Great Shot of the Jazz Fest @ Night

Today is the official kick-off of the 30th Festival International de Jazz de Montreal featuring music so good you don’t even need to know French to enjoy it.  The concert series runs from June 30th to July 12th and promises to be an AMAZING event.

Look for this logo for FIJM events

In fact, Stevie Wonder is scheduled to play for tonight’s opening performance. Did you know Montreal is only an 18 bus ride away??  A roundtrip ticket is only about $200.  So if you missed the Seattle International Film Festival, you’re in luck – you can still get your summer-dose of culture. 

Along the pier - Europe or North America?

Make no mistake – the line-up from June 30th to July 12th is certainly diverse.  Many of the performers have graced the stage at Hill Auditorium, like Madeleine Peyroux and Romero Lubambo.  Some are your typical jazz legends like Tony Bennet while others would surprise you at their presence – ie, Mos Def.

And Montreal is beautiful in the summer.  You do need a passport, but the exchange rate does give the American dollar a bit of an edge.  The official languages of Quebec are French and English.  Most people speak predominantly French but are fluent in English and more than willing to help you out if needed (they are still Canadian, after all).

As someone who’s actually taken Greyhound to Montreal, I will say it’s doable – just bring some light reading.  You can stay comfortably and cheaply in a hostel like l’Auberge Alternative which is located in Vieux-Montreal (that’s the really nice part). 

If you do get to check it out, feel free to send SHEI your pictures – we’d love to see them!

Bon Voyage,

-B.C.Bodnar