F.M.E. + F.F.M. = Free F.U.N. by RAF KATIGBAK Love it or hate it, the sidewalk sale is back on the Main promising more corn on the cob, cheap noodles, and vicious friperie-pile rooters than ever before. Although it’s never been scientifically proven that blaring nu-nrg or hard trance increases underwear sales, every year it seems more stores are using DJs to draw attention and get the party started. The Guru tent has always been a sure bet for anyone looking to get their groove on in the middle of the street. While their “top notch” guests haven’t always represented (remember the overly-hyped set by Grandmaster Flash that lasted approximately six milliseconds and finished with his invitation to go see him at “…what’s that club’s name? Oh yeah, come and check me out at Sauna!”?), their dedication to local talent has always shined through (remember Maüs’s killer late night set in the middle of a thunder shower?), and this year is no exception. For 2002, Guru boasts over 25 free performances at the corner of St-Laurent and Prince Arthur from Thursday, Aug. 22 to Sunday, Aug. 25, between 3 p.m. and 11 p.m. Local graf art collective Heavyweight represents on Thursday with NYC’s DJ Language as well as locals Scott C and Uzi. Friday, it’s the Local Heroes event featuring, among others, DJ Ram, Maüs & Soundshaper and Jojoflores. Saturday, FME shows some love for Montreal’s Neon nights with a killer line-up of electro DJs including Unknown and Nitedog from NYC, and local talent Philgood, Mini, Thomas Sontag, Jordan Dare and Frigid. Sunday, catch Orlando’s Tim Skinner at the tent alongside Big AL, Chris Pronovost and Rob Brown. From the FME to the FFM, this year’s Festival des films du monde leaps into the digital age with Interface, a series of 30-minute, film-themed audio-visual performances including DJ sets by Pfreud, Philgood, Disco No Disco, Mighty Kat and Leo Cruz and VJs Pillow, Yan Breuleux and K-Project. Each DJ and VJ team are given a theme (e.g. Mad Max and Run Lola Run) and are asked to improvise over it. Running the entire 11 days of the FFM (starting Aug. 23), the free showdowns will take place at the main area of Place des Arts. On the super-funky breaks tip, drop by Broken at Bluedog on Wednesday, Aug. 28 for special guest Marty McFly, only $4! For some live drum & bass action, catch Black Market (one half of local duo dB) as he guests at the next installment of the In Da Jungle series alongside fellow live acts Kidstatik, Freqboy and the rest of the IDJ residents. It’s $10 at the door, but you can e-mail mtlidj@hotmail.com to get on the $5 guest list. Call 401-6774 for details. This Sunday, Aug. 25, be sure to catch future-ghetto travelling minstrel show 3.5 Megabytes as they hit La Sala Rossa for some seriously wacked out electro-pop fun. For those who didn’t catch their insanely elaborate show last time around, make sure you see ’em this time. It’s a hoot! : Megabyte Me! >> Music Listings