Jay's List (What's Goin' On?) — November '25

What's happening in the Montreal lit scene this month?

A transit strike looms over the city of Montreal, but at least a few events are bravely (is that the word?) soldiering on, including our own triple-zine launch tonight (assuming you’re reading this on Sunday). Put it this way: if you can get there, you probably won’t have to wait long to get your shit in at an open mic. If on the other hand you decide to stay in, here are 100 other ways to occupy your time.

As always, if we’re missing something, or you want your event included, please message @discordia.review on Instagram to propose an inclusion.

2 NOV (SUN)

DISCORDIA REVIEW TRIPLE ZINE LAUNCH
What: We’re launching three new zines tonight: Phil Hall’s The Hobo, Jack Daniel Christie’s Bay of Pigs, Vol. 2: Stormwatch, and Fellow Travellers No. 2. Phil and Jack will be performing, as will a selection of friends including Ev Ricky (whose art graces the new FT cover), Tara McGowan-Ross, Emilie Lafleur, kurichka, Rebecca Lawrence Lynch, and the mononymous Jonathan. We’ll also be welcoming Shima Ra’eesi (xodkaar) and Scott Bevins (No Cosmos) for a live rendition of their a/v Fellow Travellers piece that we published in the summer.
Where: La Sotterenea
When: 8pm doors, 9pm show.
Who: Look, I already listed them all above.
How Much: $10 / PWYC (Event link)

3-POET BOOK LAUNCH
What: A second triple launch has hit Sunday, this one an afternoon affair featuring readings and discussions.
Where: Rocket Science Room (204-170 Jean Talon O [Atlas Building]).
When: 2pm to 4pm.
Who: Stephanie Bolster, Gillian Sze, and Ronna Bloom.
How Much: Free (Event link)

ACCENT OPEN MIC
What: Popular twice monthly bilingual open mic, this time with the temerity to run against us on the first Sunday of the month, the slot it has occupied for more than half a decade. Theme is “Grim(m).” (Computer, play MF Grimm’s “The Book of Daniel.”)
Where: La Marche à côté (5043 rue Saint-Denis).
When: 8 to 10pm.
Who: Whoever has the balls, plus Chris Buddle, Lucia De Luca, and Lindsay Mayhew.
How Much: Free. (Event link)

4 NOV (TUES)

NOIA #4: ABSURD RITUALS LAUNCH
What: Given its trippy IG poster and the fact the launch is at Le Système (that’s the club on St-Hubert, not the hot dog place on Beaubien), it’s probably safest to hoof a bunch of ket in the bathroom right before the readings begin to get yourself in the right zone.
Where: Le Système (7119 rue St-Hubert).
When: 8pm till late.
Who: Hosted by Foster Gareau and EiC Megan Jane Eloise Krahn.
How Much: $11.98. (Ticket link)

6 NOV (THURS)

THREE PARTIES: ZIYAD SAADI BOOK LAUNCH
What: Saadi launches his novel Three Parties, described as follows: “A queer Palestinian refugee plans to come out at his elaborate birthday dinner party in this tragicomic modern reimagining of Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway.”
Where: Pulp Books (3952 Rue Wellington).
When: 7pm.
Who: Ziyad Saadi, in conversation with Eli Tareq El Bechelany-Lynch.
How Much: Free. (Event link)

7 NOV (FRI)

DOUBLE LAUNCH: CATHON & PASCAL GIRARD
What: Two popular Quebec cartoonists join forces for a double launch at D&Q, presented by publisher Pow Pow Comics (who were nice enough to give us a cute calendar at Yolk’s Oktoberfest event a coupla weeks back, so we’ll give this a thumbs up).
Where: Librairie Drawn & Quarterly (176 rue Bernard O).
When: 5 to 7pm.
Who: Cathon and Pascal Girard.
How Much: Free. (Event link)

WRITERS’ ROOM #4
What: BYOB shit shooting session with other writers, hosted by Sean Michaels. The café is presumably located at the intersection of art and business.
Where: Le café dépanneur (206 rue Bernard O).
When: 7 to 11pm.
Who: Whoever has the disease that causes one to self-identify as a “writer.”
How Much: Free. (Event link)

11 NOV (TUES)

VIOLET HOUR: READINGS
What: The irregular queer reading series offers a packed five-reader bill headed up by the venerable John Barton, who’s touring his new book Compulsory Figures.
Where: Rocket Science Room (204-170 Jean Talon O [Atlas Building]).
When: 7pm.
Who: John Barton, Jordan Coulombe, Emilie Nantel, Michael V. Smith, Su J. Sokol.
How Much: Free (Event link)

12 NOV (WEDS)

WRITERS READ PRESENTS: JOHN BARTON
What: A second helping of Barton, this time presented by Concordia U.
Where: 14-250 John Molson Building (1600 Blvd de Maisonneuve O).
When: 1pm.
Who: John Barton.
How Much: Free (Event link)

13 NOV (THURS)

LAMP LIT, VOL. IV
What: Charming prose-oriented four-reader apartment series returns, featuring a relaxed, chummy ambiance.
Where: 170 Jean Talon O [Atlas Building], DM @evalazvegas on IG for info on which unit (or just show up day of and follow the signs).
When: Doors 7pm, show 8pm.
Who: Paige Cooper, A.P. Chiarella, Hired Hands, Sunny Doyle.
How Much: $5/PWYC. (Event link)

PISTIL: TAYA ZINE LAUNCH
What: A tattoo artist who just goes by Taya (or Tayatopia) is launching a zine, with a variety of contributors writing/drawing various queer things. [reads over the post again] Yep, that’s all I know.
Where: Le café dépanneur (206 rue Bernard O).
When: Time TBD.
Who: Taya and co.
How Much: Free. (Event link)

16 NOV (SUN)

ACCENT OPEN MIC
What: Popular twice monthly bilingual open mic, this time smartly not running opposite one of our shows. Theme is “glossa.” (Computer, play a creepy video of kids speaking in tongues.)
Where: La Marche à côté (5043 rue Saint-Denis).
When: 8 to 10pm.
Who: Whoever has the balls, plus Emmanuel Deraps, Robin Dunford, Josh Quirion.
How Much: Free. (Event link)

20 NOV (THURS)

JRG “NO UKULELES” OPEN MIC
What: Freewheeling literary and anti-literary open mic with an (almost) anything goes mandate. Judging by the features, it should be a particularly weird one this time out. Recurs monthly, floating date (usually earlier in the month than this).
Where: Bar L’hémisphère gauche (221 Rue Beaubien Est).
When: 8:30 to 11pm.
Who: Whoever has the balls, along with features dangertaped and Jonathan.
How Much: Free. (Event link)

---

---

And looking ahead to December…

Will fill this in as info emerges.

---

In memory of Jay Gobuty, who was Outrageous.

IN OTHER LOCAL ARTS NEWS