Look, listen, dance and play - but above all EXPERIENCE the Montréal
All-Nighter at Montréal's Nature Museums and the Olympic Park

MONTREAL , Feb. 2 /CNW Telbec/ - Montréal's Nature Museums, the Olympic Park and their many partners will be pooling their talents to give you a real eyeful on February 27 , during the Montréal All-Nighter, part of the MONTREAL HIGH LIGHTS Festival presented by Hydro-Québec. A host of "naturally" exciting activities await Montrealers. They can enjoy a Moonlit Evening along with nocturnal animals and fascinating characters at the Biodôme; delight in a magical night while immersed in the Butterflies Go Free experience at the Botanical Garden; find out Where is life on Mars hiding? at the Planetarium and take part in all kinds of fun at the Olympic Park until the wee hours.

"After last year's success, we are pleased to present another line-up designed for Montréal night owls. In fact, we're convinced that after just one year, our circuit will become a true tradition in east-end Montréal," says Charles-Mathieu Brunelle, Director of Montréal's Nature Museums.

    
    To the West - The Planetarium: a perennial All-Nighter favourite
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Where is life on Mars hiding?

Head to the Planetarium to find out. Staff at this famous museum will be taking advantage of the fact that the Red Planet is highly visible in the sky at this time of year to explore the most promising places for primitive forms of life on the surface of Mars. Don't expect any little green men, but you're sure to have lots of fun taking a close look at the planet's surface, exploring the winter sky and stargazing (and Mars-gazing) outdoors with amateur astronomers and their telescopes. The 20-minute show will be offered all night long, from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.

    
    To the East - An intriguing nighttime adventure
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The Garden at night, in the company of moths

Flashlights in hand, visitors will set off to explore the Butterflies Go Free exhibition in the Botanical Garden's Main Exhibition Greenhouse. As you move through the different greenhouses, you can admire the nocturnal natural beauties all around you. Continue your journey as far as the main complex, where you can pick up a few Latin dance steps and enjoy performances by the winners of the Do-Mi-Sol contest.

The Biodôme by moonlight

Your adventure starts in the Biodôme's ecosystems, under the light of the moon, with everything bathed in soft blue light. The animals have woken from their daytime slumber and are moving about furtively, alert to every rustle or crackle underfoot, all their senses heightened... You'll also meet some strange and delightful characters roaming the paths.

Lots happening at the Olympic Park

Throughout the evening and into the night, come enjoy the magical atmosphere at the Olympic Park, both inside and out. If you're ready to brave the cold, you can marvel at performances by birds of prey, listen to a choir, watch a fashion show and even see clips from Daniel Bertolino films projected on the Montréal Tower, turned into a giant screen for the occasion. Or head inside to warm up, and you're sure to enjoy the Les ViVaces theatrical troupe and a number of vocal ensembles. Three Bertolino documentaries will also be screened in the auditorium, followed by discussions. And if you're more the sporting type, you can take a dip in the swimming pools of Quebec's largest sports centre, admire AQUART, an underwater art exhibition, and try your hand at ultimate Frisbee. Whatever you do, you're sure to have a cool time!

For the complete Montréal All-Nighter program and the schedule of all the different activities, some of them free, see:

    
    www.museumsnature.ca
    www.parcolympique.ca
    www.montrealenlumiere.com/volets/nuit_blanche/en_bref_en.aspx
    

For further information: media: Nadine Fortin, Communications Co-ordinator for the Biodôme and Planetarium, [phone]; Karine Jalbert, Communications Co-ordinator for the Insectarium and Botanical Garden, [phone]; Sylvie Bastien, Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Olympic Park, [phone]