ARTSWEEK

Out Thinking in Circles, in Circles Thinking Out , Bill Coleman’s Hymn to the Universe, Smart Design Mart, Hilarious Holiday Hoedown

Evolutionary moves

“It’s a celebration of the human spirit and the various takes on evolution. Some are eclectic, and some are not,” says choreographer Bill Coleman of his new show, Hymn to the Universe, based on philosopher and palaeontologist Pierre Teilhard de Chardin’s writings on evolution.

The performance features a live-music component with the Philly-based 13-piece band the Sun Ra Arkestra, whose infectious music is paired with eight choreographic vignettes. These short choreographies are performed by an impressive roster of 10 dancers, including Coleman himself, company co-founder Laurence Lemieux, Carol Prieur and Margie Gillis. Coleman says the performance is more than a show. “It becomes an event, a happening really.”

Who knew a priest/philosopher’s work on evolution could inspire something so hip and upbeat? To go beyond the typical dance performance, they’ve given the Cinquième Salle a makeover by reconfiguring the space and adding tables to give it a cabaret feel. The show runs at Place des Arts (175 Ste-Catherine W.) until Dec. 11. Tickets cost $16–$26.

—MARITES CARINO

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Circular thinking

Though they start out lumpy and misshapen, circles are one of the first forms that most of us learn to draw as children. Like many kids, I was particularly taken with renderings of the sun and moon and quickly realized that what is so wonderful about the circle is how something so simple can take you to so many different places.

A similar fascination with the magical orb and its possibilities is evident in Out Thinking in Circles, in Circles Thinking Out, which opens this evening, Thursday, Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. at Push Gallery (372 Ste-Catherine W., #425). Featuring works by Amélie Guérin, Robert Hengeveld, Kris Lindskoog, Shawna McLeod, David Prince and Lucy Pullen, the exhibition encour­ages us to consider the individual pieces both on their own and in relation to each other.

“My sense,” explains artist and guest curator Kyle Beal, “is that the simplicity of this basic form acts as a ground from which things can get complicated. Ultimately, something has to stick in your brain, perplex you a bit, so you want to look at it, keep approaching it—maybe not to solve it, but just because it offers a kind of resistance.”

—STACEY DEWOLFE

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OFF ETSY INTO YOUR HOME: Goods from PURPOSE DESIGN at Smart Design Mart

Stuff designers want to buy

‘Tis the season—for holiday fairs, at least. But out of the swell of vendors hawking the usual Christmas craft comes an event catering to design-conscious shoppers. The Smart Design Mart, which runs this weekend, Dec. 3–5 (160 St-Viateur E., 2nd fl.), gets some of Montreal’s best designers off of Etsy and in the flesh by showcasing everything from new and vintage clothing, jewellery and home furnishings to artisanal food products.

Held in an industrial loft, the fair gives “artists a chance to make their spaces what they really want,” says Elaine Ho, one of its organizers.

The organizers, all artists and craft-fair veterans themselves, hand-pick each exhibitor by looking for “stuff that we would want to buy,” Ho says. And if products from vendors like spice-and-tea compa­ny Purpose Design, minimalist water-filter firm Aquaovo or fashion designer Valérie Dumaine are any indication, the event should inspire even the biggest procrastinator to get started on holiday shopping.

For more information, see smartdesignmart.com.

—GEMMA HOROWITZ

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Holiday comedy hoedown

When you think of Christmas, obviously the first thing you think of is an arid desert. In time for the holidays, NDG’s ultra-exclusive Wheel Club (3373 Cavendish) is opening its doors to the common folk for a night of Western-themed Christmas comedy, tonight, Thursday, Dec. 2 at 8:30 p.m. And if the name Hilarious Holiday Hoedown sounds a little unwieldy, well that’s because it is.

Supporting local stand-up comedy will make you a better person, says comedian and host Walter Lyng, although he’s sure you’re a fine person already. “Stand-up comedy doesn’t work so well over the phone,” warned Lyng, as he shared some of his material, including his signature “sexy look,” which didn’t quite translate across phone wires. “Let me assure you,” he said, “there is a sexy look.”

NDG-born Paul Baluyot, who claims he does stand-up comedy to further his career as a waiter, will headline his first show. “In the limited time I’ve been on stage, I still kind of feel like a tadpole,” said Baluyot, who co-hosts the weekly show Thank God It’s Friday, Biatch! at Montreal Improv. “But I enjoy it and it’s really rewarding.”

Also hitting the stage are Daniel Fitzpatrick, Asaf Gerchak, Daren Henwood and Robby Hoffman. Tickets cost $5.

—CHRISTOPHER OLSON

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IS IT ART?

WRAP IT UP: There’s nothing more distracting than having a meeting/lunch/date with someone who’s constantly distracted by their cell phone. Luckily, New York-based design company The Way We See the World has created the Phonekerchief, a simple hanky made out of special futuristic material that blocks phone signals. Made to look like an old-time handkerchief, with a thoughtful “My phone is off for you” stamped across the front, all you have to do is wrap your phone up nicely in the material and voila! you are ready to engage in a cellular interruption-free conversation.

It retails for $15 at uncommongoods.com

ARTS HOLE

● A NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: Courtney Wing brings his brand of indie-folk to the MAC (185 Ste-Catherine W.) as part of their Nocturne series, this Friday, Dec. 3 at 5 p.m. Tickets cost $10 for adults, $6 for students and admission also gets you into the museum’s latest exhibits.

● MONSTER LAUNCH: The fourth edition of Here Be Monsters, an anthology of short fiction featuring work by Jeanine Chau, Kasia Juno, Duane Burry, Alexander Newcombe and Vincent Mackay, launches this Saturday, Dec. 4, at 8 p.m. at Shäika Café (5526 Sherbrooke W.). Comedian Trevor White will perform, writers will be reading, wine and cheese will be served and music will be provided by Justin Gallant and Katerina Borovikov.

● FAKE IT TILL YOU MAKE IT: Studio XX presents Fake It!, an exhibition of contemporary video and installation works by female artists from Mexico. The exhibit opens with a vernissage tonight, Thursday, Dec. 2 at 6:30 p.m. at 4001 Berri (suite #201) with a screening of work by curators and artists Ariane De Blois and Erandy Vergara. Entrance costs $5 for non-Studio XX members. ■

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ARTISTAT:

The number of days you’ll be able to check out Paramètres 2010, the annual exhibit of work by UQÀM art students selected by a jury of professors, which opens tonight, Dec. 2 at 5:30 p.m. at Galerie de l’UQÀM (1400 Berri): 10

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