What’s on in Montreal – Some choice arts and entertainment events for February
What’s on in Montréal courtesy of Tourisme Montréal
CLASSICAL MUSIC
Orchestre symphonique de Montréal concert highlights include The Flamboyant Barbara Hannigan (February 4), and Mozart and the Elegance of Angela Hewitt with the pianist and orchestra conducted by Leonard Slatkin (February 26 and 28).
Mozart and the Elegance of Angela Hewitt with the pianist and orchestra conducted by Leonard Slatkin (February 26 and 28)
Photo: James Katz
All OSM and OM concerts presented at the Maison Symphonique.
The Opera de Montréal presents Clown(s) which draws upon the worlds of Sand, Fellini, Chaplin and Keaton to construct a “favola in musica” — a musical fable — created by Montreal composer Ana Sokolovic. Runs January 31 to February 8 at Théâtre Maisonneuve.
The 15th season of Bourgie Hall of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts features more than 100 concerts, including Canadian musicians Duo Étrange (February 24) and legendary pianist Janina Fialkowska (February 27).
To celebrate Black History Month, Orchestre Classique de Montréal will present renowned soprano Marie-Josée Lord with the orchestra performing works by composers of African descent at Salle Pierre-Mercure on February 5
Canada’s renowned Orchestre Classique de Montréal presents Marie-Josée Lord at the OCM with the renowned soprano lead by conductor Kalena Bovell for a Black History Month program of works by composers of African descent, at Salle Pierre-Mercure (February 5).
DANCE
Nuits d’Afrique presents Les Ballets Africains from Guinea for a Black History Month performance at Théâtre Maisonneuve on February 22.
THEATRE
The venerable Centaur Theatre Company presents their WinterWorks Festival which showcases bold, independent voices and cutting-edge theatre from Montreal and beyond. Runs February 3 to 21.
The virtual reality experience ROME, In Caesar’s footsteps at the Palais des congrès de Montréal, transports audiences back 2,000 years to the assassination of Julius Caesar
EXHIBITIONS
Montreal’s Studio Shaman presents the virtual reality experience ROME, In Caesar’s footsteps at the Palais des congrès de Montréal, transporting audiences back 2,000 years to the assassination of Julius Caesar. A free-roam VR adventure, visitors explore a meticulously reconstructed Rome: Caesar’s private gardens, the Forum Romanum, the Curia of Pompey where the Senate vote takes place, military camps in Gaul, and the Circus Maximus. With hand-tracking motion capture, participants interact naturally with scenes—voting by raising their hands, handling objects, and influencing key moments. Two different endings are possible depending on the choices made along the journey.
One of the largest winter festivals in the world, MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE, February 20 to March 7.
FESTIVALS
Dubbed the coldest music festival in the world, Igloofest draws thousands of music lovers to dance under the stars on the Jacques-Cartier Pier in the Old Port of Montréal. Featuring top DJs from around the world, plus the festival’s iconic Igloovillage and their Tackiest Snowsuit contest. Runs January 15 to February 7.
One of the largest winter festivals in the world, MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE comes alive to the rhythm of the festival’s three signature components: gastronomy, concerts and winter activities from February 20 to March 7. The outdoor site in the Quartier des Spectacles features the Loto-Québec Skating Loop, the Intuit TurboTax Ferris Wheel and the LUMINO winter light festival. This year’s edition of Nuit Blanche all-nighter is on February 28. Nuit Blanche programming will be revealed in February.
The all-star Tribute to Sly and The Family Stone will be at Le Ministère on February 21
COMEDY
Tom Papa at the Olympia on February 7, and late-night TV veteran Ian Bagg headlines Club Soda on February 22.
POP MUSIC
Brit Floyd at Place Bell (February 11); Montreal electropop duo Milk & Bone at Fairmount Theatre (February 13); rock icons Nine Inch Nails at Bell Centre (February 16); The Offspring at Bell Centre and Excision at Place Bell, both on February 21; and beloved Montreal music legends The Barr Brothers at MTELUS (February 28).
The Project Sly Collective presents their all-star Tribute to Sly and The Family Stone at Le Ministère on February 21 with Montreal soul music legends Alan Prater of The Brooks, Danny Blanco, Coco Thompson and Wayne Tennant, alongside the dynamic harmonies of Perpetual Praise Ministries, under the direction of musical maestro Ben Comeau.
Dubbed “Mr. Montreal” by the CBC, arts and culture journalist and columnist Richard “Bugs” Burnett knows Montreal like a drag queen knows a cosmetics counter.