by RUPERT BOTTENBERG

The great thing about a buffet is, you get to pick and nibble a wide variety of dishes from a culture's cuisine rather than choose a platter and stick with it. Wouldn't it be cool, though, to find a buffet that represents as many cultures as it does recipes? Montreal has yet to see a restaurant with such a worldwide spread. As far as food for the ears and eyes goes, however, there is an annual event that criss-crosses continents in its contents. It's called Noctua: Rhythms Against Racism, and it's an important part of Quebec's Action Week Against Racism that runs from March 19 to 28.

The fourth edition of Noctua is hosted by Mahalia "Miss Thang" Verna and Ricardo Rosa. Local Afro-funk action pack Dibondoko is on the bill, as is Latino fireball Joé Armando and his percussion ensemble. The Caribbean coalition gets its due with performances by reggae figure Mikey Dangerous and a DJ set by Mack One, master of dancehall, soca and other island sounds.

Heading east, we find the Japanese taiko tradition of massive drum thunder (think Kodo et al) repped by Montreal's Arashi Daïko ensemble. Desi drumming comes via tabla virtuoso Ustad Guru Dawood Khan, backed by Tariq Khan. Bringing it all home is the Inuit throat singing of Nunavut's Lydia Etok and Akimisie Sivuarapik.

Let's not forget the hip hop - Shades of Culture's D-Shade is on hand for some shady business, Atach Tatuq strap on their headgear and champion scratcher DJ Mana will shows what it takes to snag the gold. Both the First Nations and the hip hop nation are accounted for in the visual arts side of Noctua, with paintings by native artists and graffiti writers. Works by Haitian painters will be displayed as well, as will projections and documentary screenings.

Back to the subject of food - a night this busy can drum up a real appetite. Thankfully, the crew from Boul. St-Laurent's La Corridor resto will be laying out their soulful sustenance. Dig in!

At Club Soda on Wednesday, March 24, 8pm, $10

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