Now in its 17th year, one of Canada's largest and most jubilant gay celebrations is Montreal, Quebec's Divers/Cite festival, held in late July and early August (in 2009, it's July 26 to August 2). Montreal, of course, is one of North America's friendliest, most stylish, and most enthusiastic cities when it comes to gay culture - this is the case year-round, even during the city's chilly winters. But during Divers/Cite, the entire city seems to glow pink.
Shop for rooms and compare rates at hotels in Montreal during Divers/Cite
Divers/Cite used to be Montreal's Gay Pride event but now functions as a separate gay and lesbian cultural festival. It should not to be confused with Celebrations de la Fierte, the Montreal Gay Pride celebration, which is held just a couple of weeks later, from August 13 to August 16, 2009.
Divers/Cite is focused around nearly a week of parties, celebrations, film screenings, and fun. Here's a quick preview of Divers/Cite 2009.
The festivities begin on Sunday, July 26, with a "trash and smash" show by the ebulliently flamboyant Mado Au Casino, at 8 pm. It's held at Le Cabaret du Casino de Montreal, on Ile Notre-Dame.
Then throughout the coming week, participants can enjoy a wide range of cultural events. On Monday, July 27, there's a screening of Les Chansons d'amour as part of the popular Cinema Dans Le Parc held in Parc LaFontaine.
Other notable events include Cabaret de Minuit with Joey Arias on Tuesday, July 28; Les Grandes Murales Photo Expo with the work of JJ Levine and Jason Hendrickson, held over several nights in Terrasse Ste-Catherine in Parc Emilie-Gamelin (by Berri Metro station); and - on Thursday, July 30 - Traffic, a concert of garage and alternative rock fronted by Angel Forrest, Jonas, and Nanette Workman. Traffic takes place at Loto-Quebec Stage in Parc Emilie-Gamelin.
There's also a Friends For Life Bike Rally on Friday, July 31, a night that also features a New Society trance concert with DJ Insomnia, DJ Wizz, and Infected Mushroom.
Not surprisingly, on Saturday, August 1 you'll discover a variety of earth-shattering parties related to Divers/Cite, including Mascara, La Nuit Des Drags at the Berri/Ontario stage; the Sunset Party in Emelie-Gamelin; a massive women's party called Lesbomonde featuring Alyson Calagna, Betti Forde, and other friends; and the D/C Party after-hours party, which runs from midnight until noon the next day and shows off the beats of DJs David Morales and Peter Rauhofer.
If you thought Sunday was for resting, think again. Divers/Cite still has plenty in store for you on Sunday, August 2, including Le Grand Bal Disco at 3 pm in Emelie-Gamelin Park, and La Grand Danse at 1 pm at the Berri/Ontario Stage. Later, you can finish off all the week's fun with the final Divers/Cite Ball, starting at 11 pm.
Of course, additionally, numerous gay bars as well as gay-popular restaurants, hotels, and shops have special events and parties throughout Pride Week. Check the city's great gay resources, such as Tourism Montreal's Gay Website and the Montreal is Gay online guide to the city.
