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Les moments du cœur de l'île : a summer of unique festive moments downtown!
Montreal, May 24, 2022 – The Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, Montréal centre-ville, the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal, Tourisme Montréal and the Ville de Montréal are pleased to announce Les moments du cœur de l'île, a major collaborative summer project for downtown Montreal. The initiative is made possible to a significant extent by the financial support of the Ville de Montréal. Les moments du cœur de l'île is the result of an exceptional mobilization of downtown partners and stakeholders. It will include nearly one hundred daily activities to energize the heart of the city, from Atwater to Papineau streets and Sherbrooke St. to the St. Lawrence River, and make this summer in Montreal a festive one, Moment after Moment!
Once again this year, this major unifying event is aligned with Tourisme Montréal’s Endless Moments campaign, which invites everyone to discover a thousand and one ways to appreciate the city through its art, culture, performing arts, gastronomy and countless activities.
FROM MAY TO SEPTEMBER, UNIQUE FESTIVE MOMENTS FROM EAST TO WEST
From today until the fall, the heart of the city will offer Montrealers, workers, visitors and tourists welcoming and green urban amenities, as well as a wealth of cultural activities to make downtown an ideal destination any time of day, any day of the week.
With eight Oases, hundreds of cultural activities every day, both outdoors and at indoor venues, more than 20 festivals and events, new public spaces, original activities, terrasses, stores and restaurants, all downtown, the summer will be jam-packed with culture and happy reunions.
Among the summer’s big highlights, the most significant is almost certainly the return of full-capacity festivals and events in public spaces and indoor venues in the Quartier des Spectacles, starting with the FTA – Festival Transamériques, which opens the season tomorrow, May 25. The next day, Thursday, May 26, is the grand opening of Les Jardins Gamelin, with a rich and varied program running until October 2. Don’t miss it! The many pedestrian streets in the Village, Quartier Latin, Quartier des Spectacles and Chinatown will be animated and decorated all summer. Joining them is the all-new Esplanade PVM, which among other activities will host the Les 3GÉANTS project, presented by Ivanhoé Cambridge from July 7 to 17 as part of the MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE festival, a project made possible by significant funding from Tourisme Montréal’s Fonds de maintien des actifs stratégiques (FMAST – strategic assets maintenance fund). The monumental project will present the artists of Cirque Éloize in Les Jardins Gamelin in collaboration with the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership. Another giant will be found in Parc Vinet, near Atwater Market.
Throughout downtown, the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal will present eight creative and sensory experiences in the form of the ré·CRÉATIONMTL projects, part of the Chamber’s “I love working downtown” initiative. These unique experiences, some interactive, others collaborative or contemplative, reinvent the downtown Montreal experience for workers, tourists and visitors. Details of the creative projects can be found on the Chamber’s website. Finally, from September 8 to 11, the second edition of the Shoni Market presented by Montréal centre-ville will be North America’s largest Asian gourmet night market! Fashion mavens will want to go treasure hunting at the massive sidewalk sale featuring numerous downtown merchants.
Complete program for the Moments du cœur de l’île: lecoeurdelile.com
RELAXING MOMENTS WITH EIGHT OASES
Created by local designers, including Sid Lee Architecture, MASSIVart, LAAB Collective, Le Comité, Signature Design, 2x4, Wawa Li, Sarah Tu, Studio Ascètes and in collaboration with the Village and Quartier Latin SDCs (Sociétés de développement commercial – business improvement areas), the borough of Ville-Marie, Ivanhoé Cambridge and numerous partners including La Pépinière and Sentier Urbain, the Oases will provide inviting spaces for eating, relaxing or getting together with friends.
Starting May 26, Oasis | Jardins Gamelin will open in Place Émilie-Gamelin for its 8th season, while Oasis | Esplanade Tranquille is already welcoming Montrealers to their backyard in the heart of the Quartier des Spectacles, along with Oasis | Place des Festivals, which provides a cool spot for a picnic near the fountain.
The other five Oases of Les Moments du cœur de l’île will open gradually starting in late June: the iconic Oasis | Plage Saint-James will be the perfect spot for a beach day, right on the St. James United Church parvis; Oasis | Quartier chinois returns with a new installation and the returning Asian Market by La Pépinière; Oasis | Village will impress with its unique and colourful artistic programming; and Oasis | Quartier latin will be lush and green. Lastly, Oasis | Esplanade PVM has plenty of surprises in store. The conceptual details for each Oasis will be released in mid-June.
The pedestrian zones on Saint-Denis and Sainte-Catherine streets*, as well as the Oases of Les Moments du cœur de l’île, will welcome amazing free performances to entertain Montrealers of all ages, each day and evening. Theatre, street art, dance, music, circus, comedy, visual arts, digital art: more than 500 creators will deliver countless moments of shared joy. The Oasis | Jardins Gamelin gets things started with a performance by the Canadian funk band The Brooks at the gardens’ opening on May 26.
*Sainte-Catherine West from De Bleury to Saint-Laurent and from Saint-Hubert to Papineau; Saint-Denis between Sherbrooke and De Maisonneuve East.
A PROJECT FOR ALL FOR UNIFYING MOMENTS
Les moments du cœur de l’île is a continuation of summer projects from 2020 and 2021. The initiative is the result of a major series of collaborative actions undertaken by downtown Montreal stakeholders, now working together permanently to produce high-profile projects in both winter and summer.
“To stimulate the economic and cultural vitality of the downtown core, and to support Montreal’s artists, artisans, event producers and merchants, the Ville and its partners are highlighting the city’s attractions with a program that fully reflects our city’s creativity – human, accessible, free, diverse and innovative. With its pedestrian streets, animated public spaces and dynamic shopping streets, downtown will offer Montrealers and visitors a very lively summer,” said Mayor Valérie Plante.
“Our downtown is coming back to life, much to the delight of all Montrealers. Thanks to these playful initiatives with wide appeal, we can rediscover the beating heart of Quebec and attract visitors from all over. Our downtown stands apart thanks to dedicated and creative people. Thanks to everyone involved in bringing these projects to fruition,” said Chantal Rouleau, Quebec Transport Minister and Minister Responsible for the Metropolis and the Montreal Region.
“We are very pleased to collaborate with so many people who care deeply about downtown Montreal’s dynamism, and cultural and economic vitality. With more than 50 artistic activities each day and a dozen festivals returning in full force to the Quartier des Spectacles, Montrealers, tourists and everyone who loves culture can count on our downtown as a great summer vacation destination and source of discoveries,” said Monique Simard, chair of the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership’s board of directors.
“The exceptional mobilization of the business, culture and tourism sectors to organize this powerfully unifying project breathed life into downtown during the last two pandemic-stricken summers. Making this alliance permanent and returning this year with another colourful, diverse program was crucial for successfully welcoming the millions of visitors expected this summer and for generating as much downtown business as possible,” said Glenn Castanheira, executive director of SDC Montréal centre-ville.
“We are pleased to work with the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, Montréal centre-ville, Tourisme Montréal and the Ville de Montréal on this wonderful initiative. The creative projects under the ré·CRÉATIONMTL banner, presented as part of the “I like working downtown” initiative, fit perfectly with the Moments du cœur de l’île program. I am certain that the creative summer of 2022 in downtown Montreal will cement the revitalization of this district that suffered so badly from the pandemic,” said Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal.
“The Quartier des Spectacles was already a peerless showcase for culture and fine food, and with so many artistic and cultural activities this diverse district becomes Montreal’s festive summertime heart, to the delight of tourists and Montrealers. I am proud of Tourisme Montréal’s contributions to this major collective effort to maintain and enhance the attractiveness of the wider downtown core, through contributions of more than $13 million since 2021. Our Endless Moments campaign is also a sign of our desire to contribute to the local and international promotion of this exceptional place that so perfectly embodies the Montreal spirit,” said Yves Lalumière, President and CEO of Tourisme Montréal.
More information : lecoeurdelile.com
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ABOUT LES MOMENTS DU CŒUR DE L’ÎLE
The product of a fruitful collaboration between the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, Montréal centre-ville, the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal and the Ville de Montréal, in collaboration with Tourisme Montréal, Les moments du cœur de l’île is downtown Montreal’s collaborative summer project. Bringing together the district’s cultural and economic stakeholders, the initiative encompasses a wide variety of activities presented by each partner. From Atwater to Papineau streets, between Sherbrooke St. and the St. Lawrence River, downtown is the place to go for countless cultural activities thanks to a variety of pedestrian zones, safe public spaces, spontaneous performances and an enhanced cultural offering. From June to the fall, these initiatives invite Montrealers, visitors and tourists to enjoy the best of the island outdoors.
More information: lecoeurdelile.com
ABOUT THE QUARTIER DES SPECTACLES AND THE PARTNERSHIP
The Quartier des Spectacles is Montréal’s cultural heart, boasting North America’s most concentrated and diverse group of cultural venues as well as numerous festivals and events. The Quartier also hosts innovative urban installations involving cutting-edge lighting design and immersive environments. The Quartier des Spectacles has become an international showcase for digital public art.
The Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, founded in 2003, is a non-profit organization with more than 85 members active in the district. It is responsible for animating the Quartier des Spectacles by programming cultural activities, managing and animating public spaces, providing distinctive illumination and promoting the Quartier as a must-visit cultural destination. The Partnership benefits from the support of the Ville de Montréal.
More information: quartierdesspectacles.com
ABOUT MONTRÉAL CENTRE-VILLE
Montréal centre-ville is the Downtown Business Development Corporation (SDC), a non-profit organization whose mission is to contribute to the development, animation and promotion of downtown Montreal. The association has nearly 5,000 member businesses located between Atwater Avenue, Saint-Urbain Street, and between Sherbrooke and Saint-Antoine Streets. Montréal centre-ville was founded in 1999 and is the largest organization of its kind in Canada.
More information: montrealcentreville.ca
About the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal
With a network of 8,000 members, the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal (hereinafter, “the Chamber”) is active on two fronts: it is the voice of the city’s business community and delivers specialized services to businesses and their employees. For 200 years, it has been acting on issues that are decisive for the prosperity of the city’s businesses. With the support of the Acclr experts, the CCMM’s goal is to accelerate the creation and growth of businesses of all sizes, at home and around the world.
More information: ccmm.ca
ABOUT TOURISME MONTRÉAL
Tourisme Montréal is a private, non-profit organization that has been positioning Montréal as a world-class leisure and business travel destination for over 100 years. The organization leads innovative tourism strategies that have a twofold objective: to ensure visitors enjoy a quality experience and to balance economic growth with the city’s long-term interests. Tourisme Montréal plays a leading role in the management and development of Montréal’s tourism industry, and advises on issues related to the city’s economic, urban and cultural development.
More information: mtl.org
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MEDIA CONTACTS
Quartier des Spectacles Partnership
Mélanie Mingotaud
melanie@mingo2.ca
514 582-5272
Montréal centre-ville
Emmanuelle Allaire
emmanuelle@montrealcentreville.ca
514 298-6298
Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal
Jean-Baptiste Portrait
jbportrait@ccmm.ca
514 871-4000, poste 4072
Ville de Montréal
Camille Bégin
camille.begin@montreal.ca
438 874-8588
Tourisme Montréal
Manuela Goya
mgoya@mtl.org
514 967-3910
