The spirit of giving at Montreal shows this week

With the holidays and year-end parties right around the corner, events usually get a little lean, and this week is a good example of that. That said, there are still some great shows happening this week and, more importantly, shows where your attendance can actually help some people out. Over the past couple of years, Montreal has seen a wave of benefit shows set up by big-hearted promoters and bands. Hopefully this fad will never die.

Thursday: The seventh edition of Riot Thursdays at Katacombes keeps churning tonight with a serious line up that smacks of punk rock. Tonight you can catch Cloaca, Public Outsiders and Comrade Nixon. 1635 St-Laurent, 9 p.m., $5/PWYC

If you like your pop heavy and with flourishes of math, you’re probably holding tickets for the Pup show with Gulfer at Sala (hopefully, ’cause this show is sold out). If you’re lucky they will pull out their Buzzcocks cover — if they don’t, demand it! 4848 St-Laurent, 9 p.m., sold out

At la Vitrola, you can dig deep for the NODAPL benefit with Brave Radar, Phern, Mich Cota, B.H.O., Inland Island and Lil Fire. All of the proceeds will go to the official Sacred Stone Camp Gofundme page. 4602 St-Laurent, 8:30 p.m., $10 suggested donation (no one turned away for lack of funds)

Friday: Molten metal heads you will want shuffle your chucks to Katacombes for Abigail Williams, Wolvhammer, Amienus and Hands of Despair. 1635 St-Laurent, 7 p.m., $20/$25

La Vitrola is hosting the second edition of the MTLHC Christmas Benefit Party. Proceeds from the show will go to buying toys for needy children. The punks with a heart of gold are Harriers, Nuke, Gazm, Boundaries, Rusted Mind and Front Commun. 4602 St-Laurent, 7:30 p.m., $15/$10 with a food donation

Saturday: If you have a hankering for some hardcore, head to Katacombes for 2X4, Drag the Lake, Scarfold, Go to White Castle and A Wasted Sacrifice. 1635 St-Laurent, 8 p.m., $12/$15

Monday: For those of you who didn’t make it to the Wolvhammer show, you may want to dust off your cardigan for the soft strum of Ultimate Painting with EZTV and le Vaisseau  d’Or at Casa. 4873 St-Laurent, 9 p.m., $12/$15

Tuesday: Dear Denizen is one of the city’s true jewels, possessing one of the most heartfelt croons to ever flood yer ears. Tonight they launch their second EP at Casa. 4873 St-Laurent, 8:30 p.m., price unlisted

Freshly back from his tour with UUBBUURRUU, Deadly Mardi promoter Joey Napoleon jumps right in and keeps his DIY series going at Rockette with Lemongrab and Kristian North. 4479 St-Denis, 10 p.m., $5/PWYC

Current Obsession: Nadya, Radiance of Shadows

jonathan.cummins@gmail.com