11 things to do in Montreal today: Saturday, May 4

May 4 2019, 1:27 am

As Montreal enters the weekend, The Weather Network predicts plenty of sunshine and warmth today, Saturday, May 4, along with a slew of great events to check out.

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Cirque Du Soleil: Alegria

Alegria

Alegria by Cirque du Soleil

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: Saturday, May 4
Time: 8 pm
Where: Big Top, Old Port – Jacques-Cartier Quay, de la Commune Street Est
Price: $150 – $412, available online

Montreal Sketchfest

Things have gotten sketchy in Montreal – in a good way.

The 14th edition of Montreal Sketchfest has returned to the city for 10 days of live sketch comedy and laughs.

The Montreal Sketch Comedy Festival is an annual celebration of sketch comedy assembled by Le Nouveau International, a not-for-profit arts company that resides at Theatre Ste. Catherine.

Since its inception in 2006, the festival has welcomed over 300 troupes from all over the world.

When: From now until May 11
Time: Varying times
Where: Theatre Sainte-Catherine, Café Bar and Montreal Improv
Price: $15 – $65, available online

Salon de la Passion Médiévale

Medieval Montreal

Shutterstock

A medieval convention is galloping its way towards Montreal this weekend, just in time for episode four of Game of Thrones.

Take it back to the 15th century as the Pierre-Charbonneau Center will be taken over by knights, queens, and kings as the Salon de la Passion Médiévale returns to our fair city.

This event will feature a plethora of medieval activities including combat sports, treasure and dragon hunting, and a masquerade costume competition.

And, given that it’s tough to get your hands on fire-breathing dragons (literally), there will be a fire performance because it’s not really medieval without it.

The three-day event will be split up between outdoor and indoor activities, which will feature dozens of exhibitors.

When: May 3 – 5
Time: 5 pm – 10 pm (Friday), 10 am – 6 pm (Saturday), 10 am – 5 pm (Sunday)
Where: Pierre-Charbonneau Center
Price: $14 – $90, available online

21 Swings

swing

grantalias/ Instagram

Spring won’t be the only thing in the air as Montreal’s musical swing exhibition has returned to the Quartier des Spectacles.

The interactive, music art installation, 21 Swings, will have Montrealers feeling like kids again as guests can swing back and forth, creating musical melodies.

The 21 Swings (or Balançoires) installation was custom-made for the Promenade des Artistes in the Quartier des Spectacles. The work was created by Daily tous les jours, in collaboration with animal behaviourist Luc-Alain Giraldeau from UQAM and Radwan Ghazi Moumneh, the installation’s composer.

When: From now until May 28
Time: 10 am – 12 am
Where: Promenade des Artistes, Quartier des spectacles
Price: Free

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 4
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

Our DNA

Quartier des Spectacles

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

Vigfus Birgisson/Reykjavik Art Museum

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

mbamtl/Instagram

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 4
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

http://www.lagranderouedemontreal.com

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 4
Time: 10 am – 11 pm
Where: 362 rue de Commune Est
Price: $14.79 – $25

Rose Bowl Bowling

The Rose Bowl is a Montreal landmark.

The 72-lane bowling alley offers both 10-pin and 5-pin bowling and opening hours that appeal to everyone.

The Rose also hosts a casse-croute, a bar, and an arcade room.

Strike some bowling off the list for this weekend.

When: Saturday, May 4
Time: 8 am – 3 am
Where: 6510 rue St-Jacques Ouest
Price: $5 per game plus $2.39 shoe rental (mandatory)

Musée Grévin Montreal

wax museum

Grévin Wax Museum/ Facebook

Say hello to this weekend by saying hello to some wax figurines.

Check out your favourite actors, athletes, and artists in wax form. The figurines are displayed beautifully through the four-floor museum that also features optical illusions and interactive displays. It’s admittedly pretty creepy staring into Elvis’ eyes, especially if he starts blinking.

When: Saturday, May 4
Time: 10 am to 6 pm
Where: 705 Rue Saint Catherine (4th floor of the Eaton Centre)
Price: $19.50 for adult, $13.50 for children, $15.50 for youth and students and $18 for seniors

DH Montreal StaffDH Montreal Staff

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