The top 6 things to do in Montreal this week: April 24 to May 4
Wall-to-Wall: Young Japanese animation filmmaker and illustrator Mirai Mizue brings the façade of the UQAM design centre to life with a highly colourful, “beastly” reinterpretation of McLaren’s film Begone Dull Care (1949).
Temperatures seem to be warming up in Montreal, but that’s not the only weird and wonderful event taking place in the city this week.
1. ELECTRONIC ART TO REMEMBER
McLaren Wall-to-Wall | Till June 1 | Free
Did you know that Montreal is among the world’s leaders in electronic art? From March through June, Printemps Numérique is showcasing the city’s best digital creative works.
The seven display pieces — which blend science, industry and art — were inspired by the work of Norman McLaren, the great Canadian filmmaker who would have turned 100 on April 11. They are being screened on the walls of the Quartier des Spectacles until June 1, so there’s no need to contend with crowds or stand on your tippy toes to enjoy this one.
2. SEX, DEATH AND ELECTRO-ROCK'N'ROLL
Pierre Lapointe | April 25 and 26 | $40
Don’t miss Québécois singer and keyboardist Pierre Lapointe’s concert, which will promote his new album, Punkt.
Lapointe likes to provoke his audience with songs about sex, death, joy and misery. So if you enjoy provocation, this is definitely your thing.
3. PAPIER MÂCHÉ + DANCE PARTY
Lungta by Patrick Saint-Denis | Till May 25 | Free
Don’t be shy — break out those “Thriller” moves and show artist Patrick Saint-Denis what you’ve got. His 192 motor-powered fans trigger sheets of paper that will capture your performance.
All of that paper will then be transformed into an interactive screen full of noisy environments and video.
4. A FATE-TEMPTING SPORTS STAR
Maradona by Kusturica | April 27, 1 p.m. | $10
Diego Maradona is one of the most controversial players in the history of soccer. If you don't know why, just google "Hand of God."
Get an inside look at the Argentinian star’s life — from his 1986 FIFA World Cup championship to the drug test that saw him suspended from the tournament in 1994 — in this documentary by Emir Kusturica, presented by Station Vu.
5. LAST CHANCE
Illustrating Medicine | Till May 1 | Free
There’s definitely an art to medicine.
This exhibition — curated by Concordia Communication Studies professor Kim Sawchuk and archivist emerita Nancy Marrelli — features original illustrations from Grant’s Atlas of Anatomy, the seminal work by renowned Canadian anatomist J.C.B. Grant.
You may be surprised to see how we viewed the human body only 70 years ago.
6. BONUS PICK: TOTALLY RANDOM AND POTENTIALLY AWESOME
Lisa Williams | April 26 | $58
We’ve all seen Ghost, but can people actually communicate with the dead? If you’re among the skeptics, this may be your chance to find out.
Lisa Williams — medium, clairvoyant and star of Lifetime TV's Lisa Williams: Voices from the Other Side — started seeing spirits at the age four. And now she's coming to town to perform live readings for audience members. Woooooooooo...
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About the author
Andy Fidel is a Montreal-based freelance journalist, photographer and writer with dreams of living on a submarine. She enjoys metro rides, writer's block and cold instant coffee.