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Cool winter
courses From seasonal delights to learning for the long haul, a cornucopia of classes to enjoy >>
by RALUCA
STATE
What does another New Year really mean? Time for that unavoidable resolution ritual again. Although the majority of people make the body their new top priority every January, this time around we recommend you give your mind and spirit a chance to bulk up. Whether you’re looking for a new hobby to help pass the time or trying to get that career into high gear, there are lots of ways to put your brain and money to good use. Fun-filled recreational courses such as knitting and tap dancing can make the cold winter months fly by a little quicker. Career-driven, educational classes in some surprisingly exciting fields will help those of you in for the long haul get a better jump-start on that future. Whether you’re looking for a hobby or a profession, here are some educational alternatives to consider this year.
Learn a new skill and save some money at the pharmacy by making your own soap. Bella Pella, the adorable soap emporium on St-Denis, offers weekly classes that teach even the most finicky bathers how to lather up their own products. Learn how to make regular bars of soap in “Soap 101,” make all-natural bubble baths, shower gels and shampoos in “Liquid Soap 101” and pamper your entire body with the recipes in “Body Care 101,” which includes lotions, creams, toothpaste and lip balms. Each course is three hours long, costs $45 and includes all materials, plus a starter’s kit you get to bring home. “Soap 101” is on Tuesday evenings, “Liquid Soap 101” and “Body Care 101” are on Wednesdays. Contact Bella Pella (3933 St-Denis) at 845-7328 for January starting dates.
Rock me, Amadeus Here’s a class for all you hardcore musicians who giggle at the word “pianist.” Jean Genest has taken the normally uptight, classical world of piano lessons and given it a new spin. Through inspiration from his written work Les 12 jeux d’improvisation, Genest has found a new way of making creative games give birth to musical genius. Based on improvisation, this method of tickling the ivories will transform everyone from the novice piano player to Amadeus himself. Explore the miracle of creativity through Genest’s games and come out rocking the piano like you never thought you could. A regular session of 16 one-hour courses is $480 and à la carte courses are $50 each. Contact Jean B. Genest at 270-8729 for more information.
If your plans for the next three months have already been pre-determined by the arrival of a new addition, “Mom and baby yoga” will help you beat the winter blues and a little post-partum moodiness. The class is aimed at new mothers who are looking to get back into shape after giving birth. Special attention is given to developing correct posture to ease the back pain that comes with feeding, lifting and carrying your new bundle of joy. Enjoy some relaxation with your baby and meet other mommies in training. It’s recommended that you wait four to six weeks after delivery to start the classes and keep on going until your baby is old enough to crawl around and wreak havoc on the other Zen mothers. “Mom and baby yoga” is offered at L’Esprit Yoga (5252 de Maisonneuve W.) and costs $78 for a six-class session, $117 for a nine-class session. Call 483-1213 for Jan. starting dates.
Ink tank Western calligraphy is mainly comprised of 26 characters, but Japanese calligraphy uses roughly 48,000 more to keep that ink flowing (though it may take a while to get to that level). If your hands are itching to try something new this winter, why not take a turn at this ancient art form that has transformed a brush and black ink into a worldwide specialization? Although similar to Western calligraphy, the Asian model is more intricate because each individual character has a special meaning. To learn more about it, phone the Japanese Calligraphy School (4020 Kensington) at 488-7956 for one-on-one classes, available individually or in a series of 10.
Spinning yarns What are happening Plateau dwellers rushing home to on these cold winter nights? How about some warm, fuzzy yarn? Yes, that’s right, knitting has become all the rage in Montreal homes and as winter continues to roar outside our windows, there is no better time to take up this hobby. À la Tricoteuse, the knitting haven, offers small, intimate classes for everyone from beginner to pro-stitcher. You simply sign up, let them know what you want to learn, be it basic or complicated, and watch the woolly wonders unravel before your eyes. Classes are twice per week for six weeks and cost $85, plus the cost of materials. Phone À la Tricoteuse (779 Rachel E.) at 527-2451 to sign up and make some room in your closet for all your results.
Parlez-vous? Nothing is more valuable in Montreal than a good, intensive French class and the people at Point 3 are here to make your English tongue bilingual in no time. The program at the Point 3 Language Centre focuses primarily on conversation but also covers reading, writing, speaking and listening to make sure you are ordering your own café au laits, aussitôt que possible. In addition to theory courses, students join a weekly practical language outing which lets you try out your new skills in the big bad world of French Montreal. Classes start every two weeks at Point 3 (404 St-Pierre) and cost $396 for 44 hours, Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m–2 p.m. Call 840-7228 or visit www.point-3.com.
Looking for a new way to relax your body and mind this winter? Your local YMCA is offering a yoga-alternative that has millions of people all over the world slowing down their fitness routines. Tai Chi is an ancient form of meditative exercise that originated in China and is used not only as a means of self-defence, but also as a way to improve and maintain good health and increase longevity. The slow, fluid movements help tense, stressed people relax and strengthen their bodies without worrying about over-exertion or strain. Tai Chi is available at YMCA du Parc (5550 du Parc) and registration is ongoing. If you’re already a lucky member, the classes are included in your monthly fee ($11.50 per class for non-members). Info: 271-3437.
All that glitters Although it might be nice to be able to afford some of the precious jewels at Birk’s and Tiffany’s, it’s easier (and cheaper) to make your own. The École de joaillerie de Montréal offers a wide variety of jewellery-making classes for even the most basic gold-digger. Learn to make all types of jewellery—bracelets, pendants, brooches and rings, easily and affordably. Classes are five hours per week for 12 weeks and cost $525 plus a $25 registration fee, which includes tools and 84 hours of free studio time. Next session starts Jan. 15 at the École de joaillerie de Montréal (416 de Maisonneuve W.), 281-9922.
DJs all over the world make clubs hop, booties boogie and hearts swoon and now you too can get in on the act, with some help from the crew at DNA. The little record shop off the beaten path of St-Laurent is offering DJing classes with some of Montreal’s most infamous musicians such as A-Trak and DJ Blast—at a record price. Learn everything from basic mixing and scratching to juggling (playing around with two records simultaneously) and get yourself ready for Friday night fame. A 15-hour course costs roughly $450. Classes are held upstairs at DNA/Moog Audio (28 des Pins E.), phone Sebastian at 582-9696 to get started.
Take a spin If you really want to get your hands dirty this winter, why not take a spin at the Visual Arts Centre’s assortment of pottery classes? The Potters’ Club, which started over 50 years ago, is a great way for beginners and experts to indulge in their favourite hobby and learn some new techniques. “Pottery and the Wheel” teaches the basics of wheel throwing and includes theory, demonstrations and individual critiques. “Thrown Forms and Advanced Glazing” lets more advanced students practice intricate detailing and decoration techniques and “Wheel Throwing and Decoration” focuses on, you guessed it, wheel throwing. All courses cost $240 plus $60 for materials and last 12 weeks. Classes start the week of Jan. 20, at the Visual Arts Centre (350 Victoria), 488-9558.
If you’re sick of all this break-dancing nonsense and are looking for a more traditional way to cut a rug, tap dancing with Pierre is what you need. This Montreal tap aficionado teaches “hoofing,” the New York tap style à la Gregory Hines, which is considered the most challenging because you not only dance, but make music with your feet at the same time. Pierre uses all types of music from classical to heavy metal and works with small groups of 10-15 to ensure a productive, enjoyable learning environment. Classes last two hours and include one hour of technique and one hour of choreography. Get your feet moving all winter long for $12 per class for the whole session or $15 for one class. Private lessons are also available for you bashful dancers at $30 per class. Call Pierre at 817-3877 for more information.
Missed your chance to get naked for photographer Spencer Tunick back in May? Well here’s your chance to get on the other side of the lens and have some real fun. The ever-evolving Saidye Bronfman Centre has brought nudity into their realm of photography courses and all Montrealers, camera-shy or not, are encouraged to join in. Students will learn how to light the nude figure, discuss various social issues attached to the art form and study works from several prominent photographers. A nude model will be present for two class studio shoots to get you focused. “Photographing the Nude” starts January 27 at the Saidye Bronfman Centre for the Arts (5170 Côte-Ste-Catherine) and costs $219 for eight three-hour sessions. Phone the Saidye at 739-2301 to register.
Lean and mean Forget running and sweating to get rid of that Christmas bulge, instead use strength and flexibility to stretch yourself into a lean, mean Pilates pro. The movements are actually like a mix of yoga and gymnastics and although its main benefits are increased flexibility and muscle strength, Pilates pioneers also claim you will increase your metabolism (which helps in shedding the pounds), improve your circulation and sleep better. To get started on the Pilates kick, head over to L’Esprit (5252 de Maisonneuve W.) and sign up with Thérèse Desrosiers, a certified Pilates teacher who will have you bending backwards in no time. Prices vary depending on how big the class is, and individual sessions are $45. Call Thérese at 844-1648 for more info.
A shine to design
Do your friends always compliment what you’re wearing? Is your stack of Vogues piling up a little too high for your roommate’s taste? Why not put all that style know-how to good use with a career as a fashion stylist? LaSalle College, one of Canada’s largest fashion teaching institutes, offers an intensive Continuing Education program in fashion styling that could lead to a career as a costume maker, fashion coordinator or stylist to the stars. If you’re seriously committed to your style-factor, visit LaSalle’s open house on Feb. 16 and 19 (2000 Ste-Catherine W.) or phone 939-2006.
A way with words If you’ve already mastered the bilingual thing and want to make a future out of your linguistic abilities, then a career in translation might be the perfect choice for you. McGill’s Continuing Education department offers a nice, concise Certificate in Translation that is designed to help you use your skills for more than just impressing out-of-towners. The 30-credit program begins with equal time devoted to both languages and then you can pick which language you would like to specialize in: English to French or French to English (both are useful in Quebec). Deadline for spring applications is Feb. 1. Phone McGill’s Cont. Ed department at 398-6200.
Let’s say you already know what you want to do with your future, but you don’t know how to get it started. Well, there’s a program out there for you too. The “Starting a Business” program at Rosemount Technology College is a 22-credit program which teaches you everything from A-Z about starting your own business and making those pipe dreams a reality. The 11-week course will have you opening your own shop, building your own materials or running your own office in no time—and since tuition is free, you’ll have some money left over to get cracking. You only pay $50 per semester for service fees and the cost of materials. Call Rosemount Technology College (3737 Beaubien E.) for more information at 376-4725.
Act up So you wanna be in pictures? Before you can get that pretty face of yours up on the big screen, you might want to learn some basics. Jacqueline McClintock, one of Toronto’s most esteemed acting coaches, occasionally brings her teaching talents to Montreal and now’s your chance to get in on the act. The five-week course focuses on the Meisner Technique, a form of method acting practiced on theatre stages around the world. For you beginner thespians, classes are Saturdays and Sundays from 2:30-6 p.m., and the advanced kids take a bow on Mondays and Thursdays from 7-10:30 p.m. The price is $350, but money won’t guarantee you a spot, acceptance into the class is by interview or referral only. Phone Jacqueline at 593-0242 for details.
Make Valentine’s Day a little more special this year… with your own personalized bouquet of flowers! Learn everything about a successful career in floral design at the International Florist Academy and School. The professional courses cover everything from basic floral arrangements and dried flower decoration to the art of making leis and gift baskets. You will even learn how to serve customers, set up your own boutique and create enticing window dressings that will welcome any shopper. Get rid of the thorns in your career path for only $595 plus tax. Next session starts Jan. 14, phone the International Florist Academy and School (5475 Victoria Ave.) at 739-7152 for more info.
If your favourite part of the nine-to-five routine is lunchtime, maybe it’s time to give your tired, typing hands something tasty to cook up. The English Montreal School Board offers culinary courses that will keep your mind and stomach satisfied. “Professional Cooking” is a 90-credit course designed for students with no prior experience and covers everything from hygiene and menu planning to poultry, soups and pastries. “Contemporary Cooking” heats up new trends in haute cuisine and highlights plate presentation, menu writing and preparation and service, among other things. All courses are held at the Saint Pius X Professional Institute (9955 Papineau) and financial aid is available through the Ministry of Education. Call 381-1022 for all the details.
Circus acts Want to run away and join the circus—literally? Here’s your chance. The only school of its kind in North America, the École nationale de cirque, happens to be located right in our little city, ready to get you tumbling your way to an exciting, unique career in circus arts. The three-year Collegial Studies program guides aspiring circus folk by mixing general education with circus-specific training and is designed to prepare students for more advanced studies in a specific discipline (i.e. acrobatics). To make your wildest career dreams come true you need to act fast: deadline for applications is Jan. 15. Contact the École nationale de cirque (417 Berri) at 982-0859 or visit their Web site at www.enc.qc.ca.
One of the more interesting jobs in the film industry today is nowhere near the camera, but still in the middle of all the action. Make-up artists transform everyday actors into fantastical creatures and bring a special glow to the faces that light up the movies. If your interest in make-up runs past a little Friday night mascara, stop by Flamme, the new make-up mecca on St-Laurent. The cozy little boutique offers some serious classes in make-up, including “Intro to Make-up and Skincare,” “Make-up for Photo, Film and Television” and “Fantasy and Special Effects Make-up.” Classes are four hours long for several weeks and a small, intimate atmosphere is guaranteed. Prices vary from $975–1,500, depending on the level you want to obtain and all courses are held at Flamme (4072 St-Laurent). Info: 843-0567.
Forget Feng Shui, the best way to bring a good vibe into your home is to get rid of all the minimal, Swedish furniture and create your own unique pieces that will last a lifetime. The Rosemount Technology Centre offers “Cabinetmaking,” a year-long intensive program that teaches all the aspects of furniture design: reading plans and sketches, preparing and machining wood, assembling and finishing furniture, installing items, restoring furniture and managing a small, independent business. “Cabinetmaking” is also an economical career choice—tuition is subsidized by the Ministry of Education and students are only responsible for a $50 service fee per semester and the cost of materials. All courses are held at the Rosemount Technology Centre (3737 Beaubien E.). Phone 376-4725 for additional info and reserve those trips to Ikea for the real attraction—the meatballs!
So the whole journalism thing appeals to you, but you want more than a crummy byline to boost your little ego? Why not give broadcast journalism a whirl and have your voice perk up ears all over the city? The Montreal Radio and Television School offers six-month courses in radio and television broadcasting with emphasis on writing and producing news reports, talk shows and sportscasts. Among other perks, radio students train on fully digital radio broadcast systems and TV scholars learn how to operate professional cameras and practice framing, lighting and editing for television. Tuition for the radio program is $3,990 plus tax and the TV program is $5,490 plus tax, and both include additional studio time and demo tapes to get you on the airwaves. Phone the Montreal Radio and Television School (1396 Ste-Catherine W.) at 875-RADIO or visit their Web site www.montrealradiotvschool.com.
Here’s a career alternative that not only offers satisfaction and a good salary, but free vacations as well! Travel sales is a one-year specialized program that prepares you for a future as a travel agent, reservations agent, airport passenger agent or hotel agent—and all these people travel for nothing. This intensive course is 30 hours per week at the John F. Kennedy Business Centre (3030 Villeray) and the best part is, tuition is free and you only pay $70 per semester in service fees. To book your reservation, phone the JFK Business Centre at 374-2888.
Touchy, touchy! Be the envy of
all your dot-com buddies with your new career in massage therapy. Not
just for hippies anymore, massage therapists have become specialized
stress-busters who are always in demand. The École d’esthétique
Édith Serei offers a “Massage Therapy” program that
allows students to specialize in Swedish massage, Shiatsu or Polarity.
Work out those career kinks in as little as six months to one year.
Programs range from $1,350–1,450 depending on your specialization
and classes start every Jan. and Sept. Phone the École d’esthétique
Édith Serei (2015 Drummond) at 849-3035. :
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Skin
pick
Yoga
for m0mmies
Let
it flow
Try
turntablism
Be
a tap dog
Snap
a nude
Who
doesn’t want to be a designer these days? If your vision of the
future is made up of slick graphics, distorted photos and Mac monitors,
Dawson’s Centre for Imaging Arts and Information Technologies (CIAIT)
has a variety of programs for you. Learn all you need to know about
troubleshooting your Mac in the “Computer Basics” program,
become a design whiz with Photoshop and Illustrator courses in the “Digital
Imaging” program and learn to edit your own videos in the “Multimedia”
program. CIAIT has a computer curriculum for any type of geek, all starting
in Jan. Tuition varies from $90–675 per class. Phone Dawson (4001
de Maisonneuve W.) at 933-0047 for more details. 
Passion
for fashion
Back
to business
Flower
power
Never
too many cooks
Masters
in illusion
Knock
on wood
On-air
action
Take
class, will travel