Jay's List (What's Goin' On?) — March '26
What's happening in the Montreal lit scene this month?
It’s March, the month where you begin to wish you had kept better track of all those acorns you buried in the fall, as hunger begins to gnaw and you begin to consider whether you might have to eat your young again this year. For our Montreal-based non-squirrel readers, however, there are a number of literary events coming up on the horizon, including Discordia’s Fellow Travellers No. 3 launch on Friday, March 22. Check out the entry on this month’s list for more info on that.
As always, if we’re missing something, or you want your event included, please message @discordia.review on Instagram to propose an inclusion.
1 MAR (SUN)
ACCENT OPEN MIC
What: Popular twice monthly bilingual open mic at its new venue. Episode 132 is on the theme of “farce,” which is kinda rough on this month’s features, no? (Computer, play Julius Fučík’s “Entry of the Gladiators.”)
Where: Bar le Record (7622 rue Saint-Hubert).
When: 8 to 10pm.
Who: Whoever has the balls, plus K. Gandhar Chakravarty, Mariana Jimenez, and Michael Occhionero.
How Much: Free. (Link)
KATE CAYLEY: DALLOWAY ON THE DON LAUNCH
What: Cayley launches her new Coach House novel at Star Bar, where there is pizza and one very big bathroom upstairs and then a few small ones downstairs.
Where: Star Bar (4671 Boul. Saint-Laurent).
When: 6 to 7:30pm.
Who: Kate Cayley and Derek Webster, hosted by Eva Crocker.
How Much: Free. (Link)
3 MAR (TUES)
KASIA VAN SCHAIK: WOMEN AMONG MONUMENTS LAUNCH
What: Montreal ex-pat re-pats to launch latest.
Where: Librarie De Stiil.
When: 6pm.
When: Kasia Van Schaik, in conversation with Eliza Robertson.
How Much: Free. (Link)
MARIA MILLAND: BORN AT THE GATES OF HELL LAUNCH
What: Writer and physician Dr. Maria Milland launches a nonfiction title about delivering babies in Syria’s Al-Hol refugee camp, at the one bookstore that makes us sweat bullets trying to spell.
Where: L’Euguélionne (1426 Rue Beaudry).
When: 6 to 8pm.
Who: Maria Milland.
How Much: Free. (Link)
7 MAR (SAT)
ÉPIPHANIES #2
What: Someone sent me this event and whispered the words “Dimes Square” before disappearing into a mandrake-scented vape cloud, so I assume I’ll be dying March 7. A Matthew Gasda-related thing, if you have opinions on that front.
Where: WILLS (6729 Ave de l’Esplanade).
When: 7:30pm.
Who: Maurane, The Last Male Poet, Maya Chambers, Erika Comtois, Ema Pope, Sahba, Victoria Vyraeth, Cedar, Sarah Velk.
How Much: No door cost specified. (Link)
QUEER VOICES IN PRINT
What: Queer writers sit down to talk queerness, writing, sitting, directions.
Where: L’Euguélionne (1426 Rue Beaudry).
When: 5 to 7pm.
Who: Liana Cusmano, Chris DiRaddo, Erin Mouré, Faith Paré, Misha Solomon, Eli Tareq El Bechelany-Lynch.
How Much: Free. (Link)
THROW! POETRY COLLECTIVE
What: Slam poets apparently get in free, so consider stapling a post-it note to your forehead so they know. Tonight’s winner competes at Nationals.
Where: La Basement (3716 rue Notre-Dame O.
When: 8:30pm doors, 9pm show (and it recurs the first Saturday of every month).
Who: Kym Dominique-Ferguson, Mellowdramma, K.R.Y. Da Soul Spilluh, and Hilani, plus whoever has the balls.
How Much: $10 for QWF members, $15 everybody else. (Link)
8 MAR (SUN)
FAVOURITE LIBRARY x RODAISUN
What: Rodaisun, the King Ghidorah of the local writing scene, teams with the latest movers and shakers in the 10 Pins building, Favourite Library, for a music and poetry show. Performances will be followed by a short open mic.
Where: Favourite Library 10 ave Pins, #116).
When: 7pm doors, 8pm show.
Who: Rodaisun, Olivia Khoury, MUDA, and whoever has both the balls and an advance ticket (see below).
How Much: $22 (Ticket link, must buy in advance, no door tix)
INSIDE MADPOETIX STUDIO
What: Some music, some spoken word poetry, plus an interview with the feature artist, that kinda situation. This one’s for ~the ladies.~
Where: Maison France-Montreal (429 ave Viger).
When: 6:30pm doors, 7:30pm show.
Who: Brnchtr, plus whoever has the balls.
How Much: $20 (Event link)
9 MAR (MON)
LECTURES LOGOS READINGS
What: The long-running poetry series is also for ~the ladies~ this month, with a women’s-only open mic in addition to the usual parade of featured acts.
Where: U.N.I.A. (2741 rue Notre-Dame O).
When: 7-9:30pm.
Who: Caroline Dick, Emeline I, IF the Poet, Joel Des-Rosiers, Maxianne Berger, Tanya Déry-Obin and whoever has the balls.
How Much: Free. (Event link)
12 MAR (THURS)
THYME TRAVELLERS: A MONTREAL WRITERS FOR PALESTINE FUNDRAISER
What: A number of local writers assemble for a fundraiser/raffle for Bridge of Solidarity, an anti-capitalist aid group in Gaza.
Where: Articule (6282 Rue Saint-Hubert).
When: 7pm.
Who: Belen Blizzard, H Felix Chau Bradley, Nadine Ltaif, and Yara Coussa.
How Much: $25, including raffle ticket, or PWYC. (Link)
JRG LITERARY OPEN MIC
What: Rollicking monthly open mic with an absurdist edge, this time featuring beloved Toronto minimalist Elio Ianni and William Vallières.
Where: L’hémisphère gauche (221 Rue Beaubien E).
When: 8pm.
Who: Elio Ianni and William Vallières, plus whoever has the balls.
How Much: PWYC. (Link)
13 MAR (FRI)
SOLILOQUIES x PIXIE OPEN MIC
What: Solilixie? Pixiloquies? Spoilxiileoquies? (Probably not that last one.) Anyway, two undergrad mags collab on an open mic fundraiser with a novel concept: read your worst work.
Where: BedRoc Collective (RSVP for address).
When: 7pm.
Who: Whoever has the balls, plus musical performances from BedRoc Collective.
How Much: $5 PWYC, bring extra for raffle tix. (Link)
15 MAR (SUN)
ACCENT OPEN MIC
What: Popular twice monthly bilingual open mic at its new venue (we can probably call it new for another coupla months eh?). Episode 133 is on the theme of “obiter dicta” which probably means something like “cancelled fucking” in Greek or some shit (Computer, play “The Unknown Knows” by Voivod.)
Where: Bar le Record (7622 rue Saint-Hubert).
When: 8 to 10pm.
Who: Whoever has the balls, plus Clementine Morrigan, Laura Mota-Juang, and Robin Warren.
How Much: Free. (Link)
18 MAR (WEDS)
LOCH BAILLIE: RIVER RUNNING LAUNCH
What: This debut is allegedly “breathtakingly intimate,” so be prepared to look away and cough from time to time.
Where: Librarie Pulp Books & Cafe.
When: 7pm.
Who: Loch Baillie, Simina Banu, Sally Cunningham, and Tara McGowan-Ross.
How much: Free. (Link)
BLUE METROPOLIS PRESS CONFERENCE + MONTREAL REVIEW OF BOOKS LAUNCH
What: Blue Metropolis moved their press conference on account of the Freezing Rain Event, so now it’ll be at 4:30, after which (6pm) the new issue of the mRB will launch, accompanied by some readings.
Where: Hotel 10 (10 Sherbrooke W)
When: 4:30pm.
Who: Marianne Ackerman, Francine Pelletier, Karine Russo, and Anita Anand.
How much: Free. (Link)
MIRANDA SCHREIBER: IRIS AND THE DEAD LAUNCH
What: A little prose, a little poetry, some books to be bought if you’re so inclined.
Where: Centre for Expanded Poetics (LB681, 1400 Boul. de Maisonneuve Ouest)
When: 7pm.
Who: Miranda Schreiber, Nicky Taylor.
How much: Free. (Link)
SLAM LA SOMPTUEUSE
What: A bilingual slam with, at press-time anyway, open slots for readers. Sign up in advance to get your moment (though the form still says it’s for February, so idk good luck I guess).
Where: Co-Op Bar Milton Parc (3714 ave du Parc).
When: Doors 7pm.
Who: Whoever has the balls, plus Dominic Desmeules.
How Much: PWYC (Link)
22 MAR (SUN)
DISCORDIA REVIEW: FELLOW TRAVELLERS NO. 3 LAUNCH
What: Discordia Review’s Fellow Travellers quarterly releases its latest print issue, featuring new art and writing from Opal Louis Nations, Miles Forrester, Mickie Kennedy, Emilie Lafleur, Clark Allen, Nevada-Jane Arlow, Zak Jones, and Jonathan. This “anti-apartment reading” will take place in an undisclosed, entirely unfurnished apartment.
Where: RSVP for location.
When: 8pm.
Who: Sherwin Tjia, Tara McGowan-Ross, Jonathan, Joe Bagel MacNeil, Nevada-Jane Arlow, and some surprises.
How Much: $10, or $15 with the new issue. (Link)
25 MAR (WEDS)
MISHA SOLOMON: MY GREAT-GRANDFATHER DANCED BALLET LAUNCH
What: The busiest man in Montreal letters Misha Solomon launches his debut poetry collection, accompanied by an interpretive dance performance. (Mercifully the launch is not in a narrow bookstore, imagine the carnage.)
Where: Centre culturel de Georges-Vanier (2450 rue Workman).
When: 7pm.
Who: Misha Solomon, in conversation with Sarah Burgoyne, with dance from Nate Yaffe.
How Much: Free, but RSVP requested. (Link)
28 MAR (SAT)
STYGIAN: LAST RITES
What: The most chilling phrase since Ghostface growled, “Do you like scary movies?” is finally upon us: “Have you ever wanted to attend an exclusive media launch party?” Local indie horror press The Stygian Society transforms into a “horror media company”—hopefully long-time Society members’ blood-stock options have vested and they are REAPING the benefits before the inevitable shroud-pull.
Where: Studio 415 (10 Ave Des Pins O.).
When: 6:30 to 10:30pm.
Who: A lot of high concept spooky stuff, check the link below.
How Much: Free. (Link)
NAVEL VOL. 1 LAUNCH
What: Go hang out at an apartment and pick up a copy of the new mag in town. No readings, just smoking inside—finally, contemporary literature with a chance to reach the labouring classes. A public reading to follow a week later (see next month’s Jay’s List).
Where: DM via link below for address.
When: 8pm.
Who: Just you and your pals blasting cigs.
How Much: PWYC, $5 and up allowed to smoke indoors. (Link)
THE PIT #7 LAUNCH
What: $20 (and a cocktail?) buys you the company of a musician, a DJ, and some reading type people.
Where: 4710 rue Ste-Ambroise, Unit 343
When: 7pm.
Who: Music from Hanorah and Carla Oteiza, readers TBA.
How Much: Free. (Link)
29 MAR (SUN)
GWEN AUBE: MISSED CONNECTIONS WITH TALL GIRLS LAUNCH
What: Everybody’s favourite tranny punk poet and suburbanite sink pisser Gwen Aube launches her debut collection with American publisher LittlePuss Press. Maybe she’ll tell you about a time she did drugs in this very bar’s bathroom. (Definitely she will tell you about this.)
Where: Brasserie Beaubien (73 Rue Beaubien E).
When: 7:30pm doors, 8pm show.
Who: Gwen, for sure, and Rebecca Lawrence Lynch. Mona Gendron. Maybe some other people. Oh yes, Tara McGowan-Ross.
How Much: The show is free, but the book costs money. (Link)
31 MAR (TUES)
ELLIS SCOTT & MATTHEW J. TRAFFORD: NIGHT TERMINUS / RUNS IN THE BLOOD LAUNCH
What: These two writers right here? They’re launching books.
Where: Librarie Pulp Books & Cafe.
When: 7pm.
Who: Ellis Scott and Matthew J. Trafford, in conversation with Chris DiRaddo.
How much: Free. (Link)
And looking ahead to April…
We’ll get there when we get there.
In memory of Jay Gobuty, who was Outrageous.
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