See Vlad Guerrero hit! See Michael Barrett squat! See Jim Thome up close and personal in tight pants! Sit inside Olympic Stadium before it collapses! (Helmets not provided.)

U.S. Memorial Day Weekend
Saturday, May 24th, 7:05 pm
Philadelphia Philles @ Montreal/San Juan Expos
Section – Right behind the Phils dugout
Tickets go on sale Monday, March 3, but good seats are available right up til game time
$36 Cdn/ticket (about $25 U.S.), and it's "Dollar Hotdog Night"

This is really just an excuse to get the Outsports gang together again, following the great success of the recent Convention where many fine friendships were formed. You'll be expected to reimburse me for the cost of your game ticket (hey, I'm not made of money, ya know!). You'll also be on your own for travel and accommodation, but I'll be happy to provide recommendations for decent lodgings in "Le village gai" area. I will also not fix you up with any hunky French Canadian men – you're on your own for that. wink

Also in Montreal that weekend is the latest Cirque du Soleil Show, "Dralion" at the Old Port. I can pick up a block of tickets for Friday night for those interested.

Please post your level of interest, questions and suggestions here, so that I can gauge your level of interest in this idea. La Ville de Montréal awaits! :cool:

Put me down for the ball game, I'll have to think about travel stuff and if I'd be there by Friday night. Will you also be giving a tour of the city (nothing formal, just a walk around)? Thanks for organizing this Seph!

I'd seriously consider going!

I am definitely in! At work I've requested days off for the Friday before Memorial Day and the Tuesday after--I may only get approved for Friday so I might have to leave by Monday, but that's a minor thing.

I've never seen a Cirque du Soleil show and an online friend of mine raves about them, so I wouldn't mind seeing this as well if others are interested.

This is exciting--I can't wait! Thanks, Seph! You da man!

Seph - Can you recommend a particular hotel that we should stay at? Hopefully, all the out of towners can stay at the same place, makes socializing and travel to and from game easier. This might turn into Outsports Convention 1-a!

An Expos game with Outsports friends, a smoked meat sandwich and poutine... sounds great to me!

Will there be trivia games? Do I need to brush up on my knowledge of Canadian college mascots? Will that be CFL-rules flag football? Can Michael Barrett and Mike Lieberthal give us a private demonstration of their favorite catching positions? wink eek!

Thanks for getting this going Seph!

Eat a beavertail for me. Maple, please.

Great to see some interest here. Love to play tour guide!

For accommodations, I'd advise you to book as early as possible as rooms are filling up fast with U.S. long-weekenders (and Phillies fans, sans doute). You might also consider doubling-up with a friend to $ave.

Here's a list of some gay bed-and-breakfasts located in or near Le Village Gai. They usually have toll-free reservation numbers.

Here's a site of many Montreal hotels. Don't trust the on-line "Check Rates" feature, cause it doesn't seem to work properly; use the toll-free phones.

One place I can recommend is the Hôtel Gouverneur Place Dupuis, well situated at the western edge of Le Village. It's similar in style and cost to the Hyatt we stayed at during the convention. Get info at 1-888-910-1111.

Here's a good site with much info, including gay b&b's, a currency converter and a map of the metro lines. Le Village Gai is located mainly between Berri and Papineau, north to Sherbrooke, south to René-Lévesque.

Or you can just Google "gay +Montreal" and tons of info will pop up for you.

For those flying in, if you let me know your ETA I'll try to arrange to pick you up at the airport, thereby saving you the $25 cab fare into town.

CharlieIIT, I can honestly say that I've never eaten a beavertail. Way fattening! But I'll be happy to indulge those empty calories for you, while Canmark munches on his healthy poutine. wink

I might make it up there...it's a lot easier for me to get away for a weekend in the summer. I could probably combine it with a trip home (Kingston).

I just hope I'm not working the series which you party animals plan to attend. wink

Having everyone in the same hotel is a great idea. Right now I'm just not sure how long I'm staying, though--if I have the Tuesday after Memorial Day off I could wait until Tuesday to check out. I probably won't know that until the end of March, though; I'm not sure I should wait that long. I checked Expedia and Travelocity for Seph's suggestion, the Hôtel Gouverneur Place Dupuis, and neither site had any rooms available for the Friday-Saturday-Sunday night I requested. That doesn't mean, I suppose, that calling the hotel directly would be a waste of time.

But I really want that extra day. Any thoughts/suggestions would be appreciated.

scottie: If we (and anyone else from Phila., if any) can arrange to be on the same flight as well, either we can share a cab or make it easy on Seph if he can pick us up at the airport there.

canmark: I don't know that we need trivia contests this time, but the catching demonstration is a must; Ump25: if you're working that weekend we won't know it, but we'll all run out onto the field in the 9th inning and kiss every umpire, just in case! wink eek!

I'm sure that'd go over REAL well with security.

Seph:
I've stayed there myself and can recommend it. It's close to the Gay Village, major subway intersection, reasonable walk to most of downtown (everything is quite walk-able in Montreal).

Ump25:
But Ump, we were going to go shirtless and paint W-E L-O-V-E U-M-P! on our chests. wink

Warn the dancers at the Campus, Seph, the Outsporters are coming! wink eek!

I went onto some hotel websites and Hotel Gouverneur Place Dupuis wasn't listed on any of them. They have their own website that you can request a reservation, but rates aren't listed.

I have to find my Phillies media guide from last year, see what hotel Mike Lieberthal and company will be staying at in Montreal while we're there. Not that I'd be a groupie, hanging out in the lobby before or after games, but....

I'd love to go up to Montreal. I've never been there, and had wanted to go there for a while. I'd also like to catch an Expos game with fellow Outsporters, but that weekend is bad for me, so I probably can't make it, unless my plans change.

Seph, thanks for the open invite. I hope you and other Outsporters can make it to a Mets game in the summer.

I would be interested in meeting Memorial Day weekend for the game. I just have to make sure I don't have any work related plans that weekend. I have been to Montreal quite a few times and it really is a fun town.

Damn, I am probably going to be in Montreal a week before on the 16-19 of May for the Canadian Masters Nationals. I hope you guys have fun...and to do my bit for you guys, I will warn the Campus and Adonis dancers that you guys are coming.....

I just called the hotel--shortening the name to GPD--directly and was informed that they were sold out for the 3 nights. I did a search by address, using the Hotel GPD's address, on Travelocity.com and they give the three nearest hotels as:

HOTEL-SUITES LE FAUBOURG (0.4 mi/0.6 km from GPD)
55 RENE LEVESQUE BLVD EAST
Avg Price Per Night: USD 119.95

CROWNE PLAZA METRO (0.4 mi/0.7 km from GPD)
505 SHERBROOKE ST EAST
Avg Price Per Night: USD 149.95

HI (Holiday Inn) SELECT-MONTREAL CENTRE VILLE (0.6 mi/1.0 km from GPD)
99 VIGER AVE AND ST URBAIN ST
Avg Price Per Night: USD 139.95

Looking at the map and using Seph's stated boundaries for "Le Village Gai," if I'm looking at it correctly the CROWNE PLAZA METRO is at or near the northern end of Le Village, while the other two are a little further away. HOTEL-SUITES LE FAUBOURG is cheapest and got generally nice write-ups from people who posted messages to Travelocity. Any thoughts?

Joe, there's a Days Inn nearby on Rene-Levesque East... the rate quoted on the website is currently $89. No sense wasting all our money on a hotel, when we could waste it at the Casino de Montreal.

I'm okay with that...anyone else?

Great going, Canmark! That's a good location (about 2 blocks from the St-Laurent metro station) and the price is right. I just called and they've got a few rooms at $89 (Cdn) still available for that weekend. I also got their toll-free reservation number: 1-800-668-3872. (I'll post other info tonight from home...)

My reservation is made for the Days Inn. I made it for 3 nights--if my day off for the Tues. after Memorial Day is approved I'll see if I can add a fourth night. Then I'll get my plane tickets.

The Simpsons are going to Canada! Uh, I mean... wink

FYI: The Simpson's Canadian Connections



[ March 04, 2003, 12:07 PM: Message edited by: canmark ]

Note the Days Inn website states the price is $89 per night in Canadian dollars, which should be around $69 in U.S. dollars (is my math close Canmark or Seph)? Can't beat that rate! Book quickly, as hotel website states it only has about 100 rooms.

Well guys, I picked up eight tickets today (Section 112, Rows NN and OO, Seats 9, 10, 11 & 12 – here's a zoom map). That's nine rows behind the Phils dugout - primo foul ball territory – and I'm guessing the rows in front of us will be "Philled with phans." Any unclaimed tickets will be used to buy lap dances at Le Stock.

canmark, thanks for the Casino idea, and again for the great hotel suggestion. I never knew there was a Day's Inn there! Scottie, $69 U.S. sounds right when you include the room tax, GST, QST, and any other taxes our government can dream up over the next few months.

BillW, JC, pat125 & phillyrunner: hope you all can make it! Rickinto: sorry we're gonna miss you! Ump25: see you at Le Stock?

I once heard Matt Groening say that, like his father, Homer Simpson is from Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Thanks again Seph for doing this. If you need the money before we see you, send me an e-mail with an address to mail you payment.

Seph et al., I'd REALLY love to join you in one of my favorite cities of all time - we first went there for Expo 67 and liked it so much we went back in 68! - but I'm moving to San Diego on 5-3 and will still be settling in. But I'm sure you'll all have a great time, judging from our experience in LA, and wish you all the best. Have a LaBatts (or a Molson) for me! :cool:

Was just thinking... wouldn't a more clever title for this thread have been "Open Call for Ball et al. in Montreal"? Kinda rolls off the tongue, n'est-ce pas? (God, I need a hobby. )

scottie: no problem, you can reimburse me when you get here. Or maybe we could go double-or-nothing based on the outcome of the game? wink

Seph, great seats behind the visitor's duguout. I decided to make reservations at the Days Inn for that weekend. So unless something unexpected comes up I should there. Thanks for getting the tix.

On the seating map, does this mean we're in section 112 "VIP" as they call it--the blue section? (Behind it is 112 "Box" and 112 "Terrace.") Nine rows from the dugout...ooh la la! We'll have to pay for a couple of lap dances for Seph!

Great work on the tix Seph! It's my favorite place to sit: near the third base dugout.

I've asked a friend of mine from Chicago to come up to Montreal (hope that's OK). He's not an Outsport-er, but he does like sports. He'll probably say no anyways, but I'll let you know.

Anybody else out there: Outsports seats are limited--get in while the getting's good!

I think we need to work on an itinerary of events and activities. I was thinking yesterday of things I like doing in Montreal and things I haven't done but would like to do.

Good idea Joe! Or maybe we can give Seph a lap dance! wink (I'm kidding Seph. You can come out from hiding now.)

Seph - regarding payment and your offer of double or nothing - let me consider this, but can we negotiate payment in something other than cash? wink

I'm just bumping this up, as a reminder that (if I'm counting correctly) there are still 3 tickets available...

Seph, Count me in for 1 ticket!! I'll check later tonight for a confirmation from you so I can get the hotel. Thanks for organizing this!
Gotta go to work now!

Just saw the trailer for the upcoming gay comedy Mambo Italiano, which is set in Montreal. It's billed as a gay Italian version of My Big Fat Greek Wedding, where the extended families of the two gay lovers bicker and argue over who's son is the top and such. It looks fun, and features the likes of Paul Sorvino, Mary Walsh (CODCO, This Hour Has 22 Minutes) and Ginette Reno (big star in Quebec).

Another gay film set in Montreal which comes to mind is Being at Home with Clade. Like Mambo, it was based on a stage play. It's about a gay hustler (played by the delicious Roy Dupuis) confessing the murder of his friend.

I'm presently in Ottawa, but grew up in Montreal... I love this idea! I'll wait until gameday to pick up my ticket, so if by chance anyone decides at the last minute to come visit our beautiful city, we can arrange to be seated together in a separate cluster! (Seph: Let me know if I can help out in any other way!)

I went to a game against the Braves last year, thinking it would be my last chance to see our Expos in person (Glavine pitched a masterful shutout!)... But I'm glad they'll be around for at least one more season.

Can still recall the glory days when I would watch Gary Carter, Tim Raines, Andre Dawson, Tim Wallach and others pack in 45,000 fans per game in the Big O... <sigh> I hate Rick Monday!

CowboysHskrFan and edchow, glad to have you join us! I believe that would leave...ONE ticket!

OK guys, you've talked me into it. I'll take the last ticket if it's still available. Never been to Canada before and it sounds like the perfect time of year to go. The only thing I know about Montreal is from the porno flick 'The men of Montreal.' So this will be a new experience. I'll check the Days Inn place after I know for sure the ticket hasn't been spoken for. To bad the Braves aren't playing before or after the Phillies. I'd spend a few more days up there.

Go Thumper! Montreal is a great city, you'll for sure enjoy yourself. I'm not planning on joining you guys due to a current acute case of unemployment... Drat!

Great, Thumper! The ticket is yours if you can get up here. Now make that reservation!

I'll post more tomorrow. I have to go watch "The Men of Montreal" now. Thanks for playing, guys!!

eek!
:cool: wink
(us at the game)

I just purchased 4 more tickets to the game right next to the original 8 (Sect. 112, Row NN, Seats 5-8), so if anyone else wants to attend, you're more than welcome. It should be a blast!!

So let's see who we've got so far (someone correct me if I'm wrong):

• JoeinPhilly
• scottie
• phillyrunner
• canmark (maybe with a friend from Chicago)
• CowboysHskrFan (will be great to see you again!)
• thumper (reservation pending, but please do!)
• edchow13 (will be good to finally meet you, but how dare you conjure the name Rick "Blue" Monday! Thanks also for the offer to help out.)
• yours truly (and other local guys standing by to claim any unused tix).

Bill W, JC, and everyone else, now that new tickets are available you can still claim one (or more) if you can make it. And to those already coming, feel free to bring a friend or loved one along, too. E-mail me at sephmontreal@hotmail.com with any questions or concerns.

Finally, anyone interested in seeing "Dralion" while you're here? There are still some tickets available for performances on Friday, May 23 (4:00 pm & 8:00 pm) and on Sunday, May 25 (1:00 pm & 5:00 pm). Ticket prices range from $60-$80 Cdn. Here's a link with info and clips from the show. Let me know.

Can't wait for Ump25 to yell "PLAY BALL!" on May 24th!

Seph - Thanks again for handling all of this. Dralion would be a lot of fun. I haven't made my airline reservation yet, but based on my anticipated travel schedule, I could attend any show except Friday 4 PM. Wonder if the Days Inn is ready for us??

I wouldn't mind seeing Dralion. I think Cirque du Soleil actually premiered Dralion in Phila. last year, didn't they?

I've booked my flight. I'm arriving at 2:58 pm Friday (so the Friday 4 pm show wouldn't work but any of the others would). And, I found out that my request to be off work on the Tuesday after Memorial Day has been approved, so I'm staying over Monday night as well. Woo-hoo!

Seph, thanks again for--WHOA! MY BOYFRIEND JEREMY ROENICK IS ON TV BEING INTERVIEWED IN THE LOCKER ROOM--SHIRTLESS!!!!!--ummm, where was I? Oh yeah--thanks for putting this all together. If you need any money for the game and/or Dralion please let me know.

OK guys, looks like I'm committed. Just booked my room at the Days Inn on Reve Levesque Est. For 5 nights, Thurs.- Mon. night. Now all I need to do is find a way up there.
Have we decided when everyone is going to Dralion? Count me in on that too. Also, do I need a Passport for Canada? I think I should get one all the same. And Seph, if you need some money just Email me and let me know the amount.
This is going to be so great, Baseball, a circus and did someone say CASINO. Seph your the best for puttng this all together. Thanks a million!!

No passport required for Montreal/Canada. A valid drivers license and birth certificate will suffice. But a passport is a good thing to have anyway.

As George says, no passports are required for Americans/Canadians going to each other's countries, although it is recommended. Also, if a war breaks out, American might not let you back into your own country... they might think you're one of those terrorists they claim Canada is harbouring. You're lucky your name isn't Ahmed.

Now that I know that the Dralion performance is occurring that weekend, I should be able to convince a friend of mine to come to Montreal with me. He and I really enjoyed the Cirque du Soleil perfromance of Vareki in Philadelphia last year.

So, although he is not into the Outsports scene, I may have to look into getting two tix to Dralion. It would seem that Sunday at 5pm might be best for me since Friday would be a travel day.

Just giving this a bump. Still some tickets left since Seph got a few more.

phillyrunner: If your friend joins you for Dralion, is he going to join us at the game even though he's "not into the Outsports scene" or will he do his own thing for awhile? I'm sure we can keep him entertained if the game bores him.

Yeah, what he said. Now, am I correct in that all of us out of town dudes and dudettes staying at the Days Inn? Hope so. Also I looks like the Sunday 5pm showing of Dralion is the popular choice. Count me in on that one too. If not, we might want to decide soon to make it easier on The Great and Powerful Seph. On a side note, that CNN reporter Bill Hummer is a hunk.

Thanks for the bumps, Joe, I can feel that Brotherly Love! And you too, thump, I can feel that...hmmm... Yes, the Days Inn will never be the same....

You forgot "All-Knowing," thumper, but thanks. wink

Anyhoo, I do believe that there are now only two (?) baseball tickets unclaimed, since one was reserved two days ago by a new "Special Mystery Guest." (No, it's not Jim Thome's "traveling manservant.") We'll get the final numbers sorted out over the next two months and, as I said, I can always get more tickets in our section.

I also picked up eight tickets for the Dralion show on Sunday, May 25 at 5:00 pm, $80 Cdn. each (say, $55 U.S.), first come, first served, no pushing and shoving, please. They're in Section 103, Row G (back row), Seats 17-24. You can check out the view from here. Just click the dot on Section 103.

For those who have the guts to give Le Casino de Montréal a spin, here's their website. There's a quick metro/bus route that brings you right to the door, admission and coat check are free, but they do have a dress code. "Tasteful running shoes and denim trousers are acceptable," but no "beachwear or strapless tops" allowed, so don't bother packing that little off-the-shoulder number. I've never been to the tables, but I hear that some of the croupiers look very hot as the rake your hard-earned chips away.

And, guys, please stop asking me if I want to be reimbursed up-front for the tickets! You can pay me back when I give them to you, and I'll accept either Cdn. $ or the U.S. equivalent. Heck, I just wish I could comp you all for the weekend! Hmmm, maybe the Casino doesn't sound like such a bad idea after all... :cool: