Hip pond hop

Fiery wordsmith Nah-ee-lah is spanning two continents lately. On this side of the pond it was the Dub Poetry Festival in Toronto, and over in France she's been deep into Cape Town–Toulouse '04, a free exchange sponsored by the consciously alternative school Radio Campus Toulouse.

"I'm working and learning on my feet," says Nah-ee-lah. "Recording dub plates with Nuff Set One, and producing a live show with Toulousian DJ and producer, lkw. I'm doing a lot of French radio press, battles, interviews about the influences of dub poetry on present artistic forms, and last night I did an impromptu live show at a reggae hip hop club in town."

Nah-ee-lah is a special guest of legendary poet, Black Arts Movement co-founder and jazz historian Amiri Baraka this Sunday, June 20. Baraka performs solo with a question-and-answer period, and Nah-ee-lah presents new work. It's part of the Suoni per il popolo festival, June 20, 9 p.m. at La Sala Rossa (4848 St-Laurent) $13–$15. » Vincent Tinguely

Buy your own art crime

Yes, for a trifling $5 you can steal or vandalize (mallet provided) one of Michelle Bush's red boxes in her installation "grab or smash." Bush is off to take the helm of Eastern Edge, Newfoundland's only artist-run centre, and the boxes are filled with the useful and useless stuff that she can't bring with her. (Make an appointment at howtogetwhereyouaregoing@yahoo.com or 528-1329.)

Bush's project is part of Raw Space One: Art in Raw Spaces, which opens tomorrow, June 18, at 7 p.m. (4066 St-Laurent). Curators Hendrik Brussen and Melanie Freedman see it as the first in a series of exhibitions in different locales that will have "no guidelines, no censors, no curatorial dos and don'ts." This is a rare treat for those of you who are just plain sick and tired of artists' work being forced into thematic shows. Participating artists include John Shaw, Lucie Belanger, Matt Marello and more. Performances take place June 18–19, and the exhibition runs until June 26. » Christine Redfern

Roy madness

Just around the corner from the St-Laurent street sale there's even more goodies for grabs at the Roy Street Collective Artist Market (111 Roy E.). "The response this year has been incredible," says Louise Markus, "I just sent out an e-mail and the phone's been ringing off the hook, so we've got more than 30 artists' stuff now." The event, which runs until June 20, kicks off tonight, June 17, at 7:30, with circus street performance from Productions Carmagnole, who also plan to pop back from time to time over the weekend. And in keeping with the good-bang-for-your-buck spirit of the St-Laurent fair, all of the paintings, jewellery, clothing, cards, etc. will be kept under $100. » Matthew Woodley

Arterial explorations

Once an essential link between the Old Port and Lac St-Louis, the Lachine Canal has taken on a new life in the past few decades - cranes giving way to condo developments standing over sunbathers, leisure boaters, rollerbladers and, if you go far west enough, the odd soul dropping a fishin' line in the drink. Montreal artist Scott MacLeod captures this transition in his new series of paintings, Lachine Canal: Past and Present, now showing in the Annex of the McAuslan Brewery (5080 St-Ambroise).

"I've been photographing the Canal for the past two years," says MacLeod, whose last show centred on the history of NYC's Central Park, "so I approached [brewery owner] Peter McAuslan and we've been working together on setting up the exhibition. He has a very green approach to business and a strong sense of keeping it in the community."

MacLeod is offering one-hour bilingual tours of the annex, discussing the Canal's history and his artistic practice, $6. For info, call 271-1468 or visit www.macleod9.com » Matthew Woodley

Is it Art?

BEER AND POTS: Not only is beer quite tasty on its own, it can be a welcome addition to many a culinary dish. And whaddyaknow, just in time for Father's Day comes local writer Raymond Beachemin's Salut! The Quebec Microbrewery Cookbook. Using belle province brews as key ingredient, Beauchemin's recipes include Apricot Chicken Pilaf with Almonds, Kick-Ass Mussels, Red Line Chili and Trout Roulade with Asparagus. Why, you won't even have to take a break from beer while eating dessert, what with delectable choices such as Cheddar and Ale Cheesecake and Chocolate Stout Mousse on the menu. Salut! also includes a substitution chart with other North American microbrews, a guide to beer and food pairings and a brief history of the drink in Quebec (Véhicule Press, $18.95).

ArtsHole

POETRY REVOLUTION: Indie press touring circuit the Perpetual Motion Roadshow is on the road again and dropping into Zeke's Gallery (3955 St-Laurent) on Wednesday, June 23 at 7:30 p.m., $4. This month's performers include locals Brett Story and Michelle Sterling as well as NYC zinester Jasmine Dreame Wagner, Toronto "open-source acid dealer" Frank Duff and "beat road novelist" Nick Mamatas. • ELECTION FEVER: The annual ARTtraction contest is seeking submissions for its upcoming contest, which sees several dozen works of art placed in businesses across town to be voted on by the public, resulting in exposure for all and one winner who gets a solo show. The deadline is July 1, see www.cheryart.com or call Mireille Chéry at 525-5312 for details.

ARTISTAT: Number of multicoloured ribbons that you can lend a hand in tying to fences all over Mount Royal by showing up June 19–20 and 26–27, 1–5 p.m. up in front of the Château up top, as part of Artefact 2004: Urban Sculptures: 500,000

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