McSweeney’s List (17 September 2025)
Autumn hits our hemisphere on Sept 22, making this my last essay of technical Summer. I'm writing this in a fleece hoodie, hood up, and in a couple of hours, that’ll be too hot. A couple more hours, and I'll pop my shoes off in the grass, feel the sun, and notice how different it feels than it did a few weeks ago. Still, I'm so grateful for this gentle transition.
Contemplating what we all need to hear for this new season, I sat and tried to tune into the zeitgeist. Sometimes the collective emotions floating around are the right inspiration. More than a couple of times, I've had someone reach out after reading my essay to say that it directly addressed where their head and heart were at that week, and that's really my goal. Sitting, trying to grok this feeling (grok is a term coined by sci-fi writer Robert Heinlein meaning to understand (something) intuitively or by empathy, by the by), I realized that I myself was full of emotional soup, blended beyond the point of being able to discuss the individual ingredients. What to do? Where to turn? Well, it just so happens that on my shelf dedicated to yoga, magick, and crystals, I have a bunch of Oracle and Tarot decks (of course she does, I can see Andrew sighing with an I-told-you-so smile). Where do you look when you can't put your finger on what you're looking for? Into the unknown, of course! So, I meditated on the season, and what we all need to know for the surprises bound to pop up, and pulled some cards. Here's what came up when I asked what we all need to know for this fall.
Deck: À lécoute de vos vibrations by Sonia Choquette
My only French deck, I got this one as a gift, and this was my first time using it! Congrats to both of us on this auspicious day!
I pulled the card Jouez. This card tells us to take fun seriously, especially if you feel like you haven't the time or space for fun right now. It reminds us that playing allows our egos to step aside, making room for our creative brains to secretly work on new perspectives, and new solutions. I say secretly because while you're having a good ol' time, you won't realize that your brain is working, and that's when it does some of its best stuff. Consider the old adage advising us to sleep on it; crazy how often that works, isn't it? Whether you believe in dream symbolism or not, we can all agree that our brains are processing our daily onslaught of stimulation while we're snoring away. We’re deciding what to keep, what to toss, and what to make super weird so we have something to think about with our morning coffee. Play is like that too; it sets your stern, logical, calculating parts free, giving them a much needed rest, while fresh air, lightness, and laughter refresh your inner self. This card also earns us to protect our softest vibes, and to do that, we must consciously shut out negative noise.
Deck: Inner Child Cards - A Fairy-Tale Tarot by Isha & Mark Lerner
This is one of my oldest decks. It's intentionally oversized so that when you hold the cards you can feel like a kid again, holding a whole deck of magical, fairytale symbolism.
I pulled The Big Bad Wolf. For those familiar with tarot, this is Inner Child’s version of The Devil, without all the dogmatic baggage.
It's not about evil or bad, it's about the cunning, sneaky ways our intellect manipulates us. It's about how trying to avoid darkness at all costs can keep us away from powerful shadow work and healing. If we spend our energy denying our own darkness, we can never improve, let alone unify our scattered selves. We must acknowledge our shadows before we can transmute that energy into something beautiful. We must accept our fears before we can overcome them. Diving a bit deeper, I found that this can also refer to the way we languish in luxury, comforted to the point of our own stagnation, brainwashed by material distractions. It can also serve as a messenger about our addictions, and a sign that it's time to sever our unhealthy ties.
The deck guide points out that the Wolf is hiding behind a tree in this card; The Tower from traditional tarot is in the distance, a long way off. Associated with danger and sudden change, The Tower also signifies higher learning and liberation. Before the Wolf can even begin on the long, arduous journey to his higher self, he has to come out of hiding.
Deck: Art Oracles by Katya Tylevivh, illustrated by Mikkel Sommer
This is my newest deck, and I'm quite smitten with it. It's comprised of 50 cards, each a pivotal artist; each card has three simple statements on it, pertaining to Life, Work, and Inspiration.
The artist I pulled was performance artist Marina Abromovic, who I totally dig (I can hear Andrew groaning from here).
For Life: Sceptic, heal thyself.
For Work: Discipline is both a noun and a verb.
For Inspiration: When a stranger stares into your soul do not press charges. Stare back.
This last is a reference to one of Marina’s most famous works entitled The Artist Is Present. For this experience she sat day in and day out, holding silent eye contact across a table with those who came to play. On one particular day, something extraordinary happened. After 22 years apart, her ex-lover and fellow artist Ulay appeared at the table. Not just an ex-lover: a collaborator, a capital L love, a man with whom she had shared 12 years of betters and worses. They lived in cars together, they spent months walking towards each other on the Great Wall of China; they were a whole scene together. It brings tears to my eyes to watch the short video (it's that heavy kind of beautiful; watch it here.) He sees her, and his face grows younger. She opens her eyes, sees it's him, and she softens, swoons. They smile, they cry, they hold hands. A whole world is drawn between them as they convey more than any words could. You can cry, but don't turn away. Gasp for air if you must, but stare back.
Deck: Prism Oracle by Nicole Pivirotto
I love this deck. There's something visceral about tuning into the colours. The graphics are minimalist and direct, and the cards are gold edged, making a suncatcher as you shuffle them.
The card I pulled is Movement, and it's Green. The guidebook reminds us that green is the easiest colour for us to see (evolution is so cool), and that while it signifies both growth and love (your Heart Chakra is green, didja know?), its underbelly is jealousy and envy. It says that in colour magick, Green is often used as a supportive colour to manifest calm. It's so straight: Movement means get to it. All signs point to yes, do the damn thing, now’s the time. If you were waiting for a sign this is it.
So, Dear Readers, the time for action is upon us. Stop hiding, and embrace your whole self. Take play seriously. Begin your journey to Wholeness. And whatever shadows, obstacles, and beauty you encounter on your way, don't flinch: stare right back at it.
SO NICE THEY DID IT TWICE
This year’s Exposures Montreal Trans Film Festival proudly presents 5 feature films, 84 shorts, four workshops, filmmaker Q&As, industry networking opportunities and much more. From award-winning festival favourites to low budget DIY fever dreams, heartfelt dramas to martial arts TRANS style, dozens of Canadian films and a special screening dedicated to trans elders, our festival has it all.
Whatever you think “trans film” means—prepare to be surprised. The 2025 programme challenges expectations, celebrates creativity in all its forms, and brings you the best new cinema from all over the world.
Check out this preview feature we published earlier this week!
WHAT: Exposures Montreal Trans Film Festival
WHERE: Union Française de Montréal, 429 Avenue Viger E, Montréal, QC H2L 2N9
WHEN: Wednesday, September 18 to September 21
METRO: Champ-de-Mars (Orange)
TICKETS: Exposures Website
FUNK MAKES THE WORLD GO ‘ROUND
This show is gonna be full-blown funk, and the grooves will be great!
The Louisiana Night Train 3 are back in the park, courtesy of the fine folk at Rendezvous NDG. Featuring "Wizard-of-the-keyboards" David Lines, and bolstered by the mighty rhythm section of Jason Cochrane & Dom Hemalas (bass & drums), Expect to move your feet to fresh and funky grooves, inspired by New Orleans and points beyond!
WHAT: Get Funky in the Park with The Louisiana Night Train 3
WHERE: Girouard Park, 3500 Avenue Girouard, Montreal, H4A 1R2
WHEN: Thursday, September 18, From 5 PM to 8 PM
METRO: Vendome (Orange)
DETAILS: Facebook
LIT NIGHT
Join the launch of We Love You, Bunny, the new novel by Mona Awad! Mona will appear in conversation with Heather O’Neill, author of Lullabies for Little Criminals (great book), and When We Lost Our Heads.
We Love You, Bunny is the highly anticipated follow up to the viral sensation Bunny, a brilliantly written, laugh-out-loud funny, dark, and delirious novel set in the Bunny-verse—a world that Margaret Atwood declared “soooo genius.”
In the cult classic novel Bunny, Samatha Heather Mackey, a lonely outsider student at a highly selective MFA program in New England, was first ostracized and then seduced by a clique of creepy-sweet rich girls who call themselves “Bunny.” An invitation to the Bunnies’ Smut Salon leads Samantha down a dark rabbit hole (pun intended) into the violently surreal world of their off-campus workshops where monstrous creations are conjured with deadly and wondrous consequences.
When We Love You, Bunny opens, Sam has just published her first novel to critical acclaim. But at a New England stop on her book tour, her one-time frenemies, furious at the way they’ve been portrayed, kidnap her. Now a captive audience, it’s her (and our) turn to hear the Bunnies’ side of the story. One by one, they take turns holding the axe, and recount the birth throes of their unholy alliance, their discovery of their unusual creative powers—and the phantasmagoric adventure of conjuring their first creation. With a bound and gagged Sam, we embark on a wickedly intoxicating journey into the heart of dark academia: a fairy tale slasher that explores the wonder and horror of creation itself. Not to mention the transformative powers of love and friendship, Bunny.
Frankenstein by way of Heathers, We Love You, Bunny is both a prequel and a sequel, and an unabashedly wild and totally complete stand-alone novel. Open your hearts, Bunny, to another dazzlingly original and darkly hilarious romp in the Bunny-verse from the queen of the fever-dream, Mona Awad.
WHAT: Mona Awad launches We Love You, Bunny I'm conversation with Heather O’Neill
WHERE: La Sala Rossa, 4848 St. Laurent Blvd., Montreal, H2T 1R5
WHEN: Thursday, September 18, Doors @ 6 PM, Show @ 7 PM
METRO: Laurier (Orange)
TICKETS: Shorturl
PASTRIES & PUNCHLINES
Laugh Knights presents another fab Show-up / Sign-up Open Mic!
Come one, come all to an awesome night of stand up comedy. You want to try stand up? Want to come and see local comedians say and try funny stuff in front of you? Well, this is the place to be. How does it work? Show-up, sign-up, go up. Pros, amateurs and first timers get five minutes.
This is a non-alcoholic space with delicious baked goods, great coffee, and more! Entrance is free!
WHAT: Café Eevee Presents Open Mic Comedy Night
WHERE: Café Eevee, 1251 Saint-Zotique, Montreal, H2S 1N8
WHEN: Friday, November 15, Sign up @ 7 PM, Show @ 8 PM
METRO: Beaubien (Orange)
RSVP: Eventbrite
TO READ & TO LISTEN
Accent Open Mic presents Cactus Press' Fall title launch with featured readers Matthew Rettino and Kirsten Shute. Sign up for the open mic at the door!
WHAT: Accent Vol. 122: Cactus Press Fall Launch with Matthew Rettino and Kirsten Shute
WHERE: Bar La Marche À Côté, 5043 St. Denis St., Montreal, H2J 2L9
WHEN: Sunday, September 21 @ 8 PM
METRO: Laurier (Orange)
DETAILS: Facebook
THERE WILL BE LYCRA
Captain's Corner and LWA present SLAMFEST 2025, the first wrestling convention in the Montreal area!
Already announced guests include:
Hall of Famer Papa Shango/The Godfather,
Hall of Famer Barry Windham,
2x WWF Tag Team Champs Henry & Phineas Godwinn, "Le Magnifique" Richard Charland, Doink & Dink The Clown, Bruce Hart, Paul Roma, Mario Mancini, and Lufisto Carl Leduc.
WHAT: SLAMFEST 2025!
WHERE: Ruby Foo's Hotel, 7655 Decarie Blvd., Montreal, H4P 2H2
WHEN: Saturday, September 20, From 930 AM To 330 PM
METRO: Namur (Orange)
TICKETS: Tixtree
VERBAL RAGE ROOM
Tired of holding it in at work? Your boss, your emails, your life in general? Don’t scream into a pillow—scream at a comic.
Welcome to The Heckling Show: A comedy show where the audience gets to unleash all the pent-up rage. Yell, roast, heckle—it’s all part of the fun. Think of it as a rage room, but with words instead of baseball bats. Come break us instead of breaking down.
Want a first-hand account? Read my Heckling Show article. I fkn love this mic so hard.
WHAT: The Heckling Show
WHERE: Café Eevee, 1251 St. Zotique E., Montreal, H2S 1N8
WHEN: Sunday, September 21 @ 830 PM
METRO: Beaubien
TICKETS: Eventbrite
World’s Smallest Comedy Night has so many cool things happening, so here are their events this week in order!
What Do You Know? Like, Seriously…
Tonight! Come to Hurley's for Trivia Night, and get bonus laughter! Put your knowledge to the test! Whether you're a history buff, a pop culture guru, or a sports fanatic, there's something for everyone. Grab a pint, enjoy delicious pub fare, and get ready to show off your trivia skills. Grab your team, and enjoy this night of comedy, friendly competition, and great company.
This week's edition is hosted by Vance Michel, featuring Peter Bowen, Shosho Abotouk, and Nazeer Khan.
WHAT: Trivia Night at Hurley's
WHERE: Hurley's Irish Pub, 1225 Crescent St., Montreal, H3G 2B1
WHEN: Every Wednesday @ 8 PM
METRO: Lucien l'Allier (Orange) & Guy-Concordia (Green)
RSVP: Eventbrite
Femme-tastic!
Funny ladies take center stage this week for Femmes Night! Enjoy brassy broads, classy cacklers, and the funniest femmes in town!
Hosted by Abby Stonehouse, this edition will feature Sharon Beaumont, Natasha Fillion, Julie Santini, Aloe Azimov, Florence Penicaud, Emily Sharma, Naga, Shosho Abotouk, Dawn McSweeney (that's me!) and Elspeth Wright.
WHAT: The World's Smallest Comedy Night Femmes Edition
WHERE: Hurley's Irish Pub, 1225 Crescent St., Montreal, H3G 2B1
WHEN: Monday, September 22, Doors @ 730 PM, Show @ 8 PM
METRO: Lucien l'Allier (Orange) & Guy-Concordia (Green)
TICKETS: Eventbrite
Dirty Monday
The Monday Night Dirty Mic is the best uncensored open mic in town. Hosted by Vance Michel, every show is an unpredictable and unique experience as a hilarious collection of comedians from newbs to pros take the stage. See the best before anyone else, and catch seasoned locals doing their freshest funnies!
Comics: show-up, sign-up
WHAT: Monday Night Dirty Mic
WHERE: Hurley's Irish Pub, 1225 Crescent St., Montreal, H3G 2B1
WHEN: Every Monday, Sign-up @ 1020 PM, Show @ 1030 PM
METRO: Lucien l'Allier (Orange) & Guy-Concordia (Green)
RSVP: Eventbrite
McSweeney’s List drops every Wednesday with the best events, workshops, and more, each week in Montreal!
