Thursday, Sept. 22

American Lips

Today marks Montreal’s annual Startup Open House, where community members, students, freelancers and professionals can get a taste of what goes on inside the city’s creative start-up hives, and maybe even land a new job. Free shuttles and special deals with Car2Go will help you hop from spot to spot. Various locations, 3–8 p.m., free (RSVP required)

The Darling Foundry invites you to a festive vernissage to kick off their fall season, featuring exhibitions by Montreal artists Julie Favreau and Sarah Greig. Launching at the same time will be new issues of two art mags, Bosquet and Espace art actuel. DJ Oxyde de chrome will be providing tunes and food truck CHOLO 58 will be on hand for snacks. 745 Ottawa, 5–10 p.m., free

Join author John Semley at Drawn & Quarterly for the launch of his new book, This Is a Book About the Kids in the Hall, a well-researched chronicle of the influential sketch comedy troupe chock full of interviews, insider remembrances and reflection on the lasting impact of the group. Joining Semley in conversation will be comedian David Heti. 211 Bernard W., 7 p.m., free

Here are tonight’s picks for the POP Montreal festival:

The great John Cale (co-founder of the Velvet Underground, with a long a fruitful solo career under his belt), plays the Rialto with the Helena Deland quartet. 5723 Parc, 8 p.m., $40/$65 for Golden Circle tickets

Fixture Records hosts an all-ages showcase featuring four local bands making distinct variations of weird pop: Chevalier Avant Garde, Freelove Fenner, Brave Radar, Phern and Mavo, with an art installation by the Submissives. 5719 Parc, 9 p.m., $10

Now here’s a rock ’n’ roll show that’s hard to beat: At le Ritz, Ottawa power-pop band the Steve Adamyk Band, Montreal garagers Sonic Avenues, American Lips (a new band featuring DFA ’79’s Sebastien Grainger and Adrian Popovich of Tricky Woo) and Toronto’s Bankruptcy (feat. the Dears alum/solo artist Rob Benvie).179 Jean-Talon W., 9:30 p.m., $12

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