Cabaret
Queer Cab
Music, poetry, dance, burlesque, juggling, magic, sword-swallowing (okay, that one’s unlikely) — just about anything goes, provided that it’s very, very queer. Folks, ages 25 and under, show off their talents at this recurring open-mic night. Guest Katie Pereira’s performance is a special addition to this month’s edition.
Wednesday, July 8, 8pm. Buddies in Bad Times, 12 Alexander St. buddiesinbadtimes.com
Clubbin’
Jockstrap
This party is of particular interest to guys who own few pairs of pants or shorts and those who are behind on the laundry. Bare-cheeked boys shake their booties to DJ Demarko’s beats. And because it’s Independence Day, attendees who have US ID and show it at the door get in free before midnight.
Saturday, July 4, 10:30pm. The Black Eagle, 457 Church St. facebook.com/jockpartyTO
Go Hard: Red, White or Blue
To show solidarity with our cousins to the south, this Independence Day edition of Go Hard is all about the American colours. Revellers dance to music by DJ Black Cat while sporting red, white or blue outfits. Those bereft of style and imagination can just can just drape themselves in a flag.
Saturday, July 4, 11pm. Harlem Lounge, 67 Richmond St E.
Literature
Amber Dawn, Sassafras Lowrey and Alec Butler
In an evening of “grit lit,” three award-winning queer authors read passages from their latest books. Alec Butler was the winner of the 2006 Toronto Community Foundations’ Vital Person Award. Sassafras Lowrey was the 2013 winner of the Lambda Literary Emerging Writer Award. Amber Dawn won the 2013 Vancouver Book Award.
Tuesday, July 7, 7:30pm. Glad Day Bookshop, 598 Yonge St. gladdaybookshop.com
Theatre
The Toronto Fringe Festival
This year’s line-up includes over 60 comedy shows, 14 dance performances, 30 dramas and 30 musicals — most importantly, it doesn’t skimp on the queer content. A notable example is Ryan G Hinds’s cabaret Starry Notions, which weaves together storytelling, Grace Jones tangos, Roy Orbison ballads and Kander and Ebb.
Runs until Sunday, July 12. For more information, visit fringetoronto.com
Trans
Trans Beach Day
A mob of non-cisgender people heads to the island for a day of prancing about in the sand and surf. Organizers provide the necessary accoutrements for playing Frisbee, making sandcastles and (for some reason) running obstacle courses. Food and drink is provided (gluten-free and vegan options are available, as if you had to ask).
Sunday, July 5, 10am. For more information, contact transcollective@rsuonline.ca
For more event listings, visit dailyxtra.com/lgbt-events
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