What’s on in Montreal – Some choice arts and entertainment events for April

What’s on in Montréal courtesy of Tourisme Montréal

DANCE

At the forefront of new contemporary dance in Montreal, Agora de la danse presents acclaimed dance artist Heidi Strauss in Between Me and You (April 10 to 12) in the Wilder Building.

Les Grands Ballets Canadiens presents their Carmina Burana double bill featuring Carmina Burana by Edward Clug and Jeunehomme by Uwe Scholz with choir and the superb Les Grands Ballets Orchestra at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier (April 13 to 20).

Les Grands Ballets production of Carmina Burana at
Place des Arts April 13-20
Photo: Sasha Onyshchenko

CLASSICAL

The Orchestre symphonique de Montréal presents Grammy-winning Maestro Kent Nagano who returns to conduct works by two iconic composers: Stravinsky and Beethoven, in Beethoven’s Heroic Symphony no. 3 with Kent Nagano (April 10 to 12). Then the Orchestre Métropolitain presents their Grammy-winning Maestro Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducting the Philadelphia Orchestra (April 19). All concerts at the Maison Symphonique.

Inspired by Éric-Emmanuel Schmitt’s play Variations énigmatiques with music composed by Patrick Burgan, the opera Enigma explores a bizarre love triangle. Québec tenors Antoine Bélanger and Jean-Michel Richer are accompanied by the I Musici Montréal orchestra in an intimate staging, presented by the Opéra de Montréal at Théâtre Maisonneuve from April 7 to 13.

EXHIBITIONS

Last chance to see my favourite exhibition so far this year, Becoming Montreal: The 1800s Painted by Duncan which displays more than 100 watercolours by James Duncan who documented the colonial city’s 19^th century evolution during a remarkable 50-year career, producing panoramic views that predate the invention of photography. Duncan’s body of work lovingly captures the city and its people. Visitors will recognize many of the landmarks captured in his paintings. The McCord has also published the exhibition’s excellent accompanying book James Duncan (1806-1881) – Painter of Montreal, the first monograph dedicated to Duncan, giving the painter his just due at long last. Runs to April 21.

The Harlem Globe Trotters at Bell Centre (April 26) and Place Bell (April 27)

THEATRE

The Centaur Theatre Company presents seven of Montreal’s top actresses – Deena Aziz, Leni Parker, Joy Ross-Jones, Espoir Segbeaya, Warona Setshwaelo, Felicia Shulman and Julie Tamiko Manning – exploring what it means to be a woman working with Shakespeare today in Thy Woman’s Weeds (April 23 to May 12). Directed by Amanda Kellock and written by Erin Shields, this feminist take on Shakespeare’s works highlights the contemporary social dynamics that challenge women’s full participation in the performing arts.

FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT

Harlem Globetrotters at the Bell Centre (April 26) and Place Bell (April 27), while Stars On Ice headline Place Bell (April 30).

CINEMA

The 40^th annual Festival international de cinéma Vues d’Afrique runs from April 11 to 21. The festival screens international features, documentaries and shorts by filmmakers from across Africa and the African diaspora.

The 40th annual Festival international de cinéma Vues d’Afrique
runs from April 11 to 21.

LITERATURE

The Blue Metropolis International Literary Festival is one of the largest multilingual literary events in North America. This year, more than 150 authors of all genres and styles from Quebec, Canada and around the world will take part in 120 events from April 25 to 28. Attendees are treated to interviews, round-table discussions, readings, performances and writing workshops.

POP MUSIC

Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening (April 16 and 17), Mali’s Grammy-winning “songbird of Wassoulou” Oumou Sangaré (April 21), and The Black Crowes (April 23), all at MTELUS.

Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli (April 11) and Hip Hop queen Nicki Minaj (April 17) at the Bell Centre, Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Davido at Place Bell (April 19), and Heavy Metal legends Queensrÿche at the Beanfield Theatre (April 20).

Other shows of note: The California Guitar Trio and The Levin Brothers (featuring legendary bassist Tony Levin of King Crimson and Peter Gabriel fame) at Club Soda (April 3), the Montreal Gospel Choir directed by Carol Bernard performs their Season Finale concerts at Salle Désilets (April 27 at 4 and 8 pm), and the theme for Craig Morrison’s 24th Annual Roots of Rock & Roll Concert is I Want to Hold Your Hand: The 60th anniversary of the British Invasion, April 13 at Oscar Peterson Concert Hall.

Dubbed “Mr. Montreal” by the CBC, arts and culture journalist and columnist Richard “Bugs” Burnett knows Montreal like a drag queen knows a cosmetics counter.