Montreal’s summer this year kicks off with a vibrant lineup of shows, festivals and events. We’ve curated a list of must-see shows that will ignite your mind, spark your imagination and take you on a journey through the cosmos. From the fantastical world of Cirque du Soleil’s Kurios to the awe-inspiring biodiversity showcased at OASIS Immersion’s Root for Nature, make the most of the season with unforgettable experiences for all ages.

Cirque du Soleil’s Kurios: a show for the imagination

If you’re looking for a thrilling experience in Montreal this summer, Cirque du Soleil’s Kurios should be at the top of your list. Enter a world of imagination where the clock stands frozen at 11:11 and anything is possible. This Cirque du Soleil show is a smorgasbord of 13 fantastic acts that will thrill your inner child as well as your actual child.

At the heart of Kurios lies the question: What if, by engaging our imagination and opening our minds, we could unlock the door to a world of wonders? The result? A fantastical mechanical world where a collection of otherworldly characters bring to life a setting reminiscent of Jules Verne meeting Thomas Edison in an alternate reality. Between the sumptuous and elaborate costumes, strange and amusing acts, displays of courage and mind-bending story lines, Kurios is certainly one of the most fun Cirque du Soleil shows that I’ve watched. Set designer Stéphane Roy describes it as a place where the steam engine, rather than the internal combustion engine, reigns supreme. This setting evokes the dawn of the industrial era but reimagines it as a more human-centric progression of science and technology. It celebrates imagination and curiosity, featuring a makeshift mechanical world crafted from repurposed objects. Roy explains, “All these objects – the bugle, the typewriter – come with their own history, and from their association, a new meaning emerges. This is further proof that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”

And the whole is certainly something to behold. Kurios features 13 incredible acts such as the Contortion act, where four performers embodying electric eels execute breathtaking performances on the Mechanical Hand. Vertebrae? What are those?

The Invisible Circus delights with its whimsical and invisible performers directed by an eccentric ringmaster. Felipe the Invisible Lion may escape into the crowd, but fear not, only the ringmaster gets hurt during this act.

Meanwhile, the Yo-Yos act showcases a master of time manipulating yo-yos transformed into pocket watches, defying the very concept of time. There is humour and there is dancing — and not of the mundane kind. There are strapping amphibian gentlemen and joyous tail-wagging fish people. Expect to leave the big tent as happy as a cloud because Kurios has those in store for you as well. Remember, it is always 11:11 here and imagination is the only limit.

So what are you waiting for? Put on your red cap and get ready for Kurios this summer!

Running until August 25, 2024.

Root for Nature: an Oasis Immersion exhibit celebrating nature

The latest OASIS Immersion exhibition, Root for Nature, is a tribute to Earth’s beauty in collaboration with National Geographic, aiming to spread awareness about habitat and biodiversity loss. This stunning exhibition immerses visitors in a vibrant interpretation of biodiversity featuring digital art, thematic scenography and informative zones. Designed to inspire all ages, this sensory journey encourages positive action on pressing ecological issues.

The exhibition features three captivating audiovisual works, each in a different room.

Gallery 1: An Ever-Growing World

Showcasing striking National Geographic images, this room invites viewers to reconnect with nature and appreciate its splendour, grandeur and diversity. The exhibit highlights the regenerative capacity of preserved ecosystems and the quiet power of all species, affirming the vitality of our living world.

Gallery 2: We Are All Interconnected

This room merges digital art and science to highlight the interconnectedness of ecological and human worlds. Using advanced generative digital techniques, it celebrates nature’s interconnected power, revealing the beauty and fragility of these links and underscoring the need to protect them. Inspired by the David Suzuki Foundation’s Declaration of Interdependence, it prompts reflection on our role in preserving these crucial connections.

Gallery 3: Rising to the Challenge

Showcasing nature’s resilience and human ingenuity, this room features environmental icons and illustrates how concerted efforts can transform our relationship with Earth and reverse destructive cycles. This section brings a much-needed message of hope, highlighting the success of international initiatives that promote biological renewal from ancient forests to coral reefs.

Over the past 60 years, global wildlife populations have plummeted by nearly 70%. Every gesture, big or small, impacts our shared future and the fate of Earth’s biodiversity. Root for Nature is an engaging journey that inspires action to preserve the magic of our beautiful home.

Don’t miss this vibrant exhibition—grab your tickets and immerse yourself in the wonders of our natural world this summer.

Root for Nature will be running until September 1, 2024.

Rouge 2100 — A Martian Adventure

For science enthusiasts, the Montreal Planetarium offers an array of thrilling space shows and programs that shouldn’t be missed. One of the highlights is the Planetarium’s immersive, cutting-edge theatre domes, featuring two full-dome theaters that allow visitors to tour the universe in a uniquely captivating way.

The Chaos Theatre, my personal favourite, is the smaller of the two domes. Here, you can lie down on a beanbag — preferably one in the middle for the best views — and embark on a cosmic journey. The experience of witnessing two asteroids smash into each other right in front of your eyes, while comfortably ensconced in a beanbag, is a fun experience. The theaters are highly immersive, and the sound quality is top-notch, creating an almost surreal environment as the lights dim and envelop you in complete blackness.

A visit to the Planetarium is further enriched by the immersive exhibition ROUGE 2100, which is included with the purchase of a film or double feature ticket.

If you’ve ever felt like leaving it all behind and starting a colony on Mars, you are not alone. ROUGE 2100 is an imaginative journey presented in five chapters and as many rooms, depicting the first steps of humans on Mars in the year 2100. Guided by the artificial intelligence Felicity 87, visitors leave Earth for Mars, discovering various aspects of life on the red planet. This exhibition explores how humans might live on Mars, the differences in gravity, energy sources and the characteristics of spacesuits required for safe exploration. The exhibit also addresses how humans might survive dust storms on Mars, which can last for months, cover areas larger than one of Earth’s continents and can reach heights of up to 30 kilometers. Oh, and these storms also tend to discharge lighting.

A particularly inspiring section highlights the history and impact of several women in aeronautics and astronautics, showcasing the many significant contributions to their field.

The Montreal Planetarium provides fun, educational experiences, combining cutting-edge technology with imaginative exhibitions like ROUGE 2100. Whether you are journeying through space or exploring potential life on Mars, the Planetarium promises a memorable adventure that will ignite your curiosity and passion for the cosmos.

The red planet awaits. Join the crew and get on board.

ROUGE 2100 will be running until June 30, 2025.

All images are courtesy of their respective venues.