by Jacques Bérubé
Looking for something fun to do over the Easter long weekend? Lucky for you, there’s no shortage of exciting, cultural, mystical and sweet-toothed Easter activities in Montreal. Give one or more of these a try to give your celebrations a new twist this year. [Image credit: iStock]
So who hid the eggs? Was it the fox, the turtle or the lynx? Take the children to the Ecomuseum Zoo in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue on Saturday or Sunday for this hunt that will have children and parents captivated, especially by the real Easter Bunny, who will be handing out chocolates and hugs...
According to experts, being wrapped in chocolate stimulates the production of endorphins, the happiness hormones. Its high magnesium content tones muscles and its vitamin E makes skin radiant. Several spas, such as the St. James, the Balnea Spa, Odyssey in Longueuil and urban spa Centrale on the Plateau Mont-Royal offer these exquisitely invigorating indulgences.
Turn up the adrenaline with an action packed outing. The whole family will have a blast surfing at Oasis Surf, playing laser tag at Laser Quest, scaling to the top of the walls of the Horizon Roc climbing centre, hurtling at full speed around the karting track of Action 500 Karting Paintball or launching into free fall at SkyVenture in the Laval Cosmodôme.
We all know about New York, but Washington should not be overlooked, with its Japanese cherry blossoms and the museums of the Smithsonian Institute. Closer to home, Boston is one of the most beautiful cities in the United States, boasting the famous Harvard University, in addition to its many museums. Head to your travel agency where you’ll find a package to suit your budget and your curiosity.
To celebrate spring surrounded by nature, rent a cottage at SÉPAQ in the Laurentides Wildlife Reserve or Jacques Cartier National Park. As you wander, watch the rivers cascading in the sunshine, birds singing the ode to joy and hares hopping about. In the evening, curl up in front of one last fire to honour the slow passing of winter.
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This year, among the family films playing in our movie theatres, special mentions have to go to My Life as a Courgette, Moana, The Boss Baby, Beauty and the Beast, and in Imax, Humpback Whales.
The Canadiens will make the playoffs, for sure. Although the game schedule isn’t available at time of writing, the Canadiens will definitely be playing over the Easter weekend. It’s a game not to be missed, no matter whether you’re in the Bell Centre, in a sports bar or in front of your home theatre, nibbling compulsively at your Easter chocolate. Things are a bit more certain for Montreal’s soccer team: the Montreal Impact’s opening game will take place at Saputo Stadium on Saturday, 15 April at 1pm, where they’ll be facing Atlanta United FC.
Friday, 14 April sees several concerts taking place. In the Bourgie Hall at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts the Les idées heureuses ensemble performs the Passion while the famous Symphony House celebrates the 50th anniversary of the release of the Beatles’ legendary Sgt Pepper’s album with a concert by the Beatles Story Band. At the Church of St. Andrew & St. Paul, the Caprice ensemble will perform Mozart’s Requiem, while the Orchestra of the Montreal Philharmonic Society, the UQAM and JFP choirs will be performing the 4th movement of Beethoven's 9th Symphony at the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church.
You’ll need to be up at dawn to collect the Easter Water. According to tradition, this water, which never deteriorates, also possesses healing powers. It is said to cure fever and protect against fatal accidents. To this day, the Easter water ritual still takes place at several locations in Quebec, including the gardens of the Our Lady of the Cape Shrine.
Take the opportunity to give back this spring. Donate to the Make a Wish Foundation to enable children with terminal illnesses to make their dreams come true or to Little Brothers to help relieve the loneliness of isolated and vulnerable older people, or give to the Welcome Hall Mission to provide food and shelter for the homeless. When it comes to stimulating the happy hormones, giving even trumps chocolate!
