June 18, 2008 16:06
Fourth Annual Pride Toronto Gala & Awards
June 24, 6pm. Fermenting Cellar, 55 Mill. $300 ticket; $3,000 table of 10. Email gala@pridetoronto.com for tickets.
Black tie or toga? Either seems fitting for this Mount Olympus–themed celebration of the gods and goddesses of the queer community. Join funny lady and host Sandra Bernhard for a reception, silent and live auctions and dinner. Pride Toronto’s Awards of Excellence will honour community members like Ilene Chaiken (creator, writer and executive producer of The L Word), Arsham Parsi (founding member of the Iranian Queer Organization) and lifetime achievement award recipient Douglas Elliott (a lawyer known for his work in defence of same-sex marriage rights).
Drag Ball on Parade
June 25, 8pm & 11pm. Gladstone Hotel Ballroom, 1214 Queen W. $15 advance, $20 door. 416-531-4635.
Wig? Check. Lashes? Check. Flair? CHECK! Come see the most lavish transsexuals on the planet sashay their stuff in the Gladstone Ballroom. Judged by Miss Canada World representatives and hosted by the zany Stephanie Stephens, this event is sure to be the jewel in the Pride Week tiara.
Big Primpin’ House Party
June 28, 8pm-4am. Drake Hotel, Lounge, Sky Yard and Underground, 1150 Queen W. $10. 416-531-5042. www.thedrakehotel.com.
The DJs behind our favourite gay hip-hop night take over the Drake for a night of dancehall, electro, bling-hop, booty and more. The bar will be open till 4am, so pace yourself.
Pride Week Closing Party: Last Dance
June 29, 10pm. CiRCA. 126 John. $20 first 500 tickets; $25 advance; more at door. Tickets available at Priape and the CiRCA booth at Pride. 416-979-0044. www.circatoronto.com.
Drag performer RuPaul headlines Toronto’s first Pride Week closing party, happening throughout mega-club CiRCA’s many swanky environments. Joining RuPaul on the main stage are new wave band Trans-X and R&B artist Adam Joseph. Upstairs in the Ballroom, Cherry Bomb resident DJs Cozmic Cat and EYE WEEKLY’s own Denise Benson spin, joined by Fierce Helder and DJ Katey.