Lecture: “A Sounding of Finnegans Wake” by Malcolm Goldstein, musician and composer. James Joyce’s “Wake” was an essential inspiration source for John Cage who created “Roaratorio”. The music is a vast soundscape collage of recordings of places and sound referred to in the “Wake”. We will discuss Cage’s music and listen to “Roaratorio.” NOTE: Pre-Event at MCLL on Friday, June 9th at 1 p.m. at the McGill School for Continuing Studies – 688 Sherbrooke St. in Room 1041. $10
Walking Tour, The History of the Irish in Montreal. Walk, talk, and learn about history, memory, class, and community in this fascinating walking tour of Irish Montreal. Starts at the Old Dublin Pub, 636 Cathcart Street. 10 am to 12 pm. $15.
Festival Opener, get a first-hand look at all the Festival Bloomsday Montréal events scheduled between June 10 and Bloomsday, June 16. Special guest speakers, finger food, and live music by The Bombadils. Palco Bar, 4019 Wellington, Verdun. Metro station de l’Église. 4 pm to 7 pm. Free!
Irish Brunch, hats off to Chef Peter Saunders! Our Bloomsday supporter and talented connoisseur of fine food organizes the brunch, now a popular annual event. Evoo Restaurant, 3426 Notre-Dame. 9 am to 11 am. Call for reservations: 514-846-3886. The real Irish thing!
Molly Bloom Soliloquy & Pub Quiz, enjoy a pint, tasty pub supper, and an evening of rollicking Joycean entertainment. Actress Kathleen Fee reads from the “Penelope” passage that closes Ulysses. Stay in your seat. We wrap the evening with a pub quiz of all things Irish, led by Charlie O’Keefe. Irish Embassy Pub 1234 Bishop Street. 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm, $10.
Featuring Denis Sampson’s book, The Found Voice, as well as student academic panels. Presentations in French and English. Concordia University, Hall building, 10th floor, 1455 Boulevard de Maisonneuve West. 11 am to 3 pm. Free
Irish Community Cultural Exhibit, with live music by The Bombadils. McKibbin’s Irish Pub, 1426 Bishop, 3rd floor. 5 pm to 9 pm. Free!
Screening of Shem the Penman Sings Again, directed by Pádraig Trehy. With additional short films. De Sève Cinéma, 1400 Boulevard de Maisonneuve West. 7 pm to 9 pm, $10.
A night of storytelling and poetry. Readings with special guest hosts and artists as well as an open mic portion to bring out your inner Irish poet! Kafein café-bar, 1429 Bishop Street. 9 pm to 12 am. Free!
A talk by Dr. Michael Kenneally, Principal of Concordia’s Canadian School of Irish studies. Followed by a reception with honoured guest, the newly appointed Irish Ambassador to Canada, Jim Kelly. Jewish Public Library, 5151 Cote Ste. Catherine Road. 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm, $15.
Hosted by the Montreal Shamrocks. Special prize for pub quiz team winners! Hurley’s Irish Pub, 1225 Crescent Street. 8 pm to 12 am, $10.
Master storytellers Jan Gregory and Margaret Nicolai and actor Clive Brewer join pianist Natalia Davydova and soprano Kathleen McAuliffe for a lunch hour of story and music. Atwater Library, 1200 Atwater Avenue, Westmount. 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm. Free!
Music by The Bluegrazzers (Celtic/folk/bluegrass). Hurley’s Irish Pub, 1225 Crescent Street. Doors open at 8 pm, show starts at 8:30 pm. Free!
Bloomsday Readings from Ulysses with the theme of “Voices.” If you are new to the festival, June 16 is Bloomsday and Montreal joins hundreds of cities around the world to mark this special anniversary of the day on which Ulysses is set. Do not miss these dramatic readings from Ulysses by local media personalities and actors. Insight and context comes along with Joycean experts, Maggie Benfield and Denis Sampson, who introduce each reading. Westmount Public Library, 4574 Sherbrooke Street West. 11 am to 3 pm. Bring your lunch. Free!
Bloomsday Tea, with a repeat performance of Growing Up Irish (see events of June 15). Westmount Public Library, 4574 Sherbrooke Street West. 3:30 pm to 5 pm. Free!
Photography by Thomas Bock
5660 McLynn Montreal, Qc H3X 2R1 Canada
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