Jay's List (What's Goin' On?) — July '26

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

I for one am very excited about the chance to find out how we’re going to hold readings in a month of black flag wet-bulb globe temperatures—but I have no doubt the thirst will carry at least a few out into the twin sun glare to seek their literary fortunes. List is a little short this month, but as always we’ll do our best to keep it updated as events cross our radar.

As always, if we’re missing something, or you want your event included, please message @discordia.review on Instagram to propose an inclusion. Doing so in advance if you already know what’s up next month is even better.

2 JULY (THURS)

mRb SUMMER 2026 LAUNCH
What: Do we know why the “R” in “mRb” is capitalized? Have they considered going full KoЯn with it? mЯb has kind of a look to it, is all we’re saying. Anyway, new issue, probably fulla fucken book reviews and whatnot.
Where: Teesri Duniya Theatre (Cité-des-Hospitalières 251 Avenue des Pins Ouest, #148).
When: 6pm.
Who: Natalie Doonan, Guy Rex Rodgers, and Chanel Sutherland.
How Much: Free. (Link)

3 JULY (FRI)

SHOW UP FOR METONYMY
What: Despite poster’s call for “dontations” (which I presume is when you refuse to give a specific amount to a cause), it seems the long running small gay publisher could use some quick cash. A quartet of readings, followed by “karaoke vibes,” which I presume just means “karaoke.”
Where: Articule (6282 rue St-Hubert).
When: 7 to 10pm.
Who: Nora Treatbaby, Adjani Poirier, Eli Tareq El Bechelany-Lynch, and Felix Chau Bradley. Hosted by Sultana.
How Much: PWYC, $20 to $40 suggested. (Link)

THE OPEN BOOK MIC
What: Not a lit specific open mic (music and comedy are also permitted) so I’m not going to repeat this listing four times here, but know that it repeats every Friday till every angel gets its wings.
Where: Café Eevee (1251 Rue St-Zotique E).
When: 7 to 9pm.
Who: Whoever has the balls.
How Much: Free. (Link)

4 JULY (SAT)

PHOENIX ASCENSION PARTY
What: I dunno man, but there’s snacks. CAW!
Where: Librairie Phoenix (5928 rue Sherbrooke O).
When: 6 to 9pm.
Who: Whoever is willing to set themselves on fire and be born anew, I guess.
How Much: Free. (Link)

THROW! POETRY SLAM
What: Poetry slam, first Saturday of every month. No info online as of yet, but it’s presumably happening.
Where: Le basement. (3716 Notre Dame O.)
When: 9pm.
Who: Dunno.
How Much: $10. (Link) Summer break

5 JULY (SUN)

ACCENT OPEN MIC
What: Popular twice monthly bilingual open mic. Vol. 140 is on the theme “Tumultuous”—I feel like “Tumult” would be the more correct grammar, but who’s to say?¹ (Computer, play “Bouquet of Barbed Wire” by The Ex.)
Where: Bar le Record (7622 rue Saint-Hubert).
When: 8 to 10pm.
Who: Whoever has the balls, plus Kat Charles and David Bateman.
How Much: Free. (Link)

7 JULY (TUES)

JRG LITERARY OPEN MIC
What: Rollicking monthly open mic with an absurdist edge, this time featuring MTL-by-NYC-by-MTLer Imogene Mahalia and Ottawan Fellow Traveller IAN MARTIN, who will be accompanied by David Currie, with whom MARTIN’s written a new above/ground chapbook.
Where: L’hémisphère gauche (221 Rue Beaubien E).
When: 8:30pm.
Who: Whoever has the balls, plus Imogene Mahalia, IAN MARTIN, and David Currie.
How Much: PWYC. (Link)

JO WALTON: EVERYBODY’S PERFECT LAUNCH
What: Did you know the only writer other than Ursula K. Le Guin to win Best Novel at the Hugos, Nebulas, and World Fantasy Awards lives in Montreal? Well she does. Anyway, she’s launching a book.
Where: Argo (1841-A Rue Sainte-Catherine O).
When: 7 to 9pm.
Who: Jo Walton.
How much: Free, but RSVP recommended. (Link)

9 JULY (THURS)

STEPHANIE BOLSTER/MISHA SOLOMON: above/ground ZINE LAUNCH
What: Speaking of above/ground, the tentacles of Ottawa chapbook impresario rob mclennan continue to creep into Montreal as his press reissues a vintage Stephanie Bolster chap alongside a new one from Misha Solomon that responds to Bolster’s original.
Where: Librairie Pulp Books & Cafe.
When: 7 to 8:30pm.
Who: Stephanie Bolster and Misha Solomon. Hosted by Sarah Burgoyne.
How much: Free. (Link)

11 JULY (SAT)

QUEER + TRANS BOOK + ZINE SWAP
What: Queer + trans book + zine swap = ? Anyway, it’s happening! Presented by Dick’s Lending Library + Sheer Spite.
Where: Parc Lafontaine, corner of Sherbrooke + Papineau.
When: 2 to 5pm. (Rain date: same time Sunday)
Who: Whoever has the books + zines.
How Much: Free. (Link)

CHERIE HART: IT HAPPENED ON HARVARD AVENUE
What: Launch of a mystery novel set in Westmount, where this launch happens to be. See what you can deduce from that.
Where: Chez Nick (1377 ave Greene).
When: 5 to 7pm.
Who: Cherie Hart. Also snacks.
How Much: Free. (Link)

13 JULY (MON)

BOOKMATCH
What: Get half-cut at LSH—your $45 gets you a glass of prosecco, two glasses of wine, a $5 LSH giftcard and some time with a staffer, who will try to “set you up” with a book you’ll like. Personally I like to imagine you get all three glasses at once and everyone is walking around the store with their hands full.
Where: Librairie St-Henri Bookstore (4622 rue Notre-Dame Ouest).
When: 7pm.
Who: Whoever has $45.
How Much: $45. (Link) SOLD OUT!

16 JULY (THURS)

STÉPHANE LEBLANC-RAINVILLE: NINE BAGS OF GOLD LAUNCH
What: Some historical nonfiction about a peculiar treasure hunt in nineteenth century Moncton.
Where: Argo (1841-A Rue Sainte-Catherine O).
When: 7 to 9pm.
Who: Stéphane LeBlanc-Rainville.
How much: Free, but RSVP recommended. (Link)

POETRY TRIVIA NIGHT
What: Encore Poetry Project (the ones what do that window display at the bookstore) are doing a lit trivia night. The answers are: Leonard Cohen, B), Ocean Vuong, Accent Open Mic, True, Oscar Wilde, C), Leonard Cohen, Nicky Taylor, 34, Billy-Ray Belcourt, False, Anne Carson, Encore Poetry Project, enjambment, A), and Leonard Cohen. Good luck!
Where: Champs (3956 Boul. St-Laurent).
When: 8pm.
Who: Whoever’s got the time on their hands. Hosted by Misha Solomon.
How much: Free, prizes to be had. (Link)

19 JULY (SUN)

ACCENT OPEN MIC
What: Popular twice monthly bilingual open mic—theme is “Luck.” (Computer, play “Opposite Day” by Andrew Bird.)
Where: Bar le Record (7622 rue Saint-Hubert).
When: 8 to 10pm.
Who: Whoever has the balls, plus Sena the Queen and David Koloszyc.
How Much: Free. (Link)

AHOY #5 LAUNCH PARTY
What: Local trilingual lit journal continues its plan to reconstruct the Tower of Babel in the low-ceilinged confines of the beloved Word bookstore.
Where: The Word. (469 rue Milton.)
When: 7pm.
Who: “Some of your favourite local writers.”
How Much: $10, or $20 with copy of the mag (link).

21 JULY (TUES)

KŌHEI SAITŌ: CAPITAL FROM ZERO LAUNCH
What: A new introduction to Marx’s Capital, goes the spiel—Saitō’s translator Brian Bergstrom will be in attendance.
Where: Argo (1841-A Rue Sainte-Catherine O).
When: 7 to 9pm.
Who: Brian Bergstrom.
How much: Free, but RSVP recommended. (Link)

maisonneuve 100 LAUNCH
What: A hundred episodes used to be enough for a sitcom to enter the Valhalla of eternal syndicated reruns. Presumably something good also happens to magazines that achieve this nice round number.
Where: Co-op Bar Milton Parc (3714 av. du Parc).
When: Doors 7, show 8pm.
Who: Aurora Stewart de Peña, Eternity Martis, Katia Grubisic, Waseem Haja, and more.
How much: Free. (Link)

26 JULY (SUN)

“EGG THE POET”: yolk 5.2 LAUNCH
What: yolk brings back its popular “egg the poet” event in which the audience is invited to throw eggs at the readers, only this time you don’t actually get to use eggs, just water balloons. What is this, wolk magazine?
Where: Outdoors in the Mile End, RSVP for location.
When: 3:30 to 7pm.
Who: Contributors and whoever likes to get wet.
How much: Free. (Link)

BIRTH SCREENINGS 8: SILAS JAMES & EM ZEV
What: “Influenced by ‘90s underground spoken word/noise performances,” expecting talking, violin stuff, quotidian samples, probly some feedback. Followed by an hour of animated short films.
Where: White Wall Studio (here-ish).
When: 7pm.
Who: Silas James & Em Zev.
How much: $19.50. (Link)

31 JULY (FRI)

SLUTTY & SOLIDAIRE / FUNDRAISER
What: A rave in support of feminist co-op L’Euguélionne featuring four DJs from T.I.T.S. Collective.
Where: Espace SAT (1201 boul. St-Laurent).
When: 10pm to 6am.
Who: venus in bed, Jasleen, San Farafina [Moonshine], and Atity.
How much: $37.61 regular, $45.86 last chance. (Link)

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And looking ahead to August…

We’ll get there when we get there.

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In memory of Jay Gobuty, who was Outrageous.

IN OTHER LOCAL ARTS NEWS

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1. Me. I am to say.