This month’s Blog Hunter, Adam Graham, is discussing modern issues facing the gay community and urban community at large.

Tradition is loosely defined as “something that is handed down.”There is no implication of right or wrong, good or bad – just “something.” So, it’s interesting when a tradition is so strongly defended. In this ever-changing world, we are faced with ideas that challenge our traditional way of thinking, and often tradition is defended over innovation, because there is some sort of comfort in familiarity. Currently the most discussed tradition pertaining to the gay community is traditional marriage, but one that is buzzing quietly is the transformation of gay villages.

I’ve heard much concern surrounding the changing face of the Church-Wellsley Village, many of those who have frequented the area for some time share the sentiment that “it’s not the same as it used to be.” Hubs for the LGBT community to congregate can certainly be appealing to those who have spent much of their lives under scrutiny or in the closet. To finally be in a space where someone will most definitely not be chastised solely based on their sexuality can be liberating. Although, once becoming acquainted with the hand-full of bars and usual suspects, something about them can begin to seem segregating from the world beyond those few blocks, as though a barrier has been built like the Berlin Wall, separating us from them. To me, the change of the village should be celebrated, because this means that gay life is not the same as it used to be — and that’s a good thing. The gay population didn’t drop mysteriously; simply, many gay people are becoming aware that gay-centric events and notably gay-friendly establishments can exist outside of gay-concentrated territory.
It’s important to be grateful for these safe-zones, because of the LGBT community that came before us literally fought for it (think Stonewall Riots). There was a time when the community had no option other than to band together as outcasts. Now the world is opening up; clutching onto an oppressive tradition seems counter-productive, when the world beyond the village borders are slowly embracing gay assimilation.

While there are designated “gay” areas in many cities, Toronto is one of the greats that has various communities that are unbiased in relation to sexuality. As I mentioned in my previous blog entry, my first experience with this was West Queen West (now informally dubbed “Queer West”), when I realized that there was a quiet revolution going on. Young people who had come to terms with their sexuality didn’t seek refuge in “the village,” but found a place in a sexually non-specific creative community, amongst musicians, visual artists, and graffic designers, to name a few. I see this as a greatly important occurence, not only the fabric of Toronto, but a prime example of how socially mingling various sexualities can be harmonious.

There are many places where our community is rejected and there are surprising people who reject us. I have been the perpetrator in several rejections of gay people. None of these incidents were violent or malicious. The clearest basic example was when I was in high school; my mum had an associate who was very driven, incredibly intelligent, kind, successful and gay. For some reason, I acknowledged that he was gay above all of his positive traits. I didn’t know many gay people at the time, so even I had a slight discomfort around him; based on his sexuality, I felt in the presence of an alien, like there was something that I wasn’t understanding. This experience used to impose a great deal of fear on my life; as I became more familiar with my own sexuality, I felt that no matter who I’d become — no matter how successful, kind or intelligent that I’d would be — I would have to wear a scarlet letter for the rest of my life. This notion can become disheartening and detract from ambition, to feel as though being attracted to the same sex made a professional person inferior to his straight peers. Now that there is beginning to be more acceptance of gay businesses and professionals outside of the village, I see this as an opportunity to reach out and be seen as “normal” in the general public eye.
There are big businesses that are beginning to recognize the gay community not a subculture, but a real demographic. For example, TD Bank has released ads portraying same-sex couples in “mainstream” Canadian publications, and recently Kindle aired television commercial featuring both a straight and gay couple. This is a great step in a progressive direction, but I still believe that it takes a social shift in day-to-day situations to make this change long-lasting. If LGBT people are seen in and around small businesses, outside of the village as functioning individuals, not deviant heathens, perhaps many people not otherwise exposed to openly-gay people would bring their harmless experience home. This basic exposure could be a subtle, but major, force to attaining equality.

There will be immediate changes and gradual changes — I think it would be foolish to think either method is more valid than the other. When I hear disappointment over the dimming of a gay village’s vibrance, I ultimately decode it as a fear of change, without actually considering the positives that change will bring. Adamantly rejecting the idea of adventurous homosexuals seems disrespectful for those who have fought for gay rights and freedoms to do so. Let’s embrace the antiquity of the village, but if we get caught in the preservation of tradition for tradition’s sake, we as a community will get in our own way of our own progress.

Bonnie Rubenstein Artistic Director starts us off.

“Exploring the photographic medium as a way of seeing, this year’s Festival theme, Field of Vision, frames a series of primary exhibitions and public installations. In museums and galleries, on city streets and subway platforms, these presentations reveal a shared interest in photography as a visual paradigm, one that structures how we imagine scenes, places, and events. Working closely with our partners across Toronto, we explore the medium’s history and its current manifestations. While many projects are the result of expansive, long-term investigations, others are newly commissioned, site-specific works. CONTACT 2013 situates photography as an expansion of sight, where the camera’s field of view extends the eye’s field of vision.”

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Portmanteau: An OCADU Photography Thesis Exhibition

May 18–29
May 18, 6–11pm
Gallery 345
345 Sorauren Ave
Toronto M6R 2G5
Mon–Fri, 12–8pm

Venue Contact
(416) 822 9781
www.gallery345.com
info@gallery345.com

Exhibitor Contact
email ocaduphotographythesis2013@gmail.com

Portmanteau is OCAD University’s 2013 photography thesis showcase. Though photography is the focus, the artists are not limited to one medium: sculpture, performance, video, sound, and installation art are all included in this exciting exhibition. With 19 emerging artists presenting the final products of their fine art educations, this exhibition situates itself as a view into what’s next in Canadian art.
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Bike Tour

May 19, 1:00 pm
Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art, courtyard
952 Queen St W
Toronto M6J 1G8

Meet in the Mocca Courtyard. Weather permitting. Bike Tour led by Sabrina Maltese the Festival’s Artistic Project Manager. She will lead you on a tour around Contact 2013′s public installations.
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Open Exhibition

This takes place in Etobicoke. Yes, it’s far from downtown T.O but worth it if this is the type of art you are dying to see, and support.

Q-MAP – Rex Pride

April 29–July 14
Arts Etobicoke Gallery
4893A Dundas St W
Toronto M9A 1B2
Mon–Fri, 11–4pm

Venue Contact (416) 622 8731
www.artsetobicoke.com
info@artsetobicoke.com

TTC Info: From Islington Station take the 37 Islington north to Dundas. Get off at Dundas and walk about 5 mins west. The gallery is on the south side. There is a Second Cup and three Italian restaurants in the area.

Queer Media Arts Program (Q-MAP) is a youth-led arts project designed to provide safe space in Rexdale for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, two-spirited, queer, or questioning youth between the ages of 15 and 20. This exhibition features work created by participants in this program.
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Workshops

There are many different workshops. The Salt/Albumen Prints is at the end of May.

May 26, 10:00 am
Gallery 44 Centre for Contemporary Photography
401 Richmond St W 120
Toronto M5V 3A8
Venue Contact
(416) 979 3941
www.gallery44.org
info@gallery44.org
www.gallery44.org/SaltPrints

In this workshop, Rob Norton will guide participants with step-by-step instruction on how to make Salt/Albumen prints, antique photographic processes popular in the 1800s. Students will create their own salt/albumen prints by learning how to salt the paper, apply the chemistry, expose the prints properly, clear and process. This process can be used in a variety of ways to realize your own unique creative vision. $180/ $160 (members)
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Films

The above link gives you a list of all films in the festival. Here are the details of the film series “Remembrance of Things to Come: Works by Chris Marker.” It’s a a mini-Retrospective May 16 – 19. This film looks very interesting.

May 16, 6:30 pm
TIFF Bell Lightbox
350 King St W CIBC Canadian Film Gallery, 4th Floor
Toronto M5V 3X5
Venue Contact
416 934 3287
www.tiff.net

La Jetée
Directed by Chris Marker
30 min, France 1964
Fri May 17, 6:30pm

This immensely influential science-fiction classic, constructed entirely with still images, is one of cinema’s most profound meditations on time and memory

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Words by Shona
Follow me on Twitter @Shona__Fraser

One week + a day until the official launch party of BAZZUL Studio’s collaboration collection with L A B & iD. It’s going down Saturday May 18 @ Brockton Collective.  We seriously cannot get enough of this exciting new local brand, and want you in on this major event.  Toronto’s very own Condocoon and Drang will be keeping you lit for the night with very special guest DJ Roberto Piqueras flying in from London, UK!  Preview a few pieces from Roberto’s newest collection, then head over to L A B & iD to buy everything you’ve seen from the night.

If you are familiar with the many stereotypes of homosexual males, then you are probably well acquainted with the one pertaining to fashion: gay men can put together a mean, “fierce” outfit, “H to T” (head to toe). This often-true stereo type is not a shocking one, since we gay males are practically born and raised in a proverbial closet. This closet is small; a single person can survive in it during the younger years, simply because we don’t know any different. Soon comes puberty, where we get bigger and develop sexually, which is when this closet becomes confining, uncomfortable and suffocating. Many young people try to make it work through high school and sometimes later as a survival tactic. In my early years, my naïveté kept me from even knowing that I was living in a closet. I would play with G.I. Joes and Transformers, watch said cartoons on TV, but when my step-sister would visit every other weekend, I had no problem picking up a Barbie doll and play along. For a person aware of sexual identity, this must have raised some rainbow-coloured flags, but I was none the wiser — until my sexual interests started to creep in around the age of 14. I luckily wasn’t raised in a religious or oppressive household; I was raised in a home that welcomed all forms of music, artistic expression and free thinking. This was great, but the real closet was outside my front door and it was where isolation began.

Attending high school in White Suburbia, Ontario, I fell into the “eccentric and weird” category, that generally created a distance between my peers and me. This distance allowed the closet door to stay relatively closed, but I’m sure there was some speculation. This isolation was a blessing and a curse, because as social animals, we human beings crave social interaction. Soon after high school, I skipped the whole post-secondary thing to peek outside of the closet. Moving to the great city of Toronto, still closeted, I began to socialize in the melting pot of West Queen West. I was intrigued by the spectrum of characters that buzzed around (the trendy hipster, the artist, the young professional, et al). There didn’t seem to be a definitive identity, so I felt welcome. I tried to put my eccentricities ahead of my sexuality, but didn’t confirm or deny that my xtube viewing was set toward men. Eventually, it became very clear to me that my sexuality was completely irrelevant in the social circles that I ran with, because by then I was terrible at faking it and I still had friends — gay and straight. The city became a place of comfort and I finally felt like I was home again. Unfortunately, a rude awakening came when I’d visit my parents in their respective suburban towns, where I would reluctantly step back into the closet; I’d wear my “straightest” clothes (no skinny jeans, no purple, no tight-fitting T’s). It wasn’t donning armour to defend myself from my parents, but the people that lived in their towns. I vividly recall walking to my dad’s home from the Go Transit stop with my Ben Sherman gym bag slung over my shoulder instead of firmly gripped in my hand, when some 20-something coward yelled “Nice purse, faggot!” from a green Ford Escort (probably their mom’s), packed with their best dude-bros. This was an uncomfortable reminder that the world outside of the city hadn’t changed while I was transforming in my urban escape. In this world, accepting that everyone will not agree with me — who I am, what I believe, how I see things — can’t stop me from living accordingly. It’s not that I am ashamed of who I am, but acknowledging that how I conduct myself and know where I best fit in is crucial if I hope to live happily and healthily. It’s not that LGBT people can’t survive in the suburbs, but like big-time stock traders, swingers, ambitious journalists, actors, fashion photographers, or marketing mavens, being in a large city is the most rational place to thrive. Just simply based on retaining a larger population in urban centres, discovering like-minded individuals is more apt to happen.

So, I guess what I’m saying is this: Being more reserved while traveling to foreign countries or small-town Canada doesn’t feel like oppression, ’cause leading with my sexuality has never been my forte; I know I have a place where I am welcome as my whole self. Living in a large urban centre has allowed me to find people who accept me, who don’t put my sexuality before the rest of my personality traits. I’ve busted out of my one-man closet and moved into a bigger, nicer, more exciting and engaging closet, where those who I am comfortable around are welcome to see my clean and dirty laundry.

You may have missed out on April 20, 2013 at exactly 4:20pm. Yonge Dundas Square was a virtual smoke out. Weed was everywhere, and being smoked from everything: bongs, pipes and blunts. Here is a brief look back at what transpired that afternoon. The politics, the entertainment the grass roots feel. I have included various Youtube clips and live streams. Social media sites used the hashtag #420toronto. I found links for your enjoyment from Twitter and Instagram.

The weather was variable on this day. In Yonge Dundas Square a gathering of over 8,000 people assembled. Vapor Central brought it’s best comics, political activists, poets and bands to play to the thousands on the stage. The smell of weed flowed to Queen Street. It was definitively a day to keep those in : who can only breathe air not soaked with Kush, BC, Homegrown, and JDW. That’s just to name a few.

I started my tour of the area, around 2 pm. I had an opportunity to walk around the entire Square. I started at the Yonge side. I noticed six or seven police officers. I asked them, “How difficult is it to do your job? You see pot, everywhere. ” The nice officer said, “It’s what we do, and we do it all the time. We are here to protect citizens.” I saw many women dressed as a Goddess. They were adorned with Weed Lei Crowns and necklaces with spiritual significance. There were signs, spotted here and there. The signs spoke of the current truths of marijuana laws in Canada. “Legalize It” and “FREEDOM NOW!”

There were many groups of people. Some were sitting on the ground on blankets, while others just on the pavement. Large bongs, of all shapes and sizes in their hands. Huge lighters and grinders of mystical appeal. The noticeable sound of coughing echoing throughout the Square. Then, there were people like me, who were just walking around, taking it all in. Couples holding hands, of all ages and orientations. There truly was no judgement here. As the afternoon progressed, more and more people started to fill the Square. People were arriving in large groups as they left the subway station. It was almost a wave of people at one point.

The entertainment for the afternoon was varied, and excellent. Poets were followed by a rock and roll band. Mike Rita and Matt Mernagh, a comedian with a political activist bantered on stage about the state of the marijuana laws in Canada. Matt called out Stephen Harper and his detest for the current law. He said ” we wanted to bring you a politician to this rally. Bob Rae did not come.”

Here is the view from Matt Mernagh’s vantage point on stage.

Mike Rita kept everyone laughing. When the sun first poked out his head around 3:30 he said “Hey .. it looks like the Sun wants to get high.” I was able to get a few words from him. I asked what was the story behind the success of the event. “Primarily word of mouth got the people to show up, year after year. The sponsors came to us and wanted to support what we were doing. For example, Now Magazine is the media sponsor. Everything else just fell into place.”

You can follow Mike Rita on Twitter : @TweetsFromReets

At 4:20 exactly, the sun, who had been playing cat and mouse all afternoon, beamed a most excellent ray of bright light down on this incredible haze. The smoke was strong, powerful and held your gaze as it climbed up over the Eaton Centre. One did not need to have a damn thing on them. I was high off the fumes, I guarantee you that. I barely needed to pack my bowl.

The drummer from Our Lady Peace, Jeremy Taggart performed a 20 minute drum set at 4 20 pm. The intense drum beat drew out energy from the crowd. Pounding bass, crisp snare, and crashing cymbal created a massive drum orgy of sound that whipped around the Square. One could not help but be caught between motion and stillness between the echoing vibe. Then suddenly I get jolted out of my state of being by the guy behind me. He says “…Yea .. that’s right, he’s got it!” and just started doing the bounce of the head to the beat. I was cool with it, as I could get right back into my weed inspired drum trance

Here is a clip of the weed driven cloud at Yonge Dundas Square as the countdown to 4:20 pm began.

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Social Media

I found some interesting links to pictures and threads with the hashtag of the day #420Toronto. statigr.am/tag/420toronto and Twitter This is the Facebook page for Vapor Central. This is worth checking out as they have weekly events to suit every pot smokers taste.

This is part one of the live stream. At 44:07 Jeremy Taggart’s drum solo can be heard. Part two features various crowd shots of people reacting to the action on stage. This was truly a yearly treat for those of us who like our weed. Bonus points for someone like me as it also included political activism and a few trips to Timmy’s.

words by shona
folllow me on Twitter @Shona__Fraser

If meat’s not murder, it’s definitely suicide: Why adopting a plant based diet is where it’s at.

You’ve seen the images and heard the horror stories (or have you?) The same way smoker’s see the ghoulish images and continue to smoke, turning a blind eye to the warnings and photo’s, the initial shock worn off; business as usual.

But what if the information was presented in terms of saving our environment, because honestly, we can and will kill ourselves with this nasty, fear and loathing style diets, but what about what we are doing to our planet, our only home? What about the instant gratification crowd who say, who cares? It won’t affect me, yet go on to have children?

(rainforest deforestation for cattle farming)

Is anyone aware that the meat industry is responsible for more detrimental effects to the environment (global warming) than the entire transportation industry? Yep. Especially the cattle industry. There are more than 20 billion cows on Earth. 20 BILLION. These cows are being overfed and never exercised, therefore standing around creating gas. Methane gas. They are responsible for more methane than our landfills, treatment plants and the natural gas you use to heat your home. The hamburger you so desperately want in a moment of weakness and instant gratification, the very hamburger that is hurting your body, is also killing the planet. By eating less cow, you are contributing to less cows that ranchers, cattlemen and, let’s say it, animal cruelty specialists/slaughterers need to raise, torture, maim and kill.

(the above image was taken from VICE’s Hopelessness Issue, it’s of a beef farm in Texas and the water damage from runoff)

Factory farming creates toxic sludge, wastes water, destroys the rainforests (for grazing), therefore have less oxygen and biodiversity. We are becoming a planet of humans and animals for meat consumption.

Here’s the clincher: oil companies make a lot of money off the meat industry. How you say? It takes 11 times more energy to create animal protein vs grain protein. Take into account the oil and gas used to plant, water and harvest grains that cows eat (a lot of corn), the transportation of said grains, transportation to slaughter and the energy used by the factory farms, and finally getting that meat to you and your favourite fast food joint and we’re talking 29 billion gallons of gas. Think about it.

(Teaxas beef farm, also from VICE Hopelessness Issue: “1 Quarter Pounder hamburger patty takes mor ethan 6lbs of grain, 52 gallons of water and 74 square feet of land + 1000 BTUs of fossil fuel to produce.”)

Plant based foods are what we were evolved to eat. Remember, we too are animals. Plant based foods are chock full of vitamins and minerals, keep you balanced, protect your cells and organs and are good for your heart, nevermind your spirit. Plant based foods have everything we need in order to thrive physically, mentally and emotionally. They are filled with antioxidants (which battle free radicals that are cause disease), have tons of fiber and full of complex carbs and are highly alkalizing. Plus, they’re easy on the environment and create homes for millions of species and eco systems.

Plants also don’t require the same amount of resources, like livestock, in order to grow. And, if you buy local and organic, you’re doing your body, life and the planet and even bigger deed. This simplicity makes for very healthy, very sustainable (and cheap!) food!

Should you be willing to go vegan, vegetarian or even just sub in a couple plant based days or meals here and there, please feel free to reach out to me. You don’t need to go full throttle all at once. Believe me, I didn’t. I did it step by step over time. And it’s one of the best decisions of my life. For more information, please go to www.aholisticaffair.com or contact me atJocelyn@aholisticaffair.com

An air of mystery is not something most bands cultivate when they’re first starting out, but The Neighbourhood did and it worked in their favor, accruing a huge following with the release of their first single, Female Robbery, on the interwebs in early 2012 with little to no explanation. A year later, they are the buzziest band at Coachella, and it doesn’t hurt that they’re easy on the eyes. We got a sneak listen of their debut album, I Love You, and we were mighty impressed.

The alternative-rock + hip-hop hybrid genre has never really worked that well for anyone. I mean Gorillaz were alright for a spell, but lets not forget the terrible sounds that Crazy Town and Linkin Park unleashed on our ears. It’s a tricky mix, but The Neighbourhood have managed to get it right. Unlike the title of their album, the overall sound of their debut is anything but loving. Much like their moody, Hitchcock-esque music videos, their sound is dark, brooding with intermitten melodic relief, best demonstrated in their hit Sweater Weather.

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Although dark, this album won’t get you down. The chief lyrcist, and lead singer, Jesse Rutherford has a sultry voice that is exemplified all the more when he sings the innuendo filled track, A Little Death.

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If Coachella was Cotillion, The Neighbourhood would be the debutante everyone was talking about. They’ll most definitely be a mainstay this summer, and hopefully beyond.

Buy their album here. And check out their tour dates here.

1. LADY GAGA – ARTPOP

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Commercially a major success, “Born this Way” satisfied her devoted monsters, and radio markets, however it left many pop music enthusiasts scratching their heads and having a major WTF moment. Personally, I found it self indulgent, uninspired and overly referential (or as Madonna said, “reductive”).  It sounded like it was made hungover, during a writers block on a tour bus. There was no single that had the genre innovating, pop history-making calibre of “Poker Face” and “Bad Romance”, and it swung violently between weird dark pop, over the top diva anthems, weird spoken word over techno and it even had a fucking country song.

That being said, we all know that Lady GaGa is not one to be underestimated. Unlike “Born This Way” which took a matter of months to wrap, ARTPOP has been in production for over 2 years and this time around she seems to taking a more focused yet diverse, forward-thinking approach. She has been working with genre bending EDM talent like ZEDD and Madeon, as well as vocal collaborations with artists like Azaelia Banks. There’s even a potential “Telephone” sequel with no other than Beyonce. A confirmed track on the album, “Princess Die” was performed live during the Born This Way Ball, and has the potential to be her best ballad yet. As soon as she recovers from her recent hip injury, expect the first single and Lady GaGa in full fame-mongering mode around a summer album release. Love her, hate her or both (in my case), everyone will at least be curious to see what she comes up with next.

2. MILEY CYRUS  - Reborn

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In between making twerk videos, having a make-over to look like Draco Malfoy, and smoking plenty of monster bong hits, Miley Cyrus has been in the studio working on her next album. Her last album “Can’t be Tamed” was a guilty (or not so guilty) pleasure for me and pretty much every gay in the universe, so you can bet that there will be a lot of interest in this next one, tentatively titled “Reborn” It’s also her first album since signing to RCA, released and free from the chains of the Disney marketing machine.

What I’m a bit skeptical about with this new album is that it seems like it is taking on a strict Hip-Hop format. While the song posted above is a promo single for Will.iam’s new album, the announced collaborators for Reborn are Hit-boy, Tyler the creator, and Pharrell Williams. They are all talented producers, but I’m concerned about how wrong Miley as a hip-hop artist could go. I just hope it doesn’t it doesn’t descend into Tila Tequila/Paris Hilton levels of fail with made up words and Fred Durst style colloquialisms. On the bright side, she’s not collaborating with David Guetta, so there is something to look forward to there.

3. Britney Spears – Untitled

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How can you not be excited for a new Britney Spears album? Since her breakdown, she was replaced with an auto-tuned fembot controlled by a secret panel of evil Hollywood queens. However, I think they are doing a pretty bang up job in keeping the Britney money-making mobile on the road. There is no denying the catchy camp fun of her recent song with Will.iam, and I thought “Femme Fattale” was her best album yet. For the 8th studio album, it looks like she is taking a similar direction as Miley Cyrus. The collaborators are mostly hip hop producers which include Wiz Khalifa, Will.iam, Hit-boy and Elijah Blake. Rumor has it that the new material is taking on a darker tone similar to “Blackout” but with a hip-hop edge. Which could be interesting…I just hope her team finds a way to brew her style and that genre together well…we all remember Madonna’s “Hard Candy” right? While the album is slated for Fall, the first single is expected to drop later in the summer.

4. AZEALIA BANKS – Broke with Expensive Taste

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If you haven’t heard the hype and controversy surrounding Azealia Banks, at this point you’re either a time-traveller or live in Middle Earth. She’s been in the news so much for feuding with other rappers, Lil Kim probably thought about filing a cease and desist. She’s publicly dissed Kreayshawn, Iggy Azalea, T.I,  Nikki Minaj, Lil’ Kim, and even her manager. She called Perez Hilton ”a messy F*ggot”, and nearly lost her record deal with Interscope because of it. But in addition to being a master of feuding, she is in fact also a genuinely talented rapper and a decent vocalist. Her unique mix of sleek, saucy rhymes with catchy choruses and 90s NYC house influences have made her videos go viral, her E.Ps critically acclaimed, and earned her a loyal fanbase . Her debut album “Broke With expensive Taste” could turn out as one of the best pop albums of the year.
Emphasis on “could”. The debut single “Yung Rapunxel” was a dark, aggressive. bizarre rap-screamo track which is a huge departure from her signature style. It’s been getting mixed reviews from critics and will likely see no radio-play. That’s a pretty bold move from an artist who is just letting go of her “up & comer” training wheels, however everything prior to this has been pretty incredible, so I’m going to wait until I see more material before making a call on this one. Expect this album out in the mid summer.

5. IGGY AZALEA – The New Classic

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This is an album that I am genuinely excited about. Until Iggy, there had yet to be a talented white female rapper to have real potential to hit it big. Kreayshawn was simply a bad joke that went on too long,  Princess Superstar was too campy and before her time, Lady Sovereign couldn’t handle the attention and became a public mess, and I don’t think Uffie or Ke$ha count as real additions to the list. Iggy’s earlier work had gimmicky elements reminiscent of the aforementioned, but she has since developed into a slick, witty rapper with a serious command over the craft. This one is the real deal and I believe 2013 is poised to be her year.

About the Author:

Matt Sims is a former promoter, agent and manager, but most importantly, he’s a pivotal voice of the Toronto 20-30 scene.

The Dream Bridge Exchange is an “urban youth networking agency.” They have been attracting sponsors to support events that support LGBTI youth. The mission statement is very clear : “We empower our LGBTI youth through collaborative community events which will provide socializing opportunities in order to better improve corporate world employment possibilities or entrepreneurial innovation.”

Youth ages 13 to 31 are welcome to join regardless if they face a social disadvantage, or “any LGBTI youth in need of professional mentor-ship in the job market.” Here is a bit of background and information about their program straight from the website.

“In an effort to instill confidence in all Dream Bridge Exchange youth, no one will be considered more important than the other. Therefore, our V.I.P. programs and enrollment opportunities will be focused on “Very Interesting People”. By doing this it will allow for further personal and professional development. It also promotes a junior entrepreneurial spirit. Within each youth they will soon learn to discover unique characteristics about themselves which they will bring into the workforce and employment market. Our consulting services will be ongoing in an effort to develop all aspects of what it truly means to be a V.I.P. Youth can enroll into three different VIP zones.

1 – VIP Free Zone. In this area youth can enroll for free services such as after school job placement training, resume coaching, clothes donation for interview purposes, and free access to online Dream Bridge Exchange resources.

2 – VIP Paid Zone. In this area youth and parents can enroll monthly in workshops, seminars, motivational speakers, special after school job placement training, resume coaching, clothes donation for interview purposes, and free access to online Dream Bridge Exchange resources

3 -VIP Networking Zone. In this area youth 13-31 years old can enroll in our networking events. Some of these events will be free of charge and some will require ticketed fees. As an equal opportunity networking provider, for those who wish to attend but cannot afford ticketed fees, Dream Bridge Exchange will have sponsorship applications available.”

Click HERE for more information on registration. Regardless if you are a youth or client, the process is the same.

VIP Youth Networking Sessions

On April 24 2013, the theme for the evening is “Speakers, Sports and Inspiration!” Six people will be speaking on a variety of topics and come from backgrounds that represent a different aspect of the sporting industry. It will give those in attendance an opportunity to talk to industry professionals about various networking opportunities. The event is free and is being held at the Carlton Cinema.

The Last Word is from the founder Tim Akalu. “Dream Bridge Exchange is an urban youth networking agency for the LGBTI community of Toronto. My vision is to create an international, entertaining, diversified, networking job fair expo for my youth by 2018.” You can follow him on Twitter or @DreamBridgeEXC

words by shona

follow me on Twitter @Shona__Fraser

Get off your ass and get moving!

This winter seems to be never ending. Completely bi-polar or someone with massive mood swings with one day being 18+, the next hovering around zero, just to sky rocket again followed by rain and now the inevitable winter storm with snow, ice, sleet and rain. It can be tough to find the motivation to get outside and get moving, but get moving you must!

Summer is only 2 months away and is every person’s favourite time of the year for gawking, I mean people watching. Your sexy body isn’t going to reveal itself sitting on the couch watching any number of the ‘hot’ shows. You need hard work and dedication, but once you get started, it’s super easy to keep going. The great thing about exercise is the release of endorphins, our own natural high that makes us feel good and make healthier decisions, especially once your sexy body starts revealing itself.

There are plenty of running tracks, trails and groups you can follow no matter where you are located in this great metropolis we live. We are blessed with many large parks (High, Riverdale, Don Valley, Alexander Muir, Lawrence Park and the Beltline which stretches from Eglinton and Spadina down through the Don Valley, to name a few).

All you really need to get started is a good pair of running shoes. Start off with a brisk walk and then jog (or run, or sprint) for 30 seconds to one minute, then you can walk again. Alternate between running and walking every 30 seconds to one minute and eventually you will build up enough endurance to run for a steady period of time. Keep in mind, your body burns sugar for the first 20 minutes of any exercise. After that, it starts burning fat. You want to work out for a minimum 45 minutes per day. MINIMUM.

Stairs are also a great fat burning- up and down, up and down. I like to run to the stairs and down them, do a set of lunges at the bottom, run back up, do a set of pushups at the top, run down and a set of squats, back up…you get the idea.

Remember to make sure you incorporate a proper warm up and cool down to avoid injury and inflammation (and is some serious cases, blood clots and lactic acid damage to your muscles). Add in youga and pilates to your regime and you are good to go, plus there’s a studio basically on every major city block, so your excuses are moot.

Ride a bike. It’s a great source of transportation to and from work, but the lake front has great trails and gets your exercising outside, even if it doesn’t seem like it. My personal favourite is to ride down to Cherry Beach, along those trails down to the Leslie spit and the conservation area. It gives you a great sense of peace and stillness amongst the hustle and bustle of the city. It’s a little haven of a peaceful, natural ecosystem buzzing with energy and life, getting you back to your roots.

If running or exercising outside isn’t your thing yet, for the women, there are plenty of ‘sexy’ fitness classes popping up all over. These are great for finding out how sexy (or not sexy) you really are. I fell in love with it at the old Brass Vixens East which is now Pole Incorporated at Dundas and Carlaw, where I happen to teach a Flirty Girl Fitness class, Booty Beat, but is also where I started off my learning and love of sexy fitness for women: pole dancing, hopping and suspension yoga (hanging from silks from the ceiling whilst doing yoga- amazeballs), Brass Vixens at Queen and Bathurst, Toronto School of Burlesque where you can learn the art of burlesque dancing, Centre of Gravity which focuses on suspension yoga, hooping and aerial fitness, and Barre Method which trains you like a dancer, among many others.

Toronto Sports and Social Clubs is also a great way to get fit and meet new friends who, you may be pleasantly surprised, have similar interests as you. I have done this many a time including taking tennis lessons, rowing and played pick up for a co-ed flag football team.

SUPGirlz in the beaches is by far one of my favourites- paddle boarding- one of the greatest and currently hottest workouts going at the moment. Paddle boarding has you stand up on a surf board and paddle like you’re in a canoe or kayak, but standing up. It’s a great core workout. Bonus points to them for having you do yoga on a paddleboard.

Toronto is jam packed full of parks, trails, ravines and outdoor or sexy fitness groups and classes. I highly suggest you join one- you’ll feel better in general, be doing a favour for your physical and mental health and have some fun after the winter that would not end. So clean out the cobwebs, fluff up that ass imprint on your couch and grease up those joints and let your inner goddess (or god-like) sexy bod show through!

Jocelyn Black is a health and wellness coach with A Holistic Affair

Eating is becoming far too much like skydiving. People eat gross unnamed foodstuffs, massive quantities of carbs and fat, or just sit and list off how many species they’ve digested. I say yes, please, go ahead and explore if it is delicious. Eating is not skydiving, you don’t get an adrenaline rush from easting a teste as much as you do a gorgeously cooked less-nasty bit, like a foot. Extreme eating is one of those pet peeves that isn’t going to go away much like my aggregations with people in bunny costumes or parsnips. But, we have had one great culinary tradition come to life and rise above the miserable mist and that is nose-to-tail cooking. Gastronerds may already know that this trend got its place in the spotlight thanks to Fergus Henderson, the British Chef and owner of St James Hotel in London who revolutionized how we  look at meat.

I’ve written a lot about teetering on the edge of vegetarian and carnivorous beast and Henderson’s values are something I can really get down with, mostly because it truly is an ancient celebration when an animal gives its life to feed us. By using every bone, muscle and fiber not one bit goes to waste. This country and our lovely neighbours to the south have a big problem with food waste. Nobody seems to give a shit. So when someone comes along and is all, “Hey you can eat this trotter, and this head, and this ear and it’s way more delicious than your processed, abused, more hormone-stuffed than Joan Rivers, pale, beige, limp-ass chicken tit.”, I like to listen.

If you are a meat-eater you can go find some ethically raised meat and pick the weirdest looking thing, google it, be patient because it will probably take a long time to cook and enjoy. Cool, you are now a badass come eat pig’s feet with me on one of my “on” days.

Problem, this only aids in the waste of meat products which we could all probably slow down on anyways. I got to thinking about how this could apply elsewhere, how to eat nose-to-tail all the time. With a grain this would simply mean eating whole grains so that you get the WHOLE grain. Done easy. Vegetables seemed harder until I remembered beets. Beets are a delicious magic food that springs from the depths of the earth and there is nothing like a beet. Beets have to let you know when they’re a poppin so they have leaves. And I used to throw them away, all the time. This is ridiculous because the greens are just as nourishing as the root itself. There are so may vegetables and fruits like this where we use the “good” bit and throw out the rest. You could literally halve your shopping just by eating all your food

Strawberries, parsley stems: use these in tea as a mild laxative and diaretic

Celery: don’t leave it at ants on a log. Use the tender top leaves in salad like herbs and wash the root to throw it into a pot of stock or soup for some zippy freshness

Beets: Sauteed beet greens and wholegrain rotini with goats cheese and roasted beets. yum.

Citrus Fruits: I put zest in pretty much everything I put the juice in

Kale: Save your stems! Steam them they are delicious

Brocoli: It appears as though there is a division between “leaf” and “trunk” lovers, eat both!

And I leave you with a recipe for braised celery root from the too genius to possibly describe René Redzepi.

The sexiest sparkling water maker, Perrier, is turning 150 years old, and to celebrate they are launching an unprecedented digital experience called Perrier Secret Place with 5 amazing trips up for grabs.

Perrier Secret Place is an immersive digital interactive feature film taking place in Paris where you can partake in thousands of different scenarios while inhabiting the role of a character of your choice. With 60 different mysterious characters, the possibilities are endless.

A Secret Perrier Bottle is hidden at the party, with 5 clues within the rooms of the apartment to lead you to it. Finding this bottle enters you into a draw to win a trip for two to one of the best parties in the world, including a party in St Tropez, New Year’s Eve in Sydney, Miami Art Basel, Carnival in Rio and the closing of the season in Ibiza. One winner will be selected at random each week over the 5 week campaign, starting on April 2nd and ending on May 6th 2013.

With over an hour and twenty minutes of content, this isn’t your typical digital campaign. Perrier Secret Place will delight users with the sheer variety of outcomes and possibilities, while immersed in an impressive digital environment with streamlined graphics and photography. It’s available to play on your desktop computer and iPhone, iPad and Android.

Click here to start playing!

It’s officially spring time around PinkMafia and we’ve decided that means spring cleaning. For the next 4 weeks, our holistic go-to Jocelyn Black from A Holistic Affair is going to help us get healthy inside and out. 

After a long winter of sub zero temps and what felt like a snowstorm almost every day, being cooped up at home, only really working out in my living room and curling up on the couch with comfort food, and sometimes wine, it’s time to shed the winter weight and toxins.  I’m not one to eat ‘bad’ food, but I did indulge in more hot and heavy foods than my body wanted, like rice or rice noodles, which my body can’t tolerate without gaining pounds immediately.

There are quite a few different ways to spring cleanse, but here are a few of my favourites:

The Master Cleanse.

This one is somewhat controversial, as it has you subsisting on lemons, water, cayenne pepper and grade b maple syrup (which in Canada is actually #2 and Amber in colour) Everyone from Beyonce to her mother has done this cleanse, and while I don’t suggest you make this a long term cleanse, it’s not terrible to do for 2-3 days, so long as you don’t have to work, work out or really do anything. Keep this one for a weekend spent at home.  I would suggest also adding in some raw celery or raw broccoli if you feel puckish, but that’s pretty much it if you want this cleanse to work.

What you’ll need:

Pure Filtered Water

• Grade B Organic Maple Syrup
• Organic Cayenne Pepper
• Organic Lemons
• Sea salt – Unrefined, (Not iodized) or Epsom Salt

1 serving

• ½ Lemon or 2 tablespoons of organic lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons of Organic grade B maple syrup
• Ten ounces of filtered water
• 1/10 teaspoon cayenne pepper powder

Average day serving (8 glasses)

• 4 lemons
• 8-16 tbsp of grade B maple syrup
• 1-2 tsp of cayenne pepper
• 2 Liters of purified water

Feel free to drink as much dandelion tea to help with the detoxification process.

Cinnamon and Raw Organic Honey Tea Cleanse

This is another controversial drink that I sometimes use seasonally. This cleanse has a little more flexibility with what you eat, as it’s not all raw vegetables, but the point here is to eat clean, local, organic and healthy. No junk food, no cakes, breads, sugars etc. Just be smart about it. The bonus is, this ‘tea’  takes care of any sugar cravings you might have. Cinnamon has long been known to balance blood sugar levels and keep those levels at a healthy level throughout the day, especially when taken morning and night (and mid -day if you’re a real go-getter). The honey is pretty sweet, so I find that after drinking this tea I really have no sugar cravings at all. Plus, it gives you a nice burst of energy in the morning without caffeine. It’s important to note to add two parts honey to one part cinnamon. I made the mistake of the other way around and had to choke back a ton of cinnamon, which gave me a splitting headache, and wasn’t fun.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Organic powdered cinnamon

Raw organic honey

Water

• Use honey and cinnamon in a 1:2 ratio (one part cinnamon, two parts honey)
• Put the cinnamon in a cup or bowl.
•  Boil one cup of water.
• Pour water over the cinnamon and let it steep for 30 minutes.
• Once the liquid has cooled, add honey. Always add honey to the cooled liquid – hot liquid will destroy the enzymes in the raw honey.
•  Drink half of the resulting “tea” before going to bed. Cover and refrigerate the rest.
• Drink the other half first thing in the morning.
• Do not add anything to the recipe. Only drink on an empty stomach, first thing in the morning and right before bed.

Green smoothies

There are several different ways to go about doing this: 3 day, 14 day, 30 day, one a day, 3 a day etc…choose what works best for you, but in my opinion as a health coach, I suggest trying a 7 day green smoothie challenge if you can manage it. It’s easy- make a green smoothie for breakfast, lunch and dinner for 7 days and see how great you feel!

Generally, mixing fresh greens, fruits and potentially seeds (chia, hemp, buckwheat etc) are the basis for these smoothies. My personal favourite incorporates USANA’s nutrimeal (as my protein powder), a cup or coconut milk or almond milk, or water, a handful or arugula, spinach and kale, and frozen raspberries, blueberries and other mixed berries, along with some aloe vera gel and hemp seeds. I also add in a high potency greens powder, such as amazing greens super grass or wheatgrass, and most recently, a powder called Organic Whole Greens which includes phytoplankton, chlorella, spirulina, kale, barley grass, wheat grass juice, alfalfa, broccoli florets, cabbage, spinach, wakame and matcha green tea.  I am NEVER hungry or crave sugar when I make this low glycemic liquid meal.

Another great green juice to make is 4 apples, two lemons, 2 limes, 6 stalks of celery, a big piece of ginger, a cucumber and parsley. This will really give you energy and feel internally clean for hours!

The first two suggestions are just to jump start any detoxification you feel you need to do as well as balance blood sugar levels (and fasting once in a while never hurt anyone, in fact, it makes you healthier) but by no means should you subsist on them. Follow the green smoothie diet along with some fresh, local and organic raw greens  and you should be feeling and looking amazing in no time! Remember, your fridge should look like a garden, not a morgue. Once you get this life giving food into your body, you’ll likely not want the saturated fat, sugar and salt so present in modern life.

Jocelyn is a health coach for A Holistic Affair, check out her site and what she does here.

We got Lisa from Dark Horses to do our 20 questions and she answered with wit and aplomb.

1. What is your dream of happiness?

A brotherhood of eternal love.

2. Blonde or Brunette?

Blonde on Brunette.

3. What is the quality you like most in a person?

Humour and tight pants.

4. What do you fear most?

Orgasm is the only moment when you can’t cheat life.

5. 808s or 909s?

808 State, all the way.

 6. What’s your biggest regret?

We don’t do regret.

7. What’s your fav bar or club in the world?

’20MC’ the Dark Horses clubhouse of course.

 8. What’s the one thing you can’t live without?

Tommy Chain.

 9. What are the 3 musicians dead or alive you’d like to see perform?

Scott La Rock

Poly Styrene X-Ray Spex

Norma-Jean Wofford aka ‘The Duchess’

10. What is your favorite decade in music?

2020-2030

11. If you had to choose, would you rather go blind or deaf and why?

Scarcity is a blessing.

12. How old is too old?

The night before birth.

13. Where do you see yourself in 15 years?

Licking decals off my baby…

14. Who’s your hero?

Eddie Murphy ‘Look man, I ain’t fallin’ for no banana in my tailpipe.’

5. What’s your favourite colour?

Dusk

16. What song could you live without ever hearing again?

Cher ‘Do you believe in life after love’

 17. Metallica or Madonna?

Madonica bring it on.

18. What’s your most hated vice?

Frottage Friday’s

19. Who is the most tragic figure in history?

Mick Jagger

20. What are the top three live shows you’ve seen in your life?

The most recent invasion of Iraq, Fuerza Bruta, Dark Horses at Royal Albert Hall!

Get Dark Horses’ new album, Black Music, here.

In a recent article on Jezebel (<3 <3 <3), the author referenced comments made by celebrated feminist Gloria Steinem (celebrated by all reasonable people, hated by misogynistic wackjobs – fact, not opinion.)  about television. In summary, she hates the Real Housewives and thinks Girls is pretty good.

This was problematic for me since I love Gloria Steinem, love the Real Housewives, and love Girls. I had to do some serious mental-gymnastics to re-align my worldview, see if you can follow:

I’ll start with Steinem’s perfect quote about Girls:

I only saw the first couple episodes of Girls, so I can’t speak to all of it, but I think it was much more realistic as to how girls look and dress and talk, and that all sex is not wonderful. Some of it is silly and boring. It felt much more realistic to me.

She gets this so right. What is so beautiful about Girls’s sex scenes is the ugly reality in them.

So perhaps there can be something beautiful in the ugly reality of the Real Housewives. Steinem summed up the ugliness of it  all pretty well:

I think the worst [shows] are the ‘Housewives’ shows, because they present women as rich, pampered, dependent and hateful towards each other

Her description is not wholly untrue. Many of the women on the Real Housewives shows embody all of those adjectives and worse. But, the shows also feature women who are empowered, strong, hardworking, and who build other women up rather than tearing them down. (I f-ing love you Lisa Vanderpump.)  Both of these types of women exist in the real world, just like there are awesome men (Oh heyyyy,  Mauricio) and shitty men (We’re all looking at you Kelsey Grammer) on and off TV.

Just because these women are on TV does not mean they are aspirational figures. We’re interested in the lives of exceptionally wealthy women as much as  impoverished pregnant teenagers. Reality television tends towards the extremes because extreme situations reveal the most interesting human behaviour.

If anything, watching the Real Housewives reminds us why money WON’T make us happier. The worst of them spend several months of the year in recovery from elective surgery and the rest of the year starving themselves to fit into their expensive clothes. I have no doubt that the quality of my life — cellulite and all — is better than the quality of theirs.

As feminists, we shouldn’t try to hide certain kinds of women from the world out of fear that the rest of us wont be taken seriously. Instead, we need to demand that the basic rights of all kinds of women, just like all kinds of men, need to be taken seriously. Whether you like Taylor Armstrong as a person is irrelevant to her right not to be abused by her husband. And THAT is the feminist lesson we can find in the Real Housewives.

And that is obviously why I watch it.

Time magazine recently did a piece on how the internet is saving the music video medium, and how people are actually starting to be innovative again. Since MTV sold their soul and made a shit tonne exploiting the misfortunes of others, the internet is basically the only place you can watch music videos. However, it’s a little harder since you have to seek them out. I remember the days when MTV would countdown and celebrate the best videos and it was EXCITING. The music video production industry also had HUGE budgets, attracted amazing directors, and allowed artists to get really creative and fun. Here’s a list of some of my faves from the back in the day i.e. early 2000’s.

Probably one of my favourites of all time is Röyksopp’s Remind Me. It won the MTV 2002 Europe Music Award for best video and it’s basically a huge moving infographic about the economy, geography, nutrition etc. Sounds boring? IT’S AMAZING. Watch it, learn and contemplate your mortal coil:

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Director: H5

I discovered this video when my boyfriend and I were getting to know each other (read: trying to impress each other with our knowledge of movies, music and tv). He kind of blew me away with this one and it was hard to top. It takes a while to kick in, but once you get to the infinite limo – shit gets rill:

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Director: Chris Cunningham

I’d be remiss not to include a Fat Boy Slim video – and there are a tonne to choose from like this one, but the one that most people know (and probably don’t even care about the song because it’s a little annoying) is Weapon of Choice, which basically solidified Christopher Walken’s status as the coolest cat of all time:

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Director:  Spike Jonze

Bjork is such an under-appreciated and amazing artist, and always attracts equally talented directors and producers. Just when you think she can’t build it up anymore, she takes it to another level:

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Director: Spike Jonze (basically this whole list could be made up of Spike Jonze videos)

The song itself can get really grating – especially with the piercing siren thingy – but this video is undeniably innovative. Basement Jaxx always bring it when they do their videos, and this is one of their best:

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Director: Traktor

I was, and still am, an unabashed Jamiroquai fan. He’s a legend with amazing taste in hats and magical feet. This video rocked my world, and even after 16 years it still stands the test of time. I meaaaan:

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Director: Jonathan Glazer

Michel Gondry’s the man – especially when it comes to loopy optical tricks. This track is alright, but the music video makes it exceptional. Who doesn’t love MULTIPLE Kylies?

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Director: Michel Gondry

I was going to include Frontier Psychiatry but I find the song so annoying, and although the video is pretty original, it too grates on my nerves after a while. The Avalanches are most definitely boundary pushers, and their video for Since I Left You is unlike anything that was out at the time, and maybe even now. It’s absurd, but also really profound at the same time:

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Director: Rob Leggatt and Leigh Marling

The inspiration for this whole list came about when I watched the video for Grimes’ Genesis a month or two ago, which was pretty late to the game, but like I said there isn’t really a definitive outlet to keep abreast of new videos. It reminded me of why I love and miss music videos so much and gave me hope that there are still people in the game trying to keep it weird.

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Director: Clair Boucher (yep – she directed it herself)

I know what you are thinking. Why is this Queerio writing about sex as much as I do? Well, when there is a lot to report on, I feel it’s my sworn duty. I mean, if I don’t then who else will give you a complete list of all that’s kinky and queer and sexy this week? This next week is KILLER! Two parties at the Oasis, the Feminist Porn Awards are in town and the latest installment of the SWITCH Queer Porn Party is ready for your pleasures. I have quoted directly from the various Facebook pages and websites, as I don’t want to miss a thing. I have also included the TTC INFO so you can get to where you are going.

Tues April 2nd

The Official release of UP&COMING Issue 3

I attended the Launch Party for this amazing magazine. It’s a collection of images, prose and poetry that inspires erotic imagery in your mind, and in your pants. The first issue’s images were not your average smut. It was very tasteful nudity, done in an explicit manner. Here is my voyeuristic view of the Launch Party last year.

You have a rare opportunity to be part of all of this energy. Here are the details straight from their Facebook.

Where: Oasis Aqualonge
231 Mutual Street
TTC INFO: From College Station, walk east on Carlton to Mutual. The Club is on the south side of the street.
Ammenities: Heated outdoor pool, stripper poles, steam room, sex rooms, Dungeon
sauna.

SEX SHOW by:
Jezebel and Scarlet Riot

Hosted / Performances by
AXEL BLOWS
NANCY BOCOCK
SAGGY PANEERS
TRIXIE DIXON
SAMMY SAMOSA
FAGWICH

Midnight Human Dessert Bar with the Virgin Whore.

Music by DJ SCOOTER
And a show by † J † A † L †

Pre-sale tickets for $20
$25 after March 29th or at the door.
Purchase at www.off-the-record.ca

**Admission price includes one copy of Issue 3** 19+


It’s All about Feminist Porn from April 3th to April 5th. Here is a list to keep you in the loop.

Wednesday April 3rd

Pre-Awards Special Presentation with Dr Carol Queen

Absexuals and Erotophobes: Why They Hate Us for Our Freedom

Erotophobes understand themselves as normal – a word they favor. They have plenty of cultural support for this as residents of a society which borrows heavily in its norms from a restrictive history. An absexual –sort of an erotophobe on steroids—takes these views about problematic (or dirty, perverted, obscene) sex into more radical territory. Both types decry porn, and often sexual variety. Why do erotic freedom, and sexually explicit culture, threaten their worldview? Cultural sexologist Carol Queen PhD offers a stimulating discussion about these people’s anti-sex theory and practice – and their effect on the world pro-sex activists seek to create.

Location: University College, 15 Kings College Circle, Room UC144. 7-9pm. $35
Co-sponsored by Sexual Diversity Studies at UofT. All Genders Welcome.

Thurs April 4th

Its time for our yearly treat of Feminst Porn! Here are all the details, including where to buy tickets online.

Public.Provocative.Porn: The Year’s Best in Feminist Film

Online Tickets $15 advance

Tickets available $20 at the door.

Bloor Hot Doc's Theatre
506 Bloor Street West, near its intersection with Bathurst Street
TTC INFO: Just south of Bathurst station.
9:30 to 11:45

Join us for a screening of erotic films by filmmakers Nica Noelle, Jiz Lee, Julie Simone, Clark Matthews & Mia Gimp, as well as other selections from the year’s nominee list. Directors will be in attendance for a moderated discussion and Q and A facilitated by CoCo La Crème.

This event is 18+ only.

*Accessibility: This Venue is accessible on the main floor and has an accessible washroom.

Friday April 5th

Feminist Porn Awards

Eight years of excellence! You won’t want to miss this year’s Feminist Porn Awards as we celebrate some of the sexiest films of the past year. Join hosts Lex Vaughn and Ryan G. Hinds, as well as lots of your favourite porn-makers, for an evening of delicious entertainment and amazing porn!

Capitol Event Theatre
2492 Yonge St

TTC INFO: Four blocks north of Eglington Station, at Castlefield

VIP Party – 7pm
Visit Good For Her for more information on VIP Tickets

General Doors – 8pm
Showtime – 8:30pm

$25 Advance / $30 at the door

Online Tickets purchases will be available for pick up at Good For Her (175 Harbord Street) or at the event.

Saturday April 6th

SWITCH Queer Porn Play Party

This info is straight from the Aslan Leather website. Online Tickets are $25

Currently the new home of Switch Queer porn play parties is being Transformed into a fully accessible community play space equipped with ASLAN Home Dungeon play furniture and bondage gear a stripper pole, bar lounge area and a bondage bedroom. Along with being a great place to have safe and sexy play party Studio 10 will also function as a teaching space, Photography/Video studio and queer kink friendly party space.

Expect a magnificent celebration of award winning Queer feminist porn, super sexy performances, and lot’s of hot play. Come and party with the leading edge performers and producers of Queer and feminist porn. This will be an exciting , new chapter of hot queer, kink, porn and play, at Switch Queer Porn Play Party.

We want to see all of you kinksters dress up or down for a hot night with the Switch party crew. Watch local Queer Porn , party with kinky Queers and enjoy a safe sex positive play space. This is a party for Queers who want a space to watch, party, play and fuck.

Queer= LGBTQ and people who find themselves out of place in heteronormative play spaces

TTC INFO: 501 Queen Street Car to Tecumseth St. Walk south to 135 Tecumseth St. You are looking for “Studio 10.”

Tuesday April 9th

Rock and Roll Hot Tub

“Come for the schvitzes, stay for the bitches!!”
Where: Oasis Aqualonge
231 Mutual Street
6PM to 2AM

Ladies it’s time to get wet and wild with your hostesses
Vee Stun, Alex, & Karen Frostitution!!

$20 at the door gets you a locker, towel and full access to all amenities:
This is a womyn identified event

Here is another event for fine female identified folks. I can’t wait to see the twist they put on this event.

Thanks for joining me on this little romp! Hope you have a very sexy week.

Reuben and the Dark is a project coming from Calgary’s own Reuben Bullock.  He has created a quartet of soaring harmonies, beautiful melodies, layered texture making up an honest indie rock sound.

This quartet will take you on a journey throughout the human heart serving you raw emotions into song and making every show an adventure.

I had the opportunity to sit down to give Reuben Bullock the Pink Mafia CMW Quick and Dirty but also review his show at the 159 Manning MUSI and Lame Frame event.

(1) What is your favourite thing about playing Canadian Music Fest?

All the people. It’s nice coming to a new city and getting to see all the activity. Lots of things going on… It’s a little crazy, but good to see so many people out every night.

(2) What is the weirdest thing that has ever happened to you while you’ve been on tour?

We played a show in Vancouver that bombed. It’s the only time I’ve ever walked out on a show. We were double booked with a bunch of punk rock bands… I was quitting smoking, and on edge. We only played three songs, during which I ended up breaking a string, breaking someone’s guitar drinking in the audience… It was really messy.

(3) Are there any bands you would really love to see during Canadian Music Fest?

We’ve been real busy, but we played a show with Besnard Lakes, I liked those guys. Looking forward to (Michael) Rault’s set to, this afternoon.

(4) Why should people listen to Reuben and the Dark?

I don’t know… If they like it, they should listen. We put a lot into this music. It’s always nice to have someone listening.

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So did Reuben’s co-sign of his music live up to the Pink Mafia seal of approval?  Getting to watch the quartet in the living room of 159 Manning was not only beautiful but showed a group of guys that exhibited a deep passion for the music they were playing.

The band’s sound of indie folk rock is slow, comforting and emotional. You feel an energy in Reuben’s booming voice that creates soul and expresses the deepest heartfelt emotion.  You felt as if Reuben was singing directly to you in this small living room show. He created a cute little banter between the crowd cracking very bad jokes and interacting as much as possible.

If you haven’t checked out Reuben and the Dark, this is definitely a band to watch and check out.

Photos by Yuli Scheidt

Michael Rault, from Edmonton, brings to you a vintage indie sound that blends all things past with present.  He has developed his own brand of psychedelic country blues boogie that will leave you stomping your foot.  His sound is one you simply cannot dislike.

I had the opportunity to sit down with Michael at the 159 Manning MUSI and Last Frame event to provide him with the Pink Mafia Quick and Dirty.  Here were the results:

(1) What is your favourite thing about playing Canadian Music Fest?

Since I’m new to Toronto (I just moved here recently from Edmonton), it is really nice to run into a lot of friends.  You know, there will be a lot of my fellow Edmonton ex-pats here and this entire week will just turn into one big party.

(2) What is the weirdest thing that has ever happened to you while you’ve been on tour?

So I had just gotten my learning licenses and we were driving along the Trans Canada Highway.  Everyone was taking turns driving and everyone has passed out.  But I mean, according to the law, my frontside passenger was awake (wink).  So we’re coming around this bend and there is a HUGE flock of birds that comes out of nowhere.  I didn’t really know what to do because I couldn’t really stop in the middle of the highway.  I don’t think I ended up killing a bird, but it was definitely a sight and I was totally freaked out.

(3) What is the best thing about playing a festival like Canadian Music Fest?

It is really great for exposure.  You get to play great gigs like this one, where it is small and intimate in someone’s house.  My manager just asked me if I’d be interested in playing the show and I said, “Hell ya.”  So here I am.

(4) Are there any bands you would really love to see during Canadian Music Fest?

Mac Demarco.  Peter who plays guitar for Mac’s band use to play guitar in my band.  We all kinda grew up in Edmonton together. So we keep telling each other we’re going to see each other play.  But it’s like ships passing in the night.

(5) Why should people listen to Michael Rault?

If you enjoy chilled out psychedelic and old school rock & roll, then you’re going to like my sound.  I think people will enjoy what they hear if they take a moment to stop and listen.

Photos by Yuli Scheidt

Formed in Ottawa,  Zoo Legacy is a band best described as the successful union of hip hop, rock and party anthems.  The group, which consists of front man Nick Pouponneau and Mark Milloy, Dominic and Samuel Goss, have started to make their mark on Canadian music thusfar having played big festivals and providing festival goers with unique flavah and sound.

I met up with them prior to their show at the SOHO HOUSE and gave them the Quick and Dirty CMW:

(1) So what is your favourite thing about playing a festival like Canadian Music Week?

The best thing about playing a festival like this is just getting to be out there live and seeing the crowd react.  So many times, you’re playing in new venues and you don’t know what to expect.  It’s that buzz that you get of the unknown from the crowd and that you might garner some new fans from that.

(2) What is the weirdest thing you’ve had happen to you on tour?  I have heard from Lin (your manager) that you’re tour van can get pretty smelly.

(band laughs) It’s dirty and it can get smelly.  But weirdest thing?  Just recently we have been working on our new album and we shot a video in New York City.  So we had all this UV face-paint all over our face, like flames and devil markings.  Just weird random things for the video.

The video is wrapped for the day and we decide to go out to a club.  So inside the club Nick (the lead singer) keeps getting all these really strange looks. So he asks us if anything is wrong and we tell him, “Nah man. You’re good.”  But meanwhile, there is a blacklight inside the club and he forgot to wash a big neon flame off of his face.

(3) Are there any bands you would like to see during your Canadian Music Week experience?

The thing is, it goes by so quickly and we don’t have that much time to get out besides our own showcase.  We’re really excited (and privileged) to be playing with the Airplane Boys.  It would have been nice to see A$AP Rocky the other night, which isn’t really a part of Canadian Music Week.  We got to hang out with him and Snoop Dogg when we played Ottawa Bluesfest. So that was something.

(4) Why should people listen to Zoo Legacy?

Because we’re fucking awesome!  Ha, don’t print that.  But really, I think it’s because we’re bringing a whole new type of fusion.  It’s the direction music is going right now, with hip hop and indie rock.  Zoo Legacy is just bringing you the best of both worlds.

Photos by Yuli Scheidt