What’s on in Montreal – Some choice arts and entertainment events for January Richard "Bugs" Burnett January 17, 2025 168 What’s on in Montréal courtesy of Tourisme Montréal DANCE Montreal’s prestigious Danse Danse series at Place des Arts presents The Mars Project starring charismatic tap dance legend Travis Knights – trained in Montreal from the age of 10 by Ethel Bruneau, “Miss Swing” herself – at Théâtre Maisonneuve (January 15 to 18). Charismatic tap dance legend Travis Knights will star in The Mars Project at Théâtre Maisonneuve,January 15 – 18 CLASSICAL STAGE Under the artistic direction of Maestro Rafael Payare, the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal presents Mahler’s Sixth Symphony with guest mezzo-soprano Beth Taylor (January 16-17-18). Voïvod symphonique teams up legendary Québec metal band Voïvod and the OSM for two concerts conducted by Dina Gilbert (January 29 and 30). Actors Iannicko N’Doua and François Arnaud in une-fete-d’enfants at Théâtre Nouveau Monde Photo: Jean-François Gratton THEATRE There is lots of buzz for celebrated Quebec playwright Michel Marc Bouchard’s new play Une fête d’enfants about a drama that unfolds when David and his husband Nicolas arrive with their two daughters at another child’s birthday party. Co-starring François Arnaud, Iannicko N’Doua and Sylvie Drapeau directed by Florent Siaud. The highly-anticipated production runs at the Théâtre du Nouveau Monde from January 14 to February 8. CINEMA The Montreal Critics’ Week unveils its inaugural edition, screening 19 films – short, medium and feature-length – bundled together over seven distinct evenings in seven double and triple-billed programs, at the Cinémathèque québécoise and Cinéma Moderne (January 13 to 19). Each program is followed by in-depth conversations between filmmakers, writers, and the public. Experience the multi-Academy Award winning 1984 motion picture Amadeus on a vast HD screen while Mozart’s most celebrated works are performed live in-sync by a full orchestra and choir, in Amadeus Live in Concert at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier (January 24 and 25). Nile – Horizon of Khufu Photo: Excurio MUSEUMS This is your last chance to check out The Horizon of Khufu: A Journey in Ancient Egypt, a unique VR expedition that enables visitors to relive the reign of Egyptian Pharaoh Khufu and explore the 146-metre-high Great Pyramid of Giza, Khufu’s final resting place built between 2,590 and 2,565 BC. 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 board an Ancient Egyptian sun boat on the Nile to witness the funerary rite of Khufu 4,500 years ago. I loved everything about this 45-minute immersive experience which runs until January 19, located in the Old Port next door to the Montreal Science Centre. Children under 8 not admitted. The Horizon of Khufu: A Journey in Ancient Egypt is a unique Virtual Reality expedition that enables visitors to relive the reign of Egyptian Pharaoh Khufu and explore the 146-metre-high Great Pyramid of Giza LITERATURE Church of Books lecture with authors Michelle Syba and Daniel Allen Cox at the Westmount Public Library on January 29 at 7 pm. This conversation between an ex-Jehovah’s Witness and an ex-Pentecostal explores “how reading literature can shake up fundamentalist ways of thinking.” Copies of the authors’ books will be available for sale. Argo Bookstore in Shaughnessy Village presents H. Nigel Thomas In Conversation with Nalini Mohabir on January 30 at 7 pm, to launch Thomas’ new book A Different Hurricane. Igloofest runs from January 16 to February 8 at the Jacques Cartier Pier in the Old Port COMEDY Los Angeles-based comic Martin Amini headlines the Rialto Theatre (January 24). Taiwanese-American stand-up comedian Atsuko Okatsuka headlines the Olympia Theatre (January 29). IGLOOFEST Dance under the stars to the best local and international DJs at the 17th edition of Igloofest (January 16 to February 8) at the Jacques Cartier Pier in the Old Port. Dubbed “the coldest music festival in the world”, warm up on the dancefloor with such DJs as Michael Bibi (January 16) and Steve Angello (January 31). POP MUSIC After a jam-packed holiday season, January’s quiet spell ends on a high note with a two-nighter by French retro pop disco band L’Impératrice at MTELUS (January 21 and 22); Grammy-nominated Canadian rockers Sum 41 at Place Bell (January 25); English rock band Wunderhorse at Le Belmont (January 28); and French rapper Médine at the Beanfield Theatre (January 31). 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.
