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- 🍦🏝️🍲 STM Strikes, $3.5M Mental Health Boost, and Must-Try Haitian & Jamaican Eats
🍦🏝️🍲 STM Strikes, $3.5M Mental Health Boost, and Must-Try Haitian & Jamaican Eats
PlayMTL - Your Montreal Cheatsheet
Bonjour-hi to you today mon ami / amie,
Summer is underway, though wildfire smoke has turned the city into a hazy snow globe no one asked for. The air tastes like campfire, minus the s’mores.
In other more exciting news, we're seeking new sponsors for the summer season—if you'd like to advertise, or know a local business who might, just reply to this email or email us at [email protected].
In this week’s issue…
City News: STM strike slows commutes while Montreal spends $3.5M on downtown safety teams.
Feel-Good: Kids raise $300K for the children’s hospital and cars are banned on summer streets.
Non-Profit: Tatiana from Nomad faces stage 4 cancer—here’s how to help.
Food: Essence 1804, Piklìz, and Mr. Patty, plus drinks at Club Pelicano.
People of MTL: Etienne Caron went from Bixi to Android to building a zero-waste logistics system.
Pets: Adopt a radish-loving bunny, or a wise old softie.
Events: Grand Prix parties, canal concerts, and Sunday morning meditation.
Live Music: Francos, Fredz, GIMS, Piknic, and rooftops packed with sound.
Edited by Eleanor R.
CITY NEWS
🏙️ What's Happening Around Town
STM Strike: Your Commute Just Got Complicated
Montreal's STM maintenance workers are on strike through June 17, leaving 2,400 employees fighting for better conditions while commuters fight for seat space. Service runs at 50% capacity June 12 and 16-17, but miraculously returns to full service for Grand Prix weekend (because priorities, right?). Pack your patience, comfortable shoes, and maybe download that meditation app you've been ignoring.
$3.5M for Downtown Peace of Mind
Montreal and Quebec are investing $3.5 million in Quartier des Spectacles safety, deploying four brigades of psychosocial counsellors to patrol 24/7. Because apparently what downtown needed wasn't more police, but more therapy sessions on street corners. The initiative supports cohabitation between tourists, workers, and unhoused residents during peak summer season—creating a safer, more inclusive environment for everyone navigating the urban jungle.
FEEL GOOD
💗 Stories That Make Me Fall In Like With This City
Kids Who Actually Change the World
Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation celebrates Young Ambassadors Thursday, June 12, 5-7 PM at P.K. Subban Atrium. These remarkable kids raise $300,000+ annually through lemonade stands and birthday fundraisers, proving adults could learn a thing or two about generosity.
Cars Out, Fun In: Montreal's Summer Streets
Montreal's expanding pedestrian-only streets to eight major arteries, benefiting 1,300+ businesses. Mont-Royal, Wellington (world's "coolest" street), and Duluth go car-free through September. Because sometimes the best traffic solution is simply banning traffic altogether.
NON-PROFIT
🤲 A Cause Just Cause
Community Friend Faces Devastating Health Crisis
Nomad Coliving, friend to PlayMTL, has one of the most dynamic communities in Montreal and one of their members is facing an unimaginable challenge. Tatiana, who has been part of their co-living community since 2022, recently received a stage 4 cancer diagnosis that has shaken everyone.
Tatiana embodies the spirit of their community—she's vibrant, resilient, and known for her championship skills in Mafia game nights that brought laughter to their shared spaces. She has been a constant source of joy, celebrating birthdays, career milestones, and spontaneous kitchen dance parties.
Now, as she faces this devastating battle, our communities stand united in support. Thankfully, the Nomad Coliving community has raised funds to help support Tatiana financially during this difficult time.
Now is as good a time as any to raise awareness about clinical trials. In another life, your publisher works in health research, and Catalis Quebec is a government initiative launched to help people like Tatiana find clinical trials in their most desperate hour. This includes a directory and search engine for all available trials in Quebec.
FOOD
🍽️ Food & Drink Buzz
Craving something spicy, vibrant, and irresistible? This week’s picks bring the heat with rich stews, crispy griot, and flavour-packed classics that feed more than just your hunger. Whether you're new to Caribbean cuisine or it's your go-to comfort, these spots are serving up some delicious bites.
When it’s time to cool off, head to Club Pelicano for a refreshing Peli-Colada or a Tiradito (one of their signature mocktails) and late-night DJ sets. 🍹🌊
Perfect for date nights and family dinners this cozy spot blends tradition with modern flair. With weekly chef specials, it celebrates Haiti’s soulful cuisine with love, creativity, and playful twists.
✨ Must-try: Griot rice plate, and Mac n’ cheese balls
🌶️Piklìz
Just steps from métro Place St-Henri, Piklìz invites you on a vibrant journey through Haitian cuisine. Rooted in tradition and elevated with care, every dish tells a story and is really delicious. One of my personal favourites!
✨ Must-try: Les Shwimps, Les Wangs Mango Piké, Kabrit, and Malta Ak lèt
Craving flaky pastry with savory fillings? Mr. Patty brings the spice with hand-folded Jamaican patties made fresh daily. Stock up for the week!
✨Must-try: Chicken and Beef patties, and homemade desserts
Got more? Reply to this email and tell us!
PEOPLE OF MONTREAL / GENS D’ICI
🧍Etienne Caron
“I’m not trying to be loud about it. I just want to build something useful—something that works, and lasts.”
Etienne Caron has quietly helped shape how we move through the world. He’s spent his life chasing the invisible threads between art, code, and community. He helped lay the foundational tech for Bixi, led mobile at Shopify—one of the world’s largest companies—and for over 15 years, has been an esteemed speaker and leader in the global Android ecosystem, working alongside Google to shape the future of mobile. But at heart, he’s still that wide-eyed kid: curious, humble, and obsessed with how things work.
That curiosity ignited early. In school, Etienne stumbled upon “bitart”; 8-bit animations shared on floppy disks, each signed by its creator. They were like underground demo tapes, digital signatures left behind for others to discover. “I was here,” they seemed to say. That blend of mystery and meaning sparked something deep in Etienne: a lifelong fascination with technology as a form of expression and legacy.
His path has taken some unexpected turns. Years ago, after a friend backed out of an investment, he stepped into a small moving company just to avoid losing money. Post-COVID, he found himself helping clear out empty office towers, sometimes eight floors at a time, filled with perfectly good furniture destined for landfill.
Now, Etienne is building again. This time, a computer vision system to track, tag, and inventory items before they move: creating the beginnings of a scalable, circular logistics platform. It's early days, but the vision is bold: turn waste into value, bring transparency to reuse, and make sustainability frictionless.
He also collects vinyl; drawn again to the overlooked, the tangible, the timeless. Bit by bit, Etienne is still leaving his mark. Just like those artists did on those floppies, decades ago.
PETS
🐍🦔 Pets of the Week 🐾🦜
Rocky’s your dreamboat with boundaries. He’s not here for chaos (or surprise cuddles), but give him space, patience, and a chill home, and you’ll unlock a loyal, low-key legend. No kids, no stress. All he needs is you, some snacks, and a backyard where he can vibe like the king he is.
Part veggie connoisseur, part zoomie machine, Pinou is a bunny bursting with energy. He’s obsessed with radishes, beet leaves, and following you around like a fuzzy little shadow (especially if you’re holding celery). This dapper little bun is looking for his forever home.
Patate-Frite is looking for a calm home and a loving human to adore! He may have the face of a playful kitten, but don’t be fooled. He’s a wise, well-seasoned gentlemen. Not a fan of other cats, but when it comes to people, he’s all heart and ready to shower you with affection and charm.
Visit them all at the Montreal SPCA and see if they’re YOUR perfect match!
EVENTS
🎟️🎪 Weekend Plans That Don't Suck
FRIDAY (June 13)
🏁 Crescent Street Grand Prix Festival
Crescent Street, Downtown | June 12–15
Engines, DJs, and party fuel.
🎸 Festival sur le Canal
Lachine Canal, Southwest MTL | June 13–15
Tunes, trucks, and canal cool.
🌞 Salsa, Bachata & Crème Glacée
Promenade Wellington, Verdun | Fridays from June 13 to September 5, 6–10 PM
Free outdoor dance nights hosted by Crèmes Boboule—beginners get a free intro class at 6 PM, then DJs spin Salsa, Bachata & Kizomba.
🌿 Montreal Pop‑Up Plant Sale
Château St‑Ambroise – 4030 rue St‑Ambroise | June 13, 11 AM–7 PM & June 14, 11 AM–4 PM
A weekend of greenery: local plant vendors, pots, and gardening tips.\
🎶 L’Orchestre Chaabi de Montréal en spectacle
Jardins Gamelin | (Date not specified — free admission)
Chaabi music fills downtown for the 5th annual outdoor concert series.
🕺 Festive Evening at McCord Stewart
Downtown Museum Alley | June 14, 5–9 PM
DJs, dance battles, photo art, and cocktails.
🎤 Comedy Legends Stand-Up
Deli Planet, Central Station | June 14, 9 PM
Big laughs, surprise guests, intimate venue.
SATURDAY (June 14)
🏁 F1 Qualifying Day
Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve | June 14
Pole position battles, support races, and high-speed stakes.
🛡️ Knights Exhibition
Pointe-à-Callière Museum | June 14
Armor, swords, and medieval vibes in Old Montreal.
🎨 Marché Créatif Extérieur Verdun
Cour du 649 Rielle, Verdun
Retro‑spection boutique presents a festive outdoor creative market with artisan vendors.
🌱 Marché estival – Grand Potager
Explore a summer market featuring a variety of indoor and outdoor plants, perfect for green thumbs.
🍓 A Taste of Summer 2025
Pierrefonds-Roxboro | June 14, 10 AM–4 PM
Local vendors, giant games, and free family fun.
🎤 Comedy Sensations
Estrella Bar, St-Laurent | June 14, 8–9:30 PM
Top new comics, dinner service, and surprise acts.
🎪 Cirque du Soleil: LUZIA
Old Port Big Top | June 14
Dreamlike circus magic meets Mexico and rain.
🔬 Montreal Science Centre
Old Port | June 14, 10 AM–5 PM
Hands-on exhibits, T-Rex 3D, and science for all.
🌆 Rooftop Stand-Up Comedy
Downtown Rooftop | June 14, Evening
City views, cool breeze, and killer jokes.
SUNDAY (June 15)
🏎️ Formula 1 Grand Prix Race Day
Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve | June 15, 2–4 PM
The crown jewel of Montreal’s motorsport weekend.
📸 Global Photowalk Event – Montréal
Montréal downtown & beyond | May 25, 2–4:30 PM
Grab your camera and hit the streets! Meet fellow shutterbugs, explore iconic spots, and snap unforgettable urban moments. Free, beginner-friendly, and perfect for photo buffs of all levels.
🥁 3e anniversaire du Gong Show – Parc La Fontaine
Parc La Fontaine | May 24, 1–3 PM
It’s Gong-good vibes: Montreal’s favourite quirky talent show celebrates its 3rd birthday! Expect laughs, surprises, and community spirit in a sun-soaked park setting.
🎪 Atelier Découverte des Arts du Cirque
École de cirque de Verdun | Sunday (check event for time)
Try acrobatics, trapeze, juggling, trampoline & more—no experience needed. Family-friendly and open to all skill levels.
👟 Sportswear required | 👶 Kids 10–17 need signed parental consent if unaccompanied.
🧠 Mental Health Workshop
Douglas Institute | June 15, 2 PM
Community education and support for mental wellness.
LIVE MUSIC
🎶 Music & Nightlife
For those still possessing the energy for after-dark activities:
🎷 June 12 (Thursday)
Les Jeudis Jazz Jam X Terrasse
Le Balcon | 8:00 PM
Smooth tunes, rooftop views.
Red Leather
Bar Le Ritz PDB | 8:00 PM
Funky, loud, leather-clad fun.
🔥 June 13 (Friday)
🎤 Francos de Montréal
Quartier des Spectacles | June 13–21
French beats, big crowds, and lots of free outdoor shows!
GIMS
Bell Centre | 8PM
Global pop with local flair.
Bon Enfant + Comment Debord
MTELUS | 8PM
Double dose of Québ cool.
🔥 June 14 (Saturday)
💥 Fredz
MTELUS | 8PM
Fresh, fast, and full of feels.
Don Diablo w/ Surf Mesa & Stef Agostino
New City Gas | 10PM
EDM heat all night long.
🔥 June 15 (Sunday)
🎧 Piknic Électronik
Parc Jean-Drapeau | all day
🌞 Claptone w/ Walker & Royce & Paskal Daze
New City Gas | June 15
Masked beats and dancefloor heat.
OUTRO
If you found something useful, share it with someone you like. If not, share it with someone you can’t stand—maybe the meddling kids jumping in the elevator, or the person who knocked over all those pineapples with their backpack at the store.
Until next week,
If you have any suggestions on stories to cover, new restaurants or events then please reply directly to this email. We read every. single. email. 🥲
So uhh..
What did you think of this edition of PlayMTL? |