Your Montréal MURAL festival survival guide

EVENT

MURAL international public art festival, 4th edition, June 9 to 19, 2016

OFFICIAL SOCIAL

@MURALfestival, muralfestival, MuralMTL #muralfestival

LOCATION

On Saint-Laurent Boulevard and nearby streets and galleries, from the Quartier des spectacles downtown to Mile End

HOW TO GET THERE

The main festival site on “The Main” is easily accessed by bus and metro, bike and BIXI, or on foot – parking is at a premium in the area. Nearest metro stations: Sherbrooke and Saint-Laurent. Buses: 55 (St-Laurent) and 80 (Parc).

WHAT TO BRING

An eye for artistry and the patience to watch it unfold before you, a camera and/or smartphone to get pics of MURAL artists in action

WHAT NOT TO BRING

Outside alcohol, the idea that “street art” isn’t “real art”

WHAT TO WEAR

During the day, your favourite summer wear plus more to shield you from the changing weather: sunglasses, sunscreen, a brimmed hat, an umbrella or a jacket just in case. At night, it’s a casually cool party zone, so anything goes.

MURAL FEST FACTS

• The largest gathering of urban art in North America
• 20 new murals to be created this year, bringing MURAL’s grand total of major art works to 60+ – this year’s art also includes sculptural installations
• Pedestrian-only main festival site
• Access to the site is free, while some music shows require a ticket, and VIP Experience grants exclusive privileges and discounts

MURAL FEST 2016 ARTISTS

International artists: D*Face (UK), Buff Monster (USA), Meggs (Australia), Natalia Rak (Poland), Pantone (Spain), Evoca1 (USA), Hush (USA) Grems (France), Klone Yourself (Israel), Acidum Project, Maser (Ireland), Pantone (Spain), Fafi (France).

Canadian artists: Fonki, Jonathan Bergeron, Zek, HSiX of A’Shop, X-Ray, Five-Eight, Jason Botkin, Roadsworth, Miss Terri, Stikki Peaches (Canada) and more

SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE

June 9 / VICE opening block party with ScHoolboy Q, Lou Phelps and more guests

June 9 to 19 / Live mural creation and art installation

June 9 to 19 / Guided tours

June 9 to 12 / Art Fair Le Capitol (4310 St-Laurent)

June 10 to 19 / UNION artist exhibition at Station 16 Gallery (3523 St-Laurent)

June 11 / NEON block party with Hudson Mohawke, Cyril Hahn and more

June 12 / Fool’s Gold Records homecoming party with A-Track and guests

June 14 to 16 / Conference MURAL x Alcove

June 16 / Screening of The Roots Remain

June 17/ Dance battle by Cloud Cypher

June 18 / ÎleSoniq music night with Valentino Khan, Mija and more

June 19 / AIM closing block party with Gene Farris, Forrest and more

IMPORTANT ON-SITE INFO

Food Along with numerous restaurants, cafés and bars along St-Laurent Boulevard, restaurant and BBQ event Grill St-Laurent pairs with MURAL June 13-14 and June 15-17 to bring classic comfort food and creative dishes to the festival

Bathrooms Various locations throughout the area

Souvenirs Snap up some official MURAL merchandise at booths on site

Family time While most of the festival is family-friendly, especially in the daytime, head to the market at Parc du Portugal (St-Laurent at Marie-Anne) June 11-12 and June 18-19 for special activities for kids plus food, art, fashion and more

IMPORTANT OFF-SITE INFO

Food Drink Find some of Montreal’s most renowned restaurants, bars, cafés and food trucks on and nearby St-Laurent, from Old Montréal terrasses to gourmet institutions, pizzerias and more in the Plateau, Mile End, Griffintown and St-Henri – plus gourmet ice cream too. Go dancing after the fest ends, and wake up in time for brunch the next day, downtown or otherwise.

Shopping There’s plenty to shop for on St-Laurent and in the city’s nearby shopping districts, from Ste-Catherine Street to Mont-Royal Avenue, for unique made-in-Montréal goods, from hip menswear at Frank Oak in Mile End to sun-shielding caps, designer t-shirts, jewellery and bags.

Entertainment

Annual race and party event Formula 1 Grand Prix coincides with the first weekend of MURAL fest – if so inclined, check out the action at the Crescent Street Grand Prix Festival and on Peel Street downtown and further up St-Laurent in Little Italy.

Up next: Masterpieces from the 2015 MURAL Festival