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Hot summer calendar
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What to do and where to do it
compiled by MARK SLUTSKY
Cars, clones, dragon boats, "genital origami," outdoor movies, fireworks: Montreal's vast profusion of summer festivals sometimes seems a little desperate as the city frantically attempts to fit in as many good times as possible during the all-too-brief summer months. What follows is a brief guide to the literally hundreds of ways to amuse yourself during the (hopefully) hot season to come.
June
Grand Prix, June 8-10
Fast cars! Big tents! Rich, inebriated people and hedonistic celebrities spilling out of expensive restaurants! For some, the most exciting event of the year. Gilles-Villeneuve Circuit, Parc Jean-Drapeau. 350-0000
First Peoples' Festival, June 11-21
An ambitious festival of First Nations and Inuit cultures featuring film screenings, concerts, art exhibits and more. At various venues downtown. 575-1701, www.NativeLynx.qc.ca
Magnifico Film Fest, June 13-17
Ex-Centris and the Cinéma Parallèle present the fourth edition of their very popular mini-film festival. With four free outdoor screenings across the street from Ex-Centris (3536 St-Laurent). www.ex-centris.com
Mondial de la bière, June 14-23
A celebration of swill from all over the world, with over 250 varieties of beer, scotch and whisky available for tasting. Jacques-Cartier Pier, Old Port. 722-9640, www.festivalmondialbiere.qc.ca
Montreal Fringe Festival, June 14-24
Dozens of plays and performances at this year's Fringe, as well as the notorious beer tent. All around the Plateau. 849-3378
Suoni Per Il Popolo, June 14-July 22
A festival of new jazz and experimental music. At the Casa del Popolo (4873 St-Laurent) and the affiliated Centro Social Espagnol (4848 St-Laurent). 284-3804, www.casadelpopolo.com
Picasso érotique, June 14-Sep. 16
An exhibit focussing on the painter's steamier side. At the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (1380 Sherbrooke W.)
Architectours, every Sat. and Sun. from
mid-June until the end of September
Heritage Montreal presents a series of tours of the city. 286-2662, www.heritagemontreal.qc.ca
Bloomsday, June 15
A celebration of the day on which James Joyce's Ulysses takes place. At the Thomas More Institute (3405 Atwater). 935-9585, www. thomasmore.qc.cas
Montreal International Fireworks
Competition, June 20-July 28
An event featuring fireworks displays from all over the world. Watch it at La Ronde or from anywhere in the city without a skyscraper in the way. La Ronde, Parc Jean-Drapeau. 872-4537
Mosaïcultures internationales,
June 22-Oct. 8
An international floral sculpture contest with many culturally diverse entries. At Parc des Écluses (Old Port). 868-4000, www.mosaiculture.ca
Fête Nationale/St. Jean-Baptiste, June 24
Festivities take place all over at this annual celebration of Quebec pride. With street parties in various neighbourhoods, celebrations in the parks, a parade and the traditional riot police.
Montreal International Jazz Festival,
June 28-July 8
This year's edition of Montreal's most popular festival includes performances by Ibrahim Ferrer, Prince, Cesaria Evora, Wayne Shorter and dozens of others. Around Place des Arts. 871-1881
Les Bouquinistes du St-Laurent,
June 28-July 15
Booksellers assemble to hawk their wares out of open-air stalls. Old Port Promenade (at the entrance to Alexandra Pier).
Moto Mondial, June 30-July 2
Grease, sweat and motor enthusiasts are no doubt panting at the thought of this annual motorbike festivals. Stunts, drag races and more. Gilles-Villeneuve Circuit, Parc Jean-Drapeau. 790-1245, www.motoshow.com
July
Canada Day Festivities, July 1
The natural counter-point to the Fête Nationale, a celebration of Canadian identity. Events downtown, in various neighbourhoods and at the Old Port. 935-1225 or 496-PORT, www.oldportofmontreal.com
Artfest 2001, July 2-8
A street festival with over 200 artists participating. Visual arts, theatre, circus stuff and more. Artfest takes place along Ste-Catherine E. in the Village.
Labatt Outdoor Cinema, July 5-Aug. 9
Movies shown for free outdoors on a giant screen every Thursday night. On Bonsecours Island. 496-PORT (movies listed at www.
oldportofmontreal.com)
Carifiesta Parade, July 7
A huge Caribbean parade with live music, dancers and more. Carifiesta starts at the corner of René-Lévesque and Guy at 12:30 p.m. and proceeds east to Champ de Mars park. 735-2232
Nuits d'Afrique, July 12-22
This year's edition of this annual festival of African and Caribbean music and culture features, among many others, Lagbaja and Youssou N'Dour. At the Spectrum, Balattou, Kola Note and Place Émilie-Gamelin. 499-FINA
Just for Laughs, July 12-22
This year's huge celebration of the har-har features performances from Scott Thompson, the legendary Spinal Tap, something billed as The Puppetry of the Penis and many more. Along St-Denis in the Quartier Latin, and various venues around town. 790-HAHA, www.hahaha.com
Fantasia Film Festival, July 12-31
The popular festival dedicated to genre film from around the world returns with over 80 thrilling and unusual movies. Mostly at the Cinéma Impérial (1430 Bleury). www.fantasiafest.com
Echoes of a Proud Nation PowWow,
July 13-15
A festival of First Nations culture held on site in Kahnawake. On Kateri Tekakwitha Island, Kahnawake Mohawk Territory. (450) 638-9699, www.kahnawake.com
Vues d'Afrique Summer Festival, July13-16
Outdoor screenings, music and food at this celebration of African and Creole cinema and cultures. Théâtre de Verdure, Parc Lafontaine.
284-3322
Sixth Annual Montreal Dragon Boat Race Festival, July 21-22
A traditional race with rowers competing in long, elaborately decorated Chinese boats. Olympic Basin, Parc Jean-Drapeau. 866-7001, www.montrealdragonboat.com
Oasis/Area:One Music Festival, July 20-21
A huge event featuring the likes of Moby, Paul Oakenfeld, The Roots, The Orb, OutKast and more, on July 20-21. Friday at Parc Jean-Drapeau, Saturday at the Molson Centre, 790-1245, www.514productions.com
Shakespeare in the Park, July 24-25
A free presentation (in English) of Shakespeare's Pericles, Prince of Tyre with acrobatics, music and magic. Jacques-Cartier Pier.
Les FrancoFolies de Montréal, July 26-Aug. 4
This year's festival of francophone music from all over the world features performances by Arthur H., Vanessa Paradis, Jean Leloup and more. 876-8989, francofolies.com
Matsuri Japan Festival, July 28
A night of Japanese drumming, food and dance. Place d'Horloge, Old Port. 496-PORT, www.oldportofmontreal.com
Divers/Cité Gay Pride, July 28-Aug. 6
A 10-day festival celebrating queer community and culture with music, art, parties and more, finishing off with Montreal's massive Pride Parade. Events take place all over downtown and the Village. 285-4011, www.diverscite.org
Tennis Masters Series Men's Event,
July 28-Aug. 5
An international event featuring the top 52 men's tennis players. At du Maurier Stadium, Jarry Park. 790-1245, www.tenniscanada.com
August
Les Fêtes Gourmandes internationales de Montréal, Aug. 3-19
Tasty treats from all over the world at this lively annual affair. Île Notre-Dame, Parc Jean-Drapeau. 861-8241
The Road to Peace--Arrival of the Rabiscaws, Aug. 4
An event in memory of the signing of the Great Peace Treaty featuring a recreation of a public market, aboriginal events and more. At Place Royale, Parc d'Youville and Jacques-Cartier Pier. 496-PORT, www.oldportofmontreal.com
Montreal Highland Games, Aug. 5
Scottish sports, dance and music, people from all over the world. On the grounds of Douglas Hospital, (6875 LaSalle, Verdun). 332-5242
Vans Warped Tour, Aug. 10
Churlish teens rejoice at this giant rock show with 31 bands including sports and skateboard demos and other diverting activities. Parterre, Parc Jean-Drapeau. 790-1245
Montreal International Celtic Festival,
Aug. 10-12
Montreal's largest Celtic festival features dancers, music, food, drink and more. On the grounds of the Douglas Hospital (6875 LaSalle, Verdun). www.montrealcelticfestival.com
St-Jean-sur-Richelieu Hot Air Balloon
Festival, Aug. 11-19
Watch the pretty balloons fly into the sky at this annual festival. Aéoroport Municipal St-Jean-sur-Richelieu. (450) 347-9555, www.montgolfiieres.com
Festiblues, Aug. 16-19
The fourth edition of a blues festival with proceeds going to the Bordeaux-Cartierville and Ahuntsic Youth Foundations. Free, with donations happily accepted. At Parc Ahuntsic.
337-8425, www.festiblues.com
World Film Festival Aug. 23-Sep. 3
Somewhere around 400 films will be screened at this year's showcase of films from all over the world. At various movie theatres around town. 848-3883, www.ffm-montreal.org
Montreal International Salsa Convention,
Aug. 24-26
A celebration of salsa dancing for pros and amateurs alike with workshops and performances. At Jacques-Cartier Pier. 496-PORT, www.oldportofmontreal.com
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