15 things to do in Montreal today: Saturday, May 18

The world-renowned Cirque du Soleil production is returning home all May.

Alegria, which was first performed by Cirque in 1994, stole the eyes and ears of more than 14 million spectators. Performed under a traditional Big Top tent, the show made its way to 255 different cities over 19 years of touring, until its last performance in 2013.

The show mixes the high energy acrobatics which Cirque du Soleil is famous for with a “rallying theme for change, hope, and optimistic renewal.” The cast is made up of more than 50 performers and musicians, all renowned internationally for their craft.

When: May 18 and 19
Time: 8 pm
Where: Big Top, Old Port – Jacques-Cartier Quay, de la Commune Street Est
Price: $150 – $412, available online

Gary Vider at the Comedy Nest

As seen on Conan and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Vider is one of only four comedians ever to make it to the Final 10 on America’s Got Talent.

Vider uses his laid back style to open up about his annual income, having a roommate, and dating.

Check him out this weekend at one of Montreal’s most renowned comedy clubs, the Comedy Nest.

When: Saturday, May 18
Time: 8 pm
Where: 2312 Rue Saint Catherine
Price: $12 general, $6 students. Tickets available at the door or online

Metro Metro Festival

Montreal is getting a brand new music festival and it will be headlined by Cardi B and Snoop Dogg – a nice start.

The inaugural Metro Metro music festival is being labelled as the country’s “biggest urban music fest” and will feature over 45 local and international artists across two stages for two days this weekend at the Olympic Stadium.

When: May 18 and 19
Time: TBA
Where: l’Esplanade Financière Sun Life, Olympic Stadium
Price: $170, available

Festival Wes Anderson

Marché Noir is hosting a Wes Anderson film festival all weekend. Each film costs $2 to watch and will be presented in English with French subtitles.

The impressive schedule is lined up like so:

Saturday, May 18:
3 pm: The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
5 pm: The Darjeeling Limited
7 pm: Fantastic Mr. Fox

When: Saturday, May 18
Time: 2:45 pm – 9:45 pm
Where: Le Marché Noir, 1358 rue Ontario
Price: $2 per film

Pouzza 9 Festival

Over 175 bands will be at the Quartier des Spectacles this weekend, all playing throughout the weekend at various prices (some of which are free).

Here’s a little taste of who’s performing: Against Me!, Andrew W.K., Strung Out, The Planet Smashers, Subb, Samiam, Big D and the Kids Table, Ogikubo Station, Guerilla Poubelle, The Smoking Popes, Night Birds, and Sincere Engineer.

Check out the website for a full list of bands and details.

When: Saturday, May 18
Time: 10 am – 2 am
Where: Quartier des Spectacles
Price: Various prices, tickets available online

La Ronde

Though the weather forecast may not be on our side, try battling The Goliath, get rocked on Le Ednor or check out the park’s newest ride, Chaos.

When: Saturday, May 18
Where: 22 Chemin Macdonald
When: 10:30 am – 8 pm (11:30 pm during the fireworks)
Price: Available online or at the box office

The Planet Smashers Concert

Channel the early 2000s with a free concert headlined by The Planet Smashers who will be joined by a slew of other great local bands.

Featured acts include: Strung Out, Big D and the Kids Table, DIRECT HIT!, Ogikubo Station, The Doped Up Dollies, Alex Brown and The Hepcats, and The Anti-Queens.

When: Saturday, May 18
Time: 10 am – 10:30 pm
Where: Quartier des Spectacles
Price: Free

Voiles en Voiles

Climb aboard life-size replicas of both royal and pirate ships from the 18th century in Montreal’s Old Port (how fitting).

They are over 100 feet in length and range from two feet high for the young pirates to 35 feet for Peter Pan wannabes.

As the obstacle course gears up for its final stretch run, check out the 61 different activities between the Royal Ship and the Pirate Ship. Activities include zip lining, rock climbing, and bouncy castles.

When: Saturday, May 18
Time: 10 am – 6 pm
Where: Place des Vestiges, Old Port
Price: Prices vary depending on selected activities, tickets online

Coup Sûr

With baseball/softball season right around the corner, head to the cages and get your swing timing down.

Coup Sûr has six pitching machines all throwing at various speeds and each machine throws either baseballs or softballs. They have a closed off radar section too if you want to practice pitching. They supply bats and helmets and boast an impressive Baseball Town store if you’re looking for some gear.

Their pro shop, Baseball Town, is offering 25% on selected items on Saturday in preparation for the upcoming season.

When: Saturday, May 18
Time: 9 am – 10 pm
Where: 3835 Boulevard Curé-Labelle, Laval
Price: 1 token (20 pitches): $5.75/ 5 token special (100 pitches): $23.00

Jeux d’échecs géants

Montreal is going to be enlarging a classic hobby this month for you to check(mate) out.

Four giant, playable, chess sets are returning to the Quartier des Spectacles from now until May 31 and it’s free to play.

The giant boards consist of all the required pieces to play an official game and each piece is made out of a light plastic that’s easily moveable.

Sure, it might be a little more difficult to strike your opponent’s queen emphatically, but that’s all part of the fun.

The outdoor chess sets will work on a first come, first served basis as there’s no registration or sign-up required.

When: From now until May 31
Time: 10 am – 8 pm
Where: Corner of Ste. Catherine and rue Jeanne Mance
Price: Free

Lil Jon – New City Gas

What? Yeah!

Lil Jon is going to be spinning beats at New City Gas, as a special guest to the Festival Metro Metro after party.

When: Saturday, May 18
Time: 10 pm – 3 am
Where: New City Gas, 950 rue Ottawa
Price: online$16 – $36, available

Our DNA

A centrepiece of Montreal’s architectural heritage, this spiral staircase, created by local artist, Patrick Pérubé embodies “neighbourly culture and friendly back alleys.”

Suspended in mid-air, the double helix of a DNA molecule aims to remind on-lookers that our differences, put together, make up our collective identity.

When: From now until May 28
Time: 24/7
Where: Quartier des Spectacles
Price: Free

Yoko Ono’s Arising

Yoko Ono’s new art exhibition debut in Montreal at the end of April.

As part of the Japanese multimedia artist’s ongoing installation called “Arising,” Ono is asking women to share stories of harm that has been brought on as a result of being a woman. Participants are asked to also send in a photo of their eyes as part of the project.

The installation will be shown accompanied by other interactive works by Ono in which specific instructions will be given to visitors.

When: From now to September 15
Time: 12 pm – 7 pm
Where: Fondation Phi pour l’art contemporain, 451 rue St-Jean
Price: Free

Thierry Mugler at the MMFA

The world premiere of the Thierry Mugler: Couturissime exhibition which was christened by Kim Kardashian is at Montreal’s Museum of Fine Arts.

Set against a spectacular backdrop, the exhibition brings together more than 140 garments made between 1973 and 2001, most of which have never been shown before.

When: Saturday, May 18
Time: 10 am – 5 pm
Where: Musée des beaux-arts de Montreal, 1380 rue Sherbrooke
Price: $16 – $24, available online

La Grande Roue de Montréal

Hit up Canada’s largest observational wheel and take in some absolutely breathtaking views of the city, during the weekend. Not to mention, some primetime photo ops that’ll make your Instagram crowd jealous.

When: Saturday, May 18
Time: 10 am – 11 pm
Where: 362 rue de Commune Est
Price: $14.79 – $25