Puces POP

Fringe ArtsJulia Jones & Natalie Gitt — Published September 28, 2010

This event happens in the heart of the Mile End on the last two days of POP Montreal.

In its sixth edition, Puces has an even broader variety of participants than in previous years.

Along with the returning glory of the arts and crafts sale, Puces POP will also host Fashion POP, which will feature six emerging fashion designers. This is the first year that participants submitted their own application rather than being invited.

L’il Biz is a workshop offered by distinguished artists for emerging artists. This event is for artists and crafters who want to improve their business skills and learn how to hack it as an entrepreneur.

The Record Fair will offer a space for music nerds looking to expand their collections. A gear swap and guitar repair area will also be available.

Roughly 20 per cent of all applicants were accepted.

“Every year we get a growing number of submissions,” event organizer Marilis Cardinal said.

Cardinal said one of craft sale’s new highlights is the presence of Raymond Biesinger, an illustrator new to Montreal published by the New Yorker, and Le Petit Cupcakery, that brings together exotic ingredients to create fun treats like the bacon cupcake.

“We are really excited to see how people react this year to the new arrivals; it always depends on so many factors, but hopefully the weather will be nice and people will come out,” Cardinal said.

“We always joke, my coworker [Amy Johnson] and I, that we are getting [vendors] to come so we can shop! It’s creating our perfect shopping experience.”

Puces POP Record
Fair Celebrates Its
Third Anniversary

There is a raw authenticity behind the jumps and crackles you hear when you put on a vinyl record that makes the entire experience so much better than, say, placing your iPod in the speaker dock.

If records are your thing, whether for hanging on the wall, making popcorn bowls out of—yes, people seriously do that—or for actually listening to, then make your way to the basement of the Ukrainian Federation this coming weekend for the 3rd Annual Puces POP Record Fair.

The two-day fair, which runs alongside Puces POP’s Craft Fair, will feature an overwhelming array of old and new vinyl.

Vendors include not only record collectors, but also local indie labels like Arbutus Records and Fixture Records, as well as local record stores like Primitive and Phonopolis.

Also featured will be art works made from vinyl, hand-made instruments and a space that will cater to instrument repairs.

A vinyl collection is a tangible treasure for both young and old. Of course, it also rules that the Record Fair will offer food and beer—everything is more fun when beer is
involved, right?

On top of that, the fair will provide a listening station where you can spin your selections before purchase, so rest assured you’ll go home with the right records at the end of the day.

Puces POP Record Fair takes place Oct. 2 and 3 from 11 a.m.—6 p.m. at the basement of the Ukrainian Federation (5213 Hutchinson St.) Admission is free.

This article originally appeared in Volume 31, Issue 07, published September 28, 2010.