Santa Claus Parade
The biggest one of the season. On Saturday. Starts at 11 a.m.

M for Montreal
Montreal breakouts and local better-knowns perform through Saturday, including Think About Life (who played last night but keep your eyes peeled for future dates), Malajube and Le Matos.

Crime and Detection: The Story of Forensic Science
"Sherlock Holmes solved criminal cases only with the help of his magnifying glass and his sense of observation. Today the police can make use of a vast array of scientific techniques from computer fingerprints analysis to DNA profiling. This lecture presents the history of forensic science together with some famous cases ranging from the story of the Poison Umbrella to that of O.J. Simpson." Suitable for audiences with or without a science background. This Friday at 6 p.m. With guest speaker Dr. Ariel Fenster.

Salon du livre de Montréal
A celebration of French literature at Place Bonaventure through Monday, you're bound -- no pun -- to find the perfect holiday gift for the bookworms in your life, be it the latest hardcover or classic BD series -- hats off to Psy and vintage Lagaffe. Website in French only.

Christmas Bazaar
If you're planning on attending the Santa Claus parade, then consider dropping by the St. James Church on Ste. Catherine, just east of the The Bay, either before or after the parade. Baked goods, handcrafts and other knick knacks on sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Salon Passion Chocolat & Cie
The foodie must of the month, don't miss the 5th edition of cocoa paradise, under the 2009 theme of "chocolate and spirits." The fest boasts a chocolate hat competition, a hot chocolate bar, chocolate body care products, and of course, samples upon samples of sumptuously sensual chocolate. At the Bonsecours Market through Sunday.

Rencontres internationales du documentaire de Montréal
The documentary festival featuring more than 100 films over the course of 12 days wraps up Sunday with October Country's blinders-off account of the trappings and fallouts of working class poverty, from sexual abuse to violence. And like last weekend, don't miss Doc & Café, a Saturday morning freebie with coffee, croissants and a free documentary screening at the Grande Bibliothèque.

Concerts This Weekend
M for Montreal's lineup not doing it for you? Then try out Dropkick Murphys or blues legend John Mayall. Details and clips in your November concert listings.

Hydro-Québec Protest
A group of non-partisan ecologists, scientists and economists are organizing a demonstration in front of Hydro-Québec headquarters on Sunday at 5 p.m. inviting the public to protest, among other things, alleged closed door discussions regarding its possible privatization, which even supporters admit requires extensive public debate before such a drastic move can be considered but protest organizers claim the Charest government is dismantling the government-owned utility regardless of public opinion. Information in French only.

More Sample Sales
So many sales. So little time.

Maybes ...

Plan Designated Driver Strategies
Many are in holiday denial -- I understand your pain, oh I do -- but gatherings facilitated by alcoholic lubrication are coming to town without or without that river in Egypt. So plan ahead. Calculate how much you can drink before hitting the road with this nifty resource. And consider your designated driver options. Or don't. And risk this.

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For yet more options, consult your Guide to Montreal in November, a handy, user-friendly resource chock-full of affordable events, family-friendly activities and other stuff to keep you and yours properly occupied.

Photo © Evelyn Reid

Few leaves left.

More on:

• Wordless Wednesdays and Montreal Pictures on Evelyn's Montreal Blog

H1N1 Vaccination: Is It Right For You? Lecture
The NHC Institute is proposing an afternoon of lectures covering topics such as how and what to eat to build a stronger immune system, making sense of food labels, the principles of Chinese medicine and a talk to help demystify the H1N1 virus: "this lecture intends to provide all the tools you need to make an informed choice. H1N1 vaccination is an important decision to make; it's not a simple question of being "for" or "against." Having attended the National Vaccine Information Center's recent conference in Washington, D.C., Nutritional Consultant Lise-Anne O'Neill provides a summary of the event. She will cover a brief history of vaccination, some of the preservatives found in vaccines, how clinical trials are conducted, FDA and government regulations, and statistics on current H1N1 risks. In addition, O'Neill will broach a realistic view of the benefits and drawbacks of the H1N1 vaccine, and things every parent should know. The talk will also recommend resources like contact information, websites and books on the topic." Lectures start at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday. The H1N1 talk begins at 3 p.m. All events are free. Five-minute massage or reflexology treatments also available for $5.

Festival du monde arabe
The largest festival of its kind in North America, the Festival du monde arabe wraps up its celebration of Arab culture with the Fayha Choir on Sunday at Place des Arts.

Au coeur de la mode
Dubbed Quebec's largest AIDS fashion charity event, over 80 local and international designers sell their wares at 50% off or more. Proceeds go to the Farha Foundation, who in turn distributes the funds to Quebec organizations helping people living with AIDS.

Coup de Coeur Festival
The all-French music fest wraps up this weekend with Italian "superstar" Peppe Voltarelli, Manou Gallo and Jipé Dalpé.

SPIN
An interesting networking possibility for people interested in a gaming career, "SPIN highlights the videogame industry's strength, an industry suggesting an encounter between culture, arts and technology. Come to have an insight into all aspects of the industry by participating in our activities open to all!" Runs Friday through Sunday.

Salon de l'Immobilier et de la Copropriéte
Real estate and shared property conference offers free professional consultations on site. Information and conference talks in French only. Runs Friday through Sunday.

Concerts This Weekend
A weekend packed with Tiga, Kap Bambino, The Jesus Lizard, Skinny Puppy and more. Details and clips inside your November concert guide.

More Sales
Plenty of sample sales and blowouts this weekend.

Maybes ...

Rencontres internationales du documentaire de Montréal
The documentary festival features more than 100 films over the course of 12 days, including Male Domination's dissection of gender equality (or lack thereof) in the Western World and The Idiot Cycle reveals that certain petrochemical companies simultaneously manufacture carcinogenic products while holding patents to anti-cancer drugs, according to filmmakers. Both screen Friday. And don't miss Doc & Café, a Saturday and Sunday morning freebie with coffee, croissants and a free documentary screening at the Grande Bibliothèque.

For more options, consult your Guide to Montreal in November. It's chock-full of affordable events, family-friendly activities and other stuff to keep you and yours properly occupied.

Why?

Well, apart from temporarily ensuring my escape from its clutches after contact with my friend who spent time with his friend days prior to her current swine flu quarantine -- her case, like most, is mild; she's being treated with Tamiflu and six litres of deliciously light, flavorful and nutritious chicken/lentil/butternut squash soup concocted by said friend and your humble guide -- I haven't felt comfortable discussing the topic. Frankly, I'm as confused as you as to what to make of this media hype/Big Pharma conspiracy/genuine health threat/it's-just-a-flu-relax pandemic.

And according to Chief Public Health Officer Dr. David Butler-Jones and Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq "Canadians have a responsibility to 'get the facts' about vaccines."

Indeed.

Your humble guide hasn't taken this responsibility lightly. I've spent the last four days shirking my workload and compromising my personal life to my financial and psychological disadvantage to get my questions about the H1N1 virus and vaccine answered.

The first sources of information I consulted were, naturally, provincial and federal health agency guidelines. And like many of you, I read the FAQs but was left wanting in the face of omissions and spins about certain "facts," such as:

Read more...

The themes of Lepage-directed Cirque 2010 will involve myths, legends and the quest for balance in the context of human evolution.

Cirque Club members can purchase tickets for the Old Port performances in Spring 2010 as of next Monday, November 16, 2009. Non-Club diehards will have to wait until December 15, 2009 to guarantee themselves a spot under the Grand Chapiteau at the Old Port, a wait that can be eliminated by joining Club Cirque for free. Go to the Cirque du Soleil website for details.

And just a quick reminder, there are still tickets left for what is potentially Montreal's last chance to see Alegria live, this Christmas holiday season.

Sean Gallup / Getty Images

Lest we forget.

Christopher Furlong / Getty Images

Remembrance Day is this Wednesday, November 11, with parades, lunches, cenotaph commemorations and other related activities throughout the day. But if your weekday schedule is too crammed to attend one of these free events and you'd like a chance to pay homage and maybe even hear a few stories from veterans who've experienced the darker side of history, then check out this Sunday's list of Armistice Day events.

More on:

• Remembrance Day Events in Montreal

FANMI SE FANMI
Hosted by Jahnice, FANMI SE FANMI features roots Wes'li Band, klezmer hip hop with Socalled and all-girl tam tams with Maloukaï at St. James Church on Ste. Catherine tonight. Free admission.

Friday Nocturne
The Montreal Museum of Contemporary Art proposes an evening with Papagroove's brand of syrupy Afrofunk live, tonight, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is only $10 and includes access to museum exhibits. Bar on location. First come, first served as places are limited.

Annual Gem and Mineral Show
The ultimate chic-on-a-budget destination, as long as you compare and contrast exhibitor offerings before buying. Some of the best gem jewelry prices I've ever seen in these parts are at these type of annual gatherings but once again, you have to look carefully. Also, if your loved one likes gemstones and/or making their own jewelry, then you're likely to find the perfect gift. Fossils, jewelry-making supplies, sculptures and other types of artwork will also be for sale. At Place Bonaventure through Sunday.

Sutra
There's only a few tickets left for the Sunday finale dance performance starring 17 young Buddhist warrior monks trained at the Shaolin Temple established in 495 C.E. on Mount Song, in the Henan Province of China.
Watch a clip of Sutra.
Watch a clip of a Shaolin Kung Fu demonstration.

Clothing Blowouts Galore
Find the perfect brand name Christmas gift at bargain basement prices. Point Zero is up to 70% off (women's, men's, children), all Bedo stores in Montreal are selling inventory at 50% off through the weekend, the easygoing look of Mimi & Coco will be on sale, and Ponyride is slashing prices on mid- to high-end designer apparel and accessories.

National Pet Show
Birds, dogs, bunnies and more, at the Olympic Stadium all weekend.

Concerts This Weekend
Mixhell, Think About Life, Simian Mobile Disco Derek Trucks Band and more, this weekend in Montreal.

Maybes ...

Cinemania
Unlike like certain French film festivals in this town that don't go out of their way to make the movies they showcase more accessible -- if it's truly a budget thing, then fine, I understand; otherwise, what a shame you underestimate how many anglos with so so French as well as tourists in need of an on-screen language booster would love to watch the flicks you play, they might even pick up a few new words -- Cinemania subtitles some of the best French cinema to run the international festival circuit over the last year or so.

Coup de Coeur Festival
Gypsy Sound System, Pierre Lapointe with only a piano and more are playing the French music fest this weekend. Website in French only.

For more options, consult your Guide to Montreal in November. It's chock-full of affordable events, family-friendly activities and other stuff to keep you and yours properly occupied.

Photo © Evelyn Reid

And the ROI is ...?

More on:

• Wordless Wednesdays and Montreal Pictures on Evelyn's Montreal Blog

Peter Mcdiarmid / Getty Images

Love it, loathe it, you can't avoid it!

Well, that's not entirely true, but should you choose to ignore holiday exit strategies and join the sheeple in celebrating that commercially-imposed stress fest Montreal's delightful Christmas season, then consider the following holiday-related things to do in the next couple of weeks.

In Christmas cooking news, Westmount's quaint culinary bookstore, Appetite for Books, is preparing the masses for holiday baking with a little help from cookbook author/baker Marcy Goldman on Saturday, November 14 at 1 p.m. Admission is $40 and includes a a baking demo of "completely doable" recipes, a copy of Marcy's latest book, The New Best of Betterbaking.com, and of course, freshly baked samples. Call (514) 369-2002 to reserve a spot.

Meanwhile, theatre company Geordie Productions is calling all aspiring actors ages 7 to 11 who would relish the chance to play Tiny Tim in their upcoming family play based on the classic Dickens tale, A Christmas Carol, running December 4 through December 18. The role is open to all races and gender, no acting experience is required and there won't be any rehearsals so time commitment is relatively low. Selected participants will be simply asked to arrive one hour prior to their assigned performance. All applicants need to do is submit a recent head-to-toe photo and a short letter describing what the best gift they've ever received or given someone was and why. Geordie Productions is selecting up to 26 applicants based on letter creativity and enthusiasm as well as applicants' physical size and time availability. Please send submissions to auditions@geordie.ca or by mail to Geordie Productions, 4001 Berri, Suite #103, Montreal, Qc, H2L 4H2. Application deadline is November 20th. Selected Tiny Tims will be announced November 25.

And for more Christmas-themed fun in the city, happening now through January, keep clicking.

More:

• Montreal Christmas Events
• Santa Claus Parade: In Three Saturdays
• St. Hubert Christmas Parade: Make That Four