Entertainment Notebook: The Viennese Ball, MTLàTABLE, Mental Health Forum & Thigh

The timeless elegance of Vienna will once again grace Montreal as the Viennese Ball of Montreal returns on Sat. Nov. 15 (6:30 am to 3 am) at the Hôtel Montréal Marriott Château Champlain. This year’s edition promises a night of waltz, refinement, and celebration in honour of the 200th anniversary of Johann Strauss II, the legendary Waltz King. Organized by the Austrian Society of Montreal, the Ball remains one of the city’s most anticipated social events – blending old world charm with a touch of modern sophistication. Each year, the Ball gathers distinguished guests, music lovers, and young professionals for a celebration of culture, community and friendship.

The 2025 Viennese Ball will feature the formal presentation of the Debutantes and Cavaliers, a revered tradition symbolizing elegance, poise, and cultural heritage. Guests will also enjoy a special ballet performance, followed by an evening of dancing to the strains of Strauss and other timeless composers.

Adding a contemporary twist, the evening will include a charity casino and fundraising activities in support of youth welfare and protection initiatives, continuing the Ball’s legacy of giving back to the community. Emceed by Quebec media personality Simon du Rivage, the event will transport guests to the heart of Vienna – with an atmosphere of grandeur under the chandeliers of the nostalgic ballroom of the Hôtel Montréal Marriott Château Champlain, where the Ball has been held for more than a quarter of a century. Guests are invited to join in the waltz, enjoy the performances, and celebrate two hundred years of music, dance, and Viennese charm. Dance music will be provided by the well-known SophistOccasion Showband, performing timeless classics by Johann Strauss II and other celebrated Viennese composers. Following the formal program, guests will have the opportunity to dance the night away to a selection of both classical and modern pieces. The dress code is formal attire (Black Tie & Floor length Evening Gowns).

For over six decades, the Viennese Ball of Montreal has captivated attendees with its fusion of cultural tradition, elegance, and the spirit of giving.  

The Ball will take place under the patronage and in the presence of the Austrian Ambassador to Canada, Andreas Rendl. All proceeds go to deserving causes focused on helping children in need and other youth initiatives. The Viennese Ball of Montreal is one of 40 official Balls worldwide sponsored by the City of Vienna. Singers from Opera McGill will entertain guests with the national anthems and a memorable opera performance. There will be an enchanting ballet presentation choreographed by Sandra Castro-Muhlbauer, and performed by students of her dance schools Tutu Deluxe and the Mont Royal Ballet Academy. Exciting prizes can be won at a silent auction, open throughout the evening. Guests can also try their luck at the charity Casino. There will be a Viennese Heuriger wine garden, serving traditional Austrian fare as well as wine and featuring lively Viennese music and songs

Regular tickets are $400 per person; $200 for 35 and under For more information, log on to  austrianinmontreal.com.

MONTREAL A TABLE: Tourisme Montréal has hit a homerun once again with the 13th edition of MTLàTABLE, which continues until Nov. 16. This is indeed the city’s premier fall culinary event, now featuring a colourful and festive new visual identity and the introduction of Air Canada signature experiences, featuring exclusive tasting menus. More than 150 restaurants are offering fixed-price table d’hôte menus: dinner for $35, $50, $65 or $80. Some participating restaurants are also serving brunch for $25. You can go directly to mtlatable.org to make your booking.

“Each year, MTLàTABLE helps energize the local economy and shine a spotlight on the talent of our chefs,” says Yves Lalumière, President and CEO of Tourisme Montréal. “This 13th edition reflects, more than ever, the culinary creativity that defines Montréal and that resonates far beyond our borders. Make the most of these taste experiences.”

MTLàTABLE has unveiled a bold new visual identity inspired by the spirit of major Montréal events. Designed as a vibrant poster featuring the names of participating restaurants, this refreshed look captures the energy, warmth, and inclusive nature of the event, perfectly aligned with its new slogan: “A celebration of flavours.”

Exclusively available at restaurants shortlisted in Air Canada’s Best New Restaurants list, these one-of-a-kind experiences are offering food lovers unique tasting menus, served on select evenings only. “Cuisine is at the heart of every travel experience. That’s why we’re proud to celebrate the places that shape our culinary identity by inspiring people to discover new destinations through their gastronomy,” said Martine Boulerice, Director, Brand Marketing Québec – Air Canada. “MTLàTABLE is a cornerstone of Montréal’s food scene, and we’re thrilled to support the 2025 edition, which will feature Air Canada signature experiences for the very first time.”

“Amex® Canada is once again the presenting sponsor of MTLàTABLE. The full list of participating restaurants and their menus is now available at mtlatable.org. Get inspired, explore the menus and reserve today to enjoy a one-of-a-kind culinary experience in Montréal.

I have thus far experienced two restaurants.

The Vieux-Port Steakhouse  on St. Paul Street West in Old Montreal has been a year-round favorite of mine for many years. It has been in existence since 1983 and has the capacity to accommodate up to 1,000 diners at a time. Their MTLàTABLE offer is not to be believed; $50 per person that includes a beverage, a starter, a main course, a dessert and coffee or tea. After some wine and a soft drink, we moved on to the appetizers. The lobster bisque from the Gulf of St. Laurent was the choice for both of us. Next came the mains, a 10 ounce NY Striploin, with roasted garlic mashed potatoes and vegetables from my dining partner and the grilled salmon for me. When it came for dessert, we went for the decadent chocolate mousse hands down, concluding the evening with cups of tea and a decaf Americana.

Vieux Port Steakhouse is located at 39 St. Paul Street East  

Next it was on to Restaurant Sho-dan on Metcalfe downtown, which also has an incredible $50 per person selection. It was wonderful to see Chef Chinh Pham, better known simply as “Romeo.” Spread over two floors, with capacity for 180 to dine, Sho-dan was established in the summer of 1998, in the heart of Montreal’s financial district. The brainchild of Madonna Bailey, Romeo and their team, resulted in the restaurant’s unique blend of sushi. The new style cuisine gave rise to what has become Sho-dan’s renowned Japanese Concept. The plates are presented in the traditional Japanese style and reflect the artistic talent of the chefs. To distinguish itself from other sushi restaurants, Sho-dan accepts special orders. The chefs try to satisfy your every wish.

Romeo is an active owner. He seats diners, mingles with regulars and newcomers, communicates with the serving staff and chefs and makes return trips to the kitchen. And for first–timers he will make much appreciated suggestions in terms of ordering.

For MTLàTABLE, the first choices are one of seafood salad with smoked salmon from Quebec, Miso Soup (soya bean Japanese soup with seafood ) or Tofu Agedashi. We went for the soup.  Next is salmon tartare with Isabelle Huot’s Quebec four fruits & chia spread, shrimp and vegetable tempura or a Vegan Roll (sweet potato, courgette, mango, and rice rolled in a seaweed sheet). The tempura was great!

The main course gives you the options of the following: an assortment of sushi and maki, yellow tail tuna sushi (one piece), Besame Mucho roll (four pieces), Phoenix roll (four pieces) / Salmon sushi (one piece) or shrimp sushi (one piece) / tuna sushi (one piece); chicken teriyaki (served with seasonal vegetables and rice); Vegetarian Teriyaki with Quebec blueberry sauce (Tofu served with vegetables and rice); or an assortment of vegan sushi rolls (Avocado roll, three  pieces/ Cucumber roll, three pieces), Vegan roll wrapped in nori leaf (five pieces) and Fried tofu roll with mango wrapped in shiso leaf  (five pieces). So many great picks, but at Sho-dan I always go for the sushi and so did my friend!

For dessert there is a tiramisu cake, Coconut ice cream or fried banana served with Quebec maple syrup. I had the cake; my friend the ice cream.

Sho-dan is located at 2020 Metcalfe.   

ANNUAL MENTAL HEALTH FORUM: Sami Timimi, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, psychotherapist and author of the new book Searching for Normal: A New Approach to Understanding Mental Health, Distress, and Neurodiversity, will be the keynote speaker at AMI-Quebec’s Annual Mental Health Forum on Thurs. Nov. 13. (7 pm) at the Oscar Peterson Concert Hall (7141 Sherbrooke Street West). His topic: Is the current mental health ideology comprising the health of our younger generations?

Dr. Timimi has written 40 book chapters and six books on subjects related to critical psychiatry, childhood, psychotherapy, depression, behavioral problems and cross-cultural psychiatry. His prolific work includes criticism on the politics of mental health, the medicalization of people’s social and emotional competence, and the role of the mental health industry in creating damaging treatment traps.

Dr. Timimi observes that distress has been commodified over many decades by pharmaceutical companies, the media and the psychiatric establishment; more and more people are being diagnosed with ADHD and autism, and young people are being medicalized for behaviours that might be explained as entirely normal in other parts of the world. “It’s hard to be a ‘normal’ kid these days” says Dr. Timimi. “if you’re judged too lively, you are ‘hyperactive’; too quiet, you may be ‘depressed’; a bit shy, you’re probably ‘autistic’… in many Western societies, to be a kid these days is to be closely monitored and scrutinised for your level of performance. When things are judged ‘not right’ by someone, you can then be exposed to a variety of assessments and procedures to determine what’s wrong, broken and dysfunctional in you.”

Instead of the prevalent outlook of mental health, Dr. Timimi presents a deeply humane approach that looks at the person as a whole – their family context, their culture, their personal resilience – and advocates for a reframing of how we think about and treat distress. He is calling “for a radical shift, a revolution no less, in which there will be no more use of psychiatric diagnoses, a dramatic decrease in the use of psychiatric medication, and the promotion to the public of a narrative that will help to rehabilitate emotions back into the sphere of the ordinary and/or understandable”.

For the past 48 years, AMI-Québec has been committed to helping families manage the effects of mental illness through support, education, guidance and advocacy. By promoting understanding, they  work to dispel the stigma still surrounding mental illness, thereby helping to create communities that offer new hope for meaningful lives.

Info: amiquebec.org/forum

THIGH SOCIETY: Marnie Rabinovitch founded Thigh Society in 2009 to tackle a once-unspoken problem: thigh chafing. Tired of shapewear and messy creams, she created size-inclusive, sweat-wicking slip shorts that would go on to define a new category of underwear. Bootstrapped and direct-to-consumer, the brand has sold over 2.5 million pairs worldwide and been featured on The Today Show, Oprah Daily, NYT Wirecutter and more. Ranked the seventh fastest-growing women-led company in Canada by The Globe & Mail, Thigh Society is the pioneer of chafing, sweat, and modesty solutions. Having recently been named an EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2025 Award winner in Ontario, Marnie has also been profiled in Forbes, Nasdaq, and Business Insider for championing comfort, inclusivity, and destigmatizing sweat. Before becoming a full-time entrepreneur with Thigh Society, Marnie worked for organizations including Accenture, the Ontario Ministry of Government Services, and the Rotman School of Management in a variety of strategic talent management roles within consulting, recruiting, training, workforce planning and career coaching. She hails from Côte Saint-Luc and moved to Toronto in 2005.

Log on to www.thighsociety.ca

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