Sign up for our newsletterThere’s always something going on in the West Island . . . something fun to do. Local exhibits, events and festivals are listed here with activities that will interest everyone. Email us at: editor@westislandhomeandlife.com if you’re planning a public event that will interest our readers.
BEACONSFIELD
> The Girl from Dream City
* Linda Leith, Montreal writer and founder of the Blue Metropolis literary festival, will discuss her memoir The Girl from Dream City, in person at the Herb Linder Annex, 303 Beaconsfield Blvd. at 9:30 a.m. on January 25. Admission is free but registration is required on Eventbrite.ca.
> Stunning Chile – Jewel of the Andes
* Frederic Hore takes you on an online (Zoom) voyage through the mountains of Patagonia’s Torre del Paine National Park, the vibrant cities of Valparaiso and Santiago, stargazing from mountaintops near the vineyards of Vicuna, and then watching Chilean flamingos take flight on the salt flats of the Atacama Desert. It’s a vibrant and colourful 90-minute adventure show, featuring Chilean music, infused with the history of the land, and travel lore. The video will be available on YouTube after the conference. Registration required, via Eventbrite.ca.
> Little Burgundy: Railroads, jazz and urban-development experiment
* Regarded as the birthplace of jazz in Canada, Little Burgundy is a vibrant neighbourhood that you can discover through Françoise Bâby’s documentary video (in French). For more than 100 years, industrialization along the Lachine canal shaped the area, where the Black community’s contributions are still felt today.
When: February 4 at 2 p.m.
Where: Herb Linder Annex, 303 Beaconsfield Blvd.
Good to know: Registration required through Eventbrite.ca
> Chinese New Year Craft
* Launch the Year of the Tiger with a family Chinese New Year craft. This bilingual activity for children aged 3 to 12 will be held in two time slots: 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. If you’d prefer to participate from home, visit the library to pick up a craft kit, and specify your preference when you register online.
When: January 30 at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Where: Herb Linder Annex, 303 Beaconsfield Blvd.
Good to know: This activity is free but requires registration through Eventbrite.ca.
DORVAL
> Exhibition: From Maple to Can
* This exhibition depicting past and present views of the maple syrup industry highlights the origin of maple syrup, the first “sugar parties”, and the arrival of pancake syrup. It also focuses on the push for modernity that built the maple industry in the 20th century. Take advantage of your visit to the Museum to create your favourite sugar shack menu. Admission is free to this travelling exhibition, curated by the Corporation du moulin Légaré.
When: January 29 to May 1.
Where: Dorval Museum of Local History and Heritage, 1850 Lakeshore Rd., Dorval.
Good to know: Vernissage: Saturday, January 29, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy the sugar-party opening of this exhibition.
> Outdoor exhibit: Behind Every Object, a Story
* Local history buffs will love this installation in the Peace Park Arboretum, presented in cooperation with the Dorval Historical Society. For the past 20 years, the Dorval Museum of Local History and Heritage has been collecting objects that bear witness to daily life in the past. With the help of the Dorval Historical Society, these carefully selected artifacts have been photographed and matched with Dorvalʼs heritage buildings. Behind each of these objects is a story for you to discover.
When: Until April 10.
Where: Outdoors in Peace Park Arboretum, Lakeshore Road, between the library and community centre.
> Family theatre: Little Yarn Stories
* In this 35-minute show with few words, for children aged 2 to 5, tiny creatures become alive, transform, merge. Two women bring them to life and weave relationships, emotions, images, and more…
When: Sunday, February 6, at 11 a.m.
Where: Peter B. Yeomans Cultural Centre, 1401 Lakeshore Rd., Dorval.
Good to know: Vaccination passport required for audience members aged 13 and over. Cost: $7 for children (aged 14 and under); free for adults. Visit the theatre company’s website: www.puzzletheatre.com/little_yarn_stories.html.
KIRKLAND
> Winter Craft
* It’s snowman season. Time to create a wonderful piece of art that will warm the hearts of your loved ones. This free bilingual activity is for children aged 3 to 6 (2 p.m. to 3 p.m.) and those aged 7 to 12 (10 a.m. to 11 a.m.)
When: January 16.
Where: Kirkland Library, 17100 Hymus Blvd., Kirkland.
Good to know: Online registration mandatory.
> Online Manga Mania
* Beginners will explore the basics of Manga drawing by exploring the various elements of this technique. The more advanced will receive personalized instruction corresponding to their level in order to continue their progression in Manga drawing. Everyone will go at his/her own pace. This is a free bilingual activity for those aged 10 to 17.
When: January 30—2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Good to know: Mandatory online registration.
> Valentine’s Day Craft
* Children can use their artistic talents to make a craft for someone who is dear to them. This free bilingual activity is for children aged 3 to 6 (10 a.m. to 11 a.m.) and for those aged 7 to 12 (2 p.m. to 3 p.m.).
When: February 13.
Where: Kirkland Library, 17100 Hymus Blvd., Kirkland.
Good to know: Online registration mandatory.
PIERREFONDS-ROXBORO
> Skating alone or with family
* Residents of Pierrefonds-Roxboro can reserve a rink to skate alone, in a family bubble, or with a coach. Thanks to a financial contribution from the Borough of Pierrefonds-Roxboro, residents from a family bubble can reserve a skating rink free of charge for 50 minutes. Open skating and all ice sports will be authorized, such as hockey, figure skating, ringette and speed skating. No private training is allowed on city-subsidized time slots. Two reservations per week, per family bubble permitted.
Where: Pierrefonds Sportsplexe, 14700 Pierrefonds Blvd.
When: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Good to know: Proof of identity necessary for each family member. Participants aged 13 and over must provide vaccination passport and proof of identity. Helmets mandatory. A trainer may offer a private lesson to a single person or to a family bubble as long as a distance of two metres is maintained between the trainer and other individuals. Cost: 125$ + taxes.
Reservations: Serge Vaillancourt: 514-626-2500 ext.11/svaillancourt@sportplexe.ca and Cynthia Zucker : 514-626-2500 ext. 31/cdzucker@sportplexe.ca
ILE PERROT MUNICIPALITIES
> Free Skating
* Residents of Notre-Dame-de-L’Île-Perrot, Pincourt and Ville de L’Île-Perrot are invited to participate in free skating until March 26 at the Cité des Jeunes Arena.
Where: 2580 Paul-Gérin Lajoie St., Vaudreuil-Dorion.
When: Saturdays from 7 p.m. to 7:50 p.m./8 p.m. to 8:50 p.m./and 9 p.m. to 9:50 p.m.
Good to know: Proof of residency required. Helmets are strongly recommended. Vaccination passport required for anyone older than 13 years. Masks required in arena’s corridors and stands; also recommended on ice. Maximum of 25 skaters on the ice.
POINTE-CLAIRE
> Visions of Stewart Hall: 1885 – 1963
* Have you ever wondered about Stewart Hall in the years before it became the City of Pointe-Claire’s cultural centre? This exhibition delves into the history of this magnificent manor. Discover the important figures who lived there and its various uses over time.
Where: Stewart Hall Cultural Centre, 176 Lakeshore Rd./rue Bord du lac, Pointe-Claire.
When: Exhibition in place until December, 2025.
SAINTE-ANNE-DE-BELLEVUE
> Go Fat-biking this winter
* Sainte-Anne residents aged 10 years and over can rent a fat bike at Parc Robillard for one hour and explore the park or roam on the city’s surrounding cycling paths. Free for residents of Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue with a proof of residence, such as a driver’s license. Ten bikes of various sizes available.
Where: Parc Robillard, 43 Meloche St. Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue.
When: January 23 and 30 and February 6, 20 and 27 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Good to know: Take your own helmet. No reservations accepted.
