Magazine

Independent, provocative, now! The CJLO Magazine is the resource for features, reviews, and interviews. Established in 2004, and run by dedicated CJLO volunteers, the magazine covers the latest and best in local and international music, art, theatre, film, festivals, and more!

Fantasia Week 1: Welcoming Back the Audience

July 26 2022 // Remi Caron // Film

It’s been a good two years since the Fantasia Film Festival had the opportunity to showcase the premier genre film festival to an audience on the big screen, having a limited opportunity last year with the gradual reopening of the theaters. I had some time to catch some theater screenings that played well with the audience, which only proves that the audience is the heart and core of the festival. It was also great to see some familiar faces and audience members who haven’t seen each other in a while due to the pandemic.

The Shazam Festival 2022

July 25 2022 // Robert Portnoff // Magazine // Features

The Shazam Festival took place over the weekend of July 9, where the hills of the eastern townships were alive with the sound of music and mayhem. Free from Covid restrictions for the first time in years, the festival was able to go ahead at full capacity. 

Fantasia 2022: Remi & Danny's picks for the grand return to theatres for the premiere-genre film festival

July 13 2022 // Remi Caron & Dany Aubry // Film

It’s been a good two years since the full return to an in-person experience at the Fantasia Film Festival, with a few in-person events last year. Speaking from the past five years of experience, Fantasia with a full audience is the best possible way to enjoy the festival with everything that makes it special, including CJLO DJ’s and meowing cat noises.

Montreal Fringe: A Murder Mystery and a Raunchy Bonhomme Carnaval

July 8 2022 // Sruthi Matta // Magazine // Features

An Awkward Apologetic Evening with Leighland Beckman

I was at the Petit Campus once again to spend an evening with Leighland Beckman. The Fringe description for his show promised the audience a guitarist, dirty songs, profuse apologies and a happy ending. 

Montreal Fringe: What About Albert?, A Mini Essay

June 19 2022 // Kaitlyn DiBartolo // Magazine // Features

Not everyone is lucky enough of having a workplace that’s at least a smidgen enjoyable, as evidenced in The Malicious Basement Theatre Company’s What About Albert?, written by Xander Chung. The plot follows a day in the shift of two part-time workers, a grill sergeant named Pod (Jordan Prentice) and fry cook named Pick (Fanny Dvorkin), in the hell-scape of the fast food chain they work at.

Montreal Fringe Matt Enos & The Rivermen Can Make Any Evening Blissful

June 18 2022 // Sruthi Matta // Magazine // Concert Reviews

Sunday evening, at a cosy Petit Campus on Prince Arthur Street, was a band mesmerising their audience with soulful blues and jazz tunes. 

Montreal Fringe: Sire: A Father-Daughter Vampire Story

June 14 2022 // Kaitlyn DiBartolo // Magazine // Features

The other night I got the chance to see actress, playwright and producer, Darragh Mondoux’s “Sire: A Father-Daughter Vampire Story,” brought to the Montreal Fringe fest by A Heart of Gold Productions. Joining Mondoux onstage is painter and graphic designer Robert Mondoux, who portrays Vera’s vampire father and who offstage, also lives the role (sans being a vampire, of course).

Hip-Hop for Life: the Music Video Edition

June 14 2022 // Remi Caron // Magazine // Features

Lately there’s been an effervescence ringing through the city, and my bets are on it being from CJLO celebrating its third Hip-Hop for Life this week! The Afro-American music genre transcends itself into an impetus that sparks social change, awareness and community. In addition to curated shows, playlists, conferences, and workshops all dedicated to celebrating hip-hop’s vast and pervasive influence within art, the media, politics, culture, language, fashion and so much more; the magazine team wants to hop (pun unintended) onto the zeitgeist too and show some love.

Montreal Fringe: The Sky Never Looked Better, Thanks to Plateau Astro’s Night Sky Tour

June 13 2022 // Sruthi Matta // Magazine // Features

The popular Montreal Fringe Festival has finally begun. Of all the indoor art, music and theatre performances it usually hosts, this year’s Fringe is back in full swing and expanding to outdoor activities again. Taking advantage of the summer clear skies and this expansion, Plateau Astro has joined Fringe to organize The Night Sky Tour.

Ideas of Space: Tess Roby Emerges From her Chrysalis

June 9 2022 // Kaitlyn DiBartolo // Magazine // Interviews

Art knows Spring as the metaphorical time of rebirth and Tess Roby’s sophomore album Ideas of Space is no exception.

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