Montreal Weekender: July 25 through 28, 2013

THURSDAY
Our dearest friends at the recently re-opened, re-named and re-done The Royal Merchant in Old Montreal are hosting a fun Thursday. A gathering of everyone they love, everyone they want to love and newcomers that will surely love them is the vibe in the air. Kitchen opens at 5pm with an easy, yummy and no fuss menu and the wildness starts as of 10pm with cocktails and drinks menu galore. These boys can whip anything up with DJ Miss Ness on the decks!

One of the most epic and legendary mags of our generation, VICE, is visiting and celebrating July since it’s the month their over-sized free publication hits the streets with their annual photo issue. This year’s theme is “Collaborations” and its co-piloting contributors including Richard Kern and Kim Gordon, Roe Etheridge and Ryan McGinley, Ben Pier and Peter Sutherland, and loads more. So come with buddies, grab a grand-sized issue, and take in some Vice culture. Controversy surely included; hosted at Galerie d’art Yves Laroche.

FRIDAY
Old Montreal’s chic urban Spa, Bota Bota, is hosting their 3rd edition of Dive into the Drift, where three elite divers will show off their acrobatic skills by performing high-diving feats from their roof…yes, we said their roof! There will be DJ beats, great people and a floating terrace where you can drift away, relax, drink and watch a stunning show of gymnastics and water.

Want to get your groove on in a different and cool setting with some great DJs tonight? The Kanalbar by the water will be hosting a magical evening of soul, beats and BBQ with a sophisticated twist, featuring live performances from the awesome duo Rich&Kiss and the stunning and talented maddielonglegz. There is no door charge, free watermelon, free parking everywhere, which we know is a rarity in our city, $25 Barefoot Sangria pitchers and more. 

SATURDAY
Oh, Canada! It is our turn now to spice up the skies at the grandiose L’International des Feux Loto-Québec presented by TELUS, where our country’s pyrotechnical experts will compete to razzle and dazzle spectators and the public jury with their beautiful displays at the Montreal International Fireworks Competition, one of Montreal’s most popular events.

If you want to watch the fireworks from a more tropical setting, head over to the Clock Tower Beach where Sleeman is hosting free of charge Fireworks Nights. Starting a 8pm, you will get front-row views to take in the fireworks in an explosive musical ambiance and beautiful, sandy surroundings of the Old Port beach.

Just For Laughs continues into the weekend with another stellar lineup, and the one show you should not miss features the mother of brutal honesty, Joan Rivers, hosting the JFL Gala tonight. Join the Queen of the Quip, along with some of her favourite comedians including Jen Kirkman, Ronna & Beverly, Lynne Koplitz, Josh Thomas, Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood, Laurie Elliott and Tom Papa, at what promises to be this year’s most fabulous event!

SUNDAY
Here’s a perfect excuse to leave the city today. Every Sunday in the summer, the breathtaking BALNEA Spa is hosting a chef tasked with designing a unique culinary creation. The dish will be on the menu at BALNEA during the week following and also at the chef’s restaurant throughout the summer season, but today is your special chance to be the first to taste it while taking in the serenity and beauty of Balnea. Today’s chefs? S’Arto Chartier-Otis from the highly loved and acclaimed Les Enfants Terribles. 

The final Just For Laughs Gala takes place tonight, hosted by Whitney Cummings, and promises to be the most unpredictable, raw and uncensored JFL Gala in years! The 2 Broke Girls creator will keep audiences on the edge of their seats with her razor-sharp wit and R-rated behaviour. She’s also bringing special guest Jim Norton and a killer line-up along for the ride so you can definitely expect the unexpected!