Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/280564
jam sessions that go until 4:00am. Another outstanding music festival in July is the Festival Internation Nuits d'Afrique, which is built on the top legends in music of African descent. From Mauritania to Sudan, from Morocco to Ghana and Cuba to Chad, the Nuits d'Afrique, is one of the largest events focusing on all musical styles from Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America. Coming from 30 coun- tries, 500 artists will perform 90 con- certs in the Festivals seven indoor venues and on free outdoor stages. Festivals in August include the World Film Festival, the Reggae Festival and Festiblues. Montreal's Black Film Festival in September ranks among the best anywhere, and the L'Off Jazz Festival in October features Montreal's local musicians and has become a main- stay on Montreal's cultural life for the past 14 years. And food lovers are rejoicing now that 'Happy November' has partnered with Taste MTL. November has now become one of the best times to visit Montreal. For the 2nd year Taste MTL takes cen- ter stage November 1-11, and is a great opportunity to indulge in a variety of gourmet activities. Over 125 restaurants participate in the Taste MTL extravaganza by offer- ing set 3-course menus for $19, $29, or $39 for dinner. This is great opportunity to go on a culinary dis- covery of Montreal's finest eating establishments at a reduced price. The new component this year, and a challenge to the participating chefs, was to integrate Quebec maple syrup into at least one of the dishes – excluding dessert. Some of the restaurants participating this year, that stood out from a truly out- standing crowd included Osco, Restaurant Europa, Chez Delmo and Kyo Bar Japonais. La Grande Degustation de Montreal is another November event that took place on November 8th and 9th last year and includes both wine and spirit tastings. Currently based at the Place Bonaventure, the event featured nearly 200 producers of wines and spirits from around the world and welcomed over 12,000 visitors. The star of this year's event was California and its many selections of wines, sparkling wines and fortified wines from Napa Valley and Sonoma. When combining Montreal's cosmopolitan style and decent exchange rate to its other great assets – and adding the close proximity and easy access from the U.S. – crossing the border to get a taste of the French connection for your meeting is as easy as saying "Bonjour Montreal, Au Revoir Ordinary." For information on how to have successful meetings in Montreal, contact Tourism Montreal at (514) 873-2015, or go to www.tourisme- montreal.org. Montreal – Palais des Congrès (convention center) Old Montreal District Photo Credit: Wikipedia Photo Credit: Popmedia Group B M & T ••• January/February 2014 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 19 •pg_12-21__BMT_pg3-58 2/27/14 4:37 PM Page 19