Art for dummies

"A lot of young people complain that there's nothing going on, that they're bored night after night," says Ari Cohen. "The idea is to get young people to go out, have fun, and gain some exposure to the arts." That's what Cohen, director of the Saidye Bronfman Youth Institute, is trying to accomplish with his Rendez-Vous Eith the World of Art program.

A piddling subscription fee of $49 gets you into five different events of your choice--be they theatre, film, dance, music or museum exhibits--at Montreal's major cultural institutions. One week it's Camus, the next it's Beethoven, Wim Wenders, or maybe Chicago bluesman Mighty Joe Young. "I went to these theatres, museums and art groups," says Cohen, "and told them 'Look, we're bringing you this market, these elusive young adults--now it's up to you to show them what you can do.'"

Aimed at 18- to 35-year-olds, the program is a good way to catch up on all the culture you might have missed back in school... while you were studying to get a real job. Info: 739-2301. Rupert Bottenberg