Put on your pointy party hats and skip over to Parc Lafontaine to join Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal in the celebration of their 30th year of existence. Continuing in the free outdoor show series in the park, the company is treating the public to four performances of Compte à rebours!

A definite highlight of the program is Short Works: 23 by emerging British Columbian choreographer Crystal Pite. The resident choreographer gave herself the challenge of creating 23 one-minute works and the result is an engaging, creative performance, and one that allows the dancers to express their playful side.

Afterwards, spectators will get a glimpse of a work in progress called Futur proche by Destins Croisés, an invited company that puts breakdancing in the spotlight. Bluesy choreography Blue Until June, by American Trey McIntyre, closes the evening and is set to the soulful tunes of Etta James. Aug. 8–11 at the Théâtre de Verdure in Parc Lafontaine, 8:30 p.m., free. :
-Marites Carino

 

Abstract
horizons

Dominique Goupil claims to have had a passion for painting as far back as she can remember, which might have contributed to her first sale of a piece at age five. The abstract artist’s paintings reflect “landscapes that extend to the point where the earth and sky meet, in a form more evocative than real.” Goupil recently launched her first solo exhibition at Galerie Simon Blais (5420 St-Laurent) where her recent earthly oil on wood works are on display. The exhibit runs until Aug. 31. :

 

 

Viva Italia

Here comes a whole lot of Old World charisma to stages and streets as the annual Montreal Italian Week kicks off with a “pre-festival laugh-fest fundraiser.” This Thursday, Aug. 8, Italian comics take the stage by storm at the Comedy Zone (1740 René-Lévesque W.). “And you can be sure,” claim festival promoters, “that with the Italian community packing the house, the audience will be as entertaining as the performers.”

The comedy night should warm people up for what promises to be an action-packed week of Italian culture on show. Running all week are art exhibitions in the Marché Bonsecours and at the Centre Leonardo da Vinci (8370 Lacordaire), all free. And every day at noon throughout the festival, gnosh on free cheese and Brio in Dorchester Square to the accompaniment of various live singers. There’s music to be heard in a handful of outdoor venues across the city, sports in the form of a bocce tournament in Parc Delorme and a Montreal Impact soccer game at the Centre Claude Robillard, and evenings of Italian films, theatre, comedy, fashion and a conference by the Italian-Canadian Writers’ Association. The festival runs from Aug. 12–18. Call 279-6357 or see www.semaineitaliennedemontreal.ca for schedule and event info. :

Is it Art?

Navel gazing: Out on the streets bare midriffs abound, pierced and decorated with shiny metal rings, sending social anthropologists into furious debate and an idea like a bolt of lightning into the mind of self-proclaimed fashionista Rita Ghanimé. “I asked (local designer) George Kfoury to create a charm to hang from my existing belly hoop ring. I was presented the most gorgeous charm attachment! I knew right there that this was going to be hot!” Ghanimé immediately got to work on her new line of belly jewellery, the aptly named Flaunt it collection: charms that cling to your ring with an “innovative attachable clasp system.” Specially designed for the “unbashful and flirtatious,” the jewellery is available in select boutiques. Check out www.flaunt-it.ca. :

 

ArtsHole

Woof woof: Come see a “gastro-political multi-happening that points a cynical finger at all of America with its barbaric and savage capitalist logic” in the form of Les Chiens, a multimedia theatrical event running until Aug. 31 at Hors-Bord (3655 St-Laurent), 9 p.m., $15. * Val David discussions: The Fondation Derouin’s sixth annual International Symposium kicks off this Saturday, Aug. 10, highlighting “territory, multidisciplinary arts, and inter-cultural relations within the Americas.” Under the theme Space and density, the foundation has invited four emerging Canadian artists to create an installation on-site in Val David, where the exhibition runs until Sept. 8. Call 523-3633 for info. * Straight up: Two shows open this week at Laval’s Galerie Verticale (2084 des Laurentides). Space 1 has Caroline Monette’s Ossuaire, an installation-collage based on whale remains and dealing with concepts of biodiversity. In Space 2, Pilar Marcias’ installation, Ô! Hasard! is based on la loteria, the Mexican equivalent of bingo. :

 

Artistat: Number of galleries participating in the contemporary art exhibition that coincides with the opening of new mega-store Les Ailes de la mode (677 Ste-Catherine W.) from Aug. 7–18: 9 :