Grouchy media party

The CBC’s ongoing lockout and the imposition of Southam’s mandatory national editorials have made Montreal media types pretty gloomy. So as a way to relieve some of the recent stress, two journo-parties are planned for this weekend.

The bigger party, open to the public, is a concert featuring, among others, Penny Lang, Richard Seguin, Yvon Deschamps and Michel Rivard, in support of locked-out CBC workers. On the picket line for almost six weeks, the workers are demanding long-term contracts, wage equity and better working conditions.

“By volunteering to appear on stage, these artists are showing how much they support and depend on us,” says Radio Canada reporter Jocelyn Desjardins.

The CBC “Lockout Soirée” will be at the Spectrum on Monday, May 6, at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free but donations are appreciated.

On Friday, May 3, Gazette reporters will hold their “Riff-Raff ball,” in snarky reference to CanWest chieftain Izzy Asper’s remark last December about sullen, mutinous reporters opposed to his editorial policy. Profits from the party will go to the Canadian Association of Journalists and the Fédération professionelle des journalistes du Québec. “They’ll need it,” says a reporter who requested anonymity out of fear of dismissal, “because CanWest is probably going to pull their funding because they supported us.”

The party starts at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, May 3, at the Café Espanol, 4388 St-Laurent. It’s already sold-out, but those without $10 tickets can try their luck at the door. :

—Patrick Lejtenyi