How To Do Nuit Blanche

This is my forth year at Nuit Blanche, the Montreal All Nighter. I have a bit of experience spotting off the program my familiar favorites, and also the new ones which look like a promising go. So, I'm writing this up for the unintiated -- those who have NO idea what to do for Nuit Blanche. I expect you have access to the website www.montrealenlumiere.com to scan and read.

First, some basics. The Montreal All-Nighter is geographically divided into 5 major areas, with events in all of them basically from 7pm Saturday to 5am Sunday morning. Two of these areas are worth concentrated efforts on your part, if you're into their ethos. First, the "Art Underground", for the cerebral afficianado, is a series of art works in the underground city. Go to the website, and follow the walking tour map. Bring a flask. Second, the "Maisonneuve Pole" is a family-aimed grouping, around the Big O, including the Botannical Garden, and the Biodome among others. Bring your kids.

Now for the other three: The Old Port is where you'll find families, bright lights, and country line dancing. Place Des Arts is for those with a head on their shoulders: arts, arts, beauty and arts. Plateau is for those late in the night, with a hip crowd, who want you to come join their party. I plan to do Old Port 8pm-10pm, Place Des Arts 10pm-2am. Plateau 2am-5am. Or, if I want to start drinking early, Plateau 8pm-5am. But the numerical ordering of sites, as described at the website, starts at the Old Port, goes through Place Des Arts, and ends up in the Plateau.

Some rules: (1) I'm only suggesting free stuff. I like stuff that costs money, too, but I find it too confusing for those who are looking for a good free time to include them on the same page. (2) I'm not suggesting scheduled events (except the 8pm fireworks at the old port, where to start the evening). The ethos of "Nuit Blanche" is to wander, sample, stay where you enjoy, move on from what you don't. Working out a schedule among 180 possible events is impossible. (3) I'm not suggesting dance clubs. If you're looking for dance clubs, there are lots, lots lots. Go check out the nuit blanche website, and find one good for you and your friends. (4) I don't care how tired you get, and how early you get it. I'm giving you a full program here, I expect you to follow through. If you peter out early, then don't blame me if you missed out on some spectacular stuff, because you never got beyond the fireworks show. Some of what's below is spectacular, some of it expected and a full night of Nuit Blanche requires -- requires -- you do both. And finally, (5) between my suggestions below are a huge number of extremely worthwhile events which will catch your fancy. But you need to be aware of them: so, first thing, pick up a schedule at any Information booth, or most venues, and appoint the reader in your group to thumb through it during the whole evening.

Finally, watch for the free shuttles which will move you in a circular route in each of the main areas (Old Port, Place Des Arts, Plateau), as well as the free shuttle which will take you between the main areas. Big help!

Below, I list the main areas, times, location, a brief, and the amount of time you might want to apportion to it.


Start at

OLD PORT

(1) 8pm Fireworks (start at 8, end quickly!). Old Port . 15 minutes.
(1) 10pm-6am. Old Port. Skating Rink. Skate on the St. Lawrence! 45 minutes.

At this point, take the free shuttle up to:

PLACE DES ARTS.

10pm-1am.
(63). 8pm-3pm. National Monument. Best Film Shorts from Sundance 2010. 5 minutes, or 2 hours.
(68) 6pm-5am. City Hall. ARTVscope gives a live tour of Nuit blanche Events. A great way to spot early on what to do for your evening.
(67-70) All Night, various -- Place Des Arts. There are actually a large handful of major events around this center, all of which are worth at least a walk through, a linger, a long long consideration. Just go to Place Des Arts and start walking around. An easy 2-3 hours doing this alone.
(74) 7pm-2am (or 3am) - Belgo Building. Almost 20 studios open, with events, shows, to-dos, drinks, music and the unexpected and surpising. Do not miss. http://bettinaforget.com/TheBelgoReport/?p=615. 30 min to 2 hours.
(75) 11pm-2am. St. James Church. Sonorous wind pipe organ playing, continusously. Come in from the cold and enjoy. 5 minutes to 1 hour. It's nice to sit for a while.


At this point, take a shuttle up to:

PLATEAU

1am-5am.
Really: you should just start at the corner of Sherbrooke and St. Laurent, walk north, and be reading the guide to find spots along the way. But don't miss:
(86) 10pm-3am Laika. Hip joint. Go in.
(97) 8pm-6am La Cagibi. Great coffee house, food, drink, with music, electronic lights, and weird performance art. Go for a breather.
(99) 9pm-3am. Mile End Guitars. Music, art, and hipness abound at 5555 De Gaspe Street. Not for the stodgy.


That's all I've got for you. Remember: it's a long night: so pace yourself, drink lots of water, and enjoy!