It’s that time again! Pride is taking over Toronto and we’ve rounded up our picks for the hottest parties and must-attend events happening across the city.
June 28th-29th Float Like A Butterfly Beer Garden @ Paul Brown Boxfit, 40 Wellesley St. E. What’s a party without a few knockouts? Get your Pride groove on with butterflies, boxing, beer, and beats at the Float Like a Butterfly Beer Garden! Featuring food from Big Bone BBQ + music supplied by DJ Matty Ryce. Open noon to 10 pm. $10.
June 18th-August 24th Fan the Flames: Queer Positions in Photography @ Art Gallery of Ontario, 317 Dundas St. W. “’Fan the Flames’ showcases works by Canadian and international figures such as Raphael Bendahan, Brassaï, Claude Cahun, Colin Campbell, Chris Curreri, Shawna Dempsey & Lorri Millan, Zackary Drucker & Rhys Ernst, General Idea, Nan Goldin, Nina Levitt, Robert Mapplethorpe, Mark Morrisroe, Catherine Opie and Weegee, among others. The artists document, perform, appropriate, collect and reinterpret images to present a range of views on fashioning the self. The exhibition also includes a selection of YouTube videos curated by Jon Davies and objects from the personal collections of artist Cynthia Greig and critic and curator Vince Aletti.”
June 18th-September 7th What It Means To Me Seen Photography & Queer Visibility @ Ryerson Image Centre, 33 Gould St. “Featuring a broad range of materials from the Black Star Collection at Ryerson University, the Canadian Lesbian + Gay Archives (Toronto), and other prominent collections in the United States and Europe, this range of photographs argues for the continued validity – necessity, even – of making queer people visible, collectively and individually.”
WEDNESDAY
9 pm Punk Rock Bingo: World Pride Edition @ The Beaver, 1192 Queen St. W. This month’s edition of Punk Rock Bingo features tons of amazing prizes and even more amazing performances! Hosted by Jenna Syde and Daddy-O, who mixes the punk tunes while you dabba, dabba doo. Midnight performance by Artificial Dissemination followed by DJ James SaTan Bass moshing things up with old school vinyl favourites. Loonie per card, with proceeds to charity.
THURSDAY
10 pm Steers & Queers: Night of 1,000 Dollys @ The Gladstone Hotel Ballroom, 1214 Queen St. W. A Dolly Parton church service worshipping country’s favourite drag queen! Featuring Rev. Fluffy Souffle, a full Dolly Parton choir, drag, burlesque, live music, and a Dolly look-a-like contest. DJs Joe Blow and Sigourney Beaver taking it home, homo on the range. Yee haw! $10 advance tickets available online, $12 at the door.
10 pm A Club Called Rhonda @ The Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen St. W. Los Angeles’ pansexual party palace, A Club Called Rhonda, embarks on a three-floor takeover of the Drake Hotel for an epic, polysexual house and disco dance extravaganza! 4 AM LAST CALL. $10.
10 pm Bangin’ Beaver @ The Beaver, 1192 Queen St. W. DJ Triple-X spins bangin’ tunes by artists performing at World Pride 2014 + other queer oddities. Reading by Sybil Lamb from her new book, I’ve Got a Time Bomb; juggling antics by Bella Muertaspecial; Montreal Pride preview performance by Dream Académie (Cabaret Mado); and more!
FRIDAY
8 pm Trans* Pride March @ North Stage Intersection of Church & Isabella St. Since it began in 2009, the Trans* March has sought to provide a place for trans identified people to rally, to stand up, and come together in solidarity.
8 pm Bitch Salad Pride @ Buddies In Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander St. Bitch Salad unites the country’s fiercest female and queer comedians for one unforgiving night of laughter. This year’s super-sized show is hosted by Andrew Johnston and features local sensations Steph Tolev and Laura Di Labio, Katherine Ryan—the queen of the UK comedy scene, perennial favourites The Cheeto Girls, and special guest Drew Droege! $25 advance tickets available online.
9 pm Orange & Black Dance Party @ The Marquis of Granby,418 Church St. Celebrate WorldPride and the second season of Orange Is The New Black. Come as you are or as one of your favourite characters (prizes for best costume). Surprise guests may include cast member. Music by DJ Quinces. $20 advance tickets available online, $25 at the door.
9:30 pm Wannabe: The Spice Girls Tribute Band @ Adelaide Hall, 250 Adelaide St. W. Who better to celebrate WorldPride with than Toronto’s most fabulous tribute band, WANNABE?! The girls are back and taking it to the next level with ALL the Spice hits, a smoking hot band, and some babelicious back-up dancers. 4 AM LAST CALL. $19.50 advance tickets available online, $25 at the door.
10 pm Fit Primpin’ @ 99 Sudbury St.Fit meets Big Primpin’ for a west end Pride mash-up. Featuring TS Madison with Tynomi Banks and DJs Max Mohenu, Blackcat, Phil V, Nino Brown, Kris Steeves, and more. $20 before 11 pm, $25 after.
10 pm Regretro: My So-Called Pride Edition @ The Henhouse, 1532 Dundas St. W. Bring out that flannel and do your best Jordan Catalano/Angela Chase because let’s face it, it was pretty much a lesbian relationship. Regretro is doing it big this World Pride with a school photobooth and projections of your favourite ’90’s/early 2000s TV shows. Black eyeliner and unrequited love optional. As always, requests welcome. Time to turn back time. Free before 11 pm, $5 after.
10 pm Scissors: WorldPride Edition @ Bassline, 782 King St. W. The Scissors crew of Fawn Big Canoe, WhiteWolf, and Sham have been carving a new path for queer house music events, bringing a deeper, darker vibe to the LGBT scene. Their monthly events have gained momentum in the house scene becoming popular among the true house music lovers. While deep, dark and sexy are the main focuses, it’s not uncommon to hear french touch, disco and acid house influences each month. This month, they’ll be joined by special guest DJ Jackie Spade. $5.
11 pm Electric Circus @ The Garrison, 1197 Dundas St. W. With DJs Ketsup (Katie S. of Austra), Vanessa, and Pammm. 4 AM LAST CALL. Free before midnight, $5 after.
SATURDAY
1 pm Lipstick Jungle @ Cawthra Square Park, 519 Church St. Lipstick Jungle brings together thousands of lesbian, trans, and gay party-goers from Toronto and beyond. Featuring some of the most talented DJs of the international scene: Kim Ann Foxman (New York), Francesca Lombardo (London, England), Tizi (Montreal), and Delicious (Toronto). Until midnight. All proceeds from donations and bar sales will benefit The 519 Church Street Community Centre.
2 pm Dyke March @ Allan Gardens, 19 Horticultural Ave. A political demonstration of critical mass; a moment seized to revel in the strength, diversity, and passion of LGBTTIQQ2SA women and trans folk.
2 pm I Know You Got Soul @ TD Wellesley Stage, 15 Wellesley St. E. A stellar showcase of R&B, soul, hip-hop, and dance music artists. Featuring performances by Estelle, Deborah Cox, Jully Black, Neon Hitch, Reverse, House of Xtravaganza, and DJ Kitty Glitter + a special Pride edition of the Tangled Festival event “Krip Hop.”
8 pm Homo Night In Canada @ Buddies In Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander St. Created in 2000 by The B-Girlz (Glam-Glam Productions), the annual Homo Night in Canada show has become a must-see event of Pride weekend in Toronto. Featuring Susan Fischer, John Hastings, Shawn Hitchins, Elvira Kurt, Catherine McCormick, Richard Ryder, David-Benjamin Tomlinson, Dawn Whitwell, and Lindy Zucker. $25 advance tickets available online.
9:15 pm Big Pride Sing-Along: Get Loud! Get Proud! @ Betty Oliphant Theatre, 404 Jarvis St. Based on the Big Gay Sing – developed by the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus – and led by the von Trapp kids as you’ve never seen them before, Big Pride Sing-Along is one event you won’t want to miss. Featuring a selection of Broadway favourites, a mash-up/smackdown by Madonna and Lady Gaga, a musical ride around queer Canada with the drag king Mounties, and more! $17 advance tickets available online.
10 pm A Love Bizarre: Part One @ Studio Bar, 824 Dundas St. W. A Love Bizarre invites you on their journey towards peace, prosperity, and love. DJs Ali Black, Ben Marchal, Le Freak C’est Keek, Jennifer Loveless, Raf Reza, and Paul Revered play deep house, garage disco, and electro boogie. Sponsored by Play De Record and Bolt Fresh Bar.
10 pm Yes Yes Y’all @ Adelaide Hall, 250 Adelaide St. W. The hottest, sweatiest, busiest queer hip-hop/dancehall/RnB jam around! Featuring a live performance by NYC emcee Dai Burger, DJs Mensa and Daddy Maysr, and, of course, the YYY crew. 4 AM LAST CALL. $20 tickets available online and at the door.
10 pm CrushTO WorldPride Party 2014 @ Club 120, 120 Church St. A consensual sex and queer positive mixer for the like-minded. This year’s theme is Pride; be proud of the whoever you are. Simple and fabulous. With guest DJ Duo Arche and Avril Incandenza + a burlesque show and private booths to get hot and heavy in (consensually). $10.
10 pm Cherry Bomb Pride: Out of This World @ Virgin Mobile Mod Club, 722 College St. Celebrate Pride Cherry Bomb style as Toronto’s biggest party for queer women and friends brings you an extravaganza of epic proportions. Four DJs. Two levels. Spectacular sound, lights, and space. In the Galaxy (main room), Cherry Bomb residents Cozmic Cat and Denise Benson spin big room beats while Diana Lopez puts on a breath-taking midnight performance. In the Asteroid Lounge (upstairs), DJs Katey and Nix play funk, soul, old school, an hip-hop. Limited $15 advance tickets available at Glad Day Bookshop (598-A Yonge St.), Soundscapes (572 College St.), and online. $20 at the door.
10 pm Britney vs. Madonna Video Dance Party @ WAYLA, 996 Queen St. E. Brit and Madge together again, remixed live by DJ Truewind.
10:30 pm Late Night Queer Cabaret @ Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queen’s Quay W. In celebration of WorldPride, Harbourfront Centre presents Late Night Queer Cabaret. Featuring LGBTQ artists Light Fires (DJ set) and Fritz Helder (DJ set), pop-up performances by Boylesque, and special guests! $10 advance tickets available online.
10:30 pm Hotnuts Presents: A Whole New World Pride with Nomi Ruiz @ The Garrison, 1197 Dundas St. W. Hotnuts welcomes Nomi Ruiz to Hotnuts for this year’s Pride! To celebrate, they’re going all the way down the Disney rabbit hole with an extended 4 am license. Hosted by Mary Messhausen with Buzz Huneedew and Peg Zilla + DJs Jeremy Glenn, Produzentin, and Das Hussy. $12 advance tickets available online, $15 at the door.
SUNDAY
12 pm A Love Bizarre: Part Two @ Ho’s Team Lot, 66 Wellesley St. E. A Love Bizarre invites you on their journey towards peace, prosperity, and love. DJs Ali Black, Ben Marchal, Le Freak C’est Keek, Jennifer Loveless, Raf Reza, and Paul Revered play deep house, garage disco, and electro boogie. Until midnight. All ages.
1 pm WorldPride Parade @ Bloor & Church. Toronto celebrates 34 years of Pride and the excitement of hosting WorldPride 2014.
1 pm Disco, Disco @ Cawthra Square Park, 519 Church St. All-day disco party with DJs Dimitri From Paris, Horse Meat Disco (London), Phil V, Diego Armand, and Kris Steeves. Until midnight. All proceeds from donations and bar sales will benefit The 519 Church Street Community Centre.
3 pm Alterna-Queer @ Alexander Parkette (outside Buddies in Bad Times Theatre), 12 Alexander St. The programming at Alterna-Queer consists of both emerging and established artists who create a genre of music for the mind rather than the masses. DJ Steve Rock ramps things up ’90s-style, so get there early! With performances by all-girl Nirvana cover band Hervana, Unfinished Business, Sister Hyde, Zoo Owl, Sid’s Kids, and Retrovirus + No Pants Society’s presentation of “Rob Ford and The Disney Princesses” and The Judy and Igby Trash Cabaret.
5 pm WorldPride 2014 Closing Party @ Yonge-Dundas Square, 1 Dundas St. E. The closing ceremony for WorldPride 2014, with performances by Tegan and Sara, Rich Aucoin, Hunter Valentine, Robin S, Cece Peniston, God Des and She, and more.
9 pm Vazaleen Presents: Shame @ Wrongbar, 1279 Queen St. W. A benefit for the Will Munro Queers Living With Cancer Fund, starring Shadowy Men On A Shadowy Planet and Jenna Syde. Spinning gonorrhible jams and guaranteed floor-clearers: Michael Comeau, Max Mohenu, and Vee Stun. $15 advance tickets available at Rotate This, Soundscapes, and online.
10 pm Business Woman’s Special: It’s A Small World After All Ball @ Round, 152-A Augusta Ave. Co-hosted by RuPaul’s Drag Race’s Ornacia and featuring performances by Igby Lizzard and Judy Virago of The House of Filth. DJs Nino Brown and Sammy Royale keep things sweaty and Gilles ben Kimon will be there for all your photography needs. Dress code is tank tops and glitter. $10.
10 pm Rebels Present: DJ & Dance Party @ Bovine Sex Club, 542 Queen St. W. Pride closing party with DJ Fathom and friends. $5 before 11 pm, $10 after.