McSweeney’s List (17 June 2026)
This past week, someone said something so heinous that the room fell silent around them. People stopped mid chew, and cutlery clattered to plates. A couple clicked photos to post the incident later. Word spread like wildfire.
Who was it? It was no one, I made them up (but also, this certainly happened a million times in the world last week alone, so it's a lot of folks). What was the word? I don't know; what word did you imagine?
What if I said that someone made a speech, and a lot of people liked it, but it threatened a lot of people in power, and even worse, it presented ideas that led people to question The Way Things Are. (You’re familiar with The Way Things Are, the overarching unchangeable status quo that does of course change every generation or so. Funny how it happens so regularly, yet the builders and benefactors of The Way Things Are swear it never does, and never will.) Powerful people made calls, and legacy news outlets picked it up, demonizing the speaker across various media, and intentionally nit-picking the speech apart until it lacked all context.
It could've been about religion, or the environment, or workers rights. Really, it depends when, where, and how good the lobbyists were that season. There are rare cases where a speech is genuinely inciting, or hateful. Far more frequently, people cry wolf because they want to silence an idea they disagree with. Rather than formulate coherent contrary arguments, they want the other argument to simply disappear.
It's fine to choose who to platform -- we do it all the time at FTB(.ca), it's the definition of quality control. My concern is the increasing sense that people want the opposition to change their mind, but certainly never discuss the ideas that brought them to their opinion. The language police would be thought police if they could be.
Years ago, we at FTB(.ca) received what has become a notorious request to take down a negative review. It sticks with me on a lot of levels, but mostly I've been thinking about how the person who requested we take it down didn't defend the play we’d panned. They didn't say it was a good piece and we'd looked at it wrong, didn't defend stylistic choices or accuse us of reviewing inaccurately, they simply didn't want us to say what we thought of the piece unless we loved it. They didn't object to our opinion, they objected to us sharing the opinion with others.
Language defines the parameters of our thoughts, and the censorship of language narrows the landscape of what we can think. If a poll asks you to rate your satisfaction with the meal you just ate / job you have, and the only options on the multiple choice are satisfied or very satisfied, the verdict will come out that everyone is at least satisfied. Is it an accurate measure? Not at all. Would it look great on a review page or a shiny headline? Absolutely.
It's the things we can't discuss that drive us towards those we can speak freely with. That's how we end up with clubs and, ahem, teams, but that's not new. It seems like those clubs used to mingle more; that people could disagree and still like each other; that someone could say something you didn't like to hear, and the sky wouldn't fall.
I understand that officially, gypsy is now a slur. Funny to me, as it was my grandmother’s nickname for her son, my father, with his dark hair and light, luminescent eyes that made him stand out in his family. I have a friend who calls me a gypsy with love, a shorthand reference to my flowing skirts and untameable hair, my crystals, superstitions, kitchen magick, and tree hugging ways. It's not a technical label, but one that evokes the image of how they perceive me; a hippie rooted in ancient traditions more than folk music, capable of wild, universal love while simultaneously able to hold a grudge, and unafraid of making sudden moves when the vibes are off.
Once, in a room where the term “gypsy legend” (or some such) shut down the conversation, I rolled my eyes. I have a Gogol Bordello shirt emblazoned with “Gypsy Punk”, a completely accurate description of their musical style, and the label they gave themselves. Band frontman Eugene Hütz is a Ukrainian-Lithuanian-Romani-American artist who obviously sees the term with love.
They certainly didn't sell the shirt with the intention of people wearing a slur, and none of the people who were offended that night were genetically from historically traveller communities, nor were they likely to dance barefoot to better channel energy. They were offended by a word they thought they were supposed to be offended by, protecting community members I don't believe they've ever spoken to.
When we attempt to separate words from intent, we undermine the purpose of language, which is to communicate facts and sentiments. If I call you a pickle eater with the right tone, I assure you it would be offensive regardless of the fact that you probably do eat pickles. When someone is being passive aggressive and tells you to “have a nice day” with spite on their tongue, it's the spite we feel, not the words. Words cannot exceed their position as part of our toolkit: they cannot have more meaning than we imbue them with.
How does this shakedown to a problem? It's simple. We gravitate to the spaces where our interpretation of language is embraced. I never intentionally find myself in a room where people say things like “punching down isn't funny” (because it can be funny when done with the right heart, and morality and humor are different things). I endeavor to avoid rooms where people look around before they choose their reaction, carefully selecting the response they feel is appropriate instead of letting their instincts guide them. That kind of hypervigilance and fear of misstep feels fake to me, and artifice makes me physically uncomfortable. As a result, I'm aware that we're all in separate rooms, having separate conversations, unable to communicate across that divide. Even our shared struggles and the points we could agree on evaporate, because we can't agree on the “right” way to speak about them. It's the tower of Babbel all over again.
No one person agrees with the fingerprint of my ever evolving set of beliefs, stances, and opinions, and that's okay. It's ok to contain multitudes, and to change your opinion – that's how we know we're taking in new information and doing the math accordingly. Meanwhile, some spaces make it inappropriate to question things, let alone change direction, and how can I learn without questions? Making questions taboo stifles conversations, often intentionally.
The majority of people who want to police language do so because they don't like the discomfort of hearing things they don't like, be they facts or ideas, and think that the whole world should be an emotional safe space as they personally define safety.
The people who want to censor you are those who would control your thoughts if they could, and language is as close as they can get. They wish to dictate the conversation, and the words used in it, assuring that they stay in power, and we continue to fight amongst ourselves.
When one headline says that someone got murdered, and another says that someone died, it's not an accident. The words of both tell you that there has been a death, but one means to tell you one story, and the other is intentionally telling you another.
I don't discuss Israeli politics or genocide with my zionist friends and family. They won't change my mind, and I won't change theirs, and we've chosen selective silence so we can be in the same room, peacefully discussing other things. But how can you be friends with someone who disagrees? Grow up. No one will agree with you on everything, and if you agree with everything your friends agree with, are you even forming your own opinions, bro? My concern is that rather than agreeing to disagree and building relationships beyond our differences, we're staying silent to avoid conflict, and then simply cutting people off. Instead of finding middle ground, we find our own spaces and never speak to each other again. I'm all for hanging where you feel comfortable, and birds flocking together, but who are we shutting out, and more importantly, why?
I regularly see people say they oppose violence while calling for the deaths of those they don't like. The news is filled with people who believe in the importance of protest as long as they agree with the protest, otherwise, bring out the dogs, and lock them all up. If you only believe in free speech when it applies to you, you don't actually believe in free speech at all. As for the accuracy of language, it seems less important than ever. The so-called fascists rarely fit the bill, and the so-called communists aren't actually communists. All that remains is the screeching tone and the intent to hurt, creating clear divides while our true power lies in uniting. Pickle eater.
Remember, kids, sticks and stones can break your bones, but words…well, they might hurt, but you can certainly get over it. Sit with people you disagree with, and you’ll inevitably find things you do agree on. Heck, you might find that despite disagreeing on some things, you actually form bonds that go beyond that particular thing. Perhaps you vote differently, but love the same music, or they might firmly believe in astrology while you despise it, and yet you laugh together as if there are more important things than differing ideas…because there are…and open communication is the only way we’ll ever find our way back to each other.
GALLERY NIGHT
Fonderie Darling is thrilled to launch its summer program with a festive evening celebrating the opening of the group exhibition A Light That Never Goes Out.
Featuring works by Omar Castillo Alfaro, Camille Charbonneau, Jesús Hilario-Reyes, Simon Petepiece, Jeremy Shaw, and James Webb.
This exhibition is dedicated to the glimmers that refuse to fade in the face of the darkness that surrounds us. It thus pays tribute to those lights that nourish the hope of healing, to those that, in the heart of the night, watch over the celebration, rebuild connections, and teach us all together how to no longer be alone.
Music and bar service until 10 PM.
WHAT: Vernissage - A Light That Never Goes Out
WHERE: Fonderie Darling, 745 Place Sable-Gris, Montreal, H3C 1R8
WHEN: Thursday, June 18, Doors @ 5 PM, Speeches @ 6 PM, Open Studios @ 630 PM - 830 PM, Exhibition rooms close @ 10 PM
METRO: Square Victoria - OACI
DETAILS: FonderieDarling
SPOOKY STROLL
Haunted Mountain is a spooky, lantern-lit Ghost Walk up the slopes of Mount Royal. Beginning in Montreal’s Plateau neighborhood, the ramble visits various haunted sites on the mountain, including several locations where ghosts have actually been sighted.
A theatrical guide (a professional actor and storyteller) will regale guests with ghost stories, mysteries and legends about Mount Royal, including haunted hospitals, abandoned castles, cemeteries teeming with undead spirits, and all sorts of paranormal activities on the mountain. Visitors will learn about the place of Mount Royal in Montreal’s history and lore, including the legend of the cross, the ghost of l’Esplanade Street, the child-victims of the Alan Memorial Institute’s brainwashing experiments, and the tragic tale of Jack McLean and the Haunted Funicular.
Guests will also visit Simon McTavish’s forgotten tomb, recently disturbed by archaeologists digging into the mountain where his earthly remains lie. The angry fur baron’s ghost is known to terrify people – by tobogganing at high speeds down the slopes of the mountain – in his own coffin!
Haunted Mountain aims to satisfy a taste for local history, spine-tingling ghost stories and an unforgettable ramble on the slopes of Mount Royal! Sturdy shoes and a flashlight are recommended.
The meeting spot is Fletcher’s Field, and the tour is approximately 90 minutes. Please arrive at least 10 minutes before the tour starts. For those wishing to have a drink before the tour, please arrive even earlier.
WHAT: Haunted Mountain
WHERE: Fletcher's Field to Peel Street / Pine Avenue
WHEN: Saturday, June 20 @ 830 PM
METRO: Mont-Royal (Orange)
TICKETS: Eventbrite
MIC-NIFICENT Vol. 2
MIC-Nificent is a monthly Hip Hop showcase unlike any other: 4 performers, 1 stage, headliner treatment, and real community.
In an era where events often feature 15 or more performers competing for limited stage time, MIC-Nificent takes a different approach. We believe artists deserve to be properly showcased, which is why we limit each event to just four featured acts, giving every performer the spotlight and attention of a headliner.
Our mission is to strengthen and unite the Hip Hop community by creating a platform that brings together artists from diverse backgrounds and cultures. From the French scene to the English scene, from Spanish-speaking artists to Indigenous voices and beyond, MIC-Nificent serves as a meeting place where different styles, languages, and perspectives come together under one roof to celebrate Hip Hop culture.
More than just a concert, MIC-Nificent is a community-driven experience designed to build connections, create opportunities, and expose audiences to the incredible talent thriving in Montreal and the surrounding regions.
Will E. Skandalz hosts, and DJ Redd Dredd keeps the beats coming. This edition features performances by Ico94, BVTMAN, Tokyo S3nsei, and M.O.T.
But the experience doesn't end when the performances are over.
Every MIC-Nificent showcase is followed by an official After Party featuring artist interviews, an open mic session, and networking opportunities for performers, promoters, media personalities, and Hip Hop enthusiasts. The goal is to build meaningful connections, create opportunities, and further strengthen the local and surrounding music communities.
Interested in Performing?
Artists interested in securing a performance slot should contact Will E. Skandalz or DJ Redd Dredd.
Submission Requirements:
Live performance video
Short artist biography
High-resolution logo (PNG format)
MIC-Nificent: Where every artist is treated like a headliner!
Early bird: $10
Door: $15
WHAT: MIC-Nificent Vol. 2
WHERE: Caché Montreal, 3614 St. Laurent, Montreal Blvd., Montreal H2X 2V4
WHEN: Saturday, June 20, Doors @ 6 PM, Show @ 7 PM
METRO: Sherbrooke (Orange)
DETAILS: Facebook
GETTING HOT & HEAVY
Summer officially begins this Sunday, and BATTLEWAR returns to Foufounes Electriques on the same night.
Coincidence? Nah.
Perfect timing.
Let’s get HOT with an absolutely SCORCHING night of pro wrestling action, featuring the SIZZLING stars of BATTLEWAR, including Giant Tiger, “Triple X” Sexxxy Eddy, Plein Gout, “Mononc” St-Jacques, Michel Plante and BATTLEWAR Champion, Thomas Dubois!
BATTLEWAR Championship: Thomas Dubois(c) w/ Twiggy vs. Giant Tiger w/ "Triple X" Sexxxy Eddy
BATTLEWAR Tag Team Championship - 2/3 Falls Match: Les Brasseurs(c) vs. Les VIP
Six Person Tag Team Action: Plein Gout vs. Northern Thunder (London Lightning and Storm Ryder), and Layla Wilde.
$20
18+
WHAT: BATTLEWAR - Hot and Heavy
WHERE: Les Foufounes Electriques, 87 Rue Sainte-Catherine E, Montréal, QC H2X 1K5
WHEN: Sunday, June 21, Doors @ 7 PM, Show @ 8 PM
METRO: Place-des-Arts (Green)
DETAILS: Facebook
COME TO MY SHOW!
Toast’Er is back for a third edition!
This all lady night of laughter is a show like no other!
Comedians pair off for toast battles, raising each other (and the vibes) to new heights!
The compliment-offs are interspersed with comedy sets by this talented lineup, and the laughs are guaranteed!
Dawn McSweeney hosts, featuring Flo Penicaud, Julie Santini, Sara Meleika, Dayna Lieberman, CeeCee Huys, Saba Jakeman, ShoSho Abotouk, and Abby Stonehouse.
Come out and enjoy a night of positivity, kindness, and cackles!
$5 at the door
WHAT: Toast’Er
WHERE: Hurley's Irish Pub, 1225 Crescent St., Montreal, H3G 2B1
WHEN: Thursday, June 25 @ 8 PM
METRO: Lucien l'Allier (Orange) & Guy-Concordia (Green)
DETAILS: Facebook
CAN I BUY A VOWEL?
Montreal-based collective iWant2BeOnTV is presenting The Spelling Bee Of The Century as part of the 26th edition of Suoni Per il Popolo (Sounds For The People), a festival committed to showcasing exploratory forms of music from both local and international artists.
The event is a live, broadcast performance that transforms a spelling bee into an absurd, high-pressure spectacle featuring musical guests, audience participation, and escalating on-stage disruptions.
Local musical acts Laughing, Culvert Corpse, Bastard Idol, and Goddard, Goodie & X will take the stage, along with Fraud Perry, who we featured here. There's something for everyone with rock and roll, abrasive punk, and electronic industrial.
In total, this project brings together over 30 artists and is rooted in Montréal’s queer and DIY communities. It also extends beyond the venue through livestream and community radio broadcast, drawing from public-access TV to create a collective viewing experience.
Physical pre-sale tickets are available at Phonopolis, Dépanneur le Pick Up or directly from members of the iWant2BeOnTV team until June 16th. Tickets will also be available at the door.
WHAT: The Spelling Bee of the Century
WHERE: La Sala Rossa, 4848 St. Laurent Blvd., Montreal, H2T 1R5
WHEN: Friday, June 26 @ 730 PM
METRO: Laurier (Orange)
DETAILS: SuoniPerilPopolo
GROW WITH US: Call for Writers
If you are obsessed with Montreal's music, dance, or visual art scenes, we want to give you the platform, and the tools, to write about it. 🎨✨
Forget The Box(.ca) is Montreal's most devoted online arts magazine, covering and amplifying ground level, underground, and marginalized art. We are the main project of Forget The Box Media, a federally incorporated not-for-profit organization. 🏛️
We are looking for people who are passionate about Montreal's arts community! Whether you're a seasoned journalist, an aspiring critic, or an artist who wants to pivot to writing, we provide the support to help you shape your ideas, alongside a dedicated platform to get your work published and read by the local community. 🫂
As we expand our coverage, we're looking to recruit writers interested in three vital sectors: music 🎸 everything from DIY loft shows and underground releases to local indie labels pushing boundaries; dance 💃 everything from street and contemporary, to experimental movement that defines Montreal's physical spaces; and visual art 🖼️ highlighting the indie galleries, street art, and artist-run centres that make up our city's creative ecosystem.
Forget The Box(.ca) offers writers:
💰 Honorariums
🧠 Writing Workshops
👥 One-on-one mentorship
🎟️ Access to local art events
📣 A Platform
🤝 Community
🚀 Open doors to larger publications
You don't need a big portfolio to start. If you have thoughts on local music, dance, or visual art, and want to spotlight some of the great work of local artists, reach out to us! 👋
📷 First photo: Provided by @growvemtl at @turbo_haus
📷 Second photo: Provided by @wafdcreations, taken by @susanmossphotography, featuring performers Rémy Saminadin, Nindy Banks, and Marie-Reine Kabasha
📷 Third photo: Provided by @wip.works, featuring work by @alexis1million
How to Apply: 📬
To get started, send an email to our Editor-in-Chief, Candice Ann, at candice@forgetthebox.ca. Tell us a bit about yourself, why you want to cover the scene, and any relevant experience you might have (experience is not required). 📩
World’s Smallest Comedy Night has so many cool things happening, so here are their events this week in order!
Classic Coke
Beat the Monday Blues with WSC’s OG offering, The World's Smallest Comedy Night!
Enjoy a showcase of the best comedians in the city, hot up-and-comers, national and international touring comics, and surprises!
This edition is hosted by Vance Michel.
WHAT: World's Smallest Comedy Night
WHERE: Hurley's Irish Pub, 1225 Crescent St., Montreal, H3G 2B1
WHEN: Every Monday, Doors @ 7 PM, Show @ 8 PM
METRO: Lucien l'Allier (Orange) & Guy-Concordia (Green)
TICKETS: Eventbrite
Dirty Monday
The Monday Night Dirty Mic is the place to be! 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 @ 10 PM, Show @ 1030 PM
METRO: Lucien l'Allier (Orange) & Guy-Concordia (Green)
DETAILS: Facebook
