On the go with Vivian » Montréal

Contest: Win 4 VIP passes to Osheaga!

vivian is virtual — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 14:17:09 +0000

Land a dream weekend at Montreal’s Osheaga Festival, with 3 of your closest friends. You’ll score:

4 VIP festival passes, to see Arcade Fire, Weezer, Sonic Youth & more
4 round trip train tickets in the Québec City-Windsor corridor in Economy class
3 nights’ hotel accommodations
4 pairs of Oakley sunglasses, special edition
4 pairs of Sennheiser headphones
Lifetime Collective clothing
4 Bruxe travel bags
Promotional gift items

It’s a Grand Prize worth $7,500. Plus there’s 2 more festival pass prizes up for grabs!

Hurry – contest ends July 18, 2010*. Enter now!

MUTEK 2010 – I was there!

vivian is virtual — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 14:57:39 +0000

Tickets to the 11th edition of MUTEK this June 2 to 6? Irresistible! Camera in hand, I plunged into an electronic music marathon that had me whirling around downtown Montreal. Check out my photo album!

Visions 4

My first stop was Visions 4 at the SAT, a venue akin to a beating heart… intimate one moment, then racing the next! I was lulled into the universe of Vladislav Delay, only to wince at the strident assault of CM von Hausswolff all part of the festival’s charms!

The hynoptic and innovative sounds of Tim Hecker quickly soothed, leaving the stage for Ben Frost – harder to relate too, but fascinating nonetheless!

Free Outdoor Event

Then it was off to the Place des festivals for the free, outdoor concert! UGlowing messages lit up of the scene, while the crowd fell under the electronic-rock spell of Golden.Talk about amazing energy from this Montreal foursome! Next, a Latin American port ‘o call under German colours, with renowned Señor Coconut.

The maestro dished up classics such as Sweet Dreams, Da Da Da, & Riders on the Storm with latin rhythms and electro twists – a little too lightweight for my taste. But definitely crowdpleasing!

Piknic 2

Next day, it was off to Piknic 2 at Metropolis for an afternoon with DJs drawn from the finest Canadian & international electronic scenes. In the Savoy’s intimate setting, I discovered and loved Nicolas Jaar, ‘s wide-ranging musical influences (marrying Asian musical traditions w/ an electro pulse) plus the seductive minimalism of Kressel. And I wasn’t the only one – the house was packed & loved them back!

Then Dave Aju of the U.S. got all of Metropolis moving thanks to a super upbeat and energetic set. Great vibes!

In all, a week-end of sight and sound overload, plenty of new artist discoveries… and major sleep deprivation!!

For even more info, artist backgrounders and MUTEK festival reviews, head to the Web site.

Top 5: Summer festivals in Canada

vivian is virtual — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 13:36:15 +0000

Canada is absolutely busting out all over with summer festivals this year – have a look at some of my favourite picks!:

	Quebec City Summer Festival 300+ concerts in 11 days! Rocking it out on the Plains of Abraham this July 8-18, 2010, look for The Black Eyed Peas, RUSH, The Arcade Fire, Santana, Iron Maiden, BILLY TALENT, Rammstein & more. Don’t miss the special tribute to Gilles Vigneault on the 14^th.
	Montreal Just for Laughs The largest comedy fest of its kind will reel in over 2 million laughseekers this July 7-25, 2010, serving up big stars and the industry’s newest faces. The hot rumour? Legally prohibited from being funny on TV Conan O’Brien as a gala host!
	Toronto Caribana Kicking off July 14 and closing August 1, 2010, this massive Caribbean festival draws over 1 million partiers each year. The main event? The dance-in-the-streets July 31 parade, complete with live calypso, steelpan, & reggae bands and fantastically costumed masqueraders.
	Dauphin Countryfest (Manitoba) Canada’s longest running country music fest will see thousands camping out in Dauphin, MB this July 1-4, 2010. Headlining the huge outdoor amphitheatre’s main stage? Fan-favourites Brooks & Dunn and Miranda Lambert.
	Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival 500,000+ visitors greet 1,000 + performers at this arts festival extraordinaire. Held in the city’s trendy Old Strathcona district August 12-22, 2010, look for classic plays, avant-garde experimenting, and buskers galore.

What festivals are you looking forward to this summer? Let us know!

Win a MUTEK Festival weekend in Montreal for 2!

vivian is virtual — Mon, 10 May 2010 20:30:45 +0000

Are you set yet for MUTEK, that internationally acclaimed showcase for new electronic music & digital creativity, in Montreal this June 2-6, 2010? You’ll discover innovative, boundary-pushing performances, at amazing venues such as Park Jean-Drapeau’s prime outdoor setting & the SAT’s immersive stage.

Pssst – I’ve got TWO chances for you to snag a free pair of weekend passes + train travel, thanks to VIA Rail!

Enter to win at EACH of these TWO different contests:

Visit Now Magazine & enter online before May 16, 2010.
Then visit Exclaim Magazine & enter online before May 20, 2010.

Stock up on sleep before you go. Its whirlwind all-nighter concerts & showcases, spread out across Montreal, had me nodding off next to early-morning commuters on the Metro last year…

Good luck in the contests!

Top 10: What to see & do in Montreal

vivian is virtual — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 14:03:36 +0000

From the Jazz Fest to the Grand Prix and Just for Laughs, there’s plenty to tempt you in Montreal this summer. But don’t miss out on the city’s finest sights! Here’s my insider’s guide:

	1- The Plateau Montreal’s most chic neighbourhood. Brunch at L’Avenue (arrive early – those eggs benny are popular!) or Café El Dorado (just across the street) then stroll Mont-Royal or St-Denis to shop & people-watch.
	2- Park Lafontaine Worked off breakfast? Pop into the Plateau’s artisanal bakeries for gourmet picnic fare to savour in this jewel of a park, ringed by many of the city’s most sought-after homes.
	3- Old Montreal You’ll love these historic streets lined with North America’s oldest buildings (some 17^th century!). Musts include the Chateau Ramezay, boutique shops & sidewalk café lingering.
	4- Old Port Rent a bike or stroll the riverside parks of Old Montreal’s bustling port. Also recommended? A dinner cruise of the St Lawrence!
	5- Mount Royal Discover the city’s most iconic green space, by the same designer as NYC’s Central Park. Don’t miss Beaver Lake and a hike to the Chalet Lookout.
	6- Outdoor Concerts Every summer Sunday on Mount Royal, you’ll find a massive Tam Tam party of drums and dancing in Jeanne-Mance Park. More into electronic music? Dance under the sun at Picnik Electronic every Sunday at Park Jean Drapeau. Lose yourself in the beats!
	7- Summit Circle in Westmount Want a spectacular view of downtown? Take it in while admiring the city’s finest homes. Don’t miss a hike through the bird sanctuary, a natural treasure in the heart of Montreal.
	8- Little Italy Stock up on local delicacies at Jean-Talon market, then explore the city’s Italian flavours – including an espresso at Café Italia!
	9- Oka Beach Hit the beach! Less than 50 km from the city you’ll find a gorgeous stretch of sand and water – including a secluded, clothing optional stretch known as Okapulco!
	10- Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue Tour the island’s westernmost tip, with its beautiful regional attractions, canal and locks, a National Historic Site of Canada. Enjoy the lively restaurants and terraces along the water’s edge.

Like to learn more about the province of Quebec? Try reading our: Top 5: What to see and do in Quebec City

Top 5: Spring travel flings across Canada

vivian is virtual — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:48:52 +0000

No matter how long winter’s seemed, spring is nearly here! And it brings some of my fave travel experiences in Canada. Why not plan a visit to:

Ottawa. The Canadian Tulip Festival, held May 7-24, 2010, delivers the largest tulip fest in the world with over 3 million blooms. That’s one gift – the original Dutch behest of bulbs after WWII – that’s kept on giving!

Vancouver. Stroll the city admiring over 36,000 ornamental Japanese cherry trees at the Cherry Blossom Festival! Look for the first blooms in mid-March, and full splendour in April. My fave way to enjoy? By bike – with breaks for al fresco sakura dining!

Montreal. Nowhere is spring sweeter than during sugaring off. Have you ever tried tire? Maple-y treats are a MUST on any visit to Québec! (I’ll be sampling my way through this list of sugar shacks)

Stratford. A Shakespeare fan’s dream, Ontario’s Stratford Festival starts its run this April with As You Like It, Peter Pan, & Kiss Me, Kate. A bonus – Christopher Plummer (who’s appearing as Prospero this season) is up for an Oscar!

Churchill. The subarctic makes my springtime cut simply because it’s the best spot and best time to view the Aurora Borealis! Look for northern lights tours delivering wilderness adventure with one of the most amazing light shows on earth.

So shake off winter with a spring vacation (it sure beats spring cleaning!)

Ontario & Quebec travel deals with VIA Rail

vivian is virtual — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 19:30:27 +0000

♪ lala laala lala…DOOWWNNTOWN! ♫

Tired of the same old scene? Try out a new city!

This winter, find amazing downtown-to-downtown deals on train travel in Quebec and Ontario. VIA Rail’s bringing you one-way fares starting at:

	Economy class	Business class
Toronto – Montréal	$69*	$129*
Toronto – Ottawa	$69*	$129*
Toronto – London	$38*	$59*
Toronto – Windsor	$54*	$99*
Montréal – Ottawa	$31*	$59*
Montréal – Québec City	$44*	$79*

*Some conditions apply.

How can you lose?

Valentine’s Day: Surprise your sweetheart with a deal of a train trip

admin — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 13:51:21 +0000

Looking to treat your darling? Buy your tickets no later than 11:59 p.m. on February 5, 2010, for travel between February 12 and 15, 2010, inclusive.

Find four tempting offers. Choose between these one-way fares when you buy round trip travel in Business class:

Montréal <-> Toronto $99
Ottawa <-> Toronto $99
Montréal <-> Ottawa $49
Toronto <-> Windsor $79

Book online using the discount code: LOVE. Some conditions apply.

No time for cold feet! This Valentine’s surprise is only available for three days.

Valentine’s Day: 5 Perfect Train Getaways

vivian is virtual — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 16:39:35 +0000

Still got a sweet spot for Valentine’s Day? Skip the cards and candy. I’ve found all-inclusive deals to the most romantic spots in Canada, including train travel, luxury accommodations and guided adventure!

My Top 5 Valentine’s Train Getaways are…

Montréal and Québec City – A Moment in Time Whisk by train for a 4 star stay within the Old Walls of Québec, a St. Lawrence cruise and tours of both cities’ historic quarters.
Niagara Falls - Romance Travel by rail for a trip that includes a room view of Niagara Falls and sampling the region’s famed wines.
Jasper – Getaway by Rail Get onboard in Edmonton for a weekend jaunt to Jasper! Spend the day skiing, or try a snowshoe adventure or the Maligne Canyon Ice Walk.
Toronto – Experience Book a whirlwind tour of Toronto’s best, including the CN Tower, Casa Loma, the ROM, Hockey Hall of Fame, Toronto Zoo and even a Medieval Times dinner show!
Vancouver to Edmonton – The Canadian See ocean, mountains and prairies whiz by onboard one of the most romantic train journeys ever – the Canadian! Enjoy a comfy cabin and fine dining.

Happy Valentine’s!

VIA Rail helps bring Fred the Dog home

vivian is virtual — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:45:21 +0000

Did you spot the headlines about Fred the Dog? Stranded in a Vancouver pound after the death of his owner, Fred has been reunited with family in Montreal – thanks in part thanks to VIA Rail!

VIA offered up free tickets onboard the Canadian for two good Samaritans who volunteered to accompany Fred on his Vancouver to Montreal train ride. They made it to Central Station on January 6, 2010. Enjoy your new home, Fred!