Quebec Limits Businesses To 50% Capacity

Bars, restaurants, stores and entertainment venues across the Canadian province of Quebec will be required to operate at 50% capacity because of the omicron variant of the coronavirus.

Quebec Premier François Legault announced new pandemic restrictions Thursday after new forecasts that hospitals in the province could reach capacity for COVID-19 patients within weeks. The new restrictions take effect Monday.

Churches and other faith venues will also must keep at half capacity and worshippers will have to show proof of vaccination. Parties at work are banned along with dancing and singing karaoke inside bars, clubs and restaurants.

Quebec also reversed a decision to allow larger indoor private gatherings beginning Dec. 23.

Quebec City Announces New Four-Day Festival To Ring In The New Year. Tobbogan, New Year’s Nights Will Feature Music, Food And Fireworks

Quebec City – Quebec is introducing a brand new way to ring in the New Year. From December 28-31, Quebec City will celebrate the holidays and the arrival of 2020 with Toboggan, New Year’s Nights, a new music festival that will take place over four festive evenings.

Travelers looking for a unique holiday getaway can head to the magical setting of Old Quebec, which is ranked among the best small cities in the world by readers of Conde Nast Traveler, where they can dance outside to the sounds of the world’s best DJs while also enjoying a wide range of activities.

Starting at 1 p.m. on December 28^th, the Parc de la Francophone area will come to life with music, a Ferris wheel, carousel, foodie space, a bar and cocktail area, outdoor fireplaces, a happy hour and more. The city’s Grande-Allee will shine with a thousand lights and its famous terraces will be heated for the occasion. Light projections on the sites will add to the enchantment, highlighting Quebec City’s magical décor.

The scene will become electrifying at night. On December 28, 29 and 30, from 7 – 11 p.m., Place George V will be the site of musical performances that are sure to warm up even those most easily chilled:

• On December 28^th: European DJ and Grammy winner Zedd kicks off the celebration.
• On December 29^th: Hip hop sensation Schoolboy Q, Kendrick Lamar’s sidekick I the band Hippy, will get the crowd moving.
• On December 30^th: DVBBS joins the party for another epic electro night. The DJ duo has shared the stage with biggest names in electro, including Tiesto, Calvin Harris and deadmau5.

Passes for the three nights are $60 (CAD) for General Admission and $150 for VIP access. Information and tickets can be found here.

• On New Year’s Eve, there will be two free shows:
• At Place George V: Loud Luxury, Havia Mighty and DJ Max E
• At Place de l’Assemble-Nationale, a newly designed stage will host a traditional music party with Les Tireux d’Roches/La famille Painchaud

And after the New Year’s countdown, Quebec City will ring in 2020 with an impressive arsenal of multidirectional fireworks, creating an immersive experience that is sure to amaze spectators.

Toboggan, New Year’s Nights is presented by Bell and produced by 3E, the team behind the Festival d’ete de Quebec (FEQ), one of the largest and longest running music festivals in the world.

Major International Exhibition To Explore The Legacy Of Berthe Morisot, A Founder Of Impressionism

   

                                  

Berthe Morisot, Woman Impressionist Marks Landmark Presentation 
of the Artist’s Work in North America and France

PHILADELPHIA–  –  The Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec (Québec City, Canada), the Barnes Foundation (Philadelphia, PA), the Dallas Museum of Art (Dallas, TX), and the Musée d’Orsay (Paris, France) announced the internationally touring exhibition dedicated to one of the revolutionary artists of the French Impressionist movement, Berthe Morisot (1841–1895). Co-organized by the four institutions, Berthe Morisot, Woman Impressionist will focus on the artist’s figure paintings and portraits through approximately 50 to 60 paintings from both public institutions and private collections. This tour will be the first dedicated presentation of Morisot’s work to be held in the United States since 1987, the very first solo exhibition of her work to be mounted in Canada, and the first time since 1941 that a French national museum will devote a monographic show to this important painter. 

One of the founding members of the French Impressionists, Berthe Morisot was celebrated in her time as one of the leaders of the group, and her innovative works were coveted by dealers and collectors alike. Despite her accomplishments, today she is not as well-known as her Impressionist colleagues, such as Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Co-curated by Sylvie Patry, Chief Curator/Deputy Director for Curatorial Affairs and Collections at the Musée d’Orsay, Paris and Consulting Curator at the Barnes Foundation, and Nicole R. Myers, The Lillian and James H. Clark Curator of European Painting and Sculpture at the Dallas Museum of Art, Berthe Morisot, Woman Impressionist will both illuminate and reassert Morisot’s role as an essential figure within the Impressionist movement and the development of modern art in Paris in the second half of the 19th century.

The exhibition traces the exceptional path of a female painter who, in opposition to the norms of her time and social background, became an important member of the Parisian avant-garde from the late 1860s until her untimely death in 1895. Through her portrayal of the human figure, Morisot was able to explore the themes of modern life that came to define Impressionism, such as the intimacy of contemporary bourgeois living and leisure activities, the importance of female fashion and the toilette, and women’s domestic work, all while blurring the lines between interior and exterior, public and private, finished and unfinished. 

Organized semi-chronologically, the exhibition will examine Morisot’s painterly innovations and fundamental position within Impressionism across the arc of her productive, yet relatively short life. The exhibition explores the following periods and themes of Morisot’s work:

• Becoming an Artist – The introductory section looks at Morisot’s formative years, when she left behind the amateur artistic practice associated with women of her upbringing and established herself as both a professional artist and a key contributor to the emerging Impressionist movement in the late 1860s and early 1870s.
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• Painting the Figure en plein air – A selection of Morisot’s plein-air paintings of figures in both urban and coastal settings highlights her innovative treatment of modern themes and immersive approach that integrates her subjects within their environments through brushwork and palette.
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• Fashion, Femininity, and la Parisienne – The importance of fashion in constructing modern bourgeois femininity forms a central part of the artist’s paintings of the 1870s and 1880s. This interest is revealed in Morisot’s creations and adaptations of quintessential Impressionist subjects, such as elegant Parisian women shown at the ball or dressing in their homes, and the leisure activities associated with suburban parks and gardens.
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• Women at Work – Morisot’s depictions of the domestic servant—the majority of whom she employed in her household—reflect her own status as a working professional woman. Her interest in painting these women raises questions about bourgeois living and the intimacy of the shared domestic setting.  
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• Finished/Unfinished – The increasing immediacy of Morisot’s technique, and her radical experimentation with the concept of finished and unfinished in her work, exposes the process of painting and furthers the indeterminacy between figure and setting begun in her plein-air work.
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• Windows and Thresholds – Morisot’s interest in liminal spaces is revealed in her paintings of subjects such as doorways and windows. Within these often spatially ambiguous settings, Morisot’s masterful evocation of light and atmosphere, the most ephemeral of her subjects, serves to anchor the human figure within these transitory spaces. 
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• A Studio of Her Own – Morisot’s late career paintings from the 1890s often depict her personal  domestic space, which served as both studio and setting. During this period, Morisot reached a new expressiveness in her painting as figures become increasingly enveloped by their surroundings. The vibrant, saturated palette and sinuous brushwork that she adopted in these final works demonstrate their visual and symbolic affinities with the emerging Symbolist aesthetic of the time.
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Exhibition Organization:
Berthe Morisot, Woman Impressionist is organized by Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec, the Barnes Foundation, the Dallas Museum of Art, and the Musées d’Orsay and de l’Orangerie. The exhibition is co-curated by Sylvie Patry, Chief Curator/Deputy Director for Curatorial Affairs and Collections at the Musée d’Orsay, Paris and Consulting Curator at the Barnes Foundation, and Nicole R. Myers, The Lillian and James H. Clark Curator of European Painting and Sculpture at the Dallas Museum of Art.

Exhibition Tour:

• Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec, Québec (June 21–September 23, 2018)
• The Barnes Foundation, Philadelphia (October 20, 2018–January 14, 2019)
• Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas (February 24–May 26, 2019)
• Musée d’Orsay, Paris (June 17–September 22, 2019)
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Exhibition Catalogue:
The exhibition is accompanied by a fully illustrated catalogue that emphasizes the importance of understanding Morisot’s work in light of her dialogue with contemporary artistic movements—Impressionism, but also Post-Impressionism and Symbolism. Berthe Morisot, Woman Impressionist makes an important contribution to the field, with interdisciplinary scholarship and a specific focus on Morisot’s pioneering developments as a painter first, woman second. Edited by Sylvie Patry, an English- and French-language catalogue will be co-published by Rizzoli International Publications, Inc. and the Barnes Foundation, Philadelphia, in association with the Dallas Museum of Art and the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec, Québec. A separate French-language catalogue will be published by the Musée d’Orsay, Paris. The book contains essays by Morisot scholars including the exhibition co-curators Sylvie Patry and Nicole R. Myers; Cindy Kang, Barnes Foundation; Marianne Mathieu, Musée Marmottan; and Bill Scott, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, as well as a chronology by Amy Wojciechowski with additional research by Monique Nonne (hardcover, $55).

[Images (left to right): Berthe Morisot, Self-Portrait, 1885, oil on canvas. Musée Marmottan-Claude Monet, Fondation Denis et Annie Rouart, Photo courtesy Musée Marmottan Monet, Paris, France / Bridgeman Images; Berthe Morisot, The Cradle, 1872, oil on canvas, Musée d’Orsay, Paris, RF 2849, Photo by Michael Urtado. © RMN-Grand Palais / Art Resource, NY; Berthe Morisot, Woman at Her Toilette, 1875–1880, oil on canvas, The Art Institute of Chicago, Inv. no. 1924.127, Photo courtesy The Art Institute of Chicago / Art Resource, NY; Berthe Morisot, Winter, 1880, oil on canvas, Dallas Museum of Art, Gift of the Meadows Foundation, Incorporated, 1981.129]

About the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec
Located in Québec City, the MNBAQ makes known, promotes and preserves Québec art from the 17th century to today with its rich collection of more than 38 000 works. The MNBAQ’s four pavilions are situated in the heart of the magnificent National Battlefields Park: the Gérard-Morisset pavilion (the original museum, 1933), the central pavilion (built in 1991), the Charles-Baillairgé pavilion (a prison dating from 1867), and the new Pierre Lassonde pavilion, giving the MNBAQ a street-front presence on one of the city’s main arteries, the Grande Allée. Designed by OMA New York in association with Provencher_Roy, this building enabled the MNBAQ to display its contemporary art, design, and Inuit art collections.

About the Barnes Foundation 
The Barnes Foundation is a nonprofit cultural and educational institution that shares its unparalleled art collection with the public, organizes special exhibitions, and presents programming that fosters new ways of thinking about human creativity. The Barnes collection is displayed in ensembles that integrate art and objects from across cultures and time periods, overturning traditional hierarchies and revealing universal elements of human expression. Home to one of the world’s finest collections of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, and early modern paintings—including the largest groups of paintings by Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Paul Cézanne in existence—the Barnes brings together renowned masterworks by such artists as Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Amedeo Modigliani, and Vincent van Gogh, alongside ancient, medieval, Renaissance, and non-Western art as well as metalwork, furniture, and decorative art.

About the Dallas Museum of Art
Established in 1903, the Dallas Museum of Art (DMA) is among the 10 largest art museums in the country and is distinguished by its commitment to research, innovation and public engagement. At the heart of the Museum and its programs is its global collection, which encompasses more than 24,000 works and spans 5,000 years of history, representing a full range of world cultures. Since the Museum’s return to free general admission in 2013, the DMA has welcomed more than 3.2 million visitors. For more information, visit DMA.org. The Dallas Museum of Art is supported, in part, by the generosity of DMA Members and donors, the citizens of Dallas through the City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs, and the Texas Commission on the Arts.

About the Musée d’Orsay
Located in an old railway station opened in 1900 before being refurbished for its current purpose, the Musée d’Orsay has been renowned worldwide since its opening in December 1986. Devoted to the second half of the 19th century, it features collections of artwork primarily created between 1848 and 1914. All of the artistic movements of the time are represented: Impressionism, Realism, Naturalism, Post-Impressionism, Symbolism, etc., and the illustrious painters. Its multidisciplinary nature brings together all artistic fields: painting, sculpture, decorative art, objets d’art, architecture, drawing, and photography. Since June 1, 2010, the Musée de l’Orangerie has joined the Musée d’Orsay as part of one and the same publicly administered establishment.

Manoir Hovey Named #1 Hotel In Canada In Condé Nast Traveler's 2016 Readers' Choice Awards

NORTH HATLEY, Quebec-  Manoir Hovey, a five-star lakeside resort in Canada's Eastern Townships,

 was named the #1 Hotel in Canada and one of the "50 Best Hotels in the World" in Condé Nast

 Traveler's 29th annual Readers' Choice Awards. The awards recognize excellence in the travel 

industry and are commonly known as "the best of the best of travel." Over 300,000 readers cast

 votes for 7,394 hotels.

This is the second time this year that Manoir Hovey, a member of Relais & Chateaux, has earned

 the top spot in prestigious annual travel awards. It also was voted the #1 Resort in Canada in the

 Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards 2016.

VIDEO: http://bit.ly/2dp3eLj

"We are absolutely thrilled with this news," said Jason Stafford, managing director of Manoir Hovey.

 "It has been a banner year for us, and this latest recognition by the sophisticated readers of Condé 

Nast Traveler tells us that travelers continue to seek out charming, authentic and unique experiences

 that convey a sense of place – something we strive to provide our guests every day."

Built in 1900 and modeled after George Washington's Mount Vernon home, Manoir Hovey is an

 enchanting and romantic year-round destination with impeccable service and cuisine. Guests can 

look forward to a variety of seasonal events, activities and experiences, including:

A Culinary Symphony – On October 28^th, the second in a dinner series at Le Hatley Restaurant

 explores the relationship between food and music with a five-course menu designed to correspond

 to classical compositions performed by musicians from the Montreal Symphony Orchestra.

Winter Ice Fishing - A complimentary introduction to the sport with a local guide on frozen Lake 

Massawippi, where guests enjoy artisanal pizza, cooked on a wood stove on skis, and hot beverages. 

Cross country skiing, snow shoeing, ice skating, and a teepee are also available on the property.

Chants Cheeses & Wine - A travel offer that celebrates Manoir Hovey's chapter in the new book,

 "The Art of Entertaining Relais & Chateaux." The package includes accommodations, dinner, breakfast,

 a tour of the Abbey St. Benoit-du-Lac with gourmet picnic, a tasting at a local winery, a tour and tasting

 at a local cheese producer, and a signed copy of the book.

The Readers' Choice Awards are announced in the November issue of Condé Nast Traveler. The full

 list is published exclusively online, atwww.CNTraveler.com/rca.

About Manoir HoveyLocated just 90 minutes from Montreal, Manoir Hovey is a five-star Relais & Châteaux property on

 the shores of Lake Massawippi. One of Canada's most charming and romantic inns, Manoir Hovey

 was named the #1 Resort Hotel in Canada and #19 on "The 100 Best Hotels in the World" list in Travel

 & Leisure's World's Best Awards 2016. It has 37 beautifully appointed rooms and suites, year-round

 activities, and hosts weddings, conferences and special events. Its award winning restaurant, Le Hatley, 

showcases ambitious terroir driven Quebec cuisine and an extensive wine list. Overlooking the lake and 

surrounded by English gardens, the dining room has a tranquil setting with breathtaking views.

About Condé Nast TravelerAs the most discerning, up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel, Condé Nast Traveler is the global 

citizen's bible and muse, offering both inspiration and vital intel. Condé Nast Traveler is the most

 trusted and celebrated name in travel with 6 National Magazine Award wins and 26 nominations

 in its 28-year history. Advertising Age named Pilar Guzmán Editor of the Year in 2014 and

 CNTraveler.com attained 4 Webby Awards since 2015.  www.cntraveler.com

Montréal’s Summer 2016 Festivals And Sweet Deal Packages

Experience this summer Montréal’s unique festive vibe with dynamic events, and parties happening at every corner of the city. The free-spirited urban getaway offers a variety of cultural events throughout the summer:

• Les FrancoFolies de Montréal- June 9-18: Since 1988, Les FrancoFolies features French-language pop, rock, hip-hop, electronic, world beat, and chanson, offering 70 indoor shows and numerous outdoors events free of charge;

• Montréal International Jazz Festival – June 29-July 9: An annual festival that for over 35 years has transformed the city into a gathering place for lovers of jazz with over 1000 concerts;

• Montréal Completement Cirque- July 7-17: The 11-day indoor/outdoor multidisciplinary circus arts festival unites Montréal’s key circus companies as they highlight local talent alongside renowned international guests;

• Just for Laughs Comedy Festival- July 13-August 1: Founded in 1983, Just for Laughs Montréal is the largest international comedy festival in the world;

• Osheaga, Music and Arts Festival- July 29-31: A very popular festival dedicated to music and the visual arts. This year repertoire includes Lana Del Ray, Radiohead and Red Hot Chili Peppers.  

Several popular Montréal 4-star hotels conveniently located in close proximity to the festivals are offering special Sweet Deal packages with 50% off the third night, available from May 15-October 15. Visitors that book these packages will receive an exclusive booklet filled with discount coupons of a value up to $390 for activities and attractions.

Highlights include:

• Chateau Versailles- The 4-star historic hotel with cozy atmosphere, and artful surroundings is located in downtown Montréal, and offers accommodation starting at $155 per night available from May 15- October 15;

• Hotel St.Paul- Located in the heart of Old Montreal, the 4-star member of Design hotels is within walking distance of Downtown Montreal, as well as all of the most popular attractions. The hotel offers accommodation starting at $199 per night available from May 15- October 15;

• Hotel Chez Swann- The 4-star hotel is located in the epicenter of Montreal’s vibrant downtown scene, and is just a walking distance to all major events and festivals. The hotel offers accommodation starting at $170 per night available from May 15- October 15. 

Spice Up Spring With Montréal’s Gourmet Scene

SPICE UP SPRING WITH MONTRÉAL'S GOURMET SCENE This spring, you can count on Montréal’s culinary scene for more mouth-watering surprises. Whether you’re roving colourful public markets, getting fresh with vegetarian poutine, checking out designer eateries, trying the scrumptious fun of food trucks or discovering new restaurants, it’s foodie fun city-wide. A ROUNDUP OF MONTRÉAL'S PUBLIC MARKETS If you travel for food, then you probably like to visit local markets. They’re the most direct, delectable and colourful way of getting to the heart of local culinary culture. Discover seasonal ingredients, unique local specialties and colourful characters at our favourite Montréal public markets. VEGETARIAN POUTINES TO TRY IN MONTRÉAL Québec’s iconic dish has come a long way from its meat-based lineage, with plenty of options for plant lovers these days. With toppings that range from sautéed peppers to olives and onions and mushrooms piled high on fries and drizzled with meat-free gravies, here’s a round-up of poutines will knock the socks off of vegetarians. EAT IN STYLE IN MONTRÉAL Our eyes are a big part of the eating experience, something clearly understood by these award-winning Montréal eateries. From white-popping playful to retro whimsical to speakeasy cool, see how they are wowing with what’s on the plate as well as the surroundings. GRAB A BITE FROM FOOD TRUCKS Montréal’s food truck scene is picking up speed, with six new trucks joining our mouthwatering culinary fleet: Mi Corazòn, BURGER Truck, Pinokio, Europea Mobile (from star chef Jérôme Ferrer), King Bao and Winneburger. Don’t forget they park it at Olympic Park (Esplanade Financière Sun Life) for First Fridays (May to October), a palate-popping powwow that also features drinks, dancing and DJs. NEW RESTAURANT OPENINGS Spring is all about freshening up, and that includes Montréal’s restaurant scene. Find out what happens when a French brasserie and North American diner have children at Saint-Henri’s Foiegwa. Chic eatery Xavier Artisan gets a facelift and new digs at Place d’Armes in Old Montréal, while Griffintown’s Hvor gets lush with a terrace/vegetable garden (900 sq. ft, 2000 plants) driving its luscious local urban menu. Also in the hood, La Bête à pain (the “Bread Beast”), a new organic bread-café-caterer that treats to an array of sweet and savoury decadence.   Gourmet institutions: 10 of Montréal's oldest restaurants   @Montreal Some late-night dining options for making the most of a beautiful day in #Montréal bit.ly/1qZlez1   April 29 to May 8, 2016 Grilled Cheese Festival Chow down as Montréal eateries grill up melt-in-your mouth cheese sandwiches. May through September Food trucks - First Fridays  Enjoy street food, dancing and DJs every Friday of the month when the food trucks meet at Montréal’s Olympic Park. June 8 to 12, 2016 Mondial de la bière (Montréal Beer Fest)Fine beer and food pairings, the chance to meet brewers, guided tours and countless opportunities to discover excellent ales at this major North American beer festival. June 16 to 19, 2016 Taste of the Caribbean Celebrate the mouthwatering foods of the sun-kissed islands.   © Tourisme Montréal 2016. All rights reserved. 800 René-Lévesque Boulevard West, suite 2450, Montréal (Québec) H3B 1X9