Creepy first
dates abound!

by JACK OATMON

As has been the case for the last few editions of this column, I got out and did some venue-casing legwork last weekend, this time stumbling upon a little faux-bordello-style joint at 351 Roy E. (corner of Drolet) called Salon l’Officiel. Formerly known as Roy Bar, the interior has been renovated to stalk that shady line between smut and refinement, complete with vinyl booths, stained trim, murky red lighting and several large nude paintings lining the dark walls. The sound system is in good shape, with one subwoofer amply servicing the cozy confines, and the atmosphere flips from sophisticated to suggestive with the turn of a single innuendo-laden phrase, making it a perfect location for a nightcap with an otherwise inaccessible romantic prospect. Despite the somewhat overpriced beer, l’Officiel could easily become a go-to lounge for those in need of a chic venue on the Plateau.

Not much time for chit-chat this week, what with les FrancoFolies overtaking downtown and a handful of peripheral events going on, so I’ll get right down to my suggestions as to how and where one might get trashed and taken advantage of to the sound of wonderful music.

With the eclectic mix of club stompers that accompany any Peer Pressure hoedown, invited guest DJs Lynne T of Lezzies on X and Kandis C, the fabulous Victorian detailing of le Social and the swelling atmosphere of debauchery that precedes the upcoming Divers/Cité festival, Queer Pressure promises to be a semi-sophisticated, pheromone-stankin’ soirée tonight, Thursday, July 26. If that doesn’t float your proverbial boat, jump ship to Metropolis for a little bounce with Ghislain Poirier upstairs at the Savoy, a prime location for free-of-charge beats for the duration of the Francofolies festival.

In preparation for their Metropolis show on Saturday, the incorrigible boys of TTC, dripping with equal parts sleaze and talent, will appear at Academy for the eighth edition of Sharp à l’os on Friday, July 27. The evening will begin with a ladies-only tupperwear party hosted by that mature, suave, chiseled hunk, Teki Latex, including party favours most likely inspired by a certain SNL skit featuring Justin Timberlake. Afterwards, the men can come in to rejoin their colonized counterparts for an evening with Tido Berman and Orgasmic, proving once again that good music and bad taste are not mutually exclusive. Meanwhile, raging nationalist hip hoppers Loco Locass rock Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier.

On Sunday, July 29, John Acquaviva visits Piknic Électronik with a stack of electro-house records a mile high. On Monday, the Dare To Care Records boys have an evening booked at le Savoy, while Tuesday night Les Moquettes Coquettes hit Club Soda for an evening replete with jokes you’ll never get unless you’ve caught 400 episodes of Tout le monde en parle and Passe-Partout. On Wednesday, August 1, four-time nominees for this year’s GAMIQ awards, Tricot Machine, bring their catchy, twinkling piano pop to Cabaret Juste Pour Rire. That same evening Pas Chic Chic get down for free at 7 p.m. on Ste-Catherine.

Questions? Comments? Complaints? Propositions?
jack.oatmon@gmail.com