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There is an increasing demand for basic social services and housing for youth on the streets, reports The Gazette.

Travail de la Rue Ile de Laval (TRIL) is a not-for-profit program acting as a secure place for young people to access legal advice or an adult confidante.

They say that staggering unemployment, high school dropout and high rent are some of the reasons why youth use their services.

They offer transitional housing, and have a drop-in site where youth in need can come to eat, do laundry or take a hot shower.

And in Laval, with very little affordable housing options, many kids have to choose between eating or paying rent, ending up taking to the street.

Laval is often thought of as being a rich neighbourhood, but poverty strikes there too, and it is becoming more and more visible.

TRIL is being financed through Centraide this year, and they always accept donations of all kinds and seek more volunteers.

My last night of Pop Montreal festivities was spent at the PASA Musik Showcase. I made my way to Club Lambi to take in the sounds of Sarah MK, La Bronze, and Elsiane.

Of the three performing females, I was most familiar with Sarah MK. The last time I heard her perform was at Conn-Shawnery's CS02 record launch. Her Worth It CD from last year caught fire on CJLO charts and playlists. I naturally looked forward to the moment she sang "Think Dat". The songstress can also rap which could make for an interesting album if she were inclined to do so.

Next to perform was La Bronze, a group consisting of a keyboardist, guitarist, the singer and occasional background vocalists. To my surprise, the small drum kit being set up after Sarah MK's set was for the singer. It is not often that we get to see a female drummer and singer. What is even rarer is to see a female drummer and singer spontaneously break into dance choreography at any time. That happened that night at Club Lambi, and added to an already lively performance. In most cases, the drums are in the background of songs. With La Bronze, the drums are at the forefront of the music. For those who like their music on the heavier, percussive side, La Bronze's sounds are for you.

Elsiane closed off the night's trio of female performers. At one point when she was preparing her next song, I heard someone near me call the names of Enya and Bjork in describing her effect on him. Elsiane was the most unique vocalist of the night, and of my Pop Montreal 2012 experience. My theory is that she may have been classically trained. Her singing quality was operatic in nature to me. It would be easy to do like the gentleman near me and compare her to other artists but that would rob her of her originality. She also brought a unique aura and stage presence to Club Lambi. The Pop Montreal performance was her last before leaving for a European tour. The new album is called Mechanics of Emotion.

A special note of mention to the showcase host JJanice and his fellow MC, the musicians present that night, the organizers and Beat The World's DJ Sugarface Nene for making this review possible.

Hosted by: Kurt Weiss

Stories by: Carlo Spiridigliozzi, Saturn De Los Angeles, Danny Aubry

Produced by: Catlin Spencer

A prisoner escaped from the Montée St-François jail on Sunday night.

According to CBC News, 56 year old Gilles Meloche is the second inmate to escape from the minimum security federal prison located in Laval this past week.

Guards at the prison discovered Meloche was missing during a head count before curfew.

Meloche has been serving his sentence since September 1980. He was charged with attempted murder, forcible confinement, theft and armed robbery.

Correctional Services Canada is teaming up with the SQ, Laval police and the prison to catch the runaway. Anyone with information of his whereabouts should call the police.

Flickr Photo by: my_southborough