Thursday, June 18, 2015
Queer Landscapes, Queer Journeys
Queen’s Park goes gay with an exhibit of work in a variety of media that explores the contemporary experience of queer individuals, families and communities in Ontario. Runs until Friday, June 26, 2015. Aird Gallery, Queen’s Park, Macdonald Block, 900 Bay St. Free. airdgallery.org
Pride Networking Social
Young professionals make new connections, socializing at the Sheraton Centre’s charming second floor waterfall garden. Registration required. 6–9pm. Sheraton Centre, 123 Queen St W. outonbayst.org
Inside Out and TIFF: Trivia Pride Edition
Comedian Shawn Hitchins hosts an evening of queer film trivia. To sign up to compete, contact memberstrivia@tiff.net. 6–9:30pm. Buddies in Bad Times, 12 Alexander St. $10. insideout.ca
Primp for Pride: Get Your Rhythm On
Folks enjoy spa treatments and a glass of champagne in support of The 519. 6–9:30pm. Rhythm Spa, 199 Church St. $45. rhythmspa.ca
Libido: Dyke March Social
Women, get ready to dance and delight in spoken word, burlesque and musical performances. 9pm–2am. The Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen St W. PWYC–$10. gladstonehotel.com
The Smirnoff Best Chest Contest
With drag queen Sofonda Cox’s deft enticement, boys strip off their shirts for a chance to win $300 in cash prizes. Midnight–2am. Woody’s, 467 Church St. No cover.
Friday, June 19, 2015
Pride Walk: Discovering Toronto’s LGBTQ Heritage
History buffs from the Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives guide folks around Toronto’s queer landmarks. 1:30pm. heritagetoronto.org
U of T Pride Pub
Amid the spires and old stones of Hart House’s outdoor space, folks enjoy a community fair complete with dancing, food and drink. 4pm community fair; 8pm dance party. Hart House, 7 Hart House Circle. Free before 9pm, $5 after. harthouse.ca
Do I Have to Do Everything My Fucking Self?
Reg Vermue’s latest creation is a getting-to-know-you experience with his female alter-ego Regina, the front lady for the indie band Light Fires. Runs until Saturday, June 20, 2015, 8–10pm. Buddies in Bad Times, 12 Alexander St. $15. buddiesinbadtimes.com
Pride Opening Party
Hosted by Ryan G Hinds, Pride Toronto’s official kick-off party features YouTube sensation Todrick Hall, House of Monroe and DJ Black Cat. 8pm. BIA Stage (on Church Street, between Maitland and Alexander). pridetoronto.com
Friday at El Convento Rico
DJ Flacko spins, Alexmar and Michita give Latin dance lessons, and there’s a late-night drag show by Heaven Lee Hytes, Trent Ruban and Donnarama. 9pm–3:30am. El Convento Rico, 750 College St. $10. elconventorico.com
Work it! The Remix
Billed as “the horniest hip hop spot this Pride,” this dance party is rife with old-school hip hop and surprise performances. 10pm–2am. The Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen St W. $10. gladstonehotel.com
Bizarre Ball 3: Fucked up Fairy Tale
At this twisted ballroom event (reminiscent of the film Paris is Burning), competitors face off in such categories as Realness, Fag Out, Hairography and Bizarre. 10pm–2am. Buddies in Bad Times, 12 Alexander St. $10. buddiesinbadtimes.com
Disco Bits
With DJ Triple-X spinning, attendees do a little dance, make a little love and get down tonight. Get down tonight. 10pm–2am. Cardinal Rule, 5 Roncesvalles Ave. No cover. cardinalrulerestaurant.com
DFMO
DJs Scooter McCreight and Phil V spin sexy beats for smooch-happy revellers at this edition of Dance Floor Make Out. 10pm–3am. The Black Eagle, 457 Church St. $5. blackeagletoronto.com
AX Pride: Part 1
Billed as “Toronto’s great big gaysian boys night out,” this event is a rare chance to dance with sexy boys while enjoying j-pop, k-pop and top 40 mixes. DJ Alex spins. 10pm–3am. Fly 2.0, 6 Gloucester St. $13.27 advance. meetmeatax.com
Flexx and Old Skool Jam: Pride Launch
DJ Craig Dominic spins hip hop, R&B, reggae and old school house, and Devine Darlin gives a ’90s-themed drag performance (whatever that might mean).10pm–3am. Church, 504 Church St. $7. facebook.com/mojotoronto
Sissy Nein: No Masc
In her most personal drag show to date, Sissy Nein’s 20-song set explores the yin and yang of love. 10:30pm–2:30am. The Steady, 1051 Bloor St W. $5. thesteadycafe.com
Saturday, June 20, 2015
Queering Space
An exhibit of artworks on the theme of transforming secret places into “visible sites of resistance.” Opening reception 7pm; Exhibit runs until Sunday, September 13, 2015. Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives, 34 Isabella St. clga.ca
Pride and Prejudice: Our Human Rights Conference
From academics to sex workers, this conference provides a platform for people to explore the community’s many struggles and triumphs. 9am–6pm. University College, University of Toronto, Room 140. $10 (includes breakfast and lunch). pridetoronto.com
Cream Outdoors
In a pleasant outdoor space, girls meet new friends and shake their butts to beats by DJs Matt Priestess, KLR and Recklezz. 1–8pm. House Maison, 580 Church St. $15. facebook.com/creamtoronto
BBQ, Beats and Brass
There are few things as cutesy as enjoying hotdogs in a sex-positive environment. When their mouths aren’t full of meat, folks enjoy music and an outdoor pool. 2pm–3am. Oasis Aqualounge, 231 Mutual St. For pricing and entrance restrictions, visit oasisaqualounge.com
Forte: My Story, My Song
We’ve all got that special song. Members of The Toronto Men’s Chorus sing pieces of particular importance to them. 7–9:30pm. Trinity St Paul’s Centre, Jeanne Lamon Hall, 427 Bloor St W. $25–35. fortechorus.ca
The Fraternity Annual Pride Party
A men’s social club invites guys to chat, snack and drink at a penthouse in the village. For location information and to RSVP, contact social@thefraternity.org. 7–11pm. $5. thefraternity.org
The Freedom Party
In support of the Rainbow Railroad, RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 3 winner Raja performs and DJ Diego Armand spins. 8pm–2am. The Bram and Bluma Appel Salon, 789 Yonge St. $50 advance, $65 door. freedomparty.brownpapertickets.com
Frequency Cabaret
An evening of music and performance by such luminaries as Bisola Swags, Delicia Pastiche, Maya El Masry and Katie Pereira. 9–11:30pm. Glad Day Bookshop, 598 Yonge St. PWYC–$10. gladdaybookshop.com
Saturday at El Convento Rico
DJ Kno revs up the crowd for a naughty performance by Magic Male Revue and a drag show by Kera Keys, Farra N Hyte and Donnarama. 9pm–3:30am. El Convento Rico, 750 College St. $15. elconventorico.com
Blood, Sweat and Queers: Pride Hookup
Queers of every stamp get horny (as if they needed the help) with sexy ice-breaker games and sweaty dancing to music by Boy Pussy and L Rock. 10pm–2:30am. The Steady, 1051 Bloor St W. $5. thesteadycafe.com
Cherry Bomb: Summer Madness
Ladies shake their butts to DJs Cozmic Cat and Denise Benson’s “dancefloor burners.” 10pm. Round, 152 Augusta Ave. 10pm–3am. $5 before 11pm, $8 after. facebook.com/cherrybombtoronto
’90s Video Dance Party
If you wanna be my lover, you gotta go to a ’90s-themed party with music by DJs Caff and Tanner and a performance by Spice Girls tribute band Wannabe. 10pm–3am. The Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen St W. $10–15. gladstonehotel.com
Uncle Dickie’s 5: Pride
The fictitious gay renaissance man, Uncle Dickie, invites guys to dance and enjoy artist Mike Rinaldi’s latest creations. 10pm–4am. The Black Eagle, 457 Church St. $10. blackeagletoronto.com
Sunday, June 21, 2015
Sweetness Pride Beach Party
If you’re going to get sweaty, you might as well do it someplace with a nice breeze. DJs Aron, Jodie Harsh and Jeremy Khamkeo provide the music for a lakeside circuit party. Noon–7pm. Sugar Beach, 22 Dockside Dr. pridetoronto.com
Shady Tea: Daddy Issues
Because drag queens melt in the sun, Fay Slift and Fluffy Soufflé host an afternoon of laughs, cocktails and dancing in an air conditioned venue. And it’s Father’s Day, so daddies are especially welcome. 3–6pm. The Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen St W. No cover. gladstonehotel.com
Love, Acceptance, Support: A Celebration of Affirmation
Folks join Pastor David Lewis-Peart and Reverend Chiedza Pasipanodya for a celebration of queer black families, their friends and allies. 6–9pm. The 519, 519 Church St. Free. facebook.com/sunsetserviceministries
Woody’s Pride Week Kick Off
The legendary Church Street bar gets the Pride ball rolling with a night of drag performances by such lipsticked luminaries as Miss Conception, Georgie Girl and Jada Hudson. 6pm–2am. Woody’s, 467 Church St. No cover
Too Queer: A Bi Visibility Cabaret
A night of poetry, dance, storytelling and burlesque by or about bisexuals. Includes work by Foxy Roxy, Johnny Salib, Kamila Rina and Alex Adler. 7:30–10pm. The Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen St W. PWYC–$10. gladstonehotel.com
Queer Songbook Orchestra: Billy Strayhorn
The 12-piece chamber ensemble’s concert honours Billy Strayhorn, the openly gay collaborator of Duke Ellington. 8–10pm. Buddies in Bad Times, 12 Alexander St. $12–20. queersongbook.com
Pride
Ryan G Hinds, the cabaret artist who always delivers (laughs, tears or, at the very least, glitter), performs a series of numbers on the concept, definition, history and practice of Pride. 8–10pm. Buddies in Bad Times, 12 Alexander St. $15. buddiesinbadtimes.com
Hola Pre-Pride Party
The Latino community organization raises money for its Pride float with a night of Latin-flavoured music, dancing and drag. 9pm–2am. Erotico, 461 Church St. $5. erotico.ca
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