Salsofolies, every Sunday Until August 30, 2009

Salsofolie is salsa fun!

This event used to be held outdoors in the Old Port, but this year it’s indoors at Salon Illusion (4119 St. Laurent, corner of Rachel).

You don’t have to be an expert dancer, in fact, their site says that it’s for everyone.

When: Sundays from 4:30 P.M. to midnight. There’s a lesson at 4:30, included in the entrance fee

Cost: 5.00

Outdoor Ballroom Dancing, Summer Fun

Enjoy dancing? Enjoy being outdoors? Here’s an activity for you:

What: Ballroom dancing in Montreal: cha-cha, salsa, and more. Doesn’t matter what your skill level is.

Where: Parc Jean Drapeau, facing the Jean Drapeau Metro station

When:

• On June 17^th, 2009 : 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• On June 24^th, 2009 : 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• On June 27^th and 28^th, 2009 : 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• On July 1^st, 2009 : 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• On July 4^th and 5^th, 2009 : 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• On July 8^th, 2009 : 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• On July 11^st and 12^nd, 2009 : 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• On July 15^th, 2009 : 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• On July 18^th and 19^th, 2009 : 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• On July 22^nd, 2009 : 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• On July 25^th and 26^th, 2009 : 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• On July 29^th, 2009 : 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• On August 5^th, 2009 : 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• On August 8^th and 9^th, 2009 : 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• On August 12^nd, 2009 : 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• On August 19^th, 2009 : 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• On August 22^nd and 23^rd, 2009 : 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Cost: Free

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Bike-to-Work Activities Day, June 3, 2009

Operation Bike-to-Work Week runs from June 1 to 5 this year. Mid-week, on Wednesday, June 3, 2009, there is a Bike-to-Work Activities day to be held at LaFontaine Park.

According to their website, the day includes:

• ROCK DÉTENTE radio show Tout l’monde debout live from the site, from 5:30 to 9:00 a.m.
• Container of Natrel milk, between 7 and 9 a.m.
• Samples of L’Ancêtre organic cheeses on the way home
• Invigorating massage in the JEAN COUTU relaxation area
• Collection of used bikes at the Aire bleue GAZ MÉTRO, in collaboration with SOS Vélo.
• To win: a bicycle escapade in Quebec.
• PUREX samples
• Copies of LA PRESSE

Why not check it out?

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Bike & Roller blade rentals – great for families and visitors to Montreal too

If you don’t have your own bike or rollerblades to enjoy Montreal’s beautiful outdoors or if you’re visiting from out of town and would like to get outside and get some exercise, here’s a reasonable-cost solution: rent.

In Old Montreal, Ça Roule Montréal (Montreal On Wheels) offers you this option. They have regular bikes, tandem bikes, and even stroller bikes. If you rent blades, you also get the protective equipment. According to their site: "Included : helmet, lock, bike trail map, repair kit, full protective gear for Rollerblades."

You’d best check their grid for pricing, but prices vary depending on the day of the week, how long you want it and what time you’re getting it. There are half day deals that start at 2 pm. For example, a bike during a weekday would be 8.00 for the first hour and 8.00 for each added hour, but 20.00 flat for a half day, starting after 2. A refurbished bike would go for 15.00 for the half day.

Skates are 9.00 for the first hour any day, then 4.00 for each hour after on weekdays or 4.50 on weekends and holidays.

You can also rent for a flat 24 hours, 35.00 for a bike during a weekday, 28 for skates.

Where: 10 minute walk from Champs De Mars or Place D’Armes subway stations or by bus # 55 last stop

27 De La Commune East, Montreal
(514) 866-0633   Toll free 1-877-866-0633

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Greater Montreal Running Circuit

For the runners among us, here’s an opportunity to get into some organized events:

The Greater Montreal Running Circuit

Since 1985, La Boutique ENDURANCE is a proud partner of the Greater Montreal Running Circuit. This year, the Circuit will again offer 11 running events.

Two events have taken place already. Their next event is Course Pierrefonds Open (26th Edition) on May 16. Check out the calendar to see when and where the other events are.

Cost: Variable according to distance. Click on their info page to find out what the fees are per course. They range from 5.00 to 25.00

Good luck!

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Free private yoga class coupon

Interested in trying out Sport Yoga? Sport yoga is a combination of yoga and Pilates.

What: Free sport yoga class or personal training session at your home or office

Where: FP Sport Yoga, 5621 McLynn Ave., Montreal, 514-733-0647

How: Go to Hello Neighbour to print the coupon needed for this free class.

When: Now, the link to the information says "Duration: 2009-03-11-2010-03-11", but the coupon itself says good for 2007, so you’d better check to be sure there isn’t a newer version. I bet the 2007 is an error.

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Tags: about montreal, montreal blog, yoga montreal, free yoga montreal

$5.00 yoga classes on Friday nights

As a part of giving back to the community, Ambaa Yoga is making yoga an affordable community gathering every Friday night.

According to their website,

Community Classes are our way of giving back.
Our aim with theses classes to make Yoga, Qi Gong and Meditation accessible and affordable to everyone. Ambaa Yoga donates the space and classes are held by donation and all the money collected is used to support community projects within the studio such as scholarships or are donated to local charities.

Community Yoga with Ambaa Yoga
Taught by a different teacher each week, we invite teachers from our studio, as well as guest teachers from within the community to share their love of yoga. All teachers do this on a volunteer basis. It’s fun and a great way to experience a variety of teachers and styles and get to know your neighbours at the same time!

Community Meditation with Dharma Punx
Meeting every Sunday evening, Dharma Punx is a peer-lead meditation group. The class involves a 20-25 minute guided meditation in the vipassana tradition followed by group discussion.

Times: Community Yoga is Friday, from 6:30 to 7:30 P.M.

           Community Meditation is Sunday, from 7:00 to 8:30 P.M.

Costs: Community classes are 5.00 and you can rent a yoga mat for 1.00

Where: Ambaa Yoga Studio, 4660 Notre Dame West, (corner of De Courcelle), Montreal
            514-996-3620

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Tags: montreal yoga, affordable yoga montreal, community yoga, community meditation

BIXI – Montreal’s new downtown bike rental service

If you find yourself in the city core area and would love to be able to use your bike to get from point A to point B – but you either don’t have a place to store a bike or live too far away to bring your bike downtown, you may be interested in a new service, due to launch the beginning of May 2009.

The BIXI, short for bicycle and taxi, concept seems promising. Three hundred (or more) bike stations will be set throughout the city core. By joining for a year, month, or just when you need it, you become a member and you can grab a bike from one station, return it to another. The interactive map allows you to check the stations to see if there are bikes available.

Cost: Yearly subscriptions are 78.00 and monthly are 28.00 (taxes include). There is also a 24-hour access option.

As a member, the first 30 minutes of bike use is free, each and every time. After that, the fee structure is set up like this:

2nd 30-minute period: 1.50

3rd 30-minute period: 3.00

4th and any subsequent 30-minute period: 6.00

What do you think? Do you think you’ll give the bikes a try?

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Tags: montreal bikes, montreal bicycles, BIXI, montreal BIX, montreal blog, bike rental service montreal

Free yoga classes at Lululemon stores

If you know Lululemon Athletica stores, you may already know this, but if you don’t – this is something you may want to check out. If fact, I may have a go at it as well.

Hayley, a new reader left a comment in the contest section to tell us about the yoga:

I work at the yoga store, Lululemon and just wanted to let you know that ALL of our stores in Montreal offer FREE yoga classes every Wednesday morning and Sunday morning. Google us and check the schedule nearest you. The instructors are the best in the city and offer these amazing classes twice a week. Great for your body and your mind! And free refreshments follow the classes.

To save you Googling, I did it for you. The 4 Montreal-area Lululemons I found are at:

4361 rue Saint-Denis, Montreal, 514-849-3719

1394 Avenue Greene, Westmount, 514-937-5151

Fairview Centre, Pointe Claire, 514-695-3613

1232, rue Ste Catherine Ouest, Montreal, 514-394-0770

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Tags: free yoga montreal, yoga classes montreal, lululemon montreal, lululemon yoga classes

Beaver Lake skating and Mount Royal

I know it’s late in the season and I apologize for forgetting about Montreal’s jewel, Mount Royal.

A reader, Victor, left this message today and hopefully, if you can’t take advantage of it this winter, you’ll keep it in mind for next winter:

I’m on quite a few oldtimers hockey teams and enjoy skating outdoors as well. I notice you don’t mention Mount Royal, which has a really nice refrigerated rink, as well as the entire frozen part of beaver lake. It is free at all times, as well as the tobaggan runs and cross country skiing. Only a couple of weeks left to enjoy these outdoor activities.

And, of course, it’s a lovely place to visit in the summer time as well.

Thanks Victor for reminding us.

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