Out in Toronto: Nov 19–25, 2015

Choice events in the city this week


Community

Trans Day of Remembrance Flag-Raising

The community gathers to remember those who have been lost as result of transphobia. The day’s events include a flag-raising, the first ever proclamation of the Trans Day of Remembrance by the City of Toronto, talks by a variety of speakers and an indoor reception at City Hall.

Friday, Nov 20, 3:30pm. City Hall, 100 Queen St W. For more info, visit Facebook.

Toys For Tots

When they’re not tying people to railroad crossings or beating drums on a rowing ship (or whatever the kinky people do), the guys of Spearhead are doing such good works as collecting toys for children for the holidays. This toy drive also accepts cash donations. Please no plush or stuffed toys.

Saturday, Nov 21, 2:30pm. Flash, 463 Church St. For more info, visit Facebook.

Nightlife

DFMO

With flu season upon us, it’s important to limit your physical contact with others. Well, screw that! Dance Floor Make Out is all about dancing and locking lips with a variety of strangers. DJs John Caffery and Aeryn Pfaff spin hot tracks for a crowd of orally fixated booty shakers who like to live dangerously.

Friday, Nov 20, 10pm. The Black Eagle, 457 Church St. blackeagletoronto.com

I’ll Show You Mine

At this year’s Pride, The 519’s Green Space Festival was very rainy and made little money and it was sad. This dance party helps raise funds to compensate for this financial shortfall, helping The 519 to continue providing services to the community. Includes music by DJs Deko-ze, Ticky Ty, Kevin Bailey and others.

Friday, Nov 20, 10:30pm. Fly 2.0, 6 Gloucester St. flyyyz.com

Thunderbear 2

 

This party, which, if the name is any indication, will probably in some way involve bears (thundering bears?), features the legendary DJ Barry Harris. Formerly of the remixing team Thunderpuss, Harris is responsible for the best known remix of Whitney Houston’s “It’s Not Right, But It’s Okay.”

Saturday, Nov 21, 10pm. WAYLA Bar 996 Queen St E. waylabar.ca

Theatre

The Road to Paradise

Based on interviews with the families of soldiers and members of the Taliban, this play explores what the war in Afghanistan has done to the lives of women and children. Jonathan Garfinkel and Christopher Morris’ production is in both English and Dari (surtitles are supplied for Dari dialogue).

Runs until Saturday, Nov 28, various showtimes. Buddies in Bad Times, 12 Alexander St. buddiesinbadtimes.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

‘Canada’s Drag Race’ Season 5, Episode 5 power ranking: Grunge girls

To quote Garbage’s “When I Grow Up,” which queen is “trying hard to fit among” the heavy-hitter cast, and whose performance was “a giant juggernaut”?

‘Canada’s Drag Race’ Season 5, Episode 5 recap: Here comes the sunshine

We’re saved by the bell this week as we flash back to the ’90s

A well-known Chinese folk tale gets a queer reimagining in ‘Sister Snake’

Amanda Lee Koe’s novel is a clever mash-up of queer pulp, magical realism, time travel and body horror, with a charged serpentine sisterhood at its centre

‘Drag Race’ in 2024 tested the limits of global crossover appeal

“Drag Race” remains an international phenomenon, but “Global All Stars” disappointing throws a damper on global ambitions