Sugar Sammy sure knows how to make a grand exit. Before moving to Paris in September, the Montreal comedy sensation will be performing his bilingual hit show You're Gonna Rire for the last time, in a free outdoor Just for Laughs concert, July 28 at the Quartier des spectacles.

The outdoor programming for Just for Laughs has evolved over the years. Once best known for the annual Twins Parade, it has since featured the likes of “Weird Al” Yankovic and Wyclef Jean in free concerts.

More than 1,700 performers will take part in this year's outdoor events, running from July 16 to 30.

The outdoor program will begin with a bang: Nasty Show host Mike Ward kicks off festivities July 16 with his French revue Mike Ward dans rue, which will doubtless leave many in the masses enthralled — and may leave others blushing.

Other highlights include the legendary Jacksons — featuring the sibs of Michael — who will be shaking it up July 20, and magnificent Montreal drag queen Mado Lamotte staging Mado's Got Talent on July 19.

Free flicks are also on the menu. Those who may be reluctant to bring kids to a Mike Ward show will find relief with the outdoor screening of Mary Poppins, July 18 at 9 p.m. Also being presented is the cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show, July 25 at 9 p.m.

Sugar Sammy has dazzled audiences at the Olympia for the last four years with You're Gonna Rire, and it will likely be bedlam on the site on July 28. Catherine Girard, who programs JFL's outdoor events, expects a crowd in the tens of thousands at the Vidéotron stage in the Quartier des spectacles.

“It's going to be a blast — one huge party for anglos and francos,” Sugar Sammy said. “I'm so pumped. The show will be my big farewell to Quebec until I'm back from France in a few years.”

Sugar Sammy will be doing his first-ever outdoor show in Quebec City this weekend. “That will be a good warm-up for my second-ever in Montreal.

“But what's really great about this show is that I'm now able to accommodate all of my family members who have been asking me for free tickets to my shows for the last four years,” he cracked.

Sugar Sammy will also be hosting Le All-Star Comedy Club France, another JFL event, wherein he imports his favourite standups from France to perform. The shows take place July 14 to 16 at Théâtre Sainte-Catherine and July 22 and 23 at the Olympia.

(For those expecting to be in Paris in the fall, 32 Sugar Sammy shows, scheduled for Sept. 8 to Oct. 30 at Le Point Virgule, will go on sale Friday at sugarsammy.com. They include eight English shows, titled Late Night With Sugar Sammy, Thursdays at 10:30 p.m.)

“Getting Sugar Sammy to do his bilingual show for the last time here is a huge coup for us,” programming director Girard said. “I've been trying for the last few years to add more English programming to offer local anglos and tourists on the outdoor site. This Sugar Sammy show will bring together anglos, francos and tourists like few events can.”

While his show will be in French, Girard also expects Ward to draw from all quarters. “He was voted humorist of the year at the Gala les Olivier, and he, too, is very popular on the English as well as on the French side here.”

She isn't concerned that Ward will get busted for his outbursts during the outdoor show. “He's really not as (wicked) as some people would have us believe,” she quipped. “He's actually a sweet guy, and, of course, very funny.”

Girard is also bullish about the Jacksons and Lamotte. “Mado is back for the third year, and her parodies have become classic, so over the top and so hilarious. The show is called Mado's Got Talent for a good reason. Although she will be speaking in French, her act is really all about the visuals, and audiences from all backgrounds will really appreciate it.”

And, oh yeah, what would JFL's outdoor offerings be without the Twins Parade?

“Of course, the Twins Parade will be back, on July 23,” Girard said. “It's become a tradition. This will be the 19th consecutive year, and the parade theme will be twins at the Olympics.”

Sufferers of double vision, beware.

AT A GLANCE

The 34th Just for Laughs festival runs from July 13 to Aug. 1. The festival's free outdoor events run from July 16 to 30. For more information about the outdoor shows and for tickets to the indoor shows, visit hahaha.com 

Photo :ALLEN MCINNIS / MONTREAL GAZETTE

Sugar Sammy will wave goodbye to Montreal for a few years with a free presentation of his bilingual show You're Gonna Rire, July 28 at the Just for Laughs festival's outdoor site.