To those looking for a change of scenery in the dance world - maybe a few fresh faces too: think east. Starting today, Feb. 27, and running until March 15, the dance spotlight shines the way of the sunrise as the second edition of Espaces émergents, a multidisciplinary event for upcoming artists, hits Hochelaga-Maisonneuve.

Espaces’s main venue is Zest (4200 Ontario E.). Check out the space and shows during regular offerings by Studio 303. Kicking off the Dance Space series on March 2 are Sonya Biernath, Sarah Febbraro, Alexis O’Hara, K8 Alsterlund and Nathalie Claude, who perform pieces that often mix dance with live musicians and words.

If you’ve been moved by José Navas’s dancing and are curious about what he has to say, now’s the chance to hear the man talk. March 1 at 4 p.m., Navas speaks out about contemporary dance and on making it as a young artist. It’s at American Can (2030 Pie-IX).

For complete listings, consult www.espacesemergents.com or call 380-8111. : » Marites Carino

There’ll be plenty to look at, and nary a patch of naked wall this weekend at Rad’a gallery (841 Gilford) as Salon Dollop kicks off with works from 72 artists - and counting.

The show is the brainchild of Sherwin Tjia, who wanted to round up a collection of artists’ works gone astray. “Why don’t we just have a big-ass show of all the pieces that people don’t know what to do with,” he recalls of the original inspiration.

Salon Dollop also takes from the Salon des refusés, a rebellious 19th-century exhibition of works turned down by Parisian higher-ups, though this one’s more rejoice than rejection. Each artist will show one work in a limited-size space, and everything is wall-based, ranging from paintings to hanging sculptures. There are too many to mention, of course, but the list of names boasts art stars and up-and-comers from all parts. Odd, eclectic and well worth a visit. Vernissage with beers and beats this Saturday, March 1, 7–10 p.m., runs to March 14. : » Matthew Woodley

Conjuring up a surreal, fairy-tale, comic-book deconstruction of the evils of the corporate, capitalist machine is a risky venture - the potential for matters to mire down in a strident, didactic and very unfunny mess is substantial. Kudos then to Toronto cartoonist Marc Ngui for his new book Enter Avariz, an expansion on the Zak Meadow strips familiar to readers of Fish Piss. The book, published by the local Conundrum Press, is equal parts Mother Goose and Mother Jones - a cracking good and unpredictable read with a point to make. And check out those climactic fold-out pages! Enter Avariz enters the picture at the launch, with a presentation by Ngui, at Casa del Popolo (4873 St-Laurent) on Tuesday, March 4, 8 p.m., free. : » Rupert Bottenberg

Matrix magazine is a known hotbed of experimental writing, so it should come as no surprise that a Matrix-sponsored event this Sunday should feature a slide show called The Andy Brown Project. “It started as a little book for the Distroboto done by Googling myself,” explains Brown. “It only really works for people with bland names. It’s like the death of the author, or actually more like the dispersal of the author - there’s no real author, I’m just one of many Andy Browns.”

The evening is hosted by Matrix editor Rob Allen, and also features the home-base kick-off of Jon Paul Fiorentino’s tour in support of his book of poetry Resume Drowning. There’ll be readings by Anne Stone, Sarah Steinberg and Julia Tausch, and music by those rock gods of the Montreal literary scene, Puggy Hammer. At the Jupiter Room (3872 St-Laurent), March 2, 9 p.m., free. : » Vincent Tinguely

Check your egos at the door, theatres fight impending war. This Monday, March 3, companies from long-established to struggling and new join together for a global reading of Lysistrata. What started as a New York benefit for humanitarian organizations working in Iraq will snowball into 739 readings in 42 countries - all on the same day. Aristophanes’ tale has women from Greece withholding sex from their husbands until a peace treaty has been ratified. The reading at the Monument-National (1182 St-Laurent), is free, but donations are welcome and go to Médecins sans frontières. Info: 487-0819 or www.lysistrataproject.com. : » Janis Kirshner

Short circuit: The robots’ plan for total world domination often manifests itself in seemingly innocent ways. Take the coming android exhibit for the younger set, Robofolies, at the Montreal Science Centre (333 de la Commune W.) from March 1–9. The show features a zoo of robots in captivity, a robot bowling competition, a play and various robo-workshops. The highlight of the week is visiting Canadian humanoid, Dr. Robot, a 60-centimetre-tall metal marvel that extends far beyond the simple walk, talk, song and dance of his peers. This android can express emotions, recognize and take pictures of its owner and monitor what’s going on at home and communicate it over the Internet. All fun and games until the Doctor turns. Then who’s sleeping in the doghouse? $7–$10 with special rates for families. : » Matthew Woodley

Three’s company: Centre de créativité Gesù (1200 Bleury) brims with works from a trio of artists. Theo Appel’s large-scale canvases focus on newborns, Renée Béland’s installations look at dog and owner relationships and Geneviève Oligny displays historical lanterns from around the globe. Runs until March 19. • Floating sphere: Local writer Peter Dubé launches his first novel, Hovering World, on March 6, 8 p.m. at Galerie Clark (5455 de Gaspé, #114.). :

Artistat: Total amount recently awarded to, and split among, a trio of Canadian artists by gin-maker Bombay Sapphire for their winning martini glass designs: $12,000 :

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