Theatre--The Festival de Théâtre des Amériques (tel. 514/842-0704; www.fta.qc.ca), held every spring from late May to early June, presents innovative dramatic and musical stage productions that are international in scope, not simply North American as the name suggests. There have been works from Vietnam and China as well as from Canada, the United States, and Mexico. As many as 20 plays are performed in their original languages, with simultaneous translations in French and/or English when appropriate.

Dance--Frequent appearances by notable dancers and troupes from other parts of Canada and the world -- among them Paul Taylor, the Feld Ballet, and Le Ballet National du Canada -- augment the accomplished resident companies. During the summer, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens sometimes perform at the outdoor Théâtre de Verdure in Parc Lafontaine. In winter, they're scheduled at various venues around the city, but especially in the several halls at the Place des Arts. The fall season is kicked off by the always-provocative Festival International de Nouvelle Danse, in late September and early October.

A Circus Extraordinaire--Through the exposure generated by its frequent tours across North America, Europe, and Australia, the Cirque du Soleil, 8400 2e Av., St-Michel (tel. 800/361-4595 or 514/722-2324; www.cirquedusoleil.com), is enjoying an ever-widening following. One reason is the absence of animals in the troupe, which means no one need be troubled by the possibility of mistreated lions and elephants. Linear descriptions and even photographs can't begin to do justice to what is presented during a Cirque du Soleil performance. The experience is nothing less than magical, a celebration of pure skill and theater. There are plenty of acrobats, clowns, trapeze artists, tightrope walkers, and contortionists, but there is dance, too, and people costumed to look like creatures not of this world -- iguanas crossed with goblins, say, or peacocks born of trolls. There are even storylines, of a sort. This is truly for children of all ages. Since 1984, more than 15 million people in over 120 cities have seen the Cirque du Soleil in action. The troupe is so much in demand it's difficult to track from year to year how long it will alight in its hometown, although most recently it has stayed from mid-April to late May most years. Check ahead to discover its current plans. Ticket prices range unpredictably, but at a recent production of the show called "Varekai" in the tent in Montréal's Vieux-Port, the top price was C$76 (US$54). It was really worth it.

Concert Halls & Auditoriums--Montréal has a score of venues, so check the papers upon arrival to see who's playing where during your stay. Big-name rock bands and pop stars that used to play at the Forum now show up at the new downtown arena, Centre Bell.