Anarchists read!

by Isa Tousignant
Not only that, but they organize book fairs and get naked too.

You can witness both this coming week - the former during the Montreal Anarchist Bookfair and Festival of Anarchy, happening all day on May 20 and 21, the largest anarchist event in North America. Designed as a place to exchange anarchist and anti-authoritarian ideas, the seven-year-young annual book fair is open to all, offered in French and English, and includes participants from all over North America and beyond. Prepare for book and information tables aplenty, workshops, readings, walking tours and presentations, which this year include subjects like the Spanish Civil War, famous American leftist group the Weather Underground, today's attitudes to mental health, anti-authoritarian approaches to sexual assault, the state of atheism in the face of the religious right, and winning strategies in court.

The latter you will experience more particularly at the If I Can't Dance... Anarchist Cabaret! It's the opening event and benefit for the Anarchist Bookfair, on May 19, and it features spoken word, dance, mime and (ooh la la!) erotic performance. MCed by MC extraordinaire Raf, it includes participating circus artists nene and Gabriel Boileau, wordsmiths Paula & Alli, and sound makers the Big M, Joey Only (from B.C.), Don't Put Charles On The Money and Jeunesse Apatride. In other words, all you need for a good, anarchist
time.

If I Can't Dance... Anarchist Cabaret!, May 19 at Club Lambi (4465 St-Laurent), doors open at 8:30 p.m., suggested donation of $5-$7. Montreal Anarchist Bookfair, May 20, followed by workshop day on May 21, both at CEDA (2515 Delisle, Lionel-Groulx metro), from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more info surf to http://anarchistbookfair.taktic.org.