Weekend Plans | Enjoying the Long Weekend

The alleys come alive

For the eighth year, Montreal’s alleyways will be the stage for professional artistic performances by some 300 artists as part of the Festival des arts de ruelle. Several eclectic parades with varied themes will be offered: aquatic (Montréal-Nord), neon aerobics (Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce), fantasy (Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie), and Victorian-era (Ahuntsic-Cartierville). The festival will end on September 8 with a grand stilt-walking ball in Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie. The public is invited to dress up each time. Musical performances are also planned.

From August 26 to September 8

Stephanie Morin, The Press

Visit the Street Arts Festival website

IAM and Quebec rap for all tastes

Multiple hip-hop events will take place in the coming days, all over Quebec. First, almost a year after playing at the Maison symphonique, IAM will be back in Montreal, at the OfF Piknik, this Thursday, August 29, at Parc Jean-Drapeau. The legendary French group will also participate in the SuperFrancoFête, at the Agora du Port de Québec, on August 30. Rappers Black M and Gims will perform at the same venue, the day before and the day after, respectively. Also, on August 31, the Block Party Les racines du hip-hop au Québec will take place in Rouyn-Noranda as part of the FME. The versatile Zach Zoya and the pioneer DJ Ray will be there. The same day will be the second edition of Act Like You Lo, at the Nirvana Tattoo. Montreal MCs Troy Dunnit and RVLR Magz will perform for the occasion. The latter will also be among the guests of DJ White Socks, on September 4, at Place Pasteur. Raccoon, 20some, Lova and Jimmy D are also expected.

Pascal Leblanc, The Press

Visit the OfF Piknik website

Visit the SuperFrancoFête website

With family at Frédéric-Back Park

To mark the 100th^e anniversary of filmmaker Frédéric Back, who passed away in 2013, TOHU is organizing a day of free family activities on the theme of the environment on Sunday in the park that bears his name. Botanical workshops, a theatrical tour through the trees, ecological tales, a climate quiz and circus performances are part of the program. For visitors, it will also be an opportunity to rediscover the artist’s work thanks to the screening of three of his short films, including The Man Who Planted TreesPlease note that you must reserve your place on the TOHU website to participate in some of the activities.

Veronique Larocque, The Press

Visit the TOHU website

Cigarettes After Sex at the Bell Center

The popular group of dream pop El Paso, Texas native released his third album, titled X’s. Ethereal atmosphere, softness, romanticism, Cigarettes After Sex may have accumulated 1.5 billion streams on Spotify, its vaporous universe has not changed – except that it is now in arenas that it performs, rather than in small venues! And it is Saturday in Montreal that the band of the singer with the androgynous voice Greg Gonzalez begins its world tour, which will take it until spring 2025 to the United States, Europe, Africa and Oceania. Quite an honour – the only other Canadian dates are in Toronto and Vancouver – and a caressing rendezvous in perspective.

Josée Lapointe, The Press

Check out the show page

Summer of new cinema

Attention movie buffs: it’s the 4th^e edition of the Estival du nouveau cinéma, from August 29 to September 1, and this one has a very nice program in store for us. On the menu, four free screenings, in the middle of the Tranquille esplanade: Dead leaves by Aki Kaurismäki, The animal kingdom by Thomas Cailley, Humanist vampire seeks consenting suicide by Ariane Louis-Seize and Dune: Part Two by Denis Villeneuve. Each screening begins at 8 p.m. The site opens at 6 p.m., with various activities (DJ, catering services, popcorn, etc.). Please note that the activity is obviously cancelled in case of rain.

Silvia Galipeau, The Press

Visit the Festival du nouveau cinéma website to find out more about the program

Wine and readings in Saint-Armand

On Saturday, wine and books will meet at the Le Clos de l’Orme blanc vineyard for the third edition of the Saint-Armand Book Festival. The free event will bring together around thirty authors in the rustic setting of the Grange à livres. The illustrator Caroline Lavergne will be among the guests to present the album The salmon of Mitisas well as author Christian Guay-Poliquin, who will host a literary performance with Marie Hélène Poitras, Sébastien Dulude, Steve Poutré and many others. A round table on detective novels is also planned with André Marois, Guillaume Morrissette and Maureen Martineau, while the reading club will welcome Éric Chacour for his novel What I know about you. Signing sessions and activities for the whole family are also on the program.

This Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Clos de l’Orme blanc (1050, chemin Dutch, Saint-Armand).

Laila Maalouf, The Press

Check out the event page

Montreal Traditional Festival

Jig, music and traditional songs will resonate all weekend in the Ahuntsic and Villeray neighborhoods on the occasion of the 14th^e Montreal Trad Festival. Groups like Genticorum, Bon débarras and Brigade de souche will be there, during this event which also focuses on storytelling and traditional dances, all of which are sometimes a little modernized. Of particular note is the Ronde de gigue presented free of charge on Sunday at Ahuntsic Park starting at 12:30 p.m.

Alexandre Vigneault, The Press

Visit the festival website

The Social Club at Adélard

Three-day weekends are often an opportunity for city dwellers to take off and recharge their batteries in the countryside. To combine nature and culture, head to Frelighsburg where Le Club Social is being held on Saturday at Adélard’s, a barn that has become a contemporary art center. Seven artists will participate in the participatory creation day in front of the barn, including Julie Delporte and Théo Bignon, artists in residence. The event ends with a discussion on the theme of rural territories and identities. queersto festive tunes.

Stephanie Berube, The Press