According To A Queer Grrrl: Valentine’s Day: 19+ Never Felt So Good.

The weekend before Valentines Day has some promising events for both singles and couples. Here are some of the top picks. I found a wide range for every taste.

Erotic Arts and Crafts Fair

This fair is back for a fifth year featuring artists, crafters and card makers, just to name a few. The fair runs from noon to 8 on Sat Feb 12 at the Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen West. Its the 501 Queen Car that takes you to Dufferin and Queen. Where else can you pick up a “hand knitted hickey hider” or a “vintage light switch plate.”

Toronto artist, Wendy Ding, is one of the featured artists. She is an illustrator who brings her work to the show each year. Pin ups girls, fashion, and food are some of her favourite subjects. She creates her art by using Adobe Photo Shop and Illustrator. It’s very life like and interesting to behold.

He wants to Bite Your Neck

Bram Stokers Dracula ‘ will be presented at Casa Loma. This classic tale of unrequited love runs from Fri Feb 11 to Monday Feb 14th. Tickets are going quite fast. It is a different adaptation than you may never have seen before. From room to room and up and down the stairs, the story will unfold.

If you have not been to 1 Austin Terrace, “Toronto’s own Gothic Mansion” you are in for a real treat. The castle is a very eerie “early 20Th century.” Its spooky enough to invite Ghost Trackers to the site. Take the 127 Davenport from Dupont Station.

Time to Get Your KiNkY oN

Tis that time of the year when the kinky folks amongst us want to play with wild abandon. Luckily for ‘us’ such an event will be held on Fri Feb 11th. Held at 2814 Lake Shore Blvd West, it invites you to become your fantasy. Everything you ever dreamed you wanted to be, you can at Aphrodite’s Feast.

From the classic leather, rubber or lingerie look, to the wild cowboy, nymph or Goddess of Love is welcomed. . Lady Viktoria introduced this idea of an event that is for beginners to advanced players. There are also areas for spanking, relaxation, and ~ahem~ good old fashioned sex. Its just one 501 Long Branch Streetcar away from downtown. Get off at Lake Shore Blvd West and Third Street. Travelling along Queen, it will take about 35 minutes or so. It runs 24/7 so getting there and back will be a breeze.

Anti Valentines Day

Six Degrees, at 2335 Yonge Street is the place to be on Sat Feb 12th. If you are of the opinion, that Valentines Day is not just for couples any more. $19.99 and you are in for a night  of total 19 + fun.   Get there early enough and you can get a free cupcake and Hors D’oeuvres. The website boasts over “400 + professionals” will be in attendance to “mix meet and mingle” O yea … its gonna be a party! Prize give-a-way’s, contests and themed discount drink prices to get you in the spirit of all things ANTI VDAY. Take the Yonge Subway up to Eglington and walk a block and a half north.

“Don’t just feel the pain, spread it around”

Heartbreak Karaoke is back for a 4th year. Apparently singing songs of woe and abandonment are still the rage. There’s a cover, which i guess has become the norm for karaoke these days. It’s $5 to get in if you are wearing red, and $7 if you don’t. Its at the Supermarket in Kensington Market, 268 Augusta  half a block south of College and Augusta.

I have already started to practise a few tunes. Expect to hear me belt something out from Rocky Horror. True, that is a little stereotypical, but you can’t deny the soulful yearnings of a transvestite who just wants a sexy homemade muscle man.Luckily for me, the outfit I am wearing at Aphrodite’s Feast will do just as well for this one.

As for me, I am both for and against Valentines Day. I have been single on this blessed of all lover’s day and it totally sucked. When I am with someone, buying roses and a steak for my sweetie is the least that I can do. Good luck this Feb 14th and hope whatever you do, it was one for the record books.

words by shona