Club Meeting Tomorrow, Saturday May 9!

MonSFFA’s next meeting is all set for tomorrow afternoon,  Saturday, May 9, from 1:00PM to 5:00PM! We’ll be gathering in our familiar downtown, Nouvel Hotel meeting room.

As usual, out-of-town club members may take part online via ZOOM; you may gather online a half-hour early, at 12:30PM, just to give you an opportunity to settle in before the meeting officially begins at 1:00PM. The information needed to ZOOM with us was sent by e-mail to all members earlier this  week; if need be, visit this Website tomorrow at 12:30PM for a repeat of that information!

May Meeting Theme:

We will be selecting our 2026 field trip destination on this occasion, and your participation is welcome and encouraged! With the sciences, history, or art in mind, the club visits annually in June a museum, exhibition, art gallery or some such which is, at least, tangentially connected to the sci-fi genre. Folk have been submitting suggestions, and the list of possible locales to visit on our scheduled June 6 field trip will be reviewed at this meeting. By vote, we will select one as our field trip destination for 2026. Either in person at the meeting, or in advance by e-mail to president@monsffa.ca, you may submit any last-minute proposals to include on the list before we review all of our options and make our choice.

Here’s what’s on the programme for our May 2026 meeting…

On the Agenda:

Your Most Impactful Sci-Fi Movies and Television!

Which were the SF/F movies or television episodes that had the most impact on you, intellectually or emotionally? We’ll each share our examples of the films and television installments that left us impressed, amazed, astounded, questioning, forever changed, hopeful about the future or shuddering in the dark, those that had us thinking profoundly about what we had just seen well after the closing credits had rolled! What exactly was it about this screen sci-fi that forever marked us? The sheer spectacle? The astonishing implications of the story? The resultant paradigm shift in our point of view? We discuss amongst ourselves!

Sinbad and the Voyages Never Taken: The Unrealized Films of Ray Harryhausen

During the mid- to late-20th century, prior to the digital age of cinematic visual effects, Ray Harryhausen practiced the art of stop-motion animation as a master of the discipline, and as a special effects craftsman working in the science fiction and fantasy/adventure genres. Perhaps the only special effects expert whose association with a film, more so than that of the star or director, is recognized as a mark of excellence. He was an inspiration to, and is celebrated today by the industry’s top SF/F filmmakers!

This afternoon, we’ll look at some of the many film projects over the course of his career with which he became involved, but that were, ultimately, never made. What fantastical, amazing, incredible sci-fi or fantasy movies might there have been but for scheduling issues, or studio disinterest, or a failure to secure film rights, or a lack of funding?

Coming Attractions, Summer 2026!

What’s coming that’s cool? We look ahead to this summer’s season in film, television, and publishing, highlighting that which looks most interesting for discerning sci-fi fans such as ourselves!

We’re looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible, in person and online, at our May 2026 meeting! Tell a friend; invite them to join us! And we’ll see you all this Saturday, May 9, 1:00PM-5:00PM!

Please Note: While we strive to keep on schedule, we do, sometimes, fall behind a little, or find ourselves having to reshuffle the order of items on the agenda for one reason or another, or reschedule planned presentations/discussions. Therefore, please understand that all programming is subject to change!

Next Club Meeting This Saturday, May 9!

MonSFFA’s next meeting is scheduled to take place in just a few days, this Saturday, May 9, from 1:00PM to 5:00PM! We’ll be gathering in our familiar downtown, Nouvel Hotel meeting room.

As usual, out-of-town club members may take part online via ZOOM; you may gather online a half-hour early, at 12:30PM, just to give you an opportunity to settle in before the meeting officially begins at 1:00PM.

May Meeting Theme:

We will be selecting our 2026 field trip destination on this occasion, and your participation is welcome and encouraged! With the sciences, history, or art in mind, the club visits annually in June a museum, exhibition, art gallery or some such which is, at least, tangentially connected to the sci-fi genre. Folk have been submitting suggestions, and the list of possible locales to visit on our scheduled June 6 field trip will be reviewed at this meeting. By vote, we will select one as our field trip destination for 2026. Either in person at the meeting, or in advance by e-mail to president@monsffa.ca, you may submit any last-minute proposals to include on the list before we review all of our options and make our choice.

Here’s what’s on the programme for our May 2026 meeting…

On the Agenda:

Your Most Impactful Sci-Fi Movies and Television!

Which were the SF/F movies or television episodes that had the most impact on you, intellectually or emotionally? We’ll each share our examples of the films and television installments that left us impressed, amazed, astounded, questioning, forever changed, hopeful about the future or shuddering in the dark, those that had us thinking profoundly about what we had just seen well after the closing credits had rolled! What exactly was it about this screen sci-fi that forever marked us? The sheer spectacle? The astonishing implications of the story? The resultant paradigm shift in our point of view? We discuss amongst ourselves!

Sinbad and the Voyages Never Taken: The Unrealized Films of Ray Harryhausen

During the mid- to late-20th century, prior to the digital age of cinematic visual effects, Ray Harryhausen practiced the art of stop-motion animation as a master of the discipline, and as a special effects craftsman working in the science fiction and fantasy/adventure genres. Perhaps the only special effects expert whose association with a film, more so than that of the star or director, is recognized as a mark of excellence. He was an inspiration to, and is celebrated today by the industry’s top SF/F filmmakers!

This afternoon, we’ll look at some of the many film projects over the course of his career with which he became involved, but that were, ultimately, never made. What fantastical, amazing, incredible sci-fi or fantasy movies might there have been but for scheduling issues, or studio disinterest, or a failure to secure film rights, or a lack of funding?

Coming Attractions, Summer 2026!

What’s coming that’s cool? We look ahead to this summer’s season in film, television, and publishing, highlighting that which looks most interesting for discerning sci-fi fans such as ourselves!

We’re looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible, in person and online, at our May 2026 meeting! Tell a friend; invite them to join us! And we’ll see you all this Saturday, May 9, 1:00PM-5:00PM!

Please Note: While we strive to keep on schedule, we do, sometimes, fall behind a little, or find ourselves having to reshuffle the order of items on the agenda for one reason or another, or reschedule planned presentations/discussions. Therefore, please understand that all programming is subject to change!

May 2026 Issue of Impulse Now Available!

Attention MonSFFA Club Members!

The latest issue of our club news bulletin, Impulse (May 2026), is now available for viewing or download! Visit the “Impulse Page” of this Website, or just click here:
ImpulseMay2026(OnlineVersion)PDF
This May 2026 and past issues of Impulse can also be viewed or downloaded via this Website; again, visit the “Impulse Page.”
This month’s issue publicizes our next club meeting (set for this Saturday, May 9!), encourages membership participation as to the selection of a destination for our upcoming June field trip, and covers our recent April meeting. We also make mention of an item of sad news recently received.
Keep reading Impulse, folks!

Next Club Meeting in Just One Week, on Saturday, May 9!

MonSFFA’s next meeting is scheduled to take place in just one week, on Saturday, May 9, from 1:00PM to 5:00PM! We’ll be gathering in our familiar downtown, Nouvel Hotel meeting room.

As usual, out-of-town club members may take part online via ZOOM; you may gather online a half-hour early, at 12:30PM, just to give you an opportunity to settle in before the meeting officially begins at 1:00PM.

May Meeting Theme:

We will be selecting our 2026 field trip destination on this occasion, and your participation is welcome and encouraged! With the sciences, history, or art in mind, the club visits annually in June a museum, exhibition, art gallery or some such which is, at least, tangentially connected to the sci-fi genre. Folk have been submitting suggestions, and the list of possible locales to visit on our scheduled June 6 field trip will be reviewed at this meeting. By vote, we will select one as our field trip destination for 2026. Either in person at the meeting, or in advance by e-mail to president@monsffa.ca, you are welcome to submit any last-minute proposals to include on the list before we review our options and make our choice.

Here’s what’s on tap for our May 2026 meeting:

On the Agenda:

Your Most Impactful Sci-Fi Movies and Television!

Which were the SF/F movies or television episodes that had the most impact on you, intellectually or emotionally? We’ll each share our examples of the films and television installments that left us impressed, amazed, astounded, questioning, forever changed, hopeful about the future or shuddering in the dark, those that had us thinking profoundly about what we had just seen well after the closing credits had rolled! What exactly was it about this screen sci-fi that forever marked us? The sheer spectacle? The astonishing implications of the story? The resultant paradigm shift in our point of view? We discuss amongst ourselves!

Sinbad and the Voyages Never Taken: The Unrealized Films of Ray Harryhausen

During the mid- to late-20th century, prior to the digital age of cinematic visual effects, Ray Harryhausen practiced the art of stop-motion animation as a master of the discipline, and as a special effects craftsman working in the science fiction and fantasy/adventure genres. Perhaps the only special effects expert whose association with a film, more so than that of the star or director, is recognized as a mark of excellence. He was an inspiration to, and is celebrated today by the industry’s top SF/F filmmakers!

This afternoon, we’ll look at some of the many film projects over the course of his career that he became involved with, but that were, ultimately, never made. What fantastical, amazing, incredible sci-fi or fantasy movies might there have been but for scheduling issues, or studio disinterest, or a failure to secure film rights, or a lack of funding?

Coming Attractions, Summer 2026!

What’s coming that’s cool? We look ahead to this summer’s season in film, television, and publishing, highlighting that which looks most interesting for discerning sci-fi fans such as ourselves!

We’re looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible, in person and online, at our May 2026 meeting! Tell a friend; invite them to join us! And we’ll see you all on Saturday, May 9, 1:00PM-5:00PM!

Please Note: While we strive to keep on schedule, we do, sometimes, fall behind a little, or find ourselves having to reshuffle the order of items on the agenda for one reason or another, or reschedule planned presentations/discussions. Therefore, please understand that all programming is subject to change!

A troublesome Fungus

https://www.planetary.org/the-downlink/shortchanging-nasa-is-simply-not-smart

A hardy fungus may challenge planetary protection efforts. A recent study has identified a fungus called Aspergillus calidoustus living in NASA cleanrooms even after decontamination. This species could potentially survive the radiation, near-vacuum, and temperature conditions of deep space, meaning it could be carried on spacecraft to Mars or other worlds.

Books to be released this month

From Locus: https://locusmag.com/forthcomingbooks/

MAY 2026

  • NEAL ASHER • Dark Agent • Macmillan/Tor UK, May 2026 (hc, eb)
  • ANINDITA BANERJEE & SHERRYL VINT, ET AL., EDS. • Reactionary Worldbuilding: From Speculative Imagina­tion to Political Practice • MIT Press, May 2026 (nf, tp, eb)
  • RJ BARKER • Mortedant’s Peril • Macmil­lan/Tor UK, May 2026 (hc, eb)
  • RJ BARKER • Mortedant’s Peril • Tor, May 2026 (hc, eb)
  • NICHOLAS BINGE • Abyss • Macmillan/Tor Night­fire UK, May 2026 (na, h, hc, eb)
  • NICHOLAS BINGE • Abyss • Tor/Nightfire, May 2026 (na, h, hc, eb)
  • JIM BUTCHER • Out Law • Podium Publishing, May 2026 (na, tp, eb)
  • GREGORY FEELEY • The Weighing of Ayre • New­Con Press UK, May 2026 (c, tp, hc, eb)
  • SARAH GAILEY • Make Me Better • Tor, May 2026 (h, hc, eb)
  • CHLOE GONG • Eyes of Kings • Simon & Schuster/Saga Press, May 2026 (hc, eb)
  • ANDREA HAIRSTON • The Redemption Center Is Closed on Sundays • Tor, May 2026 (hc, eb)
  • SARAH LANGAN • Trad Wife • Macmillan/Tor Nightfire UK, May 2026 (h, hc, eb)
  • ANN LECKIE • Radiant Star • Orbit UK, May 2026 (hc, eb)
  • ANN LECKIE • Radiant Star • Orbit US, May 2026 (hc, eb)
  • FONDA LEE • The Last Contract of Isako • Orbit UK, May 2026 (hc, tp, eb)
  • FONDA LEE • The Last Contract of Isako • Orbit US, May 2026 (hc, tp, eb)
  • ALAN MOORE • I Hear a New World • Bloomsbury UK/Archer, May 2026 (hc, eb)
  • ALAN MOORE • I Hear a New World • Bloomsbury USA, May 2026 (hc, eb)
  • KIM NEWMAN • Model Actress Whatever • Titan Books UK, May 2026 (tp, eb)
  • JEFF NOON • Moon Over Brendle • Angry Robot UK, May 2026 (tp, eb)
  • K.J. PARKER • Sister Svangerd and the Devil You Know • Orbit UK, May 2026 (tp, eb)
  • K.J. PARKER • Sister Svangerd and the Devil You Know • Orbit US, May 2026 (tp, eb)
  • VERONICA ROTH • Seek the Traitor’s Son • Macmil­lan/Tor UK, May 2026 (v, hc, eb)
  • VERONICA ROTH • Seek the Traitor’s Son • Tor, May 2026 (v, hc, eb)
  • TLOTLO TSAMAASE • House of Margins • Kensington/Erewhon, May 2026 (h, hc, eb)
  • NGHI VO • A Long and Speaking Silence • Tordotcom, May 2026 (na, hc, eb)
  • MARTHA WELLS • Platform Decay • Tor, May 2026 (hc, eb)

A GIANT UNCONTROLLED EXPERIMENT IN ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY

Space Weather News for April 28, 2026
Free Space Weather Newsletter

It’s only April, but satellite re-entries this year have already added more than 5 metric tons of aluminum oxide to Earth’s upper atmosphere. SpaceX is the primary contributor, but their competitors are catching up in this unprecedented planetary-scale chemistry experiment. Full story @ Spaceweather.com.


Above: A histogram of annual Starlink reentry totals

Sign up for our free Space Weather newsletter!

Free Event: Montreal Comic Arts Festival

https://www.fbdm-mcaf.ca/en/ 

A 15th Festival on Saint-Denis Street

From May 15 to 17, 2026, the Montreal Comic Arts Festival will once again take over Saint-Denis Street, between Gilford and Roy, transforming it into a 1.2 km comic arts promenade filled with activities, exhibitions, and meet-and-greet opportunities. This year, the Festival offers a rich, entirely free program of more than 60 activities under the theme ALIVE! A record-breaking lineup of over 350 artists and 190 exhibitors is expected under the tents.

To illustrate this theme and mark our anniversary, we have chosen a leading figure in Montreal’s comic arts scene: Julie Rocheleau. Her posters, with their dynamic compositions, are always elegant and sensitive, with a distinctive punk touch that is uniquely hers.

Schedule

Friday — 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday — 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday — 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Un 15e Festival sur la rue Saint-Denis

C’est sur la rue Saint-Denis, entre Gilford et Roy, que le Festival BD de Montréal installe ses chapiteaux du 15 au 17 mai 2026 afin de créer une balade BD sur 1,2 km ponctuée d’activités, d’expositions et de rencontres. Cette année le Festival a une riche programmation complètement gratuite de plus de 60 activités sous le thème VIVANTE!  C’est un record de plus de 350 artistes et 190 exposant·es qui sont attendu·es sous ses chapiteaux.

Pour illustrer cette thématique et souligner notre anniversaire, nous avons choisi une figure marquante de la BD montréalaise : Julie Rocheleau! Ses affiches aux compositions dynamiques sont toujours élégantes et sensibles, avec une petite touche punk qui lui est propre.

Horaire

Vendredi – de 12 h à 20 h
Samedi – de 10 h à 20 h
Dimanche – de 10 h à 17 h

Next Club Meeting in Two Weeks, on Saturday, May 9!

MonSFFA’s next meeting is scheduled to take place in two weeks, on Saturday, May 9, from 1:00PM to 5:00PM! We’ll be gathering in our familiar downtown, Nouvel Hotel meeting room.

As usual, out-of-town club members may take part online via ZOOM; you may gather online a half-hour early, at 12:30PM, just to give you an opportunity to settle in before the meeting officially begins at 1:00PM.

May Meeting Theme:

We will be selecting our 2026 field trip destination on this occasion, and your participation is welcome and encouraged! With the sciences, history, or art in mind, the club visits annually in June a museum, exhibition, art gallery or some such which is, at least, tangentially connected to the sci-fi genre. Folk have been submitting suggestions, and the list of possible locales to visit on our scheduled June 6 field trip will be reviewed at this meeting. By vote, we will select one as our field trip destination for 2026. Either in person at the meeting, or in advance by e-mail to president@monsffa.ca, you are welcome to submit any last-minute proposals to include on the list before we review our options and make our choice.

Here’s what’s on tap for our May 2026 meeting:

On the Agenda:

Your Most Impactful Sci-Fi Movies and Television!

Which were the SF/F movies or television episodes that had the most impact on you, intellectually or emotionally? We’ll each share our examples of the films and television installments that left us impressed, amazed, astounded, questioning, forever changed, hopeful about the future or shuddering in the dark, those that had us thinking profoundly about what we had just seen well after the closing credits had rolled! What exactly was it about this screen sci-fi that forever marked us? The sheer spectacle? The astonishing implications of the story? The resultant paradigm shift in our point of view? We discuss amongst ourselves!

Sinbad and the Voyages Never Taken: The Unrealized Films of Ray Harryhausen

During the mid- to late-20th century, prior to the digital age of cinematic visual effects, Ray Harryhausen practiced the art of stop-motion animation as a master of the discipline, and as a special effects craftsman working in the science fiction and fantasy/adventure genres. Perhaps the only special effects expert whose association with a film, more so than that of the star or director, is recognized as a mark of excellence. He was an inspiration to, and is celebrated today by the industry’s top SF/F filmmakers!

This afternoon, we’ll look at some of the many film projects over the course of his career that he became involved with, but that were, ultimately, never made. What fantastical, amazing, incredible sci-fi or fantasy movies might there have been but for scheduling issues, or studio disinterest, or a failure to secure film rights, or a lack of funding?

Coming Attractions, Summer 2026!

What’s coming that’s cool? We look ahead to this summer’s season in film, television, and publishing, highlighting that which looks most interesting for discerning sci-fi fans such as ourselves!

We’re looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible, in person and online, at our May 2026 meeting! Tell a friend; invite them to join us! And we’ll see you all on Saturday, May 9, 1:00PM-5:00PM!

Please Note: While we strive to keep on schedule, we do, sometimes, fall behind a little, or find ourselves having to reshuffle the order of items on the agenda for one reason or another, or reschedule planned presentations/discussions. Therefore, please understand that all programming is subject to change!

Postponed Notice to MonSFFA’s BookWyrms

Postponed to a later date in JUNE

Notice to MonSFFA’s BookWyrms:

The meeting that was to have taken place on the 19, is now scheduled for Sunday, the 26th of April. The theme is Time Travel. Be ready with books to recommend! As usual, we will close with “What are you reading?”. Even if not SFF, show us your current book or magazine.

Time: Apr 26, 2026 13:00 Eastern Time (US and Canada)

The URL for the zoom meeting has been sent to all MonSFFA members.

Montreal Science Fiction and Fantasy Association