Montreal Student Protests: 2012 Revolt Reaching Day 100
Photo by Flickr user Robin DumontWith Montreal student protests reaching their 100th day anniversary, to be commemorated on Tuesday, May 22, 2012 as of 2 p.m. at Place des Festivals by what's expected to be a massive show of hands, there's no doubt citizen revolt over proposed university tuition hikes will go down in history books for many moons to come. After all, it's the longest-running demonstration of its kind in the history of Canada.
Demonstrators, in compliance with the new protest laws set forth by Bill 78, revealed their itinerary, which involves going north to Sherbrooke then walking east until Parc La Fontaine. One student group, CLASSE, claims it will defy the law and not notify authorities of its route, suggesting plans for a separate march from the main demonstration.
Demonstrations broke out back in March -- to be completely accurate, protests began as early as mid-February but March 22, 2012 marked a turning point in the movement as it attracted an unprecedented number of protestors over the course of the day with estimates ranging from tens of thousands to up to 200,000, depending on the cited source -- over the Quebec provincial government's proposed tuition hikes, factored in as a roughly 80% increase (give or take a few percentage points depending on the extent of future inflation) on rates lower than in the United States as well as in the rest of Canada but significantly higher than, say, what's charged in Germany.
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More on Montreal Student Protests:
- Michael Moore, Arcade Fire, Anonymous Endorsing Protests
- Public Support Bill 78 and Harsher Police Intervention, As Per Poll Conducted Prior to the St. Bock Incident
- The St. Bock Incident
- Law Professor Says Bill 78 Is the "Worst Law I've Ever Seen" Since the War Measures Act
- Globe & Mail Columnist Offers Compelling Take on the Protests In Spite of Comparing Canada to Germany, Quebec to Greece, Failing to Note That Germany, For All Its Capitalist Leanings, Offers Extremely Affordable, If Not Free University Education
- Masked Protestors Hunt for Scabs in Montreal University Classes
- Ten Points Everyone Should Know About the Quebec Student Movement According to Andrew Gavin Marshall
Montreal Sidewalk Sales 2012 Dates Posted
Montreal sidewalk sales offer up some of the best opportunities of the year to stock up on apparel, housewares and assorted knick knacks at a fraction of retail prices. Photo © Evelyn ReidJust a quick note that my beloved Montreal Sidewalk Sales 2012 listing is up and running! Count on saving loads of cash over the next several consecutive weekends at the following popular street fairs, better known in these parts as ventes trottoir, foires commerciales or even braderies*. Street food, live entertainment and family activities are part and parcel, generally-speaking.
Above: a shot taken during the city's biggest sidewalk sale of the season on Ste. Catherine Street. View more photos of the Ste. Catherine Street Sidewalk sale. Photo by Flickr user Esther Gibbons
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More on:
- Montreal Sidewalk Sales: Listed by Neighborhood
- Montreal Sidewalk Sales in May
- Montreal Sidewalk Sales in June
- Montreal Sidewalk Sales in July
- Montreal Sidewalk Sales in August
- Montreal Sidewalk Sales in September
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More on Montreal's Most Popular Sidewalk Sales:
- Ste. Catherine Street's Sidewalk Sale
- St. Laurent / "The Main" Street Fairs
*Phonetically, ventes trottoir is "vaunt traw-twar," foires commerciales is "fwar caw-mare-siall," and braderies is "braw-dree." Note that these words sound the same whether singular or plural. And try to roll those R's just a little bit.
Eden Park ... in Canada
Above: Former French union rugby star Franck Mesnel with your humble guide. Photo courtesy of Lolli Communications © Mathieu LaTourI have a confession to make.
I have a crush on rugby.
Now that we got that out of the way, I have another confession to make.
I didn't actually know what rugby was -- football for "real men" was how it was summed up to me in the past, whatever that means -- until last fall, when my cable company showcased a free preview of one of its sports channels for a month. The Rugby World Cup happened to be in full swing.
Why oh why is this sport not broadcast more often in North America?!? Rugby is fast-paced, easy to follow, exciting, brutal yet dandyish and the direction of a game can change on a dime. The last time I got this excited about a match of anything was when I watched the Yankees' Derek Jeter shortstopping like a mitt-toting bunny on speed with the Expos' home runner Vladimir Guerrero at bat in the Big O. In person. I think that was in 2003?*
Right, so some of the 2011 Rugby World Cup games I became enamoured with last fall were played out in Eden Park, the largest stadium in Auckland, New Zealand and not-so-coincidental name of an haute casual line I had the opportunity to acquaint myself with during a recent Canadian launch held in Montreal. Which brings me to my third confession.
There's such a thing as rugby fashion?
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More on:
- Eden Park: Canada Launch in Montreal
*God I miss the Expos.
Things to Do in Montreal: Live Again! On CJLO
Above: Danny Payne and Rebecca Munroe of The Commonwealth Conundrum. Photo © Evelyn ReidIn the words of Under the Radar's Danny Payne, Rebecca Munroe's cheeky co-host on CJLO's The Commonwealth Conundrum:
"Tabarnouche, what a show we've got lined up today. As the closing date for POP Montreal submissions is THIS SUNDAY, we thought we'd have a quick chat with Dan Seligman from the festival to give aspiring POP Montrealers last-minute tips on how to get themselves on the lineup. We're also going to be playing an abundance of top notch music from around the Commonwealth, giving away the weekly free download (it's a cracker), and, of course, hearing from Montreal's all-seeing eye Evelyn Reid about what's happening in this fair city in the next 7 days. Tune in to AM1690 or listen live online from 4-6 p.m. (9-11 p.m. UK)."
Above: your humble guide. Photo © Frederika WellettIf you missed my announcement from a couple of weeks back, The Commonwealth Conundrum is a two-hour showcase of the best alternative, punk, post-punk, industrial, indie and "whatever awesome music" is coming out of the Commonwealth nations, hosted by CJAD producer/Les Monstres Terribles and Dead Messenger band manager extraordinaire Rebecca Munroe and Danny Payne, aka the DDP, aka the mastermind behind Montreal's monthly pop-up DJ night Under the Radar, which features the best of new, underground, unsigned or independent UK and Irish music. Most shows will feature your humble guide come 5 p.m., when I join the crew to share a handful of choice things to do in Montreal over the next few days, complete with additional commentary you won't necessarily find in the calendars.
Tune in!
Just for Laughs 2012 Lineup: You're Gonna Love This
Above: Bob Saget. It's not exactly news America's Funniest Home Videos ambassador is actually a dirty, vulgar mofo. Frazer Harrison / Getty Images
Hot on the trail of last week's Just for Laughs 2012 press conference, I could have simplified my life, name-dropped where appropriate -- "(insert name) of (insert cable tv show) is performing in the (insert gala showcase), so is (insert name) who made (insert magazine reference)'s list of (insert official "top 10 comedians to watch" title) and hold on to your horses because none other than whoever will host whatever whenever" -- and published a suitable press release facsimile within hours. Perhaps minutes. But, I like to make things difficult for myself if it translates into an engaging reading experience for you, valued reader, maybe triple my workload if at all possible. For no extra pay. It's a personality disorder fun.
So I've been watching lots of hilarious stand-up comedy subjecting myself to sleep deprivation in favor of hours of overtime, reading interviews and doing extensive background research on the hunt for the hottest talent slated to perform at the next Just for Laughs edition happening this July 10 through July 29, 2012, regardless of how big or small their moniker may be in the world of top billing, noting instances where I burst into rip-roaring laughter and/or felt completely delighted by a comedian's originality and insight upon video viewage, even if said insight produced little more than a chuckle.
And, not including the assortment of stand-up appearances Just for Laughs has yet to announce, I've still got a crap load of names to sift through so bear with me as the following list of Just for Laughs 2012 lineup highlights grows over the next few weeks. And it will. But I've got four beauties up already so just sit back, relax and watch a few clips featuring some of the best comedy acts in circulation today.
Things to Do in Montreal Patriots' Day Weekend of May 19 to May 21, 2012: What's Open, What's Closed, What's Happening
If you think this photo of the Montreal Botanical Garden's Japanese Garden is nice, wait until you see the crabapple trees in bloom. This Sunday. Photo © Evelyn ReidWe've a got lingering long weekend on its way, courtesy of Monday's statutory holiday, the Journée des Patriotes Day, formerly called Fête de Dollard, which is commemorated as an alternative to what the rest of Canada is honoring on the very same day, Queen Victoria's birthday.
So what is Quebec's Patriots Day exactly? It's a nod to the Rebellions of 1837, uprisings against the then British rule -- did you know Canada's head of state is still the Queen of England?* -- whereby French and English Canadians stood up against the government's overt cronyism and favoritism toward recent British immigrants, this, to the ire of long-established pioneers scraping by in the midst of a near-famine brought on by poor crop yields. At the time, the governor in Lower Canada and the lieutenant governor in Upper Canada were pretty much in absolute charge, basically vetoing the elected legislative assembly at any time and for any reason, nor matter how financially and politically self-serving said reasons were, effectively muting the people's voice in favor of a small pool of personal agendas. Among those rebels was a man commonly vilified in Quebec as a traitor, though some conclude the gent is deeply and unfairly misunderstood, suggesting his cultural preservation strategy was the very reason the French language was saved from extinction in Quebec. And what about the First Nations? That's a long, ugly, bloody story.
Somehow I doubt the lot of you will be spending the long weekend indoors engaged in meaningful debate on the impact of the rebellions, so I compiled for you, dear reader, a list of fun and affordable things to do in Montreal happening Friday, May 18 through Monday, 21, 2012. And this is what is open and closed in Montreal Journée des Patriotes Day.
Mother's Day in Montreal ... And Everywhere Else
Getty ImagesTruth be told, Mother's Day is not my favorite time of the year. It's not that I don't know what to do for the occasion or have a strained relationship with my mother. It's that I barely had a relation with her in the first place. And now, she's gone. What happened? It's a long, sordid story of which fiction books are made of but what I can tell you is the little time she was around was tinged with unconditional affection. Here was a human being who, from my humble and splintered recollections, treated me like I was the most precious, exciting, loveable life on earth.
I only have a few photos, some of her books -- art history, Greek philosophy classics, a Bible and The Fools of Chelm and Their History, the best children's book I've yet to read on the origins of war, the follies of ideology and the seemingly limitless potential of human idiocy -- and her voice recorded on a handful of tapes, which, when I discovered them by my late teens, showed me that not only do I look like her doppelganger, I sound like it too. I also found out through those dated recordings that she taught me how to read Where the Wild Things Are -- RIP Maurice Sendak -- independently by age 2. Explains all the shots I've got of me surrounded by books as a toddler. Almost explains my last name.
And from the handful of memories I have, which are few and include more tears than laughs, there's one that sticks strong. I wasn't more than 4, maybe 3. My mother and I lay on my bed with our heads dangling upside down, off the side. She was instructing me to picture the color blue. Then red. With my eyes closed. Then she wanted me to shift to any color I wanted, also with my eyes closed, in my mind's eye, teaching me the building blocks of creative visualization, a popular and proven performance-enhancing technique used by elite athletes. And highly successful people. It's almost as if she was preparing me to be ahead of the learning curve, mitigating any development delays a vulnerable, loveless, neglected childhood entails. It's as if she knew what was coming, as if she knew I was going to have to give up being a kid before my time and wing it. On my own. Without her. I wonder if she realizes these skills she taught me are probably the reason I'm still here.
Losing this brilliant, gorgeous, spiritual woman was the single most defining, most devastating moment of my seemingly insignificant life. And I don't remember ever celebrating her day. Mother's Day. I would give nearly anything I own, which isn't much, to have a chance to honor her at least once, her hand in mine. My hand in hers.
Since I never really did much for the occasion, when I put together this list of Montreal Mother's Day activities, which, dear readers, was a painful exercise, I asked myself a few questions. What would I want to do for her if I had that chance? Would I buy Mom pearls? A card? Maybe give her a call?
What would I want if I was a mom?
I'm thinking, I'd want to see my kids. I'd want them to recognize all those moments I laid in tears, or fear, or complete exhaustion, wondering how to get through another day doing right by my children, wondering if they'll ever understand how much I gave up to see them fulfilled. And I'd secretly want them to go all out for me, within their means. Of course, I'd never tell them that and certainly not hold it against them if they did anything less. But there would be a glimmer of hope resting in the back of my mind that one day, it would click.
So. What would I do for my Mom?
Fuss over her. In public. Spring a fat, conspicuous bouquet of flowers on her in a restaurant, make an audible I-love-you-Mom-you-are-the-bestest-ever scene and bring a vase with me so that we could put them on temporary display at our table while we enjoy a long, lingering brunch, making sure to reassemble the flowers in bouquet mode and rinse the vase before moving on to the next leg of her day, the facial, also known as thick green goo on face. Administered by yours truly. In the comfort of her home, with warm moist towelettes to wipe off the residue and a dollop of jojoba oil to give her a healthy, finishing, moisturized glow (it doesn't clog pores). Of course, I'd have rosebud tea steeping in the background alongside a strawberry custard tart, but just a small one so she doesn't feel too guilty about its impact on her waistline. And I'd make her a home body scrub for her to use at her convenience, a lingering reminder of her wonderfulness. Finally, while she's blinded and incapacitated by the green goo facial, I'd slip an envelope in her bed, on her pillow, for her to discover before bedtime. In it, a list of thank yous detailing how grateful I am for the little things she did to make me feel safe, valued and loved -- playing with my hair, caressing the nape of my neck, holding me when I'm scared, defending me from aggression, giving me bubble baths, reading me bedtime stories followed by a kiss goodnight, telling me I'm beautiful, actually enjoying my goofball antics instead of telling me to shut up, stop being a jackass and leave the room ... all the simple things children who are not loved don't have but are acutely aware of lacking, simple gestures they cry themselves to sleep over. I'd remind her that her seemingly taken-for-granted contribution crafted me into something I couldn't have done on my own. She changed me into someone who wants to throw a few of those proverbial starfish back into the sea. Or at least die trying.
For those of you fortunate enough to have been raised in love by your Mom, or mother figure (they come in many forms and genders), and have the even greater fortune of still having her in your life, please remember to spend some time with her tomorrow. If only on the phone, Skype, whatever, then fine. But please, do something. Don't wait until she's gone to realize how much she gave of herself to keep you alive. And safe. And well.
Photo © Evelyn Reid
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- Mother's Day in Montreal
David Beckham En Route to Montreal: This Saturday
Above: Joel Lindpere (#20) of the New York Red Bulls scores against goalkeeper Bill Gaudette (#1) in spite of pressure by David Beckham (#23) of the Los Angeles Galaxy during the MLS match at the Home Depot Center on May 5, 2012 in Carson, California. Victor Decologon / Getty ImagesJust a quick note that tickets to see David Beckham and his team the Los Angeles Galaxy take on the Montreal Impact this Saturday, May 12 at the Olympic Stadium are still up for grabs. This will be the underwear model/midfielder's first time playing in Montreal. Tickets range from $15 to $95 plus service charge. Buy tickets.
Above: David Beckhman, standing, gazing into the distance at the Keep Memory Alive foundation's Power of Love Gala honoring Muhammad Ali on his 70th birthday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena February 18, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ethan Miller / Getty Images
Things to Do in Montreal: May 2012 Concerts
Above: Aussie rapper Iggy Azalea saw her career take off after uploading YouTube videos of her work that went viral. The blonde bombshell, whose first studio album is due for release in June, performs May 19 at Théâtre Corona. Photo courtesy of Iggy Azalea
As if foreshadowing June's musical onslaught courtesy of the Montreal Jazz Festival and Les Francofolies, Montreal concerts in May offer music fans a wide and ample burden of choice, starting with big tickets signed Simon Cowell's hunky operatic brainchild Il Divo and mainstream dubstep's poster child Rusko. Include "Lady in Red" 1986 superhit wonder Chris de Burgh in there, who's proposing two back-to-back nights scheduled at Place des Arts' Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier and tack on Aussie rapper Iggy Azalea, whose debut album hasn't even been released and yet she's already gone viral.
Above: Montreal high school sweethearts turned electropop duo Hexes & Ohs launch their new album Thank You on May 22 at Divan Orange. Photo courtesy of Hexes & Ohs © Richmond Lam
Closer to home, The Queen Extravaganza's Montreal area Freddie Mercury dead ringer Marc Martel makes an appearance, and in the span of a year, Montreal/Halifax/Toronto/New York synth duo Purity Ring -- I know, confusing, it's not clear where they're living anymore -- has found itself elevated to the ranks of top ten-dom, attracting Pitchfork, CMJ and SXSW acclaim. And one of my latest local crushes is Les Soeurs Boulay. Loving these girls. Same for high school sweethearts turned electropop duo Hexes & Ohs.
Above: Aussie dark electro duo Shiv-R are slated to perform at Kinetik, Montreal's annual international industrial-noise-EBM fest, this May 18 at Metropolis. Photo courtesy of Shiv-R
In the realm of music fests, we've got punk covered with Pouzza Fest featuring over one hundred bands over the course of three days including gigs by Lagwagon and Less Than Jake. Kinetik unites the best in EBM, industrial and related noise subgenres, with a lineup featuring Shiv-R, Hocico, Combichrist as well as as the latter's frontman, Andy LaPlegua, doing double duty at the fest with offshoot project Panzer AG.
Above: Berlin electro musician Sascha Ring, better known as Apparat, performs at MUTEK as a live band, as opposed to solo with synth, this May 30 at Metropolis. Photo courtesy of Sascha Ring
And electro/experimental festival MUTEK kicks off its first days at the end of the month with Modeselektor collaborator/solo Berlin producer turned band, Apparat. Also, the return of Piknic Electronik is due, debuting its 2012 season with Dubfire.
Above: Chinese piano superstar Lang Lang, who will perform works by Bach, Schubert and Chopin to a sold out crowd on May 15 at Place des Arts' Maison symphonique de Montréal. Carlos Alvarez / Getty Images
Other highlights include superstar classical pianist Lang Lang, Texan electro pop by Neon Indian, rock by Toronto's Big Wreck and Niyaz, an Iran trio known for its predilection for melding Sufism with electronica.
Above: Behemoth frontman Adam "Nergal" Darski. The black metal band came close to being banned from performing in their home country over allegations that their music promotes Satanism, accusations made by the All-Polish Committee for Defence against Sects who listed them, as well as Marilyn Manson, as threats, requesting the Polish government forbid public appearances. Montreal doesn't appear to feel quite as threatened, with Behemoth scheduled to take the stage May 9 at Club Soda. Photo courtesy of Behemoth
Just a quick note for Polish black metal band Behemoth, whose latest track, "Lucifer," is actually quite catchy. I haven't been this taken by a metal song since Meshuggah's "Bleed" -- who, by the way, are in town this May 20 -- and legendary UK vegetarian band Carcass -- who eventually had to ask select fans to stop sending them pictures of dead animals -- and their 1991 smash hit "Incarnated Solvent Abuse." Fetching tunes.
Above: former Fleet Foxes drummer J. Tillman has gone solo, as Father John Misty. The Baltimore native plays May 15 at Petit Campus. Photo courtesy of Father John Misty
Finally, a moment for folk, first from the delightfully twisted POV of ex Fleet Foxes member J. Tillman, who performs under the moniker Father John Misty, and for another show worth a gander, consider otherworldly resignation signed Norway native Ane Brun.
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- Montreal Concerts: May 2012
Leonard Cohen 2012 Old Ideas Tour Stops in Montreal
Above: Montreal native Leonard Cohen performing at the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival on April 17, 2009 in Indio, California.Kevin Winter / Getty Images
Montreal native and local crown jewel Leonard Cohen, fresh off his appearance at court proceedings involving the trial and sentencing of his once lover and manager Kelley Lynch, revealed earlier today yet more public appearances are in store for the somewhat reclusive poet. Cohen's website confirms a 21-city North American wide tour named after his new album, Old Ideas. Kicking off in Austin this October 31, the coast-to-coast run ends in Brooklyn by, of all dates, December 20, 2012, one day prior to the end of the world Mayan calendar.
November 28 pit stop? Montreal. Tickets for the Bell Centre show go on sale Friday, May 11, 2012. Consult this page for updates on ticket prices and exact time of sale.
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2012 OLD IDEAS NORTH AMERICAN TOUR ITINERARY:
- October 31: Austin, TX - Bass Concert Hall
- November 3: Denver, CO - 1st Bank Center
- November 5: Los Angeles, CA - Nokia Theatre
- November 7: San Jose, CA - HP Pavilion
- November 9: Seattle, WA - Key Arena
- November 11: Portland, OR - Rose Garden
- November 12: Vancouver, BC - Rogers Arena
- November 16: Calgary, AB - Scotiabank Saddledome
- November 18: Edmonton, AB - Rexall Place
- November 20: Saskatoon, SK - Credit Union Centre
- November 23: Chicago, IL - Akoo Theatre
- November 26: Detroit, MI - Fox Theatre
- November 28: Montreal, QC - Bell Centre
- December 2: Quebec City, QC - Colisee Pepsi
- December 4: Toronto, ON - Air Canada Centre
- December 7: Ottawa, ON - Scotiabank Place
- December 11: London, ON - John Labatt Centre
- December 13: Kingston, ON - K-Rock Centre
- December 15: Boston, MA - The Wang Theatre
- December 18: New York, NY - Madison Square Garden
- December 20: Brooklyn, NY - Barclays Center