Xtra Toronto #759

#759 NOV 28–DEC 11, 2013

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content: danny.glenwright@dailyxtra.com, phil.villeneuve@dailyxtra.com EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUE

Diego Armand, Natasha Barsotti, Drasko Bogdanovic, Kyle Burton, Elah Feder, Nick Green, Ryan G Hinds, N Maxwell Lander, Serafin LaRiviere, Justin Ling, Michael Lyons, Taylor Parsons, Anna Pournikova, Drew Rowsome, Rob Salerno, Johnnie Walker, Jeremy Willard ART & PRODUCTION CREATIVE DIRECTOR Lucinda Wallace GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Darryl Mabey,

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Editorial Head in the clouds

By Phil Villeneuve E6 Feedback E6

Ĺ”

Xcetera E7

Upfront World AIDS Day award to honour gay activist from Cameroon AlternativesCameroon works with LGBT people in “profoundly hostileâ€? country E9 Local news Toronto police arrest three more in connection with Chris Skinner murder E10 National news Conservative MP calls for porn ďŹ rewall E12 International news Moscow gay club comes under attack for second time in a week E13 History Boys Fanny and Stella: Two crossdressing party girls in 19th-century London

By Michael Lyons E14

Out in the City Arts roundup Drag kings in the seven kingdoms E17 Xposed

By Anna Pournikova E31 What’s On E33 Club Scene E34 ClassiďŹ eds E35

Six actors to watch E19

Xtra Living E36

Hello, Dolly

Xtra Hot

By Drasko Bogdanovic E37

What makes a musical a classic? E23

A theatrical wish list

A roundup of must-see theatre in seasons to come E24

Heart & soul

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In the tough theatre world, Soulpepper balances artistic responsibility and material success E26

E Anal tests in the

The keeper

E Hong Kong lesbian

Behind the scenes with Grant Heaps at the National Ballet E28

Arab world lives shaped by money and space E Another gay porn

The Michael Young Theatre at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts.

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Comment

Phil Villeneuve is Xtra’s arts editor.

The outcome that we seek is this — gay and lesbian people daring together to set love free.

Xtra is published by Pink Triangle Press, at 2 Carlton St, Ste 1600, Toronto, M5B 1J3.

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MYCHOL TORONTO, ON

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I liked the parklet boxes, but clearly the BIA is too divided and uncooperative to appreciate a cheap and easy way to promote the strip. The newcomers to the neighbourhood have no connection to it and don’t socialize along the strip, either, so I’m not surprised the parklets were a one-time thing. They didn’t bring more foot traffic, just more space for local loiterers with empty pockets to sit and smoke. Too bad. I will miss the unofficial bike lane they created on the road. Even a good idea like the parklets can’t breathe life into an area that’s become, at times, lifeless. As for gay businesses — in the last five years we’ve lost Priape, Church Street Diner, The Barn, Straight, Zelda’s, Village Rainbow and Slacks. Many of those spaces have been replaced by non-gay businesses that don’t even hire gay people. It’s a shame we as gay people lost all sense of community and abandoned the [once] gay village.

RYAN TORONTO, ON

Why not use the money to feed and clothe the poor? Is that such a bad idea? Think of how much food and clothing $50,000 to $100,000 would buy. Take care of the people first, then the businesses.

JANICE CLANFIELD TORONTO, ON

Proposed porn block Should kids be watching porn? No. Not ideally. Are they going to watch porn? Highly likely [“Conservative MP Calls for Porn Firewall,” dailyxtra. com, Nov 20]. Why is it not within the Conservative mindset to have discussions with children about sex? An open dialogue about sex does not have to

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DEC 2013–MAY 2014

I loved the parklets, but they were a Band-Aid solution to a problem the BIA created when they began stripping the Village of its queerness [“Parklets May Not Return to Village,” Xtra #758, Nov 14]. The BIA’s pursuit of a “familyfriendly” (ick!) agenda has turned the Village into a tatty version of every other nondescript neighbourhood in the city (with the addition of obscenely high commercial rents).

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Coming into the Xtra newsroom has been a glum affair lately. I usually walk to my desk, wink at the naked-guy calendar adorning the wall in front of it and head to the kitchen for coffee. Most mornings include hellos and how-dos, some complaining about the cold weather and a quick glance at the headlines on whatever news channel is murmuring on the TV in the background. These days, it’s less of a murmur, however, and more of a constant whine. The news provokes shock, disappointment and sometimes even outrage. Rob Ford fatigue doesn’t get a chance to settle in because the court jester keeps fumbling with every step and every word uttered, and the tone is set for the rest of the day.

Sometimes I imagine a small army of (muscular, leather-shorts-wearing, ridiculously handsome) bodybuilders inside my vascular system, helping to lift my heavy spirits. The news of the city, the country and the world can often bring us down.

This is why I like to lose myself in the world of theatre, and that is the whole point behind this, our second annual theatre issue. This edition of Xtra is an escape from the real world, an excuse to break free from the sad or embarrassing news around us and dive into the stories told by the storytellers around us.

What better way to banish nightmarish thoughts of the stomach-turning Ford Nation than with an evil black swan? I fully intend to see the new production of Swan Lake at the Four Seasons Centre this winter. The latest production of the beautiful ballet is put on by Order of Canada recipient and choreographer James Kudelka (he’s the guy responsible for the successful comeback and modern reimagining of The Nutcracker). And though I don’t know the first thing about classical dance (despite having taken an adult ballet course for three months — my butt never looked so good), I love losing myself in the beauty of the movements, muscles and costumes of the dancers.

Church Street parklets

Oppression, repression and shame do nothing to ‘better’ society. to deflect from his lack of interest in showing up in the House for crucial votes in which everyone counted.

TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS

JAN JOHNSTONE TORONTO, ON

Klein campaign for John and Tarek

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EDITORIAL PHIL VILLENEUVE

That’s the great thing about the ballet, opera or even musical theatre: even if some aspects of the performance are hard to grasp, there’s usually something to bite into. If the story is over my head, I concentrate on the tutus.

One of my favourite stories in this issue is our profile of Grant Heaps, the assistant wardrobe coordinator at the National Ballet. He reminds me of that wand maker in the Harry Potter movies.

At once charming and curious, but also a quirky and highly skilled perfectionist — he’s kind of a magician, too. His story shows off a whole other side of the stage: the behind-the-scenes world of costume making, fixing and styling. This, too, takes a small army to lift, but in this case it’s corsets, pointed shoes and cups.

Even when watching a ballet or an opera, where the drama runs high and emotions are intense, it’s still in a (mostly) comfortable room, doors closed and without the sounds and distractions of the city. A very easy, if only temporary, getaway.

On the other end of the stage spectrum, I recently went to see Evil Dead: The Musical. There’s no drama in this show, just buckets of laughs and blood.

It’s an extremely entertaining night out, and for the duration of two acts I was transported to a cabin in the woods packed with horny teens and some ancient book of evil. It’s a spectacular feat when a small community theatre can transform a space and take the audience on an entertaining ride.

News stories and reality might frustrate or sadden, but Torontonians have endless possibilities of places to run off to for a couple hours and forget about everything. We have stages for every type of theatre, we have blogs and awards dedicated to it; hell, we are even home to one of the oldest queer theatre companies in the world (hi, Buddies!). While it’s good to stay informed about what’s going on in the world and know how it affects your life, it’s just as important to lose yourself, stick your head way up in the clouds and be entertained by the wide and wonderful world of theatre.

FEEDBACK

AT OUTTHE GAMES Russia may not know it, but the Olympics have always been more than a little gay E 12

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be explicit at all. And when children can trust their parents and approach their parents with questions, it leads to healthy attitudes and maturity. The moment you talk to a Conservative about “education,” their heads go up their own asses. They’d rather “block,” “ban” and “demonize” everything to the ends of the earth to pretend it doesn’t exist and pretend further that they have a moral superiority. Oppression, repression and shame do nothing to “better” society. Wake up!

JOHN TORONTO, ON

Justin Trudeau It was Justin Trudeau’s father, Pierre Trudeau, who decriminalized homosexuality in the 1960s. He was the first politician to get the state out of the nation’s bedrooms, and Justin has continued his father’s support of gay rights ever since [“Justin Trudeau Chats with Xtra Ahead of Toronto Centre By-Election,” dailyxtra.com, Nov 20].

He goes to all the Pride parades, supports gay marriage and has become so associated with gay causes that he was even called a “faggot” by Rob Ford. No one can question Justin’s commitment to gay rights. Sounds like the NDP is playing politics and is just trying to smear him to win a by-election.

REBECCA FINE TORONTO, ON

It’s sad, really, that Trudeau must step up because Freeland, being such a new Liberal to Canadian politics, could not respond to initial questions that Trudeau had to step in and speak for her. What’s worse was that he tried

That was a nail biter. I’m so glad they’re both safe and happy and that Andrea Houston and Xtra picked up on this amazing story [“The Hidden Campaign to Free Tarek and John,” dailyxtra. com, Nov 12]. I went to the Jail-Break Cabaret, and aside from the stories and fun, there is a serious side about imprisonment and humanity. Lest we forget Pussy Riot, the Arctic 30 and countless others who are detained or murdered for sticking their necks out, or like John and Tarek, simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time, stopping for ice cream and asking for directions.

LEIF HARMSEN TORONTO, ON

Trans rights in Saskatchewan Attorney General Gordon Wyant may feel that the government has “great confidence in the human rights commission and the commissioner with respect to his opinion,” but this is the problem [“Saskatchewan: Gender Identity and Expression Won’t Be Included in Human Rights Code,” dailyxtra.com, Nov 20]. It is an opinion, not a legal decision. It is true that this year the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission is accepting complaints about discrimination based on gender expression under the grounds of sex; however, under the same legislation, when I went to them with a case of harassment in the workplace based on my gender expression in 2011, my complaint was rejected, because at that time they chose to interpret discrimination based on gender expression as not being covered under the grounds of sex or gender. Our transgender rights in Saskatchewan are dependent on the opinion of the current Ministry of Justice and subject to change at any time.

MIKI MAPPIN SASKATCHEWAN

TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS

XCETERA

Sushi

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Show your Joe

Controversial Kmart TV ad featuring a group of men in Joe Boxer shorts and tuxedo jackets jingling their bells.

FROM THE PTP ARCHIVES 35 YEARS AGO

BODY POLITIC #49, DEC 1978/JAN 1979 “Milk’s election last November symbolized for many the ascendancy to public office of out-of-the-closet gay men and women,” reads The Body Politic’s report on the assassination of activist and San Francisco supervisor Harvey Milk. Nov 27, 2013, marks the 35th anniversary of the murders of Milk and Mayor George Moscone at the hands of ex-supervisor Dan White.

12

Number of jingle balls in the Kmart ad.

OUT ON THE STREET BY KYLE BURTON

Jingle Ball Wildly popular annual holiday concert in New York thrown by radio station Z100.

What’s the last piece of theatre you saw?

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Ariana Grande One of the featured performers at this year’s Jingle Ball.

‘Everyone is made the way they are for a reason. Everyone is the perfect version of themselves’ Grande, on growing up with a gay brother.

Indrit

Tricia

Nathaniel

Camille

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I saw Brothel #9 a few years ago at Factory Theatre. It addressed the issue of human trafficking and was really interesting.

Wicked, the musical.

I’m more of an opera fan, though, so I’m planning on going to the Canadian Opera Company soon.

DAYCARE WORKER

The Gay Heritage Project at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre.

I’m a big fan of the creators and actors.

A definite must-see!

I haven’t been to the theatre since I was in Grade 6. I went to see Dracula.

I loved it!

Adam Levine

Also has a gay brother.

Sexiest man alive in 2013 Levine, according to People magazine.

For our special theatre section, see pages 19–29.

DAME DISH

Dench freely utters the terms ‘gay homosexual’ and ‘beard’ and says she’s fully aware that some guys don’t like to use condoms because it doesn’t feel as good.

Actor Peter Hermann on the new film Philomena, in which Judi Dench plays a woman searching for the son she gave up for adoption, who turns out to be gay.

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XTRA! NOV 28–DEC 11, 2013 7

A BENEFIT FOR THE CANADIAN HIV/AIDS LEGAL NETWORK

AWARDS PRIX FOR DE AC T ION L’ACTION 2013

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Svend Robinson Please join us to celebrate the work of the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network and to honour the winners of the 2013 Awards for Action on HIV/AIDS and Human Rights.

Grandmothers Advocacy Network CANADIAN RECIPIENT

Alternatives-Cameroun (Cameroon) INTERNATIONAL RECIPIENT For 20 years, the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network has been a global leader in the movement for health and human rights, fighting to ensure that people living with or affected by HIV are supported by laws and policies that promote prevention, care and dignity.

SUNDAY DECEMBER 1, 2013 AT 7:00PM WORLD AIDS DAY

BRAM AND BLUMA APPEL SALON TORONTO REFERENCE LIBRARY 789 YONGE STREET, TORONTO

The Awards for Action were established by the Legal Network and Human Rights Watch in 2002. They honour excellence and commitment to work that has a direct impact on HIV/AIDS and human rights—in particular, work that benefits marginalized individuals and communities.

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To purchase tickets or for additional sponsorship information, please contact Kimahli Powell at kpowell@aidslaw.ca, or call 416.595.1666 ext. 245.

Tickets can also be purchased via www.aidslaw.ca/awards.

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8 NOV 28–DEC 11, 2013 XTRA!

TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS

Upfront

In this massive fight against child exploitation, human trafficking and the sexualization of our children, porn is the mass groomer and driver of demand.

Conservative MP Joy Smith E12

World AIDS Day award to honour gay activist from Cameroon AlternativesCameroon works with LGBT people in ‘profoundly hostile’ country WORLD AIDS DAY ANDREA HOUSTON

A Cameroonian activist will be honoured in Toronto on World AIDS Day for his organization’s human rights work in a country where LGBT people face ongoing criminalization and violence.

Yves Yomb, executive director of AlternativesCameroon, is the international recipient at the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network’s Awards for Action on Dec 1. The annual awards honour excellence and commitment to work that has a direct impact on HIV/AIDS and human rights. Yomb could not be reached for comment at press time.

“Alternatives-Cameroon is on the frontlines of the global fight for human rights for people living with HIV,” says Joseph Amon, director of the health and human rights division at Human Rights Watch. “This brave group refuses to be silenced by adversity and remains an essential resource for so many LGBT people in a country that remains profoundly hostile and dangerous for them.”

Richard Elliott, executive director of the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network, says AlternativesCameroon is doing courageous activism in an extremely hostile environment. Homosexuality is still criminalized and gay men are frequently prosecuted for consensual sex in the country. In fact, there are more arrests for homosexuality in Cameroon than in any other country in the world, reports say.

“People are tortured in prison by authorities, and we see staunch resistance by the Cameroonian government to actually decriminalize gay people,” Elliott says. “In the last year, we have seen an escalation of violence against gay people.”

In June, Alternatives-Cameroon’s offices were torched, he says. Staff arrived to find that fire had destroyed their computers and the medical records of clients who had come in for HIV testing.

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death penalty for some cases.

The Canadian recipient at the upcoming Awards for Action is the Grandmothers Advocacy Network (GRAN), made up of volunteer grandmothers from across Canada. GRAN is a Canadian voice for Africa’s sub-Saharan grandmothers who are caring for millions of children orphaned by AIDS. The group works for changes in Canadian policies to improve these families’ quality of life.

“The grandmothers are one of the key partners in the fight to reform the Access to Medicines Regime,” Elliott says. “I know they are really thrilled to be recognized for the incredible work they do across the country. These are tenacious, smart, very methodical and organized women. They lobby MPs, meet them in their offices, petition, make phone calls. These are really great activists.”

The keynote speaker will be Svend Robinson, who is senior advisor for parliamentary relations at the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The organization works to mobilize parliamentarians to support the work through donations.

“That’s a really key goal because getting money in place to actually fund the key HIV, TB and malaria services, whether it’s prevention or 35.3 million people treatment, requires political globally are living with HIV will,” Elliott says.

At the Global Fund, Rob2.3 million people became inson contributes his experinewly infected with HIV ence as a parliamentarian, a 1.6 million people died gay man, a gay rights activist from AIDS-related illnesses and a social justice activist, Elliott says.

2.1 million adolescents Yves Yomb is a gay Cameroonian activist and the director of Alternatives-Cameroon.

“Connecting with comare living with HIV munity is critical,” he says.

At the end of 2012, Last year, Yomb was featured in the documen- life and you will understand “We know from experience 9.7 million people in lowtary Born This Way, which profiles the lives of why he died.” that you need to work with and middle-income countries four young gay Cameroonians. Yomb, who bravely Responding to the murder communities that are at risk, were receiving antiretroviral allowed the filmmakers to show his face on camera, at the time, Yomb told the empower those communities therapy said, “We are tired of pretending that gay people Arcus Foundation that gay and make it safe for those do not exist in Cameroon.” rights leaders in Cameroon communities to seek out HIV (Source: UNAIDS) In July, Eric Lembembe, an outspoken voice for are in danger. “Since I started testing and come forward . . . gay rights in Cameroon, was tortured and killed my LGBTI activism, I’ve nevAt the Global Fund, Svend in his home. In the wake of the murder, Camer- er been as afraid as I am now,” he said. is bringing that human-rights and social-justice oon’s ambassador to the United Nations Office at Cameroon is one of 35 countries in Africa and perspective to the organization.”

Geneva, Anatole Fabien Marie Nkou, responded 78 countries worldwide where homosexuality is Go to dailyxtra.com for more information by claiming the hate-crime motive was “just made illegal. In eight of these countries, anti-gay laws on this story. up.” He added, “Look at the details of this person’s as written could be interpreted to include the

AIDS IN 2012 by the numbers

XTRA! NOV 28–DEC 11, 2013 9

LOCAL NEWS

Liberals keep Toronto Centre in federal by-election The Liberals held on to the coveted riding of Toronto Centre in the Nov 25 by-election, but the race was close right to the end, with Chrystia Freeland edging out NDP candidate Linda McQuaig.

As the results rolled in, the early numbers showed Freeland and McQuaig neck-and-neck. But just before 11pm, Freeland took a decisive lead to defeat her NDP rival.

Freeland, who won the riding with 49 percent of the vote, is the first female MP ever to hold the seat. In her victory speech, she criticized the NDP’s “negative” campaign.

“This was a really fiercely fought race,” she says. “What we discovered in this race is the NDP have looked at how the Conservatives fight and the way the Conservatives have decided politics should be done in Canada.

They decided that the way you win is through negative personal attacks that have nothing to do with what actual Canadians, actual people in Toronto Centre, need and want.”

Standing between the two previous Liberal MPs — former interim leaders Bob Rae and Bill Graham — Freeland praised their legacy in the riding. “I really feel I am standing on the shoulders of two giants,” she says.

She told her supporters to consider

Former Liberal MP Bob Rae and winning candidate Chrystia Freeland celebrate after Freeland is declared the winner of the Nov 25 by-election. ANDREA HOUSTON

the by-election “the first act of the 2015 election.”

The Liberals took the riding with a stronger showing than in the last federal election, in 2011, when Rae won with 41 percent of the vote. Meanwhile, over at the NDP party at the Hot House Café at Front and Church streets, McQuaig thanked her supporters and did not rule out running again in 2015. The NDP took 36 percent of the vote this time around, up from 30 percent in 2011.

McQuaig says the campaign was a chance to discuss the issue most important to her: income inequality and the widening gap between the rich and poor.

“If you asked me six months ago how this would turn out, well, I knew it was an uphill battle,” she says. “We hoped that we would have done better, but I want to point out that we did better than we’ve ever done in Toronto Centre.”

The Conservative vote all but disappeared in the riding, with candidate Geoff Pollock receiving less than nine percent of votes. In the 2011 federal election, the Conservatives took 23 percent.

Chris Drew, a resident of the ChurchWellesley Village, says the gay community had a big impact on the results. “I think the Village was at the heart of this fight, and it was beating strong, both online and at the doorstep.” — Andrea Houston

OHTN celebrates advances in HIV research, identifies gaps The 2013 Ontario HIV Treatment Network (OHTN) research conference wrapped up on Nov 19 in Toronto, concluding three days of talks and discussion panels covering advances in care and prevention and exploring the emotional and physical dimensions of living with HIV. Jae Sevelius, assistant professor at the University of California, San Francisco, stressed the need for research and interventions specifically designed for trans women, who are among the most vulnerable to HIV infection globally yet are routinely lumped under the LGBT umbrella — or even with men who have sex with men (MSM).

10 NOV 28–DEC 11, 2013 XTRA!

John Christensen, assistant professor at the University of Connecticut, presented a relatively novel prevention strategy: sexually explicit video games for MSM. Players navigate through virtual sexual encounters, from first meeting to flirting to sex (or no sex), while the game interjects to validate safe choices and point out when players might have acted differently.

In a recent study, Christensen and his colleagues found that subjects experienced reduced feelings of shame immediately after playing the game, which in turn predicted reduced risky sexual behaviour in the months that followed. — Elah Feder

John Christensen, assistant professor at the University of Connecticut, talks about his strategy for using sexually explicit video games to deliver HIV-prevention messages. ELAH FEDER

Toronto police arrest three more in connection with Skinner murder Three more men are facing charges in connection with the death of Christopher Skinner as Toronto police round up the six people who were allegedly in the SUV involved in the death of the 27-year-old Toronto man.

The new arrests come after police arrested Agustin Caruso of Etobicoke on Nov 6, charging him with second degree murder, alleging that he drove the SUV that hit and killed Skinner in 2009.

Nicholas Swaby, 23, and Jamaal Bond, 23, were both arrested in Toronto Nov 15 and face charges of assault causing bodily harm. Anthony Samuel, 24, faces a lesser charge of conspiracy to commit aggravated assault. Bond and Samuel also face charges of obstruction of justice.

An Etobicoke resident, Bond operates a rap promotion company called Beast Bond Marketing, while Swaby runs Apex TO, a similar operation that hosts rap shows around Toronto. The two companies co-sponsored an event in 2012 called The Laceup Tour at the Sound Academy.

Swaby was a five-time team captain for the Don Bosco high school football team, which at the time was coached by Toronto Mayor Rob Ford. Swaby was recruited to the University of Toronto team in 2011.

Detective Sergeant Stacy Gallant tells Xtra that Toronto police have identified all those allegedly responsible for the death of Skinner. “I know everyone who was in the car,” he says.

Police have now arrested three men they believe were in the Ford Explorer that night, along with Samuel, who, Gallant says, obstructed the investigation. Police also know who the other three passengers — one man and two women — were, but it’s unclear whether they will lay more charges.

Police believe Samuel was involved in physical coercion, trying to discourage a witness from going to the police. His charges of obstructing police and conspiracy to commit assault are related to events that took place over the last year, not on the night in 2009 when Skinner was killed.

Gallant confirms that police maintain the murder was not a hate crime. “That was never on the table,” he says.

Constable Wendy Drummond tells Xtra that “the investigation is ongoing.”

— Justin Ling For more on these stories, go to dailyxtra.com.

TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS

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Conservative MP calls for porn firewall Porn, you’ve got an enemy in Joy Smith.

The outspoken MP for Winnipeg’s Kildonan–St Paul riding, known as one of the more socially conservative members of the Harper government, earned her stripes as a moral campaigner in an early-morning press conference Nov 20 on Parliament Hill.

Smith was joined by Gail Dines, a self-described anti-porn activist who infamously launched a lawsuit against the BDSM website kink.com, arguing that it violated the United Nations Convention Against Torture.

Together they made the case that pornography is “grooming” the youth of Canada — leading to sexual abuse, child exploitation and human trafficking.

“We need to connect the dots,” Smith said. “In this massive fight against child exploitation, human trafficking and the sexualization of our children, porn is the mass groomer and driver of demand.”

The two are campaigning to get the federal government to implement a factory-default firewall that would block

Joy Smith, MP for Winnipeg’s Kildonan–St Paul riding.

any form of adult material unless the credit-card holder for the internet service disables it. While the two didn’t propose much in terms of policy, the filter aside, they did call on the country

to have a serious conversation about limiting and regulating pornography.

Throughout the press conference, Smith and Dines linked pornography to human trafficking. When Xtra asked how she made that connection, Smith explained that “the objective of a trafficker is to make a heck of a lot of money.

“The porn industry is much more lucrative, let’s put it that way. So it really goes together. Once a victim is groomed, they seem to think this is normal, that there’s nothing wrong with it. Unfortunately, they end up being sick, harmed, they die. There’s very bad things that happen to them. They don’t hear about that when it first starts.”

Xtra also asked Dines — who holds a PhD in sociology from the University of Salford and now teaches at a private college in the United States — whether there is peer-reviewed evidence of the link between pornography and trafficking. She admitted that, no, such evidence does not exist.

Nevertheless, Dines and Smith re-

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The Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police recently tabled Canada’s first provincewide study of best practices in policing for the LGBT community in order to help the province’s police services address the community’s needs and concerns.

The 80-page report, “Best Practices in Policing and LGBTQ Communities in Ontario,” covers such broad topics as sensitivity training, recruitment and internal support for LGBT officers, policy issues and ongoing community engagement. It was prepared by Kyle Kirkup, a lawyer and scholar at the University of Toronto’s Mark S Bonham Centre for Sexual Diversity Studies.

The report specifically recommends creating community liaison committees or discussion groups, campaigns to prevent hate crimes and youth bullying, guidelines and training for handling HIV-nondisclosure cases, training in LGBT issues around sexual assault and domestic violence, awareness that the

A Toronto police officer takes part in the 2013 Pride parade. ADAM COISH

differential age of consent for anal sex is unenforceable in Ontario, guidelines related to policing in women-only spaces, and trans-sensitive procedures for strip searches and incarceration. The report also calls for better data measurement related to LGBT issues, such as hate incidents and domestic violence.

Over the course of a year, Kirkup researched policies in place in all of Ontario’s police services, surveyed queer-identified staff and spoke with community organizations across the province.

Kirkup says he found differing levels of awareness of LGBT issues across TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS

main convinced porn is bad for the brain. “Free porn is the equivalent of me standing outside a school and giving out cigarettes and alcohol,” Dines said.

In a statement, they cite a handful of studies that show that children are being exposed to pornography at ever-younger ages. According to “recent research” and “a 2009 report,” there is a further correlation between early viewing of pornography and sexual harassment.

There’s no shortage of research claiming to measure the impacts of pornography. One University of Hawaii study analyzed dozens of surveys and studies into the effects of pornography. The conclusion?

The idea that porn somehow leads to any form of sexual abuse is “a myth.”

If there is any relationship, it says, porn probably reduces instances of sex crimes.

But Smith is committed to doing something about porn. In July, she told Xtra that she would like to see a great Canadian porn filter — a national mandatory firewall, akin to what is being attempted in England.

When asked whether it would be more effective to improve sexual education in schools, she backed away. She underlined that education is a provincial issue and that parents should be primarily responsible for educating children. She says that schools should have some role but that parents should sign off on any sex education in schools. —Justin Ling

the province. “Sometimes what I’ve heard is ‘We don’t have a large community here; should we be doing this?’ But what I’ve also heard is that sometimes this is where the most work needs to be done,” he says. “It’s particularly relevant for some of the centres that might not have thought through the issues.

“An example might be the police are called in to some kind of violence going on, and they don’t recognize that it’s a same-sex couple. They might not recognize it as domestic violence and not provide the resources they might need, as in counselling.”

But Kirkup says he was pleasantly surprised by some of the innovative initiatives that police services around the province had created. “[The Sudbury Police Service] said they’d heard from the transgender community that they need to do a better job of reaching out to them, and so they invited them to come in and lead a training session for officers,” he says.

The OACP commissioned the report in order to encourage police services to be proactive in involving LGBT communities in policing.

— Rob Salerno MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

2014 Dieux de Stade calendar is released If you’re a fan of rugby — or in Xtra’s case, rugby players — then rejoice, for it’s almost time to hang Dieux du Stade’s 2014 calendar.

Dieux du Stade translates to “Gods of the Stadium,” and it’s easy to see why. Since 2001, the annual calendar has featured nude photos of the Paris rugby team Stade Français.

The 2014 calendar was released in October. Rather than going with an elaborate theme, this year’s offering returns to the basics, focusing solely on the athletes. The calendar also features guest appearances by other sexy athletes, including soccer ’s Olivier Giroud and Yohan Cabaye, handball player Nikola Since 2001, the Dieux du Stade calendar has featured nude photos of the Paris rugby team Stade Français.

Karabatic and professional boxer Alexis Vastine. men in high-definition angles.

The calendar costs €26.60 ($37 CaIf you’re curious, go to dailyxtra. nadian) and can be purchased from com for a teaser of the calendar and Stade Français’s official store, but it the behind-the-scenes video, showing gets better — a making-of Dieux du the boys lifting their bodies, lowering Stade 2014 DVD is also available for their towels and getting hot, wet and purchase. It documents the calendar’s ready for action — rugby action, that is. creation, allowing you to view these — Taylor Parsons

Moscow gay club comes under attack for second time in a week On the heels of its story about shots being fired during a Nov 16 attack on a gay club, Queer Russia reports that the popular Central Station was subject to another attack Nov 23, with the release of an unspecified “harmful gas” on the premises. The report says there were about 500 people in the club at the time of the incident, many of whom required medical attention.

While police have been alerted to the attacks, there have been no reports of arrests in either case thus far.

Queer Russia says no one was injured in the Nov 16 attack in which two men, who reportedly remain at large, fired handguns after they were denied entry.

Queer Russia says Central Station’s

managers have approached the police and other city authorities on several occasions to complain about the regular attacks on the club, but it’s unclear whether any preventive action has been taken.

These latest incidents add fuel to claims that violence and other forms of harassment against LGBT people in Russia have increased in the wake of the passage of a number of anti-gay laws, including a nationwide “gay propaganda” law that came into effect after President Vladimir Putin signed off on it in June.

— Natasha Barsotti For more on these stories, go to dailyxtra.com.

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Stella and Fanny How two crossdressing British party girls took their stage show to the streets and courts of London HISTORY BOYS MICHAEL LYONS

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A quarter century before the infamous trial of Oscar Wilde, London’s courts saw a case of an equally theatrical bent. In 1871, Ernest Boulton, the son of a stockbroker from the London suburbs, and his dear friend Frederick William Park, a young law student, found themselves in court for “conspiring and inciting persons to commit an unnatural offence� — that offence being sodomy.

Who could expect anything less of the performers known as Stella (Star of The Strand) and Fanny?

Boulton had shown a talent for performing as a woman from a young age, using the nickname “Stella.� He was apparently encouraged by his mother.

He was often cast in the lead female role in private performances at the country homes of family friends; unsurprisingly, later photographs reveal a young man with soft, androgynous features. Park, on the other hand, had a round, homely face, a dead ringer for an older Queen Victoria in a royal drag farce. He was the son of a master of the superior court, the youngest of 12 children (including a brother arrested for homosexual offences) and worked in the office of a London solicitor.

In their early 20s, Stella and Fanny found in each other a bosom friend and someone to share the stage with; they might also have been lovers. They performed in melodramas and operettas, which were very popular. A third player in their theatrics was retired navy officer Lord Arthur Pelham-Clinton.

In an 1868 show called Love and Rain, Pelham-Clinton played Stella’s husband, a role he doubled in outside the theatre, to the point where Stella often called herself Lady Clinton.

Performances unabashedly spilled into the streets of London, and Stella and Fanny attended theatre events, the Oxford and Cambridge boat race, and the Burlington Arcade (a haunt of higher-priced prostitutes) in tight pants, low-necked shirts and powdered faces, and sometimes in full drag. They publicly courted men, possibly for money, but probably more often for the male attention. The night of their arrest, in 1870, was illustrated in a morally indignant report entitled “Men in Petticoats�: “It appears that . . . no little excitement was caused in the Strand Theatre

Fanny and Stella’s performances beyond the stage attracted the attention of London’s metropolitan police, who placed them under surveillance. ERIC WILLIAMS

by the entrance of two very handsome young women, accompanied by a young gentleman, into one of the private boxes, in fact, the personal charms of these ladies were so great that they attracted general attention . . . The general opinion throughout the house being that they were two fresh stars about to shine in the ďŹ rmament of the demi-monde, and that their beauty, their fascinations, and their paid for smiles, would, before the London season expired, cause many a poor dupe to curse the hour in which he had been born.â€?

This anonymous reporter didn’t proselytize against homosexuality; instead, he was horrified that, when Fanny’s lace came unpinned, she entered the women’s washroom so the attendants could help ďŹ x her outďŹ t. Unfortunately, Franny and Stella’s performances beyond the stage had already attracted the attention of the metropolitan police, who had had them under surveillance for a year before apprehending them.

Soon after the arrest, news came of the death of Pelham-Clinton — either from scarlet fever, compounded by stress from seeing his name connected with the arrest, or by suicide. A third possibility is that he ed England to

avoid persecution, with news of his death masking the disappearance.

In May of the following year, Stella and Fanny came before the court, though the prosecution’s case was imsy and didn’t use medical evidence to prove sodomy had occurred. Audiences at the trial were thrilled by the parade of crossdressing witnesses and the evidence presented. Crossdressing technically wasn’t a crime, and Boulton’s mother testiďŹ ed that his dressing habits had always been accepted. The court aquitted the duo; Stella fainted in the courtroom at the announcement.

The two eventually travelled separately to America, under aliases. Park moved to New Jersey and died at the age of 33, possibly from syphilis. Boulton, under the surname Byne, continued to perform in drag on the New York stage. A plaque now installed on one of their former residences says Boulton survived scandal and the death of his loved ones and lived to the age of 57.

Neil McKenna’s Fanny and Stella: The Young Men Who Shocked Victorian England was published in North America earlier this year. It’s available at Glad Day Bookshop, 598 Yonge St. TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS

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Divas over easy

Drag darling Scarlett Bobo wants to be clear: “This is a no-judging brunch.

Check your attitude at the door, girl.

You can be dressed in casual Sunday morning joggers or you could look straight out of Vogue.”

Bobo will preside over the inaugural Diva Brunch at Osteria dei Ganzi on Sunday, Dec 1.

“Brunch starts at 11, and that’s exactly when the all-diva mix starts pumping from DJ Phil V,” says Bobo, aka Matty Cameron. “I’m going to be your host, making sure everything is fierce a n d f a b u l o u s, along with a spot-

light show to shake things up a little. We continue the beats, great food and cheap drinks until 3pm,” she says, before adding, as if there were any doubt of the fabulosity of the party, “Oh! And did I mention it’s my birthday?” Hoo boy. Hide the Jäger.

The event is served up by Proud FM in partnership with PFLAG. When the organizers approached Bobo to host, she jumped at the opportunity; well, it was more of a hop — she was in heels.

Aside from the obvious philanthropic opportunities, Bobo promises a great meal, designed by the team at Ganzi, as well as $5 caesars and mimosas.

“This is just the first of many brunches to come. There’s only one type of one-night stand I enjoy, if you get my drift,” Bobo says. “Every month, on the first Sunday, it will be the babely DJ Phil V and myself, with an additional queen being added to the roster every month. One year from now we will have the biggest [drag brunch] in the city, with 12 sickening queens running wild.”

Sounds like a late-breakfast glitter-ball. But seriously, what does one wear to a drag brunch?

“Wear your birthday suit.

That’s what I’ll be wearing.” — Nick Green Diva Brunch is Sun, Dec 1 at Osteria dei Ganzi, 504 Jarvis St. ganzi.ca

Scarlett Bobo hosts the first ever Diva Brunch at Osteria dei Ganzi. DAVID HAWE

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM

For more on Osteria dei Ganzi, go to dailyxtra.com.

‘Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable’ is a quote I live by. Katie Sly E19

Swimming with the fishes Performer David Light is a busy man.

“I’m playing a crabby fish, which is an unfortunate name, and I’ve taken a lot of ribbing; an eel; and — oh yes, a man as well,” Light says of his roles in The Little Mermaid, Ross Petty’s annual holiday production. “It was difficult in rehearsal, but now with the video-wall backdrop and all the underwater animation, it’s easier to embody animals swimming.”

Light is an accomplished dancer — he’s a true triple-threat: he was a finalist in CBC’s reality-TV competition Triple Sensation — and is comfortable with the routines. The chorus girls had a tougher time. Of course, they are on roller skates while trying to simulate effortless underwater undulations. “They’re looking very graceful now,” Light says diplomatically. “No bad falls for a few days now.”

Petty pilfers the score for his yearly pantomime from whatever songs are riding the charts; so is The Little Mermaid a Katy or a Gaga? “She’s

David Light plays a crabby fish, an eel and a man in The Little Mermaid.

more of a Kelly Clarkson,” Light says with a laugh. “Every song she sings is from a wholesome — except for Christina Aguilera — pop star. Actually, there isn’t a Lady Gaga number.

I was shocked.” Light’s favourite bit is

“The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?),” but he refuses to elaborate beyond saying, “It’s spectacular.”

The startling news is that Petty, always the villain, is “playing a man this year,” Light says. “A Canadian male sea monster.” Is tradition being broken because of Canadian content rules? Replacing the iconic Ursula with Ogopogo may disappoint and intrigue in equal measure, but Petty still plans to garner as many “boos” as possible. And Dan Chameroy will collect his share of laughs while picking up the genderbending anti-glamour slack with his outrageous alter ego, Dame Plumbum Von Botox. Light and his fellow fish will provide lots of eye-candy; no Speedos or strategically placed seaweed, alas, but he promises “skin-tight unitards, and the male lead takes his shirt off.” — Drew Rowsome The Little Mermaid runs Fri, Nov 22–Sat, Jan 4 at the Elgin Theatre, 189 Yonge St. rosspetty.com

DRAG KINGS IN THE SEVEN KINGDOMS In the northern reaches of the Seven Kingdoms, well beyond the ken of Melisandre, who holds sway in Storm’s End, a mummer’s farce is about to take place. Beyond the Wall, in the lesser-known hamlet of Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, a drag-king troupe named The Yes-Men will perform a parody called Game of Kings.

Those familiar with the HBO series Game of Thrones, or the novels on which it is based, will revel in such references, and everyone else needs to get on the bandwagon post-haste.

The recently formed Yes-Men comprise Flare, Brian Bedside Manor, Spencer Munny, Maximum Capacity and Titus Androgynous. They came together in part because they all wanted to do shows that involve more than just lip-synching. “We like to do really theatrical, narrativebased pieces,” Titus says.

The troupe also has a mutual passion for the fantasy series Game of Thrones. “I was watching it, and there was someone who I thought, ‘Oh,

Toronto’s Yes-Men troupe. TANIA ANDERSON

Flare, you could totally play this character!’ We discovered that almost everyone in the group was a huge fan,” Titus says.

The show will begin with the song “Seven Nation Army,” by The White Stripes, an almost magically fitting reference to the Seven Kingdoms.

There will be pantomime, some of which will mirror the story closely, while “others are wishful thinking, where we sort of imagine how a relationship between two characters

could be different,” Titus says. Flare hints at some of the performances: “There will be a Theon Greyjoy and Ramsay number, one with the Night’s Watch, an Arya number and a Joffrey number.” The icing on the cake will be guest Judy Virago playing the Mother of Dragons. —Jeremy Willard The Yes-Men: Game of Kings is Fri, Dec 6, 10:30pm at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander St. buddiesinbadtimes.com

XTRA! NOV 28–DEC 11, 2013 17

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TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS

6 S R O ACT CH T A W O T

When examining the crop of young talent we’re highlighting for our theatre issue, two themes emerge: self-producing and versatility. In a city where fierce competition for every role or gig is a given, it only makes sense to put up your own work. And whether they’re moonlighting as drag queens or researching new plays about bear culture, this passionate, hard-working cohort defiantly refuse to be labelled as simply “actors.” Instead, we like to think of them as “people you should know about.”

BY JOHNNIE WALKER PHOTOS BY N MAXWELL LANDER

FLERIDA PEÑA Flerida Peña burst onto the scene this year with her solo show Sister Mary’s a Dyke?! “The inspiration for Sister Mary came out of my frustration at finding out that a lot of the people that went to my all-girls Catholic high school were secretly queer,” she says.

In the show, she played Abby, a naive Catholic schoolgirl whose coming-out narrative goes to some unexpected places. “In my mind, it totally makes sense for a school to be a lesbian Catholic terrorist cell,” Peña explains, “where the students are the soldiers and the teachers — the nuns — are the generals in this holy civil war against Vatican City.”

UPCOMING Peña is working on

two new scripts: a story about an estranged father and daughter who accidentally reconnect on the TTC and a musical about lesbians.

XTRA! NOV 28–DEC 11, 2013 19

SPENCER CHARLES SMITH Spencer Charles Smith is like a young Sky Gilbert. If you don’t believe us, ask Gilbert. “I invited him to a workshop of my play Spoon,” Smith explains. “He then wrote To Myself at 28 and asked me to play himself at 28. He told me later that he wrote the play with me in mind because I reminded him of his younger self.” The connection means a lot to Smith, who hopes to build a queer Canadian performance archive. A co-owner of Glad Day Bookshop and artistic director of Straight Camp, Smith is busy developing a new solo show about his love of hairy men and ambivalence about bear culture and its nomenclature. “As liberating as the campy labels are, they are also exclusive and perpetuate a hierarchy of beauty, which contradicts the inclusive nature of the bear community.”

UPCOMING Smith is working on Straight Camp’s

Stumble, Topple, and Stand, his solo show about bear love, and planning Spoon’s return.

KATIE SLY Performing began as a means to an end for Katie Sly. To write a play as part of Buddies’ Young Creators Unit, she was required to perform her own work. “When you need something bad enough, you’ll do whatever you need to get it,” she says. Her show, Evil Love Songs, which explored her experiences as a bisexual woman, was the first in a string of queer plays she performed in this year, including Obscuring Jude, another solo show she wrote for the Gay Play Day festival, and Spencer Charles Smith’s Spoon.

She is now collaborating with Smith as part of new queer collective Straight Camp. “‘Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable’ is a quote I live by,” Sly says, “and Straight Camp embraces that belief.”

UPCOMING Sly is working on an

expanded version of Evil Love Songs, a new play called Serenity Wild for the Groundswell Festival in April, and Straight Camp’s first collective creation, Stumble, Topple, and Stand.

ANDREW PIMENTO For Andrew Pimento, a solo show doesn’t mean just one character. In Stockboy, which debuted at Videofag this year, he played eight characters of different ages, genders, races and sexualities. “I’m a character actor,” he says, “and this kind of work feels like chocolate tastes.” He’s working now on a followup, Phoenix, which features darker material. “It’s about gay men who have been set on fire,” he explains. His script focuses on Steven Simpson, an autistic gay teen who was set on fire at his own birthday party; a Jamaican man whose house was set ablaze as he slept; and one of the victims of the infamous 1973 UpStairs Lounge arson attack in New Orleans. “I’m trying not to write an ‘issues’ play, but rather give these people who are brought together via a common plight a chance to express their voices and share themselves.”

UPCOMING Pimento is

planning Stockboy’s return and polishing up the script for Phoenix, which he hopes to workshop this spring.

20 NOV 28–DEC 11, 2013 XTRA!

TYSON JAMES Tyson James became a familiar face on the queer theatre scene this year thanks to back-to-back performances in two Buddies shows: Arigato, Tokyo and Of a Monstrous Child: A Gaga Musical. “It was an exhilarating way to ‘officially’ arrive in Toronto’s theatre scene,” James says. Of course, some audiences have known his drag alter ego, Cassandra Moore, for years. “Both my careers have very different audiences,” James admits, adding that he doesn’t personally consider the disciplines separate. “There’s different skills at work, but at the end of the day, I come from theatre and approach all of my work with that work ethic in mind.”

UPCOMING Cassandra Moore will make appearances at WorldPride and at her

Saturday night residency at Buddies After Hours. Meanwhile, James can be seen in the remount of Queer Bathroom Monologues at Buddies in June.

READY TO MAKE A SPLASH IN 2014 Kawa Ada does double duty at Buddies, acting in his play The Wanderers in March and in Sky Gilbert’s Hackerlove in May. Daniel Krolik gets randy in Release the Stars: The Ballad of Randy and Evi Quaid at Next Stage in January.

Lindsey Clark tells 1,001 stories as the title character in Scheherazade at Next Stage in January.

Jonathan Seinen plays a gay teen who just might be a deity in Sean Dixon’s A God in Need of Help at Tarragon in April.

Rob Kempson stars in his musical The Way Back to Thursday at Passe Muraille in January.

SHAISTA LATIF Like others on this list, Shaista Latif is a graduate of Buddies’ youth program; she produced her solo show Graceful Rebellions as part of their Young Creators Unit this year. The play charts the lives of three queer Afghan women: a bride, a warlord and a second-generation Afghan-Canadian writer. “Guess which one is most like me?” Latif asks playfully. The show has since toured to Halifax for the Queer Acts Theatre Festival, an experience Latif calls “a game changer.” Next, she wants to turn Graceful Rebellions into a full-length, multi-actor play. “It’s going to take a few years,” she says, “but I’m determined. And crazy.”

Justin Many Fingers, a grad of the Soulpepper Academy and artistic director of Nitsitapii Dance Theatre, brings his solo show Older & Reckless #29 to Dancemakers in May. Thomas Olajide takes over Stratford in 2014 with roles in King Lear, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Beaux’ Stratagem.

UPCOMING Latif will appear in Scheherazade at Next Stage in January. She’ll also

be working as assistant director on fellow queer Afghan-Canadian Kawa Ada’s play The Wanderers at Buddies in March.

XTRA! NOV 28–DEC 11, 2013 21

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TORONTOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS

, O L L HE

Y L L O D

What makes a musical a classic?

BY RYAN G HINDS

he wanted to play Mame on Broadway so badly she could taste it,” Lorna Luft famously said about her mom, Judy Garland. It’s a shame that it never happened, because the classic 1966 musical of the same name has it all: a brassy but vulnerable leading lady, a colourful milieu, glamorous costumes and a high-kicking ensemble. It’s also stuffed to the gills with brilliant songs. Jerry Herman’s score swings, croons, belts and struts for miles, giving its star every opportunity to endear herself to the audience.

In many ways, Mame is the prototypical Herman musical — and from Hello, Dolly! to Mack & Mabel to seminal gay favourite La Cage aux Folles, his formula hasn’t changed: plant a fabulous lady of a certain vintage centre stage and let the audience do the rest.

But is there more to making a classic?

What is it that gives certain musicals a legendary status while others flop? A fabulous lady of a certain vintage who is used to being planted centre stage has an answer.

Chita Rivera is a beloved Broadway star with a long list of both hits and flops under her belt. Toronto audiences might remember her best from her Tony-winning turn in Kiss of the Spider Woman, climbing around a massive spider web and slinking through MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM

the show in a series of ever-morespectacular costumes and tangos with her Canadian co-stars (Brent Carver, Jeff Hyslop and Juan Chioran, respectively).

I was 12 when Rivera came into my life, and one of the first things she taught me was that a good musical must wear its humanity on its sleeve. I remember her barking, “You’re wearing the wrong shirt!” when I showed up in a Cats T-shirt. Never one to mince words, she then told me her opinion of the show; needless to say, she wasn’t a fan.

The era of the mega-musical (Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon, Les Misérables) was then still in full swing, but now she says, “I’m from the golden age, when every theatre had a hit in it.

Helicopters and falling chandeliers are great, but not as great as the human body.” She’s definitely someone who would know, with classics like Chicago, West Side Story (“Imagine being a young Puerto Rican girl from Washington, DC . . . and she finds herself in a New York City rehearsal hall watching Stephen Sondheim, Leonard Bernstein, Arthur Laurents and Jerome Robbins create a masterpiece!”), Sweet Charity (directed both onstage and onscreen by Bob Fosse, thank you very much) and Bye Bye Birdie on her resumé. In every case she credits the human element of those shows as an important aspect of

what made them great.

Bye Bye Birdie was revived on Broadway a few years ago, but the new technology used in the show didn’t sit well with Rivera. “The people who try and change Birdie tend to mess it up. It’s anchored in a particular time and place.”

The director of the original production, Gower Champion, would go on to direct and choreograph such smash hits as 42nd Street and Hello, Dolly!, but in 1960 he staged an ending for Birdie that was uniquely human and personal for the time, an ending that helped the show earn its place in the history books. “In my opinion, the original ending that Gower gave it is inspired. The musical theatre that I came from always ended the same way: after all these big numbers, the whole cast comes downstage and sings whatever was supposed to be the show’s hit song in this big, overblown fashion.

What Gower did to end Birdie was to have two people, Albert and Rose, singing this very simple, very sweet song called ‘Rosie’ and just walking into the sunset. It couldn’t have been more effective or more beautiful.”

For better or for worse, musical theatre has evolved from the vision that directors like Fosse and Champion envisioned. Roles aren’t even called roles anymore; they’re called “tracks,”

HELICOPTERS AND FALLING CHANDELIERS ARE GREAT, BUT NOT AS GREAT AS THE HUMAN BODY. Chita Rivera is a beloved Broadway star who starred in such classics as Chicago, West Side Story, Sweet Charity and Bye Bye Birdie. “I’m from the golden age, when every theatre had a hit in it.”

a clinical and dehumanizing term that implies robotic precision and a total lack of individuality.

In order to be successful, a musical can’t just be a classic anymore; it must become a theme park. Oscarwinning composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz gave us Wicked in 2003. It’s a wickedly popular show, but for seemingly all the wrong reasons. We want to see Elphaba go up in the cherry picker and Glinda enter in her bubble so badly that we ignore the uninspired choreography and all but the two or three most popular songs. There’s no

getting around the fact that much of his score is, to put it mildly, not great.

Writing about Wicked’s 10th anniversary on Broadway, Kevin Fallon said in The Daily Beast, “As anyone who’s seen the show once knows, the minute that teacher starts bleating and turning into a goat while singing, it’s time for a bathroom break.”

While there are many ways to play a character like Chicago’s Velma Kelly or Gypsy’s Madame Rose, the characters in Wicked seem part of a prepackaged offering. It’s musical theatre by way of frozen TV dinners, indicating to me that it’s the total experience of Wicked people cherish, not the craft of creating theatre.

Is there a happy medium? Andrew Lloyd Webber thought so in 1995. The man who ushered in the era of megamusicals brought us Sunset Boulevard, his version of the 1950 movie about Hollywood, greed, vanity and delusion.

We can all identify on some level with the central characters of Norma Desmond, who sees her youth slipping away and can’t let go of yesterday, her boy-toy Joe Gillis, who takes what seems like a good opportunity but gets in over his head, or Betty Schaefer, the naive innocent girl who just wants to be happy. The human elements of Sunset Boulevard were in place, but don’t forget, this was a Webber show.

Instead of focusing on relationships, he gave us onstage pools! Hollywood film sets! A gargantuan flying house!

Glenn Close, Betty Buckley, Diahann Carroll and Elaine Paige all headlined the show at some point, but in every one of their reviews, the set changes seemed to get top billing.

Of all the artists mentioned in this article, none have been only successful or only failures. Herman had flops like Dear World, and Schwartz wrote wonderful scores for Pippin and Godspell.

Webber crashed and burned hard with his Phantom of the Opera sequel, Love Never Dies; you’d think he would have learned from Rivera’s Birdie sequel, Bring Back Birdie, which ran for four performances on Broadway in 1981.

In her deadpan words, “He just didn’t wanna come back.”

Ultimately, musical theatre is two things: a) an insane gamble and b) an impossibly unique art form. More immediate than cinema, more ephemeral than literature, more emotional than ballet and more fluid than music, musical theatre is what happens when it’s no longer possible to express a feeling in words; it must be danced, sung and acted, full out. It’s storytelling to the nth degree. It’s bodies and voices. It’s blood, sweat and tears mixed up with sequins, greasepaint and feathers. I’m in total agreement with Rivera on this: whether the show runs for years or for less than a week, musical theatre is at its best when it’s wonderfully, artfully human.

XTRA! NOV 28–DEC 11, 2013 23

L A C I R T A E H T A

T S I L H S I W

A roundup of must-see theatre in seasons to come

BY DREW ROWSOME

ear Santa, If only you were a theatre queen. It’s great that you make toys for girls and boys, but some of us just want tickets to shows. And they’re light, so you can load up your sleigh without overtaxing poor Rudolph. There are so many must-see productions over the next few months that those of us who love the theatre should invest in extra large stockings.

Every production at Buddies is guaranteed to entertain, shock or provoke — a season’s pass, please. The Rhubarb Festival, running Feb 12 to 23, is a microcosm of what Buddies has to offer. Every night features several short performances — one is sure to amaze, a few will amuse, and one will annoy. The key word is “short,” and the time investment is minimal, while the payoff is big. Rhubarb is followed by a new Sky Gilbert play, Hackerlove, a gay

24 NOV 28–DEC 11, 2013 XTRA!

love story set against the backdrop of the 2010 WikiLeaks scandal. Whatever Gilbert tackles raises hackles and provokes thought, always with a few laughs tossed in. Plus: hunky Nick Green stars.

Buddies alumnus Daniel MacIvor has two shows at Factory Theatre: A Beautiful View, a haunting and hilarious lesbionic epic with bears, from Feb 27 to March 9, and the new Bingo! which is billed as a “rockin’ and rollin’ romantic comedy,” from May 3 to June 1. Whether the dabbers are laced with poison or hilarity, the audience is sure to possess the winning card. Also of note at Factory is the incandescent Naomi Wright starring in a revival of The Ugly One from Jan 8 to Feb 16, wherein obsession with beauty and narcissism sets the stage for satire. Gay audiences will, undoubtedly, relate.

And, please, some big musical extravaganzas. Mirvish presents Once

from Nov 26 to Jan 5, and it is trailing more Tonys than Angela Lansbury on a bender in a pub. Mirvish’s other sure bets are the magical Lion King, which runs from April 30 to June 15, and the scatalogically astute Book of Mormon, beginning Sept 16.

Tarragon Theatre is filled with the sound of music, with queen-oftheatre-queens Stephen Sondheim’s acidic valentine Marry Me a Little, from Feb 26 to April 6. Then, from June 3 to 29, the mesmerizing Hawksley Workman rips it up with The God That Comes, a musical about sexual and religious frenzy. Theatre Passe Muraille tantalizes with The Way Back to Thursday, from Jan 16 to Feb 8, a song cycle about the golden age of cinema with a crucial song entitled “Googling Rock Hudson.”

Many theatre companies do stellar productions on a more modest scale.

Hart House Theatre revives The Wed-

ding Singer from Jan 10 to 25, when the venerable U of T theatre will echo with 1980s standards and fond memories of the one time Adam Sandler was sexy. The Lower Ossington Theatre launches a new production of the camp classic Little Shop of Horrors on Dec 5.

The energetic LOTters can’t fail to do justice to the great score by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, who are, incidentally, also represented by Mirvish/Disney’s Aladdin, onstage until Jan 5. Putting Aladdin in a boy band may be a questionable choice for all but Backstreet Boys fetishists, but the score is so strong that even a Celine Dion cover version couldn’t shatter its melodic beauty. And I eagerly await May, when the Alexander

Showcase Theatre sings The Mystery of Edwin Drood.

Even serious Soulpepper has showgirls and charlatans, in Idiot’s Delight, from Jan 23 to March 1. But the big news at Soulpepper is the return of Angels in America, which may not be a musical but is operatic in its passion, from June 12 to July 12. Canadian Stage has an intriguing offering with London Road, from Jan 19 to Feb 9. With Damien Atkins and George Masswohl in the cast, it will be transcendent. And there are sure to be surprises from venues like Videofag, The Storefront Theatre, The Theatre Centre and whatever Cirque du Soleil has planned for under the big top, beginning Aug 28.

TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS

HILDA LOBINGER

Above, the touring cast of Once at Mirvish. Top right, Becky Johnson and Amy Rutherford in Daniel MacIvor’s A Beautiful View. RIght, Laura Nanni is the director of Buddies’ Rhubarb festival.

Dear Santa, if you fulfill my desires, I will be too busy to be bad. And please join me for a return to Evil Dead: The Musical, running until Jan 5. We can sit in the Splatter Zone; red on red won’t do any damage.

Much thanks, Drew Rowsome PS. With so much great theatre here in Toronto, you can ignore my ignored request from last year regarding air fare to New York.

TANJA-TIZIANA

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XTRA! NOV 28–DEC 11, 2013 25

T R A HE L

U O S &

In the tough theatre world, Soulpepper balances artistic responsibility and material success

BY SERAFIN LARIVIERE PHOTOS BY N MAXWELL LANDER

n an increasingly harsh world, where unions are deemed evil and commerce the prime indicator of success, a professional life can seem more isolated than ever. It’s dog eat dog, where you’re only as valuable as your last success. Life in the theatre is no exception, sometimes embracing the worst of these tendencies, with actors vying for the best roles, playwrights fighting for artistic freedom and companies struggling to put bums in their seats.

It makes Soulpepper all the more valuable, all the more special, as it bucks trends to create and maintain a theatre company that is both artistically responsible and materially successful.

“It’s a company in the true sense of the word,” says Paolo Santalucia, graduate of Soulpepper’s renowned training program and member of its acting troupe. “It sounds silly to say, but it really is an amazing family. We care a lot about each other, and Leslie and Albert are true community builders.”

Albert, of course, is the famous Mr Schultz, one of Canada’s most celebrated stage and film actors and founding artistic director of Soulpepper. Leslie 26 NOV 28–DEC 11, 2013 XTRA!

Lester has been managing director of the Young Centre for the Performing Arts, a comprehensive arts complex located in Toronto’s historic Distillery District, since 2005.

The complex is quite remarkable.

Designed by architect Thomas Payne for KPMB, the 55,000-square-foot space has both a heritage feel and a modern sensibility: two former tank houses are bridged by a magnificent glass atrium to house the company’s training, rehearsal and performance facilities. The result of a special partnership with George Brown College, it’s the perfect home for a company with such a diverse mandate.

“Soulpepper and George Brown got together in 2003 to develop a joint venture because we were interested in sharing a facility to house the theatre school and the theatre company,” Lester says. “We created a not-for-profit corporation and went into a very aggressive campaign to raise the money to build the facility.”

For Lester, who has spent most of her career in the theatre world, the resulting facility represents the culmination of both artistic achievement and community outreach.

“I’ve been with the company now TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS

BT 4 LG AL 201 V O , I T T 1 ON FES NE R U TO ILM O J F 2T 2 AY M

I N S I D E O U T F O U R - PL AY S C R E E N I N G S ER I ES Clockwise from left: Guillermo Verdecchia and Ken MacKenzie in the Michael Young Theatre; the Sandra Faire and Ivan Fecan Atrium; the William Hutt Library; and a rehearsal of Parfumerie in Baillie Hall East.

for 13 years,” she says. “I didn’t know a lot about Soulpepper until then. The mentorship has always been woven into the fabric of everything we do.

“The reason why I think it’s very organic and entrenched in the company is because it was founded by artists.

They already had careers, successful careers, and because they incorporated mentorship and training into the original mandate, they started giving back from day one.”

For actors like Santalucia, this direct hand in shaping a career in theatre has been invaluable, particularly given the often cruel nature of his chosen profession.

“The goal here is to be the best acMORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM

tors you can be,” he says. “Never in a million years did I think that there would be a place that was so accommodating and fostering to my career.

“I got a bad review the first show I did there. Somehow, I forgot that part happens because it was so exciting to be doing my first big show. But I had so much support there, with the artists around me supporting me and saying that everyone gets a bad review sometimes and that it’s not the end of the world. Yes, they’re interested in creating the best work possible, but they’re also invested in helping us to do the same.”

The company’s mandate includes creating opportunities for artists like

Santalucia to take the support they receive and pay it forward to other budding artists.

“My focus has primarily been just performing with them, but I have done a lot of mentorship as well,” Santalucia says. “You get paired with a younger person who is interested in the theatre community, some of whom come in the summertime with the Soulpepper Youth Group. Then twice a month, some of us also do stories with special-needs kids.

“That’s the amazing thing about Soulpepper and the Young Centre.

It’s theatre-focused, but it’s also about outreach, storytelling and community enrichment.”

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XTRA! NOV 28–DEC 11, 2013 27

Dancers Joseph Steinauer (left) and Giorgio Galli frame assistant wardrobe coordinator Grant Heaps.

28 NOV 28–DEC 11, 2013 XTRA!

TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS

R E P E E K E H T

Behind the scenes of the National Ballet’s Nutcracker with Grant Heaps

BY DIEGO ARMAND PHOTOS BY MAY TRUONG

t wouldn’t truly feel like the holiafter studying fashion, then working days without the National Balon various theatre productions, inlet of Canada’s production of The cluding Les Misérables and Phantom Nutcracker. For many, it’s an anof the Opera. nual tradition to get dressed up The studio space is lined with variand head out to see the Christmas ous headpieces, costume bits and classic set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic photos from the ballet’s past, presscore. Even if you’re like me and toe the ent and future. When I ask him to line between naughty and nice — and name a favourite production, he aren’t used to being surrounded by smiles sweetly, as though he knows so many children — The Nutcracker he’s about to sound cliché, and says, will take you to a holiday happy place.

“The Nutcracker. I’ve been backstage With its grandiose production valat every single show since it opened ues and dazzling costumes, it’s hard [in 1995], and it’s just a really happy not to be entertained by a sugarplum show. It’s technically hard enough on fairy making a grand entrance out of the dancers that they don’t get bored, a Fabergé egg. and it’s a big machine that keeps you I had the great pleasure of spending on your toes.” an hour with Grant Heaps, the asWhen I ask him which is his favousistant wardrobe coordinator for the rite costume, he pauses before answerNational Ballet. And while he doesn’t ing, and I can tell he is going through design the intricate costhe massive archive in tume pieces (most have his head. Then he looks THE NUTCRACKER been around for as long to his left at a glittery Sat, Dec 14–Sat, Jan 4 as he has), he has the very Beyoncé-esque number Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts important role of being and says, “The bee. It’s 145 Queen St W the costume keeper. just super cute.” national.ballet.ca He’s backstage at every He eventually takes show helping dancers get me to the storage room, dressed and is there to restitch, resew where costumes are kept when they’re and readjust anything that goes awry not in production. We nerd out for a at the performance. while, examining the intricate details We meet at the Four Seasons Centre, that go into every single piece, which which houses the rehearsal studios and I wouldn’t have seen watching as an all the various departments (including audience member. I can feel the hiswardrobe) in one inspiring building. tory in the room, thinking about the Heaps shows up looking dapper in many ballerinas who have danced in striped blazer, gingham shirt and bow the costumes over the years; it feels tie. “I wear this every day,” he says, “or like an haute couture salon. at least a variation of it.”

Heaps finds his greatest inspiration Heaps has been at the National Balin working with the dancers. They are let for 20 years, where he ended up the true muses and bring life to the cosMORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM

tumes he works so hard to take care of, he says. “They are such a joy to watch and work with. They’re so independent and extremely disciplined.”

I saw The Nutcracker for the first time last year; in fact, it was the first ballet performance I’d ever seen. As a kid I thought ballet was stuffy and boring. As I get older, my respect and appreciation for it grows stronger.

The dancers’ movements seem so effortless, and as an adult one starts to understand the amount of training it takes to achieve that level of strength, grace and discipline. Even at a fitting with dancers Giorgio Galli and Joseph Steinauer, I am out of breath just watching the positions they are able to hold for our photographer. My behind-the-scenes experience gives me a new level of appreciation for the passion and effort of people like Heaps who are a critical force behind each performance.

After leaving the Four Seasons Centre, I immediately want to see the show again, knowing there will be details I will notice for the first time. But I also can’t wait for my favourite parts from last year: the land of snow, which is all glitter, snow and tutus; and the pivotal performance from the dancing bear on rollerblades — pure entertainment.

Being a style guy, I’m constantly trying to break tradition, but there are some things that should stick. Shortly after my interview with Heaps, a friend surprises me with show tickets! Looks like a tradition has been set.

Special thanks to Heaps and the National Ballet for allowing us to peek behind the curtain.

Top: “The bee,” Grant Heaps’s favourite costume from The Nutcracker. Above: Red dresses on a rack, backstage at the National Ballet.

XTRA! NOV 28–DEC 11, 2013 29

30 NOV 28–DEC 11, 2013 XTRA!

TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS

XPOSED

1

1E The Trans Day of Remem-

brance vigil was well attended at The 519. There was a diverse array of support from all over the community. And even though the ceremony was bittersweet, there were lots of smiles to be had, like on these two lovelies, Barb and Ashley.

2E I love craft-drag. We do that a lot in this community; breeders seem to leave the cut-andpaste and glitter at prom, but we take that shit right through life. Check out Poe, Morgan and Jacub in front of a gloriously metallic (and ultra shiny) Trans Day sign.

2

3E I’m such a sucker for the 1LoveTO shirts. As soon as I saw Chase’s I thought, “Yeah, that’s defo going in the column.” Pictured with Chase and that lovely shirt is Joy and her joyous smile.

3

4E Suga Kaine and Julissa make the perfect photo compilation. The purple from Suga’s hair complements Julissa’s dress (and eyebrows) to a tee.

In fact, I feel this resurgence of purple lately in all things (read: leather); there’s a definite 1990s fly-girl vibe about purple that’s on the cusp of a real comeback. And these two might just be the first to really usher it in.

4 5

5E What I love about this whole Kreayshawn crew is that I have no idea if they’re gay or straight, gangsters or suburban kids who like to wear vintage,

ANNA POURNIKOVA PHOTOS BY BECCA LEMIRE

but I love everything about their vibe. I like that they all look like the bitchy beaters I equally feared and admired in the early 1990s of my youth.

You know the ones, with the half ponytails, red leggings, purple-suede high-top shoes and sour looks on their faces?

A lot of them ended up having little rainbow families and getting hella big but keeping their beater ways in check. In my fantasies, Lil Debie is the lesbo version of that. Bring it.

6E I know I’ve been calling it

Barbie’s for a while, and Mikey (the owner) is not okay with that, so I’ll cool it on the Barbie references this time around.

Bambi’s has the best karaoke night in town. It’s not queer, but it’s queer-friendly, ’cause it’s the best end and we don’t slice and dice people down like that. If you like to sing, come.

If you’re a total freak, even better. Also, Colin Berg does the best Frank Ocean cover of all time at this night. No clue what Cody and Mitchell sing, but I’m feeling their look one-hundy percent.

7E The thing about the 1990s resurgence is that it’s coming back a lot better than it was the first time around. Take Derek and Nancy here; the plaid fits better, first off. There was just as much plaid in 1990, but none of it fit anyone. Nancy is rocking a lovely pseudo GnR vibe, sorta late 1980s/early 1990s but not so over-the-top.

7

6 MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM

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ARTS & LITERATURE Launch of Svend Robinson: A Life in Politics Graeme Truelove launches his biography of the controversial Canadian politician, from difficult childhood to the career-ending diamond-ring theft. RSVP to pfernandez@frontiercollege.ca.

Sat, Nov 30, 2–4pm. Frontier College, 35 Jackes Ave. Free. graemetruelove.com

Launch of Greg Kearney’s The Desperates The 2012 ReLit Award–winner launches his novel about Edmund, a man who thought he was dying, learns he isn’t, and must sort out what to do with his life. Thurs, Dec 5, 6–8pm. The Black Eagle, 457 Church St. Free. cormorantbooks.com

Gay Men’s Art Project Men of all artistic skill levels drop in to create and schmooze in an informal environment. Sat, Dec 7, 2–4pm. The 519 Community Centre, 519 Church St. Free. gmaptoronto.org

Magnificent Obsessions Toronto artist Benjamin Edelberg’s latest exhibit eschews conventional gender identities. Opening reception, Thurs, Dec 12, 7pm; runs until Mon, Dec 16. Videofag, 187 Augusta Ave. PWYC. videofag.com

COMEDY & CABARET Comedy, Cabaret and Coffee Talk Ryan G Hinds holds court with actor Michael Hughes, drag diva Roxxie Terrain and writer Rebecca Perry. Fri, Nov 29, 9pm. The Flying Beaver, 488 Parliament St. $10 advance, $15 door. pubaret.com

Starf#ckery David-Benjamin Tomlinson relates his hilarious and vivid stories of working the red carpet. Sat, Nov 30, 7pm. The Flying Beaver, 488 Parliament St. $10 advance, $15 door. pubaret.com

Singular Sensation: A Musical-Theatre Open Mic Jennifer Walls invites amateur crooners to perform their favourite songs accompanied by a live band.

Every Monday, 9:30pm–12:30am.

Statlers, 487 Church St. No cover. statlers.ca

1950s and ’60s. Fri, Nov 29, 8pm.

3030 Dundas St W. $15 door, $12 advance. platinumholiday.bpt.me

Queer as Fuck: Comedy Open-Mic

Shut Up, It’s Christmas!

The creator of Laughs at Slack’s presents a twice-monthly comedy night in the west end. Features a rotating lineup of queer and queer-friendly comics. Wed, Dec 4, 9:30pm. The Steady Café, 1051 Bloor St W. PWYC. thesteadycafe.com

What Dyke Looks Like/ Putin on the Ritz Funder This comedy benefit for What Dyke Looks Like photography project’s trip to Russia features Chris Tsujiuchi, David-Benjamin Tomlinson and Brian Finch. Thurs, Dec 5, 7:30pm. The Flying Beaver, 488 Parliament St. PWYC–$20. pubaret.com

The Yes-Men: Game of Kings Drag kings mash up songs to depict their favourite scenes from HBO’s Game of Thrones.

Fri, Dec 6, 10:30pm. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander St. $12 advance, $15 door. buddiesinbadtimes.com

HEALTH & SUPPORT The 519 Legal Clinic A free, accessible service for lowincome people. Volunteer lawyers provide legal advice, referrals and help with forms and letters. The confidential and private visits are first-come, first-served. Bring any necessary documents. Every Thursday; registration, 6–6:30pm.

The 519 Community Centre, 519 Church St. Free. the519.org

Positive Routes to Recovery A peer-led support group for gay men working through substance abuse issues. Takes place the first and third Tuesday of each month.

Tues, Dec 3, 6–8pm. The 519 Community Centre, 519 Church St. Free. pr2r.org

Bisexual Women of Toronto A peer-support and discussion group focused on community and solidarity. Thurs, Dec 5, 8–10pm.

The 519 Community Centre, 519 Church St. Free. the519.org

FTM Support Group Trans men share their experiences in a supportive environment. Takes place the first and third Friday of each month. For more information, contact ftmtoronto@yahoo.ca. Fri, Dec 6, 7:30pm. The 519 Community Centre, 519 Church St. Free. the519.org

HOLIGAYS Avenue Q — Lower Ossington Theatre, Thurs, Dec 12–Sun, Feb 23

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM

A Platinum Holiday Special An evening of burlesque inspired by the television holiday specials of the

David-Benjamin Tomlinson in Starf#ckery — The Flying Beaver, Sat, Nov 30

Thom Allison and Lola Cruikshank kick off the holiday season with music, stories, laughter and sass.

Sat, Nov 30, 8pm. Metropolitan Community Church, 115 Simpson Ave. $20 advance, $25 door. mcctoronto.com

Latkes and Light: A Chanukah Delight The Morris Winchevsky School invites people of all ages to celebrate the Festival of Lights.

Features stories and music, arts, crafts, dreydel games and Hannukah gelt. For more information, contact info@ winchevskycentre.org. Sun, Dec 1, 11am–1pm. 918 Bathurst St. $5 per person, $10 per family. mwstoronto.org

Spearhead’s 41st Annual Toys for Tots Charitable folks can bring new unwrapped toys or cash to the following locations: the Black Eagle, 457 Church St; Woody’s, 467 Church St; and Flash, 463 Church St. Proceeds benefit WoodGreen Community Services and the Red Door Shelter. Sun, Dec 1, 2–6pm, at Woody’s and Flash; 3–6pm, at the Black Eagle. spearheadtoronto.com

The B-Girlz Evening of Holiday Magic: Hell Freezes Over Barbie-Q, Hard Kora and Conchita reunite to explore the magic of the season through the music of ABBA, Madonna and Twisted Sister. Fri, Dec 6 and Sat, Dec 7, 9pm. The Flying Beaver, 488 Parliament St. $15 advance, $20 door. pubaret.com

Singing Out: Lights of December Members of the queer chorus let loose their 100-plus voices at the annual holiday concert, singing everything from the works of John Rutter to Jane Siberry’s “Calling All Angels.” Sat, Dec 7, 3pm and 7:30pm. Jane Mallett Theatre, St Lawrence Centre for the Arts, 27 Front St E. $25. singingout.com

LEISURE & PLEASURE

Drop-In Sports Night: Volleyball Active types make friends and get sweaty. A 30-minute warm-up and skills refresher is available for newbies before the pick-up games start. Wed, Dec 4, 6:30pm. Collège Français, 100 Carlton St. $10. getoutcanada.com

South Asian Night: Kotha In addition to the usual amenities, horny guys enjoy a 50/50 draw, a safe-sex workshop and Tel Malish (a type of relaxing head massage).

Thurs, Dec 5, 8–11pm. Spa Excess, 105 Carlton St. Regular rates apply. spaexcess.com

Voices of Hope for World AIDS Day

PLAYS & MUSICALS

A concert in support of Casey House, the HIV/AIDS support organization. Sat, Nov 30, 4–5:30pm. Metropolitan United Church, 56 Queen St E. $20 suggested donation. caseyhouse.com

The Woman in Black

LGBT Dance Queer people of all ages can take part in salsa and hip-hop dance classes. Every Sunday: beginner salsa, 2pm; intermediate salsa, 3pm; advanced salsa, 4pm; alllevels hip hop, 5pm. Koffler House, 569 Spadina Ave. $15. lgbtdance.com

When a junior solicitor is sent to Eel Marsh House to attend to the affairs of a recently deceased woman, he is unaware of the house’s tragic secrets or the terrible purpose of a young woman dressed in black. Runs until Sun, Dec 1, various showtimes.

Lower Ossington Theatre, 100 Ossington Ave. $39–49. lowerossingtontheatre.com

Fear and Desire (and the Whole Damn Thing) A three-act evening, with the mystery play Stiff, the queer comedy

classic People Are Horrible Wherever You Go, and a performance featuring three young artists. Runs Thurs, Nov 28–Sun, Dec 1, various showtimes. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander St. $20. buddiesinbadtimes.com

The Gay Heritage Project Damien Atkins, Paul Dunn and Andrew Kushnir uncover a hilarious and rich history when they attempt to answer the question “Is there such a thing as gay heritage?”

Runs until Sun, Dec 8, various showtimes. Buddies in Bad Times, 12 Alexander St. PWYC–$37. buddiesinbadtimes.com

Les Misérables Cameron Mackintosh’s new production of the musical about the redemption of ex-convict Jean Valjean. Features the stirring songs “I Dreamed a Dream” and “Do You Hear the People Sing?” Runs until Sun, Feb 2, various showtimes.

Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King St W. $35–130. mirvish.com

Avenue Q The musical coming-of-age story starring Rod the closeted puppet features such memorable hits as “If You Were Gay” and “The Internet Is for Porn.” Runs Thurs, Dec 12–Sun, Feb 23, various showtimes. Lower Ossington Theatre, 100A Ossington Ave. $49–59. avenueq.ca

XTRA! NOV 28–DEC 11, 2013 33

CLUBSCENE Thurs, Nov 28 Lost & Found A fundraiser for Jer’s Vision, which fights bullying and discrimination in schools and youth communities. A night of music, hors d’oeuvres, an open bar and the viewing of CCOMMA design team’s most recent work. 8–11pm.

Atlantis Pavilions Trillium Ballroom, 955 Lake Shore Blvd W. $25. ccomma.org/lost-found Rumproast Dixx magazine presents internet huntress Ab Soto, with DJs Michael K and John Caffery on decks. 9pm–2am. The Garrison, 1197 Dundas St W. No cover. garrisontoronto.com

Fri, Nov 29 LGBT Dance Salsa Social A night of salsa, bachata, merengue and cha-cha dancing for all levels.

All proceeds go to Glad Day. 8–11pm. Glad Day Bookshop, third floor, 598 Yonge St. $5 or PWYC. lgbtdance.com Toronto Gaymers X vs Y Club Night DJ Janos throws down videogame music and remixes, with video games on a large projection screen.

9pm–2am. WAYLA Bar, 996 Queen St E. $5. torontogaymers.ca Mighty Real Ball DJs John Caffery and The Robotic Kid spin classic house and nu disco, teaming up with Father Nuance for their first voguing and ballroom event. 9pm.

Wrongbar, 1279 Queen St W. $5. mightyreal.net Cruising DJs Dwayne Minard and Brian Duval spin all disco, with a performance by Fay Slift. 10pm.

The Boat, 158 Augusta Ave. $5. theboatrestaurant.com Le Kif Kif DJ Sticky Cuts and guest on decks the third Friday of every month. 10pm. WAYLA Bar, 996 Queen St E. $5. waylabar.com Dy-Nasty An evening of retro trash with DJs Evan Kayla, Michael K and a very special performance

by Allysin Chaynes. 10pm. The Beaver, 1192 Queen St W. No cover. beavertoronto.ca

Aural Sex The ladies of The House of Filth present a genderbending night of dance and performance.

Hosted by Allysin Chaynes and Nancy BoCock. 10:30pm. Henhouse, 1532 Dundas St W. No cover. henhousetoronto.com

Sat, Nov 30 Mo Prizes Mo-Off, a contest in support of men’s prostate cancer, with prizes, giveaways and surprises; hosted by Richard Ryder. 8pm.

Woody’s, 467 Church St. No cover. woodystoronto.com Toastr: November Edition DJ Sticky Cuts and guest on decks for the women who love women and their friends. 9:30pm. Riverside Public House, 725 Queen St E. $7. facebook.com/riversidepublichouse Pop Machine DJs Shane Percy and Aural spin top 40 and other pop delights. 10pm. WAYLA Bar, 996 Queen St E. $5 before 11pm, $10 after. waylabar.com Poster Virus DJs Peas and Carrots and more on decks for the fundraiser and dance party for World AIDS Day. Proceeds go to AIDS Action Now. 10pm.

Henhouse, 1532 Dundas St W. Suggested donation $5. henhousetoronto.com

and Lavender Stain greeting guests.

10pm. The Beaver, 1192 Queen St W. $5. beavertoronto.ca CUE POC DJs AbtraXion and Sissy Fuss spin queer jams for people of colour and their friends, with host Hiba Al-a-Mode. 10pm. The Tranzac Club, 292 Brunswick Ave. $5. tranzac.org Black Christmas: HOTF Bar Night Farrell Collier, Patty, Andrew Coatham and Pup Ego host the holiday leather event. Bring an unwrapped toy, non-perishable food item or cash donation to help support 416 Community Support for Women and the Red Door Christmas Toy Project. 10pm. Black Eagle, 457 Church St. No cover. blackeagletoronto.com Fly Saturday DJs Alain Plamondon and Kevin Bailey throw down house and tech beats. 10pm–5am. Fly, 8 Gloucester St. No cover before midnight. flynightclub.com

Sun, Dec 1 Diva Brunch This new drag brunch takes place the first Sunday of every month. Scarlett Bobo hosts as DJ Phil V spins diva jams. 11am–3pm.

Osteria dei Ganzi, 504 Jarvis St. Reservations recommended. ganzi.ca Toys for Tots Spearhead gets cheery with its annual toy drive, featuring photos with Santa.

2–6pm. Woody’s, 467 Church St. No cover. woodystoronto.com

Blood, Sweat & Queers: Macho Disco Edition DJ Fawn BC on decks; hosted by Colin D. 10pm. The Steady Café & Bar, 1051 Bloor St W. $5. thesteadycafe.com

$14 DAY $17 NIGHT

BIG JUGS 465-467 CHURCH ST. 416-972-0887 34 NOV 28–DEC 11, 2013 XTRA!

Singular Sensation: A MusicalTheatre Open Mic Amateur crooners perform their favourite show tunes with a live band every Monday night. Hosted by Jennifer Walls. 10pm–1am. Statlers, 487 Church St. No cover.

Tues, Dec 3 Crews & Tangos Tuesday TICOT Toonie Tuesday, at 9pm; DJ Quinces spins in Tangos at 10pm. Crews & Tangos, 508 Church St. No cover. crewsandtangos.com

Wed, Dec 4 A Fundraiser for Scott Jones Pat LePoidevin, Tim Moxam, Das Faggot Manschaft, Molly Thomason and Mary Stewart perform to raise funds to help Scott in his new life.

Live music, DJs, silent auction, photo booth and door prizes. 8pm.

Measure, 296 Brunswick Ave. $10.

Thurs, Dec 5 The Smirnoff Czarina 2014 Pageant Hosted by Georgie Girl, as Dame Edna, with Brooke Lynn Hytes. $3,600 in prizes. 8pm.

Woody’s, 467 Church St. No cover. woodystoronto.com

Stop Me If You Think You’ve Heard This One Before The Smiths/ Morrissey karaoke, with DJs Miss Margot and Kevin Knows I’m Miserable Now celebrating the release of Morrissey’s autobiography

Sports Woody — Woody's, Sat, Dec 7

Mon, Dec 2

Reveal Me Daytona Bitch hosts a burlesque social night of virgin vixens and professional peelers on the first Wednesday of every month. 9pm. Rivoli Backroom, 332 Queen St W. $10. aprofessionaldistraction.com

Ladyplus Parties DJ Todd Klinck on decks for an evening of meeting and socializing with T-girls, their friends and admirers. 8pm. Club120, 120 Church St. $5 before 11pm, $10 after. goodhandys.com

Fri, Dec 6 Rumproast — The Garrison, Thurs, Nov 28

NO COVER!

The Red Ball POZ-TO celebrates one year with a red-themed party and fundraiser for the Toronto People with AIDS Foundation.

Featuring performances by Michelle Ross, Carlotta Carlisle and Devine Darlin; appearances by the Snatsch Sisters, Divinesque and Jade Elektra; and the first POZ-TO Awards, honouring the unsung heroes of the HIV/AIDS fight. 8pm. Crews & Tangos, 508 Church St. $3 suggested donation. crewsandtangos.com

The B-Girlz Evening of Holiday Magic: Hell Freezes Over Barbie-Q, Hard Kora and Conchita reunite for a glam-disco Christmas cabaret of sorts. Runs until Sat, Dec 6, 9pm. The Flying Beaver, 488 Parliament St. $15 advance, $20 door. b-girlz.com Big Primpin DJs Maria & Hazel, Phil V and Nino Brown throw down hip hop and hot times. 10pm. Wrongbar, 1279 Queen St W. $5. wrongbar.com Superstar DJ Mark Falco spins top 40, pop faves, house and hip hop.

10pm. WAYLA Bar, 996 Queen St E. No cover. waylabar.com Tits and Toques DJs Ailsa and Krystle spin for the alterna-queer dance party. 10pm. Henhouse, 1532 Dundas St W. No cover. henhousetoronto.com

SWAG DJ Max Mohenu on decks, with a performance by Scarlett Bobo. 10pm. The Steady Café & Bar, 1051 Bloor St W. $5. thesteadycafe.com Dirty Sexy Party The space for sexy guys who like dirty things, featuring Raging Stallion’s Shawn Wolfe, the Dirty Sexy Dancers and DJ/producer Cajjmere Wray. 10pm. Club120, 120 Church St. $20. club120.ca Pop Friday DJ Sumation spins top 40 and dance faves on the main floor. Live streaming on outtv.ca.

10pm. Fly, 8 Gloucester St. No cover before midnight, $4 after. flynightclub.com

Sat, Dec 7 Sports Woody Volleyball, softball, football, soccer and tennis leagues’ annual holiday party and toy drive, 3–7pm. Woody’s, 467 Church St. No cover. woodystoronto.com Tramp DJ Jacqie Jaguar on decks for the west-end girl dance party. 10pm.

The Steady Café & Bar, 1051 Bloor St W. No cover. thesteadycafe.com DND DJ Dwayne Minard throws down house beats for daddies and their admirers. 10pm. WAYLA Bar, 996 Queen St E. $5. waylabar.com Tapette DJ Phil V spins French house and hits pour les west-end garçons. 10:30pm. Henhouse, 1532 Dundas St W. $5. henhousetoronto.com Rise DJ David Picard on decks for the monthly event, hosted by Chris Munro and Dale C. 11pm. Church, 504 Church St. $10. facebook.com/ churchonchurch

Sun, Dec 8 Woody’s Sunday Old School, hosted by Georgie Girl, with

Michelle Ross and guest, at 9pm; Five Smokin Hot Divas, hosted by Georgie Girl, with DJ Blue Peter, at 11pm. Woody’s, 467 Church St. No cover. woodystoronto.com

Mon, Dec 9 WAYLA ’90s Trivia Night Kaleb Robertson and Miss Fluffy Soufflé test the audience’s ’90s knowledge; topics include television, music and dance moves. 7pm. WAYLA Bar, 996 Queen St E. No cover. waylabar.com

Tues, Dec 10 Rock & Retro DJ Chris Steinbach on decks and Lee on the Bad Boy Prize Wheel. 8pm. Woody’s, 467 Church St. No cover. woodystoronto.com

Wed, Dec 11 Lips and Lashes: A Chorus Queen

This cabaret-style drag show — featuring Freaky Amanda, Scarlett Bobo, Nikki Chin, Dolly Jones and Lady Justice — raises funds and awareness for Screening Saves Lives, which works to increase cancer screening rates in the queer community. 7:30pm–midnight.

Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queens Park. $65–99. cancer.ca/ lipsandlashes Woody’s Got Talent Miss Conception hosts the Season 2 finals, with the winners and runnersup from the past 10 weeks vying for a $1,000 prize. 10pm. Woody’s, 467 Church St. No cover. woodystoronto.com

Submit your event listing to listings@dailyxtra.com.

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Counselling Change4U2 416-827-7578 David Moulton, MEd Canadian Certified Counsellor 647-525-8268 David W Routledge (MSW, RSW) Psychotherapist 416-944-1291

Chiropractors

Phillip Coupal Counselling 416-557-7312

gesund 416-913-5170

Dental Services

Churches

Adelaide Dental 416-429-0150

Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto 416-406-6228

Coffee Shops

Broadview Dental Clinic 416-466-6400

Health & Fitness Evolution Fitness 416-220-7883

Health Foods & Nutrition The Big Carrot 416-466-2129

Home Improvement & Repairs Basement Waterproofing G J MacRae Foundation Repair 905-824-2557 Bryant Renovations 416-260-0818 G J MacRae Foundation Repair Service – Since 1975 905-824-2557 Newbright Construction 416-985-8639

Insurance Kenton Waterman – Investors Group Financial Services 416-860-1668

Investment Services

Fuel Plus 647-352-8807

Dr Kevin Russelo & Associates 416-966-0117

Community Groups & Services

Galleria Dental, Dr Iudita Costache 416-534-9991

Enterprise Toronto 416-392-6646

Dog & Cat Grooming

Juice Box 416-924-4671

Computer Sales & Service

Tailspin Dog Spa 416-920-7387

Lawyers

Contemporary Computers ccomp.ca

The Reading Salon thereadingsalon.ca

Concierges As You Wish Concierge 647-208-2884

Concrete – Contractors Basement Waterproofing G J MacRae Foundation Repair 905-824-2557 G J MacRae Foundation Repair Service – Since 1975 905-824-2557

Construction G J MacRae Foundation Repair Service – Since 1975 905-824-2557

36 NOV 28–DEC 11, 2013 XTRA!

Newbright Construction 416-985-8639

Entertainment

Kenton Waterman – Investors Group Financial Services 416-860-1668

Juice Bars

Harvey L Hamburg 416-968-9054

Fashion

Ivan Steele Law Office 647-342-0568

Take a Walk on the Wildside TM 416-921-6112

Law Office of El-Farouk Khaki 416-925-7227

Florists

Paul T Willis – Barrister & Solicitor, Notary Public 416-926-9806

Astra Florists 416-787-1415

Foundation Repairs Basement Waterproofing G J MacRae Foundation Repair 905-824-2557 G J MacRae Foundation Repair Service – Since 1975 905-824-2557

Gardening Davenport Garden Centre 416-929-7222

Robert G Coates 416-925-6490 Timothy E Leahy – Forefront Migration Ltd 416-226-9889

Legal Services Craig Penney, Toronto Criminal Defence Lawyer 416-410-2266

Lighting Living Lighting on King 416-364-9099

Massage – Certified/ Registered gesund 416-913-5170 Japanese Male RMT 416-804-9248 The Power of Touch 647-330ALEX(2539)

Nick Mulé, PhD, RSW Psychotherapist 416-926-9135

Radio Stations

Real Estate

Investors Group Financial Services – Kenton Waterman 416-860-1668 Linda Rudolph at The Mortgage Centre 416-282-1677

The Blake House 416-975-1867

Xtra 416-925-6665

St Jamestown Steak & Chops 416-925-7665

Mortgages

The 8th Deadly Sin 416-960-3473

Pink Triangle Press 416-925-6665

Proud FM 416-213-1035

C’est What?

Brew/Vin Pub Restaurant 416-867-9499

Hair of the Dog 416-964-2708

Publications

Meats & Delicatessens

Restaurants & Cafés

Cora Breakfast & Lunch 27 Carlton St 416-340-1350 277 Wellington St W 416-598-2672

The Churchmouse & Firkin 416-927-1735

Sex Shops Bed Time Toys bedtimetoys.ca

Nicholas Bohr – RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Ltd, Brokerage 416-465-7850

Condom Shack 416-596-7515

Tax Services CJH Tax Services 647-270-8057

Philip Kocev – Sales Representative 416-364-2036

Telecommunications

RE/MAX Baywatch Ltd, Brokerage 705-756-7629

Acanac 416-849-8530 Buddies in Bad Times Theatre 416-975-8555

Naturopathy

Theresa Forget, Sales Representative RE/MAX First Realty, Brokerage 905-686-3800

gesund 416-913-5170

Real Estate Agents

Painting

Nicholas Banks iPro Realty 877-306-4776

Moving & Storage Agility Moving & Storage Ltd 416-654-5029

Newbright Painting 416-985-8639

Personal Trainers Evolution Fitness 416-220-7883

Pet Care Tailspin Dog Spa 416-920-7387

Pet Stores & Supplies Helmutt’s Pet Supply 416-504-1265

Renovations & Restorations

Book your ad now!

Blue Cross Animal Hospital 416-469-1121 Basement Waterproofing G J MacRae Foundation Repair 905-824-2557

Roy Runions, Sales Representative RE/MAX Hallmark Realty Ltd, Brokerage 416-465-7850

Bryant Renovations 416-260-0818

Veterinarians

Waterproofing

Gaelen Patrick – Sutton Group Realty Systems Inc 416-801-9265

ADVERTISE IN XTRA LIVING! THE BEST OF GAY & LESBIAN TORONTO

Theatre

DEC 2013–MAY 2014

Accountants

Bruce M Small, MSc Psychotherapist 416-598-4888

Newbright Construction 416-985-8639

G J MacRae Foundation Repair Service – Since 1975 905-824-2557

Websites dailyxtra.com 416-925-6665 Squirt.org squirt.org

THE BEST OF GAY & LESBIAN TORONTO

King Street treasures Cabbagetown gets Spruced up Roncesvalles renaissance Suit up for winter at MEC

TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS

Call 416-664-5214 or email advertising.toronto@dailyxtra.com TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS

XTRA HOT

DRASKO BOGDANOVIC

PROUDFM.COM

NAME: JEREMIAH LUKE AGE: OLD ENOUGH TO KNOW BETTER, TOO YOUNG TO CARE SIGN: CAPRICORN

L THE TIM ALL GAY. AL

“The back of a cab is the wildest place I’ve had sex,” says Jeremiah, who is turned on by impeccable grammar. He likes to hang out at Woody’s and the Eagle, and when asked about his ideal night out says, “As long as I’m with good people and booze, I could care less.” The craziest thing he’s done was get wasted on a beach and walk around the city in nothing but a Speedo.

“You should come in and visit me at Red Rocket Coffee!”

E.

HOURS:

Jeremiah invites Xtra readers to stop in for a shot of caffeine at 154 Wellesley St E. NEIGHBOURHOOD FOOD & DRINK

To comment on or become an Xtra Hot guy or gal, email Drasko at xtrahot@dailyxtra.com.

MON - WED: 11:30 TO MIDNIGHT THURS - FRI: 11:30 TO 2AM SAT: 10:30 TO 2AM SUN: 10:30 TO MIDNIGHT

Menu highlights:

All draught beer $5 Mondays - 3oz martinis for $7.50 Wide selection of shareable food items

Keep things hot while the temperature drops.

Bring a little Stag Shop home.

Open for lunch, brunch, dinner & drinks.

StagShop.com

TORONTO 532 Church St

Book us for private parties in our private upstairs party room. The Upper 8th is a sophisticated yet comfortable private party space that accommodates 35 people for a sit-down dinner or up to 75 people for a lively cocktail party.

www.the8th.ca | 416.960.3473 | 6 Gloucester St

StagShop.com MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM

XTRA! NOV 28–DEC 11, 2013 37

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38 NOV 28–DEC 11, 2013 XTRA!

TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM

XTRA! NOV 28–DEC 11, 2013 39

Exploring: never stop Single Tablet Regimens (one pill, once a day) are a step forward in HIV treatment.

Explore more at exploreHIV.ca

While they’re not a cure, these treatment options are designed to be effective and convenient. If you’ve been exploring different HIV treatments, talk to your doctor about Single Tablet Regimens too. It’s good to know what is out there.