By now we’ve all heard that this Saturday will be a big party, with the Common in particular being a hotbed of house music and crowd navigating thanks to deadmau5’ appearance. But what if you don’t want to don your best red-and-white for an event that can feel like a celebration of settlers and colonization? Skip to these shows which either display fierce anti-150 sentiments (like the art of Raven Davis), ignore the holiday all together or at least don't feel like taking a straight shot of maple syrup.
SakKijâjuk: Art and Craft from Nunatsiavut
Instead of zooming in on Canada, one option for an alternative July 1 is to celebrate another region. This AGNS show gives you that chance, as it is the first major exhibition to highlight work from the Nunatsiavut region (an autonomous area claimed by the Inuit people of Newfoundland and Labrador that achieved self-government in 2005). It features traditional works made from materials like fur and saltwater seagrass as well as more modern mediums like video.
The De-Celebration of Canada 150
Artist Raven Davis reminds us of the necessary, under-discussed other side of the holiday with this provoking contemporary exhibition that critically explores Canadian propaganda and how the celebration of Canada 150 perpetuates the erasure of Indigenous people.
Introtyl w/Existench, SpaceHogSlobMonster, Crotchrot
While definitely not an anti-Canada show, this concert does offer a rare chance to see a snippet of Mexico's girl-rock revolution without buying a plane ticket, thanks to face-melting Mexico City rockers Introtyl. We’re pretty confident they’ll be loud enough to drown out the fireworks, too.
Adam Baldwin at the Marquee
Again, not anti-Canada, but this one’s for those looking for sonic refuge from the concert on the Common: With set times that overlap with the city’s show and lyrics examining the Canadian Dream (and its flaws), Baldwin’s blue-jean-approved show will be more dad rock than deadmau5.
