by SCOTT C

This week, I’m out. I’m not about to waste my last chance at a quick holiday, but there’s plenty of things happening for those of you who plan to be in the city for the next week or so. Heavy hitter number one is the Osheaga Festival at Parc Jean-Drapeau, happening September 2 and 3, with five stages and enough music on the bill to make almost everyone happy. It’s $95 for both days, or $60 for one, to get you close to Lady Sovereign, K-OS, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, G. Love and Special Sauce, Kid Koala, Amon Tobin and a slew of other bands. Even blood clot Bedouin Soundclash is playing, if you need music to shoot yourself to. Check for the arts tent, where I think you’ll get your money’s worth for sure.

Next up is international hip hop festival, Meeting of Styles, which makes its Montreal debut this year with a BBQ at le Kop Shop on September 1, and a super throwdown with DJs Truspin and Sagewondah at an undisclosed location on September 2. Please tell us where the party’s at! September 3 is a poster art exhibit at City Styles (1186 Ste-Catherine W.) for the whole family.

Team Canada continues their reign of terror with a show at CEPSUM on September 6, a little Concordia back-to-school party with K’naan and Wyclef Jean. If you’re down with the Concordia clan, you already know that this show will cost you nothing, but the rest of you must pay!

Those of you who always wanted to get a closer look at Fergie’s botox and collagen job can move to the front when she and the rest of Black Eyed Peas hit the Bell Centre with Rhianna on September 12. Rhianna’s record for lip-syncing in public is pretty good these days, but who would be silly enough to get up there and pretend to sing at a stadium-sized show like that? I guess we’ll see, won’t we.

The short and stocky Raekwon the Chef moves into Montreal for a show at the Just for Laughs Museum on September 23, and guess who has cornered the opening slot once again? Damn you Team Canada! These guys have cloned themselves and are reaping the benefits of being everywhere at the same time. If D.R. One or Grandtheft owes you money, now would be a good time to collect, if you can catch them.

Let the madness that is back-to-school commence..

7 reasons I’ll miss motherf#@kin’ Garret Keown....
1. J Dilla Jay Love Japan LP (Operation Unknown)
2. Joe Bataan “Call My Name” (Vampisoul)
3. Oh No ft. Vast Aire “No Aire” (Stones Throw)
4. Bakura “Thinking About” DJ Mitsu rmx (Especial)
5. Quango Frantic Moment EP (Deeper Soul)
6. Clara Hill “Paper Chase” (Sonar Kollektiv)
7. Waajeed Marvin vs. WJK EP (Bling 47)

THROW SOME SHRIMPS ON THE BARBY! fathead@videotron.ca

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