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Save the Main man

Burlesquer, professor and activist demands a massive re-think of the lower St-Laurent project

Name: Tommy Toxic

Age: 54

Occupation: CEGEP professor/burlesque performer/activist

Bio: A man of many talents, when this community-minded Île Perrot resident isn’t teaching set construction, scene painting and prop building to John Abbot students, or wowing audiences across North America with his burlesque performances as a poetry-spouting snowflake or giant turd, or performing his duties as a volunteer referee for the Montreal Roller Derby League, or rehearsing for his role as Trixie in the production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show that’ll be running at the Rialto later this month, well, he’s probably pretty tired. Nevertheless, since June, Tommy has been active setting up Save the Main, a volunteer organization dedicated to protecting the block of St-Laurent Blvd. between René-Lévesque and Ste-Catherine from becoming a Hydro-Québec office tower next summer. Having jumped through all the requisite hoops to have their voice heard by the powers-that-be at city hall only to find themselves officially belittled as simply “fetishists and wannabe artists,” Tommy and his the Save the Main posse are refusing to call it quits, vowing to continue fighting until victory is finally theirs.

What’s so important about saving the lower Main anyway? Can’t people buy hot dogs, dope and sexual favours in countless other Montreal neighbourhoods? “For starters, the Montreal Pool Room has been there for over 100 years, the street is historical. It’s also located in what they’re calling le Quartier des Spectacles, so why take away all the venues that are there now, venues that actually put on performances, for some Hydro-Québec office tower? They could build that anywhere.”

What his crowd envisions for the block: “All these buildings could be brought back as clubs and venues. What they’re killing here is Montreal’s avant-garde when they should be promoting it. This street of nightlife, our traditional red light district, with its gambling, casinos, drinking, burlesque shows that have featured Lili St-Cyr and other famous performers, should be restored as an avant-garde base with venues for jazz, burlesque and all sorts of performances, where people could develop their crafts, their art. Bring back the spirit of the 1940s for the block. If they destroy it, we’ll be losing something tremendous. The street’s a gem, and properly developed, it will attract people from around the world.”

As things stand right now: Expect to see the lower Main demolished next spring. “The city has put through their expropriation bills and demolition permits. The executive council put it all through with no debate. There might still be some legal challenges by private individuals, but essentially, everything is in order to wipe out the street come spring.”

What the average concerned lazy schmuck can do to affect the situation: “For starters, sign the online petition at savethemain.com. But better than petitions are letters, to City Hall, Hydro-Québec, the media even. Contact your local municipal politician and ask them how they stand on the issue, then vote in the upcoming municipal election.”

Last book read: Sit Down and Shut Up, by Brad Warner.

Musical preferences: Muddy Waters, Arcade Fire, Gogol Bordello.

Words of wisdom: “Abandon all our borders and selfish creeds and live for what we truly need, and revel in this...our community.”

Comments: dimwit@hdot.net