Montreal Mirror - Artsweek

If you’re a fan of Gay Pride and dance, be sure to mark July 31 on your calendar for a double whammy. For the third time, dance makes an official appearance in the heart of the Divers/Cité celebrations with Flexx, an open-air show with sass.

The outdoor program features plenty of local companies and artists. If you missed out on Les Grands Ballets Canadiens’ stunning performance of Minus 1—In the Manner of Ohad Naharin this spring, you’ll get a second glimpse. Also on the lineup is Les Ballets jazz de Montréal with works by choreographers Mia Michaels and Crystal Pite. And for something a little more out of the ordinary, techno-violinist Dr. Draw animates a ballerina duo, and look up for an aerial performance by Fabio Doréa.

The dance extravaganza is three hours long, so bring something comfy to sit on. July 31 at Parc Émilie-Gamelin, 8 p.m.–11p.m., suggested contribution $2. :
—Marites Carino

In the minds of Joshua Auerbach and Helen Zisimatos, “creative liberation requires ongoing vigilance.” The pair are behind Vallum, a contemporary journal of poetry and visual arts, and recently released its second issue. The journal boasts an impressive lineup of poets, from award winning and established to relatively new. Among them are Montrealers Erín Moure and Jeffrey Mackie and former poet laureate of California Rhoda Janzen.

The “vigilance” part is in the need for creative freedom. “We are, as artists and society, in need of reminders of the path we tread—and its dangers,” the editors write in the book’s introduction. “Vallum is also a literary fix,” they say, after “the tragic events of this past year.” Vallum is available in some bookstores and by subscription. A Web site, www.vallummag.com, is coming soon. :

Seven local artists have sent their work down the highway to Burlington, VT, for an exhibit featuring “progressive, street-style artists.” Perfect Day: Original Works of Personal Expression is the newest show at Sanctuary Artsite, a nonprofit gallery operated on the side by employees of JDK design. On the bill are Luc Paradis, Féliz Bérubé, Jabari Elliot (aka Lisco), Jeff Ladouceur, Julian Garner, EGR, Other, Heath Cairns and Tracey Custodio. It’s an easy two hours to B-town, opening reception Friday, July 26, 6:30–8:30 p.m., show runs until Aug. 10. :

Founding Group of n member Maclean was ruminating on all the artists he knows who play with aspects of the word when he came up with the Group’s latest thematic art exhibit, Wordplay. “Colin does works that are figures of speech depicted in an absurd and cartoony way,” Maclean explains. “Billy Mavreas is well known for what he does with language and lettering. I use text in my own paintings quite a bit.” The show also includes Nadia Myre’s Indian Act , Patrick Hamou’s fake yearbook entries, Sherwin Tija’s hand-made book of 500 pseudo-haikus, plus sparkling spoken word by Alexis O’Hara, (0), Skidmore, and a new piece by Lisa Rae Vineberg.

Saturday, July 27, 10 Ontario W., suite 802, 8 p.m., free.

For the past six months, the Inobe Productions crew has strayed from the club circuit, presenting Coco Café in conjunction with art and historical exhibits at the Saidye Bronfman Center, SAT, and the Centre d’histoire de Montréal. According to co-organizer and Coco host Mahalia Verna, “Through all those projects, it has brought in the community involvement, the literary involvement and more of an involvement with the French audience.” But they couldn’t resist a return to clubbing for their traditional July extravaganza, Heat. “It is our most sizzling show,” Verna says. “It’s the one where the whole sexual and erotic side of spoken word comes out.” With Coco regulars Inobe, Buttaphly, Blu & Chanda, Narcissist and Lateef. Sunday, July 28, at Quartier Latin (318 Ontario E), 9 p.m., $6. :
—Vincent Tinguely

Is it Art?

Full moon risin’: Among the ways to expand your horizons is a good old night in the woods spent pondering the stellar regions. The Educators for the Environment Group (GUEPE) is holding two full-moon gatherings to facilitate your cosmic experiences. On the agenda is an indoor session exploring the outer spheres and how they relate to our own earthly satellite, before the party moves outside for some real (weather permitting, of course) telescope-aided star gazing, animal-sound listening and a “legend of the wolves” tale to boot. Space out, July 24 at Parc-nature de la Pointe-aux-Praries and July 26 at Parc-nature du Cap–Saint-Jacques, 9–11 p.m., $6/8. Space is limited, call 280-6829 to reserve. :

ArtsHole

Arriba! Here comes the “Latin event of the summer,” as the 6th annual International Merengue Festival of Montreal hits Parc Jean-Drapeau on July 27 and 28. New York’s Oro Solido headline a weekend of Latin American music, art and food. Noon–11 p.m., free. * Girl talk: Sex and relationships columnist Josey Vogels will read from her most recent book, The Secret Language of Girls, on July 31, 7 p.m., at the downtown Chapters (1171 Ste-Catherine W) and at the Pointe-Claire location (6321 Trans-Canada), Aug. 1, 7 p.m. * Perfect puzzle: Nikolai Kupriakov’s newest exhibition, Continuité, which has some 40 paintings that blend together as one, no matter how they’re arranged, runs from July 31–Aug. 11 at the Artus Gallery (988 Rachel E.). Vernissage on a Aug. 2, 6–10 p.m. :

Artistat: Number of performances slated for the inaugural International Festival of Gospel Music at the Old Port this Saturday, July 27, noon–11 p.m. (www.ifgm.org for schedule): 25 :