Hot Summer Calendar

Your guide to the distractions and diversions of summer

compiled by MARK SLUTSKY

Montreal’s got festivals year-round these days, but they really rock out full steam in the summertime, when the city awakes from its wintertime coma. This year is no different, with music, eats, sports and fast cars to tempt every entertainment palate.

June

Suoni Per Il Popolo/Sounds for the People Festival, to June 26
“Free-form improv liberated music” or just “liberation music” is on the menu at the Casa del Popolo/Sala Rossa’s annual festival. Lots of stuff to blow your mind this year, with performances by the Sun Ra Arkestra, Free Music Ensemble, Excepter, Pink Mountaintops, USAISAMONSTER, Bardo Pond, Sam Shalabi, Black Heart Procession, A Silver Mount Zion and more. Don’t miss the Tools of the Trade workshop series or the always delightful Popolo in the Park event at Parc Lahaie on June 10. Most shows are at the Casa (4873 St-Laurent) and la Sala Rossa (4848 St-Laurent). Info/tix: 284-0122, www.casadelpopolo.com

Nuit Blanche sur Tableau Noir, June 8–11
Street painting on Mont-Royal is the name of the game for this festival, celebrating its 11th year. Things go especially nutty on the nights of June 8 and 9, where artists paint the street itself for the Grande Fresque de Nuit event. On Mont-Royal, between St-Hubert and de Lorimier. Info: www.tableaunoir.com

Fringe POP, June 8–13
The ever-growing POP Montreal festival and the Fringe join forces for this well-curated outdoor showcase of local bands featuring Bold Saber, the Besnard Lakes, Think About Life, the Hot Springs and others. At the Parc des Amériques stage (corner of Rachel & St-Laurent). Info: www.popmontreal.com

St-Ambroise Montreal Fringe Festival, June 8–18
At 16 years of age, Montreal’s alternative dance/theatre/everything else festival is getting older than some of its attendees. As always, artists and performers from all over the world descend upon our town to unleash their own brand of creative madness, with venues all over the Plateau and Mile-End. Info: 849-FEST or www.montrealfringe.ca

Les Francofolies de Montreal, June 8–18
The now 18-year-old festival, usually held in late July, moves up in the summer calendar this year. As usual, FrancoFolies will host (free) outdoor shows and (not so free) indoor concerts by musicians from all over the French-speaking world, including Arthur H, Indochine, Ariane Moffatt, Katerine and Dionysos. Venues all over town. Info: www.francofolies.com

Montreal Chamber Music Festival, June 9–30
The setting changes from the mountain to St. James United Church this year for this celebration of classical music and jazz, curated by Denis Brott and Oliver Jones. The festival won last year’s Grand Prix du tourisme québécois so expect it to be a little more popular this year. At 463 Ste-Catherine W. Info: 489-7444, www.festivalmontreal.org

Tremblant Film Festival, June 14–18
A little bit outside of the city, sure, but with indoor and outdoor screenings both (the latter in the loveliness of the Laurentians), you might want to say you were there at the first edition of this new festival, featuring about 30 films from around the world. At the Mont-Tremblant Resort Village. Info: www.tremblantfilmfestival.org

International Flora Montreal, June 16–Oct. 9
More than 45 gardens are the attraction at the first installment of this new event. At Parc des Écluses in the Old Port. Info: www.floramontreal.ca

l’international des feux loto-quÉbec, June 17–July 29
The world’s most skilled fireworks masters face off in this popular “pyromaniacal” event, with wild colour filling the sky on a weekly basis. Technically it all goes down at la Ronde but the city’s full of rooftop terrasses and other vantage points to take it all in.

Montreal First Peoples Festival, June 21–25
For some reason the First Peoples Festival has been split into two this year—the first portion of the fest, featuring films and a variety of performance, took place from late May into early June, and the second half later in the month, to correspond with National Aboriginal Day, June 21. Lectures and dance performances take place at Parc Émile-Gamelin, Place Royale and elsewhere. Info: www.nativelynx.qc.ca

Les Bouquinistes du St-Laurent, June 22–July 16
This year sees the 15th anniversary of this celebration of the (mostly French) written word, in which booksellers set up their Paris-style stalls around the Old Port. Info: www.lesbouquinistes.org

Grand Prix du Canada, June 23–25
The summer’s most popular festival for Formula 1 fans and international hedonists alike. Though the race is the putative centre of attention, for many it’s just an excuse for the summer’s biggest party weekend (at least for rich people). The bacchanalia takes place all over town, but the race itself is at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on Parc des Îles. Info: www.grandprix.ca

L’OFF Festival de Jazz, June 23–July 2
This one’s for the O.G. jazz lovers turned off by the, shall we say, excesses of the Jazz Fest proper. Jazz musicians from at home and abroad take to the city’s stages for the love of the music. At Quai des Brumes, Lion d’Or and O Patro Vys. Info: www.lofffestivaldejazz.com

Fête Nationale/St-Jean Baptiste, June 24
You know summer’s really here when folks take to the street to celebrate Quebec’s national holiday. Festivities take place all over town but you can check out info on official ones at www.cfn.org

Montreal Baroque, June 25
An open-air presentation of Papageno et la flûte enchantée, a musical based on Mozart’s The Magic Flute. At Place des Vestiges in the Old Port. Info: www.quaysoftheoldport.com

Artfest 2006, June 29–July 2
A celebration of art in the Gay Village featuring an enormous “open air gallery” along a pedestrian-only Ste-Catherine between St-Hubert and Papineau featuring hundreds of artists. Info: www.festivaldesarts.org

Montreal International Jazz Festival, June 29–July 9
The great big mothership of all the city’s summer festivals and one of the city’s biggest tourist attractions. Literally hundreds of musicians blow into town for free outdoor shows, pricey indoor ones and un-announced late night jams. This year’s line-up features, among many others, B.B. King, Paul Simon, McCoy Tyner, Tony Bennett, John Zorn, Yusef Lateef, Elvis Costello and Amadou and Mariam. Most events—and all the outdoor stuff—take place around Place des Arts. Info: 871-1881, www.montrealjazzfest.com

July
Canada Day Festivities/ Célafête, July 1 Celebrate Canada’s 139th birthday at this annual bash, always a lot more subdued than the St. Jean bacchanal a week or so prior. Various celebrations take place around the city, as well as the Célafête party for families with fireworks and other good stuff. Info: www.celafete.ca

A Cultural Rendezvous, July 1–2
The fourth edition of this festival hosted by the Pointe-à-Callière archeology museum focuses on the culture and traditions of Japan, to coincide with their exhibit of ancient Japanese relics. At the museum, situated in Place Royale. Info: www.pacmuseum.qc.ca

Just for Laughs, July 1–31
Stretching out to a full month this time around (though outdoor events are concentrated between July13–23), the world’s biggest comedy festival features both hungry up-and-comers and established stars like this year’s gala hosts John Cleese, Jason Alexander and Craig Ferguson. At various venues around town. Info: www.hahaha.com

Montreal Musician and Musical Instrument Show, July 6–9
A forum run alongside the Jazz Festival, now in its second year. Musicians, instrument-makers and others conduct workshops and demonstrations; music fans, music makers and everyone else welcome. At Complex Desjardins. Info: www.simmm.ca

Fantasia, July 6–24
Hard to believe that it’s been a decade already since “North America’s premier genre film festival” debuted, but there you have it—the fest celebrates its 10th anniversary this year with awe-inspiring and chilling movies from all over the world. Info: www.fantasiafestival.com

Carifiesta, July 8
The always-colourful summer celebration of Montreal's Caribbean community, based on traditional carnival festivities, featuring lots of music—calypso, zouk, reggae and more—and gorgeous costumes. The parade runs along Réné-Lévesque, ending up in Place Émilie-Gamelin. Info: www.carifiesta.ca

Sweets Expo, July 8–9
Canada’s only festival dedicated to toothsome, sugary treats stops by Montreal for a decadent, dentist-dismaying weekend. With an “Imagination Baking Stage” and something called “Fear Factor Sweets Expo Style.” At the Palais des congrès, 159 St-Antoine W. Info: www.sweetsexpo.ca

Fête international de Lanaudière, July 8–Aug. 6
A treat for classical music lovers, the 29th edition of this bucolic festival features performances by musicians from Canada and elsewhere in the gentle surroundings of Joliette. At the Amphithéâtre de Lanaudière, Joliette. Info/tix: 1-800-561-4343, www.lanaudiere.org

Montreal Intercultural Festival, July 8–Aug. 13
Over 50 countries show off their cultural heritage at this joyous festival at Parc Jean-Drapeau.

Festival International Nuits d’Afrique, July 13-23
This year sees the 20th anniversary of this popular festival celebrating African and Caribbean culture. Youssou N’Dour, Alpha Yaya Diallo and Said Mesnaoui are but a few of the many performers featured at the fest, which also includes a ton of free concerts in Place Émile-Gamelin. Otherwise, various venues downtown host the shows. Info: www.festivalnuitsdafrique.com

Montreal International Reggae Festival, July 14-16
At three years old, this festival of Jamaican music is definitely an up-and-comer, featuring three days of reggae music in the Old Port. This year’s line-up includes Shaggy, Barrington Levy, Maxi Priest and many more. Free shows at Place Bonsecours Pier, paid ones at Place Jacques-Cartier. Info: www.montrealreggaefestival.com

Festival International du Merengue de Montréal, July 22–23
Tito Rojas, El Jeffrey, Papi Sánchez, Joe Veras and others are slated to play at this Latin music festival in Parc Jean-Drapeau. Info: www.festivalmerenguedemontreal. com

Montreal International Dragon Boat Festival, July 22–23
The Olympic Basin is the host to this explosively colourful annual event featuring over 200 teams racing great big traditional Chinese dragon boats. As usual, arts and crafts, food and even a children’s drawing contest abut the main event. At Parc Jean-Drapeau. Info: www.montrealdragonboat.com

1st World OutGames, July 26–Aug. 5
The inaugural edition of this new international event spotlighting gay athletes features dozens of sporting events and lots of cultural tie-ins, including performances by Cirque du Soleil, k.d. lang, Martha Wash, Diane Dufresne, and others. All the info you need can be found at www.montreal2006.org

Divers/Cité and Gay Pride celebrations, July 30–Aug. 8
Dance, art, all-night parties, and of course the parade (Sunday, July 30)—Montreal’s celebrated annual gay pride week’s got it all. Events take place all over the city with the majority concentrated in the Gay Village. Info: www.diverscite.org

Twist Week, July 30–Aug. 7
What was once a weekend is now a whole week of festivities coinciding with Divers/Cité and the Outgames. All-night parties and the “Gay Day at the Beach” are the main attractions. Info: www.bbcm.org

Montreal Open, July 31–Aug. 6
When this prestigious golf event re-opened in 2004, it was for the first time since 1945. This year, more than $200,000 in prize money is the carrot dangled in front of 156 pro golfers from around the world. At les Quatres Domaines Golf Club, Mirabel. Info: http://montrealopen.com

August

Montreal Highland Games, August 6 Throwing events, highland dancers, pipe bands and delicious (really—you should try it!) haggis are all celebrated at this tribute to Scottish culture. At 13800 Pierrefonds, Pierrefonds. Info: www.montrealhighlandgames.qc.ca

Festiblues, Aug. 10–22
Loads of blues musicians play for charity in Ahuntsic Park. Info: www.festiblues.com

International Balloon Festival of St-Jean sur-Richelieu, Aug. 12–20
The only things you really want to describe as being full of hot air, hot air balloons, populate the skies of St-Jean in all shapes and sizes. In St-Jean sur-Richelieu. Info: www.montgolfieres.com

Rogers Cup, Aug. 12–20
The best women’s tennis players in the world (including the top five ranked WTA tour players) converge on Montreal to duke it out on the courts. At Stade Uniprix. Info: www.rogerscup.com

Vans Warped Tour, Aug 13
NOFX, Anti-Flag, Less Than Jake and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts are just a few of the musicians playing the Montreal stop of this traveling punk festival. Venue TBA. Info: www.warpedtour.com

New Classical Theatre Festival, Aug. 16–Sept. 09
Gravy Bath Productions and the Montreal Young Company present a festival celebrating the “Theater of the Imagination.” Info/tix: 540-0774.

La Grande Rencontre, Aug. 23–27
Trad music is the name of the game at this festival featuring artists from Cape Breton, the Shetlands, Salt Spring Island and beyond. At Parc Lafontaine. Info: 273-0880, www.spdtq.ca/rencontre/ rencontre.htm

unpop montreal, Aug. 24–27
More than 30 local acts are booked for this second annual music festival, a free, DIY response to September’s Pop Montreal. Info: www.myspace.com/unpopmontreal

World Film Festival, Aug. 24–Sep. 4
Well look who’s laughing last. After nearly being dethroned by last year’s nascent, spectacularly failed New Film Festival, the World Film Festival isn’t going anywhere this year, especially as 2006 marks its 30th anniversary. At various cinemas downtown. Info: 848-3883, www.ffm-montreal.org

Champ Car Series Race, Aug. 25–27
Fast cars, Indy racing, what else do you need to know? At Parc Jean-Drapeau. Info: www.indymontreal.com

Weekend to End Breast Cancer, Aug. 25–27
A 60-kilometre walkathon to raise funds for cancer prevention and research. Info: www.endcancer.ca