Kurios, MURAL, First Fridays… Enough to fill your weekend diary! Here are the suggestions from our journalists.
The return of Kurios
Cirque du Soleil is back under the big top of the Old Port with one of its sure values: the very imaginative show Kurios – Cabinet of curiosities. Back in Montreal after a 10-year hiatus, Kurios features a gallery of fanciful characters in a spectacular steampunk universe. Directed by Quebecer Michel Laprise, this production brings together several high-flying acrobatic numbers, including a discipline invented especially for the occasion. A highly aesthetic show where even invisible artists manage to make us laugh. We won’t tell you any more.
Until August 25, in the Old Port
Stéphanie Morin, The Press
Visit the show page
Return of the festivities to the Village au Pied-du-Courant
OLSA PHOTO, PROVIDED BY THE VILLAGE AU PIED-DU-COURANT
Launch of the 11e Village au Pied-du-Courant season this weekend
That’s it, here we go again ! If you like dancing with your feet in the sand, don’t miss the return of the festivities at the Village au Pied-du-Courant, for an 11e season that smells like holidays. On the menu this summer: festive Thursdays (5 à 7 mode, with Voyage Funktastice to launch the season), stuck-on Fridays (with Spinelli, G Mako, A$H Banks and Akantu from Club Sagacité on the decks this Friday), and suave Saturdays (in the company of Baile da Zaza, stopnoxs, and Harold & Jampi this week). Without forgetting the fire evenings, since the “Playa” actually offers a great view to admire the illuminated sky. Note that the Village is now part of the large Multicolore family, which also produces the Piknic Électronik and Igloofest. Free entry before 7 p.m., $5 thereafter.
Silvia Galipeau, The Press
Consult the program
Lili back at Gayety!
PHOTO HUGO B DUFORT, PROVIDED BY PRODUCTION
Marie-Pier Labrecque, in the center, plays the stripper Lili St-Cyr.
After a notable appearance at the Kingsley Hall last year, the musical Lili St-Cyr arrives at the Théâtre du Nouveau Monde as part of the Francos. The coincidence is beautiful: the TNM is erected on the former site of the Gayety Theater where the famous stripper enjoyed great success in the 1940s! The musical, directed by Benoît Landry, brings together an all-star cast including Marie-Pier Labrecque, Lunou Zucchini, Kathleen Fortin, Maxime Denommée, Roger La Rue and Stéphane Brulotte.
From June 12 to 22 at TNM, then on tour in Quebec.
Stephanie Morin The Press
Visit the show website
Montreal Chamber Music Festival
PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE MONTREAL CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL
Kerson Leong
The Montreal Chamber Music Festival takes off this Thursday at Bourgie Hall with the concert Violin obsession, featuring Canadian virtuoso violinist Kerson Leong, Ukrainian pianist Illia Ovcharenko and the Barbican Quartet. Until June 23, a very exciting program will feature the best of music for small ensembles, played by renowned performers. Still at Bourgie Hall, free concerts will also be presented at midday. The festival will close on June 23 at the Maison symphonique with nothing less than the complete six Brandenburg concertos by Bach, conducted by Canadian violinist James Ehnes.
Josée Lapointe, The Press
Consult the program
Actresses in a state of grace
From June 14 to 20, the Cinémathèque québécoise presents Linehard-hitting and moving drama by Ursula Meier (Home, The child from above). After hitting his mother (Valéria Bruni Tedeschi), a musician (Stéphanie Blanchoud) can no longer approach him within 100 meters. His little sister (Elli Spagnolo) then draws a line around the house. Worn by excellent actresses, Line fascinates by the way in which the Franco-Swiss filmmaker uses space to explore family ties.
Manon Dumais, The Press
Visit the Cinémathèque website
Music and gastronomy in Old Quebec
PHOTO ANDRÉ PICHETTE, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Marc Déry
Music and gastronomy lovers will meet this weekend in Old Quebec when the Folk Expression festival and the Parcours des terrasses gourmandes are held there. From Friday to Sunday, a dozen outdoor performances are planned. Marc Déry, Joe Grass, The Australian Pink Floyd and a tribute show to Leonard Cohen are notably part of the programming. More of a foodie type than a music lover? Friday, from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., nearly thirty restaurateurs invite the public to enjoy appetizers created especially for the occasion to mark the opening of the terrace season. Different packages are offered.
Véronique Larocque, The Press
Visit the Folk Expression website
Visit the Gourmet Terrace Route page