Out in Toronto: Aug 20–26, 2015

Choice events in the city this week


Parties

DFMO

Just when we thought it couldn’t get any hotter — this humidity is a killer — DJs John Caffery and Alfredo lay down broiling tracks at this make-out themed (as if a theme were need to encourage kissing — am I right?) dance party.

Friday, Aug 21, 10pm. The Black Eagle, 457 Church St. blackeagletoronto.com

Videofag’s Fall/Winter ’15/’16 Launch Party

The city’s smallest (probably not) and queerest (almost definitely) theatre space announces its fall and winter program of shows at a raucous event in the heart of Kensington Market. Includes food, a film screening and surprise musical guests.

Monday, Aug 24, 7pm. Videofag, 187 Augusta Ave. videofag.com

Mainline

All the cool cats boogie down at this disco party. A six-piece band performs a range of disco music — bringing funk, jazz, afro, soul, boogie and rare groove sounds — in order to “give shine to music that’s been lost in the shadows.” Catch you on the flip-side!

Saturday, Aug 29, 10pm. Adelaide Hall, 250 Adelaide St W. facebook.com/torontodisco

Screenings

The Amina Profile

In the lead-up to the Arab Spring, Amina Arraf launches a blog called A Gay Girl in Damascus. As the Syrian uprising gains momentum, Arraf is abducted and an international movements gets underway to save her. Documentary enthusiasts enjoy The Amina Profile.

Friday, Aug 21–Sunday, Aug 30, various showtimes. Bloor Hot Docs Cinema, 506 Bloor St W. bloorcinema.com

Mean Girls

As part of its villain-themed series of screenings, Christie Pits Film Festival presents an evening of Regina George and her clique, The Plastics, in the 2005 film Mean Girls. It’s a pleasant outdoor screening in the middle of the park. Bring your own blanket — you can’t sit with us.

 

Sunday, August 23, 8:30pm. Chrisie Pits Park, 779 Crawford Ave A. christiepitsff.com

Theatre

Musical Works

When chance thrusts a bored photographer and a gay dilettante together, they are forced to examine their deep-rooted prejudices. The two-man musical, Out of the Lens, is one of the many works being performed at this festival of original Canadian musical theatre.

Thursday, Aug 20–Sunday, Aug 23, various showtimes. Factory Theatre, 125 Bathurst St. musicalworksfestival.com

(For more event listings, visit dailyxtra.com/lgbt-events)

Jeremy Willard is a Toronto-based freelance writer and editor. He's written for Fab Magazine, Daily Xtra and the Torontoist. He generally writes about the arts, local news and queer history (in History Boys, the Daily Xtra column that he shares with Michael Lyons).

Keep Reading

Madonna

Gay aging is complicated. Madonna is showing us the way

“Confessions II” is the Queen of Pop’s latest middle finger to people who think her age makes her irrelevant. Queer people should take notes
The cover of Perverts

‘Perverts’ shows the cost of sexual self-censorship

Mac Crane’s short-story collection follows queer and trans characters who are both stuck—and free
Sun

Rosalía’s ‘Lux’ tour taught me things I didn’t even know I could know

After years of pining, I finally went to the Catalan superstar’s concert. I wasn’t ready for what it did to me
The protagonists of Blood Lines embracing

The big twist in ‘Blood Lines’ is more than shocking

Gail Maurice’s queer Métis romance takes a massive risk—letting it dig deep into the pain and loss perpetuated by colonial structures
Advertisement