The official Pride launch tonight will no longer feature live music from the Cliks and Creature, Xtra has learned.
Peter McHugh, spokesperson for the festival, says Pride Toronto (PT) cancelled the musicians because of slumping ticket sales. The goal of the fundraising event was to raise $10,000.
“We made the decision to cancel, but the DJs, drag and burlesque performers are all still taking place. So to clarify, the event is not cancelled… The amount of money that we were bringing in would not have paid for the event.”
PT will issue refunds to those who bought advance tickets. The party begins at 6pm at the Phoenix on Sherbourne St. PT was charging $28 in advance and $35 at the door, which included a free T-shirt.
“For people who just show up at the door looking to buy tickets, we will let them in for free, tell them the Cliks and Creature are not performing, but they are more than welcome to come in and enjoy the party anyway,” he says.
The event will still feature drag performances, a burlesque show and music from DJs Deko-ze and Cajjmere.
McHugh says the organization was not aware that the event overlaps the AIDS vigil, which starts at 9pm tonight at the 519 Church Street Community Centre. “That was an oversight on our part.”
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