Thursday, Oct 27
The (Post) Mistress
Marie-Louise Painchaud, the endearing Métis postmistress of the fictional village of Lovely, Ontario, has the ability to read the townspeople’s mail through the envelopes. She turns what she learns into the lyrics of charming songs. The Toronto premiere of acclaimed playwright and musician Tomson Highway’s musical includes songs with Cree lyrics.
Runs until Sunday, Nov 6, various showtimes. Berkeley Street Theatre, 26 Berkeley St. theatrefrancias.com
Friday, Oct 28
That’s My Drag: Halloween at Buddies
Everyone and his gay dog is crazy about drag these days. Originating in Guelph, Ontario, there’s even a drag show that travels from town to town, circus-style. It pulls into Toronto for a several-hour-long Halloween-themed drag show that includes drag performers from near and far. The cast features Xtacy Love, Nikki Chin, Allysin Chaynes, Devine Darlin and others.
10:30pm–1:30am. Buddies in Bad Times, 12 Alexander St. buddiesinbadtimes.com
Cream Halloween
You can be whatever or whomever you want at this Halloween party for queer women and their friends. And you better make it good, because if you do, the organizers will give you money. Costumes are rated on their scariness, originality, humour — that kind of thing — and the first prize is $150. DJs KLR and Annalyze provide the soundtrack for the evening.
10:30pm–2:30am. Club 120, 120 Church St. facebook.com/creamtoronto
Saturday, Oct 29
TNTMen Halloween Naked Dance
What could be spookier than a bunch of men dancing butt naked? TNTMen, the social club for men who like to get naked with other men, throws its annual Halloween party. It’s all about sexiness and fun, and even though everyone’s naked, somehow there’s a costume contest (this may take some creativity). First prize is $500. DJ PJ spins, and the event is open to both TNTMen members and non-members.
4–9pm. Club 120, 120 Church St. tntmen.org
Vamps and Tramps
The venue soon to be known as Glad Day throws a Halloween party where you can dance in a partially-renovated space. Just try not to get caught on a nail or trip over an extension cord. The amusingly-named DJ Lesbian Menace spins, according to billing, “tunes that’ll bring out the tramp in you,” and Erin Brockobitch and Atmos Fierce perform drag. Includes a costume contest.
8pm–2am. Bar 499, 499 Church St. For more info, visit Facebook.
Toastrweeeeeeeen
With a shriek and a woosh, the Dracu-lesbians swoop down from out of the pitch-black sky and assume human form as they land at the Halloween edition of this recurring girl party. A few necks are sure to get sucked at a party that includes DJs Delicious and Sticky Cuts spinning house, dancehall and R&B. The decorated venue should look great because, as billing says, “drag queens don’t play where decorating is concerned.”
9:30pm–2:30am. WAYLA Bar, 996 Queen St E. facebook.com/toastrto
Sunday, Oct 30
120 Diner Sunday Cabaret Series
The immortal Ryan G Hinds can sing, he can (probably) dance, he can crack jokes — he can even help you digest food. Hinds is joined by Renée Strasfeld for a cabaret-while-you-eat. Make reservations and arrive a little early to enjoy dinner while these crooners sing everything from Disney movie hits to swingin’ jazz standards. Just don’t let the notoriously glittery Hinds accidentally shake anything sparkly into your food.
6pm. 120 Diner, 120 Church St. 120diner.com
Monday, Oct 31
Halloween on Church
As a final Halloween hurrah, a section of Church Street — from Wood to Gloucester Street — is closed to traffic for a big queer block party. The costumed attendees dance in the DJ’d area, and check out the various local shops, cafés and bars. The whole thing is live-to-air on CIUT 89.5FM for all the gay radio enthusiasts.
6pm–2am. Church and Wellesley Streets. For more info, visit Facebook.
For more event listings, visit dailyxtra.com/lgbt-events.
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