Drum and dance
BURUNDIAN BEATS: Rythme Umurisho
Léonidas Mbakunga is one of the dozen members of Rythme Umurisho, a performance group composed of drummers and dancers from Burundi. Since 1994, the troupe has been performing their infectious moves and rhythms, and this weekend, they’re making a stop for an outdoor show at the TOHU (2345 Jarry E.).
For Mbakunga, who has been in Montreal for eight years, drumming is a way to preserve his culture. He says, “We want to show what we do at home, and also share it with our children who were born here.” The 12 performers are equipped with drums that were specially made from the umuvaugangoma tree, found in Burundi.
Following the 45-minute performance, take a stroll through the booths at the fourth Fête Bio Paysanne, an eco-organic fair for locally-grown products.
Showtime is this Sunday, Aug. 12, 3 p.m., free. For info, call: (514) 376-8648 or see www.tohu.com. FYI, in case of rain, the performance is cancelled.
by MARITES CARINO
Aussian ruminations
While Concordia creative writing prof Mikhail Iossel is guest editor and advisor of the newly-minted St. Petersburg Review, his main connection is as founder of the St. Petersburg Summer Literary Seminars. “Libby Hodges, one of the participants of the seminar, was interested in  starting a literary publication of high quality,” says Iossel. “She wanted it to be in synch with our program, and to draw on the writers who went through the faculty.”
No wonder the inaugural issue includes literary heavyweights like George Saunders, Aimee Bender, Padgett Powell and Christine Hume. “The review will have a tight connection to Russian culture as well—each issue will have contemporary Russian literature in translation,” Iossel says.
The first issue features poetry and fiction by women who endured the Gulag system of Soviet Russia, as well as many other contemporary Russian poets and writers in translation. Available at the Word (469 Milton), or visit www.stpetersburgreview.com.
by VINCENT TINGUELY
Highway to Hellenic
Great Zeus, where did the time go? The Hellenic Community of Montreal just finished its 100th year of existence—to say nothing of the staying power of the Greek culture as a whole—and they’re celebrating in style.
This weekend, the Hellenic Flame Festival heats up Île Ste-Hélène with a lively feast of Greek dance, theatre, music, art, craft, food and a bumping Bouzouki night. Highlight performers include Terpsihori, Orpheas, La Troupe Folklorique Syrtaki and DJ Absolute. The revelry runs from Aug. 10–12, admission is free. Go to www.hcm-flame.com for details.
by MATTHEW WOODLEY
Is it art?
SIZE MATTERS:“To find pleasure in curiously curved potted trees is to love deformity,” goes the Japanese saying about bonsai artistry. In fact, these little trees start off as regular seeds, whose dreams of towering heights have not yet been lovingly stunted and pruned away. Years of strict discipline, trimming and tight confinement, however, soon mould these creatures into the Chihuahuas of the tree family. Their aesthetic form ranges from dragon-shaped to literati-styled specimen, which bare their trunks proudly, sporting minimal accessories (leaves, branches). And, if the artist is of the bon-kei persuasion, the little treelings may find themselves sheltering a community of miniature towns.
The art form has roots firmly planted in ancient China but has branched into a global trend, reaching artistic heights impressive for such small specimens. This weekend (Aug. 10–12), in Lanaudière, mini-tree huggers celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Bonsai Festival, featuring 50 bonsais and six workshops with experts. Learn some discipline tricks for your unruly little green rascals. Info at (450) 883-1196.
Arts
hole
CALL OF THE WALL: Some individuals look up at brick walls and see a canvas of possibilities. Colourful spraying possibilities, that is. Under Pressure, the yearly spray-paint-your-heart-out-in-broad-daylight party, celebrates its 12th on Aug. 12 at the usual spot behind Foufs. With a slew of hip hop acts, both outdoor (11 a.m.–10 p.m., free) and indoor (9 p.m.–3 a.m., $5), graffiti artists, skate and breakdance competitions, you’re bound to enjoy a few laughs while admiring the graf. ● PUPPET PUPILS: This Sunday, Aug. 12, Beaubien Park will present Maisonette de Marionette. Watch puppet shows and learn how to create your own hand-pals by the light of the late-summer sun. Shows at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Artistat
Number of visual artists cramming their works into the tight but sweet space that is gallery USINE 106U (111 Roy E.) for the exhibit Apparition, which runs until Aug. 31: 24 |
