Friday, March 27

Diana Ross in Lady Sings the Blues

Local poetry and prose publisher/blog Metatron launches its spring catalogue with readings of new work by Sophia Katz, Sara Sutterlin, David McGimpsey and @mtlbagelboy. Drawn & Quarterly (211 Bernard W.), 7–9 p.m., free

BBAM! Gallery screens Lady Sings the Blues, the 1972 Billie Holiday biopic starring Diana Ross in an Oscar-nominated performance, supported by Richard Pryor. 3255 St-Jacques W., 7–11 p.m.

Tonight brings two opportunities to see NYC’s “master of the dirty joke,” Big Jay Oakerson, at Théâtre Sainte Catherine, presented by new monthly comedy series the Brunch Club. 264 Ste-Catherine E., shows at 8 and 10 p.m., $20

L’Escogriffe’s 15th anniversary celebrations continues with a Montreal Psych Fest copresentation feat. UUBBUURRUU, Birds of Paradise and Trepanated Heads with DJ Tinsoldierman and visuals par Pink Veil. 4467 St-Denis, 9 p.m., $7

Orkestar Kriminal, a Montreal band that covers international criminal underworld anthems from the 1930s, launches a record (Tummel) at Divan Orange. See our interview with singer and band-leader Giselle Webber here. 4234 St-Laurent, 9:30 p.m., $10

Also launching a record tonight is local reggae/electro artist Face-T, bringing the riddim to le Belmont with opening sets by Poirier and Riddim Wise. See our Face-T interview here. 4483 St-Laurent, 10 p.m., $10

To see our round-up of vernissages and other art events happening today and through the weekend (+ complete gallery & museum listings), see Art This Week here.

For a round-up of heavy shows tonight and through the weekend, see Hammer of the Mods here.

Check out our complete listings for more concert, nightclub, theatre, comedy and art events.

Vote in our Best of MTL readers poll here.