Thursday, Feb. 18

Naz & Maalik

Head to the MAI for the vernissage of Senegalese-born, Manitoba-raised multidisciplinary artist Anna Binta Diallo’s exhibition Palimpseste, featuring collage, projections, painting and printing to re-invent found images representing African and Indigenous cultural identities. 3680 Jeanne-Mance, 6–9 p.m., free

It’s opening night for the Massimadi Film Festival, exploring the experience of LGBTQ members of Afro-Caribbean communities with a screening tonight of Naz & Maalik, filmmaker Jay Dockendorf’s story of two closeted Muslim teens in Brooklyn whose lives get even more complicated due to some FBI interference. A Q&A with the director will follow. 535 Viger E., 7 p.m., $10

Basia Bulat launches her new album Good Advice, which bears a sound more pop than folk, and was produced by My Morning Jacket’s Jim James. The opening act is John Jacob Magistery. Club Soda (1225 St-Laurent), 8 p.m., $28

Local band Thus Owls, who released a great EP called Black Matter late last year, are playing a very special show (with a string section and extra vocalists) at the Gèsu church/art space as part of the Montréal en Lumière festival. 1200 Bleury, 8 p.m., $26–$37.30

Burlesque sensation Miss Ginger celebreates her birthday with a headlining show at the Wiggle Room: Miss Ginger’s Gallery of Goth. She’ll be joined by Lou Lou la Duchesse de Rière, DeeDee Dynasty, Matt Risk, Genie Emerald, Ruby Rhapsody and Honey Dynamite. As a special bonus, audience members will get a chance to win a pair of tickets to see the Cure this summer. 3874 St-Laurent, 9 p.m., $20/$15 in advance

Join your fellow film buffs (and hip hop heads) for tonight’s launch party for the Rendez-Vous du Cinéma Québécoise (RVCQ) featuring a free party with performances from Eman & Vlooper, Poirier, Maybe Watson (Alaclair Ensemble) and Robert Nelson, with visuals from VJ Ben Aballah and a special drink menu from Patrice Plante of Monsieur Cocktail. Cinémathèque Québécoise (355 de Maisonneuve E.), 9:30 p.m., free

Electro-pop band Young Galaxy is playing a local show for the first time since releasing their latest album Falsework (and adding dancers to their show). The opening act is L.A. Foster. Théâtre Fairmount (5240 Parc), 10 p.m., $15

See our Event Listings for more concert, nightlife, theatre, comedy and community event options. See our Art Listings here.