Out in Toronto: Feb 2–8, 2017

Choice events in the city this week


Thursday, Feb 2

Shame and Prejudice: A Story of Resilience

To mark Canada’s 150th anniversary, Cree visual artist Kent Monkman tells the story of Canada while in the guise of his drag alter-ego Miss Chief Eagle Testickle. Monkman’s first major solo exhibition at this location includes paintings, drawings, sculptural works and historical artifacts. The story goes back well before confederation and includes a humorous and searing critique of Canada’s colonial past and present.

Runs until Saturday, March 4. Art Museum at the University of Toronto, 15 King’s College Cir. artmuseum.utoronto.ca

“The Daddies” is one of Cree artist Kent Monkman’s works at his new exhibition, Shame and Prejudice: A Story of Resilience, which runs until March 4, 2017 at the Art Museum at the University of Toronto. Credit: Courtesy Kent Monkman

Spark: Friends and Allies Night

Spark, The 519’s trans youth sports program, hosts a multi-sport night for trans youth. While this weekly event, which takes places in a local gym, is typically only open to trans, genderqueer, gender fluid, two-spirit, agender, non-binary and gender questioning folks between the ages of 16 and 29, this edition welcomes allies as well (within the same age range). For more information, contact [email protected].

6–8pm. Central Neighbourhood House, 349 Ontario St. For more info, visit Facebook.

Friday, Feb 3

Butch Femme Salon: Splash!

Butches, femmes, machos, bois — everyone can be themselves at this party. Hosted by drag king Titus Androgynous and burlesque performer Belle Jumelles, this edition of the recurring event has an aquatic theme. Attendees are encouraged to dress up as mermaids, sea creatures, divers, sailors — you get the idea. The evening begins with a low-key salon, followed by some performances and then dancing later on.

9pm–midnight. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander St. buddiesinbadtimes.com

This aquatic-themed edition of Butch Femme Salon takes place on Feb 3, 2017, at Buddies. Credit: Courtesy Greg Wong
 

Wimmin: A Queer Rock and Roll Dance Party

This queer rock and roll dance party features music by only female and “gender-expansive” rockers. That means music by the likes of Patti Smith, X-Ray Spex, PJ Harvey, The Cliks, Hole, Janis Joplin, Slits, Bush Tetras, Thao, Le Tigre, Garbage, Against Me! and many more. Everyone is welcome to attend, but as billing for the event says, “queers to the front.” This will be the last Wimmin party for a while, so get your fill while you can.

10pm–2am. Holy Oak, 1241 Bloor St W. For more info, visit Facebook.

Hardcover: A Bookshop Disco

Dance among some books at one of Church Street’s newest parties. Whether you’re a dancing queen or a book club princess, a disco diva or a gay pulp aficionado, DJ Orange Pekoe invites you to get down with your bad self to a soundtrack of disco, funk, Motown and pop. Welcoming the whole community, this takes place at Glad Day Bookshop’s new and improved location in the village.

10pm–2:30am. Glad Day Bookshop, 499 Church St. For more info, visit Facebook.

DJ Orange Pekoe spins at Hardcover: A Bookshop Disco, on Feb 3, 2017, Glad Day Bookshop. Credit: Courtesy DJ Orange Pekoe

Sunday, Feb 5

The Jeni Show

Anyone who’s spent any amount of time at the Statler’s or the Toronto Fringe Festival knows that local luminary Jennifer Walls loves to talk, sing and watch Chelsea Handler. Now she’s combining those elements and launching her own onstage variety show in the Village. This edition’s guests are performance artist Kit Boulter, TV personality Allison Mang and radio producer Megh Walls-MacBurnie.

6–7:30pm. 120 Diner, 120 Church St. 120diner.com

Jennifer Wells hosts her own onstage show on Feb 5, 2017, at 120 Diner. Credit: Courtesy David Kingsmill

For more event listings, visit dailyxtra.com/lgbt-events.

Jeremy Willard is a Toronto-based freelance writer and editor. He's written for Fab Magazine, Daily Xtra and the Torontoist. He generally writes about the arts, local news and queer history (in History Boys, the Daily Xtra column that he shares with Michael Lyons).

Read More About:
Culture, Event listings, Arts, Toronto

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