Montreal is celebrating the 60th anniversary of its Metro system..I know a lot of y’all take it for granted, but having spent decades on the NYC subways, y’all need to know that your youthful Metro is very wonderful. It’s cleaner than you realize, more reliable than you realize and definitely waaay less crowded. Don’t believe me? Go to NYC for 1 day.. nah actually 1 hour.. ride the subway anywhere, then come back and talk to me. Thx.

So celebrate the Metro by riding it to some of these events that aren’t necessarily in the spots some of y’all are used to. I’m looking at you, if you’ve never gotten off at Saint-Michel for any reason…

I also have to admit that I’m impressed that we’ve been getting an actual autumn. The weather has been lovely and the sunsets are sublime this time of year. In other words, get your ass outside before you’re complaining (like me!) that it’s too cold to go outside.

VERONICA'S TOP 3

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VERONICA'S TOP 3 💜

AFRO URBAIN FESTIVAL

WOOP WOOP!!! THE OFFICIAL PROGRAM IS FINALLY REVEALED!

The 8th Afro-Urbain Festival will take place under the theme "Art-Résonance"!

This year, they are honoring exceptional African diaspora artists who reinterpret their cultural heritage through visual arts, cinema, music, dance, and fashion.

And the legendary WESLI will close out the event with a show on Sunday night!!

WHAT: Afro Urbain Festival

WHERE: Maison d’Haïti, 3245 Av. Émile-Journault, Montréal

WHEN: 2-4 October 2026

METRO: Saint Michel (Blue)

TICKETS/DETAILS: Facebook

BLACK HEALTH AND WELLNESS FAIR

I’m so excited for this one!! The Black Health & Wellness Fair is back and it’s popping off on Saturday for a day of wellness, education, and fun focused on the health of our community.

This in-person event will feature:

Sleep Well, Live Well - resources to help you improve your sleep
Various health screenings
Workshops
Booths with resources for mental health, nutrition, fitness, financial, etc
Vaccinations
Blood drive with info on sickle cell disease
Black vendors
National webinar on Sleep and the Black community days before the fair

WHAT: 3rd Annual Black Health & Wellness Fair

WHERE: St. Raymond Community Center, 5600 Chem. Upper Lachine, Montreal

WHEN: 3 October 2026 @ 9-5PM

METRO: Vendome (Orange)

TICKETS/DETAILS: Facebook

SUNDAE SHORTIES R&B DAY PARTY

Dance is more than just performance..it’s connection, it’s community. DJs Fly Lady Di, Deeclectic and their team have been slowly building this party over the last couple years and I swear it has THEEE best vibe. No velvet robes or bottle popping. Just a bunch of cool peeps dancing and vibing to 90s & 2000s R&B and hip hop in the middle of the damn day.

WHAT: Sundae Shorties, R&B Day Party

WHERE: Bar Pamplemousse, 1579 St Laurent Blvd, Montreal QC, H2X 2S9

WHEN: 4 October 2026

METRO: St. Laurent (Green)

TICKETS/DETAILS: Eventbrite

Montreal's PARADISE

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Montreal's PARADISE ⭐

COMMUNITY CINEMA FESTIVAL KICKOFF

The Au Contraire Film Festival on Mental Health is dedicated to promoting a more enlightened perspective and showcasing films that explore the complexities and realities of living with mental health challenges. It is a philanthropic film festival that raises critical funds for UP House Montreal, an organization that works to eliminate social isolation and rebuild confidence for adults living with mental health challenges. They are kicking off a month-long digital experience designed to engage audiences, inspire conversation, and promote community education globally.

The kickoff program features two films that look with sensitivity at caregiving and mental health followed by a panel bringing together both filmmakers. You can also purchase access to and watch the festival films! Go to the ACFF Streaming Platform on Oct 1, to screen the films.

WHAT: Community Cinema Festival Kick off

WHERE: Ausgang Plaza, 6524 rue St-Hubert, Montréal, QC, Canada

WHEN: 1 October 2026 @ 6:30–9PM

METRO: Beaubien (Orange)

TICKETS/DETAILS: Le Pointe de Vente

SPOOKY CIDRE TASTING

The best thing about Fall is Halloweeeeeeen!! (you gotta spell it with extra e’s) So, to ring in the start of spooky season, (though honestly, every day is Halloween at this spot), the folks at Le Bierologue hath paired a selection of ciders with movie recommendations, so with each drink you'll get a suggestion for what to watch alongside it.

WHAT: Creepy Cider Tasting

WHERE: Le Bierologue, 4301 Ontario St E, Montreal, Quebec H1V 1K5

WHEN: 2 October 2026 @ 4-7PM

METRO: Pie-IX (Green)

TICKETS/DETAILS: Instagram

BRILLIANT TRACES - AN OFF BROADWAY PLAY (INDIE STAGING)

Ok, I lied... the best thing about Fall is theater season!! If you love indie theater (read: no big corporation financially backing it..tuh) go see Brilliant Traces by Cindy Lou Johnson. What’s it about? Two strangers, a blizzard, and a conversation that changes everything. Nuff said.

80 min, no intermission.
In English.

Starring Max Keyble & Kateryna Loreli.
Directed by Philippe Albert.

Content warnings: mature themes (grief, loss) and one scene with mild physical violence.

WHAT: Brilliant Traces - an Off-Broadway Play (Indie Montreal Staging)

WHERE: Salle Paul-Buissonneau, 3819 Av. Calixa-Lavallée, Montréal, QC H2L 0C7

WHEN: 2-4/9-11 October 2026

METRO: Sherbrooke / Mont-Royal (Orange)

TICKETS/DETAILS: The Point of Sale

AFTER SUNDOWN ALBUM RELEASE PARTY

Hip-hop artist DO, the Outcast (pronounced Deo) & producer/composer Lightitupav are releasing their sequel album "After Sundown" on October 2nd. To commemorate the release, they are hosting a listening party on October 3rd at Cafe Got Soul, which is one of my FAY-VOR-IT spots.. There will be a live interview, games and merchandise available for all.

WHAT: After Sundown Album Release Party

WHERE: Cafe Gotsoul, 1970 R. Notre Dame O, Montréal, QC H3J 1M8

WHEN: 3 October 2026 @ 6-10PM

METRO: Lionel Groulx (Orange/Green)

TICKETS/DETAILS: FREE

Montreal’s Paradise (30 September 2026)