Multimedia show will fete Montreal's 375th on St. Lawrence River

To celebrate Montreal's 375th anniversary, a huge outdoor show on the water is in the works at the Old Port, showcasing the St. Lawrence River's role over the centuries.

The multimedia production, called MontrealAvudo, will feature a light show with 3D projections on large screens, water features and music,put together by renowned Swiss choreographer Daniele Finzi Pasca.

His Compagnia Finzi Pasca is known for its work on the closing ceremonies at the Olympics in Turin and inSochi.

CreatingMontrealAvudo has a special place in the co-founder's heart. His late wife, the co-founder ofCirqueloize, Julie Hamelin, who died last May, is from Montreal.

Finzi Pasca said for the show to work, itneeded a location that was symbolic and representative ofMontreal's history, so hechose the Alexandra Basin in the west part of theOld Port, near theConvoyeurs Pier and the Science Centre.

"It's the perfect spot, it's extraordinary. It's where everything started and where the boats came from Europe for the first time," says Finzi Pasca.

"It will be a show on water. an explosion of images that will be poetic, surprising," says Finzi Pasca.

"It will be surreal, andMontrealerswill feel like they are on a poetic voyage."

Montrealerswill feel like they are on a poetic voyage.- DanieleFinzi Pasca, co-founder ofCompagnia Finzi Pasca

An ode to Montreal and the river

The organizers ofMontreal'sbirthday celebrations say over the past four years, more than 1,000 people were consulted on how best to showcase Montreal and its history.

The St. Lawrence Rivercame up again and again, as an essential part of the city's roots.

MontrealAvudo will honour the memory of those who arrived on the island by way ofthe river, those who builtaround it, lived by it and also those who left on the St. Lawrence to connect to other parts of the world.

"We wanted to offer an ode to Montreal and to the river for this special anniversary," says Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre.

"I invite everyone to rediscover our city through this show, which promises to be grandiose."

The premiere ofMontreal Avudowill be on May 17, the day Montreal was founded. It will be shown more than a 100 times until September. The show's creators expect more than 180,000 spectators throughout the summer.