As of the first weekend of springtime takes off in Montreal, the city is offering a variety of events to do. We might be in for a bit of snow but it won’t be cold enough to stick around too long (right?). Here are 21 things to keep you busy (and your mind off THE SNOW) from March 22 to 24 in Montreal this weekend.
Friday, March 22
Tony Deyo – Comedy Nest
As seen on Conan and The Late Late Show, Tony Deyo is in Montreal this weekend to bring you some laughs.
Deyo is a former school teacher, symphony musician and current stand-up comedian – the classic comedian mix.
He’ll be joined by the equally hilarious Montreal comedians, Jason Celin, Darren Henwood, Paul Baluyot and Jess Salomon throughout the weekend.
When: March 22 and 23
Time: 8 pm and 10 pm
Where: Comedy Nest, 2313 Ste. Catherine
Price: $12 general admission, $6 students, available online
Subtronics + Blunts & Blondes – Up In Smoke Tour
Blunts & Blondes, is an electronic music producer based in Tampa, Florida. He makes music of the dubstep and heavy bass variety and is an advocate for the cannabis industry.
He’ll be joined by Subtronics at a wild show at Club Soda on Friday.
When: Friday, March 22
Time: 9 pm – 2 am
Where: Club Soda, 1225 St-Laurent
Price: $73.25, available online
The Horrifically Real Virtuality at Centre Phi
A collective immersive experience combining virtual reality, cinema and interactivity by filmmaker Ed Wood.
The event allows viewers to watch the film in a virtual environment while interacting physically and in real time with characters and material objects.
When: Friday, March 22
Time: 10:30 am – 8 pm
Where: Phi Centre, 407, rue Saint-Pierre
Price: $46 – $55, available online
Will Sparks and Ben Nicky at New City Gas
William James Sparks, otherwise known by his stage name Will Sparks, is an Australian producer and DJ from Melbourne, Australia, who is best known for his 2013 single “Bring It Back.”
He’ll be doubling up with American DJ Ben Nicky at a bumping New City Gas on Friday.
When: Friday, March 22
Time: 10 pm – 3 am
Where: New City Gas, 950 rue Ottawa
Price: $16 – $32, available online
Montreal Improv’s Main Event
How about some improv comedy to start off the weekend?
The ultimate improv competition in the city is happening on Friday as two teams collide for their weekly, main event.
Through a series of match-ups and challenges, all initiated through audience suggestions and interaction, only one team will leave Montreal Improv with the title of champion.
When: Friday, March 22
Time: 8:30 pm
Where: Montreal Improv, 3697 Boulevard Saint Laurent
Price: $8
Osheaga presents: Maggie Rogers
Margaret Debay Rogers is an American musician, singer-songwriter, and producer from Easton, Maryland. She rose to fame after her song “Alaska” was played to Pharrell Williams during a master class at New York University.
The 24-year-old will be at a packed MTELUS on Friday.
When: Friday, March 22
Time: 8:30 pm – 11 pm
Where: MTELUS, 59 rue Ste. Catherine
Price: $28 – $36, available online
Electric Avenue’s Beach Party
One of Montreal’s oldest nightclubs, Electric Avenue, is hosting a beach party this weekend because: a) we need it and b) it’s springtime.
Get your tequila, Coronas, dancing and summery clothes fix this weekend.
When: March 22 and 23
Time: 10 pm – 3 am
Where: Club Electric Avenue, 1476 rue Crescent
Price: $28 – $36, available online
Saturday, March 23
The Montreal Canadiens vs Buffalo Sabres
The Canadiens cap off a busy week by hosting the talented Buffalo Sabres on Saturday.
It’s not a ‘must-win’ per se, but with the season dwindling down and playoffs hope getting scarce, every win from here on out is a big one.
Expect the Bell Centre to be loud and exciting tonight.
When: Saturday, March 23
Time: 7 pm
Where: Bell Centre, 1909 avenue des Canadiens de Montreal
Price: Varies per date and seat selection, available online
Sticky Fingers Concert
Sticky Fingers is a reggae/indie rock band formed in 2008 in Sydney, Australia. The band consists of Dylan Frost, Paddy Cornwall, Seamus Coyle, Beaker Best and Freddy Crabs.
They’ll be rocking (and reggae-ing) a bumping Théâtre Corona n Saturday as part of their “Yours to Keep” album tour.
When: Saturday, March 23
Time: 8 pm – 11 pm
Where: Théâtre Corona, 2490 Notre-Dame Ouest
Price: $38 – $42, available online
Hockey History Exhibit
The travelling Hockey Cup History exhibit is at the Dorval Museum of Local History and Heritage.
Hockey fans can take a look at trophies, rings, hockey sticks, archival footage and over 50 hockey-related artifacts. Visitors are also invited to play a hockey tabletop game as well as a ‘design your own goalie mask’ workshop.
When: From now until April 17
Time: 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm, Thursday to Sunday
Where: 1850 Lakeshore Drive, Dorval
Price: Free
Montreal Botanical Garden – Butterflies Go Free
The Montreal Botanical Garden’s annual “Butterflies Go Free” exhibit has returned for another year.
The 22nd edition of the butterfly festival features “thousands of multicoloured butterflies who will be flitting about in an exceptionally lush natural setting,” as per the Montreal Botanical Garden.
Get a chance to see butterfly’s shimmering colours up close in a humid, tropical oasis, not to mention ample gorgeous photo opportunities.
When: Saturday, March 23
Time: 9 am – 5 pm
Where: Montreal Botanical Garden, 4101 rue Sherbrooke Est
Price: $10.25 – $20.50, available online
Pabst Punk Karaoke
Taverne Cobra is hosting a 90’s punk head karaoke night on Saturday. Guests can do their best Rancid, Pennywise, Lagwagon, NoFx, Sum 41, Millencolling and Bad Religion impressions, all night.
When: Saturday, March 23
Time: 11 pm – 3 am
Where: Taverne Cobra, 6584 St-Laurent
Price: Free admission
Art Souterrain
An underground art festival has buried itself below the ground of Montreal.
But not “underground” like a resistance group versus an existing regime — actually underground: below the surface.
The 11th edition of Art Souterrain returned to the city at the beginning of the month, highlighting exhibitions by local and international artists and mediation activities will be available to be discovered along a six-kilometre underground route.
When: From now until March 24
Time: Various times
Where: Various locations around the city, visit the website for specific details
Price: Free
POP Yoga Neige
Downward dog-sled, anyone?
Montreal-based fitness company POP Spirit has been hosting outdoor yoga classes all winter and it sums up this weekend.
Aptly titled POP Yoga Neige, classes will take place on Saturday and Sunday at Parc La Fontaine and Parcours Gouin, respectively.
All classes are free to the public and boast top-notch, professional instructors. All you have to do is bring your own mat and dress warmly.
When: March 23 and 24
Time: 1 pm on Saturdays, 10:30 am on Sundays
Where: Parc La Fontaine and Parcours Gouin
Price: Free
Sunday, March 24
50th Anniversary Expos Celebration
Before the Toronto Blue Jays come to town next week for an exhibition game against the Milwaukee Brewers, the Olympic Stadium will host the Expos Fest Celebrity Gala, in honour of the 50th anniversary of the Montreal Expos.
Baseball bats, jerseys, balls and outstanding Expos memorabilia will be on site for sale as well as autograph signing sessions from the following ex-Expos: Ross Grimsley, Tim Burke, Dennis Martinez, Claude Raymond, Coco Laboy, Javier Vasquez and Denis Boucher.
When: Sunday, March 24
Time: 11 am – 6 pm
Where: Olympic Stadium
Price: Free
Georges Méliès Hommage
Two documentaries will be screened at Cinema VA that highlights the career, importance and films of French filmmaker Georges Méliès and his lasting impact to the film industry.
When: Sunday, March 24
Time: 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Where: Cinema VA – 114, 1395 Rene-Levesque
Price: $8
Volcanoes 3D – IMAX
The IMAX Telus Theatre at the Montreal Science Centre invites guests to a “very hot immersive experience.” Volcanoes 3D will take patrons where few humans dare to venture: into the heart of a volcano.
Using state-of-the-art 3D technology, Volcanoes 3D will offer viewers a thrilling experience, exposing them to the lava erupting at over 700ºC.
The documentary will plunge daringly into the heart of various volcanoes from around the globe, exploiting IMAX with new laser technology.
When: Sunday, March 24
Time: Various times
Where: 2 de la Commune Ouest
Price: $10.50 – $12, available online
Haunted Montreal Pub Crawl
If you thought Montreal’s weather this winter was scary, you’ve got another thing coming.
After doing studies in Savannah, Georgia (dubbed “America’s most haunted city”), the paranormal research crew has jumped over to Montreal for the first-ever Haunted Pub Crawl in the city.
Led by a professional ghost storyteller, the Haunted Montreal Pub Crawl will visit four of the city’s most haunted bars, because mixing ghosts and booze is the only smart way to deal with the paranormal. The tour will start at Charlie’s American Pub on Bishop Street before heading to the recently-burned down John Doe Pub, the historic McKibbin’s Irish Pub, the mysterious Sir Winston Churchill Pub, the frequently-visited (not just by the living) Club Le Cinq and, of course, Hurley’s Irish Pub, where a ghost known as the “Burning Lady” is said to still lurk on the grounds.
When: Sunday, March 24
Time: 3 pm for English, 4 pm for French
Where: The tour starts at Charlie’s American Pub, 1204 Bishop
Price: $20.87, available online
Musée Grévin Montreal
Sneak away from the winter cold and spend a few hours in a warm room while staring at wax celebrity figures.
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: Every day in March
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
iSaute Kirkland
Take your kids to iSaute Kirkland and pretend it’s for them when it’s really for you.
iSaute is a massive venue that has over 30 giant trampolines, trampoline basketball, wall climbing and a trampoline jungle gym. You pay by the hour, there’s a lot to do and it’s actually a fantastic workout. Fun for all ages (and a great workout).
When: Every day in March
Time: 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
Where: 3220 Jean Yves, Kirkland
Price: $16 for the first hour, $10 for the second. Tickets are sold at the door