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Nicola Betts, Scott Dagostino, Mary Dickie, Dino Dilio, Derek Dotto, Jeremy Foreshew, David Hawe, Ramya Jegatheesan, Nick Kozak, Keith Loukes, Michael Pihach, Adam Segal, Pam Shime, Richard Silver, Lulu Wei ON the cover

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Contents

issue 13

PROUD AS A QUEEN SHOULD BE. HOSANNA By

MICHEL TREMBLAY Translated by

JOHN VAN BUREK and BILL GLASSCO Directed by

WEYNI MENGESHA With

Waltzing Vienna Glamour, culture, celebs & schnitzel by Michael Pihach

Framing the future Activists take the good fight in new directions by Paul Gallant

Siss Boom Bang kd lang’s surprising admission by Mary Dickie

Gareth Potter. Photo by Andrew Eccles.

OLIVER BECKER GARETH POTTER

DOUGLAS ELLIOT on the city & Pride

9 HARRY BELAFONTE on getting involved 11 I  T.O PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST 13

PRIDE TORONTO’S GLEN BROWN by Scott Dagostino

happy queen west homemakers by Gordon Bowness

21 THREE TYPES OF WORKOUT by Jeremy Foreshew 22 GOLFING STYLE by Gordon Bowness 25

ST LAWRENCE MARKET AREA by Richard Silver

26 MANSCAPING by Dino Dilio 27 RELATIONSHIP ADVICE with Adam Segal 40

SCHOOL’S IN FOR BRUNCH review by Pam Shime

41 bespoke from green shag by Derek Dotto 42 The national ballet’s Alice the dancers’ views 49

SEX & HEALTH with Dr Keith

CAUGHT IN THE ACT by Michael Pihach & Derek Dotto

JOIN US. stratfordshakespearefestival.com 1.800.567.1600 ANTONI CIMOLINO General Director

Discover • Debate • Discuss

DES McANUFF Artistic Director

toronto talk exchange VIEW FINDER → FACE THE COMMUNITY David Pike’s portrait of trans theatre artist Nina Arsenault is one of 100 photographs in the 10by10 exhibition opening during Pride. James Fowler approached 10 photographers to shoot 10 LGBT artists. The participating photographers include John Caffery, Tania Anderson, InkedKenny and Tanja-Tiziana; the subjects include Bruce LaBruce, Evalyn Parry, AA Bronson, Gentleman Reg, Carole Pope, Charles Pachter and Will Munro. The show runs Mon, June 27 to July 7 at the White House Studio Project (277½ Augusta Ave). A book version is in the works, proceeds from which will go toward establishing a grant for a young LGBT person or group to fund a visual arts project. The reception and book launch is 7pm on Thu, June 30. 10x10toronto.wordpress.com.

Nicola Betts

In their own words Douglas Elliot

June 2011

→ “I

have news for our enemies: You cannot destroy Pride. We won’t let you!” Lawyer Douglas Elliot was one of 400 activists and community members who descended upon City Hall for the Proud of Toronto rally on May 16 to voice their concerns over the city possibly pulling its funding of Pride. “When I was born — on Church St no less — over 50 years ago, Toronto was a very different place,” said Elliott. “It was a city that valued conformity, not diversity. It was a city where being gay could send you to jail for the rest of your life. In 1969 the Stonewall riots in New York unleashed Pride parades as an annual commemoration of our communities’ demand for equality, and our refusal to submit meekly to oppression. Thirty years ago, Pride was reborn in Toronto out of our resistance here to another act of oppression, the infamous bathhouse

raids. We took to the streets to demand our rights. In the years that followed, as we won victory after victory in the courts, we also won over the hearts and minds of many of our fellow residents in this great city. It has become a shining symbol of what makes Toronto a great city, where diversity is our strength. “Despite our clear commitment to fighting hate speech, and to upholding the city’s anti-discrimination policy, the attacks on Pride continue…. Make no mistake about it, given the current state of Pride’s finances, cutting funding to Pride is nothing less than a deliberate attempt to destroy Pride.”

PROUD OF TORONTO Read more on page 34 and intorontomag.com.

toronto talk exchange Sound off Why get involved?

Cameron Mac Lennon

8 things to know about Pride

3. Last month, the Stephen Lewis Foundation (stephenlewisfoundation.org) hosted a sold-out benefit concert called Hope Rising. Drawing a bevy of celebrity hosts and performers, the event raised more than $500,000 for the foundation’s work with grassroots organizations fighting HIV/AIDS in Africa. We asked some of the night’s participants why they got involved.

→

“The Stephen Lewis Foundation has given a voice to the epidemic. It’s a great feeling knowing that they’re going grassroots. They’re not just infiltrating or sending a whole bunch of people to change the community and say we have the answers. They’re actually empowering people locally.”

Jully Black, singer

“This money doesn’t get lost in paperwork, which I think is crucial. I want to know that a dollar is going to get into the hands of the people who need it. And that’s what the Stephen Lewis Foundation does.”

d’bi young, actress, singer

“I’ve been to South Africa. I remember being in a clinic that had only five maternity beds and they were servicing about 500,000 people. That image stays in my mind. The image of grandmothers having to care for numerous grandchildren with very little resources. They’re so full of life, yet they have nothing. It makes me think of experiences in my life in this world. We have so much, yet we’re not happy.”

“I’ve lost a lot of friends and I’ve seen the devastation. I’ve been to Africa many times. I’ve seen what goes on. It’s probably the most criminal of all social contaminations that affects us.”

Harry Belafonte (above), singer, actor, activist

Gloria Reuben, actress

1. Pride (Fri, June 24 to July 3) is going to happen, no matter what — no matter Pride Toronto’s organizational challenges and diminished resources, no matter the mayor and city council’s disregard for Toronto’s vibrant LGBT community. 2. Tens of thousands of tourists will show up, oblivious to our political troubles. Tens of thousands of locals will show up, eager to connect with their community. 3. Smaller Pride budgets mean more locally-focused programming. There’s no big stage in Queen’s Park; the smaller parkettes east of Yonge have been scrapped as venues. 4. A happy change finds Blockorama returning to its original location at the Wellesley Stage all day Sunday. 5. The unenviable job of pulling Pride together has fallen to interim ED Glen Brown (see page 13). 6. He’ll need as much help as Pride can muster. Pride Toronto can always use more volunteers (pridetoronto.com). 7. Pride is bigger than Pride Toronto. The 519’s weekend of great outdoor parties kicks off Thu, June 30 (page 14); Buddies in Bad Times Theatre has a fortnight of fantastic programming (page 38); and party promoters like Prism and clubs from Church St to the west end know how to keep the crowds happy. 8. Pride is a party, Pride is political, Pride is people. It’s up to you to create the event you want. And given just the small slice of fantastic Torontontians featured in this issue, Pride is going to be amazing.

HOPE RISING Check out our video coverage at intorontomag.com.

intorontomag.com

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toronto talk exchange I  T.O Photography Contest We have a winner!

ikey

Sin

has

won

In Toronto magazine’s inaugural I  T.O Photo-

graphy Contest. The contest, which ran from Apr 4 to May 18, called for photographs to illustrate why Toronto is a great city to be gay, lesbian, bi or trans. Forty photos were submitted, each accompanied by a short description. The images were uploaded to In Toronto’s Facebook page and readers were asked to vote for, or “like,” their faves. The three images with the most likes — “United We Stand” by Mikey Sin, “Gender Juxtaposition” by Myles Sexton and “One Year of Legal Love” by Chris Reygel — were then forwarded to an adjudication

panel,

which

picked

the winner. The panel consisted of Gordon Bowness, editor of In Toronto, photographer April Hickox, professor of photography at OCAD University, and author RM Vaughan, art critic for the Globe and Mail. The judges liked

“United We Stand” by Mikey Sin

the light and movement of Sin’s

“It really was one of those hot summer

photo, the diversity of people and

days during Pride 2010. Pride in Toronto

the image’s immediacy — while it

has always been such great mix of culture

could be anywhere, Torontonians

and diversity — from the LGBT community

instantly

and families to tourists and politicians,

recognize

Toronto

Pride. In addition to securing a

Pride is a time where everyone can get

spot in the magazine, Sin wins a

together no matter who you are, and

trip to Lisbon, Portugal (courtesy

celebrate being an individual.”

of Accord Tours). Thanks to everyone who sent in photos and voted. The series of images and stories you provided is a real celebration of this city. Check out the other submissions

“One Year of Legal Love” by Chris Reygel

“Gender Juxtaposition” by Myles Sexton

at In Toronto’s Facebook page. •

intorontomag.com

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19/03/2011 10:44:18 AM

toronto talk exchange NEWSMAKER Glen Brown’s longest month By Scott Dagostino

he year 2010 was rough

began to change Brown’s mind. He

for Pride Toronto. After

participated in the discussions and

months

controversy

liked the final report. “I don’t agree

surrounding the decision to ban a

with every one of the 133 recom-

contested activist group from the

mendations but I like the direction

parade, following threats of being

Pride is heading in now,” he says.

abandoned by nervous sponsors,

He signed on. “My heart wanted to

the executive director resigned just

do it.”

“The first week was bewildering,”

ing that revealed an apparent con-

he says. ”While I kept thinking, ‘My

flict of interest and the organiza-

God, what have I done?’ all these

tion being nearly $110,000 in debt.

friends and people in the com-

To dig itself out of a mess like

munity were saying lovely things

that, Pride Toronto needed a hero,

about me and I thought, ‘Hang on,

maybe even a saviour.

I actually do not have any super-

Glen Brown is not that person.

Lulu Wei

before the annual general meet-

powers!’” he laughs.

As a longtime community orga-

Not true, says Todd Ross, director

nizer and activist who runs his

of community development and

became a trap, Brown says. “Our

own communications consulting

partnerships at Casey House: “One

goal should be to celebrate our

of the advantages Glen has is that

communities

“I’m dealing with politics and partying and fierce and fabulous people. If none of that is fun, then something is deeply wrong.”

he knows so many people within

putting them back in control. It

by existing as a safe space, Pride is

the LGBT community so when

doesn’t mean we’re going to turn

a political statement.”

issues arise, he can just pick up the

down money from corporations

That includes putting Blockorama

phone and call people. It’s really

but it means asking them, down

and trans programming front and

going to help him in that role.”

the road, how well they meet our

centre, ”both philosophically and

standards. Are they a queer-posi-

practically,” Brown says. “For me

“Holy

tive community member?” Brown

personally, Blockorama is always

crap, what I have gotten myself

says Pride has a dual challenge:

exciting because it’s the place

into?” Now running Pride and con-

To avoid financial bankruptcy and

where this notion that partying

tinuing to serve his own clients,

to avoid political and ethical bank-

and politics need to be separate

Brown quickly realized, “I could be

ruptcy. “I am as concerned about

gets blown out of the water.”

business for non-profit organiza-

working 24/7. With every minute in

the second ledger as the first.”

tions, Brown was Pride’s natural

the office, the demands expanded.”

And with the QuAIA controversy

says, “I was having fun. No, seri-

choice for interim ED. He’d even

The third week, however, saw the

now muted, Brown says Pride has

ously, this job is tremendously

done it before, having stepped

pieces beginning to fall into place.

become “more explicit” with city

exciting. I’m dealing with politics

in to head the AIDS Committee

Brown realized he had the skills

council, bluntly telling them, “You

and partying and fierce and fabu-

of Toronto for six months in

and capacity to get a great deal

have the capacity in your hands

lous people. If none of that is fun,

2008 until permanent ED Hazelle

done. “There’s a lot I can do in this

to kill this festival. Defunding

then something is deeply wrong.

Palmer was hired.

role,” he says, “and a lot I just can’t

Pride will not be some slap on the

It’s been humbling, the num-

— I don’t have time and it’s not in

wrist, it’s in jeopardy. That’s not

ber of people who have person-

Brown

my hands anyway.” He says much

spin, I’ve seen the books.” If the

ally thanked me for taking on a

describes Pride’s offer. “It’s an

of the job is simply about discus-

city will clean up after the Santa

role that they think is important to

important institution but also a

sion, “We’ve heard you and we can

Claus parade, it should help Pride,

take on. It’s very encouraging.” He

huge, clumsy and awkward beast.”

do X but we can’t do Y.

Brown insists. “This thing is impor-

stops and laughs, “But I will just

”Immensely flattering and incredibly

daunting,”

how

But by the second week, Brown found

himself

thinking,

and

that

means

→ WHAT WAS HE T HINKING? Veteran activist Glen Brown is the interim ED of Pride Toronto.

And so by his fourth week, Brown

He said no. But the exhaustive com-

“It’s not rocket science.”

tant. Queer kids are still running

remind people again, I do not have

munity consultation process Pride

The previous regime’s need to

away from home, still living on the

superpowers!” •

began after their cruel summer

keep building a bigger, better Pride

street, still killing themselves. Just

intorontomag.com

L I V I N G & H EA LT H

O PE N H O U S E

Synchronicity â&#x2020;&#x2019;

Ever since their first date, magazine editor Mathieu Chantelois, chair of The 519 Pride celebrations, and corporate communications executive Marcelo Gomez-Wiuckstern have made big decisions about their life together with ease â&#x20AC;&#x201D; they just go in the direction that the world seems to point them Story Gordon Bowness | Photography Nicola Betts

June 2011

LIVING & HEALTH

Mathieu, you were one of this country’s first reality TV stars, appearing in the first season of The Lofters back in 2001. How did that impact on buying a home? MC: The last thing I wanted was to live in a loft. And Marcelo really wanted a house. You bought this 1901 row house two and half years ago. Why did you buy near Queen and Bathurst? MGW: We really love the neighbourhood. We love the cultural mix. It’s edgy, it’s Italian, it’s Portuguese, it’s Chinese, and very gay-friendly. We’re both Montrealers and this part of town feels like Montreal. MC: When we go to the gay village we feel like we’re clones — we look like so many other gay couples. But on Queen West, the hipsters are the clones. To us it feels very fresh to be out here. What did you have to do to it? MC: Nothing. It was already totally renovated. MGW: [laughs] It took us two months to figure out how to work the fireplace. We love the house. There’s lots of space. It’s very calm. Plus it’s great for entertaining — there’s nothing really to worry about. It’s very casual. Your families in Montreal are very much a part of this home. MC: Both our fathers love to have projects when they come here. MGW: Our families are very loving. They’ve become good friends. We travelled to Argentina with both sets of parents… and when we left, they kept on travelling together. They all get together when we visit Montreal. They do stuff together even when we are not there. Tell me how you met. MC: We met on a dance floor in Montreal 12 years ago. We had our first date a week later. MGW: After the date, he said he had a few boxes he needed moving into his new place and asked for help… MC: So he helped me move… and he never left. It was a sublet

and I had to move again in three months so we got our first apartment together. The momentum was there. The only time you spent apart was your year shooting the Lofters in Toronto. MC: I was working for a newspaper, trying to write a story on the audition process. But the producers didn’t want to talk to me. So I just went through the audition process trying to get the story. Before I knew it I was on the show in Toronto. We didn’t even know what reality TV was back then. It was so new. And that helped facilitate the move to TO? MGW: I was visiting Mathieu every weekend. And I’ve always liked Toronto. And so when a transfer at work came up before the end of the Lofters, again, the momentum was there. There’s lots of contemporary art in the house: Betty Goodwin, Stephen Andrews, Jason Baerg, Daryl Vocat, Neil Young, even a portrait of you two from your friend Jason Ford. MGW: We’re really into it. We take a long time trying to find the right piece. Hanging a work that incorporates fluorescent lights is a bold choice. MC: It’s one of Jason Baerg’s. We met him 15 years ago and are big fans of his work. We tried so many things on that wall. It’s a big space. There is something about how the lights and the negative space work there. MGW: His work has so much meaning, these echoing spirits. With his Metis heritage, he draws so many connections to the land, architecture, urban culture, traditions, past and future.

→ SOCIAL GRACES Marcelo GomezWiuckstern and Mathieu Chantelois (bottom left) call their living room (middle right), with art by Jason Baerg, a work in progress. The dining room (opposite page), with more art by Baerg, features a harvest table and bench that allows for great party flow on the mainfloor. The master bedroom (top right) showcases a painting by Neil Young.

Talk about The 519’s big fundraising parties at Pride beginning Thu, June 30? MC: The 519’s Pride events used Continued on page 16

intorontomag.com

L I V I N G & H EA LT H

Continued from page 15

to be the ones you’d go to when

is 1001 Starry Nights, a showcase

you couldn’t get into any of the

of Middle East culture and peo-

other beer gardens. Now the Green

ple with Beirut’s DJ Sylosurf and

Space on Church series raises over

a show from Antonella, Lebanon’s

$90,000 in profits that go directly to

first out transsexual. Then things

finance essential programs bene-

get wild: On Canada Day, DJ

fiting our communities. Our sales

Deko-ze

were almost as high all the other

Pavia are hosting One World with

Pride beer gardens put together.

amazing Toronto DJs. This will be

I’ve also been on the board of

followed by an unbelievable line-

Montreal Divers/Cité for 10 years

up of great talents for the rest of

and I wanted to bring the same

the weekend. Saturday’s Lipstick

success to Toronto: high qual-

Jungle and Sunday’s TreeHouse

ity parties with great DJ produc-

Party will offer, free of charge,

ers and artists, great sound sys-

amazing talents such as DJs Ana

tems — but most of all, ensuring

Paula,

the event is free to all. The Green

Escalante, Stephan Grondin and

Space on Church parties are where

Ronen Mizrahi. Events like these

everyone is welcome — sexy les-

help make The 519 a home for 350

bians, hot guys, families, club kids

community groups and more than

and party veterans. It’s a sweet mix

30,000 users. Great parties for a

of everyone and everything, in the

good cause… that’s why the vibe is

most beautiful space on Church.

so wonderful! •

and

Alyson

socialite

Charles

Calagna,

Isaac

There are four days of parties this year and the capacity is much larger too. The Thursday kickoff → functionalit y The main bathroom (left) on the second floor gets lots of light with step-back windows. The kitchen (above) features two ovens. “That made our mothers laugh,” says Chantelois. “After two and a half years, we’re finally learning to cook,” says Gomez-Wiuckstern.

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T r avel

Where modern meets its past → Vienna

is the beating heart of Europe Story Michael Pihach

homosexual

The Austrian capital of 1.7 million

located in the Museumsquartier,

was responsible for stop-

Austrian

people sits in the heart of Europe,

an easy-to-find hub reachable by

The Viennese have a thing for

ping the Ottoman Empire

branching from the banks of the

subway. A few blocks away is the

balls, whether formal or fancy

advancing into Europe in the 17th

Danube to the foothills of the Alps.

fantastically

Secession

dress. New Year’s Eve, the Opera

century. His name was Prince

When walking the winding stone

Building

which

Ball (February/March), Life Ball (in

Eugene of Savoy, a successful mil-

roads of Vienna, be prepared to

has on permanent exhibition the

May; see page 20), even a gay and

itary commander who achieved the

experience a full-on art and cul-

“The Beethoven Frieze” by famed

lesbian Rainbow Ball (in February)

highest offices of state at the impe-

ture assault. From the breathtaking

Austrian

Klimt

are highlights of the calendar.

rial court in Vienna. But the warrior

Romanesque and Baroque architec-

(1862-1918), a pioneer in Viennese

Vienna Pride and the Rainbow

prince was known for other quali-

ture to opera, museums and classi-

Modernism. The year 2012 marks

Parade is mid-June.

ties beyond the battlefield — like

cal music — Mozart, Mahler, Liszt

Klimt’s 150th birthday and Vienna

There’s culture, then there’s cul-

his intimate relations with men.

— culture is at the heart of a Vienna

is bursting with special exhibits.

ture. Gay and lesbian life is focused

experience.

The Belvedere Palace (belvedere.at)

in Rosa-Lila-Villa, or “Villa,” on

is home to 22 Klimt paintings, the

Linke Wienzeile. Start in the bus-

It’s one of the first tales you’ll hear when discovering gay life in Vienna. 18

June 2011

Many of Vienna’s museums are

nouveau

(secession.at)

artist

Gustav

world’s largest collection.

LIVING & HEALTH

tling Naschmarkt (a block from

Vienna has its share of leather

Secession), with its buskers and

and fetish clubs, including the long-

fresh produce vendors. Close to

established Eagle Bar Vienna (Blüm-

the market is Café Savoy (Linke

elgasse 1), Hard On (Hamburger-

Wienzeile 36), an ideal place to grab

straße 4) and a cruise bar — with

a quick vodka soda or cappucino,

shower — called Sling (Kettenbrück-

called “mélange.”

engasse 4). There’s a clothing-

Mango Bar (Laimgrubengasse 3)

optional area on Danube Island in

is a small, back-alley lounge where

what is called the “Toter Grund”

young, trendy gays sip and social-

section.

ize. The bartenders here are par-

For Saturday night dancing, check

ticularly nice, unlike many service

out Why Not (Färbergasse 3), a club

people in Vienna. Call me classically

with a diverse crowd (mainly men)

Canadian, but many have a ten-

both young and old. The downstairs

dency to come across as, well, rude.

laser light dancefloor, which mixes

“Don’t ask waiters too many ques-

ABBA songs into its electro beats, is

tions,” a tour guide tells me. “You’ll

particularly hypnotizing.

just come off as complicated.”

Vienna’s lesbian scene is smaller than the gay scene, but there are

ence, go to Felixx (packed on week-

a few offerings worth exploring.

ends; Gumpendorfer Straße 5). Then

Frauencafé (Langegasse 11) was

migrate to Village Bar (Stiegengasse

founded in the 1970s by a femi-

8), another small space. The bar-

nist collective and is exclusive to

tenders are hot and their free pours

women and trans women only.

generous.

There is also Frauenzentrum Bar, or

If you’re unapologetically gay, go

FZ (Währingerstraße 59/6). German-speaking Vienna is not

recently named best gay restaurant

structured in a neat, organized

by a local gay magazine for its drop-

grid. Reciting lines from the Sound

dead gorgeous staff and excellent

of Music and Lady Gaga’s new

food. For fine dining try gay-owned

German-infused song “Sheiße” will

Wiener

10).

only get you so far around town. So

Architect Felix Stasser and fashion

carry a map, and don’t be afraid to

designer Sven Bader opened it four

ask locals for directions. Think of it

years ago to accommodate legions of

as a Canadian thing to do.

(Stubenbastei

to Motto (Schönbrunner Straße 30),

Salon

For an alternative lounge experi-

fans of Bader’s former underground resto he ran out of his apartment.

Continued on page 20

→ nouveau & riches Vienna’s State Opera House (opposite page), Klimt’s “The Kiss (Lovers) 1907-’08” at the Belvedere (top right), the Secession Building (middle right) and Neuer Markt (bottom left).

intorontomag.com

L I V I N G & H EA LT H

Continued from page 19

MAKE A LOUD STATEMENT Imagine yourself drinking Red Bull and vodka while dancing to infectious electro-disco with 4,000 revellers wearing body paint, angel wings and pink flamingo headpieces in an extravagant neoGothic ballroom. That’s Life Ball, Europe’s largest HIV/AIDS fundraising event. Held annually in Vienna, Austria, outand inside of the city’s historic city hall, the Life Ball aims to makes a loud statement in the fight against HIV/AIDS and, with the help of international figures and celebrities, leave a lasting impression on the world. Defined by its exuberance and awe-inspiring moments, the Life Ball’s outdoor event attracts some 40,000 onlookers to Vienna’s downtown city square, vying for glimpses of celebrity guests and eye-popping performances. “It’s my first time at the LIfe Ball,” said headliner Janet Jackson, prior to making her entrance on the magenta carpet. “There’s a lot of love in the air and the energy is great. “ This year’s event boasted an array of outrageious visuals, including opera-singing angels, flying Trojan horses and 100 formally dressed male and female debutantes wearing pink flamingo headpieces performing ballroom choreography. Costume-clad guests, too, can make a ceremonial entrance and walk the magenta carpet, but only if approved by the Life Ball Style

Police, which stand guard at the gate entrance (anyone in feathers, wings, masks, drag or wrapped in balloons, it seemed, was given a green light this year, with the theme being “Spread the wings of tolerance”). VIPs who participated this year included Janet Jackson (who represented the American Foundation for AIDS Research), Brooke Shields, Bill Clinton, Holly Johnson, Vivienne Westwood, Natasha Bedingfield, Natalia Kills, Amanda Lepore, Kazaky, Cheyenne Jackson and hosts Dean and Dan Caten of Dsquared2 (who entered atop a Canadian-inspired Mini Cooper that they designed). The design duo closed the night with a Life Ball-inspired fashion show. The epic outdoor event went from 7:30pm till 11pm, and was free if you didn’t mind watching the action on projection screens from afar and pressing yourself up against a barricade with thousands of onlookers. The official party inside city hall was jumping by 11:30pm and continued on until 5am (many guests stayed till the end).

LIFE BALL Tickets sell out quickly. Talk to a travel agent about packages. lifeball.org. See video from this year’s event at intorontomag.com. VIENNA TOURSIM wien.info.

→ LIFE BALL Jewelled and feathered revellers at this year’s Life Ball, Europe’s largest HIV/AIDS fundraiser, partied inside and out of city hall until late.

LIVING & HEALTH

F itne s s

Three workout regimens → For

three types of exercise-wary personalities. Which one are you? Story Jeremy Foreshew

It seems like nearly everyone is focused on getting fit for the warmer, skin-exposed months ahead. Everyone but you, that is. Chances are if you find yourself backing out of the conversation when water cooler chat turns to “sets and reps,” you’re using one of these three excuses.

I DON’T HAVE TIME Working out doesn’t have to be a long, time-consuming monster. Sure, we all cringe as the perfectly chiselled Adonis brags about how he spent the past two hours sculpting the guns. The rest of us with jobs and lives need a quicker fix. Luckily, fitness science has proven that better results actually come from shorter, more frequent workouts. Split your workout in two and gain some focus. Spend 15 minutes every morning doing a full body circuit consisting of push-ups, squats, crunches and leg lifts. Spend one minute doing each activity with one minute rest between each. Repeat three times. If you feel extra frisky, do it a fourth time and get a great workout and energy boost in only 20 minutes.

For your second workout, spend just 30 minutes in the gym twice a week. Focus on weight training one or two muscle groups each month. You’ll see dramatic and specific improvements and might even find yourself more motivated to work out. Your morning circuits will maintain the other muscles while you focus on building bigger arms or broader shoulders. To make a dramatic change in your first month, I recommend starting with a triceps and shoulders split. Your arms will look thicker (triceps account for 60 percent of the arm) and your new rounded shoulders will make you look much broader. Try these exercises at the gym. Aim for three sets of eight to 10 repetitions, with the last two being a struggle. If you can easily do 10, it’s time to add more weight. Day 1. First set: Seated Arnold press and rope push-down. Second set: Front plate raise and skull crushers. Day 2. First set: Bent-over barbell row and overhead cable extensions. Second set: Lateral shoulder raise and bench dips with elevated feet.

I HATE GYMS Between the high monthly fees and the discomfort of sweating your tomato-red face off in a room full of people, gyms can be off-putting. They aren’t necessary. Bodyweightbased exercise can be just as effective in burning fat, as well as helping improve posture and give you more endurance in your daily activities. Before you max out your credit card on gadgets or a bulky elliptical machine, try simple items like a jump rope, a pull-up bar, a yoga mat and stability and medicine balls. They’ll cost you less than $20 each and can be used both indoors and out. Here is an easy home workout that you can do with only a jump rope: Jump rope, lunges, push-ups, crunches, wall sit, plank and burpee. Do each for 60 seconds and then rest for three minutes at the end. Repeat the series four times:

training (HIIT) program and burn fat while building strong body-shaping muscles. These short burst workouts will leave you drenched after only 20 minutes and can help you burn up to nine times more than regular cardio workouts. If you have a smartphone, there are plenty of interval timer apps that you can download to assist you in your training. Rather than slug it out for an hour on the treadmill, do intervals of 30-second brisk walks and 30-second all-out sprints. Repeat eight to 10 times. To increase the challenge, increase the amount of intervals or the length of time you sprint (go for 45 seconds rather than 30). If you can’t even stand to be on the treadmill for those 10 to 20 minutes, you can also burn fat with HIIT resistance-based training by doing intense activity (kettlebell swings, push-ups, bicep curls) followed by short rest periods.

I HATE CARDIO Many people think that in order to burn fat they must increase their cardio levels — that simply is not the case. Get the most out of your time with a high intensity interval

FULL WORKOUTS Online at intorontomag.com. JEREMY FORESHEW The personal trainer and fitness marketing professional is based in Toronto. jeremyforeshew.com. intorontomag.com

S po r t i n g l i f e

Playing through → The

women behind two charity events this summer — Pride Toronto’s Women’s Golf Day and the We’re Funny That Way Foundation Golf Tournament — sport some colourful, stylish looks that are sure to turn heads from the fairways to the 19th hole Story Gordon Bowness | Photography David Hawe | Styling Derek Dotto

June 2011

LIVING & HEALTH

Sandra Vaughan

MAura Lawless

Maggie Cassella

Rachelle Allen

Day job: City of Toronto, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration Years golfing: 16 Involvement: Organizer Pride Toronto Women’s Golf Day for the past two years Highlights from last year’s event? “No one got hit in the head with a ball.” This year? “It’s a great golf course and it’s a great day for a good cause. We had 74 people last year; this year we’re aiming to have a full complement of 144. It’s a good deal. Regular tee fees are $175 and this is only $150, includes dinner, hosted by Deb Pearce. And prizes — women love their trophies. You can even win a car if you get a hole in one.” In support of: Pride’s youth programming. Outfit: Pique sleeveless polo by Nivo, polyester/Spandex skort by Vuarnet and mesh golf shoes by Nike (all available from Sporting Life).

Day job: executive director of The 519 Church Street Community Centre Years golfing: 10 Involvement: The 519 is a sponsor of the Pride event Why golf? “I’m too old for contact sports,” says the former hockey player. “And unlike team sports, where there’s all this pressure to never let down your teammates, with golf, you are only ever playing against yourself and your own expectations.” Highlight of the Pride event? “I love seeing all different types of women and catching up with old friends. It’s a great day on the course.” Outfit: Linen shirt and linen shorts by Ralph Lauren (The Bay) and leather golf shoes by Nike (Sporting Life).

Day job: comedian, co-owner of the Flying Beaver Pubaret Years golfing: 15 Why golf? “I always used to make fun of lesbians who golf, then I met a girl….” Involvement: hosted the Pride women’s event for the past couple of years, decided to organize her own event this year, open to all. In support of: “The money goes to the We’re Funny That Way Foundation. We haven’t chosen which charity to fund, yet. Every year we search out queer groups in small towns struggling to survive. If they have it together enough to approach us, then they don’t need us. So we find them. It’s so much fun to make that call offering money and support.” Outfits: Vintage Stephen Sandler jeans (above) from Body Body; polyester windbreaker (opposite page) by Abacus (Sporting Life).

Day job: financial planner Years golfing: 4 Involvement: cohosting We’re Funny That Way Foundation event Why golf? “I just like the fashion… and driving the cart.” Hopes for this year? “We want to make sure we get a good number of people out and that they have a great time. And I want to win longest drive.” Outfit: Cotton/Spandex cardigan, ruffled polyester/Spandex top and plaid polyester/Spandex skort, all by 4all by jofit (Sporting Life).

Pride Toronto’s Women’s Golf Day $150 (includes golf, cart, dinner and prizes). 1pm. Thu, June 30. Angus Glen Golf Club. 10080 Kennedy Rd. Markham. pridetoronto.com. We’re Funny That Way Foundation Golf Tournament $150 (includes golf, cart, coffee, muffins, lunch, prizes). 8:30am. Wed, July 27. Station Creek Golf Course. 12657 Woodbine Ave. Gormley. werefunnythatway.com. intorontomag.com

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L I V I N G & H EA LT H

in focus

When the time is right — and for some of us it is coming — and you no longer want a house and the

— St Lawrence Market by Richard Silver

nt S

Fro

s arvi er J Low

neiGHBourhood

→ in the market for dreams The area around St Lawrence Market would be great for a pied-à-terre.

inherent responsibilities, the condo option may be right for you. You can

sidewalk cafes, subways, theatre,

do no better than the area around

movies, symphony, the train station

the St Lawrence Market at Jarvis and

and all points from there.

Front. The market was established in

THE BAD NEWS

1803 and was once the centre of

Green grass is hard to find and

commerce and early shipping for

there is the ongoing buzz of being in

the town of York. The nearby streets

one of the busiest neighbourhoods

and warehouses are loaded with

is Toronto.

historic charm and surrounded by condominiums and mixed housing built over the past 30 years.

The Perfect Solution This is a great place for your pied-

restaurants

à-terre, spending weekends at the

and theatres and one of the most

cottage and winters in the south.

amazing produce markets in North

Not a bad dream or goal to work on.

America. Shop the aisles and bar-

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There

are

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gain where you can for great fruits and vegetables year round, cheeses from Alex Farm Products and fresh fish from all over the world. The list is endless. THE GOOD NEWS You will never go hungry and you can walk to work and the nearby

RICHARD SILVER The Bosley Real Estate salesperson blogs at torontoism.com.

IT’S HERE! The Evolution in Male Grooming

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L I V I N G & H EA LT H

the grooming game

— with Dino Dilio → Manscaping: While on vacation recently, I was sitting by the pool secretly gazing at men behind my dark sunglasses. The display of bodies was interesting, especially the furry wet ones. Going into and coming out of the pool was like watching a make-over show in reverse. Thus the subject for this column.

Manscaping is the modern term for

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grooming

and

removal

off and where. In most cases you

will use a couple of attachments

unwanted body hair — anywhere.

and methods for different parts of

It’s something most of our fathers

the face and body. Start with clean

never taught us but athletes, body

dry hair and use the longer attach-

builders, dancers and actors have

ments first until you find the one

been doing for longer than anyone

that gives the best effect. Be sure

wants to say. Esthetically it can be

to make time for this as rushing

just as effective as a good hair cut.

through can be painful both physi-

Done correctly it improves phys-

cally and esthetically.

ical appearance — wet and dry —

Shaving body hair isn’t any differ-

cleverly minimizing areas while

ent than shaving your face except

emphasizing others (including the

that there are more sensitive nooks

sexy kind). Trees always look big-

and crannies that require careful

ger when there’s no underbrush.

maneuvering. Choosing to shave

Just as women use makeup,

means you want the hair com-

men use facial and body hair to

pletely off. Begin by clipping the hair

express

hair

down to the surface. Shower or bath

always seems to be the first to go

to cleanse and soften skin. Apply

followed by the torso and bum.

your usual shave gel/cream. Let it

Underarms, legs and the crotch

sit for a minute. Shave in the direc-

are often trimmed, but going too

tion of the hair growth. Hold the

far runs the risk of looking too

more flexible areas taut at different

pre-pubescent.

angles to ensure safe shaving. Rinse

themselves.

Back

The basic approaches are trimming

with

clippers,

shaving

and waxing. Permanent options

both sides of blade regularly. Rinse, pat dry and apply a body lotion to hydrate and soothe the goods.

include electrolysis and laser hair

Waxing is truly for the brave.

removal. From Tom Ford to the

Done hot or cold, waxing removes

Brazilian, the choice is yours.

hairs longer than 1/8 inches com-

Clipping hair is a good first step to

pletely, quickly and in most cases

manscaping because clippers cut

painfully. You must have a high

the length of hair in accordance

pain tolerance for this approach.

to the size of the attachment.

This service should be done by a

Most clippers range from super

professional as I have never heard

short combs that give the four-day

of a successful home job. Do your

scruffy rugged look to attachments

homework and research a profes-

that leave behind longer lengths of

sional thoroughly. References are

hair for fuller, denser beards and

always your best bet.

mustaches à la the late Billy Mays, Oxi Clean guy. It all depends on how much hair you want to clip

Dino Dilio The freelance makeup artist and writer is resident beauty expert on CityLine. dinodilio.com.

L I V I N G & H EA LT H

relationship advice

Where your dreams are our vision

— with Adam Segal “My friends have convinced me to try going online to resuscitate my dating life. While I’ve hooked up online for casual sex, I’ve never imagined that I could find a partner this way. I’ve had a profile up on a gay dating site for two weeks now and, although I’ve got flirtatious messages from a pretty wide mix of guys, it’s so hard to know how to approach this.” Alan

→

We’ve all grown up being inun-

One of the biggest complaints

dated with romantic narratives

about online dating is the amount

that present the initial meeting of

future lovebirds as an almost mag-

nowhere. When people are online,

ical and serendipitous event. So

they tend to flirt and express them-

I can see how clicking and scroll-

selves in ways that they never

ing through countless carefully (or

would in person. While you are

mindlessly)

constructed

correspondence

that

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full-heartedly seeking out a mate,

would seem like a charmless ven-

a lot of dudes online are simply

ture. I’m not suggesting that you

flirting as a way of getting atten-

approach dating like a tax return,

tion or distracting themselves. Try

but you may have to adjust to see-

to pay attention to whether or not

ing this process as a practical one

the messages you receive actually

that, at times, will feel arduous and

respond to the content in your pro-

disappointing. After all, a good rela-

vision-cabinetry.indd file. If some guy is seriously inter-

tionship is something that deserves

ested, he should be able to demon-

a little elbow grease.

strate that more articulately than

For starters, it’s important to

simply praising your hotness or

choose the right dating site for you.

sending a virtual wink. This goes

Considering you are looking for a

both ways: Try not to waste oth-

relationship, pick a site with that

ers’ or your time by lazily messag-

emphasis over those that seem

ing guys you don’t realistically see

mostly geared toward quick hook-

as potential matches.

ups. Spend a little time perus-

The biggest rule of thumb is:

ing different sites to see the types

Trust your instincts. Don’t avoid

of guys and profiles on each one.

loneliness by investing energy in

Once you choose a dating hub to go

guys your gut knows are wrong for

with, work on creating a profile that

you. Also, be authentic in how you

reflects what you’re all about and

present yourself so others can get

is clear about what you are look-

an accurate read on you. If you are

ing for. Steer away from obvious

crushing out on someone, move

lines like “I’m into having fun” or “I

the contact to phone and then in-

can’t believe I’m on here.” Not only

person swiftly because you’ll only

are they boring but they do noth-

discover how you really feel about

ing to distinguish you from the zil-

someone when you log out and join

lions of other boys out there. And

the real world.

info@visioncabinetry.ca

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15/04/2011 10:09:01 A

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Adam Segal The writer and therapist works in private practice in downtown Toronto. Ask him your relationship or mental health question at relationship@intorontomag.com.

Follow us @PrideTravelMart ENTER ONLINE: www.Spain.info/ca FOR MORE MARKETPLACE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT: www.PrideToronto.com

insight

S pe c i a l s e r i e s

Framing the future → Do

you think that winning same-sex marriage, adoption rights and legal equality in Canada means that the gay rights movement is over? Think again. LGBT activists are taking the fight in exciting, new directions. In this special series we look at seven Torontonians with their eyes still on the prize Story Paul Gallant | Illustration Nicolás Tallarico

ince its first use in the

and chanting and raw hostility to

Whatever you want to call them,

or fundraising, what distinguishes

1920s, the word “activist”

authority — emotional reactions

Toronto is fuelled by LGBT peo-

the activists of the 21st century is

has always had baggage.

to problems that need pragmatic

ple who direct their ample talents

their cheerfulness. Even in the face

Rightwingers sling it as a conde-

solutions.

and energies toward shaping their

of the injustice and damaging atti-

scending insult; not-for-profits run

worse than a hater.

community, even when they ambi-

tudes they witness every day, they

tiously define their community as

forego frustration, moving deftly to

the whole world.

innovation. Inside the tent, outside

And

there’s

nothing

from it, fearing their cutting-edge

Call them leaders, facilitators,

work will be labelled political and

advocates, enthusiasts or even

therefore unfundable. For some,

— since it worked for Barack

Whether working in education,

it conjures images of placards

Obama — community organizers.

the arts, politics, service, media

June 2011

the tent, in tents built of their own gutsiness, they get the work done.

insight

Ramya Jegatheesan

YOUTH & ARTS KIM KATRIN CROSBY

→ JUST CONNECT Kim Katrin Crosby, cofounder of The People Project, which supports young queer and trans artists.

im Katrin Crosby had a

or practicing traditional African

Trinidad, is less interested in num-

a lot of life. I feel like just in the

rough year. The house she

spirituality.”

bers than creating the moments

decision to fight against the statis-

was living in caught on fire

After years of working at not-for-

and spaces where dialogue and

tics that told me how I was going to

— while she was in it. She was sex-

profits, Crosby felt limited by fund-

personal liberation can take place.

end up, that’s been a strong part of

ually assaulted. Her grandmother

ing directives and the institutional

Last month, while taking a break in

what it is to be an activist.”

died. She lost three young people

lethargy that can creep into estab-

a park in Durham, North Carolina,

Crosby doesn’t have a set take-

she knew to suicide. For some peo-

lished organizations. Three years

she was approached by a young

over-the-world agenda. But she’s

ple, it would be enough to make

ago, she quit her job to found The

man who noticed her “Dykes come

seen patterns in how she’s been

them crawl away and cry for a long,

People Project with her partner.

in brown” T-shirt. Through their

able to connect people and com-

long time. Not Crosby. The 27-year-

With multiple funders and a proj-

conversation, the man revealed

munities in various places, making

old cofounder of The People Project

ect-based approach, they wanted

that his younger sister had come

her work more international. She

decided to take a month-long jour-

to sidestep what she calls the trap

ney, mostly by bus. With stops in

of “education through indoctri-

Virginia, Philadelphia, New York,

nation,” in the hope of nurturing

North Carolina, Washington, DC,

and empowering young queer and

and Maryland, she was able to

trans artists. Their gamble paid off.

meet with a cross-section of queer

Through its workshops, training

and trans leaders. The trip was

sessions and collaborative efforts,

anything but escapism.

the project has come into direct

out as a lesbian and he was work-

mango, you should always share

wants to help hidden queer and

“So much of everyday resilience is activism.”

trans people, particularly indigenous people, document their existence and share their experiences. Crosby’s approach reflects the advice her grandmother gave her years ago. “Even if you have one

“The workshop I went to yester-

contact with more than 5,000 peo-

ing through his feelings about it.

half. Use it as an opportunity

day — I don’t think I’ve ever been

ple. In one of its largest efforts,

Crosby got him on film talking

to connect with people and ask

happier in my life,” says Crosby.

The People Project collaborated

about his experience.

questions.”

“Sometimes I think a lot of conver-

with Supporting Our Youth (SOY)

“I recognize that so much of

sations around healing and self-

to help 300 young artists produce

everyday resilience is activism,”

care are theoretical, but this work-

a mural in the King St subway sta-

says Crosby. “I lived through a lot of

shop was incredible. Each person

tion, which was seen by more than

violence. I left home when I was 15.

who spoke led us in the activity of

250,000 TTC patrons.

I put myself through school. I was

drumming or yoga or energy work

But Crosby, whose roots are in

street involved for a time. I’ve lived

THE PEOPLE PROJECT thepeopleproject.ca. intorontomag.com

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insight

Nick Kozak

SOCIAL NETWORKING, ONLINE & IN PERSON JAIME WOO

→ 2 1ST-CENT URY ST ORIES Jaime Woo sees the web and videogames as ways to bring people together.

n the city’s streets, sub-

to do something on their own.”

Woo also plays the role of a cele-

identities. Is it your tech identity,

bratory catalyst with Gamer Camp.

are you going to talk about proces-

Queers and Beers, aside from Woo

Cofounded

part-

sor speeds, coding and C++? Or do

low one cardinal rule: Don’t talk to

himself, is its name. The location,

ner Mark Rabo, the event is meant

you express your queer side? A lot

strangers. Online, people may have

size, array of people who show up,

to sidestep the videogame indus-

of queer gamers grew up thinking

more relaxed expectations of who

and the topics discussed change

try’s

you had to choose.”

can chat up whom, but 140-char-

from gathering to gathering. Hot

give game-lovers a more heart-

With games becoming more story-

acter bursts and ranting com-

button topics have included revi-

felt engagement with their hobby.

oriented, with nuanced characters

ment sections can feel shrilly ADD.

talizing Church St and the fate of

Through a program that includes

in realistic settings, Woo says queer

Several years ago, Jamie Woo, a

Pride. “Some people are, ‘What’s

talks by game-makers, workshops,

people, as well as women and ethnic

writer, videographer and video-

the action?’ But that’s not the point.

demos and an arcade where people

minorities, need to demand more of

game lover, wondered if he could

We talk first and the action can take

can play in close proximity, Woo

the multibillion-dollar industry, just

recreate the easygoing online vibe

place elsewhere.”

yet again proved that video screens

as they’ve demanded more from

don’t have to be barriers between

the TV and movie industry.

ways, nightclubs and shop-

The only consistent element of

ping malls, Torontonians fol-

with

overbearing

business

marketing

in the real world. In 2007, Queers

Woo finds a way to take action on

and Beers was born, an infor-

many of his enthusiasms. A 2008

“As a kid, if you saw a gay char-

mal salon that uses Twitter and

visit to Schwules Museum, Berlin’s

acter on TV, you could relate to

Facebook to bring people face to

gay history museum, helped him

face.

realize the importance of gay his-

“There’s a need for this new generation of queers to know where they came from.”

“I’m used to telling stories, get-

tory. With the Canadian Lesbian

ting people excited about things

and Gay Archives in the middle of a

that maybe they didn’t know about

move to a new physical headquar-

before, or give them a new con-

ters, he offered to renovate and

text,” says Woo, 29, who grew up

expand their virtual space, includ-

in Toronto and Markham. “It’s an

ing the website, Facebook page and

people. The first Gamer Camp in

incubation space for that. It was

Twitter account.

2009 attracted 125 people; the sec-

only in the last couple of years that

“I’m trying to guide the archives to

I found my own way to contribute.

use technology to get more people

“It’s interesting being a gay guy as

I love that people come out because

involved,” says Woo. “There’s a need

one half of Gamer Camp. If you’re in

they find the name funny or they’re

for this new generation of queers to

tech, you sometimes feel you have

curious, and then they get inspired

know where they came from.”

to choose between two different

him,” says Woo. “But now kids are being exposed to characters in videogames so they need to see themselves there. If I’m going to become an activist in a hardcore way, that’s where I’ll be going.”

ond, 1,000.

QUEERS AND BEERS queersandbeers.ca. GAMER CAMP gamercamp.ca. intorontomag.com

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EDUCATION, YOUTH & POLITICS MICHAEL ERICKSON

Lulu Wei

→ FOLLOW-THROUGH Michael Erickson looks for the middle path between fighting from the outside and change from the inside.

ichael

had

youth, he’s prepared to go the dis-

run in Ward 14 in the munici-

get to pick and choose who you’re

always been vocal in

Erickson

tance. In 2003, he worked with stu-

pal election, coming in a respect-

talking to and meeting. One thing

student politics, work-

dents to create the first Converge

able third place to winner Gordon

I learned is that people are thought-

ing on anti-oppression issues and

Conference for the Toronto District

Perks, a well-known incumbent.

ful and do care.”

organizing York University’s first

School Board. In the five confer-

His appetite for electoral politics

Having worked both outside and

queer nights. But after he was

ences since, thousands of stu-

whet, Erickson joined the NDP in

inside the system, Erickson believes

arrested in 1999 during a student

dents have attended, participating

January. In March, the call came,

the way forward is somewhere in

occupation of Allan Gardens, pro-

in workshops and listening to pre-

asking if he wanted to run in the

the middle.

testing lack of services for home-

senters talk about creativity, gen-

high-profile riding of Etobicoke-

“The traditional notion of activ-

less people, he had an awakening.

der and sexuality.

Lakeshore against Liberal leader

ism is about fighting, taking things

“I wasn’t convinced that kind of

“I found that so much of what was

Michael Ignatieff. Again, Erickson

apart. I’m more interested in build-

activism was useful anymore,” says

being done around anti-oppression

came in a respectable third place

ing. The big oppressive forces don’t

Erickson, who grew up in Ottawa

was based on the position that it

with 20.3 percent of the vote, as the

really care about you. You’re a gnat.

in a not-particularly political work-

was awful to be gay,” says Erickson,

ing-class family. “I could say I was

now 36. “‘Don’t call someone a fag

so hardcore I got arrested. But is

because you’d be upset if some-

that really changing things funda-

one called you that.’ The question

mentally? And a lot of those groups

we wanted to ask ourselves is, if it’s

doing that work weren’t very good

20 years in the future, and there’s

with their follow-through.”

no more or very little homopho-

The

charges

were

dropped,

Erickson became a high-school teacher and follow-through became one of his calling cards. Whether

bia, transphobia and sexism, why would we gather? “We’d come together to celebrate our culture.”

Joining the system to change the

“The traditional notion of activism is about fighting, taking things apart. I’m more interested in building.” Conservatives reaped the rewards

serving on the board of the Youth

Last summer, when a friend close

Line, taking high-school students to

in age died suddenly, the “maybe

“The political piece of what I do is

Ghana for a project to build global

some day” feelings Erickson had

not about winning. It’s about talk-

reciprocity and social justice or

toward politics became front of

ing about things that aren’t being

participating in a collective to cre-

mind. “If not now, when?” He

talked about,” says Erickson. “When

ate an organization for homeless

made a last-minute decision to

you’re running for office, you don’t

system is also flawed. “What you can do is create spaces in the system that aren’t as subject to the system. I haven’t tried to change the school board. It would have been a phenomenal waste of time. But you can create cool stuff. It’s temporary, it’s often not supported by the system, but it’s something that wasn’t there before.”

of their vilification of Ignatieff.

CONVERGE CONFERENCE convergetoronto.org. MICHAEL ERICKSON michaelerickson.org. intorontomag.com

insight

CONNECTION & CAPACITY BUILDING MICHAEL WENT & DOUG KERR

Nicola Betts

→ POWER COUPLE It’s hard to say no to veteran organizers Michael Went and Doug Kerr — they’re just too darn nice.

oug Kerr and Michael

Street conference, aimed at creat-

debate, but we weren’t,” says Went,

ridors of City Hall and hundreds

Went first met at Pride’s

ing a culture of openness and lead-

39. “The community we loved was

showing up for a rally to speak up

Blockorama party in 2001.

ership among LGBT graduates in

falling apart and we realized we had

for Toronto’s queer institutions.

business, law and consulting.

the connections and the skills to do

Like Went and Kerr themselves,

something.”

the event was positive and socia-

Almost 10 years later, it was the threats to Pride, the place where

Impressive

volunteer

résumés,

they celebrate their anniversary

certainly. But the acrimony and

They took their bridge-building

ble, almost disarming in its friend-

each year, that prompted them to

division that occurred last year

tactics up a notch. Over drinks and

liness. When Kerr and Went ask for

work together, not just as a mar-

over Pride Toronto’s handling of

then online, the couple rounded

something, anyone who says no

ried couple, but as fellow activists.

the group Queers Against Israeli

up as many people as they could

inevitably looks like a meanie.

Each of them had already estab-

Apartheid, as well as the orga-

to problem-solve — not vent —

Their rapid-fire mobilization of

around Pride. More than 500 peo-

the last two years hasn’t left them

ple showed up at The 519 last

much time to stop and smell the

spring, forming almost spontane-

roses. As a fellow with the Greater

ously into an array of committees

Toronto

that eventually took the form of the

Went has been contemplating the

Pride Coalition for Free Speech. The

creation of a sports festival similar

movement helped spark Pride com-

in scope to Nuit Blanche and Doors

munity consultations and a change

Open Toronto. Kerr is continuing

of heart around QuAIA.

his work with immigrants and with

lished their own trajectory of community involvement. Kerr, who has worked for various not-forprofit and social services organizations and now runs a consultancy business, first volunteered for the Youth Line, then got involved with the Gay and Lesbian Community Appeal, now known as Community One, and the LGBT Giving Network. Went’s first volunteer gig was as

“The community we loved was falling apart and we realized we had the connections and the skills to do something.”

a greeter at Inside Out LGBT Film

“What we realized is that you

“We also do our share of silly stuff,

ing it a name,” says Kerr, 43.

can get political, when you start

Blockorama stage and trans inclu-

So with Rob Ford’s history of dis-

AIDS Prevention, where he is still a

sion, turned the couple into far

respect toward Pride and AIDS ser-

mentor, and The 519 Community

more strident political animals.

vice organizations, Kerr and Went

Centre. A senior financial advisor at

“The viciousness and the vitriol

decided not to wait for the city’s

the Ontario Ministry of Municipal

didn’t represent a city that has a

new mayor to declare all things gay

Affairs and Housing, Went also

motto ‘Diversity our strength.’ We

part of his “gravy train.” Their Proud

founded the Ontario Public Service

should have been able to solve our

of Toronto campaign last month

Pride Network and the Out on Bay

problems

saw drag queens roaming the cor-

June 2011

through

dialogue

and

LGBT organizations. like play Angry Birds, but even that

nization’s

the

Alliance,

start talking about an issue and giv-

the boards of the Black Coalition for

toward

Action

don’t need anyone’s permission to

and Video Festival. He went on to

attitude

Civic

playing Angry Bears,” laughs Went.

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INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS, LAW, FILM NANCY NICOL

→ LEGACY & CHALLENGE Nancy Nicol has ambitious plans to link up LGBT rights struggles throughout the British Commonwealth.

t a 2007 conference in Great

phobic British law-making, this time

advancing this,” says Nicol, who,

Britain,

to challenge the legacy itself.

at 60, has just had her portrait

“We want to understand the

York

professor

University

Nancy

Nicol

Envisioning Global LGBT Human

inducted into the Canadian Lesbian

unique conditions in each country

heard a presentation by New Delhi-

Rights, with 55 co-applicants and

and Gay Archives’ national portrait

and build links to share informa-

based activist and educator Sumit

partner organizations in at least 13

gallery. “There’s real movement

tion, knowledge and skills.”

Baudh. It gave her an idea. Or,

countries, was awarded a $1-mil-

at the international level that can

rather, it gave her a hook for an idea

lion grant from the Social Sciences

take advantage of legal strategies.”

have been the primary conduit for

she had been contemplating for

and Humanities Research Council

Although a 2009 High Court of

her politics, Nicol is not unfamil-

years. Known primarily as a film-

of Canada. Spread over five years,

Delhi ruling struck down the infa-

iar with the activism of the streets.

maker — her series From Criminality

the funds will see Nicol’s team

mous section 377 of the Indian

She cut her teeth back in the 1980s,

to Equality documents Canada’s gay

research criminal laws that tar-

Penal Code, thereby decriminal-

with

and lesbian history from 1969 to

get LGBT people, investigate laws

izing same-sex behaviour among

Abortion Clinics’ No New Law cam-

2009 — Nicol had wanted to create

and policies around LGBT asylum,

consenting adults, examples of

paign. Now, she admires the work

a large-scale international human

study the struggles of LGBT and

stifling

of the many grassroots activists

rights project that captured the

human rights groups in various

remain on the books in many

cooperative spirit of Prides around

countries, and examine how inter-

Commonwealth

“I wasn’t out in 1969, but I

the word and Toronto’s array of

national treaty bodies and human

Guyana, there have been recent

remember what it was like when

ethno-cultural

groups.

Baudh’s

British-influenced countries.

laws

Although

the

her

Ontario

documentaries

Coalition

she’s met through the project.

rights mechanisms interact with

challenges to laws against cross-

there were demonstrations of 20

paper pointed out how countries

LGBT

initiatives.

dressing and sodomy; in Jamaica,

people,” she says. “In Africa, espe-

that had been under British colo-

The output will include two fea-

the government has made a con-

cially, what’s struck me is how

nial rule were more likely to crimi-

ture films, six participatory videos,

certed effort to keep anti-gay laws

young the movement is. They are

nalize same-sex relationships than

regional education resources, a list

out of discussions on constitu-

breaking new ground and they’re

those that hadn’t. This insight gave

academic

tional reform; in Belize, groups are

tremendously inspiring.”

Nicol (who is of French Canadian,

papers, a website — and an enthu-

challenging a law prohibiting “car-

Scottish and Irish descent) the struc-

siastic team that can pass on what

nal intercourse against the order

ture she needed. The project would

they learned to others.

of nature.” Uganda remains one

link the countries shaped by homo-

planet.

June 2011

human

rights

recommendations,

“There’s a certain urgency to

of the most antigay places on the

ENVISIONING GLOBAL LGBT HUMAN RIGHTS yorku.ca/yfile/archive/index.asp?Article=16760.

insight

SENIORS & HEALTH DICK MOORE

Nicola Betts

→ THE FIGHT CONTINUES Dick Moore feels seniors homes, home care and the health system are still undermined by prejudice.

ick Moore started work-

mittee on aging. Now a freelance

community care access centres,

Church of the Holy Trinity. But it’s

ing

long

consultant on seniors issues, he’s

where seniors are assessed for

the systemic problems, rather than

hair

on the board of Care Watch, which

their healthcare needs, still don’t

the personal ones, that he keeps

became snowy white. Best known

advocates for better home care,

look at a person’s gender identity

coming back to.

to Toronto LGBT people for his

the seniors advisory council in Port

or sexual orientation, which means

“Straight people, as well as queer

nine-year stint as co-ordinator of

Colborne, where he has a coun-

that LGBT people can end up get-

folk, are reluctant to consider long-

the Older LGBT Program at The 519

try house, and still works at Fudger

ting care from workers who aren’t

term care. Retirement homes are

Community Centre, Moore, now

House, the most gay-friendly city-

gay-friendly or well informed about

[mostly]

68, realized his affinity for older

run home for the aged.

their issues. Moore was instrumen-

expensive.

with

before

seniors

his

own

unregulated

and

Somebody

very

recently

people when he was a child. He

Broadly speaking, straight and

tal in the development of a tool-

asked me if I knew of any gay-

was fascinated by his parents and

queer people face the same issues

kit that long-term care agencies

friendly retirement homes. I don’t.

their friends. “My parents were a

with aging. But Moore says the dif-

can use to make themselves more

I talked to [the Ontario Retirement

fabulous example of what a good

ferences can be significant.

welcoming to LGBT people. Things

Communities

have gotten better in the past

they said they wouldn’t know any-

decade, but in his training sessions,

thing about that. I told people I

he continues to meet resistance.

know that we should start a cam-

relationship could be.” Growing

Roman

“A lot of queer people have had Catholic

in Niagara Falls, New York, he attended a seminary for four years and taught high school for a while. Marrying a woman (Moore identifies as bisexual, which has gotten him much flak from both straight and gay people alike) from St Catharines, the couple moved

“Somebody recently asked me if I knew of any gay-friendly retirement homes. I don’t.”

paign getting out to retirement

there are gay and lesbian people.

homes — do they have any queer

Overcoming that in two hours is

people on staff, how do you treat

almost impossible. People still don’t

them, what kind of programming

want to talk about it. They want to

do you offer? We should be pooling

harbour their own prejudices and

that information.”

hatred,” says Moore. “I had some-

negative experiences from the sys-

body walking out of a training ses-

their daughter would be close to

tem and so they tend not to go for

sion, saying, ‘You’re attacking reli-

both their families. Before focus-

services,” says Moore. “If someone

gion and I’m a religious person.’ I

ing on LGBT issues, Moore worked

is coming to their home, some peo-

asked him if he wanted to sit down

at the Older Adult Centre at St

ple feel they have to de-gay first.”

for a minute to talk. ‘No.’” It was

Even after an overhaul by for-

a frustrating moment for Moore,

seniors services at Family Service

mer

George

who has a master’s degree in the-

Toronto and on the mayor’s com-

Smitherman, Moore says Ontario’s

ology and is a member of Toronto’s

health

minister

and

“Some people can’t even imagine

to Toronto about 30 years ago, so

Christopher House, as director of

Association]

OLDER LGBT PROGRAM the519.org/programsservices/olderlgbt. CARE WATCH carewatchtoronto.org. intorontomag.com

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$32-$141. 8pm. Sat, June 4. US violinist Joshua Bell joins Oundjian for a program of Kulesha, Bruch and Mahler. $40-$148. 8pm. June 15 & 16. Tenor David Pomeroy and soprano Leah Crocetto join conductor Alasdair Neal in an opera program of arias from Turandot, Madama Butterfly, Figaro, Aida and La Traviata. $30-$82. 7:30pm. Sat, June 25. 3pm. June 26. Roy Thomson Hall. 60 Simcoe St. (416) 593-4828. tso.ca. 95 Toronto Jazz Festival The 25th edition is the biggest, yet, with 350 concerts at 40 locations running Fri, June 24 to July 3. Highlights include Aretha Franklin, with Jordan John and The Blues Angels opening (Free. 7:30pm doors; 8:30pm start. June 24. Metro Square. 55 John St), Dave Brubeck Quartet ($50-$75. 8pm. June 24. Koerner Hall. 273 Bloor St W), Youssou N’Dour, with

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l i st i n g s & e v e n ts

Continued from page 38

Dubmatix opening ($40. 8:30pm. June 26. Metro Square), Jessye Norman ($69 & $99. 8pm. June 28. Koerner Hall) and Molly Johnson performing with The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra ($45. 8:30pm. June 29. Metro Square). torontojazz.com.

in spot school

Review Pam Shime

Dance National Ballet of Canada Alice in Wonder-

land. Sat, June 4-25. See page 42. The summer mixed program celebrates wonderful principal dancer Greta Hodgkinson’s 20th season with the company. She performs in George Balanchine’s Mozartiana, Twyla Tharp’s In The Upper Room and Jerome Robbins’ Other Dances. $22-$142. Wed, June 15-19. Four Seasons Centre. 145 Queen St W. (416) 345-9595.

Theatre & Cabaret What’s up Parkdale? I can’t quite get used to the chic eateries littering my old haunt. When I was a student at the local legal clinic too many years ago, my supervising lawyer’s watering hole was the local bar and that was as upscale as it got. No patterned latte froth there. But times, they are a-changing. Mildred’s Temple Kitchen and then School Bakery and Café snapped up choice real estate and voila — brunch in the-Liberty-Village-formerly-known-as-Parkdale. This is good eating. School is packed on weekends, but endears itself by serving brunch all week long. The eats are creative, yummy, and fun. Brad Moore, of Xacutti fame, has gone to town on the School theme. Apples on the tables (you get to be the teacher in this fantasy), 19 clocks set at 3:30pm hanging on exposed brick under broad wood beams, schoolbooks on the shelves, and lockers in the bathroom. Endless cartoons play on a big screen over the kitchen counter for those who can’t quite muster nostalgia for school days. At lunch or dinner, don’t miss the irresistible sinfully delicious cerveza-battered onion rings, the lip-smacking galbi (served here as beef short ribs), and the hearty 40

June 2011

→ HO T FOR T EACHER The delights of School makes detention a pleasure.

meatloaf with melt-in-your-mouth mashed potatoes and unexpected flavours. Moore and his kitchen take comfort food to a whole new level. If the baby greens with toasted pumpkin seed vinaigrette don’t come with your meal, order them as a side. The sides generally punch above their weight. Try one of the “Summer School” cocktails on the much-talked-about patio. Or, if you’re alcohol-free, the kumquat soda, mango lassi, or maple latte are well worth a nod. For brunch, make sure you nab a few of the flaky flawless biscuits and at least one of the banana espresso chocolate chip mini-muffins. The crunchy French toast with orange infused honey and whipped brown sugar butter is as good as it sounds — remarkably. And the spiced hot chocolate is some of the best in town. At his best, Moore surprises with nuanced tastes that take School to new heights. Enjoy.

SCHOOL 70 Fraser Ave. (416) 588-0005. schooltoronto.com.

Tightrope 2boys.tv, aka Stephen Lawson and Aaron Pollard, along with Alexis O’Hara, Radwan Ghazi Moumneh and guests perform a song cycle inspired by the forgotten generation lost to AIDS. $28-$33. 8pm. TueSat. PWYC. 2:30pm. Sun. Until Sun, June 5.Buddies in Bad Times. 12 Alexander St. (416) 975-8555. buddiesinbadtimes.com. Funny Girls & Dynamic Divas Sistering, which

supports homeless and low-income women (sistering.org), presents the ninth-annual comedy and music cabaret. Hosted by Elvira Kurt, featuring comedians Laurie Elliot and Sabrina Jalees, and musical acts Sarah Slean, Maiko Watson, Alejandra Ribera and the HotHouse Band. $75. 6pm reception; 7:30pm show. Thu, June 2. Jane Mallett Theatre. 27 Front St E. (416) 366-7723. ticketmaster.ca. Chocolate Woman Dreams the Milky Way

The story of a girl-soldier who has fallen from the sky, written by Monique Mojica. A unique piece of physical theatre combining indigenous Kuna and contemporary performance styles; Jose A Colman directs. Starring Mojica and Gabriel Miguel. With sets by

Oswald de Leon Kantule. Music by Marden Paniza. $20. 8pm. TueSat. 2pm Sun. Thu, June 2-19. Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse. 79 St George St. (647) 717-6129. totix.ca. Andrea Martin

The Emmy- and Tony-winning comedian gives a special presentation of her onewoman show Final Days! Everything Must Go. Accompanied by pianist Seth Rudetsky. With dinner by Fabarnak. A fundraiser for The 519 Community Centre. $500. 6pm reception; 7pm dinner. Sat, June 4 & 5. The 519’s Ballroom. 519 Church St. (416) 355-6777. rrhyme@the519.org. The Lawyer Show: As You Like It Nightwood

Theatre presents its fundraising production of Shakespeare’s comedy featuring 35 lawyers onstage. Directed by Kelly Thornton and Kelly Straughan. $60. 8pm. Thu, June 9-11. 2pm. June 11. Berkeley Street Theatre Downstairs. 26 Berkeley St. (416) 944-1740 ext 5. nightwoodtheatre.net. Glee Tour Cory Monteith, Lea Michele, Amber Riley, Chris Colfer, Kevin McHale, Jenna Ushkowitz, Mark Salling and more. $67-$107 8pm. Sat, June 11. Air Canada Centre. 40 Bay St. ticketmaster.ca. Shawn Hitchins Headlines two nights at the performance pub. $15 adv; $20 door. 8pm. Fri, June 17 & 18. The Flying Beaver Pubaret. 488 Parliament St. pubaret.com. Paul Hutcheson’s Pride Package A comedy

cabaret with Hutcheson, John Murdoch, Sharon Nowlan,The Screw You Revue and more.$10-$20. 8pm. Tue, June 21. Tallulah’s Cabaret. 12 Alexander St. (416) 975-8555. paulhutcheson.com. Pridecab The year-end celebration of Buddies’

Queer Youth Arts Program, created by nine queer artists under the age of 25, featuring Michelle Bensimhon, Charley Carragher, Tycoda Gilecki, Kumari Giles, Michelle Harris, Michael David Lorsch, Tyson PurdySmith, Wesley Riebling, Spencer Smith and Philippe van de Maele Martin. Free for youth; PWYC adults; $15 adv. 8pm. Wed, June 22. Buddies in Bad Times mainstage. 12 Alexander St. (416) 975-8555. buddiesinbadtimes.com. I’m Not Waving, I’m Drowning Comedian

extraordinaire Mae Martin’s latest show. Marco Bernardi opens. $15. 7pm & 9pm. Thu, June 23. Buddies in Bad Times cabaret. 12 Alexander St. (416) 975-8555. buddiesinbadtimes.com. Colour Me Dragg A riotous night from local queer and trans performers of colour. Party to follow. $6-$20. 8pm. Fri, June 24. Buddies in Bad Times. 12 Alexander St. (416) 975-8555. budiesinbadtimes.com. Les Demimondes

Sexsational burlesque troupe the Scandelles present a fun and smart cabaret. Created and performed by Sasha Van

listings & e vents

Bon Bon and Kitty Neptune. $20. 8:30pm. Sat, June 25. Buddies mainstage. 12 Alexander St. (416) 975-8555. buddiesinbadtimes.com. Gavin Crawford’s menage TV funny man

Crawford brings his zany cast of characters to Buddies’ stage. Written and directed by Kyle Tingley. $15-$20. 8pm. Tue, June 28. Tallulah’s Cabaret. 12 Alexander St. (416) 975-8555. buddiesinbadtimes.com. 9 to 5: The Musical

Dancap presents the touring production of Dolly Parton’s musical based on her 1980 hit film. Starring Dee Hoty, Mamie Parris, Joseph Mahowald, Kristine Zbornik and Diana DeGarmo; direction and choreography by Jeff Calhoun. $41-$140. Wed, June 29-July 10. Toronto Centre for the Arts. 5040 Yonge St. (416) 644-3665. dancaptickets.com.

Causes & Events Luminato The eclectic summer festival runs Fri,

Mad Hot Wonderland

The National Ballet of Canada’s fundraising gala. Featuring a one-hour performance of Alice excerpts and more. Performance, reception, dinner and dancing: $1,500. Performance and reception: $55-$133. 6:30pm. Tue, June 21. Four Seasons Centre. 145 Queen St W. (416) 345-9595. national.ballet.ca. Princess Diana’s Gowns

14 dresses worn by the late Prince Diana, including one from the White House State dinner where she danced with John Travolta, and ones from her 1997 Mario Testino photo shoot for Vanity Fair. A portion of proceeds to benfit the National Ballet School of Canada. The dresses are on display at the Design Exchange (234 Bay St) until June 10. Previews: 6pm9pm. June 21. 10am-9pm. June 22. 10am-2pm. June 23. Auction: 7pm. Thu, June 23. Waddington’s. 111 Bathurst St. (416) 504-9100. waddingtons.ca.

AIDS Candlelight Vigil

Honour, remember and celebrate. Free. 9pm. Thu, June 23. Cawthra Square Park. 519 Church St. (416) 392-6878 ext 4012. the519.org. Dora Awards Hosted by Craig Lauzon and Michaela Washburn. Elley-Ray Hennessy works the red carpet. $65 show and party; $165 reception, show and party. 6pm reception; 8pm show; 10:30pm afterparty. Mon, June 27. Bluma Appel Theatre. 27 Front St E. (416) 536-6468 ext 27. tapa.ca. The Pride Prom End-ofyear celebration and grad party for Toronto’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and transexual high school students and their guests. With host Mariko Tamaki and DJ Winnie. Presented by the Triangle Program and Supporting Our Youth. $15. 8pm. Mon, June 27. Buddies in Bad Times. 12 Alexander St. (416) 324-5077. soy@sherbourne.on.ca. Women’s Pride Golf

Thu, Jun 30. See page 22.

Parties & Nightlife Cherry Bomb Boat Cruise DJ Denise

Benson celebrates the fourth anniversary of her Cherry Bomb party aboard the Aurora Borealis with Benson and Cozmic Cat DJing. $25. 10pm-2am. Sat, June 18. Pier 27. cherrybombtoronto.com. The Royal Court Ball

Vogueing house, House of Monroe, is back. Strut your stuff with contestants from across North America, or just come and experience a wild night. $20. 9pm doors; 10:30pm show. Thu, June 30. Buddies in Bad Times (full facility). 12 Alexander St. (416) 975-8555. buddiesinbadtimes.com. Prism The Pride party series kicks off with Montreal DJ Sandy Duperval for the Prism College. $10 before 11pm; $15 after. 10pm-3:30am. Thu, June 30. Fly Nightclub. 8 Gloucester St. prismtoronto.com. GREEN SPACE ON CHURCH

The 519’s party series begins Thu,June 30. See page 14. •

in spot Green Shag Story Derek Dotto

Option B Creative

→ Meryl McMas t er’ s “ Viage” Part of Being She group show opening at the Gladstone on Thu, June 9.

June 10 to 19. Highlights include writers Colm Tóibin, Chris Adrian and Allegra Goodman discussing “sacred texts” ($25. 4pm. Mon, June 13. Glenn Gould Studio. 250 Front St W), Jeanette Winterson previewing her forthcoming memoir (Free. 7pm. June 17. Toronto Reference Library. 789 Yonge St), the interactive Sargasso installation by architect Philip Beesley in the Allen Lambert Galleria (June 8-18. 181 Bay St), the National Ballet’s Alice in Wonderland (page 42), Montreal designer Denis Gagnon’s Alice-inspired fashion installation in the Wintergarden Lobby (June 10-19. 255 King St W), and a free outdoor concert by kd lang (page 44). The new festival hub between Metro Hall and Roy Thomson Hall (entry near King and Simcoe) should give some shape and focus to the sprawling event. luminato.com. Power Ball The 13thannual fundraising gala for the Power Plant art gallery. $165. 8:30pm. Thu, June 16. Power Plant. 231 Queen’s Quay W. (416) 973-4949. thepowerplant.org.

Nothing beats bespoke. A gentleman on the hunt for custom business and formalwear need look no

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you have your custom suit in hand, but McPhedran insists it’s a worthwhile investment. “You don’t have

GREEN SHAG 670 Queen St W. (416) 3607424. greenshag.com. intorontomag.com

DANCE

Go ask Alice â&#x2020;&#x2019; The

National Ballet of Canada presents the much-anticipated North American premiere of Aliceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Adventures in Wonderland by choreographer Christopher Wheeldon. Three stars discuss their characters and the mind-bending spectacle Photography Johan Persson

June 2011

ART & DESIGN → 10 FEET TALL The Royal Ballet’s production of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland starred Zenaida Yanowsky (opposite page), Lauren Cuthbertson (far left) and Edward Watson (left). Set and costumes are designed by Tony-winner Bob Crowley. The National Ballet of Canada’s production stars Greta Hodgkinson, Jillian Vanstone and Aleksandar Antonijevic. Main photos courtesy of the Royal Opera House; inset photos by Sian Richards.

Jillian Vanstone on Alice

Aleksandar Antonijevic Greta Hodgkinson on the White Rabbit on the Queen of Hearts

“This is the moment after Alice falls down the rabbit hole. She has grown very large after eating a piece of magic cake. “Alice is full of wonder and joie de vivre. She is energetic and strong-willed yet charming. When Alice finds herself in Wonderland, she is no longer constrained by Victorian mores and her personality really shines through. The movement reflects all aspects of Alice’s personality, ranging from free, energetic moments when she is joyous to more cautious, searching movement when she is not sure whether it is safe to proceed. The ballet is full of comedy, love, dark humour and wonder and I believe Alice herself is made up of all of these things. “I am absolutely loving the ballet. I love the humour, staging, effects and movement. There isn’t any movement without a purpose and with every rehearsal I am able to find more depth and character within the choreography. The costumes are beautiful, the music is perfect and the sets and use of projection are both impressive. This isn’t just any ballet, it is a spectacle.”

“Here the White Rabbit is unwillingly setting up the courtroom for the trial over missing tarts. “The White Rabbit is a great character to dance. He is very quirky, fidgety and kind of crazy. All his movements are fast, executed with purpose and precision, most of it to please the Queen of Hearts and to keep everyone organized. The movement is quite difficult as it has to portray the physical characteristics of a rabbit (obviously) but at the same time it has to tell the story and his evolving feelings for Alice. “We have never performed a production of this magnitude, except for The Nutcracker by James Kudelka. It is big, loud and magical, filled with unexpected moments that will surprise the audience. I love how the choreography for all the different characters has its own flavour and colour; it is technically challenging but gives us a vocabulary with which to play. It is wonderful to have a production that fully embraces and makes use of all of the technology available today.”

“In this photo (opposite page), the Queen of Hearts has made her entrance in the second act and is acting out the mime, ‘Off with his head!’ to the executioner. “My character goes from being the Mother of Alice in the prologue to the Queen of Hearts in Wonderland. As the Mother, she is a bit uptight, has a temper and is ready to lose her head at the slightest mishap during the garden party. When she returns as the Queen of Hearts, she is monstrously hilarious, switching between a sweet and girlish character to a terrifyingly seductive tyrant, chopping off everyone’s head!” Hodgkinson celebrates 20 years with the National this season. She stars in the mixed summer program that begins Wed, June 15.

ALICE’S ADVENTURE IN WONDERLAND $22-$152. Sat, June 4-25. Four Seasons Centre. 145 Queen St W. (416) 345-9595. national.ballet.ca. intorontomag.com

A RT & D E S I G N

M u si c

Unlocking Pandora’s box → kd

lang says making her new album was the most intense, most rewarding creative experience of her career Story Mary Dickie | Photography James Minchin

or more than a quarter-

Anne Murray, Roy Orbison and

actually increase your audience.

rienced. I mean, obviously there

century, kd lang has been

Tony Bennett (who called her voice

And yet it’s only now, upon the

have been high points, and sing-

breaking barriers, exceed-

the best of its generation) and awed

release of Sing It Loud, her justifi-

ing at the Olympics was the pinna-

ing expectations and confounding

millions around the world singing

ably acclaimed 13th studio album,

cle of my live performances. But in

assumptions like some fabulous,

Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” at the

that she has found true creative

terms of the amount of energy that

extra-talented force of nature. The

2010 Vancouver Olympics. Back in

satisfaction.

was processed in a short amount of

49-year-old singer from Consort,

1992, she proved that it’s possible

“This record is my pinnacle,” she

Alberta, has won multiple Junos

to come out as a lesbian performer,

says proudly, “the most creatively

and Grammys, performed with

even in conservative Nashville, and

intense moment I’ve ever expe-

June 2011

time, this was the most intense and the most rewarding.” Lang, who has been known to ago-

ART & DESIGN

→ CHEMIS T RY The Siss Boom Bang band — Joshua Grange, Daniel Clarke, kd lang, Joe Pisapia, Fred Eltringham and Lex Price — coalesced quickly through love and energy.

tions placed on me. Those things

“For a good portion of my musi-

val. Expect to hear the songs from

can really weigh down the writing

cal life, the focus was on my sex-

the new album, of course, but don’t

process. I know that when I write

uality, but for the past eight or 10

expect them to sound exactly the

by myself there’s always a huge

years it has shifted back to my

way they do on the album.

dialogue between myself the cre-

music, which has actually allowed

“They’ll change as the tour pro-

nize over her songwriting process,

ator and myself the editor, which

me to embrace my sexuality a lot

gresses, no question,” she says.

made the lush, alt-country-influ-

is very arduous and creates leth-

more. The physical imagery of this

“Even

enced record remarkably quickly

argy and anxiety. This time I didn’t

record is quite butch, and I think

mean, I’ve been playing ‘Constant

and painlessly with the help of a

have that, because Joe and I just

that’s exciting, because I feel I’m

Craving’ for 20 years now, and

new group of collaborators called

threw ideas back and forth, easily

doing it with a lot of liberty. I also

it’s still changing. People ask me

the Siss Boom Bang band, led by

and without judgment. It was like a

think I’m doing it in a way that’s

if I get tired of playing the same

Guster’s Joe Pisapia and includ-

ping pong game between two really

slightly reactionary to people like

songs, and I guess it’s possible, but

ing Daniel Clarke, Fred Eltringham,

good players.”

Lady Gaga and Katy Perry. I mean,

I always render it down to what it

Some of those expectations no

everything is so exaggerated now

would be like to be a professional

“I met Joe backstage at a show

doubt existed because of lang’s

that I felt like why not exagger-

hockey player: It’s the same puck,

and we just really connected,”

stature as an out and outspoken

ate my own sexuality and my own

it’s the same net, but I don’t think

says lang. “I wrote very easily

performer who’s not afraid to wear

feeling? I don’t know if I actually

players get tired of shooting the

with him, and also with Josh and

her politics on her sleeve. But over

processed it like that while I was

puck in the net, and it’s sort of like

Daniel. We wrote three songs very

the nearly 20 years since she came

doing it, but in thinking about it in

that.”

quickly, with no hesitation and not

out, her sexuality has become less

retrospect, I’ve come up with that.”

She’ll also be doing some of the

too much effort. I mean, we put a

of an issue to the mainstream

Indeed, the video for Sing It

Canadian classics (like “Hallelujah”)

lot of energy into it, but we never

Loud’s first single, “I Confess,” is

that she covered on her 2004 album

seemed to work very hard — it

set at a strip club and features

Hymns from the 49th Parallel, and

scantily clad female dancers in

plans to do more cover versions in

an intriguing flip of rock video cli-

the future. “Interpretive work is

chés. “I love to obscure the issues,”

something I take very seriously and

lang says with a laugh, “because

I like very much,” she says. “I think

my career has been peppered with

the balance between songwriting

so many political issues and bur-

and interpretive work makes me a

dens. They stem from my lifestyle

better singer, so I’ll continue to do

choices and who I am, but I think

both. The thing about a good song-

people have an impression that I’m

writer like Leonard Cohen is that

very opinionated. Well, actually I

the lyrics are just so deep and infi-

am opinionated, but I’m also very

nitely interesting, it’s like a study

open, and I love to confuse people’s

that you can never get tired of. But

ideas of me. My motivation is not

I know this band loves to play this

to do it in an aggressive or rebel-

music live, and I love to sing it and

lious way, it’s more in a curious

we love each other, and hopefully that will translate to the audience.”

Joshua Grange and Lex Price.

all just seemed to unfold so naturally and easily that the next thing we knew we had a record. And when we put the band together, it was the same thing — immediate, spontaneous respect and love and energy. And the name of the band, Siss Boom Bang, is appropriate, because that’s what it felt like: siss boom bang, band!” Sometimes it’s all about chemistry — that and a delicate balance of personalities and styles. “It’s funny, because Joe and I are sim-

“For a good portion of my musical life, the focus was on my sexuality, but for the past eight or 10 years it has shifted back to my music, which has actually allowed me to embrace my sexuality a lot more.”

ilar but very different at the same time,” says lang. “He’s very unre-

music industry. “A lot of time has

way, a challenging way, a provoc-

strained, and I’m more deliberate

passed, and it’s kind of matter-

ative way I guess.”

and calculated, and the combina-

of-fact now,” she says. “It is what

Lang opens the Canadian part

tion was the key to unlocking that

it is for me, and it is what it is for

of her Sing It Loud tour with a

Pandora’s box or whatever.

my fans on an individual basis,

free, open-air show Fri, June 17

because obviously not all of them

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are gay.

Hall) as part of the Luminato festi-

“Also, I think I was ready to not have any restraints or expecta-

the

older

songs

will.

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sex & health — with Dr Keith

→ “All of the guys I have been with have more cum than I. Is it possible to increase my cum?”

The

amount

ejaculate,

semen, or “cum” each person has

of leaving some cum in your penis to leak out later.

varies due to many different rea-

Glands also need time to recover

sons — most of which you can’t

or regenerate the fluid they have

change, like age and genetics.

created. It’s been estimated that

Semen is produced inside your uri-

complete

nary tract from the tip of your penis

occurs after one to two days. Once

all the way down to your balls.

this happens, the glands stop pro-

recovery

“stores”

The major producer is the semi-

ducing fluids and wait until “happy

nal vesicles which sit just behind

time.” Contrary to urban legend

the

and

even if you wait for over a week

secrete a sticky, yellow, sugar-rich

you will still produce as much as

fluid which serves as nutrients for

you would at day two. Because of

the sperm (created in the testicles).

this recovery time, anything less

Seminal fluid makes up approxi-

than a day between orgasms will

mately 50 to 70 percent of semen,

decrease how much comes out.

which is what gives it a sugary

(Enough times, and you will have

taste.

dry orgasms, which for most guys is

prostate

and

bladder

The neighbouring prostate gland secretes fluid as well (about 20 to 30

shooting over three times in a short period.)

percent), mixing it in as the seminal

Several online sources of ques-

fluid and sperm pass through it. The

tionable reliability suggest amino

prostatic fluid contains enzymes

acids

and other things that biologically

L-lysine, along with zinc, and some-

help sperm survive the foreign, hos-

thing called “the Horny Goat Weed.”

tile environments of the vagina. (No

Amino acids and zinc certainly can’t

offence intended for vaginal con-

hurt but I wouldn’t spend a great

noisseurs.) The very small remain-

deal of time or money on them.

such

L-arginine

and

der of the volume is made up of

So to increase how much you

the actual sperm and of lubricating

cum: Wait as much time in between

fluid secreted by the bulbourethral

as possible, don’t drink coffee or

glands.

alcohol, and drink lots of water.

The fluid secreted by these glands

Extend foreplay or masturbation

is largely composed of water; if you

beforehand to get you very excited

are not hydrated enough your over-

and your glands and muscles work-

all volume will be less. Not drink-

ing at maximum. Lastly, accept that

ing enough water or drinking alco-

everyone is different and that even

hol or caffeine which enhance body

if you’re not a big producer, it’s not

water loss decreases the amount

that “large” a deal. In fact, it makes

of cum you produce. The glands

clean-up easier.

also respond to how stimulated or excited you are… meaning if you’re very into it they will work at their maximum. Plus the more excited you are, the harder the muscles will work shooting it out of you instead

Dr Keith Loukes works in emergency in a Toronto hospital. Send him your sexual health question at sexhealth@intorontomag.com. This column should not be viewed as medical advice; always consult your physician.

intorontomag.com

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