Toronto’s Queer West Fest
June 13th to 22nd, 2008
Berlin has one, Copenhagen has one, and now Toronto has one. Queer West Fest is an event that showcases the best of alternative queer culture, taking place at various west end Toronto establishments from June 13th to the 22nd. “It’s an eye-opening experience for many people to see such diversity and acceptance”, said Chris Mitchell, Marketing, Publicity & Exhibitions Manager, Gladstone Hotel
.
The week is comprised of 10 days of programming, from musical performances and DJ dance parties, to Dirty Bingo and a community fair. Many known queer or queer-friendly establishments participate in the roster of events planned. Opening night, Friday the 13th, has Will Munro’s post-punk NOT T.O. at the Beaver Café. The following day is an afternoon Community Fair at the Drake Hotel with dozens of artists, vendors and organizations. The night then ramps up with a naughty evening of Dirty Bingo, for the first time on Queen Street West at the Friendly Bar. Sunday is the hugely-popular annual noon Pride Ride from Sunnyside to the Beaches.
The week continues with a human rights panel discussion, an independent film festival, a Socrates-style conversation café, and art exhibitions. Partnerships with the bear-influenced Fur Real Art Collective at Gallery 1313, and Lief Harmsen's HOMODIGITAL Art Show at the Fountain Contemporary Gallery are other notable highlights of the week. The Fest concludes with Knotty Knights, an 80’s Dance Party at Lot 16 on Saturday, a Family Brunch at Mitzi’s Café on the Sunday afternoon and a phenomenal closing performance by Queerly Beloved, a 24-voice Men’s Chamber Choir at Emmanuel Howard Park United Church on Sunday evening.
The funky gay-operated Gladstone Hotel plays host to three separate events, including the monthly social networking series Java Knights, the Queer Ears and Eyes exhibition, and Frydaze early evening matinee with performances and DJ’s. Wednesday’s continue to be queer despite the recent Hump Day Bump jump over to Wrongbar, adding yet another queer element to the burgeoning strip. “Queer Ears and Eyes” is supported by Pride Access and Diversity Grants, and spotlights an assortment of queer-identified musicians and artists with live performances and an art exhibition.
The Gay West Community Network Inc is proudly celebrating their recent incorporation in April. The Network is now comprised of a full slate of Board Members and several different committees for fundraising, programming, sponsorship, and media relations. The organization is a not-for-profit centre that produces performing arts festivals and outreach programming for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, transsexual, questioning and two-spirited (queer community). Many self-directed events happen throughout the year including the Bike Club, Java Knights, Wilde Chats, and the newly formed Queer Peers. This new program aims to match queer youth with mentors for discussions on personal or career decisions.
For listing of highlighted schedule of Queer West Fest event dates and locations, and visit http://www.queerwest.org/ for all the latest updates. Special recognition is given to our media sponsors, Xtra and Proud FM.
http://www.prlog.org/10076187-queer-west-fest-toronto-june-2008.html
The Festival was originally started in 2001 as Pride Toronto West, a one day event. Change its name in 2005 to Parkdale Pride Party (3 day event) and in 2006 (7 day event), dropped the word Pride and became Toronto Queer West Arts Festival (Queer West Fest.) It is now a ten day arts festival.
The Festival was originally started in 2001 as Pride Toronto West, a one day event. Change its name in 2005 to Parkdale Pride Party (3 day event) and in 2006 (7 day event), dropped the word Pride and became Toronto Queer West Arts Festival (Queer West Fest.) It is now a ten day arts festival.
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