Hot Summer Calendar

>> Three months of festivals and diversions
to occupy the masses this season

ONE LOVE: Rogers Cup tennis

Compiled by LORRAINE CARPENTER

June

Suoni per il Popolo Festival, to June 30 This annual avant-garde music festival features “freakified jams,” “big band bonanzas” and “out-there experimentations” in jazz, noise, rock and electronic-ism, and several stops in between. This year’s line-up includes Hüsker Dü’s Grant Hart, Thee Silver Mt. Zion, Pop Levi, Sam Shalabi, Friendly Rich and the Sun Ra Arkestra. All the shows take place at Casa del Popolo (4873 St-Laurent) or la Sala Rossa (4848 St-Laurent), apart from Popolo in the Park, the all-ages picnic with live music, DJs and more, at Parc Lahaie on June 21. (514) 284-0122, www.casadelpopolo.com

Grand Prix du Canada, June 6–8
Formula 1 fever and Saturday night fever unite and sweep the city for this annual debauched weekend, all leading up to the big race at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve at Parc des Îles. www.grandprix.ca

St-Ambroise Montreal Fringe Festival, June 12–22
At 18, Montreal’s alternative theatre, dance and comedy festival is still barely legal. Catch shows at venues all over the Plateau and Mile-End. (514) 849-FEST, www.montrealfringe.ca

Fringe Pop, June 19–22
Handsome Furs, the d’Urbervilles and Adam and the Amethysts are just a few of the bands booked at this year’s Pop Montreal/Fringe pair-up, next to the Fringe’s beer tent at Parc des Amériques (corner of Rachel & St-Laurent). www.popmontreal.com

Montreal First Peoples Festival, June 12–22
This multidisciplinary festival represents the indigenous peoples of the three Americas with exhibitions, screenings, ceremonies, performances, readings and lectures at venues across the city. On National Aboriginal Solidarity Day (June 21), Richard Desjardins (aka Richard Guétare), Kathia Rock and Jean-Frédéric Messier will take part in a free concert at the festival’s outdoor site, Émilie-Gamelin park. (514) 677-7877, www.nativelynx.qc.ca

Eureka! Festival, June 13–15
Support your local science scene at this festival, promising “intriguing shows,” “inspiring scientists!”, “hair-raising exhibits!” and “astonishing demonstrations!” at the Old Port piers and Montreal Science Centre. www.eurekafestival.ca

PROBLEMS SOLVED: National Environmental Exhibition

National Environmental Exhibition, June 13–15
Under a green big-top at the Jacques Cartier pier, the third annual National Environmental Exhibition will feature 165 exhibitors proposing concrete solutions to environmental challenges. www.sne2008.com

L’Off Festival de Jazz, June 13–21
Local and international musicians are due to occupy Lion d’Or, le Dièse Onze jazz club, la Sala Rossa and Pub St-Ciboire for this annual counterpoint to the mac daddy of music festivals. (514) 524-0831, www.lofffestivaldejazz.com

Tremblant Film Festival, June 18–22
This festival of independent feature films from the Americas and Europe presents a day dedicated to Mexican cinema this year, as well as more premieres, parties, guests and outdoor screenings around the scenic Laurentian town. Thanks to added support from SODEC, the NFB and Radio-Canada, there will be NFB shorts before every feature, children’s programming and a film workshop for teens. www.tremblantfilmfestival.org

Carifiesta, June 21–July 5
With the Junior Carnival on June 21 and the King & Queen Carnival on June 28, there’ll be lots of time for excitement to mount for Carifiesta’s blowout parade on Saturday, July 5. Flamboyant floats and costumes and lively music, in the tradition of Trinidad & Tobago, are due to fill the streets as of noon, moving east on René-Lévesque from Guy to Sanguinet. (514) 737-8321, www.montrealcarifiesta.com

ROOTS MUSIC, RAIN OR SHINE:
Lake of Stew at Folk Festival on the Canal

Folk Festival on the Canal, June 21
This inaugural, all-day, rain-or-shine event will take place at the St-Ambroise Terrasse, behind St-Henri’s McAuslan Brewery (5080 St-Ambroise), right on the Lachine Canal. The program includes roots musicians such as Rob Lutes, Notre Dame de Grass, United Steel Workers of Montreal and Lake of Stew on the main stage, with an Emerging Artists stage inside the Centre St-Ambroise. www.myspace.com/ centrestambroise

L’International des Feux Loto-Québec, June 21–Aug. 6
Whether you’re in the official audience at la Ronde, on a nearby rooftop or some other sweet vantage point, watch the night sky for explosions of light and colour every weekend. www.internationaldesfeuxloto-quebec.com

Dimanches Salsafolie, June 22–Sept. 28
Every Sunday, dancers and musicians will wow the crowds with Latin rhythms at the Old Port’s King Edward pier from 4–11 p.m., with multi-level dance courses in the first hour. The first annual Salsafolie festival runs from Aug. 22–24, bringing in bands such as Cuba’s Bamboleo and Puerto Rico’s Cahunto Classico. www.salsafolie.com

Fête Nationale/St-Jean Baptiste, June 24
Quebec’s national holiday is marked by neighbourhood festivities all over town. The official celebration culminates in a huge concert in Parc Maisonneuve featuring Xavier Caféïne, Loco Locass, Normand Brathwaite, Alfa Rococo, Paul Cargnello, France d’Amour and more. www. fetenationale-montreal.qc.ca

Montreal International Jazz Festival, June 26–July 6
With hundreds of musicians packing onto downtown stages and audiences in the tens of thousands, the Jazz Fest remains the city’s biggest and best-known summer event. There are over 350 free outdoor shows TBA, but the indoor line-up includes Lee Scratch Perry, Ladytron, Public Enemy, Daniel Lanois, RZA and GZA, Coral Egan and Vieux Farka Touré. (514) 871-1881, www.montrealjazzfest.com

Montreal Intercultural Festival, June 28–July 20
A wide variety of countries and customs will be celebrated via music, dance, food and exhibitions at this annual cultural-heritage festival at Parc Jean-Drapeau. Along with days devoted specifically to Creole and Haitian cultures, merenge and classical music and mixed “Vivres nos cultures!” events, there will be an outdoor screening of the Euro 2008 soccer final on June 29.

July

Festival International Montréal en Arts 2008, July 3–6
Over 150 artists will display their work on Ste-Catherine between St-Hubert and Papineau for the ninth edition of this annual arts bash. In addition to the open-air gallery, this year’s program includes five performances/installations. www.festivaldesarts.org

Montreal Musician and Musical Instrument Show, July 3–6
The number of activities at the fourth edition of this free, four-day event at the Complexe Desjardins has more than doubled to 150. Expect exhibitions, performances, workshops, award presentations, lessons and jam sessions at this Jazz Fest-affiliated happening, including the Montreal Guitar Show and the Blues Camp for Kids. For details, visit www. simmm.ca.

Fantasia, July 3–21
Don’t be surprised by the line-ups around the block at Concordia’s Hall and J.A. De Sève theatres when the mother of genre film festivals returns with an international selection of horror, action, animation, comedy and fantasy films, plus special guests, affiliated exhibitions and parties. www.fantasiafestival.com

Fête international de Lanaudière, July 5–Aug. 3
Classical music connoisseurs and scenesters will gather in Joliette for performances, screenings, lectures, dinners and a cruise at this esteemed annual event at the Amphithéâtre de Lanaudière. 1-800-561-4343, www.lanaudiere.org

Just for Laughs, July 10–20
Joan Rivers, Jimmy Fallon, Jeremy Piven and Kathy Griffin are some of the performers at this year’s comedy festival, bringing the funny to various venues downtown and on the Plateau. www.hahaha.com

Festival International Nuits d’Afrique, July 8–20
Nigeria’s Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, Brazil’s Tribo de Jah, Senegal’s Zal Idrissa Sissokho and Haiti’s Pierre-Michel Ménard are some of the acts at this year’s festival of African music, which also features a number of free outdoor shows and kiosks at Émilie Gamelin park. www.festivalnuitsdafrique.com

Montreal International Reggae Festival, July 11–13
Here’s hoping for sun for the reggae festival at the Old Port, featuring arts, crafts, cuisine, multimedia attractions and, of course, music. The 2008 line-up includes Steel Pulse, Morgan Heritage, Junior Kelly, Warrior King, Mikey Dangerous, Inword, Jah Cutta and Mello G. For the first time, there will be pre-festival shows in the evenings, from July 8–13, and afterparties at the House of Reggae (1693A St-Denis). (514) 312-3782, www.montrealreggaefestival.com

Festival International du Merengue de Montréal, July 19–20
There’s more than merengue at this all-day Latin music festival in Parc Jean-Drapeau, with salsa, bachata and reggaeton acts getting in on the action too. Artists include Tito Nieves, El Chaval, Hector El Father, Krisspy, Qbanito and D.Flow. (514) 279-9459, www.festivalmerenguedemontreal. com

Vans Warped Tour, July 20
This year’s punk-emo-pop-rock-etc roadshow brings the likes of Against Me, the Aggrolites, Angels and Airwaves, Bouncing Souls, Every Time I Die, Gym Class Heroes, Horrorpops, Pennywise, Protest the Hero and Say Anything to Parc Jean-Drapeau. www.warpedtour.com

Les FrancoFolies de Montréal, July 24–August 3
Montreal’s mega, French-language music festival turns 20 this year. Alongside the ticketed indoor and free outdoor shows (the latter TBA July 9), the festival has added the Pavillon magique (a tent in festival park) as a present to itself. Artists include Pierre Lapointe, le Husky, Noir Silence, Stéfie Shock, numéro# and Omnikrom. www.francofolies.com

Jamaica Day, July 26
Feast your senses on Jamaican music, cuisine and crafts at Parc Jean Drapeau from noon–11 p.m. on Jamaica Day, also featuring activities for kids, access to a pool and a great view of the fireworks.

Montreal International Dragon Boat Festival, July 26–27
Live entertainment, arts and crafts, a variety of vendors, a drawing contest for children and more activities for adults and kids alike are all icing on the cake – the cake being the traditional dragon boat races, featuring over 200 teams from all over the continent. Admission is free. (514) 866-7001, www.montrealdragonboat.com

Rogers Cup, July 26–Aug. 3
The cream of the tennis crop, including Venus Williams, gather in Montreal for men’s and women’s championships at Stade Uniprix. Info: www.rogerscup.com

COSPLAY CUTIE: A fangirl at Otakuthon ’07

Otakuthon, July 26–27
This all-day anime convention at the Palais des Congrès features vendors, screenings, competition, karaoke, live music, gaming stations, special guests and cosplay on display. Say konichiwa to something wild and weird. www.otakuthon.com

DIVA IN THE CITY: Deborah Cox at Divers/Cité

Divers/Cité, July 27–Aug. 3
Divers/Cité is expanding its gay pride festivities this year, with more live music (including singer Deborah Cox), club nights, art exhibitions and film screenings in the Gay Village, Émilie-Gamelin park and beyond. www.diverscite.org

Twist, July 31–Aug. 4
Twist returns with its three annual pride-week bashes: the Twist Party, the Gay Day at the Pool (at St-Helen’s Island’s aquatic complex) and Twist Encore. But that’s not all–look out for other happenings around the Village, all care of the Bad Boy Club of Montreal. www.bbcm.org

July

Montreal Highland Games, August 3 This festival of all things Scottish features dozens of pipe bands and even more highland dancers in competition, alongside fiddle playing and country dancing, kiosks and boutiques, loads of free fun stuff for kids, culinary delights (both local and Scottish) and refreshments including “a number of imported ales.” At the George Springate Sports Centre (13800 Pierrefonds). www.montrealhighlandgames.qc.ca

Osheaga, Aug. 3–4 The third annual edition of Osheaga (a month earlier than its usual Labour Day slot) means that Parc Jean Drapeau will be overrun with faithful followers of rock, pop, punk, soul and electro gods and goddesses such as Iggy Pop and the Stooges, the Kills, Sharon Jones, Spiritualized, the Go Team!, Plants and Animals, CSS, MGMT, Gogol Bordello and the Black Keys. Keep an eye on www. osheaga.com for updates.

Festiblues International de Montréal, Aug. 7–10 It’s (almost) all about blues at this annual event, featuring shows in Ahuntsic Park and at the Maison de la Culture Ahuntsic. This year’s line-up includes the Pascale Picard Band, the Vic Vogel Big Band, Jack de Keyzer, Cotton Belly’s, a night devoted to Cajun music and a soirée entitled “Je blues en français.” www.festiblues.com

La Grande Rencontre, Aug. 8–10 Lafontaine park is the setting for this festival of traditional Québécois music and dance. In its 16th year, La Grande Rencontre focuses on the fiddle. (514) 273-0880, www.spdtq.qc.ca 

International Balloon Festival of St-Jean sur-Richelieu, Aug. 9–17 This year’s hot-air balloon extravaganza in St-Jean sur-Richelieu will be capped by a concert featuring Kenny Rogers, Sunday Aug. 17, www.montgolfieres.com

TRUE COLOURS: Flag dancers at Italian Week

Montreal’s Italian Week, Aug. 9–17 From NDG to St-Leonard, from fashion shows to golf tournaments to opera, Italians will prove once again that they do it better. www.italianweek.ca

Fête des Enfants, Aug. 15–17 The 10th annual children’s festival takes over Parc Jean Drapeau once again, after attracting more than 250,000 people last year. Visit www.ville.montreal.qc.ca/fetedesenfants for programming updates.

World Film Festival, Aug. 21–Sept. 1 Serge Losique’s World Film Festival returns with cinematic delights from all over the world, as well as student films, competitions and homages at various downtown theatres. (514) 848-3883, www.ffm-montreal.org

Weekend to End Breast Cancer, Aug. 22–24 This 60-kilometre walkathon raises funds for cancer research and treatment at the Jewish General Hospital’s Segal Cancer Centre. www.endcancer.ca