weekends Gourmands at Parc Jean Drapeau

Jessica Howard — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 04:24:39 +0000

What does a “Gourmet Weekend” at Parc Jean Drapeau have on the menu for kids? Tons! The park has organized an outdoor market of more than 20 local food producers, many of whom offer free samples of their delicious treats. And they will be well-earned, once the kids have tried all the winter activities happening on site. This is a fantastic family outing to keep in mind for the last weekend of March break, because there’s lots to do and sample all in one place.

Winter playground

On weekends through March 11, Parc Jean Drapeau is running many of the same activities it launched at La Fête des Neiges, but without the crazy crowds and lineups that the event attracts. In terms of free activities, children age 5 to 8 can try ski initiation – a chance for newbies to put on skis and snowplough down a bunny hill. There are also cross-country ski and snowshoe trails (equipment can be rented), a giant foosball game and children’s activities at the Biosphère.

But you’ll probably want to pay to play. The paying activities include tubing, zip-lining, dog sledding, a mini train and horse-drawn carriage rides. You can pay for the activities individually, or get day passes ($20 for age 12 and under, $25 for age 13 and up) that provide access to tubing, zip-lining and the Snow Village.

Terrific tubing

Tubing was the big hit for our kids, with zip-lining a close second for our older son. There are 11 tubing runs – all well groomed and slightly different in terms of thrill factor: our 4- and 7-year-old tried most and seemed to love them all. The lanes are wide enough that children and parents can go down all together. Kids need to be over a certain height to go on the biggest run – the Superglisse – and our 7-year-old wasn’t tall enough (but did sneak down it once before anyone noticed).

What’s cooking?

To refuel, it’s over to the food stands, where vendors offer delicacies like grilled duck or bison sausages, macarons in every colour of the rainbow, apple and maple baked goods, and handmade chocolates. There isn’t a lot in the way of standard lunch fare, so bring sandwiches for the kids and let them pick out a yummy dessert. Meanwhile, parents can toast the end of spring break with a swig of award-winning ice wine and/or mulled wine. Cheers!

Tips:

If you have a pull-along sled, bring it for transporting younger children
Bring your own bottle of water – kids will need it after several tubing runs
Note that the winter activities are being held only on weekend days, BUT, from March 5 to March 9, the Snow Village is offering a discount rate for families from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Parents visiting with at least one child under 12 pay $10 for access to the village, which will have inflatables, a mini train, mascots and snow sculpture workshops.

Weekends Gourmands at Parc Jean Drapeau
When: March 3, 4, 10 and 11, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Parking: On-site lots cost $12 for 2 hours, $16 for the day
Bathrooms: There are several bathrooms located close to the food-market area (with a changing table) and bathrooms close to the activities area.
Cost: Zip-lining: $2 per descent; tubing: $12/day for age 3 and up; dogsledding $6/ride for age 10 and under; $12/ride for age 11 and up; carriage rides $5 for children, $9 for adults. Day passes for tubing, zip-lining and the snow village: $20 for children under 12, $25 for age 13 and up.

Festival international du film pour enfants de Montréal 2012

Jessica Howard — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 15:33:18 +0000

Montreal’s international festival of children’s films coincides with March break, running March 3 to 11. The Montreal Gazette’s Kathryn Greenaway wrote a story about the festival, highlighting the opportunity it offers for kids to see how children live in other parts of the world.

The films target age 2 to 12, and will be presented with French narration at Cinéma Beaubien. There are also two short-film programs that transcend language because they don’t have dialogue.

Also on the program is Une Vie de Chat, a French animated film about a cat who is leading a double life. It was nominated for an Academy Award for best animated feature, received 4 stars (out of five) in the Montreal Gazette, and is recommended for age 5 and up. Here’s a clip:

Festival international du film pour enfants de Montréal
When: March 3 to 11
Where: Cinéma Beaubien, 2396 Beaubien St. E.

La Semaine de La Musique 2012

Jessica Howard — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 14:53:41 +0000

An image from La Tête dans les nuages, one of the La Semaine de la Musique shows. Courtesy of JMC.

La Semaine de la Musique brings musical shows and workshops to every corner of Montreal March 3 to 11, courtesy of Les Jeunesses Musicales du Canada.

You may have seen one of these shows at JMC headquarters on Mont Royal Ave. or at Place des Arts. They offer a clever mix of storytelling, music and humour to kids, often introducing particular instruments, sounds and rhythms. The event also includes workshops that encourage kids to create their own instruments, or even compose their own music. Some activities are designed to target age 3 and up, others target age 6 to 12.

One of the shows, L’expedition de la rhythmobile, will be presented in English at the East Community Centre in Pierrefonds on March 7. Here’s a clip (in French):

The shows are being presented in cultural centres and libraries around the city. Click below for the full schedule.

La Semaine de la Musique 2012
Schedule: March 3 to 11, 2012. See full list of shows.
Location: Shows and workshops will be held at venues around Montreal.
Information and tickets: 514-845-4108.

La Semaine de la Musique

Jessica Howard — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 02:17:47 +0000

An image from La Tête dans les nuages, one of the La Semaine de la Musique shows. Courtesy of JMC.

La Semaine de la Musique brings musical shows and workshops to every corner of Montreal next week, courtesy of Les Jeunesses Musicales du Canada. There will be a total of 91 shows and workshops in 37 venues.

You may have seen one of these shows at JMC headquarters on Mont Royal Ave. or at Place des Arts. They offer a great mix of storytelling, music and humour to kids, often introducing particular instruments and sounds. Some shows are for age 3 and up, others target age 6 to 12.

The following clips offer a taste of some of the shows on the program. Two of the shows will be presented in English: Annabelle Canto and La Grande Tortue. Scroll down to link to the full list of shows and workshops.

Les Aventures fantastiques de FlonFlon

For age 3 to 7. Playing: Feb. 27 at 11 a.m. at the Intergenerational Centre in Outremont, March 1 at 11 a.m. at Ecole Secondaire Anjou, March 4 at 10 a.m. at Salle du Country Club, in TMR and March 5 at Maison de la Culture Plateau Mont Royal. More information.

La Grande Tortue

For age 6 to 12. Playing in several venues, with English shows in Pointe Claire and Pierrefonds. See full schedule.

Orféa et la harpe dorée

For age 6 to 12. Playing: Feb. 27 at 2 p.m. at Maison de la culture Rosemont Petite Patrie. See other show dates.

Pierre et le loup

For age 6 to 12. Playing March 1 at 2 p.m. at Centre Culturel de Verdun. More information.

La Semaine de la Musique
Schedule: Feb. 26 to March 6, 2011. See full list of shows.
Location: Shows and workshops will be held at venues around Montreal.
Information and tickets: 514-845-4108.