"The way we see it, there's no fashion publication in Canada that really speaks to the 18–34 urban demographic," says Mark Batchoun, co-founder of soon-to-be Strut magazine, who's out to change all that.

Batchoun, his brother George, and their assembled crew have spent the past eight months shaping the magazine into its final form: a fashion-centric yet eclectic mélange of art, music, travel, design and of course, stuff. Hell, there's even a poetry page - something you won't find in Chatelaine, and would be cursed if you did.

Batchoun says Strut has already been turning heads, getting ads from big names in fashion from south of the border. "We're definitely targeting people who will spend $300 on a pair of jeans," says Batchoun, crediting British mags like Dazed and Confused and I.D. as inspiration. "And people want to reach that audience in Canada. But there's a lot for people who don't fall into that category too."

Strut's inauguration will unfold in a blaze of glory on Thursday, April 10, at the Rialto theatre (5723 Parc). At 9 p.m. the event opens up to the public with performances by Montreal wunderkind Tiga, The Stills and Akufen, continuing into the wee hours, $10. The newsstand price for the magazine, a quarterly for the time being, is $4.95. » Matthew Woodley

It must have been a letdown when thieves tore open a box they swiped from a car in Berlin. "It probably looked like plastic garbage to them, but for us it was a treasure," explains Japanese choreographer Yumiko Yoshioka. What crooks stole was the intricate, inflatable show set about to be shipped to Canada for a spring tour.

Because the set couldn't be recreated in time, Yoshioka will perform a solo work instead, entitled Before the Dawn, at Studio 303 (372 Ste-Catherine W.). "I become the medium of many creatures by giving life to many lives," she says in the work. The piece features an excerpt from All Moonshine, a captivating, expressive work exploring metamorphosis that Yoshioka brought to Montreal in 2000.

One thing is for certain: after this performance Yoshioka will return to Montreal with a new set, so make sure to keep an eye out. Also, if you're interested in learning more about her dance style, Yoshioka is giving a body resonance workshop based on butoh and organic movement. April 4-6, 393-3771 for info and tickets. » Marites Carino

This summer, Montrealer Jana Sterbak's video From Here to There will represent Canada at the prestigious Venice Biennale. Earlier this week she was supposed to discuss her new work at a press conference held by the Musée d'art contemporain. Unfortunately Sterbak, whose Montreal exhibition was postponed this past February, again was a no-show. Luckily for us, Sterbak's camera-operator Stanley, a Jack Russell terrier, was available and busily videotaped everyone on arrival.

Sterbak's latest oeuvre is made from over 100 hours of video shot in both Quebec and Venice by a wireless camera strapped to Stanley's head. Just by witnessing the footage shot at the conference, the interesting possibilities of Stanley's view of the world become apparent. But don't think you can try this at home. To get this video to Venice requires about $500,000 in funding from the museum and various levels of government. » Christine Redfern

In the last 50 years the relationship between underground music and painting has steadily solidified, from Andy Warhol and the Velvet Underground to hip hop and graf artists' collaborations. Over the last few years specifically, artists have been taking live painting to a new underground audience: the sweaty, writhing masses of the afterhours party scene.

Local artist Zïlon is one of those people. "I love doing live painting," he says. "It's like rock 'n' roll, but instead of a guitar it's a paintbrush." At the Ritual party, this Saturday, April 5, Zïlon - with the help of live guitarist Jayk and DJ Mark Anthony - will be painting on four four- by six-foot canvases through the night.

"There's a certain spontaneous energy that you feed off of," he muses. "I know what I want to do, but I don't know how the environment, music, décor and crowd will inspire me." Zilon feels that live painting not only provides the audience with a "rare glimpse into the artistic process," it also provides the artists themselves with a chance to work in a different context. "In my atelier, it's another type of energy," he says, "it's more introverted. If I make a mistake I can correct it. Live, if I make a mistake, I work around it and incorporate it into the piece." 2–10 a.m. at the Pepsi Forum. » Raf Katigbak

Curiosity cure: The great mysteries of the household will finally be revealed as the Montreal Science Centre's new exhibition The House Explored! Wall-to-Wall Answers lays down the logic (King Edward Pier, Old Port). A part of the centre has been turned into a five-room interactive home where the magic behind commonplace items turns to rational fact. How does the floor in your house hold you up? How does the toast know when to pop up in your toaster? Why does it go "pop" when you open a bottle? What's up with wrinkled fingers after bathtime? Check it out, science is cool. Opens Saturday, April 5.

In retrospect: At the Window, 20 photos by Ewa Dubrowski reflect the passage of time and its effect on memory. The show is part of Usine C (1345 Lalonde)'s new initiative to use their gallery as an alternative art space. Runs until April 12. • Spring swing: The seventh edition of Les Printemps de la danse highlights works by emerging choreographers Hinda Essadiqi, Karine Denault and Victor Quijada at 10 maisons de la culture across the island until April 24, 872-9814 for schedule. • Que cultura: Tania de la Cruz collaborates with We are not Speedy Gonzales in a Mexican-infused performance and installation, April 5-April 12, at Espacio Mexico (2055 Peel).

ARTISTAT: Number of recorders simultaneously played in mesmerising polyphony through one mouth and two nostrils by an unnamed busker who can be randomly found in the city's metro system: 3

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