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TONIGHT @ 6PM ON The Commonwealth Conundrum Show - the lovely Rebecca is interviewing James Mullinger about the premier of his first movie, The Comedian's Guide to Survival at this year's Just for Laughs Festival! During the second half of the show, she'll also interview The Autumn Stones, a Canadian dream pop band who are playing at Quai des Brumes this Saturday! You won't want to miss The Comedian's Guide To Survival - Just For Laughs premiere and The Autumn Stones / The Frisky Kids / Ada Lea // Quai des Brumes, Montréal!!

Give your Tuesday evenings a kick in the Commonwealths with Canadian Crackers, British Bangers, Aussie Rockers and Kiwi Karnage. The Commonwealth Conundrum is the place to hear indie, rock, alternative, punk, post-punk, industrial, and whatever awesome music is coming out of the Commonwealth countries. Every Tuesday from 6-7pm!

Radulov has a history of partying hard...

Promises of change were made, local sports media talked about a major shake-up happening, and with that in mind Marc Bergevin, Habs General Manager, sure did not disappoint! After drafting future number one D-man Mikhail Sergachev and trading Lars Eller for gritty forward Andrew Shaw, it happened—P. K. was traded! Fast forward a week later, Marc Bergevin, who is said not to be a fan of July 1st free agency day, signed often troubled KHL winger Alexander Radulov.

I like the signing of Radulov! I like it a lot. His favourite group is Metallica, so that in my book wins points instantaneously, but it is also a one year at 5.75 million, which for the average human is more money than we will ever make, but in the sports world it's a smart gamble. In comparison, Andrew Ladd, a player who is his thirties and clearly has much mileage on the body, was offered 6 years at 5.5 a year. The Islanders will regret this contract in 2 to 3 years, I am telling you. Even the Lucic deal, which in the short term could help bring a cup back to Edmonton since the early '90s, is a bad long-term deal. I could go on and name several bad deals that were signed on July 1st, but I want to concentrate on our team, the Habs. Marc Bergevin finally put his stamp on this team, and while doing so did not put his team in, what was referred to in sports, salary cap hell. Some fans say our GM doesn't make moves and is too cautious, but I think he is just very cap savvy. His predecessor, oh he made moves alright, trades like Ryan McDonough and Chris Higgins for Scott Gomez.

Radulov has a history of partying hard and it is public knowledge that during the 2012 NHL playoffs, when he was playing for the Nashville Predators, he received a one-game suspension from his own team for breaking curfew with former Canadien's fan favourite Andrei Kostitsyn. OK, I admit it, that was somewhat sarcastic and I do not have anything against Kostitsyn even if I did want him out of town quicker than we all did Scott Gomez. He is also remembered for swinging his hockey stick at his coach. I like that! Granted he is not taking a swing at my head, but I do like his intensity! He is known for being a very intense player win or loose. His penalty minutes in the last few years reflect his aggressiveness. Imagine a player like Brendan Gallagher but with the hands of Ovechkin. OK, maybe I am exaggerating a little, but he did register more points than Ovi in the 2014 Olympics, so for casual hockey fans reading my column, don't expect Radu to net 50 next year, OK?

He is a dynamic type of player who is not afraid to get in front of the net, still has good NHL-caliber speed at 30 years old, and has soft hands for playmaking abilities. I think it's safe and fair to expect a 25-goal season from the veteran Russian winger. He has dominated the KHL in the last 4 years playing for CSKA Moscow, winning multiple player of the week titles, MVP titles, and he is ranked second all-time in KHL scoring history. Add that to the fact that Radulov will feel right at home in Montreal, having played his Junior Hockey for the Quebec Ramparts under coach Patrick Roy, who owned and coached the team before making the jump to the Colorado Avalanche. He won the memorial cup defeating Ontario and Western Canada's best teams, all the while finishing with 55 points, a franchise record and second best in the league's history. The guy tied many records that year, even tying Sidney Crosby's point total from the year before and you're going to tell me this guy is not a gamer?

The new look Habs look very strong in my opinion. I would give Bergevin a 10/10 as far as his summer acquisitions are concerned. Many people are already bashing the Alexander Radulov signing without one game played and calling for Bergevin's job as General Manager. Let me say it again: this guy is a gamer. He is all attitude, flash and skills, and makes you quickly forget about a certain player. Besides, I say just take a look at this guy's face and tell me he won't kill it in a Habs uniform!

CJLO's Lazy Sunday Series

It should never be taken critically from people outside the Pokémon fandom when fans start tearing apart the designs for newly revealed Pokémon. It happens quite literally every generation. It's part of the adjustment process. As time goes on, we slowly get used to the sentient trash bags, keys, snow cones, triangle dragons and multi-headed hot-mess barnacles. Maybe less so that last one. Nonetheless, every gen has its oddballs and it's smash hits. Expect Gen 7 to be no different. 

June 30th marked the first wave of reveals along with a three-minute trailer showing them off in battle. These new little monsters were:

• Tapu Koko, the Fairy/Electric type
• Charjabug, the Bug/Electric type whom I've chosen to dub The Little Green Toaster Who Could
• Charjabug's evolution, Vikavolt, the flying polygon that keeps the same typing
• Falcor, I mean, Drampa, the Normal/Dragon type (players can now have their own Neverending Story)
• Bruxish, the Water/Psychic type fish who is a perfect example of why we shouldn't test cosmetics on animals
• Cutiefly, the Bug/Fairy type, and
• Togedemaru, the Electric/Steel lovechild of Pikachu and Sonic the Hedgehog.

About a week later, another Pokémon received a solo reveal: Salandit the Fire/Poison salamander with the ability to poison any type of Pokémon, including previously immune Poison and Steel types.

And just recently, more leaked images from Corocoro magazine showed Kiteruguma, a Normal/Fighting type. Despite its cartoony appearance, its Pokedex entry states that this oversized red-panda is so strong that it can break anything in two and raising one can put a trainer’s life in danger.

More importantly, it revealed Mimikkyu, A Ghost/Fairy type resembling a terribly bootlegged Pikachu. I say this one is the most important because of the Pokémon's back-story and how it has been received by fans since its reveal.

According to a translation of its Pokedex entry, Mimikkyu is a Ghost/Fairy that hates sunlight and prefers dark places. As such, it has made itself a Pikachu costume to shield itself from the sun. A Pikachu costume that is based on merch that was popular 20 years ago. Fans have taken to concluding that this poor little Ghost just wants to be loved, and being too scary or shy as it is, has chosen to cosplay one of the most beloved Pokémon of all time. There are now tons of little comic strips online of this costumed cutie trying to warm up to trainers and befriending Pikachus and just being plain adorable. For a Pokémon with possibly one of the saddest and loneliest little back-stories, it has quickly become a favourite among the fans, myself included.

Now, it's fairly clear who my favourites, could-care-less, and what-am-I-looking-at picks are. But a main concern I have for all of them is which evolve and which are just one-shot deals? In the trailers a lot of the new Pokémon are shown in battle at level 50, and the only confirmed evolution is Charjabugs. It's by all means possible that Alola is full of Pokémon that don't evolve, it's already clear that it has a preference for Fairy types, but I'm kind of hoping that Pokémon is trying to keep the evolutions a secret until the release of the game in November. Cutiefly and Togedemaru definitely deserve evolutions, and an evolution for my cosplay child would probably send fans over the edge in excitement. 

As for updates to the gameplay itself, a video was released on the Japanese Pokémon YouTube account on July 12th that hinted at a few new things...

Firstly, there will be a feature in which trainers can groom their Pokémon, possibly to increase their happiness. Whether or not this is a feature of Pokémon Amie is yet to be seen.

Secondly, the bracelet that I pointed out in my last article is shown to interact with your Pokémon, the starters specifically so far. What it does exactly is not clear, but Grass, Fire and Water Symbols do appear over your starter when activated. Perhaps it is a Pokémon-specific power-up or added ability?

Thirdly, footage shows trainers being able to ride Tauros, Stoutland, Lapras and Sharpedo on land and water in-world respectively. This seems to be an upgrade from riding the Rhyhorns in the last gen, and hopefully means you can ride Pokémon in your team and not just those in the overworld. 

For now, that is what fans have to work with until the next update. Only four more months until the game release, can you hold out?

--Catlin Spencer is a long-time volunteer and news director at CJLO with experience in writing, hosting, producing, and training under her belt. A lover of satire, cartoons and video games, Catlin is a huge dork who is always one line away from making a really bad pun.

--Visit the CJLO Magazine every Lazy Sunday for our specialty columns, reviews, and features! Root-de-doo-de-doo, a-root-de-doot-de doy di, a-root-de doot de dum, a-ree-de-dee-de-doo dee - doo doo... Lazy Sunday afternoon... got no mind to worry...

Festival International Nuits d'Afrique has brought the world to Montreal music fans for three decades and is still going strong. The festival's rich history includes legendary performers, homegrown talent, fun workshops and family activities, and the most exciting outdoor celebrations of the summer at Quartier des spectacles. CBC journalist,musician, traveller, and CJLO "Grrls Groove" alumnus Emily Brass brings us her top-three must see performers at this year's festival!

Manu Dibango

Cool, energetic and charming, Manu Dibango's performances are so high-powered, it's easy to forget his age. But at 82, the elder statesman of world music says he'll be passing the baton at this year's Nuits d'Afrique, taking the stage with the winner of this year's Syli D'Or contest, Montreal-based Cuban band, Proyecto Irie.

An icon among saxophonists, Dibango has always placed groove above glory, with multifaceted material that's greater than the sum of its parts. Rather than putting the spotlight on his horn playing prowess, his scant solos take the back seat to infectious hooks that sink into your soul.

Despite his humble demeanour, Dibango is a musician of greatness, a pioneer whose style influenced musicians of all genres. The founding father of makossa, he was one of the first artists to fuse jazz, funk and reggae with African stylings. The theme of his groundbreaking 1972 worldwide hit "Soul Makossa" created the anthem "mama ko, mama sa, mako makossa" later adopted by countless performers, including Michael Jackson.

Above all, his music is laidback, alluring and FUN. His ever-present smile charms the crowd, and he seems to soak in the loving vibes audiences inevitably reflect back to him. Don't miss this chance to say farewell to the "Lion of Cameroon", a master who dedicated his life to taking African grooves to higher heights around the globe.

Manu Dibango plays Theatre Fairmount Monday, July 18 at 8 pm.

Faris Amine

Faris Amine's music transports you to a serene dreamscape where edgy guitar lines akin to Jimmy Hendrix meet the ethereal musical vibes of the Algerian desert. His latest album, 'Mississippi to Sahara,' soothes the soul like a cool wind in the warm desert air, a breezy set of smooth grooves that show how much of the blues is rooted in the musical heritage of the Tamasheq culture of North Africa.

With an Italian dad and an Algerian Tuareg mom, the musical ambassador blends traditional Tuareg stylings into old school Mississippi blues. He refashions the lyrics into the Tamasheq language, laying rich African harmonies and percussion onto the intricate, emotional guitar styles of American legends such as Leo Bud Welch, who collaborated on his latest release.

If you're a fan of African master Ali Farka Touré or US blues icons such as John Lee Hooker, this show's for you. Take a seat, relax your mind and soak in the mellow, entrancing sounds of this up and comer who counts Ben Harper and Taj Mahal among his biggest fans.

Faris plays Club Balattou Tuesday, July 19 at 8:30 pm.

Meiway & Zo Gang

Nuits d'Afrique always goes big with its closing concert, and this year is no exception. This heavy hitter is a legend of the dance floors of Africa, setting crowds on fire with his zoblazo grooves, a style he's credited with inventing.

Recognized as one of the top voices of Africa, Meiway has been singing his whole life, getting his start at an early age in the parish choir alongside his musician parents. Today, he's seen as a top performer of the percussion-based style stemming from the electrifying sounds of Ghana and his native southern Ivory Coast.

Expect a huge, amped-up crowd at Place des Festivals for this closing show, with dancers waving white handkerchiefs as they celebrate the passion and joy of this irresistible, relentless African beat that will undoubtedly put a smile on your face and a shimmy to your hips.

Meiway & Zo Gang plays the Parterre du Quartier des Spectacles Sunday, July 24 at 9:30 pm.

Festival Nuits d'Afrique runs from July 12th to July 24th at Quartier des spectacles in the heart of downtown Montreal, and venues across the city. All photos courtesy of festivalnuitsdafrique.com.