Thursday, Feb. 22

From John Trengove’s The Wound

The 19th edition of Montréal en Lumière begins today, promising the usual blend of live music — including shows by the Franklin Electric, David Myles, les Deuxluxes, Raveen, Vieux Farka Touré and Kae Sun — along with other performances and culinary events, while the festival’s outdoor site (the Place des Festivals) will be illuminated with installations, kiosks and rides. As part of Montréal en Lumière (and running the duration of the festival, through March 4), performers from five Montreal circuses — including the big one — and a selection of international circus artists will take part in Tohu’s third annual signature-show series, Coups de Coeur. 2345 Jarry E., $15–$48

Griffintown’s Galerie Antoine Ertaskiran launches a big group exhibition called Our Thing, featuring works by accomplished Canadian and international artists Aude Pariset, Jon Rafman and Christopher Kulendran Thomas that examine our relationships to the three aspects of personal influence, ‘the environmental’, ‘the social’ and ‘the psychological.’ 1892 Payette, 5–8 p.m., free

The 10th annual Massimadi Film Festival celebrating Afro-LGBT cinema begins with South African director John Trengove’s The Wound, a feature film about a closeted relationship in the context of the the Xhosa initiation ritual.” The Wound (in the Xhosa language with English subtitles) will be preceded by the Senegalese short Aliou’s Journey (with French subs). McGill’s Moyse Hall (853 Sherbrooke W.), 6:30 p.m., $15

As part of Montreal’s Black History Month celebrations, vocalist Nadia Theobal takes on the songbook of powerful and political jazz singer Nina Simone with a tribute concert at le Balcon. 463 Ste-Catherine W., 8 p.m., $25 or $60 includes dinner

Tonight’s edition of recurring LGBT party LIP goes down at Mile End nightclub Datcha, with guest DJs Honeydrip and Bate Kush joining the event’s resident/founder Frankie Teardrop. 98 Laurier W., 10 p.m., free before 11 p.m./$10 or PWYC after

For more music events, see our Event Listings. Art Listings can be found here.