McSweeney’s List (28 June, 2023)
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It's funny the way we perceive ourselves as constants. When we think of ourselves as a whole, we tend to feel like we've always been the way we are. Now, I've read some interesting things lately on how half our brain is geared toward action, and half is in charge of making up the story of why we made the action, so this tracks. Even though we've all definitely changed over our lifetimes, I think that particular function helps us explain it away, and imagine that we've always essentially always been well, Ourselves.
Technology, with its ability to speed us into the future and erase whatever happened yesterday, also draws us back into our own histories. From Facebook to my photos app, the proliferation of personalised versions of This Day In History offers a glimpse into our own journey. Scroll back far enough, and you're bound to discover moments you've forgotten, opinions you don't remember holding, tastes you've long lost, or intentionally buried (I'm pretending I never had that Right Said Fred album). (Editor’s Note: I bet it was a cassette.) Looking into the distant past allows us to see the distinctions between our previous and current selves, but even then, we tend to imagine those as vast, sudden changes. We were, and now we are. What's harder to recognize, even with that knowledge fresh on our minds, is that we've recently changed, and in fact, we're in the process of changing right now.
As we make our way through the day to day, we're consumed by To Do Lists, deadlines, social engagements, that we hardly ever stop to think about ourselves in profound ways. We do what needs doing, we try to connect all the dots along the way, and wake up tomorrow to do it again. Even holidays catch us up in the disorienting web of tradition, leading us through the well-worn steps of how we celebrate the things we have always celebrated, by rote and ad nauseum.
So take a moment to recognize how far you've come, how you stand now on the shoulders of all the Yous that came before. Appreciate and enjoy where you are along this weird and wild journey, because before you know it, you'll be someone else, somewhere new.
I FKN Love Fireworks!
Fireworks are back at the Old Port starting this week! Now, you'll be able to see them from a variety of spots we all know well, but if you want the full experience, you can watch them from a beach, eating, drinking, and listening to the featured DJs for only 10 bucks! Plus, the party is 18+, so you can dodge the strollers. Wherever you are, the light show starts at 10 PM.
WHAT: The Sky Belongs to the DJ
WHERE: Plage de l'Horloge, 1 Clock Tower Quay St., Montreal, H2Y 2E2
WHEN: Every Thursday @ 10 PM, June 29 - August 10
METRO: Champ-de-Mars (Orange)
TICKETS: Old Port of Montreal
There Won't Be Tiny Bears, But Still…
Montreal’s largest small festival is back! Enjoy three days of music, food, and drinks at Ursa Mtl. Dedicated to music and art, Ursa Mtl was created by singer-songwriter Martha Wainwright and friends in the heart of the Mile-end. Proceeds help preserve the unique and important community and musical space Ursa provides.
WHAT: Ursa Micro
WHERE: Ursa Mtl, 5589 Park Ave., Montreal, H2V 4S8
WHEN: Friday, June 30 - Sunday, July 2
METRO: Rosemont (Orange)
DETAILS: Facebook
Art In The Street Is Street Art
One hundred local artists from various disciplines will be transforming Saint Catherine street into an arts studio this weekend! More than just an opportunity to check out great art, this event is designed to encourage art, inviting people to take part in its creation, and to understand how pieces are made. Plus, bring a piece of used furniture, and artists will upcycle it for free! With 15 interactive activities, a youth space, and musical stage, the festival is expecting 100 000 people over five days, so the people watching will be fire too.
WHAT: MTL en Arts Festival
WHERE: St. Catherine St. E., / The Village
WHEN: Wednesday, June 28 - Sunday, July 2
METRO: Berri UQAM
DETAILS: MTL en Arts
They Don't Have To Rhyme
Marco Villa, Kevin Spenst, and Emmanuel Deraps bring their words to the stage this Sunday at Accent Volume 72. Of all the written words, poems are the ones that long to burst from the page to dance with live audiences, and the Accent folks do it right. Check out Willow Loveday Little's feature on the series here to learn more about the series!
WHAT: Accent Volume 72 with Marco Villa, Kevin Spenst, and Emmanuel Deraps
WHERE: La Marche à Côté, 5043 St-Denis, Montreal, H2J 2L9
WHEN: Sunday, July 2, 8 PM
METRO: Laurier (Orange)
DETAILS: Facebook
Mother Nature Makes The Rules
The Open Mic at Jeanne Mance was rained out last week, but another one is on the way! I keep going and having a great time, so I'll keep reminding you to join the fun. Summer is a limited time event, y'all. Come find us!
WHAT: Open Mic Mondays in Parc Jeanne-Mance
WHERE: Jeanne-Mance Park, 4422 Esplanade Ave., Montreal, H2W 2N4
WHEN: Every Monday, Sign-up @ 6 PM, Show @ 630 PM
METRO: Mont Royal (Orange)
DETAILS: Facebook
McSweeney’s List drops every Wednesday with the best events to catch each week in Montreal. Don’t forget to SUBMIT YOUR EVENT to be listed!
