Entertainment Notebook: Grow blooms at the Segal Centre; Grand Prix Party fever and more | Entertainment

The Segal Centre for Performing Arts will conclude its 2025-26 season with Grow, a bold new Canadian musical by the originating producer of Come From Away, Michael Rubinoff. The musical features a book by Matt Murray and a vibrant score by Colleen Dauncey and Akiva Romer-Segal. This Montreal premiere will run from May 24 to June 14, , at the Sylvan Adams Theatre.

In Grow, twin sisters from an Amish community leave their sheltered rural life to experience the realities of the big city. What do they find? An unexpected entrepreneurial venture… in an urban cannabis grow-op. Between culture shock, dreams of freedom, and a redefinition of family values, Hannah and Ruth soon discover that sometimes we flourish in the most unlikely places. Full of humor, tenderness, and insight, this show explores universal themes such as family, faith, and the power of choosing one’s own path. Fueled by a dynamic score and endearing characters, Grow offers a fresh and heartfelt take on youth, belief, and the beauty of opening up to the world.

« Mark my words—you’ll be proud to say you saw it first in Montreal when it takes Broadway by storm. » said Artistic and Executive Director Lisa Rubin.

The cast is composed of Annelise Forbes, Julia Pulo, Alicia Ault, Lauren Bowler, Kyle Brown, Jake Cohen, Holly Gauthier-Frankel, Katie McMillan, Jamie McRoberts, Mike Melino, Daniel Reale and Daniel Williston. Jonathan Corkal-Astorga is the band leader. Info: www. Segalcentre.org

EXPERIENCE THE ICONIC RITZ-CARLTON GALA: I am very much looking forward to attending Bal Interdit: Evening After Dark at the Ritz-Carlton on Grand Prix Race Weekend, Presented by Mercedes-Benz. This will be my first time there and from I am told, it is not simply a party…it is an experience reserved for those who understand that true luxury is never advertised…only discovered. The general public can indeed buy tickets, while they last. For one night only, The Ritz will transforms into an after-dark world where luxury meets temptation, and nothing is quite as it seems. Attendees will move through two opulent floors inspired by the Seven Deadly Sins—each space revealing a different shade of desire. A subtle after-dark, red light district ambiance will lingers through the experience—deep hues, shadowed corners, and a sense that not everything is meant to be revealed.

• Lust — dim lights, slow rhythms, and undeniable tension

• Greed — excess, opulence, and unapologetic desire for more

• Envy — beauty, presence, and the art of being seen

• Gluttony — indulgent culinary moments without restraint

• Wrath — energy, release, and the pulse of the night

• Sloth — velvet lounges, lingering moments, quiet seduction

• Pride — the grand stage, where presence becomes power

Curated to seduce every sense, a feast will include: gourmet food stations by The Ritz-Carlton’s celebrated culinary team; an open bar all night featuring signature cocktails and premium spirit; Laurent-Perrier Champagne flowing until 9 pm; an Antonius Caviar station for a heightened level of indulgence; and live DJs and immersive performances throughout the night. Folks will also uncover the Canadian premiere of the Mercedes-AMG Concept GT XX.  A limited number of guests will be welcomed as capacity has been intentionally reduced to preserve exclusivity.  You can do that here. 

Oh yes, the dress code is black tie only

PLAYMAS AND COMEDY: Playmas Montreal Cultural Association and Overture with the Arts will present Comedy, Cocktails and Cupcakes on Thursday, May 22 (6:30 pm). This will support the latter and the GemStar Circle of Excellence Program. The fun filled fundraiser will feature delicious cupcakes, light refreshments, cocktails, and, of course, comedy featuring four hilarious comedians. It will take place, at the Pierrefonds Cultural Centre, (13850 Boulevard Gouin Ouest_) Tickets are $60 each and include one complimentary cocktail, cupcakes and comedy. Your support helps fund scholarships and initiatives led by Playmas and OWTA. E-tickets are available here.    

ONE MAN SHOW: Théâtre Outremont has announced that Montreal underground icon Elle Barbara will be performing her new show titled One Man Show on May 22. After a successful performance at the 2025 edition of FTA, the artist will be performing songs from Word On the Street, her first album in 10 years.

One Man Show is a theatrical journey into Elle Barbara’s personal and intellectual world, providing a rare glimpse into the artist’s catalogue, with tracks from Word on the Street and some surprise covers of timeless classics.The show’s title serves not only as a reminder that Elle Barbara identifies as a man despite her transfeminine journey, but as a direct reference to Jamaican singer Grace Jones‘ 1981 A One Man Show tour. This nod signals both connection and intention, as One Man Show blends concert and theatrical performance to create a space for reinvention, glamour and cultural resistance. Directed by the American choreographer Raja Feather Kelly, One Man Show uses a surrealist, radical lens to explore where pop and queer cultures meet theatrical abstraction. Feather Kelly brings a strong, playful touch to the show, oscillating between intimacy, spectacle, discipline and excess. The songs from Barbara’s latest album Word on the Street are a playful critique of contemporary socioeconomic systems, and One Man Show brings the album to the stage, drawing inspiration from film noir, the Golden Age of Hollywood, its counterculture and the Harlem Renaissance.

DISCUSSION AND THEATRICAL PRESENTATION ON THE HOLOCAUST:  Michel Celemenski is coming to Montreal to speak on Thursday, May 14 (7 pm) at the Montreal Holocaust Museum for what he is calling “a major event in my life.” Part of  Celemenski’s address will be about a play he has been writing over the last two years. The discussion will be moderated by a literary expert and will be followed by readings of various passages from the play by him and  two actors. He will also share his  own experiences as a child of Holocaust survivors.

In addition, this event will be an opportunity to pay tribute to the work of his first cousin Leon (Loulou) Celemencki, who, for many years at this Museum, shared his experiences as a hidden child in occupied France during the Second World War with hundreds of children and educators. 

The event poster  above features the only photograph of the entire family, including his sister Annie, and Loulou, in front of their corner shop on Van Horne Street in Outremont in 1963. This fragile, imperfect image captures the spirit of the times. ” particularly love the fact that Loulou’s hand – he became my big brother when he arrived in Canada – rests on my shoulder,” he says. “I am deeply moved to be contributing to this event and to have Loulou return to the very place where he carried out his advocacy work. His message, more relevant than ever, was to reject all forms of discrimination, racism and anti-Semitism.”

You can reserve tickets here 

DOLLARD SPRING SHOW: The Artists Association of Dollard Spring Show will take place May 16 and 17 (10 am to 4 pm) at  the Dollard Civic Centre Banquet Hall (12001 Blvd. De Salaberry). There will be special live demonstrations such as Chalky  showcasing how he transforms the inner workings of pianos into extraordinary sculptural creations. Renée Misgala will demonstrate her artistic process while creating a portrait of her beloved dog. And son’t miss the vernissage on Saturday at 2 pm, featuring refreshments and an opportunity to meet the talented artists behind the work. Arraffle will benefit West Island Community Shares. Go to www.artddo.ca

THE RUBIN REPORT: And here is this week’s edition of the Rubin Report. Take it away rocker Stewart Rubin!

Adouna Senegalese singer-songwriter Cheikh Ibra Fam has released his latest album, Adouna. The title, which means “life,” perfectly captures the essence of the record. Deeply rooted in Cheikh’s culture, Adouna blends jazz, reggae, and blues into a rich and soulful musical experience. Cheikh has been immersed in music since a young age, and that lifelong passion is evident throughout the album. He pours his heart and soul into every track, creating something both personal and universally relatable. I had the opportunity to speak with him about how it all began and where he draws his inspiration.

For the full interview and review, use the link below.

What do Devo, Nirvana, and Angine de Poitrine have in common? As a musician myself, I see one key connection: innovation. Each of these acts has changed the way we view music and how it’s performed. They’ve pushed boundaries in sound and carved out distinct visual identities. From Devo’s iconic energy dome hats to Nirvana’s flannel shirts and raw aesthetic, these bands helped define entire eras. Now, Angine de Poitrine brings a fresh twist with polka dots and papier-mâché masks—proving that image and sound still go hand in hand.

For the full article, see the link below.

Last week, I sat down with producer and ethnomusicologist Jacob Edgar to discuss his more than 20-year journey in music. Edgar approaches music like a heartbeat—the ups, the downs, and the intricate movements that shape how we experience sound. As he described it, ethnomusicology is about understanding the “ABCs of how we hear music and what it means to us.” We also spoke about the artists he collaborates with and the many projects he has worked on over the years.

For the complete article and live interviews, go to  www.Daylitevampires.com

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