Montréal International Jazz Festival. Photo by Benoit Rousseau
La Grande Roue and Old Montreal. Photo by Alexandre Choquette courtesy of Tourisme Montreal
JAZZED UP IN MONTRÉAL Written by Caylee Keto
Under the swirling lights of the main stage of the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal this past June, concertgoers waved their hands in the air as bodies ebbed and flowed to the beat of music so loud you could feel the reverberations in your bones (montrealjazzfest.com). Surveying the scene, where the carefree enthusiasm of the singing crowd rivaled the volume of the performers, make me realized that so much joy in one place is hard to find these days. Montréal seems to be the exception. The city is like an infectious smile; once it takes hold, you can't help but soak it up. Home to the world's largest jazz festival, Montréal is a city whose passions run deep, as evidenced by a chockfull annual events calendar that boasts a festival for everyone. Whether you fancy fine food, fireworks, fashion, film, fitness, or Formula 1, 40 slmag.net
Montréal has you covered with unique celebrations dedicated to these interests and many, many more. Even in the dead of winter, the party continues with events like Igloofest (igloofest. ca), which has ski suit-clad revelers dancing under the stars to internationally famed DJs. In a city of superlatives, the dining scene is aptly elevated, with a delectable restaurant to match every global cuisine you could imagine. Many chefs in Montréal have studied for years all over the world to earn prestigious titles. One of these is Executive Chef Riccardo Bertolino of Maison Boulud at the Ritz-Carlton, who apprenticed under three-Michelin-star Chef Daniel Boulud. Maison Boulud (maisonboulud.com/Montreal) is known for its implementation of Quebecois ingredients, including indulgent black truffles.
