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

What’s on in Montréal courtesy of Tourisme Montréal

CLASSICAL

The Orchestre symphonique de Montréal opens the 11^th edition of their classical music festival La Virée classique OSM with their annual free concert at the Olympic Park’s Esplanade on August 14, Journey through the Mediterranean, conducted by Grammy-winning OSM maestro Rafael Payare. Showtime is 7:30 pm.

From August 16 to 25, circus fans can enjoy the Aeriel Weekend Cabaret show in La TOHU’s Trèfle Big Top

CIRCUS ARTS

From August 16 to 25, circus fans can enjoy the Aeriel Weekend Cabaret show in La TOHU’s Trèfle Big Top.

August is your last chance to see Cirque du Soleil’s production of KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities under the Big Top in the Old Port. Runs to August 25.

Cirque du Soleil’s production of KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities under the Big Top in the Old Port runs to August 25 
Photo: Dan Swartz

EXHIBITIONS

August is also last call for the superb The Horizon of Khufu: A Journey in Ancient Egypt VR expedition which fuses ancient history and new technologies to relive the reign of Egyptian Pharaoh Khufu and explore the 146-metre-high Great Pyramid of Giza, Khufu’s final resting place. Visitors wander through galleries and spaces inside the Great Pyramid before reaching its top for a breathtaking view of modern Cairo and the Giza Plateau, then witness the funerary rite of Khufu 4,500 years ago from aboard an Ancient Egyptian sun boat on the Nile.

The Horizon of Khufu: A Journey in Ancient Egypt virtual reality expedition which fuses ancient history and new technologies to relive the reign of Egyptian Pharaoh Khufu

The Horizon of Khufu is located in the Old Port (2 De la Commune Street West) next door to the Montreal Science Centre. Children under 8 not admitted. The 45-minute immersive experience runs to September 1.

Over at Bonsecours Market, the prestigious World Press Photo exhibition runs from August 28 to October 14. Alongside the winning photos from the 2024 edition, the exhibition highlights the work of Quebec photographer Charles-Frédérick Ouellet, the first Quebec winner in 25 years, with a series of large-format photos taken during the wave of forest fires in Quebec in the summer of 2023.

The World Press Photo exhibition runs from August 28 to October 14 at the Bonsecours Market in Old Montreal 
Photo: Excurio

CINEMA

Co-presented by the Fantasia film festival, the Cinématheque Québécoise’s Science Fiction cycle – screening more than 100 sci-fi classics including Rollerball and Logan’s Run – runs to August 25.

The PARC AT MIDNIGHT summer cycle at the Cinéma du Parc offers nocturnal screenings in the great tradition of the famous rep-house “midnight movies” of the 70s. Upcoming films include Caligula – The Ultimate Cut starring Malcolm McDowell, Helen Mirren and Peter O’Toole (August 23 to 25).

DRAG

The Fierté Montréal Festival presents the outdoor Soirée 100% Drag on August 9 at the Olympic Park: hosted by Barbada, MajestiX will showcase local drag royalty, followed by Drag Superstars hosted by Rita Baga, which will feature drag artists from various international RuPaul’s Drag Race franchises. Free admission.

COMEDY

American podcaster and stand-up comedian Theo Von headlines Theatre St-Denis with his Return of the Rat Tour on August 3, 4 and 10.

POP MUSIC

Oscar-nominated and Grammy-winning soul diva Andra Day headlines the Beanfield Theatre (August 16), while post-punk icon Billy Idol (August 16), Hip Hop legend Missy Elliott (August 17), and hard rock godfathers Deep Purple (August 27) all headline the Bell Centre.

The 2024 edition of the Osheaga Music and Arts Festival features headliners Noah Kahan, Green Day and SZA (August 2 to 4), the îLESONIQ electronic music festival features headliners DJ Snake and Tiësto (August 10 to 11), and the LASSO Montréal country music festival features headliners Eric Church and Sam Hunt (August 16 to 17). All three festivals are at Parc Jean-Drapeau.

American punk rock legends NOFX bring their farewell tour to the Olympic Park for two shows (August 24 and 25). Musical guests include The Interrupters, Circle Jerks and The Real McKenzies (August 24), and Descendents, Good Riddance, Vulgaires Machins, The Sainte Catherines and The Flatliners (August 25).

The Village People, Boney M, Thelma Houston and The Trammps co-headline a disco edition of the charity Strangers in the Night Gourmet Gala, August 31 at Complexe Pointe Claire.

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.