Your guide to a fun spring break in the city
With March break school holidays at our doorstep, many local kids are looking forward to some well-deserved time off and fun activities. While March break often brings thoughts of time off in the sun, there is much fun to be had in your neighbourhood.
The borough recently published a guide for residents on what is happening during spring break, which starts this Friday, Feb. 25. They include outdoor winter activities, cultural events and exhibits, and day camps for kids.
March break comes amid a continuing relaxation of health measures across the province, including the reopening of performance spaces, the resumption of sporting competitions and tournaments and the reopening of bars.
“From February 26 to March 6, young people and families will have lots to choose from to have fun, with sports, leisure and cultural activities on the program in the Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension borough,”
Winter activities
For those ready to brave the elements, the borough will offer several outdoor winter activities and free workshops for residents to participate.
“From February 26 to March 6, young people and families will have lots to choose from to have fun, with sports, leisure and cultural activities on the program in the Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension borough,” wrote the borough in its latest newsletter.
The borough offers several outdoor sports infrastructures, such as outdoor skating rinks and sliding hills. You can lace up your skates in Park Ex and hit the ice at Howard Park or one of the three rinks in Jarry Park.
“The slides are always fun for young and old,” said the borough, encouraging residents to make use of the dedicated tobogganing hill close to the outdoor pool in Jarry Park.
Atelier Culture Vélo is also offering a free winter biking workshop in Jarry Park on Saturday, Mar. 5, where participants will learn about safer winter riding and even get to try a specially equipped winter bicycle.
Library events
With many health restrictions lifted, in-person activities are resuming at the Park Extension library, including seminars, lessons, kids’ games and workshops.
The library will host a participative African percussions workshop for children seven and up on Sun as part of Black History Month. Feb. 27 at 2 PM. The workshop will allow kids to discover several percussion instruments in a fun environment.
The library will also host a treasure hunt for kids eight and up on Tuesday, Mar. 1, at 2 PM. The activity will allow kids to solve riddles and look for clues to find a hidden treasure to take home. The activity will show kids their way around the library and help them better understand the layout of the collections.
Other activities include an indigenous stories workshop on Mar. 2 and various movie screenings. A complete list of activities on offer is available on the library’s website, where parents can sign their kids up through the online form.
Reopening of performance halls
With the provincial government giving the green light for the reopening of performance halls and theatres, it also means that the Salle de diffusion de Parc-Extension can return to its regular programming.
On Feb. 27, the childrens’ play Petite sorcière – solo – Projet Mû will be headlining at 11 AM.
“Petite Sorcière is a show that brings a twist to children’s tales to tell us, with a touch of humour and a few chills, a fantastic story of resilience and courage,” read the event description.
The following Friday, on Mar. 4, Joe de Paul and Tim Tyler will be taking to the stage with their comedy musical M. PP et Joe – Monsieur Joe. “Tim brings culture and sophistication to the show, reciting Shakespearean soliloquies and delving into long, graphic descriptions of works of art,” reads the playbill.
He is in stark opposition to his co-star, Joe. “Joe is more down-to-earth, but his imagination leads him to transform the contents of a trash can into musical instruments or a Hollywood movie set,” it continued. The show is irreverent and funny and aimed at an audience of “mature children or immature adults.”
Both productions are free of charge but require a reservation, and presentation of a valid vaccine passport is required at the door. Details on both shows are available on the boroughs’ website on their cultural events page.
