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February 20, 2008

Montreal High Lights Festival flickers to life today

By STEVEN HOWELL

MONTREAL -- Winter doldrums got you down? Montreal's got the cure: a little song, a little dance, a lot of food.

The city celebrates the season with the ninth edition of the High Lights Festival, a midwinter bash that runs today through March 2. On the agenda: family fun, fireworks, musical concerts, plays, dance programs, street performers, gourmet food events and the All-Nighter, with 120-plus activities planned all night long.

FOOD FEST

Here's what to expect. All song and dance aside, what really makes this festival is the food. In all, some-300 epicurean activities are held at various restaurants and venues throughout the city. Food events include tastings, workshops, food tours, special lunches and full-course meals. This year, the festival features guest chefs from Toronto and Quebec City. At the helm of this year's fest is honorary president Susur Lee, the renowned Toronto-based chef who'll bring some Asian-inspired fusion dishes to the table (his dinner hosted at Ristorante Otto at the W Hotel is already sold out -- at $300 a pop!). Reservations are a must for most events. While many do sell out quickly, there are many dining events left from which to choose. Bon appetit!

PYROTECHNIC DELIGHT

Next, the High Lights Festival pays tribute to light, right? So look to the heavens above for five winter fireworks displays. The pyrotechnic shows are held tonight, Friday and Saturday, as well as Friday, Feb. 29, and an All-Nighter display on Saturday, March 1. All fireworks shows start at 8 p.m. The opening party tonight also features the Quebec band Les Respectables at 7 p.m. and DJ music as well. For adults, there's also an on-site outdoor Winter Bar. Other musical and magical events include Tam-Tam percussion demonstrations this Friday and next Friday, Feb. 29, at 7:30 p.m. and a torch-lit procession this Saturday, Feb. 23, at 7:30 p.m. BYOF -- bring-your-own-flashlight and join in the parade.

FAMILY FUN

Then hold on to your hats! The Ice Slide at Place Jacques Cartier is a slippery slope of fun that measures an incredible 360 feet long. In addition, a cast of colorfully illuminated costumed characters roam the site at night. More family fun can be had at Jumpai, an energetic mix of trampoline, trapeze and bungee. And while you don't have to join, you can watch a few braves souls who'll take a bath -- a snow bath, that is -- Saturday between 3 and 4 p.m. at the King Edward Pier. Ultimate Frisbee and kite-flying demonstrations take place March 1. These events are free. Ice skating is also available at the Bonsecours Basin for a nominal fee.

The festival also features many ticketed performing arts events throughout the city. "Flash," presented by New Circus Asia, is held at Tohu Circus Arts City now until March 1. For ages 7 and up. Prices range from $26.25 to $39 for adults; $15.75 to $31.20 for children under 12 years old. "Belly of a Drunken Piano: A Show about Tom Waits" is presented at The Savoy from Tuesday, Feb. 26, to March 1. Tickets cost $15 or $20 depending on the night (available through Ticketpro at (866) 908-9090 or www.ticketpro.ca.).

UP ALL NIGHT

Chris Botti plays Place des Arts on Friday. Tickets cost $38.50 to $49.50. Bobby McFerrin and Voicestra plays Place des Arts on Feb. 26. Tickets range from $39.50 to $59.50. Flamencontemporain performs at Tangente tonight to Sunday and Feb. 28 to March 2. Tickets cost $16 for adults, $13 for students and seniors, and $7 for children 12 and under. Choreographer Margie Gilles presents M.Body.7 at Place des Arts Feb. 29 and March 1. Tickets range from $33.50 to $43.50. Tickets are available through Admission Ticket Network at (800) 678-5440 or www.admission.com.

Closing the High Lights Festival is the Montreal All-Nighter, an evening of poetry, performance, comedy, concerts, museum visits and movies -- 123 events in all -- that promises to keep you up all night. Most activities are free and free shuttle service is also provided. The All-Nighter begins the evening of March 1.

Finally, Port Symphonies officially closes the festival in a big way. How big? It's an outdoor orchestra where beautiful music is created with the likes of church bells, train whistles and ship horns. That's how big. Port Symphonies is held March 2 at 1:30 p.m. near Pointe-a-Calliere Museum.

The ninth Montreal High Lights Festival begins today and continues until March 2. The mostly free outdoor events take place in the Old Port of Montreal with many activities centered near Place Jacques Cartier. The outdoor events run Thursday to Sunday this week and next. For more information, call (514) 288-9955 or (888) 477-9955, or visit www.mon

trealhighlights.com.

writeonbetty@sympatico.ca

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