Art & Literature
Naked Heart: The LGBTQ Festival of Words
Hosted by Toronto’s beloved bookstore Glad Day Bookshop, this first annual Canadian queer literary festival intends to promote “love, language and freedom.” The inaugural event includes more than 100 authors — Mike Miksche, Adam Garnet Jones, S Bear Bergman, Giles Benaway, and many more — presenting panels, workshops and readings at four venues in the village.
Friday, Oct 16–Sunday, Oct 18. For more info, visit nakedheart.ca
Escape Plans
Who among us hasn’t fantasized about society breaking down so that we could escape and build a fort somewhere? Or is that just me? Pretend you didn’t hear that. This art exhibit features works dealing with wilderness, divergence and “urban escape.” Curated by Marjan Verstappen, the show includes works by Katie Bruce, Stefan Herda, Brette Gabel, Paul Chartrand, and others.
Opening reception Friday, Oct 16, 7pm; Runs until Saturday, Oct 31. Younger Than Beyoncé Gallery, 563 Dundas St E. facebook.com/youngerthanbeyonce
Leisure
Mesmerized
As if his shows weren’t bizarre enough, Brandon the Hypnotist teams up with drag performer (“female delusionist extraordinaire”) Miss Conception for a new kind of show. Billed as a “laugh-packed adventure into the subconscious,” Brandon hypnotizes audience volunteers and then delivers them into the hands of a drag queen who includes them in her routines.
Thursday, Oct 15, 7:30pm. Buddies in Bad Times, 12 Alexander St. buddiesinbadtimes.com
Bondassage
Imagine you’re lying down. Gentle music is playing. Candles are burning. Somebody is running his or her hands all over your body. Boring, right? Now imagine you’re strapped down. Better? If so, then maybe you should attend Lady Viktoria’s workshop on combining bondage with massage. For singles and couples, this event includes lots of hands-on practice.
Saturday, Oct 17, noon. Good for Her, 175 Harbord St. goodforher.com
Parties
Regretro: Fantasy
Screaming, hair-pulling, smack-my-bottom pop music lovers flail-dance until their wrists fly off at this diva-themed dance party. DJs Case of Base, Wei Back and Party McFly spin hits — especially Mariah’s — all night long. It’s also Wei Back’s birthday, so you can give her birthday bumps when you hear “Fantasy.” Requests welcome
Friday, Oct 16, 10:30pm. The Steady, 1051 Bloor St W. thesteadycafe.com
Theatre
Age of Arousal
Set in 1880s London, Jennifer Brewin’s take on Linda Griffiths’ play is about friendship, romance, sex and women’s suffrage. Billing for the production describes the play as follows: “. . . Mary Barfoot runs a secretarial school with her lover Rhoda. When spinster sisters and a charismatic man arrive, politics and passion erupt forcing each character to confront their repressed sexual desire and identity.”
Tuesday, Oct 20–Sunday, Nov 8, various showtimes. Factory Theatre, 125 Bathurst St. factorytheatre.ca
(For more event listings, visit dailyxtra.com/lgbt-events)
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