THURSDAY 24
In the spirit of Allen Ginsberg, Montreal’s Howl! concert series highlights local artists rooted in Montreal’s fiercely creative independent arts community. For this second instalment, musicians performing are the Nick Kuepfer Quartet, Sarah Pagé and Robin Best harp duet, and bass saxophonist Jason Sharp with singer Raphaelle Brochet. At Sala Rosa (4848 St-Laurent) at 8 p.m. ($7). Over at Bistro de Paris (4536 St-Denis), Vancouver DIY band The Autumn Portrait launch their debut album, The Design Is Over, both tonight and March 25.
FRIDAY 25
Some pretty good concerts in Montreal tonight: Alt-country star Jeff Tweedy (lead singer of Wilco) headlines the Olympia Theatre (1004 St-Cat E.) at 8 p.m. ($39.50), hip-hop star Nelly (remember the chart-topping album Nellyville from 2002?) headlines Métropolis (59 St-Cat E.) with opener Cali Swag District at 9 p.m. ($50.05) and Vancouver’s Scottish-pride-filled pub-punk rock band The Real McKenzies (sporting kilts and all) will destroy Katacombes (1635 St-Laurent) with opening act East End Radicals beginning at 10 p.m. ($20.20).
SATURDAY 26
Begin your day with a prayer: Rev. Darryl Gray’s Imani Family & Full Gospel Church in Little Burgundy (540 Richmond St.) will hold their annual spring prayer breakfast (8 a.m.) to raise funds to help pay their winter heating bills. Info: 514-846-2020. Read Babylon PQ for more: www.hour.ca/news/babylonpq.aspx?iIDArticle=21353 . Then begin sinning at the victory celebration at historic show bar and strip joint Cabaret Cleo (1230 St-Laurent), saved from the wrecking ball! Performers include drag king Nat King Pole, Velma Candyass and the Dead Doll Dancers and Tommy Toxic (9 p.m. start; $5 admission goes to the Stella organization).
SUNDAY 27
Members of the 1994 Montreal Expos will be honoured at the seventh annual Cummings Jewish Centre for Seniors Sports Celebrity Breakfast at the Gelber Conference Centre (5700 Westbury). Confirmed guests include Cy Young Award-winning pitcher Pedro Martinez, former manager Felipe Alou and his son, left-fielder Moise Alou, former team president Claude Brochu and former Hab Peter Mahovlich. Montreal hip-hop artist Annakin Slayd will also perform his tribute to Nos Amours. Regular admission: $20. VIP: $100. There will also be a silent auction of sports memorabilia. Info at 514-342-1334, ext. 7234.
MONDAY 28
Check out the exhibition La Nuit dernière by multidisciplinary artist Julie Côté, whose style is the result of hybridization. In La Nuit dernière, the artist is inspired by dream-like figures and dreams that have been recited to her. This exhibition includes drawings from the series Réminiscence and Disparus, new works, and two short films, including the titular La Nuit dernière, created in collaboration with the Foumalade Collective and inspired by Côté’s drawings. At Galerie Pangée (40 St-Paul W.) in Old Montreal until April 11, open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free.
TUESDAY 29
Iconic avant-garde rock band The Residents – who’ve remained anonymous throughout their four-decade run, with band members going by the names Randy, Chuck and Bob – celebrate their 40th anniversary with their Talking Light tour which pit-stops at Montreal’s Club Soda (1225 St-Laurent) tonight. Showtime is 8 p.m. ($30 advance, $35 at the door).
WEDNESDAY 30
Montreal’s exciting Edgy Women Festival continues this week with two much-anticipated productions: Extra-Terrestrial Folkloric Tale by Nathalie Claude and Danielle Lecourtois rocks itself into an underground intimacy via folkloric dancing in a psychedelic universe, and in Le Petit Mort – inspired by French philosopher Georges Bataille’s Le mort – Mia van Leeuwen lets us see a woman consumed by loss and shame, taking a leap into (stage nudity) nakedness. Runs through April 2 at 8 p.m. nightly ($14-$18) at Mainline Theatre (3997 St-Laurent). Surf to www.edgywomen.ca.
3 comments
Depending on where your loyalties lie, there are two hot Hitlist picks tonight. If mainstream music is your thing then Sarah McLachlan’s sold-out Lilith-esque show tonight is a must see. If you are more sports-minded then tonight’s throw-down between the Habs is nothing short of epic – not only is Montreal trying to overtake Boston and gain home-ice advantage for the playoffs, but there’s also the matter of the bad blood from Chara’s attempted murder of Max Pacioretty. Tough call but I actually chose to sell my 5th row tics to tonight’s concert in favor of front row seats in my living room to watch the game. Sorry Sarah, GO HABS GO!!!
Whew, the Canadiens ended their 3 game+ scoreless drought against the lowly Thrashers in a tightly contested 3 – 1 victory last night and that warm breeze you felt when the game-ending siren sounded, was the whole city’s collective sigh of relief (no, not global warming or an early spring breeze). Next up tonight is Carolina and with the Hurricanes a mere 2 points behind Buffalo for 8th place and the final playoff berth, things aren’t going to get any easier for our hard-luck Habs!
Have a bone to pick with the Junos and no it has absolutely nothing to do with Justin Beiber. Rather is seems there was a moment during the ceremonies when they paid homage to the “Scene of the Year” and guess who won it. Surprise, surprise – the Toronto-centric producers of the show bestowed the honor upon T.O.. WTF? Sigh – it seems Montreal can’t get any more love from Blue Rodeo fans than they could from Leafs fans. What does it take for the powers that be behind the awards show to finally give credit where credit’s due? The Arcade Fire won the Grammy for Album of the year and all manner of other international accolades (not to mention a few Junos that very night) and local bands like Stars, The Dears, Wolf Parade, Land of Talk and perennial Polaris nominees The Besnard Lakes all had banner years and yet our world-renowned scene is still given short shrift . Come to think of it, Montreal has never even had the opportunity to play host to the event either. Coincidence or a pronounced anti-Montreal bias? You decide.