What’s on in Montreal – Some choice arts and entertainment events for July Richard "Bugs" Burnett July 6, 2024 605 What’s on in Montréal courtesy of Tourisme Montréal THEATRE Repercussion Theatre’s summertime Shakespeare in the Park tour presents Infinite Variety from July 11 to August 3. Stops include Trenholme Park in NDG (July 16), Danyluk Park in TMR (July 18), Mount Royal Cemetery in Outremont (July 21), and Westmount Park (July 26-27 and August 2-3). Nearly all performances start at 7 pm. Les Miz will return to Place des Arts from July 31 to August 4 Photo: Matthew Murphy Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed production of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg’s Tony Award-winning musical Les Misérables includes the classic songs I Dreamed a Dream and One Day More. Based on the 1862 novel by Victor Hugo, and set against the backdrop of 19th century France, Les Miz follows the fortunes of the convict Jean Valjean who has been imprisoned for 19 years for stealing a loaf of bread. The sung-through musical is about broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption in one of the most celebrated musicals in theatrical history. Runs at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier from July 31 to August 4. The Olmecs and the Civilizations of the Gulf of Mexico exhibition at the Pointe-à-Callière CIRCUS ARTS The 15th edition of the MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT CiRQUE festival runs from July 4 to 14 at both La TOHU and ESPACE ST-DENIS. This year’s theme is “Impossible is not a circus” (Impossible n’est pas cirque). The festival’s free outdoor shows include the return of their 52-foot steel Giant – called “La Géante” – on the Place Ville-Marie Esplanade. La Géante performances at 6 pm and 9:30 pm nightly except July 8. EXHIBITIONS The Olmecs and the Civilizations of the Gulf of Mexico exhibition at the Pointe-à-Callière, Montréal Archaeology and History Complex in Old Montréal explores the first known civilization of Mesoamerica, documenting nearly four millennia of history, trade and cultural traditions that are still shrouded in mystery. Runs to September 15. Fantasia Film Festival, July 18 – August 4 CINEMA The 28th edition of the Fantasia International Film Festival runs from July 18 to August 4. Co-presented by Fantasia, the Cinématheque Québécoise’s Science Fiction cycle – screening more than 100 sci-fi classics including the Planet of the Apes and Bladerunner originals – runs from July 2 to August 25. Montreal Comiccon for July 5 – 7 MONTREAL COMICCON The star-studded Montréal Comiccon multi-genre entertainment and comic convention runs from July 5 to 7. CARIBBEAN PARADE The Montréal Carimas Festival presents their Carimas Parade – formerly known as Carifiesta and Carifête – on July 6. The 47th edition of the parade runs on René-Leveque Boulevard from St. Laurent Boulevard to Peel Street where the Carimas Sizzle festivities will be held at Place du Canada. The parade and Sizzle festivities both start at noon. COMEDY The notorious Pitbull of Comedy, legendary comic Bobby Slayton brings the Nasty back to Montreal with a solo show at Le 9e on July 19. The Montréal’s Got Jokes | Montréal Comedy Festival presents more than 100 stand-up comics in some 40 shows in venues throughout Montreal, in their inaugural edition which runs from July 13 to July 31. The mostly French-language ComediHa! Hello Montréal comedy festival runs from July 18 to 28, including free outdoor shows in the Quartier des Spectacles. The annual Nuits D’Afriques world music festival July 9 to 21 POP MUSIC Hip Hop legend 50 Cent headlines the Beachclub in Pointe-Calumet (July 7), country icon Steve Earle solo and acoustic at MTELUS (July 11), Nigeria’s “King of modern Highlife music” Flavour at the Beanfield Theatre (July 14), legendary rap duo Method Man and Redman headline the Olympia (July 19), and relive the 1980s with the Totally Tubular Festival starring Thomas Dolby, Thompson Twins’ Tom Bailey, Modern English, Men Without Hats, The Romantics, Bow Wow Wow, Tommy Tutone, Wang Chung and The Plimsouls‘ Eddie Munoz (July 23) at Place Bell, while smokey-voiced lovers-rock reggae icon Beres Hammond brings his Forever Giving Thanks Tour to the Olympia (July 27). OTHER JULY SHOWS OF NOTE: Founded by legendary Montréal promoter Lamine Touré, the 38th edition of the Festival International Nuits d’Afrique world music festival runs from July 9 to 21. Several hundred artists from some 30 countries will perform in eight concert series at six indoor venues as well as on two huge outdoor stages set up for free concerts from July 16 to 21 in the Quartier des Spectacles. 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.
