Montreal’s PARADISE (2 September 2026)
It’s me!! Your friendly neighborhood writer, performer, comedian, filmmaker and travel agent GenX girlie, Veronica Manning, who spends so much time in Montreal even though she lives in the US. Ha!!! Don’t judge me!! I just love the arts and culture in this vibrant city so I’m so happy to be partnering with Forget the Box(.ca) to bring you Montreal’s PARADISE!!
Some of my favorite events are the ones that fly below the radar, that are Black, Indigenous or Queer centered, that are fun and quirky or dance-y. I’m out a lot and happy to share with y’all what I think is worth getting into.
VERONICA’S TOP 3 PICKS
SUNDAE SHORTIES
Dance is more than just performance.. it’s connection, it’s community. DJs Fly Lady Di, Deeclectic and their team have been slowly building this party over the last couple years and i swear it has THEEE best vibe. No velvet robes or bottle popping. Just a bunch of cool peeps dancing and vibing to 90s & 2000s R&B and hip hop in the middle of the damn day.
WHAT: Sundae Shorties
WHERE: Bar Pamplemousse, 1579 St Laurent Blvd, Montreal QC, H2X 2S9
WHEN: 6 September 2026 @ 4:30PM
METRO: St. Laurent (Green)
TICKETS/DETAILS: Eventbrite
SOUK DU SUD FESTIVAL
The Souk du Sud festival is a community celebration at Place de la Gare, Solar Uniquartier. It’s a weekend of music, afro beats, hip hop, circus acts, storytelling, and visual arts. Aaaaaand my babygurl bestie, Rachelle Jeanty is premiering her original music from her upcoming album, Rachelle RAW!!. Saturday at 130pm. Then clearly imma be there all day cuz THE Montreal legend, Paul Cargnello will be on the main stage at 6PM.
WHAT: Souk du Sud Festival
WHERE: Place de la Gare, 2000 R. de l'Éclipse, Brossard, QC J4Z 0S2
WHEN: 3-5 September 2026
METRO: REM to Brossard
TICKETS/DETAILS: Program
THE FOOD/FAMINE TOUR
Ok I’m giving y’all the official description because it’s perfect and I’m so excited to now be aware of Teesri Duniya Theatre cuz I literally had no idea it existed!!
This performance is part of the Backyard Theatre Festival, running from Sept 3-5, the Food/Famine Tour is a community-engaged performance that delves into the political and personal aspects of food, inspired by the starvation in Gaza, growing lines at food banks, and the mounting need for food programs across schools. This project aims to combat silence—both at the dinner table and in public discourse—by transforming these issues through shared storytelling and artistic resistance. The project includes workshops, sensory research, and collaboration between artists and the Community to create and present performative stories centered on food, famine, and social issues.
WHAT: The Food/Famine Tour @ The Backyard Theater Festival
WHERE: 251 Avenue des Pins O, Montreal, QC, Canada, Quebec H2W 1R6
WHEN: 3-5 September 2026 @ 7PM
METRO: Sherbrooke (Orange)
TICKETS/DETAILS: Zeffy
GROWVE
HaüsBand is holding it down this week. Don’t miss your chance to meet our special guest: THE Chris Lepp-Forest on drums. He might even sign your stuff.
As always THIS IS A JAM, and it’s FREE.
WHAT: Growve - HaüsBand with Chris Lepp-Forest
WHERE: Turbo Haüs, 2040 R. Saint-Denis, Montréal, QC H2X 3K7WHEN: 2 September 2026 @ 8:30PM - LATE
METRO: Berri-UQAM (Orange/Green/Yellow)
TICKETS/DETAILS: Facebook
FINE VIBES OPEN MIC
Looking for one of the best open mic nights in Montreal? Join us at Fine Vibes Mic, a welcoming community event featuring live stand-up comedy, music, poetry, spoken word, and storytelling in the heart of Montreal.
Whether you're looking for an English comedy show, a poetry night, live local music, or simply a creative evening out, Fine Vibes Mic offers an inclusive stage where emerging and established artists come together for an unforgettable night of performance.
This month's featured comedy headliner is Elspeth Wright.
Poetry Headliner: Katalysta
A Creative Open Mic in Montreal
Fine Vibes Mic isn't just another open mic. It's a curated community event where creativity comes first. Our stage welcomes comedians, musicians, poets, storytellers, spoken word artists, and performers from every background.
Whether you're performing for the first time or have years of experience, you'll find an audience that's supportive, engaged, and excited to discover new talent.
If you're searching for things to do in Montreal, live entertainment, English comedy, spoken word, or local arts events, Fine Vibes Mic is the perfect place to spend your evening.
What to Expect
• Live English stand-up comedy
• Live music and acoustic performances
• Poetry and spoken word
• Storytelling and creative performances
• Featured comedy headliner
• Emerging local artists
• A welcoming, inclusive atmosphere
• Pay What You Can admission
Our goal is to create a space where artists can experiment, audiences can discover something new, and everyone feels welcome.
An Inclusive Community Event
Fine Vibes Mic celebrates creativity, diversity, and community. We welcome performers and audience members of all identities, backgrounds, and experience levels.
Our events are queer-friendly, trans-inclusive, BIPOC-friendly, and committed to creating a respectful environment where everyone can enjoy the arts.
Fine Vibes Mic offers a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere where every performance brings something new.
Seats are limited, so reserve your spot and experience one of Montreal's newest community arts events.
WHAT: Fine Vibes Open Mic
WHERE: FineFineFine Cafe, 4268 Boul. Saint-Laurent, Montréal, QC H2W 1Z3
WHEN: 3 September 2026 @ 8PM
METRO: Sherbrooke, Orange line
TICKETS/DETAILS: Comedy on Mackay
BLVD 2026
From September 3 to 6, 2026, Festival BLVD returns to the Main for its 9th edition! 🎉
A big, free event for the whole family, where kids and adults alike can enjoy four days of activities, discoveries and outdoor festivities.
For the occasion, Saint-Laurent Boulevard transforms into one huge open-air celebration between Sherbrooke Street and Mont-Royal Avenue.
On the program:
🛍️ More than a hundred merchants and exhibitors
🐶 The 6th edition of CORGI PAWTY
🎨 A painting activity with RiverJune
🛹 A skateboarding clinic
🎭 Street entertainment for the whole family
🎲 Giant games for kids
🎨 Free face painting
🧊 La Main au trésor glacée
🍽️ Terrasses where you can make the most of the last beautiful days of summer
Come with the whole family to shop, eat, play, discover the businesses along the boulevard and celebrate everything that makes the Main come alive!
📅 September 3 to 6, 2026
📍 Saint-Laurent Boulevard, from Sherbrooke to Mont-Royal
🎟️ Free event
👨👩👧👦 Activities for kids and the whole family
Invite your friends and family and join us for four days of festivities in the heart of Montreal!
The full program and all the details will be announced soon.
The Société de développement du boulevard Saint-Laurent (SDBSL) would like to thank the Arrondissement du Plateau-Mont-Royal (APMR) for its support in making this initiative possible.
WHAT: Festival BLVD
WHERE: Boulevard Saint Laurent (Plateau)
WHEN: 3-6 September, 2026
METRO: Sherbrooke, Orange line
TICKETS/DETAILS: Facebook
ACCENT OPEN MIC
Accent Vol. 144: "Drip" with Mac van den Hoeven & Jean-Phillipe Caron
Theme: Drip
Sign up for the open mic at the door.
WHAT: Accent Vol. 144: "Drip" with Mac van den Hoeven & Jean-Phillipe Caron
WHERE: Bar Le Record, 7622 Rue St-Hubert, Montréal, QC H2R 2N6WHEN: 6 September 2026 @ 8PM
METRO: Jean Talon (Orange)
TICKETS/DETAILS: Facebook
