Here’s what’s good at Nuit Blanche 2016

“Mound” by Allison Schulnik

Nuit Blanche 2016 highlights continue. This is a big one!

ART

Art Souterrain
“Underground city”
6 p.m.-1 a.m.
Free

Art Souterrain isn’t one exhibit, it’s dozens of exhibits installed in a seven-kilometre stretch of interlocking malls and halls in Old Montreal and downtown — the so-called underground city. Nuit Blanche is Art Souterrain’s vernissage, but although the work will remain until March 20, launch-night is worth a look, as there will be a couple dozen artists and many more “cultural mediators” (sorry, Google Translate) on hand to talk about the work and lead special events all along the circuit.

Belgo Building
372 Ste-Catherine W.

Located near the heart of the action, on Ste-Catherine near Bleury, the multi-gallery Belgo Building is always a good spot to see an eclectic array of art (indoors, for free). But it will always be hit and miss. Here are some highlights:

Diss Torsion (#122 & #124)

The Montreal-Paris dance school will showcase “urban” dance performances while Diss Torsion holds a freestyl dance (for cash prizes) with a soundtrack by DJs Benito and Mr. Bee. If the rooms are packed, the dancers will be visible on giant screens. 10:30 p.m.

Studio 303 (#303)

Dance atelier Studio 303 displays a video retrospective and other special activities related to the experimental feminist performance art festival Edgy Redux, which after 23 years is putting on its last edition with events through March 12. 9 p.m.-1 a.m.

SBC Gallery (#507)

In conjunction with the exhibition Sans peau / No Skin, SBC will host an Afro-Brazilian night featuring Capoeira, live rhythms from tambourines and berimbaus and textile workshops led by Flava Design’s Flavia Monteiro. 8 p.m.-2 a.m.

Breather (#105)

Montreal based room booking service Breather operates a large space in the Belgo building which will be open as a chill zone to escape the crowd and relax with a hot drink while enjoying the dreamy sounds of live music from the Justin Wright string trio and pianist Jeff Louch. 8 p.m.–12 a.m.

Wax Museum
Grévin
705 Ste-Catherine W., 5th floor
6:30-11:59 p.m.
$12.65/free for kids 12 and under

Grévin opens its door and invites you to bring friends and family to discover its fantastical universe. At 6:30 p.m., visit the museum and watch a special screening of the new movie La Guerre des Tuques 3D. Starting at 10 p.m., the museum turns off its lights for its first-ever visit in the dark. Magical moments and surprises guaranteed!

The MAC at night
Musée d’art contemporain
185 Ste-Catherine W.
6 p.m.-2 a.m.
Free

Event page

See the three current exhibitions at the contemporary art museum, which will be decked out in red for the occasion, participate in a portraiture workshop and enjoy some mulled wine and tasty treats baked on site.

Italian Night at the Museum
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
1380 Sherbrooke W.,
5 p.m.–12 a.m.
$10
Event page

The MMFA offers an Italian night in conjunction with the newly opened Pompeii exhibition, with special food and wine tastings and special workshops such as coin and mosaic creation.

Geeky Art Exhibit
Boutique Geekatorium
4323 St-Denis
6 p.m.-1 a.m.
Event page

See art deemed “geeky” by this Plateau space, with local artists in attendance and ready to discuss their work, plus free sweets and hot beverages.

Art to Art
Departing from Station 16
3523 St-Laurent
7 p.m., 9:30 p.m. and 12 a.m.
Free

Take a guided tour of murals and historical spots on St-Laurent Boulevard. Start by grabbing a drink and seeing some street-style work at Station 16.

Night Comes to Life
McCord Museum
690 Sherbrooke W.
8 p.m.-1 a.m.
Free
Event page

See the three exhibitions at the McCord, including the wonderful Montreal Through the Eyes of Vittorio, and experience the music of singer-songwriter Jeffrey Piton, pop band les Handclaps, Inuit songwriter Beatrice Deer and a cappella quartet VoxA4 in the museum’s various spaces.

Montreal Underground
Le Musée du Rock ’n’ Roll
2222 Ontario E.
8 p.m.-3 a.m.
PWYC
Event page

Archive Montreal and Papineau have put together an exhibition of ephemera from the past 50 decades of Montreal nightlife scene and the vernissage is happening as part of Nuit Blanche. “Artisans” will be on site, and there will be music and drinks, too.

Map Your Night in 3D
Laïka
4040 St-Laurent
10 p.m.–3 a.m.
Free
Event Page

Visit Laïka for an audiovisual treat involving 3D projections mapped by TIND, Ex-Nihilo and Deglazer with music from DJs Akufen and Ohm Hourani.

CONTINUE TO PAGE 3: The best hands-on art, games & other activities