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TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS

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WANDA! Just for Laughs headliner Wanda Sykes talks celebrity, family and Rob Ford E14

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

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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.

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Maggie Cassella is the co-owner of The Flying Beaver Pubaret. For our feature on comedian Wanda Sykes, turn to page 14.

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

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RICK T DAILYXTRA.COM

The Attic I have been here already numerous times [“A Visit to The Attic,” dailyxtra.com, Aug 8]. The place is so different than the competition way down the street — and for the better. These guys took the time and gave us something different for us to play in. We should encourage everyone to support the new place in our ’hood.

CLINTON DAILYXTRA.COM

I am happy to see new gay businesses moving into the Village.

Previously, this space was used as a hookah lounge, which was obviously not compatible with the Village. My biggest concern about the Village, however, is the fate of the Churwell Centre. We learned recently that the developer behind Chaz on Charles owns it. I suspect he has plans to raze this block and put up a condo. If that happens, the Village will lose what is arguably its most important gay business — Steamworks.

KEVIN BROWN DAILYXTRA.COM

Gay-panic defence As I’ve said to many straight friends while in the gaybourhood: if you get hit on, it is a massive compliment [“BC Judge Says Gay-Panic Defence No Longer Valid,” dailyxtra.com, Aug 13].

Only a complete dumbass would react badly to a person saying that

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TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS

Hanlan’s

HANGIN’ OUT AT

Taking it all off, then and now, at Toronto’s cherished nude beach E16

persecuted. Instead, he said God is a loving God. This minister is not only a coward, but also a liar and manipulator.

JASEON WILLIAM PHIPPS DAILYXTRA.COM

VQFF & pro-Israel ad @dailyxtra

As an older and fatter gay man, I no longer go to “gay beaches,” [“Getting to the Point,” Xtra #777, Aug 7]. I feel very body-conscious, age-conscious, unwanted, undesirable and out of place. If anyone notices me, it’s usually to insult me (for instance, a group of younger gay men snickering and referring to my age or my size). It’s a very depressing experience. I actually have a much better time when I go to “straight beaches” — especially when on vacation. I can sit, relax, sun and go swimming. No one makes fun of me. And I still get to see “eye-candy” (cute young men) — and they don’t even insult me!

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It would be nice, some day, if the questions about being a female “insert profession here” were no longer posited. I’ve been answering that question for a couple of professions for decades now.

Last career, it was about being a female lawyer. No one asks me that question anymore.

Maybe it’s because there are so many female lawyers or maybe it’s because I quit that profession, so how could I know at this point? I just remember the complaints from my female colleagues way back when. No childcare. Hard to network. “We don’t golf, so we’re not part of the male privilege set” (that one didn’t apply to me — hello, ladies and gentlemen: live the stereotype).

At present, because my full-time profession is in comedy, I’m asked a lot about the challenges I face as a female comic. Is it an all-boys club? Do men get booked more? Do men stick together?

Yes, of course they do.

Now ask me if I give a shit.

The fact is, I don’t. Sure, I did at some point, but I no longer do.

Since I stepped onto the stage, mentored by Lea DeLaria, who became my writing partner and frequent performing partner, I put my head down, self-produced, self-promoted and managed to make a living.

Sure I complained sometimes. For example, it’s hard to be a current-events comic and be told by one of the country’s bigger comedy fests that you can’t do your current-events material because it’s not “evergreen” (timely becomes dated and therefore less valuable in reruns).

So you do the material they tell you to — some generic, not timely, material — only to see a very straight white guy (albeit a famous one) shooting his own special in which he cracks wise solely about current events.

But what’s the point of complaining, really?

I tried to exist within their confines. I don’t want to. So I don’t ask to be a part of that festival anymore. But I also don’t care to be famous.

I just want to make a living. If they want me, they know where to find me. In the meantime, I keep busy trying to make work for myself and others like me.

And yes, there is the added factor of being queer. But for me, being a comic in North

America and being a part of the first wave of queer comics was actually a perk. When I first started doing standup (1988, and I was always out), a lot of queer people would throw money at you to hear you talk about your queer experience. Now, in a lot of parts of North America anyway, it’s not as big a deal. But I understand that’s here. A queer standup in a country like, say, Uganda? Obviously a much different experience requiring a whole different kind of courage and nuance finding comedy in living your life threatened by death. But that’s a whole other editorial.

In the meantime, here in Toronto where I work and live, I try to pay it forward, mentoring female comics who I think have the chops, are interested in my help, and just need a venue, a kick in the ass or some encouragement to move in a particular direction.

Besides, as much as it’s how I make my living, if I think about being oppressed in the world of comedy versus the oppression that exists for women in the world in general, well, I take a step back.

The statistics on the status of women and girls in the world are beyond the beyond. You have only to look at the news for a nanosecond to see the atrocities, from trafficking to stoning to rape as a strategy of war. The list is unbearable and goes on.

So to carp about the status of women in comedy? I dunno. I look at Tina Fey, Whoopi Goldberg, Roseanne Barr, Rosie O’Donnell, Carol Burnett, Joan Rivers, Wanda Sykes, Bea Arthur, Sarah Silverman, Lea DeLaria, Kate Clinton — and then reeeeally look back and see Moms Mabley (confined by her race but still found a way), Jean Carroll, Gertrude Berg, and I think, Yep, I know they all ran into walls, but damn if those broads didn’t either bash them down or hoist themselves over the top.

And with a list like that in my thick, Italian, queer, female, ex-lawyer head, I just put said head down, think about the plight of my sisters all over the world, and run into that wall as hard as I can.

Eventually, it’s gonna fall; someday they all will. And when they do — well, look out, boys.

Hanlan’s Point

These guys took the time and gave us something different for us to play in.

We should encourage everyone to support the new place in our ’hood. RE: THE ATTIC

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they’re hot. What I don’t understand with some straight guys is that if a gay guy finds them attractive, chances are that most women would share that ideal.

CHRIS TETREAU FACEBOOK

Bill Whatcott Vancouver Pride and the actual Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster should jointly sue Bill Whatcott and his “followers” who participated in this ruse [“AntiGay Activist Slips into Pride to Hand Out Fake Condoms,” dailyxtra.com, Aug 6]. It seems trivial, but considering the previous judgment of the Canadian Supreme Court against him, this would seem to be a blatant case of contempt of court (the Canadian Supreme Court, no less)! He even admits it: “The Supreme Court found me guilty of hate speech and I have been breaking that ruling ever since, and this is part of it,” he explains. “I’m still out there. I’m loud and not ashamed of my moral and theological protest.” So I say, take his word for it and take him (and his fellow co-conspirators) to court.

DAVID MYERS DAILYXTRA.COM

This guy gives us accepting good Christians a really bad name. I am a gay Christian that believes in Christian ideals, and nowhere did Jesus say homosexuals shall be

The efforts by Queers Against Israeli Apartheid are nothing more than an attempt to bully the Vancouver Queer Film Festival into censoring a local group of Jewish supporters [“Queer Film Festival Criticized for Pro-Israel Program Ad,” dailyxtra.com, Aug 14]. Congratulations to Drew Dennis and her colleagues for refusing to be bullied. As Drew says, “The mandate of the organization is to bring communities together to provide a platform for safe, open and respectful dialogue and a diversity of viewpoints.” Let’s keep it that way.

GORDON HARDY DAILYXTRA.COM

The ongoing issues in the Middle East have nothing to do with the gay community any more than it does with any other community.

Continued attempts to involve our community in this issue detract from our own issues. After all, the hatred both sides spew at each other as they have for most of my life have reached the point where I couldn’t care less.

GARY WOODROFFE FACEBOOK

Trish Kelly I’m happy to see you haven’t freaked out about this and wrapped yourself up in martyrdom, but consider this as a place where more work needs to be done [“What Trish Kelly’s Short Political Run Says about Electable Queers,” dailyxtra.com, Aug 8]. It bodes well for your political future. Good luck!

DON HIX DAILYXTRA.COM

TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS

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Holy homos, Batman! Brad Fraser explores the strange history of sexual representation in comic books, including moral panic in the 1950s that led to The Comics Code, which ensured creative censorship in the industry for years to come.

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TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS

Upfront

They’re clearly overbuilding… Wellesley, but it had been approved a long time ago, in Kyle Rae’s day. Robert Fabian, on condo developments E 10

Protesting Jamaica’s anti-sodomy law Local Caribbean LGBT activists join worldwide day of action ACTIVISM HG WATSON

Every time Junior Harrison goes back to Jamaica for a visit, he has to “butchify” himself.

“I wear a shirt and I don’t tuck it into my pants,” he says. “When I land at the airport, I don’t make eye contact with a man.” As a gay man, Harrison is fearful for his safety in a country where the threat of violence against the LGBT community is constant.

That’s one of the reasons he and a small group of activists protested in front of the Jamaican consulate in Toronto Aug 6. Their action was just one of many taking place across the world to coincide with Jamaican Independence Day. Lawyer Maurice Tomlinson, the organizer of the protest, says it’s important to call attention to the fact that not all Jamaicans are independent.

“Gay Jamaicans are not independent,” he says, pointing to an anti-sodomy law enacted in 1876 when Jamaica was still under British colonial rule. The law, which is still on the books today, sentences those found guilty to up to 10 years in jail.

Violence and stigma against the LGBT community has become a major problem in Jamaica. A University of West Indies study about the attitudes of Jamaicans toward the LGBT community found that more than 80 percent believe homosexual relationships are immoral. And in recent years, a number of shocking gaybashings in the Caribbean nation have made headlines worldwide.

Lee Patience faced that fear when he was kicked out of the closet, as he puts it, by his church in Kingston, Jamaica.

“Unfortunately, when the community knows you’re gay, what tends to happen is that you can lose your life,” he says.

After fleeing Kingston for Montego Bay in the hope of living without fear, he found the stigma had followed him.

It’s what led him to move to Canada two years ago as a student and eventually make a refugee claim.

He went to the protest because he now feels a responsibility to stand up for those who can’t. “[They] can’t have a voice of their own because of what is happening and what the risks are,” he says.

Though fewer than 10 people attended the protest, Tomlinson says he’s happy with the turnout. “We have a saying in Jamaica: we’re little but we’re

Protesters stand outside the Jamaican consulate in Toronto as part of a worldwide day of action against the Caribbean nation’s anti-sodomy laws on Aug 6. HG WATSON

tallawah, and that means we might be small, but we are mighty,” he says.

The little band of protesters did get a significant amount of support from

passing drivers, who honked as they drove along Eglinton Avenue past the Jamaican consulate.

“I think we have sent a clear message

today that we believe, as the few Jamaicans here, we stand for all Jamaicans standing for repeal of the anti-sodomy law,” Tomlinson says.

Sky Gilbert co-founded Buddies in Bad Times Theatre in 1978.

someone says, I read your plays when I was 15 in the closet,” Gilbert says.

“My dad is really excited. He’s never seen the theatre, but I’ll show him the lane. He has a cane, he’s 88 years old, but he wants to march down that lane,” he says. “It makes me pleased, because Dad’s had to struggle with me being a notorious person. I think it means a lot to him.”

Gilbert agrees with those in the community who giggle that it’s appropriate that his name will adorn a back alley.

“Let’s just say I’m proud to have had adventures in that lane,” he says.

The renaming goes before Toronto City Council for approval on Aug 25. — Rob Salerno

Back alley honour for playwright Sky Gilbert Toronto’s gay village is getting a little more fabulous with the official renaming of the public laneway behind Buddies in Bad Times Theatre after the theatre’s founder, Sky Gilbert.

Gilbert, who now lives in Hamilton and teaches at the University of Guelph, co-founded Buddies in 1978 and quickly became one of Canada’s most celebrated and controversial playwrights.

His huge body of work includes the hit plays Drag Queens in Outer Space, Rope Enough and The Situationists, as well as several novels and collections of poetry.

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM

The Church-Wellesley Neighbourhood Association began a process of giving official names to local unnamed public laneways. The city approached Buddies for suggestions to name the laneway behind it, says Mark Aikman, Buddies’ communications director.

“Sky founded the theatre and is obviously a very important person in our community and deserves to be honoured,” he says. “It was a really easy and obvious decision.”

But the 61-year-old playwright wants it known that the naming doesn’t mean

he’s dead or done with challenging theatrical and social conventions. In addition to a new play, My Dinner with Casey Donovan, at Theatre Passe Muraille next March, he has another play, St Francis of Millbrook, forthcoming from Playwrights Canada Press, and Guernica Editions is releasing a collection of essays, called Compulsive Acts, about Gilbert’s work in September.

“It’s a bit scary when you’re alive to have a street named after you, but on the other hand, it’s a great honour. It’s the same thing that happens to me when

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The condo towers proposed for 11 Wellesley St W and 50 Wellesley St E both received nods of approval at the Toronto and East York Community Council Aug 12, bringing each project one step closer to becoming a reality in the neighbourhood.

It’s the latest step in a long saga for the lots, both of which have sat vacant for years despite the building boom in the city. The lot at 11 Wellesley was once given to the province to be the site of a new opera house, but development was cancelled during the 1991 recession. Despite demands from local residents, who wished to see the land turned into a neighbourhood park again, the province eventually sold it to a developer.

Community council gave its final approval to the 11 Wellesley St W development proposal, which comes with a formal agreement to turn over more than 5,300 square metres of the lot for the creation of a new park. This is in addition to any other benefits obtained from Section 37 — the part of the Planning Act that allows municipalities to secure benefits for communities undergoing land development — that may be negotiated prior to approval of the site plan.

The same developer, Lanterra, is behind the planned renovations of neighbouring Sutton Place and a pair of condo towers across the street at 501 Yonge St, stretching from Maitland to Alexander.

In the meantime, the public land at 11 Wellesley St W has been opened up as a weekly public market. Vendors are invited to apply for inexpensive spaces to hawk their goods on the future park grounds.

The lot at 50 Wellesley St E has been vacant for nearly a decade; one reason for the delay was a complaint from a neighbouring development proposal.

The newly approved preliminary plan

An artist’s rendition of the proposed 50 Wellesley St E tower. PLAZA

calls for the tower to be set well back from the street and away from the neighbouring building to the west, to break up the street wall. The new building will incorporate street-level retail space to help animate the block.

The developer will hold public consultations and make adjustments to the proposal before applying for final approval next year, but some neighbours are already concerned about the project.

“They’re clearly overbuilding that whole piece of Wellesley, but it had been approved a long time ago, in Kyle Rae’s day,” says Robert Fabian, a member of the Church-Wellesley Neighbourhood Association. He says the entire block bounded by Wellesley, Yonge, Dundonald and Church streets will soon be filled with condo towers.

“It’s going to be a jam-packed block.

It’s unfortunate there’s history that allowed [this] to happen, but it happened. I don’t think there’s anybody who’s enthusiastic about it.”

In other neighbourhood development news, community council made a

zoning amendment to Charles and Hayden streets at the north end of the Village, permitting the construction of a 55-storey condo building with ground-level retail. The council also announced its intention to designate two of the affected properties as heritage buildings, which will be preserved during construction.

Construction began this week on a new condo at 555 Sherbourne St, previously occupied by a No Frills grocery store. The grocery was closed last year to make way for the condo, which will house a FreshCo when completed.

Community council also passed a motion requesting that staff begin the consultation process on “Enhancing the Name of Allan Gardens to Reflect the Spirit of Toronto’s Truth and Reconciliation Proclamation.” A new “enhanced” name for the park would reflect council’s commitment to “acknowledge the impact of the Residential School System on Aboriginal peoples and on all Canadians,” Councillor Mike Layton writes in a letter to council.

TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS

Panegyric for Pyotr HISTORY BOYS JEREMY WILLARD

Leading up to the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Vladimir Putin said, “Tchaikovsky was gay — although it’s true that we don’t love him because of that — but he was a great musician and we all love his music. So what?”

What he meant was “Because we like gay ol’ Tchaikovsky, Russia’s laws can’t possibly be discriminatory toward homosexuals.” It was along the lines of the “some of my best friends are black” defence used by so many deluded racists.

Putting aside that Russia’s anti-gay laws show Putin to be a liar, his words indicate how ill at ease he actually is with Tchaikovsky’s homosexuality.

He was trying to kill two birds with one stone — justifying having a gay man as a national icon and convincing the world Russia was fit to host the Olympics — so he demonstrated his oh-so-wonderful tolerance by essentially saying, “We don’t like his sexual orientation, but we try to ignore that because we like him for other reasons.

That’s good enough, right?”

No, not really.

And anyway, doesn’t Tchaikovsky’s memory deserve more? His homosexuality isn’t all that he was, but it’s certainly something that should be acknowledged and even appreciated a little bit, in part because it gave him a perspective that to some degree informed his creation of such beautiful music — music that Putin claims to love.

Born in 1840, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky had a long and winding career that is probably best studied via music textbooks. I’m more interested in focusing on the details that Putin is so eager to brush under the carpet.

Tchaikovsky studied at a boarding school in Saint Petersburg from 1850 to 1859. As is often the way with MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM

Tchaikovsky seems to have been at peace with his gay side — even thought it natural — when he died of cholera in 1893.

JORI BOLTON

boarding school, while there he had a chance to explore his gay urges. He had a romantic relationship with a boy named Sergey Kireyev. In his unpublished biography of Tchaikovsky, Tchaikovsky’s brother Modest (also gay) wrote that the relationship was one of the “strongest, most durable and purest amorous infatuations [of Tchaikovsky’s life].”

Around 1866, Tchaikovsky started tutoring 14-year-old Vladimir Shilovsky, and as the years passed, they became quite close. In 1870, Tchaikovsky had an affair with a student named Eduard Sack, which ended with Sack’s suicide in 1873. Years later, Tchaikovsky wrote in his diary, “It seems to me that I have never loved anyone so strongly as him . . . and his memory is sacred to me.”

Early in 1876, while travelling with Modest and Modest’s seven-year-old deaf and mute pupil Nikolay Konradi,

ROBERT G.COATES,

B.SC, LL.B, TEP BARRISTER, SOLICITOR & NOTARY CERTIFIED SPECIALIST (ESTATES & TRUST LAW)

VALERIE A. CHANG, B.A., J.D. BARRISTER & SOLICITOR

R.G. COATES ESTATE LAW P.C. 120 Carlton Street, Suite 307 Toronto, Ontario M5A 4K2 Tel. (416) 925-6490 Fax (416) 925-4492 web: www.rgcoates.com email: robert@rgcoates.com email: valerie@rgcoates.com

E

1981

C

Tchaikovsky became worried that Modest would make sexual advances toward the young boy.

Tchaikovsky decided to marry a woman and through this example encourage his younger brother to adopt a more conventional lifestyle.

His marriage plans were delayed by a crush on a coachman and a relationship with another student, Iosif Kotek, about whom he wrote, “My only need is for him to know that I love him endlessly and for him to be a kind and indulgent despot and idol.”

In 1877, he finally followed through on his plan and married Antonina Milyukova. It was disastrous (no surprise there) and Tchaikovsky soon left, but Milyukova wouldn’t permit a divorce and the two remained separated.

On a positive note, the experience convinced Tchaikovsky there was little point in trying to repress his desires. In an 1878 letter to his brother Anatoly, he wrote, “Only now, especially after the tale of my marriage, have I finally begun to understand that there is nothing more fruitless than not wanting to be that which I am by nature.”

He seemed to have been at peace with his gay side — even thought it natural — when he died of cholera in 1893.

Some argue that because of his homosexuality, Tchaikovsky must have been such a tortured soul that he caught cholera intentionally (by drinking unboiled water during a cholera epidemic). Or else that he killed himself to avoid some scandal. There’s little evidence of this. In fact, in later life Tchaikovsky seems to have had all he could want. He had become not only a Russian national celebrity, but a world figure. He had close bonds with his family, and he seemed to be always in the company of admiring young men, including his manservant Aleksey Sofronov.

SI N

Embracing the parts of Tchaikovsky’s life Putin would rather forget

History Boys appears in every issue of Xtra.

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TORONTO KIA 2222 Danforth Ave. Toronto, ON M4C 1K3 416-421-9000 | www.torontokia.com

TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS

Outinthe City

She played Willy Wonka, the White Witch battling Harry Potter and a cheerleader who stole cheers. Mitchel Raphael E16

Glenn Gould’s world

KURIOSITIES

Michel Laprise has some serious street du Soleil show, the life expectancy is cred when it comes to creating large- 12, 15 years, maybe more,” Laprise says. scale, queer-friendly spectacles. He’s “So you write thinking, ‘Okay, I have to directed performances for the Eu- write keeping in mind what our society rovision Song Contest, the opening will be in 10 years.’ And it has to speak ceremonies of the World Outgames, to the Japanese audience and the South and did we mention Madonna? “I did Africans and the Brazilians and the Madonna’s Super Bowl halftime show,” Europeans.”

Laprise says. “And I did her show right What about the queer audience? after that, MDNA. That was big.”

Does Kurios speak to us? “Besides the What could be bigger fact that we have pretty than orchestrating one boys in the cast?” Laprise of Madge’s tours? Argujokes. “I think the message ably, the project Laprise of Kurios is very inclusive.” is embarking on right As a gay man employed by now as director of Kurios, the company, Laprise says the newest offering from he has always found Cirque Cirque du Soleil. very gay-friendly. “We The 35th show from went in Quebec City one the celebrated QuebecSaturday to a drag club,” he based company is inexplains. “And some of our spired by a 19th-century Russian big, big males folsteam-punk aesthetic. “It lowed us. It was super cool!

Kurios director was a tremendous moAnd one of them actually Michel Laprise. ment in humanity,” Laended up onstage with the prise says, “when human beings were drag queens, trying to lift one of them! creating inventions that would connect I went to the drag queen and said, ‘You and bring them closer to one another. know what? For lifting someone in the The very beginning of the Global Vil- air, this guy is one of the top six in the lage. So, we have this reference period world, so honey . . . don’t worry, you’re which is super rich and super inspiring in safe hands!’” — Johnnie Walker and talks very much to the people of today.”

Kurios runs Thurs, Aug 28–Sun, Aug The main difference between direct- 31, under the Grand Chapiteau at the ing a Cirque show and a Madonna tour? Port Lands, 51 Commissioners St. Longevity. “When you write a Cirque cirquedusoleil.com MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM

Glenn Gould was as famous for his eccentricities as he was for his music.

Along with extreme social awkwardness and severe hypochondria, the celebrated Canadian pianist was so terrified of the cold he wore winter clothes year-round.

He was nervous and intensely private, and his guarded personal life led to speculations about his sexuality. While male artists of the time often flaunted their conquests, Gould kept things tightly wrapped, cutting off friends who got too personal and once firing a cleaning lady for gossiping about him.

In 2007, 25 years after his death, American painter Cornelia Foss admitted a five-year affair with Gould, beginning in 1967, the height of which saw her leave her husband and move from LA to Toronto to be with Gould.

“He was attracted to women, but at the same time, his sexuality transcended labels,” playwright David Young says. “In truth, he was a bit of a monk and sublimated his sexuality into the highest calling of art.”

Originally approached to write a film based on Gould’s life, Young opted instead for a piece of theatre. Rather than a narrative bio-play, his 1992 work Glenn presents the artist at four phases in his life: the teenaged prodigy, the tortured performer, the reclusive studio artist and the man in his final days.

Gould was incredibly prolific; to write the play Young needed “a year of listening” to even scratch the surface.

Along with Gould’s extensive recordings, Young explored his writings, lectures, radio programs and television documentaries.

“Watching the play be remounted two decades later, I’m astonished by how much I learned about the world by being inside Gould’s world,” Young says. “Learning about him and all his complexities changed my life, but I didn’t realize that until I came back to the text.” — Chris Dupuis

Mike Ross in rehearsals for Glenn.

Glenn runs Mon, Sept 1–Wed, Oct 1 at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Ln. soulpepper.ca

QUEER NIGHT AT OASIS On a slow night at Oasis Aqualounge’s recurring lesbian event, Sapphic Aquatica, event coordinator Fatima Mechtab became fed up. “I was sitting at the bar — from there you can see people coming down the stairs into the club — and there was a large number of couples trying to get in that normally wouldn’t be allowed at Sapphic Aquatica,” Mechtab says. “Turning all those people away is bad for business, and it means Oasis isn’t as welcoming as I want it to be.”

She decided to work a more inclusive queer night into the rotation, called Hot Kiss. Sapphic Aquatica used to take place the last Sunday of each month; now on the last Sunday of each month, the party will alternate between Hot Kiss and Sapphic Aquatica. “I think it’s important to keep the momentum of that night of the month being a queer night, whatever the party,” Mechtab says.

Hot Kiss is a clothing-optional sex party that is open to everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or “sexual expression.” Oasis’s pricing structure is often cringe-inspiringly confusing, but the price to get into Hot Kiss is a straightforward $30 per person, no matter one’s gender or whether one is part of a couple.

The gender-free pricing — which, unlike the pricing of Oasis’s other events, virtually shouts “everyone welcome!”

— is part of Mechtab’s effort to ensure that queer people of all sorts feel comfortable coming to the event. “I feel like a lot of heterosexual people who know about Oasis already feel comfortable there,” she says. “But people who are queer or trans don’t always.”

The images on Oasis’s flyers and ads tell very clear

The Hot Kiss crew at Oasis.

stories, and they’re usually straight ones, from the ad with two men hoisting a woman out of a pool to the one where a naked woman is sitting next to a man who is for some reason wearing a suit (is he a businessman who’s gotten lost?). The imagery for the Hot Kiss ads — a pair of lips — was chosen because it suggests no particular gender or orientation.

In addition to music by DJ Millhouse, the inaugural Hot Kiss event will feature a sex-toy workshop, a birthday celebration for popular T-girl model Blair Ryder and a performance by Wood Butcher, a rockabilly punk band that performs in drag. — Jeremy Willard Hot Kiss is Sun, Aug 31, 8pm–3am, at Oasis Aqualounge, 231 Mutual St. oasisaqualounge.com

XTRA! AUG 21–SEPT 3, 2014 13

FUNNY G Wanda Sykes folds gay family life and the hilarity of aging into her comedy

W

hen I posted on Facebook that I was interviewing Wanda Sykes, I conducted an informal poll: who on my friends list is a fan? The comments and likes reached into the triple digits, which should give you some idea how much people love this woman.

Fans of the tart-tongued comedian are getting ready for her headlining appearance at Just for Laughs in September, and tickets are going fast for what is sure to be a crazy-funny night. It’s a reunion of sorts, as this is not Sykes’s first time playing either Toronto or Just for Laughs. “Canadians are super nice! I always have a good time when I’m there. I’ve done Just for Laughs before, where I was on the all-female tour and we played all over Canada. It was in and out, in and out, and we really didn’t get to spend much time sightseeing, but it’s beautiful.”

Part of Sykes’s mass appeal is her cutting but refreshingly personal way of doing ripped-from-the-headlines material. Although, she admits, “I hate to say it, but I’m not as informed as I used to be because I don’t have time to do the research or as much reading!” Fans shouldn’t take this as an admission of laziness, however. “I can’t jump on current events — it’s hard to have the news

14 AUG 21–SEPT 3, 2014 XTRA!

on the TV with the kids around. You don’t want them watching mass murders and shootings and bombings before bedtime.”

One topic she won’t shy away from is our chief magistrate. “There’s nice people in Toronto . . . but Rob Ford has me a little nervous.”

From mayors to presidents, from dick jokes to everyday observations, Sykes’s humour is always honest, always a bit outrageous and always slyly delivered. Her punchlines land like explosives, and audiences get a workout from laughing and cheering her on. There’s not much that she avoids onstage . . . even her own family is up for discussion.

How does her wife feel about being held up to public scrutiny? “It’s so funny, because now she enjoys it. It’s like, ‘At first it bugged me, but now you’re talking about me, so now I like it.’ Now, if I don’t talk about her, it opens the door: ‘Are they happily married, or what?’”

Sykes was married to a man for seven years before coming out publicly after marrying her wife in 2008.

But she has no regrets. Well, maybe one: “Taking her on the red carpet was the worst thing I ever did because now she loves it. We’ll be at an event just off the red carpet and she’s already on Google, looking for pictures. I always

Wanda Sykes thinks people in Toronto are nice, but Rob Ford makes her a little nervous.

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GIRL BEING OUT AND BLACK AND A WOMAN IS SOMETIMES LIKE BEING A UNICORN. SOME AUDIENCES REALLY WANT YOU TO TALK ABOUT THAT. end up saying, ‘Can we at least finish the event first?’”

A story Sykes tells about when she first met her wife has her trademark blend of sass and honesty: “We were at a pizza place. She didn’t even know what I did or who I was, but we were out and people kept coming up to me saying, ‘Hey, Wanda, I love what you do,’ ‘Hey, Wanda, can I get a picture?’ and she didn’t get it. ‘What is going on? Why are these people coming up to you?’ I said, ‘Oh, you didn’t know? I’m a pornstar.’ She was drinking a soda and spit it out. It was so funny, but then I got offended!

What, I couldn’t be a pornstar?”

Although her family life and daily routine now form much of her material, Sykes’s craft remains the same. “If

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BY RYAN G HINDS

I’m writing a script or sketch, then I’m at that she is first and foremost a standup the desk, and that’s how I work it. As far comedian. “Standup is still the most fun as my standup? It can happen anywhere. to me. It’s where I started and still the I could be sitting at the beach and think most challenging thing that I do. I love of something, then have to jot it down doing movies and TV shows because I get on my phone so I don’t forget it. It’s a to work with actors, and that’s always different process, writing standup. I fun. Standup is still my bread and butter.” notice when I sit down and try to write Our interview took place before Robin standup comedy, it comes off stiff, but Williams’s suicide, but we did discuss when I come up with an idea and just jot navigating a profession where so often it down, when I’m doing the bit later it’s laughter and a backbreaking work ethic in my own words. It’s looser and funnier come from a painful or unhealthy place. and feels better.”

Sykes says she keeps an even keel by paySykes works hard to avoid being la- ing as much attention to her loved ones belled as a black comic or a lesbian com- as her jokes. “It’s about the balance right ic and rejects the idea that performers now. It wouldn’t be fair to my family if I should box themselves into identities. was just a crazy woman working all the “I just try to be the funny comic. That’s time or if I put raising the kid on my wife. what I try to do, especially because be- Besides, I kinda like ’em! They’re not ing out and black and a so bad to have around, so woman is sometimes like I gotta have that balance.”

WANDA SYKES AT being a unicorn. Some So other than Rob Ford JUST FOR LAUGHS Fri, Sept 26, 7pm audiences really want you jokes, what can we look Sony Centre, 1 Front St E to talk about that.” forward to at her Just for jfl42.com Does she consciously Laughs show? “I turned write that kind of material 50 this year, and there’s a into her shows? “My act is about being whoooole lot going on with that. I had no married, my kid . . . so I talk about it with- idea the things the body goes through at out saying, ‘Hey, look at this, I’m a gay a certain stage. It’ll be a lot about me and woman!’ But it’s funny: some audiences what’s going on.” walk away and go, ‘You know, I thought When I remind her that Canada is a she was gonna talk more about gay rights bilingual country, she’s off and running: or being gay.’ C’mon, man! I just did a “French people are very critical as far as whole hour about being married to a their language goes. If you were saying woman and my kid . . . I don’t think I could ‘vous’ as in ‘you,’ but you meant to say get any gayer than that.” ‘veux’ like you want something, they Even though she’s a veteran of TV look at you like you were speaking in (with such shows as The New Adventures gibberish. In English? We work with of Old Christine and Curb Your Enthusi- you! You can mess up, your grammar’s asm under her belt) and film (Monster-in- not great, but we get the gist of what Law, Evan Almighty and Rio, in which she you’re trying to say. In French? Come played a Canada goose), she’s adamant on, get over yourself!”

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Queens of Sodom

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Celebrating five years of glitter, debauchery and royalty

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Basil Hendy, glitter-bombed for Sodom: Throwback.

Mitchel Raphael knows how to put on MITCHEL RAPHAEL a good party. “They’re less frequent now [but] get bigger each time,” says the organizer of the recurring Sodom parties. “There is actually a glitter saturation point, and we are pretty close to it now.”

Known for its outrageous themes and outlandish set decorations, Sodom celebrates five years of being the go-to event in Toronto for those who like to dress up (or down, depending on the night). But beyond marking a half decade of fake blood and political lampooning, Sodom’s anniversary comes with another tradition: crowning a Sodom queen.

“The first queen, Mahogany Browne, got down with the Sodom crew and helped with the enormous setups,” Raphael says. “Mahogany represented indie fierceness. A lot of the volunteer crew looked up to her, and she dispensed much sage advice.”

Ivory Towers took the crown the second year and dazzled revellers with her costumes and performances. “She played Willy Wonka, the White Witch battling Harry Potter and a cheerleader who stole cheers,” Raphael says. And Before Sodom can bestow soverno one can forget when Sodom’s third eignty, the city of Toronto will do much queen, Nikki Chin, drenched herself in the same later in the year — a fact that blood from a suspended heart. “That hasn’t escaped Raphael’s notice. “For is how you do blood,” Raphael says. the anniversary party, we will have Slimthick Monroe, Sodom’s cur- Rob Ford doing a show with Sapphire rent queen (“Sometimes you need Titha Reign,” he says. “The next day is a real woman to do a drag queen’s the final True Blood show. Olivia Chow job,” Raphael says), will be stepping is also planning to stop by. It won’t be down later in the year, leavher first time at the party. ing room for new royalty to As usual, she always goes SODOM: sashay into place. “The four to things way before they THROWBACK Sat, Aug 23 queens represent different become hot.”

10pm eras of the party. We plan on Dubbed Throwback, the Club120 crowning a new queen at the fifth anniversary party will 120 Church St sodom.ca next party, in 2015, which play like a greatest-hits will be our 49th party,” he album. “If you have never says. “Ultimately, we look for per- been, this is the one to see,” Raphael formers: people who want to put on says. “It combines the best of five years a show. The difference between most of themes, from Atlantis to zombie drag queens and a performer is a drag circus.” So grab your fake blood and queen talks about what they will do brightest wigs, boys and girls: Sodom and a performer rehearses it.” is coming to town.

TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS

DEEP DISH

2

BY ROLYN CHAMBERS

Business Woman’s Special SAT, AUG 9 @ THE ROUND

With all the shirtless men that surround me on the dancefloor at The Round for Business Woman’s Special’s I Couldn’t Find My Top party, one wonders if we’re shooting a Babylon club scene for Queer as Folk. But considering that most revellers strip off their well-chosen tops only after the host, April, gets on the mic and “encourages” us to do so (going so far as to flash her perky boobies), I don’t think that’s the case. Plus, there’s no darkroom.

Those who do peel and reveal clearly enjoy this bit of “Queer West” rebellion. Shirts off west of Church Street is considered, well, so gay. West-end boys seem to express themselves south of the border, by wearing itty-bitty shorts that ride up their thighs and bunch up just enough in the crotch to give the illusion of a tasty package, like a light lunch. You could even call it a business woman’s special, the kind that Romy and Michele would order.

They never described what this high-powered meal would consist of, but it might include a DJ Sammy (Rawal) sandwich made of April chicken Wozny salad, with a side of DJ Nino hash Browns. Whatever it is, I’m sure everyone would need to work off the midday meal by dancing it (and their shirts) off to some old-school Missy Elliott on the dancefloor.

We all deserve to see that.

1E Rama, Kevin, Michael & Andrew 2E Jonathon & Jennifer 3E Thomas & Amit 4E Marvin, Raj & Nadar

TOM opening night TUES, AUG 12 @ FAIRMONT ROYAL YORK

With all the controversy surrounding the launch of Toronto

Men’s Fashion Week (TOM), one wonders if executive director Jeff Rustia will become the male Robin Kay (the former head of Toronto Fashion Week)? If he keeps his head clear and glass empty, he might escape such comparisons. But with several modelling agencies pulling out just weeks before the event, photographers protesting the use of their photos and one designer lobbing charges of “homophobia” and “femme-phobia,” Rustia better be thinking quickly and drinking slowly. And I think he is.

The event runs like clockwork (something Toronto Fashion Week rarely manages), with nary a problem that we, the audience, can detect. Perhaps his experience organizing Philippine Fashion Week and running his own company have come in handy. Whatever the reason, the results are on the runway and in the seats.

Opening night at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel sees a mix of cutting-edge simplicity (Tothem), forward-thinking utilitarian (Christian L’enfant Roi), street style (Benji WZW), eclectic clan (Worth) and modern classics (Christian Bates).

And most shows have full houses, including press from GQ. It’s impressive, especially for the first menswear-only event in Canada — and just the eighth in the world. But it’s Bates’s show that pleases me the most, opening with model Paul Mason and thigh-cut shorts on thick-legged lads.

“Guys that wear these shorts are guys that work out,” Bates says post-show. “They don’t need to be wearing baggy shorts or shorts down to their knees. They deserve to show off their legs.” And we all deserve to see them.

3 5

4 7

8

6 10

5E Renee & Kendric Marc 6E Som Kong & Van Damn 7E Sultan 8E Jeffrey & Liam 9E Selfie model in the Tothem show 10E Kyle

Deep Dish appears in every other issue of Xtra.

For this week’s Xposed column, by Anna Pournikova, go to dailyxtra.com.

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM

1

9 XTRA! AUG 21–SEPT 3, 2014 17

WHAT'S ON Gay Archives, 34 Isabella St. Free. clga.ca

Camp Fires: The Queer Baroque

Homer’s Odyssey: A Simpsons Art Show

An exhibit that reveals the concept of “camp” in the work of three Canadian ceramic artists. Runs until Mon, Sept 1. Gardiner Museum, 111 Queen’s Park Cr. $6–12. gardinermuseum.on.ca

Fan the Flames: Queer Positions in Photography This exhibit focuses on gender and queer identity and features work by both Canadian and international artists. Runs until Sun, Sept 7. Art Gallery of Ontario, 317 Dundas St W. $11–19.50. ago.net

Imaging Home: Resistance, Migration, Contradiction The experiences of queer people living in oppressive countries are explored through documentary video and photographs. Runs until Sun, Oct 5. Canadian Lesbian and

Thurs, Aug 21 Ladyplus Party DJ Todd Klinck spins upstairs for an evening of socializing with T-girls, their friends and admirers at 8pm; Belt It with Belle, karaoke and fun in the 120 Diner, with Belle Jumelles, at 9:30pm. Club120, 120 Church St. $8 before 11pm, $15 after, additional $10 for all-night VIP booth access. goodhandys.com Woody’s Thursday Georgie Girl and Cassandra Moore perform and host the Smirnoff Best Chest Contest, with $300 in cash prizes and DJ Mark Falco on decks. Midnight.

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

Fri, Aug 22 Crews & Tangos Friday Fierce and Flawless, with Ivory Towers, Katherine Hytes Dior and Carlotta Carlisle, at 8:30pm; Indigo Vibes, with DJ Roxanne, in Tangos and Club Lite, with DJ Relentless, in the Zone, both at 10pm; Bitchapalooza,

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

In this month’s installment of the Holy Oak Book Club, Kaleigh Trace launches a deeply personal book about how she navigates sex as a queer, disabled woman. Fri, Sept 19, 7–9pm. Holy Oak Café, 1241 Bloor St W. Free. invisiblepublishing.com

Club120 Wednesday

Sara Hennessey at Bitch Salad — Buddies, Fri, Aug 22

El Convento Rico Friday Jlo and Sofonda Cox perform drag in Little Italy, with host Donnarama. Latin dance lessons by Michita and Alexmar at 11:30pm. 10pm. El Convento Rico, 750 College St. elconventorico.com

Sat, Aug 23 Sodom Throwback: Fifth Anniversary Party DJs Sumation and Blackcat spin fire and brimstone to resurrect props from the past 50 parties and ones never seen before, with appearances by favourite performers and guests. Part of the official opening of 120 Diner downstairs. Show Sodom hand stamp for 25-percent discount. 10pm.

Club120, 120 Church St. $10, $5 students. sodom.ca Crown Jewels DJ Aural spins for the east-end club’s tribute to Vince Clarke. It’s British music night, so expect plenty of Erasure, Depeche Mode and

18 AUG 21–SEPT 3, 2014 XTRA!

Hosted by Judy Virago and Igby Lizzard, this night of performances has a summercamp talent-show theme and features Boy Pussy, Leelando Mitchell, Nancy Bocock and LeeLee Davis. Sun, Aug 31, 8pm–2am. The Drake, 1150 Queen St W. $10. thedrake.ca

The beaver-lovin’ comedian returns for two nights of hilarity. Fri, Aug 22, 9–11pm. The Flying Beaver, 488 Parliament St. $20 advance, $25 door. pubaret.com

Hot, Wet and Shaking: How I Learned to Talk About Sex

with Daytona Bitch and Xtacy Love, at 11:30pm. Crews & Tangos, 508 Church St. crewsandtangos.com

Bitch Salad: Live Taping

Carla Collins Live

This 23-artist exploration of The Simpsons includes Morris Fox’s I’m Gay for The Simpsons.

Opening reception Thurs, Sept 4, 7pm; runs until Sun, Sept 7. Videofag, 187 Augusta Ave. PWYC. videofag.com

CLUBSCENE

Club120, 120 Church St. No cover. club120.ca

Self-proclaimed comedy darlings Andrew Johnston and Sara Hennessey team up for the live taping of an album.

Fri, Aug 22, 7:30pm. Buddies in Bad Times, 12 Alexander St. $10. buddiesinbadtimes.com

FOR MORE EVENT LISTINGS, GO TO DAILYXTRA.COM

ART & LITERATURE

COMEDY & CABARET

Yazoo.

10pm.

WAYLA, 966 Queen St E. $5. facebook.com/ waylabarnounge

Standup comedian Mandy Goodhandy presents a weekly open-mic comedy night. For more info, contact toddklinck@gmail.com.

Every Wednesday, 8pm–1am.

Summer Camp Talent Show

Queer Cab This month’s anything-goes open-mic night includes a special performance

by Ill Nana/DiverseCity Dance Company. For more info, contact youth@buddiesinbadtimes.com.

Wed, Sept 3, 8–10:30pm.

Buddies in Bad Times, 12 Alexander St. PWYC. buddiesinbadtimes.com

HEALTH & ISSUES The 519 Legal Clinic A free, accessible service for low-income people. Volunteer lawyers provide legal advice, referrals and help with forms and letters. The confidential and private visits are firstcome, first-served. Bring any necessary documents.

Every Thursday; registration 6–6:30pm. The 519 Community Centre, 519 Church St. Free. the519.org

Lucas Silveira — Flying Beaver, Fri, Aug 22 N MAXWELL LANDER

SOY Monday Night Drop-In Queer youth ages 14 to 29 gather to watch movies, participate in art projects and workshops, and chat with Supporting Our Youth’s community mentors.

For more info, contact jcaffery@sherbourne.on.ca.

Every Monday, 5:30–8pm.

Sherbourne Health Centre, 2nd floor, 333 Sherbourne St. Free. soytoronto.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, Sept 5, 7:30pm. The 519 Community Centre, 519 Church St. Free. the519.org

Sun, Aug 24 Woody’s Sunday The Hollywoody Broadway Show, hosted by Miss Conception, at 6pm; Old School, with Georgie Girl, Katinka Kature and Jade

Three days of performances are put on by such acts as The Famous Rubberband Boy and the Flying Tortillas. Runs until Sun, Aug 24. On Yonge Street, between Queen and College, plus some surrounding areas.

Donation to Epilepsy Toronto encouraged at entry/exit. scotiabankbuskerfest.com

Fifth Annual Wild Blueberry Festival This celebration of all things blueberry includes a tasting, a pie bake-off, a beer and cider garden and various activities for families. Sun, Aug 24, 10am–3pm. Evergreen Brick

Tequila Tuesday JJ Liberman hosts an evening of standup comedy. 9pm. 120 Diner, 120 Church St. No cover. goodhandys.com

ALEJANDRO SANTIAGO

Wed, Aug 27 Crews & Tangos Wednesday Soul Sistas, with Michelle Ross and Jada Hudson, at 9pm; Foreplay, with Scarlett Bobo and Sapphire Titha Reign, at 11:30pm. Crews & Tangos, 508 Church St. No cover. crewsandtangos.com

Fly 2.0 Saturday DJ Kitty Glitter spins house and circuit beats while coating the boys and walls in sparkle. 10:30pm.

Fly 2.0, 8 Gloucester St. flyyyz.com

Beyoncé DJ Cajjmere Wray spins a night of Ms Knowles and Destiny’s Child for the special Sultry Saturday event.

11pm. Byzantium, 499 Church St. No cover. byz.ca

Buskerfest

Tues, Aug 26

Tynomi Banks at Mighty Real — Round, Fri, Aug 29

Sin DJs Chez and Cory Activate spin devilish dance beats, with the Men of Sin gyrating for the crowd. Everything is permitted on the dancefloor. 10pm.

Black Eagle, 457 Church St. $5 before midnight, $10 after. blackeagletoronto.com

Skank Top 40 DJs Orange Pekoe and Michael K spin classic pop for a late-summer sleeveless and tank-top rave. 11pm. The Beaver, 1192 Queen St W. No cover. thebeavertoronto.ca

LEISURE & PLEASURE

Thurs, Aug 28 Pubaret Karaoke Momo hosts the weekly evening for singing your heart out. 8pm. The Flying Beaver, 488 Parliament St. No cover. pubaret.com

Elektra, at 9pm; Five Smokin’ Hot Divas, hosted by Georgie Girl, with Tynomi Banks, Devine Darlin, D’Amanda Tension and Jada Hudson, at 11pm. DJ Blue Peter works the decks.

Woody’s, 467 Church St. No cover. woodystoronto.com Crews & Tangos Sunday Michelle Ross and Alisha Van Horne perform at 7pm; Drag Race: Season 4 finale, hosted

by Ivory Towers and contestant coach Heroine Marks, with

Daytona Bitch and Xtacy Love judging the four finalists battling for more than $5,000 in cash and prizes, at 9pm; Sultry Sundays, with Heroine Marks and Ivory Towers, at 11:30pm.

Crews & Tangos, 508 Church St. No cover. crewsandtangos.com

Mon, Aug 25 FML Monday DJ Sumation spins for all the hard-working industry folks and their friends.

10pm. O’Gradys, 518 Church

St. No cover. facebook.com/ mojotoronto Aaliyah: at your best DJs Craig Dominic and Sylvermayne remember the late pop star, with a night of her hits and tunes from Missy Elliott, Timbaland, Ginuwine and anyone else who touched her life. 10pm.

Ravage & Rumble, 1378 Queen St W. No cover. facebook.com/ ravageandrumble

Random Play DJ Dwayne Minard throws down ’70s and ’80s dance tunes for retro queers. 10pm.

WAYLA, 996 Queen St E. No cover. facebook.com/ waylabarnounge

Fri, Aug 29 Men at Work DJs Marco Da Silva, Eddie Martinez and Mark DeMarko spin for the Work It Weekend. 10pm–5am. Maison Mercer, 15 Mercer St. $25. prismtoronto.com

TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS

Works, 550 Bayview Ave. Free. evergreen.ca

SEX & BURLESQUE

Beach Bums at Hanlan’s

Totally Naked Toronto

You don’t have to get naked, but how else will your bum get tanned? Wiry nudists gather for stretches in the sand.

Registration recommended.

Every Sunday, 11am. Hanlan’s Point Beach, Toronto Islands. $10. yogibare.ca

This evening, hosted by TNT Men, lets nudists socialize in the licensed lounge or cruise and screw in the sex maze. Tues, Aug 26, 7–11pm.

Spa Excess, 105 Carlton St. Regular rates apply; half-price locker with TNT membership. spaexcess.com

Cheesy Queer Movies Night 3: Bound A screening of a film about two women — a tough female excon, Corky, and her lover, Violet — who concoct a scheme to steal money from the mob and pin it on Violet’s crooked boyfriend, Caeser. Sun, Aug 31, 7:30pm. The Flying Beaver, 488 Parliament St. No cover. pubaret.com

CrushTO Slumber Party Sporting only pyjamas, onesies and lingerie, a crowd of horny queers dances and probably has a little sex. Sat, Aug 30, 10pm. Club120, 120 Church St. $10. id-tap-that.com

Hot Kiss The inaugural night of this new clothing-optional, sex-positive party includes a sex-toy workshop, spa facilities and music by DJ Millhouse. Open to people of all genders and orientations.

(See story on page 13.) Sun, Aug 31, 8pm–3am. Oasis Aqualounge, 231 Mutual St. $30 oasisaqualounge.com

Swordplay II Primed up from a variety of icebreaker games, bisexual men and the women who love them flirt and screw while enjoying spa facilities. Sun, Sept 7, 8pm–3am. Oasis Aqualounge, 231 Mutual St. $20–80. oasisaqualounge.com

MUSIC Lucas Silveira Live and Unplugged The frontman of The Cliks gives an acoustic performance. Fri, Aug 22, 7pm. The Flying Beaver, 488 Parliament St. $15 advance, $20 door. pubaret.com

THEATRE House of Freaks: A Queer Asian Theatrical Experience This celebration of Asian culture and theatre includes performances

Kaleigh Trace — Holy Oak, Fri, Sept 19 KRISTA COMEAU

White Party Rangeela’s queer Desi event gets decked in white, while the DJ spins Bollywood, bhangra, top 40, house and more. 10pm. Club120, 120 Church St. No cover. club120.ca Pheromone Friday DJs Recklezz and Sister Mister spin for the weekly ladies’ party.

10pm. Garage, 477 Church St. $5. sistermisterto.com Mighty Real DJs John Caffery and The Robotic Kid spin house and electronic beats for the Kensington Market queers, hosted by Tynomi Banks. 10pm.

Round Venue, 152A Augusta St. $5. mightyreal.net Woody’s Friday Best Men’s Ass Contest, with Georgie Girl and Katinka Kature coaxing boys to show their tight and ripe for $300 in cash prizes. DJ Mark Falco on decks. Midnight.

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

Sat, Aug 30 Sunset T-Dance DJs Alain Jackinsky, Mark Falco and Josh Karmin spin for the Work It Weekend daytime event. Performance by Sofonda Cox and the Work It dancers. 2–10pm. Skybar, 132 Queens Quay W. $30. prismtoronto.com Naked Dance The men of TNT throw an attitude- and clothes-free party, with men of all shapes and sizes shaking

it on the dancefloor. 4–9pm.

Club120, 120 Church St. $8 members, $10 non-members, $4 students. tntmen.org Crush Slumber Party DJ Mothers spins for the queer, sex-positive party, hosted by I’d Tap That. 10pm. Club120, 120 Church St. $10. id-tap-that.com Blood, Sweat and Queers: No Pants Edition Check your pants at the door as Boy Pussy and Aeryn Pfaff spin high-energy house all night.

10pm. The Steady, 1051 Bloor St W. $5. facebook.com/ thesteadycafebar Surprise Party DJ 4est spins to celebrate a guest of honour whose name is drawn at midnight. Win cake, booze, gifts and more. 10pm. Cardinal Rule, 5 Roncesvalles Ave. cardinalrulerestaurant.com Pitbull: Bears & Beats DJs Deko-ze and Sumation spin for the hairy hunks, muscle marys and shirtless flirts on the dancefloor. 10pm. The Phoenix, 410 Sherbourne St. $10 advance. pitbullevents.com Fly 2.0 Saturday DJ Manny Lehman spins house and circuit beats for the soon-to-be shirtless boys. 10:30pm. Fly 2.0, 8 Gloucester St. flyyyz.com

Sun, Aug 31 Summer Camp Talent Show The girls have been whittling

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by such luminaries as Aries Cheung, Chase Lo and Alvis Parsley. Thurs, Aug 21, 7:30– 10pm. Buddies in Bad Times, 12 Alexander St. PWYC–$20. buddiesinbadtimes.com

Tartuffe Molière’s comedy about the sanctimonious Tartuffe, who feigns virtue and pity, deceiving his host Orgon while attempting to seduce Orgon’s wife and gain an inheritance.

Runs until Sat, Sept 20, various showtimes. Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane, Distillery District. $29–89. soulpepper.ca

Wicked Long before Dorothy drops in, two girls meet in the Land of Oz. One is smart, fiery and misunderstood; the other is beautiful and popular — the untold story about the witches of Oz returns. Runs Wed, Sept 3–Sun, Nov 2, various showtimes. Ed Mirvish Theatre, 244 Victoria St. $36–$150. mirvish.com

Freda and Jem’s Best of the Week When two women who raised a family together split up, their family discovers that love doesn’t have to end at divorce, but it does have to change. Runs Sat, Sept 13–Sun, Oct 5, various times.

Buddies in Bad Times, 12 Alexander St. PWYC–$37. buddiesinbadtimes.com

sticks, watching birds, working on their “counselling skills” and whipping campers into shape all summer long. Judy Virago and Igby Lizzard host an evening of camp cabaret, with performances from the House of Filth and more. 8pm. Drake Underground, 1150 Queen St W. $10. thedrakehotel.ca

Mon, Sept 1

AX Lng Wknd Sunday DJ Alex is on decks for AX’s first long-weekend Sunday event.

Sofonda and the AX Maximus dancers bust their moves in the swanky venue, which features a huge patio, palm trees and a pool. 10pm. C Lounge, 456 Wellington St W. $15 online. meetmeatax.com

Effervescence Donavon LeNabat and Natasha Buckeridge belt out the crooner tunes all night long. 10pm.

Zipperz-Cellblock, 72 Carlton St. No cover. facebook.com/ zipperz

Peepshow DJs Isaac Escalante (Mexico) and Jeremy Khamkeo spin for the Work It Weekend closing party. Performance by Gia Cox and the Peepshow dancers. 10pm–5am. Coda, 794 Bathurst St. $30 advance. prismtoronto.com Go Hard DJs Blackcat, Pleasure and DC spin R&B, hip hop, dancehall, soca and house for the long-weekend blowout.

10pm. Club120, 120 Church St. $10 before midnight, $15 after. club120.ca

“HEARTFELT, NATURAL, AND HILARIOUS ” –SCRE E N CRUSH

Woody’s Monday DJ Blue Peter makes the beginning of another work week just a little more bearable. 8pm. Woody’s, 467 Church St. No cover. woodystoronto.com

Tues, Sept 2

Varsity Tuesday Sofonda Cox hosts the amateur So You Think You Can Strip? competition, with a $100 cash prize up for grabs. 11pm.

Remington’s, 379 Yonge St. $5 before 11pm, $7 after; no cover with student ID before 11pm, $2 after. remingtons.com

Wed, Sept 3 Zipperz Wednesday Line dancing, with the Toronto Wranglers, in Cellblock, 7–10pm; the Drag Kings of Toronto, 11pm. ZipperzCellblock, 72 Carlton St. No cover. facebook.com/zipperz

Submit your event listing to listings@dailyxtra.com.

Deadline for the Sept 4 issue is Tues, Aug 26.

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Classifieds ANNOUNCEMENTS IN<<HEADER>> MEMORIAM

Passed July 21, at his longloved Cottage.

BRUCE DONALD GATES

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