This story was created by Xtra's branded content team alongside Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, separate from Xtra's editorial staff.
Power bottoms rejoice! Buddies in Bad Times Theatre has you covered with its cheekily named queer dance party, Top 40 for Bottoms. Don’t worry, tops don’t get charged a different cover at the door or anything, although that’s a marketing tactic we could get behind — or rather, in front of. Featuring those queer anthems we all know and love and different DJs each week, a new take on what defines top 40 is offered for each installment of the event, keeping the music roster fresh for each chapter of Top 40 for Bottoms.
Now, you may be asking yourself: how does one go about crafting a playlist for bottoms, exactly? As much fun as a continuous loop of “Don’t Want No Short Dick Man” and “Push It” would be fun, there’s a lot more to it.
To get to the bottom of it, Xtra got in touch with one of the DJs from the event, Regina the Gentlelady, and it turns out that the key to a great playlist sure to please any bottom that listens to it can be summarized in one word — Britney.
Seriously, who doesn’t love Britney?
Well, they actually play a lot more than just Britney Spears, but really, do you need more (Gimme more, gimme more) than that? Well, if you did for some crazy reason, expect to hear all of the big divas of pop at this event. Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, Fifth Harmony and Beyoncé will all be making their way through the playlist. Did we mention Britney? Because if we didn’t, Britney Spears will also be playing. Britney.
In case you missed us mentioning Britney Spears.
If you’re lucky enough to be attending the event when Top 40 for Bottom’s resident DJing drag queen Regina the Gentlelady is spinning, make sure to go say hi to her at the DJ stand at the top of the famous Buddies staircase. She’s always open to requests and is down for making the event extra campy by playing what you want to hear. Maybe leave the Lana Del Rey for another day though, she’s gotta keep those energy levels up for the crowd.
Featuring an in-drag DJ alongside a drag queen performance definitely changes the atmosphere of the event overall, making the space more fabulous, fun and above all else, queer. Honestly though, what event isn’t improved by a drag queen? It’s a simple truth that drag queens make everything better. Fact. And Buddies delivers on this promise with your favorite top 40 music accompanying these queens week after week, there’s even a rumor going around that they’ll be playing some Britney Spears at this event as well, so there’s that too!
Buddies in Bad Times Theatre has always been a cornerstone of Toronto’s queer culture, promoting inclusiveness, accessibility, and of course, a good time — with Top 40 for Bottoms being no exception to this rule. Buddies offers a warm and welcoming environment to anyone looking to get weird with some top 40 regardless of their gender or sexual orientation, and to those who can follow the one posted rule on their website: “Don’t be a jackass” — easy enough! Hopefully douches are still on the OK list, though.
If you’re ready to Break Free, be a Dangerous Woman, get in Formation and get to Work (Work, Work, Work, Work, Work) then this is the place to do it. So do some Kegels, grab your favourite top and head down to Buddies in Bad Times Theatre for its next installment of Top 40 for Bottoms.
Top 40 for Bottoms
Saturday nights, Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander St, Toronto
buddiesinbadtimes.com/saturdays
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