Friday, Sept. 30 - Cult MTL

Krief

Today is the first day of annual Quebec-wide arts open house day Journées de la Culture — now in its 20th edition — where arts and cultural institutions all over town will be welcoming members of the public to demonstrations, workshops, activities and other special events throughout the weekend. Check here for a full list of Montreal programming. Various locations, 10 a.m.–10 p.m., free, continues through Sunday

Beginning today and running every Friday and Saturday evening for the next month is a special outdoor Oktoberfest celebration of beers at Olympic Stadium’s Jardineries site, featuring beer tastings from microbreweries, German-style snacks by local chefs, DJs and games like beer pong, croquet and giant versions of Jenga and Connect-4. Esplanade Sun Life, Olympic Stadium, 4115 Pierre-de-Coubertin, 5–11 p.m., free entry. Runs Fridays and Saturdays to Oct 28.

Join the organizers of the upcoming improv comedy festival MPROV for a fundraising night of hilarious performances from jokesters like Tranna Wintour, Employees of the Year, Moxy Scallywag (Maxine Segalowitz) and more, with prizes from institutions like the MMFA, Centaur Theatre, Montreal Sketchfest, Naada Yoga and more up for grabs. Montreal Improv (3697 St-Laurent), 8 p.m., free

The Red Bull Music Academy presents Drone Activity in Progress, a two-room celebration of unconventional sound in Griffintown, featuring artists including Tim Hecker (who will play both rooms simultaneously at 2 a.m.) Drainolith, Gambletron, thisquietarmy, Kara-Lis Coverdale and Venetian Snares. 431 St-Martin, 8 p.m., $10

Fugitive is the new, second album by local synth wave artist Xarah Dion, and it’s launching tonight at le Ritz with opening act Gold Zebra. 179 Jean-Talon W., 9 p.m., $10

Montreal singer-songwriter and guitar hero Krief (of the-Dears fame) launches a two-part double LP called Automanic (Red and Blue) — the record is even more epic in sound than in length — tonight at Cabaret Lion d’Or. 1676 Ontario E., p.m., $14/$17 (includes a free copy of the record)

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