Cabaret
George Masswohl Stands and Delivers
Dora Ward-winner George Masswohl is a veteran of countless musicals and various TV roles (he’s appeared on such shows as LA Complex, Murdoch Mysteries and Hannibal), but this is his first solo show. Armed with a powerful baritone and an eclectic repertoire of pop, rock and folk songs and showtunes, Masswohl shoots from the hip (the new hip; it was recently replaced). The performance also includes special guests Sara Farb (Stratford Festival), Nathan Carroll (Mirvish Productions’s Once) and, of course, cabaret icon Sharron Matthews.
Sun, March 22, 8pm. Buddies in Bad Times, 12 Alexander St. buddiesinbadtimes.com
Night clubbin’
Cherry Bomb: Sprint it On
Ladies thaw out their dancin’ shoes and shake the ice sickles from their noses, elbows and earlobes (and wherever else they may have accrued) for the spring edition of one of the city’s longest-running and most popular dance parties for queer women. Keeping it eclectic, DJs Cozmic Cat and Denise Benson take turns spinning dance hits from the past, present and future (apparently they have a time machine) and special guest DJ Nix spins hip hop and R&B. Roxy Luchy provides the trippy visuals and for some reason hula hoops are encouraged. Sat, March 21, 10pm. The Round, 152 Augusta Ave. facebook.com/cherrybombtoronto
Madonna CD Release Party
Papa, don’t preach. All the material girls who are hung up on Madonna are about to dress you up for the launch party for Madonna’s much-anticipated latest album, Rebel Heart. And like a ray of light, you let out the beast within. In honour of the release of Madonna’s 13th studio album, which hit stores Tuesday, March 10, DJ Cajjmere Wray spins her hits, old and new, as well as other popular dance tracks. Hosted by Philip Tetro, the night also includes a live performance by Heaven Lee Hytes and giveaways courtesy of Universal Music Canada.
Sat, March 21, 11pm. Byzantium, 499 Church St. byz.ca
Dance class
Right to Dance
In most professional dance institutions you have to pick either a male or female role — men practice the “male movements” and women do the “female movements” — and perform numbers that tell somebody else’s story. And if you’re on the heavier side, don’t even bother coming out. This edition of Right To Dance consists of two workshops taught by facilitators dedicated to creating an affirming space for marginalized people. The first workshop focusses on “waacking,” a dance form popularized by Soul Train. The second, called “Unlocking the Wisdom of Your Body Through InterPlay,” helps folks tell their own stories through dance.
Sat, March 21; 1pm waacking, 3pm Unlocking the Wisdom of Your Body Through InterPlay. The 519 Community Centre, 519 Church St. the519.org
Story Time
Queers in Your Ears: Good Fathers are Hard to Find
As the opening line of that old Philip Larkin poem goes, “they fuck you up, your mum and dad.” Particularly the dads. Some are alright, but others can be total pricks, especially when it concerns coming out. But at least this provides fodder for interesting stories. For this edition of the storytelling event Queers in Your Ears, Jeffrey Canton, Amelius Milo, Clare Nobbs and Rico Rodriguez tell tales about their relationships with their fathers.
Sat, March 21, 2pm. Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives, 34 Isabella St. clga.ca
Stage
Laverne Cox: Ain’t I a Woman/My Journey to Womanhood
The first trans woman to have a leading role on a mainstream scripted television show, Orange is the New Black, Cox’s talk is sure to be inspiring. The event is organized by several student unions from across the Greater Toronto Area, and, while it is meant to students and members of the trans community, one-hundred tickets will be made available to the general public at the door on a first-come, first-served basis. For more info, contact events@rsuonline.ca.
Tues, March 24, 6pm. Elgin Theatre, 189 Yonge St.
For more event listings, visit dailyxtra.com/lgbt-events
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