Subtraction satisfaction

Having just returned from a successful run at the Jacob's Pillow Festival, an international dance event held in Massachusetts, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens is back on home turf for a spectacle under the stars with a show-stopping number that elicited one of the longest standing ovations I've ever witnessed.

Minus One, a playful collage-choreography by Israeli Ohad Naharin made quite an impression when it premiered in 2002. For the creation of this 85-minute choreography, Naharin cut and pasted together snippets of seven very different pieces from his repertory to form this imaginative collection. If you haven't seen it yet, save some cash and catch it for free at the Théâtre de Verdure in Parc LaFontaine from Aug. 4–8. Showtime is at 8:30 p.m. nightly - weather permitting. For additional information, go to www.grandsballets.qc.ca. » Marites Carino

1-0-0-1 rush

A handful of emerging painters, designers, musicians, DJs and VJs come together this Friday, Aug. 6, at a multimedia shebang called Witness, united in whole by the ever-popular binary code. "Digital art is fresher, it gives new perspectives," says organizer and participant Peter Ricq. "Even the glitches that you come across with technology can give you new ideas you wouldn't come up with otherwise."

There's a downside to making digital art though: the proliferation of armchair graphic designers and beatmakers that make getting exposure extra tough. "I'd been trying to find a space since December," Ricq says. In June he managed to secure Station C (1450 Ste-Catherine E.), where Witness unfurls from 4 p.m.–3 a.m. On the line-up is art from Mr. E Bond, Aphro, Bruno Gauthier and Fronc Ng, live hip hop from Site C, live IDM from Station, live breaks from Autacoid and a whole lot more. Admission is free. » Matthew Woodley

Radio you can read

Writers you're more likely to bob your head to than read make up a sizeable chunk of Matrix's newest issue with a music-theme section that covers plenty of ground. John K. Sampson (Weakerthans) writes a reverent essay on curling, Rich Terfry (aka Buck 65) provides his brand of wise and self-defeated poetry (best title goes to "Frig"), Hawksley Workman, Emily Haines (Metric) and Kevin Drew (Broken Social Scene) also drop a few lines. Even the editors chime in, picking apart songs you'd think had already passed the test of time: "Ghostbusters," "Dancin' on the Ceiling," and "Bad Medicine." It's available in magazine stores for $8. » Matthew Woodley

Devil's talk

After a couple of dormant years, Thoth Harris has re-animated The Devil's Voice for a one-off extravaganza at the tasty new Mile-End co-op resto, Toc Toc (5864 du Parc, just north of Bernard). "There's a really open artistic climate there," Harris enthuses. "It's where people who want to open up to the scene can come together and consolidate their forces."

Harris will be unleashing a series of improv rants, backed by musically inclined Neptunian Frank Remus. Remus, who scored Harris's short film, Juiced, earlier this year, will also do a solo set. The line-up also includes politically charged poets Fortner Anderson and Jeffrey Mackie, and an open mic awaits all comers! Friday, Aug. 6, 7:30 p.m., free. » Vincent Tinguely

Is it Art?

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ArtsHole

DOWN ON DEPORTATION: The Coalition Against the Deportation of Palestinian Refugees presents Beats vs. Borders 2, featuring Danielle Sara Frank projecting "Sunset over Qalqiliya," Black Ox Orkestar, Jerusalem, In My Heart and DJ Leila P. It's at la Sala Rossa (4848 St-Laurent), Saturday, Aug.4, 9 p.m., $10.• RISING SUN GET DOWN: Japanese swordsmanship, archery, self-defence, fencing, folkloric dance, drumming and more goes down on Aug. 7 at the Festival Matsuri-Japon, 2–9 p.m., at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre of Montreal (8155 Rousselot, corner of Jarry), www.matsuri-japon.com for more details.

ARTISTAT: Number of artists from Cuba, France and Quebec showing their paper works in Le Jeu, un prétexte à l'art, opening Saturday, Aug. 7, 2–5 p.m., at Le Zocalo (80 St-Jean, Longueuil), and running until Aug. 28: 54

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