RU on the Avenue
Mont-Royal Avenue, pedestrianized for the summer, will be dressed in its finest attire until July 21, as artists from all walks of life will rock Parc des Compagnons-de-Saint-Laurent with a variety of performances as part of the RU festival. On the menu: improvisations on the theme of suitcases, a contemporary jig show, a slam marathon and an object theatre reimagining the Hamlet Shakespeare’s poem into a Danish tragedy. People will also be able to learn the art of drawing and calligraphy in order to reinvent a part of their city in the company of artists SAIRO and Lorem Ipsum, and shake their hips to the electro and funky rhythms of the audacious Marsö.
Abraca — shazam!
Flamboyance will be there at the 19e edition of ShazamFest, which transforms the Eastern Townships’ riverside woods into an extravagant, burlesque party until July 14. On the edge of the Shazam organic farm, spectators are invited to dance to the sounds of up-and-coming bands and DJs, including DVTR, Rau_Ze and Kirá Chao, and to admire the feats of sword swallowers, giant bubble-blowing clowns and other surprising circus and fairground acts. Added to this are feminist wrestling matches, dancing mermaids and a beard and moustache contest. All this near swimmable beaches and rivers. One, two, three: magic!
Cult films against the backdrop of the canal
The Film Noir au Canal festival is back on the banks of the Lachine Canal starting July 14. You will be able to attend the screening of the American feature film Double Indemnity (1944) by Billy Wilder, in which Walter Neff (Fred MacMurray), an insurance company employee, is drawn into a murderous scheme when he falls in love with the seductive Phyllis Dietrichson (Barbara Stanwyck). This first screening will be preceded by an opening night at St. Patrick’s Square, with a musical performance by the Ukulele Club of Montreal. Every Sunday, until August 18, films will be presented allowing us to discover or rediscover the great masters of suspense.
Knights and unicorns in Lanaudière
The Médiévales de Lanaudière promise to transport visitors into the magical world of legends, as the eleventh edition of the festival unfolds on July 13 and 14 in Parc Léo-Jacques, in L’Assomption. Young and old dreamers alike will be able to attend an equestrian jousting tournament bringing together knights from all over North America, as well as a marvelous show featuring unicorns. Among these larger-than-life events will also be musical and storytelling performances, a large artisan market and several activities and entertainment for children. Enough to take a break from reality for a while.