The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts reopens Saturday, allowing patrons to get a glimpse at Egyptian Mummies: Exploring Ancient Lives. Six mummies have their lives set out in great detail, including a middle-aged chantress named Tamut. There are a great deal of safety measures, and you do have to buy your timed ticket (or reserve your spot if you are a member) in advance. Masks are recommended. No other shows or galleries will be open, but considering this exhibit has been very popular, you'll get your money's worth. Until June 28.
Are drive-ins back? The town of Dorval seems to agree; it screens Sonic at a drive-in on Friday, in the parking lot south of Dorval Gardens. (Entry via Carson Avenue.) Based on the popular Sega game, our blue cartoon hero arrives to explore Earth with his new friend, played by James Marsden. Buy your ticket in advance online: $5 per car for Dorvallians, $8 per car for non-residents. Site opens at 8pm, Sonic starts at 9pm.
Pop Montreal presents Le Fun House, a weekend of live music, discussions and workshops. Artists Lydia Képinski, Hua Li, Leiff Vollebekk, Yamantaka Sonic Titan and more will perform from the Rialto and nearby Ursa bar. The eclectic programming includes a drag makeup tutorial, a screening of Night of the Living Dead and talks with fashion designers. In light of the ongoing outrage and protests sparked by recent murders of black people in the United States, discussions will touch on inequality and the work of marginalized artists.
Feeling the need to educate yourself and take action against racism? Join the West Island Black Community Association as it hosts a virtual town hall on racism, this Sunday, 7pm, on Zoom and Facebook Live. Earlier in the day, Montreal Community Cares hosts Montreal Kneels for Change, a rally for the memory of George Floyd, Sunday at 12:30pm at Loyola Park in NDG. Participants are asked to wear a mask and take a knee in Floyd's memory. (A photo will be taken at 12:45.)
The demand for books on racism and activism has propelled many important titles to the top of the bestseller lists. Consider broadening your awareness and reading by picking up a book like The Skin We're In, a searing recent release by Toronto activist Desmond Cole. Here is a list compiled at Mic that covers readings which are available for free right now.
The Montreal Symphony Orchestra is bidding adieu to Maestro Kent Nagano with a Sunday brunch on Facebook Live. The event will include some of his high points from his last 16 seasons with the MSO, and fans will be able to ask him questions. He will be joining in from his Paris apartment, where he has been sheltering with his wife and daughter since *waves arm* all this happened. Sunday, 11am.
Also interesting to note that the MSO livestreamed a show Thursday night at the Maison symphonique, sans live audience but with tons of safety precautions. You can watch the Mozart and Dvorak pieces performed on YouTube.
YouTube presents Dear Class of 2020, a graduation celebration for those will get no commencement due to the coronavirus. The Obamas, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, K-Pop superstars BTS will be taking apart, as well appearances by Bill Gates, Taylor Swift, the Try Guys and the cast of Riverdale, Saturday, 3pm.
The Fab Five are back to remake peoples' lives for the better. Queer Eye returns to Netflix on Friday.
While you're on the 'Flix, check out Philip Rosenthal's visit to Montreal in season 3 of his food show, Somebody Feed Phil. (If you get hungry, here is a list of restaurants doing takeout, from the folks who organized Phil's tour, Tourimse Montreal.)
Try Chef Ricardo's surf and turf recipe; you have a few weeks before Father's Day, so you give it a shot before treating Dad for dinner.
Harry Potter author JK Rowling has written a new children's book, The Ickabog. It's her first book set outside the Wizarding World, and is suitable for kids 7 and up to read to themselves. New chapters of the fairy tale are released for free every weekday here.
Advice columnist and relationships guru Dan Savage has moved the 15th edition of his Hump Film Festival online. Instead of bunking down at Cinéma l'amour, enjoy this year's edition of quirky, wild and always eye-opening home videos when it streams online, once a weekend until June 12.
Catch up on some great Canadian movies like Bon Cop, Bad Cop or The Trotsky, with a 20-movie list here. Or delve into the American Film Institute’s list of 100 Greatest American Films Of All Time. The full list, which you can print or save, includes classics like Singin' In The Rain, Jaws, Vertigo, Wizard of Oz, Schnidler’s List, Gone with the Wind, M*A*S*H, and older films like Duck Soup, City Lights and All About Eve.