Vitamin Daily

This week’s C2-MTL isn’t just another (ho hum) business conference.

In fact, with a speaker list that includes the likes of Bobbi Brown, Diane von Furstenberg, Richard Branson, Elle MacPherson and Philippe Starck, it’s quite the opposite.

Besides A-list conferences, Sid Lee has concocted a variety of experiences for attendees, ranging from art exhibits and a pop-up shop to workshops and guest appearances by Opéra de Montréal, Cirque du Soleil and more.

The only downside is that day passes start at a whopping $1,650. On the upside? Nothing is quite as priceless as networking opportunities and a full dose of inspiration. —Christine Laroche

May 21-23 at l’Arsenal, 2020 William St., Montreal, www.c2mtl.com

Another summer, another Cirque du Soleil spectacular topping our list of must-see shows.

Amaluna– a name that refers to “mother” and “moon” – will sweep us away to a mysterious island governed by goddesses and ruled by cycles of the moon. And did we mention that 70 percent of the cast and 100 percent of the band is made up of women? #girlpower

Because sitting in the chapiteau is a quintessentially Montreal moment we savor every chance we get, we’re grabbing tickets (from $43.50), stat.

The show runs until July 15 before heading to the Port of Quebec, Toronto and Vancouver. —Christine Laroche

Quays of the Old Port, www.cirquedusoleil.com

Photo: Mérédith Caron

For its 25th show in 25 years, Cirque du Soleil brings bugs under its blue and yellow big top.

Ovo is a not so classic story of an ecosystem teeming with insects that are fascinated by an enigmatic egg. The mystical story has comedy, romance and high-flying drama, but more importantly spandex wearing athletes performing almost unbelievable body tricks.  There are ants juggling each other, a spider traversing a wire on an upside down unicycle and bugs running up a vertical wall, all perfectly in rhythm to the live eight-piece band playing Brazilian pop. Among the 10 acts is Cirque’s biggest trapeze act to date with six scarabs flipping 14 metres above the stage.

From the first flying fleas to the final confetti, Ovo teases plenty of ovations from the audience. —Jaelyn Molyneux

Until October 29, under the Grand Chapiteau in Stampede Park, tickets from $55. Lucky Vitamin Daily readers can enjoy a 40% promotion code by clicking here.

Leave it to Cirque du Soleil to turn the story of an ordinary girl in an ordinary world into something  extraordinary.

Quidam, the latest Cirque show to hit Vancouver, opens with a young, disenchanted girl who quickly pulls the audience into her imaginary world. There, gravity means nothing and physical limitations don’t exist.

Alternating between acrobatics and comedy, every minute in Quidam is more exciting and potentially neck-breaking than the last. We marveled as a contortionist dangled from the ceiling on two thin columns of silk and were awestruck by three artists who suspend themselves by their feet on hula hoops hung from the rafters.

And to think, all it takes to achieve these feats is superhuman strength and a supernatural sense of balance. —KD

Quidam is on until March 13 at Rogers Arena, tickets from $59.50 at www.cirquedusoleil.com

Inspiria, ou quand le Cirque du Soleil inspire une collection de haute joaillerie à la mythique maison Boucheron.

Ce sont en tout 20 colliers de pierres précieuses (diamants, rubis, émeraudes, saphirs, etc.) inspirés par 20 spectacles du Cirque du Soleil. Une collection sidérante accompagnée de gouaches permettant de retracer le processus de confection de ces merveilles par le joaillier parisien, le premier à s’être installé Place Vendôme et s’être forgé une réputation inoxydable de « référence du luxe français » perdurant depuis 1893. Guy Laliberté n’en finira jamais  de nous surprendre.

Inspiria : entrée libre du 1er avril au 29 août, Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal, 1380, rue Sherbrooke Ouest, 514 285-1600, www.mbam.qc.ca