International style

Just got word that Common will be coming to Montreal for a show at Metropolis on Sept. 30, just after Red & Meth smoke the place out on Sept. 28. Common will be backed by the N.E.R.D. band, and promises to bring a brand new live show to the table to support his upcoming new album. Don’t miss the Cinematic Orchestra this Saturday, August 30, as they sneak in what is usually a more than moving performance. Tickets are $23.50 in advance, and $25 on the day of the show.

Metazon keeps it cookin’ tonight, August 28, with The Appetizer Part 2 at Alizé (900 Ontario East), a night featuring a slice of jazz, hip hop, R&B, soul and Latin funk for Montrealers looking for that fix. Expect performances from Abby, Boom-Bap Cats, Dézuets D’Plingrés and of course, Metazon and the Red Vintage Band. Tix are $10 with the show starting at 9 p.m.

ON THE RIGHT TRACK:
Train painting by Astro at Trains of Thought

Following closely on the heels of Under Pressure comes Meeting of Styles Montreal 2008, an international graffiti event that was established in Wiesbaden, Germany in the early ‘90s, and has since spread all over the world. Montreal joins Venice, New York, Rio de Janeiro, Los Angeles and Mexico City as an international host, and there’s a lot planned this weekend just for you.

The French Connection DJs will rock a pre-opening party at Blizzarts tonight, before things get underway on Friday, August 29 with Trains of Thought at Yves Laroche Gallery (4 St. Paul) in Old Montreal. This exhibit, featuring over 60 artists, was curated by Streetsaresayingthings.com and YvesLaroche.com, and explores various relationships between trains and graffiti, complete with installations, paintings, sculptures, sketches, studies and limited-edition products.

The afterparty is at Cherry (417 St. Pierre) and features Bran Van’s E.P. Bergen, Budda Morales, Casio Royale (BV3) and L’Ami starting at 10 p.m. Check out www.mosmtl.com for the full schedule, and try not to miss out on some of the great events they’ve got planned.

The legendary Beres Hammond blesses Club Soda tonight, with special guests Mikey Dangerous and King Shadrock. Early music and after-show vibes will be controlled by Little Thunder, Nighthawk International, DJ Soul, Mista Jiggz and DJ Chocolate. Advance tickets are $40 and available at Ticketpro.ca.

Seven reasons we need to do that again...
1. The Lo “Lumdi” (Universal)
2. Bugz in the Attic “Expression” dub (CDR)
3. Jazmine Sullivan “Prototype” (CDR)
4. Elzhi “Transtional Joint” (Fatbeats)
5. K6A Vente de Garage (myspace.com/K6A)
6. Fortilive “The Come Up” (CDR)
7. Pointblank Pointblank (Koch)

SHORT CUT OF THE MONTH...fathead@videotron.ca