Where cobblestones
meet street

For all its architectural beauty, the Old Port is pretty much postcard-art central when it comes to galleries. That said, there are worthy stops to be made yet, in particular one new space sitting pretty in the basement of Yves Laroche's salon on St-Paul (4 St-Paul W., corner St-Laurent).

This Wednesday, June 1, from 5–9 p.m., L'Autre Galerie kicks off Built for Speed, a heavy exhibition of artists both local and from afar. Original work from Keith Haring shares the walls with fellow street propagandist Sheppard Fairey, perhaps best known for his ubiquitous Obey Giant stickers, stencils and posters. And if you go early, Gary Taxali will be there in the flesh to sign his limited-edition Toy Monkeys (3–5 p.m.). Also in house will be works from Alejandro Boim, Peter Ferguson, François Escamel and Zilon. In the words of the gallery's Jenny De Luca, it's "a habitat best suited for free-thinking animals." That means you. » Matthew Woodley

Goodbye, Miss Thang!

After six years as the heart and soul of Coco Café, MC Mahalia "Miss Thang" Verna will preside over her last installment of the monthly spoken word series, this Sunday's all-femme Brotha, Please!!? theme night. The show features Noni Lazar from Ottawa, Kellie Koppin, Sistah Rae and Buttaphly... and Miss Thang will unveil the new Coco Café MC!

"I'm gonna miss the excitement of seeing what each artist is going to bring to the stage - hearing the new talent and watching the regulars upping the ante," Verna says. "I was privileged to have been nourished by such talent, and I thank the artists for all that." Verna will continue to work behind the scenes with the Inobe crew to take Coco to the next level. She's also intent on her film career as an indie film producer, and as NFB development and planning officer, where she helps out emerging aboriginal cineastes and other filmmakers of colour. Don't miss her farewell on Sunday, May 29, 8 p.m. (doors at 7) at Jello Bar (151 Ontario E.), $8. » Vincent Tinguely

Beer party

Be it jazz, laughs, fringe, fireworks, fast cars, Caribbeans, gay people or any other grounds for a Montreal summer fest, you can bet beer's going to make an appearance. For that reason, the annual Mondial de la bière festival deserves a pat on the belly for cutting right to the chase. The three-day event plays host to 364 products from 92 breweries, distilleries and cider houses and will feature a special-edition beer brewed just for the weekend: "saison de la gare," courtesy of Laurier watering hole Dieu du Ciel. As usual, samplers are encouraged to vote for their favourite brew in the annual Beer Contest, and alluringly new this year is a debate between six beer writers from the U.S. and Europe (no word on how soused they'll be). Raise a glass June 1–5 at Windsor Station and Courtyard (1160 de la Gauchetière W.), free admission, $1 per tasting coupon, 1–5 coupons per tasting, www.festivalmondialbiere.qc.ca. » Matthew Woodley

Choreographed chaos

Israeli choreographer Ohad Naharin knows how to provoke an audience. I remember feeling at once delighted and dismantled after seeing his work for the first time several years ago - the flash flood of vinyl records zipping across the stage and the seemingly normal wall prop that took us all by surprise.

That same piece, Perpetuum, is coming back as the highlight of a Grands Ballets Canadiens evening program dedicated to Naharin. Rounding off the night are two short but powerful choreographies, Kaamos and Arbos, making their Canadian debut in this show, which runs until June 2 at Place des Arts.

Playful as he is, Naharin has still been known to stir up a controversy or two. Israeli spectators and politicians took offence to a past piece, Anaphaza, where dancers flung off clothing until they were le» ft in undies. While a few turn their heads from his creations, most others are left in awe. Information: 849-8681. » Marites Carino

Is it Art?

VULGAR DELI: "Look, don't touch" is a basic tenet of anthropologists in their quest to understand the ways of diverse cultures. But those who've seen first-hand a table of cannibals maw down on a good hunk of human find the experience something akin to watching Brazilian porn with their hands tied behind their backs. So someone came up with a healthy alternative, Hufu. Think tofurkey, but with the simulated flavour of human flesh, which, apparently, is kind of like beef, but sweeter and softer. Hufu Classic Strips retail for $11.98 (U.S.) for 3.5 oz, but are currently "on back order." A little more research and you'll discover that this is a hoax by a bunch of anthropolo-geeks at Dartmouth College. Uh, if it's any consolation they sell T-shirts with the logo pictured here at www.eathufu.com.

ArtsHole

LOCKETT ROCKS IT: After placing respectably in three lists in this year's Best of Montreal poll (No. 3 Best Spoken Word Act, No. 4 Standup Comedian, No. 6 Local Actress) groovy spoken wordster Lydia Lockett takes to the stage at Le Swimming to remind us why, joined by Snooky Alston on drums and Dylan Kell-Kirkman on bass. The show goes down on Monday, May 30, at 10 p.m., $8, with part of the proceeds going to help children with cerebral palsy. • ONE YEAR + TWO PEOPLE + ONE DRAWING PER DAY = 760 DRAWINGS: Stop in to the Maison de la culture du Plateau Mont-Royal (465 Mont-Royal E.) and take in Élise Cropsal and Rafael Sottolichio's 36-foot-long drawing exercise turned engrossing exhibition, Éphémérides, un an, un dessin par jour. It's there until June 4.

ARTISTAT: Number of museums wooing by waiving admission fees, and linked by a free shuttle bus system to boot, as part of Montreal Museums Day, this Sunday, May 29 (more info at www.montrealmuseums.org): 33

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