Alternatives cut

The Montreal-based non-governmental organization Alternatives was assessing its future in the wake of a report in Saturday’s National Post suggesting their federal funding was to be cut.

The Post story quoted an unnamed source within the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) who confirmed that several million dollars of funding that Alternatives usually gets will be cut. “It doesn’t fit our priorities,” the source stated.

Founded in 1994, Alternatives has funded a number of initiatives supporting peaceful resolutions in areas fraught with military conflict. The group also advocates for women’s rights and the rights of the poor.

As of press time, Alternatives CEO Michel Lambert was still uncertain of whether or not the cuts were a reality or a National Post wet dream. “We spoke with CIDA on the phone this morning and they said they knew nothing of it, but Minister Bev Oda’s office hasn’t said either way,” he says. “We are afraid though. Our office will not shut down… but we will have to adjust if we lose this funding, for sure.”

Critics have charged that Alternatives has aligned itself with terrorist organizations. Lambert dismisses the suggestion: “We have fought for women’s rights in places like Iraq and Afghanistan. The idea that we’re somehow involved with terrorist organizations is absurd.”

Nice ’n’ naughty

‘Tis the season to be naughty, according to an upcoming burlesque event at the Main’s historic show bar, Café Cleopatra. But when Santa and his reindeer ride into town, they’ll know who’s been the naughtiest of all: Montreal city council.

Over the past year, our once world-renowned red light district was further crippled to make room for Montreal’s much-touted Quartier des Spectacles. And in September, city council approved plans for a 12-storey office tower on the Main’s west side, which would involve expropriating and destroying Cleopatra. But owner Johnny Zoumboulakis isn’t budging.

“I’ve been waiting so long for this plan to revitalize the area with the QDS,” he says, “but then they decided there wasn’t room for me because they wanted to build a Hydro-Québec office tower. I just don’t get it.”

Zoumboulakis, who filed a motion in Quebec Superior Court to challenge the expropriation notice, plans to remain open for business throughout the legal battle. “You never know what might happen, but I’m hopeful that come New Year, the show will go on.”

Glam Gam Productions throws two lascivious burlesque nights on Friday, Dec. 11 and Saturday, Dec. 12 (1230 St-Laurent), 9 p.m., $10 or $8 with a non-perishable item, with proceeds going to AIDS Community Care Montreal.

Rights here and there

Local activists are calling for solidarity on this year’s observance of the UN’s 61st International Human Rights Day. At a demonstration at Phillips Square this Saturday, Dec. 12, local activists will be rallying for support to delist Sudanese-born Canadian citizen Abousfian Abdelrazik from the UN Resolution 1267, which prohibits anyone offering assistance to individuals or groups thought to be helping al-Qaeda, and denouncing the list in general.

Project Fly Home—a project of the People’s Commission Network—oppose what they say is the federal government’s support of a racist policy. Although Abdelrazik was cleared of al-Qaeda connections after being detained in 2003, he still finds himself on the list.

“[He] has no opportunity to challenge that list. We’re talking about due-process rights here,” says Mary Foster, a member of Project Fly Home’s organizing committee. “It’s being promoted in the name of security, but it’s also being promoted as a very shallow and perhaps very racist policy.” The rally begins at 12:30 p.m. See peoplescommission.org for more info.

Also on Saturday is an Amnistie Internationale writing marathon at Laïka Café (4040 St-Laurent), 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Personal letters will be written to individuals who were imprisoned for speaking out against human rights injustices.

Priape’s spurting cheer

After 35 years of cock rings and prostate massagers, gay sex boutique Priape is giving back to the community with two fundraising events in the Village.

P-35—an all-night rager at Stereo (858 Ste-Catherine E.), midnight–7 a.m., $25 advance, $30 door—takes place this Friday, Dec. 11, with a part of the profits going towards Fondation d’Aide Directe-SIDA Montréal (FADSM) and the Gay Chamber of Commerce.

Artist/activist and event organizer Kat Coric says the event will allow people with tightened purse strings to get into the charitable spirit this holiday season.

“This is a way that they can make a difference. So when the night is over and we cut a big cheque— that’ll make people in the community feel like they’ve had a big part in it,” says Coric.

P-35 host DJs Stéfane Lippé and Patrick Guay, plus a dance performance by Jean-Pierre Perusse. Tickets are available at Priape (1311 Ste-Catherine E.), or at the door.

An earlier party, also for Priape’s anniversary, happens tonight, Thursday, Dec. 10, at Mado’s (1115 Ste-Catherine E.), 10 p.m., $10, with proceeds also going to FADSM. Le Staff Show du Village will feature favourite performers and drag queens from around the block.

Rear-view mirror

17 years ago - Dec. 10–17, 1992

On the cover: Leonard Peltier. The Native American, jailed for the 1975 murder of two FBI agents at Pine Ridge, South Dakota, thinks he was framed and Canada was duped into extraditing him. “The FBI was forced to admit they don’t know who killed the agents, or what participation I had in it,” he says from his jail in Leavenworth, Kansas.

• A Few Good Men director Rob Reiner admits he will always be haunted by his past. “If I ever win the Nobel Prize, the headlines will read, ‘Meathead Wins Nobel.’”

• Reviewing a Nov. 29 Television show at Club Soda, Jenny Ross writes, “A disgruntled crowd gathered backstage hoping to beat the Jesus out of them for not playing ‘Elevation’—how could they not play ‘Elevation’?!?”

• Gift guide suggestions: Real leather jacket key chain ($8), Star Trek trading cards (OS and TNG, $1.19), a Senegalese Calabash stick ($9.95).

• Coming to Foufounes in December: Jesus Lizard + Arcwelder; Slov + Ellam for Zoe; Suffocation + Malevolent Creation + Epidemic.

Angel >> The EPA Rendered a largely de-fanged rubber stamp under the Bush administration, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency may be getting its bite back, thanks to the new guy. This week, the Obama administration said what everybody already knew: carbon dioxide and five other greenhouse gases constitute a health hazard. What makes this more than a matter of stating the obvious is the implication it has domestically. Under the Clean Air Act, the EPA can force polluting industries to cut their emissions, regardless of the current climate bill currently stalled in the Senate. The American right will doubtless freak out even more, but given their increasing irrelevance everywhere except in Washington DC, that’s no big loss.


Insect >> The Canadian Recording Industry Association Ah, irony, it can be sweet. Jazz great Chet Baker’s estate is leading a class-action lawsuit against the CRIA over the labels’ alleged copyright infringement. Sound familiar? The CRIA has been at the forefront of hounding down and fining file-sharers millions of dollars, all the while, the suit alleges, screwing artists out of royalties owed from tracks appearing on compilation albums. The label association is looking at a maximum potential claim of $60-billion—that’s billion with a B. In Canada, labels can press and distribute compilations with songs on a “pending list,” meaning approval of the song’s use and its payment are pending—indefinitely. That list is now 300,000 songs long. Plaintiffs are looking for $20,000 a song.