40th Anniversary Series
40 years of queer… and we’re just getting started.
To mark our 40th anniversary, we’re hosting a series of special events, performances, discussions, and – of course – a big party.
We invite you to come celebrate the past as some of our greatest hits come back for one-night-only readings. Or, you can join us in imagining the possibilities for the future at a series of community conversations where we’ll ask hard questions about where we have been, where we are going, and what’s next for the world’s largest and longest-running queer theatre.
It all culminates in a big party at the start of our Pride month celebrations in June, where our communities will come together to kick off the next 40 years at Buddies.
photo by Tanja-Tiziana
Gertrude on Gertrude on Gertrude
Sunday, September 30
4:00PM
Free
An afternoon salon with tea and discussion, following the Sunday matinee of Gertrude and Alice. Featuring Gertrude Stein. And Gertrude Stein. And Gertrude Stein. And Gertrude Stein. See a preview of the art collection for our 40th Anniversary Art Attack auction. Chat about art, philosophy, and your manuscript with 10 Gertrude Steins, portrayed by some of your favourite Buddies personalities.
Featuring:
Izad Etemadi
Justin Miller
Keith Cole
Monica Garrido
Sedina Fiati
Sky Gilbert
Trixie & Beever
Featuring the artworks of Rajni Perera, Steven Beckly, David Grenier, Yannick De Serre, Hazel Meyer, Erin Vincent, and more!
TransMeditations and Other Collaborative Queeries
Friday, October 19
Doors at 7PM, show at 7:30PM
PWYC
A poetry/variety show of queer, quirky, and queenly proportions, with solo and collaborative readings by Patricia Wilson and David Bateman. Guest appearances by Helene Ducharme, Brock Hessel, and David Ramsden. Live accompaniment and original compositions by Stewart Borden, with projections by Raymond Helkio. Hosted by Keith Cole.
Followed by a throwback Sissy Saturday (on a Friday!) party with DJ LUSHUS LIX.
Dyke City
Friday, January 18
Doors at 7:30PM
Reading starts at 8PM
PWYC
A marathon reading of Sonny Mills‘ iconic plays Dyke City – a hit stage series, with a total of nine episodes at Buddies between 1996 and 2002. As part of our 40th anniversary series we’re presenting a reading of the first episode with the original performers, and the third with a new-generation cast.
Dyke City
directed by Kirsten Johnson
featuring Sarah Garton Stanley, Kathryn Haggis, and Moynan King
Dyke City 3: Climb Every Woman
directed by Mel Hague
featuring Monica Garrido, Natalie Liconti, Emerjade Simms, Elley-Ray Hennessy, and Greg Campbell
Plus, stick around after the readings for DYKE NIGHT, The Dyke City After Party
DJ LL Cool Wei
Host Ashton Cootcher
Burlesque performances by
Ferrera Rose & Zyra Fresh Prince & Dainty Smith of Les Femmes Fatales: Women of Colour Burlesque Troupe
No Cover
Doors at 10pm
Best Jean Jacket contest at Midnight with a PRIZE Pack from Inside Out LGBT Film Festival
Community Meal and Conversation
Monday, May 13
6-9PM
FREE
A gaybourhood gathering hosted by Evalyn Parry and Donna-Michelle St. Bernard
Join us from 6-7:30PM for a potluck community meal (we’re bringing chili and cornbread) – bring a snack or dish to share, or just come by! From 7:30-9PM we’re hosting some facilitated community conversations – a lively, participatory opportunity to get to know your local queer and artistic communities.
QueerCab
Queer Cab is a curated evening of performance, theatre, music, dance, multimedia, lewks and everything in between that showcases young and emerging 2SLGBTQ+ artists in the community.
Curated by Daniel Carter.
Submissions:
Want to get involved? Fill out this lil’ form by April 1:
https://goo.gl/forms/M4uJ7Ppbkxpe0zj83
Projects can involve any of the following forms or mediums: theatre, performance art, music, dance, film/multimedia, photography, live art, installation, writing, singing, poetry, costume/looks/lewks, audience participation, one-on-one performance – and anything in between or not listed here (within reason, of course).
If you want to chat about an idea/ a project/ or a place to start feel free to email: queercabbuddies@gmail.com
Buddies 40th Birthday Party
Friday, May 31.
We’re celebrating 40 years of queer with a massive full facility dance party.
Get here before 9:30 to walk for a red carpet entrance with our host Fluffy Soufflé and to catch our over-the-top birthday extravaganza performance with Dainty Smith, Stephen Jackman-Torkoff, Evalyn Parry, Michaela Washburn, members of the Queer Songbook Orchestra, Katinka Kature, Priyanka, Chy Ryan Spain, and Fay Slift.
DJ sets from Lushus Lix, John Caffery, and Sofia Fly going until last call.
All are welcome. And be sure to bring your shiny / sparkly / glitter-tastic / space age / queertopian / and generally fabulous Queer Future Lewks.
Tons more surprises all night PLUS free 40th anniversary SWAG designed by Lauren Hortie, and a BBJ Pop Up Shop launching a new line of Buddies merch.
Doors at 8PM
Free event
19+
All events take place in the Buddies cabaret and are Pay-What-You-Can at the door. If you need to reserve a spot ahead for accessibility reasons, please e-mail access@buddiesinbadtimes.com.
More information on specific events will be posted in the tabs to the left close to the performance date.