Quote of the week

“The problem is that nobody believes us because there are so many prejudices.” —Quebec Federation of Labour lawyer Robert Laurin, complaining about the construction wing of the union’s tarnished reputation among charges of collusion, corruption, intimidation and other monkey business. The FTQ blamed the PQ, rival union CSN and the media.

AIDS, art, auctions

Art takes on HIV/AIDS in two upcoming exhibitions. Concordia’s VAV Gallery (1395 René-Lévesque W.) is the setting for in + body, an exhibition of work by students and former students dealing with public discussion of the pandemic.

“It’s about stripping away social stigmatization,” says assistant curator Stéphanie Goulet. “The works are interested in the interconnectivity between sexuality, gender, race and social class in the discourse around HIV/AIDS.”

The exhibition doesn’t open till March 29, but they’re throwing a fundraising party tonight, Thursday, March 18 at the Cavo Nightclub (160 Notre Dame W.) to raise cash for the project. Tickets cost $7 in advance or $10 at the door and can be reserved by e-mailing hivaisartshow.concordia@gmail.com. A vernissage on Thursday, April 1 at 7 p.m. will showcase performance art pieces that are part of the exhibit.

Meanwhile, Project Hope’s annual Art Against AIDS exhibit runs till April 12 at Galerie Dentaire (1239 Amherst). The collection features works by Quebec artists like Scarlett Raven, Daniel Barkley and Zilon that will be auctioned off on April 14 at the St. James United Church (1440 St-Alexandre). Cash raised from sales will go to AIDS Community Care Montreal. Details are available at projecthope.org.

Matt Jones

Disability dance

If you’re between six and nine years old, or have perhaps sired somebody who is, and looking for a dance class but don’t have the funds available to pay for one, take note that Michelle Zitomer is currently enrolling students in her 100 per cent free Dance With Michelle, an integrated program for kids with or without physical disabilities, at the Westmount YMCA (4585 Sherbrooke W.).

Zitomer, a McGill graduate student who’s been teaching dance for 10 years and working with special needs kids for the past six, says she’s offering the course free because it’s part of her thesis study based around inclusion in dance from childrens’ perspectives.

“The children will get all the benefits of learning dance in general, but it also helps kids with disabilities to feel included while helping the children without disabilities to build tolerance and friendships,” notes Zitomer.

The program, which is open to children of all ability levels, will be taking place every Sunday from March 28 until June 13. Space is limited, and those interested in enrolling must come to an information session at the Y on Sunday, March 21 to sign consent forms. Contact Michelle at michelle.zitomer@mail.mcgill.ca or call (514) 812-4184.

Chris Barry

Eliminate the hate

Montrealers will be trying to stamp out racism this Saturday, as the Centre for Research-Action on Race Relations (CRARR) holds an event to honour the UN’s International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

The day marks the 50th anniversary of the Sharpeville Massacre, a violent crackdown on protesters by the South African apartheid regime.

“There are a lot of negative attitudes that are still very pervasive, but I think the example of apartheid shows that institutionalized racism can be reversed and defeated,” says Ryan Birks of the CRARR.

As Quebec continues to stumble its way through the reasonable accommodation debate, racism seems far from abolished in la belle province.

“It’s important to do all we can to accommodate and make sure that people’s rights are maintained,” says Birks. “The best way to do that is increasing visibility and attention to the topic of racism.”

The event will feature South African High Commissioner Abraham Sokhaya Nkomo, a multi-faith ceremony, gospel and opera music and speeches by MPs Olivia Chow and Justin Trudeau.

The event takes place at the St. James United Church (463 Ste-Catherine W.) Saturday, March 20 at 7 p.m. For more information, see crarr.org.

Matt Jones

Bikes on the block

It’s entirely understandable that pasty, hopeful Montrealers believe spring has arrived this week, and with it the chance to buy a new set of wheels. There are tons of options for all price ranges, but the City of Montreal is betting you won’t find a better deal than the one on offer this Saturday, March 22.

A vote at the ever-exciting Ville Marie borough council meeting last week authorized its first ever sale by auction of over 100 bicycles that were either abandoned or removed by downtown authorities. The bikes had been held for 60 days before being sent to the auction block, says borough spokesman Jacques-Alain Lavallée, with no one stepping forward to claim them. “Police and Public Works have the power to remove bikes if they are on public property and are blocking access to a park or something like that,” Lavallée says. Unhappy and ride-less owners can try to track down their bikes by calling the 311 municipal hotline, and “they will be directed to the proper person at Public Works,” he says. Unsold bikes will be held over for other auctions later this year.

The auction takes place on Saturday, March 20, at 9805 Henri-Bourassa E., 10:30 a.m. (Henri-Bourassa metro, then take the 48 or 89 bus east.)

Patrick Lejtenyi

Rear-view mirror

12 YEARS AGO - MARCH 19–26, 1998

On the cover: Brit girl band All Saints. Mireille Silcott notes that all four are “considered real personality jocks because they swear in interviews. And sound all street-slangy. And talk about their sex lives. ‘We burp and fart,’ Shaznay tells the Mirror.”

• At the International Day Against Police Brutality demo, young street punk Jones says, “I hate cops. Cops are all the same. They’re all racists and fascists.”

• Prior to the Oscars, Matthew Hays eviscerates Titanic as “a truly dreadful film, among the very worst I’ve seen in years.”

• Results of the “second annual extremely popular Alternative Academy Awards”: Most overlooked performance: Rupert Everett, My Best Friend’s Wedding; Most overlooked film: Boogie Nights; Most Blatantly Commercial Movie: Spice World.

• Josh Bezonsky reviews the magazines at Chapters “Casino Player: I checked out their cover story on ‘BJ Tournaments.’ Unfortunately, it was about blackjack. (Cruising World and World of the Cruising Sailor were also disappointments.)”

• Media Circus declares Global’s Saturday afternoon “triad” of Sinbad, Hercules and Xena “quality TV!”

Angel >>Cooler heads prevailing in the face of tragedy The freak accident that killed 20-year-old Alex Hamelin during Sunday’s parade was a tragedy, but fortunately it doesn’t look like it’ll be used as an excuse to crack down on a beloved Montreal tradition. The parade is generally regarded as the beginning of spring, and Montrealers are in a celebratory mood after a long, grim winter. The drinking is as much a part of the festivities as the cheesy floats and plastic hats. Erecting fences or busting anyone having too good a time would kill the green buzz and ruin the parade’s reputation.

Insect >> Harper muzzling climate scientists If you haven’t been hearing enough genuine climate change news over the past few years—as opposed to pseudo-scandals whipped up by its deniers—blame the Prime Minister. Climate Action Network Canada, an umbrella group of environmental organizations, acquired documents that show the Conservatives have been ordering federal scientists to seek permission from the government before speaking to journalists, and that the deadlines usually pass before approval is given. The document, leaked by an anonymous Environment Canada employee, reveals that senior scientists are constantly at odds with their climate-skeptic bosses, up to and including former environment minister John Baird. Censorship by bureaucracy is enough to disgust anyone.