Pride in Place
June 15 - 27
From activations to zines; one-on-one performance to digital dance parties.
During this ongoing time of isolation and physical distancing, we ask: how can we still find ways to take up public space, be visible, out, loud and proud, political? How can we bring the spirit of queer pride to our neighbourhoods, public, private and shared spaces right across our city?
This year, over 75 artists respond, with 22 digital, in-person, and object-based projects animating streets, parks, screens, and mailboxes across the city.
Note: Buddies will be monitoring public health regulations and will provide updates on any necessary changes to in-person events on our website and on social media.
Design by Malik McKoy
DIGITAL PROJECTS
Return, Seek, Carry
presented in partnership with Pride Toronto
June 15-27
This growing body of work documents elder 2SLGBTQIA+ people through portraiture and oral histories, witnessing their legacies and contributions to our communities. Jocelyn Reynolds’ series aims to act as a catalyst for conversations between past and present — to help imagine futures in which we thrive together.
Click below to access the project digitally online, or check out the portrait installation on the side of our building at 12 Alexander Street.
Digital EditionTHE ARTIST
Jocelyn Reynolds // artist
Website // Instagram // Twitter
Boiband the Boyband: The Series
June 17, 8PM
The Latinx drag king EXPERIENCE make their way into your hearts, and onto your screens, with a new web series in the works. Join Papi, H&M and BabyFace for some of their greatest hits, plus a star-studded, world-premiere reading of the pilot episode.
THE ARTISTS
Heath V. Salazar (Papi), Lucia Linares Leon, (BabyFace) + Monica Garrido (H&M) // performers + writers
Tricia Hagoriles // director + writer
Camila Diaz-Varela // original music and lyrics
GUEST STARS
Jessica Zepeda
Amanda Cordner
Sebastian Marziali
Drag King Bedtime Stories
June 18, 7PM + 10PM
Live premiere + available on-demand
Drag king Titus Androgynous hosts two separate bedtime story sets for your streaming pleasure – a sweet and song-filled queery tale for the kids; and a sultry, original queer erotica reading for the 18+ crowd.
THE ARTIST
Titus Androgynous // writer + performer
Last GASP WFH
by Split Britches
June 18, 7PM
In Last Gasp WFH, a house becomes a stage for the experience of sheltering in place, serving both as an intimate capsule of sequestered time and an apt reflection on the precarious nature of our bodies and the planet we call home. A presentation of this site-specific Zoom performance will be followed by a live Q&A with creators Lois Weaver and Peggy Shaw.
THE ARTISTS
Lois Weaver + Peggy Shaw // creators + performers
Nao Nagai // lighting + video designer
Vivian Stoll // sound design
Morgan Thorson // choreographer
BOUNTIFUL Pride: Healthy Movement Workshop Series
by BOUNTIFUL Pride
June 21 + 22, 11AM + 6PM
This community health initiative offers a low-impact opportunity for Black-identifying folks in Toronto’s queer and trans communities (aged 30+) to get reacquainted with their bodies and their needs. All bodies are different and all bodies are good bodies!
THE ARTIST
Ashley T. // creator + facilitator
Painting Church Street in Lavender
by Lavender, with Goblin Cat Zines
June 21, 7PM
Lavender celebrates their third anniversary with a retrospective zine highlighting community memories of their monthly events. The digital launch features spoken word performances from contributors and a virtual dance party.
Buy the zineTHE ARTISTS
Sica Saccone + Tianna Henry // editors
Goblin Cat Zines // publisher
The Most Magnificent Mini Pride Parade
by The Grand Salto Theatre
June 18, 2PM + June 19 3PM
Deck out your strollers, scooters, or trikes to show your Pride this June! The Grand Salto Theatre offers two online crafting sessions, complete with songs, a story, and parade practice. Families with children aged 0-5 can sign up by June 10 to receive a decorating kit.
THE ARTISTS
Zita Nyarady // project lead
Nascha Freire // song circle facilitator
Titus Androgynous // special storytime guest
Eva in Rio
co-produced by bigT collective, lemonTree creations + Buddies
June 23, 6PM
Eva wakes up in her wonderland – Rio de Janeiro. With a physical transformation scheduled today, she Tinders her way to one last dose of vitamin D before 8 weeks of post-surgical celibacy. Tune in for a virtual reading of a comedically twisted trans-fantasy by Gabe Maharjan, directed by Cole Alvis, to see Eva’s surreal ambitions flirt with reality.
THE ARTISTS
Gabe Maharjan // playwright
Cole Alvis // director
Jesse Stong + Letícia Tórgo // dramaturges
Nalo Soyini Bruce // visual design
Evan Stepanian // sound design
Sebastian Marziali // tech
featuring
Dakota Jamal Wellman
DM St. Bernard
Kern Albert
Michelle Tiwo
Ryan G. Hinds
and Yago Mesquita
bigT Collective
Instagram // Facebook
lemonTree creations
Website // Instagram // Facebook // Twitter
The script was developed in collaboration with Playwrights’ Workshop Montreal, with dramaturgy from Jesse Stong and Letícia Tórgo, and the support of the Young Creators Unit (2017-2019). Further workshop support was provided by Centaur Theatre (Queer Reading Series 2019), Black Theatre Workshop, Teesri Duniya (Fireworks 2018), Emploi Québec (Jeune Volontaire 2018-19), and Montréal, arts interculturels (Alliances 2018-2019).The play was shortlisted for the Playwrights Guild of Canada’s 2020 RBC Emerging Playwright Award.
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#ClownsKillEmpires present High (f)Art
June 24, 9PM
Toronto’s non-binary clown collective presents an art-house themed variety show celebrating local queer artists, including Gay Jesus, Sita Moon, Buster Highman, Dolly Berlin, and Kaspar the Queer Ghost. Stick around for a digital dance party after the show.
This show is for an 18+ audience.
THE ARTISTS
Imogen Quest // host + co-producer
Pickles LaVey // co-producer
Aggie Panda // DJ + technician
Buster Highman, Gay Jesus, Dolly Berlin, Kaspar The Queer Ghost + Sita Moon // performers
Resilient: Body. Mind. Soul.
by Rainbows Pride in Scarborough
June 25, 4PM
A poster campaign and a live online performance highlight the talent, community strength, and resilience of disabled QTBIPOC folks living in Scarborough, with acts ranging from rap and singing, to drag.
THE ARTISTS
Romeo // performer (singing, rap)
Jess // performer (singer)
Skittles // performer (singer)
Rainbow // drag performer
El Deekha // drag performer
Lasean // hip hop performer
STAY AT HOMO
June 26, 9PM
Award-winning comics Ajahnis Charley and Tom Hearn team up for a double-solo sketch comedy, backyard extravaganza. With all the thrill and danger of a livestream, expect songs, original characters, impressions, and more.
THE ARTISTS
Ajahnis Charley + Tom Hearn // creator + performers
Spencer Crone // streaming director
Pirate Tails
** Rescheduled due to weather **
July 3, 12PM (Allan Gardens) + 3PM (Regent Park)
June 25-27 (Online)
A family-friendly circus performance reimagines the childhood tropes of the pirate and the siren through lenses of Queerness and Disability. Catch this high-flying hoop duo in-person, or in the weekend-long digital presentation created with described video and open captions, with transcripts available.
Click below to join the premiere, or watch the video over the weekend.
Watch NowTHE ARTISTS
Erin Ball (she/her) // circus artist / pirate
Jayeden W (she/her) // circus artist / mermaid
photo of Boiband the Boyband by MISTERPIXIES
IN-PERSON PROJECTS
Return, Seek, Carry
presented in partnership with Pride Toronto
June 15-27
This growing body of work documents elder 2SLGBTQIA+ people through portraiture and oral histories, witnessing their legacies and contributions to our communities. Jocelyn Reynolds’ series aims to act as a catalyst for conversations between past and present — to help imagine futures in which we thrive together.
Click below to access the project digitally online, or check out the portrait installation on the side of our building at 12 Alexander Street.
Digital EditionTHE ARTIST
Jocelyn Reynolds // artist
Website // Instagram // Twitter
Music for Lesbians
Rock legend Carole Pope plays an intimate, unplugged, pop-up concert.
A recording will be made available after the event.
THE ARTISTS
Carole Pope // performer
Tim Welch // guitarist
Prince Johnny Sings
June 17
The Village
Drag artist Prince Johnny weaves parody covers about his trans masc experience into this outdoor happening. Come sing along to these hits as he asks the tough questions, like: how do you remove trans tape?; why can’t pads fit into boxers? and; what’s in a gender neutral name?
THE ARTIST
Prince Johnny // performer + creator
Kaleido: A Pride Celebration
June 18, 6-10PM
Glad Day Bookshop
From the Greek “kalos,” meaning “beautiful”, and “eidos”, meaning “form”—this parade-in-reverse celebrates the beauty of our communities. A bevy of dancers and some of Toronto’s best DJs entertain passers-by from the Glad Day windowscape.
THE ARTISTS
DJ Sofia Fly, DJ Fawn Big Canoe, DJ Relentless + DJ Dwayne Minard // DJs
Rolyn Chambers // dancer
Mars Alexander // shaker
Peter Kelly // mover
Ferrera Rosé // groover
Curated by black queer artist, producer, songwriter, dj, and creative Jay Light
Sleep Codes & Coordinates
June 19, 5:30-8:30PM
The Annex
Installation art and live performance animate an Annex courtyard, exploring the relationship between burnout and the invisible awards that we self-declare. In this in-between space, shame is reclaimed and rethought to imagine new forms of inclusion.
If you are not able to make one of the performances (for capacity, location, or any other reason) and would like to see a recording, please fill out this form to be sent the video by the organizers sometime after the event.
THE ARTISTS
Maren K Elliott // performer + project lead
Juan Saavedra // visual and installation artist, project lead
Julian Morello // make up artist.
Sean Morello // sound production
THE AFTERPARTY 2.021
by Jord + Liz
June 22 – 26, 8PM
Bickford Park
THE AFTERPARTY is back—with a new park, new songs, and new looks!! Jord Camp invites you to a one-on-one, physically distant but socially intimate performance-art-drag-experience. Meet in the park, pop on your headphones, and be prepared to be taken on a journey of dance, reveals, and surprises.
The lottery for this performance is now closed.
THE ARTISTS
Jord Camp // creator + performer
Elizabeth Staples // creator + director
Robin Gaudreau // stage manager
Featuring an original song composed by Maddie Bautista
Cohort // technical facilitation
with development support from Buddies in Bad Times, SummerWorks, Nightswimming, and Volcano.
Space, Time, Motion
June 24
Traveling throughout Toronto
This multimedia performance installation by Steven Conway and Celia Green invites its audience to shake off their routine relationships to their surroundings. Choreographed movement and musical improvisation will make pop-up appearances around the city.
Between 9AM and 10PM, the act will appear at Earlscourt Park, Dovercourt Park, Dufferin Grove Park, Fred Hamilton Park, Bickford Park, and Ontario Place.
THE ARTISTS
Steven Conway // musical performance
Celia Green // movement performance
Pirate Tails
**Rescheduled due to Weather**
July 3, 12PM (Allan Gardens) + 3PM (Regent Park)
June 25-27 (Online)
A family-friendly circus performance reimagines the childhood tropes of the pirate and the siren through lenses of Queerness and Disability. Catch this high-flying hoop duo in-person, or in the weekend-long digital presentation created with described video and open captions, with transcripts available.
Click below to join the premiere, or watch the video over the weekend.
Watch NowTHE ARTISTS
Erin Ball (she/her) // circus artist / pirate
Jayeden W (she/her) // circus artist / mermaid
TWHC Pride March + Celebration
by Toronto Women’s Housing Co-Operative
June 26, 6PM (Meet at 5:30 at Anne Hilliard Lane)
Regent Park
The Toronto Women’s Housing Co-op gets together to march and celebrate pride, community, and connection in the face of a challenging year. Look out for movement, music, and motorcycles!
This event is specifically geared towards residents of Regent Park.
Comedy Corner
by the Canadian-Carribean Arts Network
June 26, 6:30PM + 7:30PM
Regent Park
If laughter is the best medicine, it’s something we could all use about now. Rhoma Spencer hosts a pop-up comedy corner for residents in the heart of Regent Park, featuring Martha Chaves, Monica Garrido, and Aliya Kanani.
This event is specifically geared towards residents of Regent Park.
THE ARTISTS
Rhoma Spencer // curator + host
Martha Chaves, Monica Garrido + Aliya Kanani // comedians
photo of The Afterparty 2.021 by Robin Gaudreau
MAIL AND PICK-UP PROJECTS
Painting Church Street in Lavender
by Lavender, with Goblin Cat Zines
June 15-27
Lavender celebrates their third anniversary with a retrospective zine highlighting community memories of their monthly events. The digital launch features spoken word performances from contributors and a virtual dance party..
Buy the zineTHE ARTISTS
Sica Saccone + Tianna Henry // editors
Goblin Cat Zines // publisher
Pride Care Packages
June 17-27
Celebrate Pride safely wherever you are with a DIY Pride kit including stickers, hand sanitizer, and that queerest of items – a tote bag. Packages will be available for pick-up at select queer hubs around the city.
Pick-up locations:
Buddies in Bad Times Theatre (June 17)
George Chuvalo Community Centre (starting June 17)
Ralph Thornton Community Centre (June 23)
THE ARTISTS
Emily Templeman // co-organizer + visual artist
Camila Farah // co-organizer + seamstress
Moments in Time
August 9-15
Paying homage to the people, events, and organizations that make Toronto’s Queer Village what it is today. This analog zine celebrates the resilience of our communities as we continue to navigate the pandemic.
On the heels of Pride Month, August 9-15, the zine will be delivered to organizations and businesses throughout the village with limited copies will be available for pick-up at Buddies In Bad Times Theatre patio, Glad Day Bookshop, and other select locations.
Check their site for supplementary content such as rare video, audio interviews, and other digital goodies from the past.
THE ARTISTS
Raymond Helkio // creator
Rachel E. Beattie // curation consultant
BOUNTIFUL Pride: Healthy Totes Giveaway!
by BOUNTIFUL Pride
June 27, 11AM – 2:30PM
Pick-up at Buddies
What’s a cool thing to do on Pride Sunday before the midday virtual parade and Blockorama later in the evening? Coming by Buddies in Bad Times Theatre to get a FREE Healthy Tote filled with groceries, PPE, and menstruation products!
Free Healthy Totes are available only to registered folks who are:
- Black-identified
- Queer and/or Trans identified
- Age 30 years and up
- Reside within the GTA (Greater Toronto Area)
Sign up by June 22!
Sign Up NowTHE ARTIST
Ashley T. // creator
Queer Pride 2021
Emerging Creators Unit
June 19 + 20
Emerging Company in Residence
June 22 + 23
Pride Tea Dance
June 27
Pride Pen Pals
Sign up by June 8
