by SCOTT C

While slowly going crazy at my parents' house over the Christmas holidays, I happened upon a movie while scouring the crap rack at their local video store. Vinyl, directed by Alan Zweig in 2000, is a strange little film about the obsessive-compulsive side of record collecting. Through a series of diaries from the director and super-frank interviews with various record collectors like Daniel Richler, Guy Maddin, Geoff Pevere, Harvey Pekar and a slew of not-so-famous crazies, Zweig offers some truly depressing insights. That's right, depressing. He cooks up a theory that implies that record collectors collect while neglecting other areas of their lives that require attention. Y'know, relationships, social interaction, hygiene, stuff like that. Now, before you say out loud that these things have nothing to do with the fact that you spend 40 hours a week digging for records, see this movie. Anyone, and I do mean anyone, who has devoted any time in their life to the pursuit of music - CDs, vinyl, cassettes or otherwise - should see this movie. There's a guy who is determined to collect every pop song ever recorded, as well as a guy who literally can't walk through his house without knocking over a massive pile of records or CDs, not to mention the many "completists" who will stop at nothing to have the entire collection of whatever it is. They're all here. Even though I don't consider myself an extreme collector, I was able to (ahem!) learn something about myself. Maybe you can too.

This is the week to head down to the MAI at 3680 Jeanne-Mance for some dance happenings taking over the floor. With new works from the NodaCho Danceworks camp, featuring Sarah Febbraro, K8 Asterlund, Sophia Gaspard and 4Temps, you can prepare yourself for some hot choreography to warm up what will no doubt be another cold winter night. As it happens, The Next Level Westmount Youth Breakers will also be making an appearance in a piece with K8 and WD-40, all part of the Hip Hop Circus. Tix are $7 in advance, or $12 to $14 at the door, and the show runs from tonight, Thursday, Jan. 29, to Saturday, Jan. 31, and again from Feb. 5 to 7. Call 982-3386 for info.

While Saïan Supa Crew hits Club Soda tonight, Thursday, Jan. 29, for a $15 show, you may be surprised to know that there's also a second show the very next day. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the show at 7 p.m. on both Thursday and Friday. Info at 908-9090.

On the "things you don't need to know" tip, hip hop pioneers Pete Rock and CL Smooth are confirmed for a Toronto show on Feb. 14, and no, they're not sharing the love with Montreal…

Seven reasons They Reminisce Over You:
1. Pete Rock & CL Smooth "Mecca and the Soul Brother" (Elektra)
2. Pete Rock & CL Smooth "Straighten It Out" (Elektra)
3. Pete Rock & CL Smooth "Get on the Mic" (Elektra)
4. Pete Rock & CL Smooth "One in a Million" (white)
5. Pete Rock & CL Smooth "Lots of Lovin" (Warner)
6. Pete Rock & CL Smooth "T.R.O.Y." (Elektra)
7. Pete Rock & CL Smooth "Back on the Block" (BBE)

I am but an instrument… fathead@videotron.ca

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