Les Journées de la culture is a province-wide art and culture celebration, held September 24 through 26, 2010. Artists open their studios and cultural organizations have special activities planned all over Montreal. There’s lots on the program for families.
To find out what’s going on in your neighbourhood, you can go to the Les Journées de la culture website and search for children’s events in your area. Most activities are free, but registration is typically necessary.
Here are some of the highlights for kids:
SATURDAY
Saturday, Sept. 25, 2 to 3 p.m.: African Beats: an intro to African drumming for age 6 and up at Park Extension Library, 421 St. Roch. 514-872-6071. Reservation required.
Saturday, Sept. 25, 10:30 a.m.: Storytime with Caroline Barber at Ahuntsic Library, 10300 Lajeunesse St., Ahuntsic. Registration required. 514-872-0568.
Saturday, Sept. 25 at 2 p.m.: Janvier et les histoires oubliées, a puppet and music show for age 3 to 8 at Cartierville Library, 5900 de Salaberry St., Ahunstic-Cartierville.
Saturday, Sept. 25, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.: I dance, you dance, we all dance: An opportunity to participate in and observe dance classes including ballet jazz, hip hop and classic ballet, for age 2 and up, at Académie de dance d’Outremont, 999 McEachran Ave., Outremont. Reservation required. 514-276-6060.
Saturday, Sept. 25, 1:30 to 3 p.m.: In Search of Lost Tales: A walking tour in search of the lost tales of Côte des Neiges, to learn about the area’s history and residents. Leaves from Côte des Neiges Library, 5290 Côte des Neiges Rd. 514-872-5118. For age 6 to 12. Reservation and passes required.
Saturday, Sept. 25 at 1 and 3 p.m.: Les Chantiers de la Ferme, an adaptation of Orwell’s Animal Farm with a sense of humour, targeting children age 7 to 12, at Verdun Cultural Centre, 5955 Banantyne St., Verdun. 514-765-7170.
Saturday, Sept. 25, 1 to 5 p.m.: Family activities (bilingual) will be held in Greenfield Park, including creation of a collective mural, demonstrations of violin-making and playing, and square dancing demonstrations, at the Greenfield Park municipal offices, 156 Churchill Blvd.
Saturday, Sept. 25, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Arts and craft Workshops, for age 3 to 16, led by animators. Workshops include jewelry making, painting, crafts and dance demonstrations at Centre Communautaire Vimont, 1900 Bedard St., Laval. 450-662-4906.
Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 25 and 26: Show Business: With the help of experts, transform a children’s story into a puppet show, for age 5 to 10 (with parents), hosted by Illusion Theatre, 783 de Bienville St., Montreal. Reservation required. 514-523-1303.
Saturday, 1 to 4 p.m.: Treasure hunt at Stewart Hall, 176 Lakeshore Rd., Pointe Claire. 514-630-1220.
SUNDAY
Sunday, Sept. 26, 2 p.m.: Panadream marionnette theatre presents Yorgo and the World, for age 2 to 8, 45 minutes, at Playwrights Workshop Montreal, 5337 St. Laurent Blvd., suite 240. 514-843-3685.
Sunday, Sept. 26, 2 to 3 p.m.: Fiestango, a children’s show, will be presented for age 3 to 5, followed by meeting with the artists, at Kirkland Sport Complex, 16950 Hymus Blvd., Kirkland. 514-630-2719.
Sunday, Sept. 26 at 3 p.m.: Gumboots workshop, for age 6 to 12, with dancers from the Bourask company. Rubber boots and passes required. At Stewart Hall, 176 Lakeshore Rd., Pointe Claire. 514-630-1220.
Sunday, Sept. 26 at 2 p.m.: A pas de Géant, a children’s play about a Loco, who dreams of the circus and playing many musical instruments. He collaborates with a dancing clown to put a show together. At Centre Socioculturel, 7905 San Francisco St., Brossard. Passes required from the Centre. 450-923-6340.
Sunday, Sept. 26 at 10:30 a.m. to noon: Sunday outdoor activities for kids, including storytelling and music for age 3 to 5, storytelling and djembe music for age 6 to 10, at Montarville Boucher de la Bruère Library, 501 Chemin du lac, Boucherville. 450-449-8100, ext. 8984.
Sunday, Sept. 26, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Verdun Circus School hosts free circus orientation workshop for age 5 and up. Participants can try circus equipment and tricks, with the help of animators, at 5190 LaSalle Blvd., Verdun. 514-768-5812.
