It’s spring in Montreal, which means the city emerges from its winter slumber and takes on an entirely new life featuring an abundance of outdoor activities. The Quartier des Spectacles is jam-packed with fun events throughout May, and people of all ages are invited to visit and take in the live music and interactive activities. Until the full-blown summer festival season starts next month, there’s no shortage of fun to be had as the streets around Ste. Catherine St. W., Esplanade Tranquille, and Place des Arts come alive with bands, games, roller skating, and more.
Ville Orchestre – Quartier des spectacles © Élias Touil
Ville Orchestre
On until May 28, 2023
Promenade des Artistes
Break out your inner musician at this colourful, interactive musical installation by Robocut Studio, Dpt. and Vallée Duhamel. Passerby are invited to become impromptu musicians and use their feet, hands and voices at the Ville orchestre’s four stations and play their own special arrangements.
Giant chess and Scrabble
May 3 to 28, 2023
Esplanade Tranquille
Oversized games will make for a lot of fun as players of all ages move their huge pieces around the boards. Learn from experienced strategists or challenge family or friends.
Introduction to roller skating with Lowlife
May 13 and 14
Esplanade Tranquille
If you’ve been wanting to try roller skating for the first time or revisit your 80s childhood, visitors can try out the sport with the staff of the Lowlife skate shop, who will help beginners get rolling. Their experts will teach introductory techniques, and the required protective equipment will be loaned for free. Thirty pairs of roller skates are available for 30-minute sessions. Participants are encouraged to bring their own protective gear (helmet, knee/wrist/elbow pads) as quantities are limited.
Roller skating show
May 13
Esplanade Tranquille
Watch this amazing artistic performance on roller skates, featuring Annie-Kim Déry and Jérémy Vitupier. Enjoy their slick moves and artistic acrobatics as they skate disco-style.
Roller derby demonstration with the Montréal Roller Derby League (MTLRD)
May 14
Esplanade Tranquille
At the Esplanade Tranquille, The A and B teams (Les New Skids on The Block and Les Sexpos de Montréal) of the MTLRD will play an open-air friendly inclusive competition.
La Fanfare Jarry – Quartier des spectacles © Eva Blue
Live music
May 3 to 27
Ste. Catherine St. West, Esplanade Tranquille, the Place des Arts steps and parterre
Put on your dancing shoes (flip flops are also fine!) and get ready to groove to some great live music this spring with brass bands, gospel, percussion and swing.
MEM citizen bicycles
May 10, 12, and 14
Esplanade Tranquille
The team from the MEM – Centre des mémoires montréalaises will be riding their red bikes and greeting the public. Have a look at the large mystery box they carry with them as it’s a preview of the new MEM museum that will be opening in 2023.
Exhibition: Bédélys 2023 finalists
The whole month of May
Grand Salon of the Esplanade Tranquille pavilion
As part of Mai: mois de la BD (May: comic book month), the Festival BD de Montréal (FBDM) is presenting an exhibition featuring the finalists for the 24th edition of the Bédélys awards, honouring the best comic books published in 2022. Six categories’ awards reflect the art form’s current diversity and quality. Fans can discover the works and their creators and enjoy a reading in the Grand Salon.
GETTING TO THE QUARTIER DES SPECTACLES
Public transit: numerous STM bus routes and three metro stations (orange and green lines) serve the area.
Cycling: numerous all-season bike lanes crisscross the downtown core, and bike racks are available at Saint-Laurent metro station, just steps away from Esplanade Tranquille. Several Bixi stations are now open.
Driving: in addition to street parking, the district has five indoor parking garages that are open to the public.
For more information and to plan your visit go to: quartierdesspectacles.com
