Montréal's 375th anniversary - We're acting out! - 51 street theatre companies present 800 free outdoor shows in Montréal!

We’re acting out! (CNW Group/Société des célébrations du 375e anniversaire de Montréal)

MONTRÉAL, June 12, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - Montréal's 375th anniversary is pleased to unveil the programming for We're acting out!, the largest street arts event ever in North America. From July 7 to 30, the biggest street theatre troupes from Québec and around the globe will be invading the city, transforming its streets and public spaces into an array of open-air stages, which will feature 800 free outdoor shows. Incredible flights of fantasy, madcap mayhem and sheer artistic brilliance will all be on the programming, making this amazing theatre extravaganza an ode to fun, family and discoveries. Montréal's 375th is thrilled to be able to add a touch of magic to the major festivals taking place in the city this July.

Actor Rémi-Pierre Paquin as well as Andy Nulman have joined this extraordinary event as its spokespeople. Among the 51 street arts troupes that will be performing downtown will be 18 troupes from Québec and 33 international companies hailing from Australia, Spain, France, Poland, the United States, Great Britain, Holland and Austria, including the great French companies Deabru Beltzak, Compagnie des Quidams, Théâtre Group' and Ilotopie, the Australian company Strange Fruit and the Polish company KTO Theatre.

"I am delighted to be part of We're acting out! Having worked in the street arts milieu for 20 years now, I can assure you that the whole family will fall in love with this spectacular and unifying event. And what's more, fellow Montrealers, it's free!" said Paquin.

"I am proud that Montréal took up the challenge of organizing such a huge street arts event. It's going to be magical! I love Montréal and this makes me even prouder than ever to call it home," said Nulman.

"Montréal will be celebrating the 375 years since it was founded on our stages, in our streets, neighbourhood by neighbourhood, with music, images, history and theatre! Montréal will be sharing its creativity, its openness to the world and making its cultural offer that much more accessible. More than ever, Montréal is solidifying its position as a cultural destination with the 800 free shows of We're acting out! Vive Montréal!" added Denis Coderre, Mayor of Montréal. 

"The Gouvernement du Québec tips its hat to the city's street arts celebration. It not only provides artists from here and afar with a unique performance venue, but it is proof of Montréal's artistic creativity and talent," said Martin Coiteux, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy, Minister of Public Security and Minister responsible for the Montréal region.

Five must-see performances
The impressive programming of We're acting out! features five shows that promise to dazzle Montrealers and visitors and transport them to breathtaking and imaginary new worlds.

LÂCHER DE VIOLONS by Transe Express (France)
Place Jacques-Cartier, July 7 and 8
Acrobat-drummers set the beat, electric guitars riff off a violin quartet and an opera singer suspended in the sky. It's an aerial show like you've never seen before! With its mix of rock and classical music, the mindblowing troupe of "Lâcher de violons" offers everyone an electrifying evening of entertainment.

VELES E VENTS by Xarxa Theatre (Spain)
Place des Festivals, July 15
A spectacular sea voyage that amazes us with its fireworks and its ever-changing waters. Inspired by the works of Valencian poet Ausiàs March, "Veles e Vents" present a pyrotechnical show on a sea that changes from calm to apocalyptic. Poetically transcended through its dazzling scenery, it tells the story of a journey between light and darkness,

PASTICIENS VOLANTS (France)
Saint-Denis Street, July 21 and 22
As the public approaches, immense, brightly-illuminated inflatable sculptures lift off, waltzing just about our heads, letting us dream with eyes open wide. Head to Saint-Denis Street to see Serpent, Triton, Artemis and Zeppelin waft over the crowds and tell a fantastical story with acrobatics and music.

THE COLOR OF TIME by Artonik (France)
Métro Beaudry is the meeting point to follow the procession | Performance on Sainte-Catherine Street, between Saint-Hubert Street and Berri Street, July 22 and 23
The company Artonik offers a celebration of unity inspired by Hindu rituals that breaks down barriers between social strata, ages, backgrounds and sexes. With its rhythmic beats, hypnotic choreographies and colourful powders filling the air, the show promises to create instant friendships.

PLACE DES ANGES by Gratte Ciel (France)
Saint-Denis Street, July 29
Under a flurry of millions of white feathers, acrobat angels bring the rich programming of We're acting out! to a close in breathtaking beauty. Defying gravity, they release a cascade of white feathers, shooting earthward to join us on Saint-Denis Street in a joyous and magical ambiance. Don't miss this timeless show that has been hailed wherever it goes, from Madrid to Kiev to Buenos Aires.

We're acting out!  takes over Saint-Denis Street from July 7 to 25
An array of colourful and fun-filled performances will be presented uninterrupted in seven designated areas on Saint-Denis Street for the occasion. Every evening, from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., immerse yourself in the impromptu and zany encounters created by local and international artists. 

3-2-1 COUPEZ ! by Théâtre du Futur (Québec)
Saint-Denis Street, July 17 to 22
Quiet on the set! Roll camera! Following a journey through time and space since 3022, the great (and insufferable) Dutch director Chris Dubinsky is coming to Montréal to shoot his period film that takes place in 2017. Unwarranted sackings, harassed employees, abuses of power: Dubinsky's reputation precedes him, and now his raucous shoots draw the crowds like honey. Come be an extra on a period film on a straight out of… the future. Texts: Mathieu Quesnel and Guillaume Tremblay. Staging: Mathieu Quesnel Sound design: Navet Confit.

MANGE TA RUE by Momentum (Québec)
Saint-Denis Street, July 18 to 25
A food truck kitted out as a microtheatre, a profusion of spiritual fare, generous servings of local Montréal artistry: step right up to… eat your street!  On the menu, over a dozen skits prepared and served by a team of three actors and a musician. Staging: Nathalie Claude. Actors : Nathalie Claude, Stéphane Crête, Dominique Leduc, Sylvie Moreau, Gaétan Nadeau, Marcel Pomerlo.

LE PETIT CIRQUE DU GRAND BERNARDO by Tête de pioche (Québec)
Saint-Denis Street, July 12 to 25
Le petit cirque du Grand Bernardo, inspired by circuses and carnivals of old, invites you to discover the world of Bernardo, an unemployed animal trainer who, for the time being, trains the menagerie of a carrousel. Design and staging: Louis Tremblay. Acting: Gabriel Dagenais or Sébastien Leblanc. Stage design: Véronique Bertrand.

GYM CHORÉGRAPHIQUE URBAIN by Manon fait de la danse (Québec)
Saint-Denis Street, July 17 to 26
A cross between gymnastics and dance, this unique and artful choreography invites us to reflect on our cult of performance and quest for well-being. Yoga mats in tow, these five women move around, stopping at stations, convinced that their artistic and physical movements will lead them to a better, maybe even eternal existence. Join the show!

Artistic direction and choreography: Manon Oligny in collobartion with dancers Anne Le Beau, Karina Iraola, Marilyn Daoust, Miriah Brennan and Geneviève Bolla.

We're acting out!
To see the complete programming for the event, go to www.375mtl.com/programmation/a-nous-la-rue-24/
To watch the video of the event : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k40EKxdl3rI

About the Society for the Celebration of Montréal's 375th Anniversary
The Society for the Celebration of Montréal's 375th Anniversary is a non-profit organization whose mission is to organize the celebrations and socioeconomic contributions that will mark Montréal's 375th anniversary in 2017. With a focus on promoting Montréal expertise, it acts as a catalyst for local forces in carrying out its mandate: to mobilize the community, implement a funding strategy, rigorously manage public funds, develop quality programming and ensure the visibility of the celebrations.

The Society benefits from the support of the Ville de Montréal, the Québec government, the Canadian government and private funding from 12 Great Montrealers. For more information, see http://www.375mtl.com

You can find all our press releases and additional pictures and videos in our virtual press room.

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To learn more about the contribution of the Québec government to Montréal's 375th Anniversary celebrations, click here.

SOURCE Société des célébrations du 375e anniversaire de Montréal

Society for Montréal's 375th, Nathalie Roy, Media Relations, 514-889-3622, [email protected] ; Society for Montréal's 375th, Isabelle Pelletier, Chief Media Relations, 514-238-4178, [email protected]