by Martin Morin
Summer is FINALLY here – and just in time. The warmer weather and sunshine will make it even more fun to celebrate Montreal's 375th birthday, where the festivities will take centre stage this year. But where to begin? Here are some suggestions to help you decide. [image credit: iStockPhoto]
Do you enjoy being a spectator? Then come watch the 7th stage of the Montreal International Triathlon, which will see parts of Old Montréal and the Old Port area transformed into a track for some of the world’s most extraordinary athletes. No fewer than 20,000 people are expected!
The Quebec-based comic book PLANCHES and the Montreal Comic Arts Festival have joined forces to create a project entitled Rues de Montréal – urban stories told in comic strips. No fewer than 13 Montreal cartoonists will present 13 unpublished stories featuring 13 known or unknown places in the city, the first page of which will be displayed on giant panels.
Huge dance floors, shows, colour, music, lights and an enchanting setting: îleSoniq en Ville will be holding its very first, but surely not last, annual spectacle.
Le Cirque Éloize is taking the city by storm and presenting activities from morning to night. On the marquee: a storyteller for children in the morning; artists and musicians to entertain passers-by in the afternoon, plus circus and dance workshops. In the evening, after 8:30 p.m., the show L'Heure magique begins. For 35 minutes, eight characters offer seven numbers that fuse emotion and acrobatics.
Schedule:
You can either watch the soccer and basketball finals of qualifying teams at the inter-borough competitions, or take part in tournaments and activities open to everyone for free, including: cricket, flag football, street hockey, skateboarding, dance, graffiti, bubble soccer, ultimate frisbee and more. Come on, let's get moving!
The Montreal Symphony Orchestra (MSO), the Metropolitan Orchestra and the McGill Symphony Orchestra will meet on-stage for the very first time to celebrate Montreal's 375th and Canada's 150th. You’ll hear over 300 musicians, singers and choristers.
Need some soothing relaxation? That’s what you’ll find at 375 berceuses pour Montréal, a sound installation located in Dorchester Square. Take in 375 songs that will allow you to rediscover the collective heritage of Montreal.
No, not Charlie, Paul. As in “Paul” from Michel Rabagliati, of course. Did we really need to mention it? There will be a dozen giant panels spread across the Plateau Mont-Royal in a narrative and interactive way.
For full details on these and other events, visit Alive375 – the official website for Montreal’s 375th birthday.
