Out in Toronto: June 22–28, 2017

Choice events in the city this week


Thursday, June 22

Steers and Queers: Night of 1000 Dollys 2017

Country queers mingle, dance and more at this Dolly Parton–themed party. People tend to dress as Dolly for the annual event, so the dress code is BYOW (bring your own wig).

9pm–2am. The Great Hall, 1087 Queen St W. For more info, visit Facebook.

Steers and Queers takes place at The Great Hall on June 22, 2017. Credit: Courtesy Lauren Hortie

Kings and Classics: Body Pride Edition

The recurring drag king night goes all out for Pride. Features performances by Quinn, Gay Jesus, Kitt Kavanaugh and others. The venue is accessible (visit website for more information).

10:30pm–2am. Buddies in Bad Times, 12 Alexander St. For more info, visit Facebook.

Kitt Kavanaugh performs at Kings and Classics: Body Pride Edition on June 22, 2017, at Buddies. Credit: Courtesy Pony Boy Valentine

Gaysian Pride

Guys of all backgrounds flirt and shake their butts at Asian Xpress’ Asian-focused party. Includes music by DJ Sumation and drag performances by Sofonda Cox, Nikki Chin, VaChina Jolin Starr and others.

10:30pm–4am. Fly 2.0, 6 Gloucester St. For more info, visit Facebook.

Gaysian Pride takes place at Fly 2.0 on June 22, 2017. Credit: Courtesy Sum Wong

Friday, June 23

2017 Trans March

Trans folks of every stamp and their allies rally and then march through the streets of Toronto. Afterward, everyone gathers in Allan Gardens for a community fair. This outdoor event is accessible.

 

6:30–9pm. Rally at the intersection of Church and Hayden Streets. For more info, visit Facebook.

Juicebox

Women and their friends dance and flirt at this massive, suggestively-named party. Includes music by DJs Sticky Cuts, KLR and Recklezz. This is one of several Pride parties for women organized by GirlPlay Toronto.

10pm–2:30am. Noir (inside Rebel), 11 Polson St. For more info, visit Facebook.

DJ Recklezz spins at Juicebox on June 23, 2017, at Noir.  Credit: Courtesy Jana Summers

Saturday, June 24

Dyke March 2017

Women and trans people take over the streets of downtown Toronto for a march that celebrates their power, strength, diversity and passion. It concludes with a post-march rally/community fair in Allan Gardens. This outdoor event is accessible.

1pm–7pm. March begins at intersection of Church and Hayden Streets. For more info, visit Facebook.

Yohomo: Love on Top

The event promotion website Yohomo hosts a big queer party on a rooftop. This sunny afternoon and early evening event includes music by DJs Diego Armand, John Caffery, Phillippe and Tamika.

3–8pm. Mascot Brewery, 31 Mercer St. For more info, visit Facebook.

Homo Night in Canada

The local queer theatre’s annual queer comedy showcase features some of North America’s best gay and lesbian comics. This edition includes such luminaries as The B-Girlz, Elvira Kurt, Richard Ryder, Dawn Whitwell and David Tomlinson.

8–11pm. Buddies in Bad Times, 12 Alexander St. For more info, visit Facebook.

Homo Night in Canada takes place at Buddies on June 24, 2017. Credit: Courtesy Drasko Bogdanovic

Cherry Bomb Pride: 10 Years of Queer Love

One of the city’s longest-running parties for queer women returns to celebrate not only Pride but 10 years of supplying hot beats to even hotter women. DJs Cozmic Cat, Denise Benson and Recklezz spin.

10pm–3am. Mod Club Theatre, 722 College St W. For more info, visit Facebook.

Pitbull: Unleashed

The bash for big, buff men with facial hair and cleft chins (or something along those lines) returns with music by Madrid’s DJ Jesus Pelayo and Toronto’s own DJ Sumation.

10pm–4am. The Phoenix, 410 Sherbourne St. For more info, visit Facebook.

Sunday, June 25

Blockorama 19: Take it Black

The city’s black queer, trans and intersex communities (and their allies) enjoy hot beats from DJs Nik Red, Vaughan, Ace Dillinger and others and slew of entertainers including the House of Monroe and the Ill Nana dance troupe at an outdoor party.

Noon–11pm. Wellesley Pride Stage (at intersection of Church and Wellesley Streets). For more info, visit Facebook.

37th Annual Pride Parade

One of the largest Pride parades in North America takes over downtown Toronto with slews of floats from dozens of groups. Join the throng lining Yonge Street to be a part of the action.

2–5pm. Parade begins at Bloor and Church Streets and runs down Yonge Street. For more info, visit Facebook.

Gaymers Pride ’90s-Themed Costume Party

The Toronto Gaymers invites all the adorably dorky queers out there to get dressed up in their best 1990s costumes for a party in a retro-themed, arcade-style space.

8pm–2am. Tilt Toronto, 296 Brunswick Ave. For more info, visit Facebook.

Supernature: The Ultimate Closing Party

Finish your Pride revels at a popular dance party with music by DJs Vibe, Pagano, Joey Negro and Horse Meat Disco. This is one of the Green Space events, a series of Pride parties that raise funds for The 519 community centre.

11pm–6am. Nest, 423 College St. For more info, visit Facebook.

Horse Meat Disco plays at Supernature: The Ultimate Closing Party on June 25, 2017, at Nest. Credit: Courtesy Horse Meat Disco...credit Horse Meat Disco

Tuesday, June 27

Will & Grace: TV Trivia with Kaleb and Carl

Who really is Stan Walker? What is Rosa’s full name? Is Leo really the one? Kaleb and Carl host a Will & Grace trivia night in the breathless lead-up to the show’s planned fall 2017 return to TV.

7–10pm. Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen St W. For more info, visit Facebook.

For more event listings, visit dailyxtra.com/lgbt-events.

Jeremy Willard is a Toronto-based freelance writer and editor. He's written for Fab Magazine, Daily Xtra and the Torontoist. He generally writes about the arts, local news and queer history (in History Boys, the Daily Xtra column that he shares with Michael Lyons).

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Culture, Event listings, Arts, Toronto

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