My Montreal includes Drop the Needle

Thanks for hiring Krista and publishing her "Drop the Needle" column. It's about time that someone is willing to criticize the Montreal club scene, not just promote the latest parties. If a promoter's ideas are tired--and lately they've been really tired--Krista will let us know.

I've been in Montreal for a year now, and I find the club scene here large but boring (especially where house music is concerned; no one wants to play quality, soulful house like the kind Stefan Cocke plays every Sunday night on CIBL). This trend of trying to appeal to the widest range of musical interests needs to end, and Montreal could really use a nice after-hours club that caters to adults. A few of the bars, like Jaï and High Bar, play great house music, but dancing there isn't really the goal. Hopefully, the people who run the club scene here are reading her column and taking good notes.

--Will Johnson

Fire, not cops, started riot

As a Plateau resident, I am glad that you reported on the St-Jean-Baptiste riot ["Anatomy of a St-Jean-Baptiste riot," July2]. The "police--youth rivalry" is a serious issue. However, while the article attempts to make a serious analysis of police activity, it is very apologetic for the irresponsible actions of those on the other side of the line.

To begin, firefighters are responsible to the entire community to do what is necessary to prevent loss of life and property. Writer Philip Preville expended little energy trying to determine how dangerous the situation could have become. His flippant assurance that "experienced bonfire builders" were there ignores the fact that it was our recent damp weather, prevailing wind conditions and luck that prevented an errant spark from starting a fire on the mountain. Does an urban centre like Montreal have the capability to effectively fight and contain a wildfire on the steep slopes of Mont-Royal?

And, according to the article, the riot police came to last year's bonfire. Wasn't it obvious they would return to a similar event in 1998? Why didn't your writer ask some of the partyers if they were in fact provoking a return confrontation with police?

These are questions that deserve an answer for Plateau residents. Until then, "kids," stop doing the stupid things that attract heat so that we can all enjoy summer's cool evenings.

--Smokey Slate

Fringe doth protest

We would like to comment upon a recent article by Amy Barratt about the Fringe Theatre Festival ["Striking the beer tent," June 18].

Ms. Barratt indicates that the suspense of our awards ceremony was ruined by the inclusion of winning acts in the evening's entertainment, and by scheduling extra performances by some of the winners. We would like to clarify that only one company did an extra, benefit performance. In addition, the acts participating in the award ceremonies were chosen by the Fringe Festival's board, who had no prior knowledge of the award winners.

As for the presence of Susan Jeremy (Best Comedy winner) backstage before her award was presented, Ms. Jeremy was preparing to go onstage as a performer and was visibly surprised when her name was called. Ms. Barratt suggests that Ms. Jeremy only participated in the Fringe as a springboard to the Just For Laughs festival. Actually, the reason was more personal: Ms. Jeremy's father--the subject of her show--is originally from Montreal. We would like to point out that the awards were not announced to the press or to participating companies until after our March 1 cut-off for applications. Thus, Ms. Jeremy couldn't have decided to participate in the Fringe solely to be awarded a prize which at that point did not exist.

--Patrick Goddard, Lisa Lenihan, Michael O'Hara, Board Members; Jeremy Hechtman, Shannon Webb, Producers Fringe Theatre Festival

Ranters are like rats

After having browsed through the Rant-Online™ section on your Web site, I am convinced of one thing: hate breeds there like rats in a garbage dump, or even worse. A good proportion of the rants were some franco dude bashing an anglo or vice versa, people criticizing one another's different styles, and so on. I would just love for you to print this letter so I can ask everyone out there one question: why must people be so narrow-minded and quick to judge? There is so much intolerance and hatred in this world it boggles my mind that anyone would willingly add to it.

--Kristian Gareau