Heroes from the fringes

The Great Antonio was somewhat better known for his mammoth figure, Herculean strength, bus-pulling skills and apparent ability to eat 25 chickens in one sitting than his art. But in his later years, before he died last September 17, Antonio Barichievich could often be found at Beaubien metro passing out postcards with a text and photo collage highlighting his personal feats. Many of those, along with sweeping documentation of his life and character, make up what's bound to be an enticing exhibition of outsider art at the Darling Foundry (745 Ottawa).

Antonio's legacy is joined by creations from the no-less-charismatic local Papa Palmérino, who's often hailed as the Pope of Montreal and revered by many as a latter-day saint. Palmérino could usually be found sitting in his peculiar little boutique in St-Henri chatting with passers-by in a hard-to-decipher mix of his native Italian and French and English. But in late 2000, the building that housed the boutique burned to the ground, destroying his life's work: collections of his famous ornamented hats, painted stones, plaster Madonna statuettes, religious iconography and more. Papa, now 85, has bounced back, bringing forth an impressive array of new work for the show. Hors Pairs/Outside References: Papa Palmérino and the Great Antonio runs from Oct. 22-Dec. 7. » Matthew Woodley

Sewing and leisure time

At first glance it seems that the focus of Héloïse Audy and Julie Faubert's La robe ruche (The Hive Dress) is the dress on display. The real subject matter here, however, is the unseen garment worker. Sewn on the inside of the dress are strips of paper on which over 1,000 seamstresses have recorded their personal thoughts. By pressing our ears up to small holes in the gallery wall, we can listen to conversations with some of the women. Audy and Faubert worked for a year at developing a trusting relationship with women in the garment trade, giving the viewer an inside glimpse at the individuals behind the mass-produced "standard" garment. The exhibition shows in the main gallery of La Centrale (460 Ste-Catherine W., #506).

In the gallery's project room, Hillary Mushkin's video installation Pastoral is projected both on the floor and overhead. The video loops show footage associated with leisure time: golf courses, beaches, clouds floating by, occasionally overtaken by computer-animated blobs. Mushkin explains, "We're often sold technology on the promise of increased leisure, but really it doesn't deliver." Both shows run until Nov. 8. » Christine Redfern

Capital griots

As MC and organizer of this month's Words and Music at the Casa (4873 St-Laurent), Kaie Kellough is cooking up a gumbo that includes stellar Ottawa performers Oni the Haitian Sensation and nth digri, as well as local wordists Jason Selman, Josephine Watson and Stephen Thomas joined by musicians from the soulful Kalmunity collective.

In anticipation of Sunday's show, nth digri says, "I will perform some of my most recent poems, including one piece, called ‘Sugar Cane,' that was just chosen to appear in the 2003 National Poetry Slam anthology. It's got a catchy rhythm and it's kind of fun to listen to-which is good because the theme is pretty serious." The poets will be jamming with the band too! Oct. 19, 8 p.m., $5. » Vincent Tinguely

Cinderella undone

Evil stepsisters, magic pumpkins, the lost glass slipper... no doubt you know the rags-to-riches story of Cinderella. Forget everything. This month, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens turn the classic fairy tale upside-down at Place des Arts with Celle qui, dit-on, aurait perdu sa chaussure (Cinderella). The full-length ballet, created by Belgian choreographer Stijn Celis, opens the company's fall season.

In this world premiere, Celis pushes Prince Charming and fancy balls aside, to examine the hope that love may bring and to follow the personal growth of a young woman. Dancers dressed in bizarre costumes bring the story to life, performing against an impressive surreal set. The show runs Oct. 16-23 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 25 at 2 and 8 p.m. » Marites Carino

Is it Art?

COME RAIN AND SNOW: "Conversation about the weather is the last refuge of the unimaginative," once wrote Oscar Wilde, which would make the Farmer's Almanac perfect fodder for the uninspired mind. The book, most famous for its meteorological predictions, was founded in 1792 by Robert B. Thomas, whose secret forecast formula is kept locked in a box in New Hampshire and has since been replaced by a somewhat more scientific method using 30-year statistical averages to predict weather patterns up to 18 months in advance. The Almanac claims an 80 per cent accuracy rate. This year's prophecy for southern Quebec: a "very cold" winter with greater-than-normal snowfall, followed by a mild spring and a hot, wet summer. 2004 edition now available in stores, $5.99.

ArtsHole

DANCE FOR TOLERANCE: Tango Against Racism takes place on Sunday, Oct. 19, at 4 p.m. in the Chalet on Mount Royal with a series of free performances by Argentinian musicians and dancers. A ball featuring tango pros and students kicks off at 8 p.m., $10, 495-8645 for more info. • CHAIRS AND CARE: Designer furniture-each item endorsed by a local media celeb-currently on display at Harry Rosen (Cours Mont-Royal, Ste-Catherine and Peel), are up for bidding as part of Luxury by Design, a fundraiser for prostate cancer that ends on Oct. 22.

ARTISTAT: Number of monuments and pieces of public art that the city is looking to promote, preserve and further archive through the Montréal à l'oeil photo contest, open to pros and amateurs, deadline Oct. 31, www.ville.montreal.qc.ca/chm or 872-3207 for details: 300+

>> Arts Listings