The Bulletin: A Botantical Garden Picnic, Countercultural Theatre, Line Dancing, and Perfect Weather for a Cheap Spritz [Issue #185]

Morning, Montreal.

Each successive weekend since May has felt like the mounting tension of a rollercoaster’s slow climb upward before a plummet into Monday—only the rollercoaster gets bigger and grander with each passing week.

The programming and possibilities for how best to use our time during our off-hours is only increasing as more festivals and block parties and pop-ups take advantage of the warmer weather. But as much as I’ll wholeheartedly encourage you to make the most of the weekend like I do week in and week out, consider the gentle reminder that living well in Montreal means knowing when to slow down, not just when to go hard.

Enjoying the finite time we have on this planet means maximizing usage of it, but we know that doesn’t always mean pushing things to the hilt. Living a full life in this city is found just as much in wandering festival grounds followed by night out as it is in a slow morning with a late breakfast and doing absolutely nothing in a park with a phone on silent.

Whether you plan to make this weekend the best one yet of the year, or you’ll take detours to meander with peace and quiet, I wish you a fulfilling few days ahead.

Enjoy.

— JP Karwacki, Managing Editor

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MURAL Festival is on right now, and summer-defining events like Jazz Fest and Osheaga are on the horizon. When your weekend itineraries are stacked across multiple neighbourhoods and addresses, Lyft can keep you moving: Book a standard ride or grab an XL for the group, schedule ahead, or let Wait & Save do its thing when you've got a few minutes to spare.

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One Story to Read This Week

A 1925 photograph of a man and Ministry of Agriculture inspector with Montreal melons on farmland in Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, 1925. Farms like these had a microclimate that was said to help crops multiply. | Photograph: Fraser Hickson Institute

When we caught up with David McMillan in the summer of 2024, he was mid-delivery run, dropping off Montreal melons to chef Ari Schor at Beba in Verdun.

The melon in question once fed royalty and filled the dining rooms of high-end hotels in New York, Boston, and Philadelphia before disappearing from the island entirely by the mid-20th century, a casualty of urbanization and industrial food systems.

This week's read traces how it got here, where it went, and how it came back: from Jesuit missionaries and horse manure-rich slopes below Monkland, to a U.S. seed bank in Iowa and the handful of growers keeping it alive today.

"It's fun to keep it alive," McMillan told us. "I wish more people grew it."

Read the full story

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL DE JAZZ DE MONTRÉAL

Save the date: The FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL DE JAZZ DE MONTRÉAL returns June 25 to July 4 for its 46th edition, with 350+ concerts across ten days and two-thirds of them free.

This year's programming centres on the 100th birthdays of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Tony Bennett with big homages and odes, while the free show lineup—Angine de Poitrine, Cymande, KOKOROKO, Patrick Watson, and more—will draw in big crowds with good reason.

See the full lineup.

Thursday

🎨 Dave Arnold (a.k.a. Mr. Sign) unveils twelve new paintings at WILLS with live music from Bar Star Band and food from Mama Vu Snacks.

🎪 Experience an immersive performance by queer circus artists with the second edition of Confessions at Le Monastère.

💿 Aire Commune presents V.I.B.E Rétros for an evening of nostalgic music.

🖌️ Enseignes Brillo is hosting a two-day letter painting workshop, teaching the basics of drawing, letter styles, and painting techniques.

🏜️ Learn line dancing at Bar Spaghetti Western.

🖼️ Étude Galerie D’Art is holding an exhibition showcasing the work of Other and Do Lessard.

Friday

🎶 Les Francos de Montréal kicks off in the Quartier des Spectacles for its 37th edition. Enjoy music by French-language performers from across the world through various free or paid shows.

🎻 Discover jazz, classical, and other forms of chamber music at Chamber Music Festival.

🖼️ Celebrate the 14th edition of Mural Fest with artists, muralists, creators, and festival goers in the Plateau.

🎵 Catch a performance by Mike Shabb at Scène Saint-Laurent for the Mural Festival.

⚽️ Watch the Canada x Bosnia World Cup match at Premium Soccer, with a live broadcast, fan zone, music, and pop-up shop.

🪩 The SAT’s Dômesicle is back for the summer, starting with a night of acid, house, and techno.

🎧 Messorem welcomes DJ Kelly and Chops Wunda to their terrasse for their Bières & Bangers event.

🛍️Venus & Suns pops up for three days at Tacenda Boutique with vintage and antique treasures, including glassware, decor, gifts, and more.

Saturday

📷 Filipinos of Montreal is hosting a photowalk for Filipino Heritage Month, starting at Place-Des-Arts Metro.

🍀 Learn about Irish culture with films, readings, and plays at the 15th edition of Bloomsday Festival.

🌳 Bring your cameras and head to Jean Drapeau Parc for a special EXPO 67 Photowalk.

🪻 Enjoy a picnic under the lilac trees at the Botanical Garden.

🏞️ Runr is throwing its third annual block party at Square Sir-George-Étienne-Cartier with music, snacks, and a local market.

Sunday

⚽ GOAL MTL, Montreal’s community football festival and fundraiser, returns to Percival Molson Memorial Stadium. Jumbotron matches, food, and music all day long.

🎥 Bleu Soir open air cinema returns for the summer, welcoming guests to watch movies in the court at Le Livart.

🎉 Bonne Famille is closing off this year’s Mural Fest with a free block party, featuring performances from over 10 musicians, DJ’s, and dancers.

🎭 Catch the last showing of Grow, a Canadian musical presented by the Segal Centre for Performing Arts.

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