There’s something so endearing about a nervous supermodel. When I rang Enza Anderson this past Monday to wish her well at her party at Woody’s celebrating her as Pride Toronto 2008’s grand marshal, she was anxiously going over the speech she would give that evening. (Read on for your first peek at some of the names coming to town to perform at Pride 2008.)
Enza quickly moved to her recent announcement that she is preparing to run again for Toronto City Council in 2010.
“This time I’m going to be well-prepared; it’s going to be a very serious run,” she said. And what does she say to those who’d scoff she’s merely gearing up for another media stunt? “No. This is serious. I don’t do the attention-getting stuff anymore. Now when I do anything it’s for a reason. I’m looking to make history in Toronto and in Canada, to be the first trans person in government.” Go, tranny.
Western Canada just had 20 centimetres of snow dumped on it on the same weekend Toronto enjoyed above-normal temperatures. We beleaguered queers (it’s been scientifically proven extra-nasty winters are harder on us than on straights), lapped it up like a kitten does milk, and the spring social scene is now positively bursting. Grab your calendars for these notable must-attends on deck in the next wee while.
It’s showdown time between reported rivals Mariah Carey and Madonna as the release of Carey’s E=MC2 is positioned against Lady M’s Hard Candy. (Interesting side note: The ascent of Carey’s “Touch My Body” to number one on Billboard’s Hot 100 makes her second only to the Beatles for most number one hits, while Madonna’s “4 Minutes” has pushed her past Elvis Presley to become the artist with the most top 10 singles ever.)
But when it comes to marketing no one tops Madge ever. Besides the multitude of magazine covers and endless interviews, there are launch parties galore. Here in Toronto, if you didn’t get an invite to Warner Music’s official launch at Ultra Supper Club Fri, Apr 25, get thee to Can’t Stop Esther on Fri, May 2 at the Phoenix (410 Sherbourne St; doors open at 9:30pm with a $10 cover). Billed as a high-energy, nonstop multimedia Madonna extravaganza, promoter DJ Doctor Baggie‘s throwing together a blend of dancers from Superstein’s stables and the tribute troupe Madgesty. Expect vogueing faceoffs, Madonna wannabes, hard candy oh, and promo samples from Sunsilk, that shampoo company featuring Madonna’s many past dos and don’ts in its adverts.
Call your dealer and recover the next morning from Madonna mayhem with a wee puff of the green stuff at the second annual Toronto Freedom Festival. Billed as our city’s largest one-day “outdoor spring festival,” the “celebration of our cherished freedoms” will include a peaceful marijuana march (two miles; feels like 20), multiple stages featuring musicians, along with vendors, artists, exhibitors and speakers including the Prince of Pot himself, Marc Emery. Watch for only the dopeyest of dope-heads to make the six o’clock news. I’ll surely be there too, smoking a J the size of a tampon. Free. Torontofreedomfest.com for more deets.
Some would argue that every Cherry Bomb is special, but local legend Denise Benson says Sat, May 3’s edition at Wrongbar (1279 Queen Street W, 10pm to 3am, $8 before 11:30; $10 after) is going to be with a capital S, y’all. Must be the live performance by the dyke electro-glam-rap duo of Cindy Wonderful and Sarah Adorable, aka Scream Club, or perhaps it’s MC Nolan Natasha, the transgender rapper of the kick-ass rhymes. Perhaps all of the above? The special Cherry’s in addition to Benson and crew’s regular ongoing monthly parties at Andy Poolhall (the next reg edition is Sat, May 24).
“I have before me two sexy men. One of you isn’t sexy enough.” Join Xtra publisher Brandon Matheson and myself at 9pm on Sat, May 10 at Woody’s (467 Church St) as we judge the Toronto edition of Priape’s search for finalists in their Mr Priape Wear International competition. (I call dibs on Janice D; Matheson can be Twiggy or Paulina P, his choice). Titan pornstar Dean Flynn will be there, as part of Priape’s new store location (501 Church St) grand opening that weekend (15 percent of proceeds from Priape’s Sunday sales that weekend will go to the Toronto People with AIDS’ Friends for Life Bike Rally). Flynn has vowed to sit on my face if I get too cunty with contestants; I’m sharpening my tongue as you read this. Toronto’s winner will compete in Montreal against other international contestants, with the winner becoming spokesperson and cover model for Priape Wear worldwide, along with $12,000 worth of prizes. If you think you’ve got what it takes you can apply still at Priape.com/modelsearch.
Lastly here are just some of the names confirmed to perform at Pride: Hidden Cameras, Dragonette, Melanie C, Thelma Houston and The L-Word’s Leisha Hailey.
Just over two months to go what are you wearing?
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