Montreal Underground Origins

On November 15, we’re putting CKUT on the map! The map of Afro-Montreal Culture & Nightlife, that is : nightsofmontreal.com

ARCMTL and AFROMUSÉE present a new monthly series of presentations on the history and evolution of the Afro-Montreal culture and nightlife.

November 15, 5 – 8 p.m., Afromusée, 533 Ontario E. (corner Berri, Berri-UQAM Métro):

CKUT Radio with Howard ”Stretch” Carr and Butcher T., in discussion with Rito Joseph and Louis Rastelli.

When CKUT it hit the FM airwaves some 35 years ago, it quickly became an important voice for Montreal’s diverse Black communities. This was thanks to numerous radio shows that promoted concerts, festivals and events important to the community. Some of these shows have been on the air ever since!

Howard “Stretch” Carr has been a pillar of the Caribbean community in Montreal for over four decades. He will be joined by special guest DJ Butcher T. to talk about their experiences in the 70s and 80s, leading up to legendary radio shows, Stretch’s West Indian Rhythms and Butcher T.’s Noontime Cuts.

The discussion will explore their time performing in Montreal nightclubs in the 70s and 80s, being part of the city’s first block parties, reggae festivals and much more…

Find out more about this cultural history on this interactive map, Nights of Montreal. A co-production between ARCMTL and the Afromusée.

The New Penelope and its era – Call for memories!

The local non-profit archive ARCMTL is working on a book and online exhibit about the New Penelope and its era, 1965 – 1970.

For just a few years in the mid-to-late 1960s, the New Penelope became a legend in the history of Montreal music and nightlife. It was the first independent concert venue in Montreal to feature important names in 1960s rock, blues, folk and jazz, from Joni Mitchell and Muddy Waters to Frank Zappa and Jesse Winchester. All through 2023, we’re looking for anyone who remembers the era, or who may have related material such as old posters, flyers, audio or video recordings, ticket stubs and other ephemera. Please contact us if you or someone you know may be able to help! We can be reached by email at arcmtl@arcmtl.org.

Montreal Underground Origins

Montreal Underground Origins shines a light for current and future generations on the early days of what is now considered a thriving city of the arts. It was conceived and produced by the non-profit arts promotion and preservation organization, ARCMTL starting in 2014.

Check out our image blog to peruse excerpts and full scans of vintage photos, magazines and varied publications from the era — or go to our searchable collection of vintage Montreal magazines on the archive.org website. Our blog features a growing number of articles, interviews and discussion transcripts exploring various aspects of the 1960s – 1970s Montreal underground arts and activist scene.

Comments and discussion from the public are welcome! Anyone can post comments under each blog post on the site.

If you have any material or memories of your own to add, please email arcmtl@arcmtl.org to let us know.

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