Catch one last outdoor concert before summer flies the way of the Canada Goose.

The Montreal Symphony Orchestra is launching its 2010-2011 season with a free open-air event featuring music by Strauss, Stravinski and Gershwin. An homage to Haiti, the show takes place in front of the MSO’s future l’Adresse Symphonique home with narration by Quebec writer Dany Laferrière and performances by Luck Mervil and Cirque Eloize. 

That all sounds fab but we’ll be focused on the sexy flip of Kent Nagano’s hair as he waves the baton.

7 p.m. September 2, on the Parterre of the Quartier des Spectacles, Montreal, 514-842-9951, www.osm.ca

Rufus might be staging operas and playing Carnegie Hall, but our favorite Wainwright sibling has always been Martha.

We adore her even more with the release of Sans Fusils, ni souliers, à Paris, a live interpretation of Edith Piaf’s lesser-known songs. The tunes are both romantic and tortured (just like Piaf) with Martha’s folksy voice wobbling in all the right places.

Is it unfair to play favourites in families? Je ne regrette rien.

$9.99 on iTunes

Martha Wainwright in concert, 7:30 p.m., June 24, Salle Andre-Mathieu, 475 Boulevard de l'Avenir, Laval, 450-667-2327, tickets here ($28.25), www.admission.com

We may have been born far from Brooklyn, but we still love to get down to the old funk / soul sound.

Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings are committed to the revival of R&B, using only instruments and recording tools available until the mid-'70s. They’re bringing their Motown-esque gritty grinds to Le National tonight ($28), and we’re bringing our dancing shoes.

Now that’s what we call old school.

Tickets at Le National at 514-529-5000, www.admission.com

Meg and Jack ooze cool, so when they toured our every province and territory, we felt hip by association.

Shot on 16mm in the summer of 2007, White Stripes Under Great White Northern Lights follows the non-siblings from coast to coast on a series of planned and impromptu concerts. They jam with elders in Iqaluit, sing with commuters on a Winnipeg city bus and perform at a bowling alley in Saskatoon.

We’re red, white and cool.

Tickets from $8, 9 p.m. on March 11 at Cinéma du Parc, 3575 Parc Avenue, Montreal, 514-281-1900, www.cinemaduparc.com
Limited Edition Box Set ($259.99) available March 16 at www.whitestripes.com

When little Saxon unearths his Dad’s old turntables (and Metallica collection) and Vivienne becomes a backstage baby, make sure they don’t become the next It’s All Gone Pete Tong by protecting their hearing with these cool muffs.

Called Peltor Hearing Protectors (let’s keep that between us), the adjustable hot pink and bright blue earphones shield little ears from harmful noises while letting in ambient sound at hockey games, concerts, and parades.

Rock on, mom.

Age 1 and up. $39.95 at www.dandelionkids.ca

Had we known we could bring snacks, we’d have got into live classical music years ago.

There’s no need for cultural apathy with Les Mélodînes lunch-hour concerts at Place des Arts. Each Thursday until April, the Studio-théâtre opens its doors to brown baggers and top-notch musicians like pianist Daniel Moran and classical guitarist Daniel Bolshoy. And, if you’re looking for something pretty to catch the eye of that handsome oboist, carry your lunch in this.

But please leave the crunchy carrots at home.

Tickets $8, Les Mélodînes, 12:10 – 12:50 pm, February 18 to April 8, Studio-théâtre, Place des Arts, 175 Ste-Catherine Street W., Montreal, 514-842-2112, www.laplacedesarts.com

Those days of waiting until 4 a.m. to catch the latest hot DJ set have lost their appeal.

Thankfully our favorite Montreal turntablist Misstress Barbara has come out from behind her mixers with I’m No Human. This debut album blends her signature synth sounds with drums, bass and actual (gasp) lyrics. We love the catchy "I’m Running" single with Sam Roberts, the electro version of Leonard Cohen’s "Dance Me to the End of Love" and the newly released remix of "Four on the Floor," sung in English, French and Italian.

She performs with her band Girls On A Ducati tomorrow night at the very civilized hour of 9 p.m.

February 4, 9 p.m. Club Soda, 1225 St-Laurent Blvd., Montreal, tickets from $20, 514-908-9090, www.geg.ca

I’m No Human, $7.99 on iTunes.

Your blood thins at this war within/By the soft night, while the lights, they dim

Whether performing with Stars or Broken Social Scene, Montreal singer Amy Millan may be soft spoken, but her lyrics pack a punch.  With a folksy sound that’s just a little-bit-country, her sophomore solo album, Masters of the Burial makes us feel as if someone’s been reading our private diary in the deepest of winter.  In addition to the dulcet tunes she wrote while couch surfing in Montreal, Millan adds her own perfect spin to songs by Death Cab for Cutie and Sarah Harmer.

La di da, lovely.

$13.99 at Amazon.ca. Amy Millan performs September 30 at Pop Montreal, tickets ($15) at www.etix.com

We love a bit of do-gooding, especially when it’s got a great soundtrack.

UNICEF is holding a massive concert in Montreal to raise awareness about the global impact of HIV/AIDS on children around the world.

The first of its kind in the world, the show will feature musical performances by such luminaries as John Mayer, Avril Lavigne, Sarah McLachlin, Angelique Kidjo and Corneille.

Good enough for you?

Unite Against AIDS concert for UNICEF, November 28 at 7:30 p.m., Bell Centre.

Tickets $39.50 to $89.50, www.uniteagainstaidsconcert.ca