Igloofest returns for weekend 2 out of 3. Saturday's big draw is Misstress Barbara, hitting the Sapporo stage at 10:30pm. Born Barbara Bonfiglio in Italy, she moved to Montreal at the age of 8. (Did she know then she was going to be a thing?) to be a big DJ. Opening for her is Rafa Barrios and fellow Quebecer Bamboo Hermann.
There is also free Igloofest programming when the sun is out on Saturday: from 2 to 7pm, DJ Poirier and TIZI are performing for the crowds at the Old Port. While you're there, ride a slide and try out throwing a pine tree.
Fete des Neiges continues at Parc Jean-Drapeau for a second weekend. With the warmer weather, you might consider taking advantage of a new paid service where you can reserve your spot for such coveted activities like the ice slides and dogsledding.
In the theatre world, the two big theatre have opened their first shows of 2018... each one inspired by true life events and the crossing of cultures.
There is world premiere of The Baklawa Recipe at the Centaur. Two Lebanese women marry brothers and move to Ville-St-Laurent in the 1960s; together, they each raise a daughter, make baklawa and grow old. This play by Lebanese-Montrealer Pascale Rafie touches on motherhood, gossip, growing up and mental health. The costuming and props are top-notch, while I felt the sound design needed to be finetuned. Natalie Tannous gives a rich, generous performance. (Baklawa is for sale at the concessions!)
And over at the Segal, I loved slow burner 'Master Harold'... and the Boys, set in 1950s South Africa. Author Athol Fugard sets a white teen and his two black servants in a café to wile away a rainy afternoon; by the end of the day, harsh words will be exchanged, and relationships changed forever.
Indie rock bro-sis duo Flint Eastwood play L'Escogriffe Friday night. Jax and Seth Anderson's style, as I understand it, is often described as ‘spaghetti western inspired.’
The Quartier des spectacles brings the sweetness outdoors with free marshmallow grilling. Part of the Luminothérapie programming, along with the light-up see-saws. Saturday and Sunday, 1 to 9pm.
Put on your tuque and try out snow yoga - or snowga - at Lafontaine and Laurier Parks. For a couple of weekends this winter, POP Life and the Plateau borough are offering free outdoors classes. Despite the fresh snow on the ground, you are encouraged to bring your own mat. 10:30 to 11:15am. Saturday at Lafontaine, Sunday at Laurier.
If you would rather exercise indoors, consider checking out Sunday's two-hour Zumbathon at the West-End Cavendish Athletic Club. They are fundraising and collection donations for local non-profits. 10am-12pm. $15 at the door. 6585 Mackle in Cote-St-Luc.
Strip the week away with burlesque evenings at the Wiggle Room. The themes this weekend: Buffy the Vampire (Friday) and That’s So 90s (Saturday).
And a friendly reminder that you have a few more days to go West and check out the MMFA's Once Upon a Time.. The Western, a wide-ranging exploration of the myths and stereotypes associated with the ol' Western movie.