Saturday’s fireworks offering is a rock ‘n roll odyssey, from the USA: Rock Loves… Redux! This is the last Saturday event on the Feux Loto-Quebec calendar! Sparks fly at 10pm.
Rock fans will descened upon Parc Jean Drapeau for Heavy Montreal. Rob Zombie headlines Saturday, followed by Limp Bizkit Sunday. Some other lesser known bands I particulary loved reading on the list: Jungle Rot, The Acony Scene, Pallbearer, Ultra Vomit, Get the Shot, necrotic mutation, Perturbator.
If you can't wait until the weekend, Parc Jean Drapeau also plays host on Friday to '77 Montreal, a festival that celebrates punk and alt music. It’s the second edition of this fledgling festivalette, with Rise Against, Iron Chic and the Plant Smashers on the bill.
If you want something more rarefied… how about Tchaikovsky? The Orchestre metropolitain plays the Russian composer's symphony number 4 and other hits in front of the chalet on Mont Royal on Friday night.
Another concert, for a good cause, is a benefit to help with recovery after the wildfires that have devastated parts of Greece. On Sunday, July 29 1-5pm, head to the Hellenic Community Centre at 5757 Wilderton in Montreal. The Hellenic Congress of Quebec is working with the Greek Consulate on this. For more info, visit MagicMission.org.
Just for Laughs goes out with a bang this weekend! Hot tickets include Kevin Hart, John Mayer teaming up with Dave Chappelle, Hannah Gadsby wrapping up her tour-de-force Nanette, Amy Schumer and more. You can get the outdoor experience just by strolling around the Quartier des spectacles, where there are free clown and circus shows, games and food trucks for the whole family. And for some late night boogeying, head to the Hyatt Plaza bar to stargaze.
Usually, I get my mac and cheese out of a box. But this weekend, you can snack on 36 different variations on the comfort classic (concoted by18 different chefs) at the Great Mac & Cheese Fest at the Old Port through to Sunday. They’ll be mixing in lobster, mushoroms, duck and more…possibly in one whole dish?
I checked out the McCord Museum with my mom and friends this week, with the delightful Shalom Montreal and Balenciaga: Master of Couture on offer. The former is an informative look at the Jewish communities within Montreal and how they helped shape the city. (My fave part was the Oui Papa! advertisement for curtains...) And for fashion aficionados, Master of Couture is an exploration of 20th century Spanish haute couture designer Cristobal Balenciaga and his structural gowns.
The weird and delightful Fantasia Film Festival continues in and around Concordia… on Friday, check out The Witch in the Window, about a divorced dad and his preteen son trying to renovate an old house in Vermont… which, get this, could be haunted. And Saturday, there is a screening of Punk Samurai Slash Down… a Japanese flick that has a talking monkey warlord AND a doomsday cult called the Bellyshakers in it.
If you can’t get enough of Cher in Mamma Mia 2, see a burlesque tribute to the diva, Saturday night at the Wiggle Room! Performers at Cher Burlesque include Daisy Sunday, Luna Lush and Joy Rider.
Also, don't forget - Bixis are free on Sunday!