July 4 2012

Although a thunderstorm descended upon Montreal around 5pm, the clouds cleared and the sun came out in time for the opening parade of the 3rd edition of the Montréal Complètement Cirque festival.

Many likely know Montréal as being the birth place and home of the legendary Cirque du Soleil, but there are actually a number of other world renowned circus troupes and schools that call Montréal home; TOHU, Les 7 doigts de la main, Cirque Éloize, National Circus School and En Piste.

With such a strong base for circus arts, it was only a matter of time that acrobats, jugglers, trapeze artists, clowns and the full spectrum of artists that fall under the circus net would have a festival of their own in Montreal.

TOHU was the driving force behind developing the annual festival back in 2010 and with the other key players in the city the festival continues to grow. This year, circus companies from France, England, Sweden, Belgium and elsewhere join the home troupes to provide audiences with a huge variety of performance genres. 15 companies from 2 continents, 140 top circus performers putting on shows across the city at various indoor and outdoor venues.

Some of the artists were taking part in the opening parade that started at the corner of Ontario and Saint Denis and wound its way to Place Émilie Gamelin where a short aerial performance took place.

Here is a sample of some of the pics I took, starting with the photo of the day that was taken with my wide angle from a low perspective looking up the ‘human pole’…

Montréal Complètement Circus Opening Parade
ISO 100 – 10mm – f4 – 1/800 sec

Montréal Complètement Circus Opening Parade
ISO 100 – 180mm – f5 – 1/100 sec

Montréal Complètement Circus Opening Parade
ISO 400 – 100mm – f10 – 1/80 sec

Montréal Complètement Circus Opening Parade
ISO 250 – 10mm – f6.3 – 1/50 sec

Montréal Complètement Circus Opening Parade
ISO 250 – 20mm – f6.3 – 1/40 sec

Montréal Complètement Circus Opening Parade
ISO 400 – 145mm – f/11 – 1/80 sec

Montréal Complètement Circus Opening Parade
ISO 250 – 11.5mm – f6.3 – 1/640 sec

Montréal Complètement Circus Opening Parade
ISO 250 – 300mm – f6.3 – 1/40 sec

For once I really wished it had rained more so the puddles would have been bigger. I found one that at least enabled be to catch the reflection of some of the passing artists.

Montréal Complètement Circus Opening Parade
ISO 1000 – 70mm – f9 – 1/80 sec

Montréal Complètement Circus Opening Parade
ISO 1000 – 85mm – f9 – 1/80 sec

I loved the worried look on this little girls face as a performer came to give her a high five.

Montréal Complètement Circus Opening Parade
ISO 640 – 300mm – f7.1 – 1/30 sec

Montréal Complètement Circus Opening Parade
ISO 200 – 70mm – f7.1 – 1/100 sec

Montréal Complètement Circus Opening Parade
ISO 200 – 70mm – f7.1 – 1/125 sec

Montréal Complètement Circus Opening Parade
ISO 200 – 70mm – f7.1 – 1/60sec

Montréal Complètement Circus Opening Parade
ISO 320 – 125mm – f4.8 – 1/640 sec

Montréal Complètement Circus Opening Parade
ISO 400 – 95mm – f10 – 1/30 sec

Montréal Complètement Circus Opening Parade
ISO 400 – 70mm – f7.1 – 1/80 sec

Montréal Complètement Circus Opening Parade
ISO 400 – 70mm – f11 – 1/60 sec

Montréal Complètement Circus Opening Parade
ISO 1000 – 70mm – f6.3 – 1/320 sec

Montréal Complètement Circus Opening Parade
ISO 640 – 80mm – f7.1 – 1/125 sec

So, now you know…if you ever want to run away from home to join the circus…Montréal is the place to come to 😉

To view images in gallery format, simply click on one of the images below.

Thanks for stopping by. Until next time.

Martin

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