Mutant hurtles

Hey, it’s not hard to find mutation in comic books, but when you see a man dropping the contents of his nutsack into a frying pan placed on a naked woman, then eating the dish while simultaneously chewing on his penis, you know they’re keeping the standards high at 106U.

The recently released issue #7’s theme is indeed mutation, something the man behind the compilation, Eric Braün, calls “just a guideline,” though one respectfully followed by the tens of contributing artists by way of boners, boxes, blood and exploding body parts galore—you know, the usual stuff of underground comics for the older set. It isn’t all gore, though, and the book is populated with plenty of excellent art, complete with a colour section in the centre and limited edition handmade copies with a gooey polyurethane cover, this is in keeping with Braün’s tradition of “book objects,” which have also included steel and fake fur. It’s available at the Societé des arts sur papier (4826 St-Denis), or through http://crash.to/106u. » Matthew Woodley

Piknic line-dancing chic

You all know about the Piknic Electronik Sunday shakedown on Île Jean-Drapeau, but there’s a lesser-known music/dance happening picking up steam on that same island. So don’t be shocked if you exit the Jean-Drapeau metro and come head to head with a flock of people shuffling, twirling and clapping in sync to a hodgepodge of country, easy-listening and Latino beats. That’s the free, open-air line-dancing class run by social dance instructor Ronald Lacoste, who’s been guiding the popular nocturnal hop for the past six years. Armed with a wireless mic and pointy white shoes, Lacoste leads the energetic human movement mass in a group line-dance for the young and old on Wednesday and Saturday nights. If you run out of steam during the session, there’s always the option to take a breather and tilt your gaze upwards for the fireworks display. So pack up the foldable chair and head down—www.parcjeandrapeau.com/activites/danse.asp for the full schedule. » Marites Carino

Lit hits the fans

Keeping up with the Montreal word scene just got easier with the inception of Dialects, a bilingual lit smorgasbord. The brainchild of Manon Morin, who co-hosts with ex-Coco MC Mahalia Verna, Dialects airs Mondays at 11 a.m. on CKUT, 90.3 FM. “What attracted me to Manon’s idea was the combination of what’s often called ‘the two solitudes,’” says Verna. “That, to me, is really a multitude of heritages and voices coming together.” Tune in July 11 for poet Danny Plourde, plus interviews with Pouèt-cafëe magazine publisher Christine Douville and spoken word artist/dancer Katalyst. » Vincent Tinguely

Marking turf in Montreal

Locals and tourists alike can explore the physical and psychological frontiers of Montreal by taking part in Rose-Marie E. Goulet’s urban interventions, presented by artist-run centre Dare-Dare. Every Wednesday to Saturday in July, from 1–4 p.m., you can head out on motorized tours with the artist that start downtown at Viger Square and travel to various parts of the Island of Montreal. During each trip, passengers will be invited to join Goulet in marking out different territories with a poetic “placing of words” at significant geographic, political, linguistic, ethnic, economic and cultural borders. To reserve a spot, e-mail daredar@cam.org or call 878-1088.

For a lively exchange on the infinite number of borders, accompany Goulet on nighttime observations in Parc Jarry, each Wednesday in July, weather permitting. (Rendez-vous by 11 p.m. in front of police station #31, 7920 St-Laurent, metro de Castelnau or bus 55). The public is also invited to meet the artist tonight, July 7, during the opening, 5–9 p.m. in Viger Square. Info: 878-1088 or www.cam.org/daredar. » Christine Redfern

Is it Art?

ZOMBIES ATTACK DUCT TAPE FIGHTERS: Since the medieval era or thereabouts, people with swords, shields and battleaxes made of duct tape have met at the foot of Mount Royal, just behind the Tam Tams, to engage in ritual battle. Last Sunday, they met their match. Around 3 p.m., a gang of bloodied, moaning zombies (who may or may not have been regular people from the neighbourhood, organized into a band of undead through word of mouth and the stillepost.ca message board) trudged onto the fighting grounds to face off against the fighters. According to one civilian eye witness, the more experienced duct tape fighters made short work of zombies, (“But, man, that was some funny shit”) before the zombies lifted themselves up and made their way over to the McDonalds on Parc and Mont-Royal, and proceeded to throw an impromptu dance party.

ArtsHole

SCARE TACTICS: Five international artists face the role of fear in society, with shades of 9/11, natural disasters and the like in Les Paramètres de la peur. The exhibition, featuring Gun Holmstrom (Helsinki), Juliana España Keller (Montreal), Gabriel Martinez (Philadelphia), David Phillips (New York) and Paul Rowley (Dublin), opens at Art Mûr (5826 St-Hubert) today, July 7, 3–8 p.m., and continues through the 30th. • SHIRT STANDOFF: In blackandwhite vs Aphro, blackandwhite, aka Krista Bursey and Jason Wasserman, launch their new clothing line MTAF (More Than a Friend) and a series of paintings, while Aphro, aka Peter Ricq, launches his new T-shirt designs under his label The Aphro Joint, and some other artwork. Hopefully they’ll all get along at the opening, at Sub-V (5666 Sherbrooke W.), July 9, 8 p.m.

ARTISTAT: Number of people expected to turn up the heat at Parc Lafontaine’s Théâtre de Verdure during the Vues d’Afrique’s annual outdoor screening of African and Creole films, Ciné-spectacles au clair de lune, July 7–10, www.vuesdafrique.org for schedule: 10,000+

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