July 2013: Montreal

Beyonce

One thing Beyonce can do is sing live. It's too bad though that she doesn't have enough great material to fill out a two hour show. This new tour is rather formulaic with lots of intricate video work as filler during costume changes and a small VIP stage opposite the main one that she "flies" too. One of the most interesting moments happened when Beyonce's weave got caught in one of the ubiquitous fans that constantly blow her long, stringy hair upwards. Ever the professional, Beyonce didn't bat an eye and just kept on sangin' while her crew frantically tried to free her. Unfortunately, this was probably the loudest concert I've ever been too with really muddied sound. If you've seen her in concert before, feel free to skip this one.

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Chihuly at the Museum of Fine Arts

Though Wednesday evening is "discount night" for all of Montreal's museums, the Museum of Fine Arts only opens their special exhibits for the discounted price. I wish I had known that upfront because I would have gladly paid the extra $10 on a different day to take in the rest of the museum, which is actually a conglomerate of four buildings connected by underground passages (like a lot of Montreal with its "underground city."

Fortunately, the special exhibition this summer is Chihuly, a series of installations by glass master Dale Chihuly.

Featured are unique pieces greatly especially for the museum, including a glass ceiling through which light filters down, creating colorful shadows on the walls, as sell as large glass landscapes.

Also present were the more typical Chihuly chandeliers and "seaforms" (not pictured).

Despite being nearly blind and relying heavily on his band of artisans, Chihuly is still producing beautiful, breathtaking art!

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Museum of Contemporary Art

Like most contemporary art museums, Montreal's has few pieces in their permanent collection though I do love the outdoor fountain seen below (the fountain part is not shown, but you can imagine where the water exits!).

I was only taken with one of the artists' work that was on display: Michel de Broin, a contemporary sculptor from Montreal. Photography was not allowed, but he's like a modern day Marcel Duchamp! Definitely worth checking out and I only wish there had been a better exhibition catalog!

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While not a foodie, I did partake in the Montreal staple that is poutine, a rather disgusting, but delicious mix of French fries and cheese curds covered with brown gravy. Once was enough!