Life’s a circus. But some days, you might still daydream about running off to join one. Try it on for size in Montréal, Canada whose unique circus company brought the world the spectacular Cirque de Soleil. Though the idea of a circus—involving a traveling group of trained animals, acrobats, and clowns—dates back to Ancient Rome, this nouveau cirque entertains through more a theatrical, character-driven style. Exit wild animals; enter the phenomenal feats of the human form. This modern circus—combining amazing acrobatic performances with eye-catching stage design, artistic lighting, modern music and thematic stories only began in the early 1980s. One show, and it’s easy to see why these gymnastic stunts are so captivating. It might be tempting to try it yourself. And with Explorica, you practically can…
Visit places mentioned in this post:
Canada / Montréal / Dream Circus
Latin Quarter / Sainte Catherine Street / Montréal Museum of Contemporary Arts
What better place to learn about the artistry and athleticism of a modern circus acrobat than from a former Cirque de Soleil performer. Ben La Barouette founded the Dream Circus school in the heart of Montréal to help future clowns and trapeze artists master their craft. (Or, at the very least, learn to balance on their toes.) Here, you can get a glimpse of the high-flying world and take a circus 101 class on juggling, acrobatics and trapeze acts. Who would think of ditching a class like that?
But, if the high wire stirs up that childhood fear of heights, there’s always the eclectic street charivari—the circus term for a high-energy clown and acrobat performance. Walk along the cobblestone streets of Montréal’s Latin Quarter during the summer months and you’re sure to stumble upon an outdoor show or two. That is, if you can take your eyes away from the colorful artisan fairs and designer shopping at the big name stores on Sainte Catherine Street.
If you’re more of a class clown than a typical Joey (the nickname given to circus clowns in honor of the 18th century British clown, Joseph Grimaldi), then you must have heard of Montréal’s internationally renowned summer festival, Just for Laughs. Take a tour around the city in early to mid-July and you never know who’ll run into giving free comedy street performances. Past years have seen an array of celebrities, from Bill Cosby to Jerry Seinfeld, putting on gags for passers-by. And among the two million or so visitors to Montréal during this two-week laugh fest are a host of bookers and agents looking for the next big comedy star. In fact, this is where many of the comedians from Kids in the Hall found their fame. (Though, just between you and me, star-gazing is often done best in the Latin Quarter).
And to complete your performing and visual arts extravaganza, visit the Montréal Museum of Contemporary Art, featuring more than 7,000 modern masterpieces. Don’t miss the chance to see a showcase of Quebecois artists, such as Alfred Pellan and Yves Gaucher, alongside some of the best contemporary designs from around the world. And if you’ve found body bending and stand-up comedy wasn’t your thing, here you can try your hand at the more traditional arts. With workshops in painting and mixed media inspired by a work of art from the museum, you can let your imagination run wild, at least—in the safety zone of paper and canvas.