Out in Toronto: Jan 5–11, 2017

Choice events in the city this week


Thursday, Jan 5

Teenage Kicks

The young Miklós, who is struggling to come to terms with his sexuality, plans to run away with his best friend Dan. But his plans are dashed when he learns Dan has a girlfriend. And that’s just the beginning of his troubles. The Australian film Teenage Kicks has its Canadian premiere as part of the Inside Out LGBT Film Festival’s More Play Screening Series.

7:30pm. TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King St W. insideout.ca

Friday, Jan 6

Toronto Her Winter Party

The dating app Her throws a queer dance party in Toronto’s village. It’s a night of music, art and celebrating unique identities. The tunes are supplied by DJ Chiclet (electro-funk and disco) earlier on, and then hey! dw (bouncy British beats, live drums and deep house) later in the evening. Includes a fun photo booth.

10pm–2am. Buddies in Bad Times, 12 Alexander St. buddiesinbadtimes.com

Hardcover: A Bookshop Disco

This dance party invites folks to shake their groove thing like the well-read disco divas and/or studs that they are. Taking place in Glad Day Bookshop’s new location on Church Street (formerly the Byzantium bar and restaurant), the bash features DJ Orange Pekoe spinning “highly danceable” disco, Motown, funk and pop.

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

Saturday, Jan 7

Toronto Queer Slowdance: Divas Edition

This recurring event is all about slow dancing (with the occasional super-fast song thrown in). It typically draws a large and varied crowd of people enthusiastic about swaying gently while clinging to strangers. This edition focuses on “diva slow dance classics” and the suggested dress code is fabulous and inspired attire.

10pm–2:45am. Dovercourt House, 805 Dovercourt Rd. For more info, visit Facebook.

Sunday, Jan 8

Bowie’s Birthday: Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders From Mars

In celebration of the recently-departed David Bowie’s upcoming 70th birthday, here’s a night of screenings for the true fan. Those who arrive early watch a variety of footage of Bowie from the BBC. This is followed by a screening of Bowie’s final, 1973 performance as his Ziggy Stardust alter ego. Includes such songs as “All the Young Dudes,” “Moonage Daydream” and “Space Oddity.”

 

8–10pm. The Royal Cinema, 608 College St. For more info, visit Facebook.

Tuesday, Jan 10

Sing With Us

Are you just bursting with enthusiasm and don’t know where to put it? Then you are wanted by Singing OUT, the queer community choir. Those interested in potentially signing up can check out this rehearsal that’s open to the public. All welcome. No audition required, no experience required. Just make sure you love to sing and dance before joining.

7pm. The 519, 519 Church St. singingout.com

On Jan 10, 2016, attend Singing OUT’s rehearsal at the 519 to sign up to be part of the choir. No experience required. Credit: Courtesy Michael Rajzman

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).

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