Buddies in Bad Times Theatre presents Queer Pride 2017, a festival of queer theatre, comedy, cabaret, art, music, and parties that showcases our community’s unstoppable spirit. For three weeks, Buddies hosts a stellar line-up of Toronto’s most exciting queer entertainers.

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS

  • New theatrical works from local Queer artists Dainty Smith, Nick Green, Johnnie Walker, Margo MacDonald, Lawrence Aronovitch, Sarah Waisvisz, and François Macdonald.
  • The gravity-defying Flying Solo returns after last summer’s sold out show with an evening in this dirty circus of art, dance, and aerial acrobatics in BLOWN.
  • The best queer comedy in town, with perennial favourites Bitch Salad and Homo Night in Canada showcasing the talents of DeAnne Smith, Zoe Whittall, Richard Ryder, Debra DiGiovanni, and more. Plus, a comedy revue from Dawn Whitwell and a new show fromElvira Kurt.
  • Musical offerings from the Queer Songbook Orchestra, Asian Riffing Trio, and Stewart Legere; and the Cabaret stylings of Miss Conception & Amy Armstrong and Ryan G. Hinds.
  • A special showcase of BIPOC music, dance, and performance at Flowers While We’re Living.
  • Late night fun including Buddies resident company the red light district’s LULU v.6, a Clueless 90s-themed dance party, a special campy pride edition of Butch Femme Salon, and four full-facility parties with resident DJ Regina.

QUEERCAB: PRIDE – June 7 at 9:00pm | The Cabaret | Tickets PWYC

A special Pride edition of our monthly youth open mic night. Anyone can attend and support, but the stage is reserved for queer and trans* identified youth age 25 and under to perform. We give you 5 minutes. We’ve got a bare stage, a microphone, a cd player, a video projector and a piano – and you’ve got the talent! Come show us what you can do.

LULU V6: ALL THE FUCKS I NEVER GAVE – presented by The Red Light District

June 9 at 9:00pm | Full Facility | Tickets $18 advance, $25 at the door

Part immersive theatre, part German warehouse rave, LULU v.6 is the sweaty, sexy makeup party you didn’t know you were missing. Throw on a bad-ass costume and come explore the twists and turns of Buddies transformed into the backroom at the bar, complete with erotic performances and kinky surprises.

Asian Riffing Trio presents THIS IS ART June 10-11 at 7:30pm | The Cabaret | Tickets $25

Asian Riffing Trio (Colin Asuncion, Kevin Wong, and Chris Tsujiuchi) presents their much-anticipated, often-demanded full-length concert debut at Tallulah’s Cabaret! A musical carpet ride, full of gaysian wonder, sassy choreography, and of course, riffs. All the riffs.

LemonTree creations presents MSM [MEN SEEKING MEN] June 11 at 8:00pm | The Chamber | Tickets $25

Inspired by transcripts of online conversations between men who seek other men, MSM blends choreography, movement, text, and music to create a world where our online personas come to life. Directed and choreographed by Indrit Kasapi, performed by Cole Alvis, Ryan G. Hinds, and Brian Solomon.

DAUGHTERS OF LILITH June 13 at 8:00pm | The Chamber | Tickets $15-$18 advance, $25-$30 at the door

A new play by Dainty Smith about six complicated sisters who are bound together through blood, Blackness, femininity, the past, and the present. The sisters reunite in the forest, searching for their mother Lilith and for ways to remember their personal and collective magic. Directed by Ravyn Wngz, featuring Dainty Smith, Miranda Warner, Sharrae Lyon, Amber Williams King, Raina El Mugammar, and Steff Ivory Conover.

Colored Lights presents RYAN G. HINDS: ON PARADE – June 14 at 8:00pm | The Cabaret | Tickets $15-$20

Returning to the Buddies stage, cabaret star Ryan G. Hinds sets the stage for Pride 2017 with his signature blend of music, humour, and political commentary. Expect songs ranging from Wham! to vintage Disney to the scarily prescient Weimar-era German Kabarett.

The Cabaret Company presents FREE JANE – June 15 at 8:00pm | The Cabaret | Free

A pride tradition that turns the stage over to the artists, misfits, and rebels for an open mic night like no other. This year’s Free Jane features a reading of Aquarius, a new play by François Macdonald about the 1975 attack on the Aquarius bathhouse in Montreal.

Flying Solo presents BLOWN – June 15 at 8:30pm | The Chamber | Tickets $20

The theatrics of aerial and acrobatic performance merge in Flying Solo’s dirty circus in their fourth production, BLOWN. The element AIR is our inspiration this year which has led us somewhere between Hippiedom, The Wizard of Oz, and 70s porn, naturally.

Total Vetty Productions + Random Hero Entertainment present CLUELESS: A LIVE, SATIRICAL READING OF THE 90’S CLASSIC – June 16 at 8:00pm | The Cabaret | Tickets $20

A campy tribute to the 1995 film, featuring an ALL-STAR cast – including drag favourite Beardoncé as Dionne. Complete with drag queens, show-stopping musical performances, and followed by a 90s dance party!

BUTCH FEMME SALON: SUMMER CAMP – June 16 at 9:00pm | The Chamber | Tickets $10

Crafts! S’mores! Poison ivy! Summer camp is the best! Belle Jumelles and Titus Androgynous help you get all your participation ribbons and maybe even lead the panty raid. Come early to enjoy the activities, make new friends and flirt a little before campfire entertainment, featuring some of Toronto’s best queer performers. Stick around and shake the trees with an all-night dance party!
Dawn Patrol presents

LET THEM HAVE IT! – June 17 at 8:00pm | The Chamber | Tickets $20 advance, $25 at the door

Following last year’s sold out Girls! Girls! Girls!, Dawn Whitwell has put together an even fiercer line-up of comedy, music & dance for Pride 2017’s LET THEM HAVE IT! Hosted by Dawn Whitwell and featuring DeAnne Smith, Robby Hoffman, Sasha Van Bon Bon, Duff Squad,Ashley Moffatt, Zoe Whittall, Heather MacDonald, Courtney Skye + She’s The Man.

Lash Entertainment presents SHOWGASM – June 17 at 7:30pm, June 18 at 6:00pm | The Cabaret | Tickets $28

International vocalist and comedian Amy Armstrong will blow you away with her voice, charm and comedy. From Adele to Aretha Franklin to Mama Cass, Amy will showcase divas from all eras. Miss Conception teams up with Amy for the first time showcasing new songs and comedy routines together and singing Broadway hits. Straight from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico before they tour Europe, come see this duo for the first time in their new show.

The Cabaret Company presents GENDERPLAY – June 18 at 2:00pm | The Cabaret | Free

This year’s GENDERPLAY is Every Day She Rose, by Andrea Scott and Nick Green. This play takes a look at a friendship between a black straight woman and a white gay man, examining two young people who are brought together by a shared experience of social exclusion, but then torn apart by their different experiences of the world, access to privilege, and acts of oppression.

Pandemic Theatre presents SHOVE IT DOWN MY THROAT – June 20 at 8:00pm | The Chamber | Tickets $10

A new gonzo true crime docu-play by Johnnie Walker about homophobia, violence, incarceration, sex, and mystery inspired by the true story of Luke O’Donovan.

QUIET THE STATION ALBUM RELEASE PARTY – June 20 at 9:30pm | The Cabaret | Tickets $10 advance, $15 at the door

Join Halifax’s Stewart Legere (and surprise special guests) to celebrate the release of his debut album Quiet the Station; listed by CBC Music as one of the top “24 new albums you need to hear” this spring. The extraordinary Tanya Davis opens the night.

3-2-1 Playwrights Collective presents JUST MINGLING: A QUEER THEATRICAL SALON – June 21 at 7:30pm | The Cabaret | Tickets $15-$20
Throw on your finest vintage duds and come out for an evening of fun, song, and theatre. Hosted by Titus Androgynous and featuring readings of new short works from queer playwrights Sarah Waisvisz, Lawrence Aronovitch, and Margo MacDonald.

QUEER SONGBOOK ORCHESTRA – June 21 at 8:00pm | The Chamber | Tickets $18 advance, $22 at the door, $14 student/senior/arts worker

The Queer Songbook Orchestra have invited select musicians to collaborate in an evening which will reflect on the experiences of LGBTQ2S artists in Canada. The 12-piece chamber pop ensemble of queer and allied musicians weaves together original compositions and personal narrative in an intimate and engaging performance, with special guests Cris Derksen, Beverly Glenn Copeland + Gentleman Reg.

Unit 2 and Ninkuru Zinduru present FLOWERS WHILE WE’RE LIVING  – June 22 at 8:15pm | The Chamber | Tickets $15

A showcase that aims to celebrate and share the work of BIPOC / racialized trans and queer artists with the rest of Toronto’s communities. The voices, the words, the moves, and the dances all come together to celebrate life. Trans lives. Black lives. Black and Brown trans lives. Featuring Ninkuru Zinduru, I. M. Brown, alaska B, Franny, Ravyn Wngz, Kama La Mackerel, Coco Supreme, and Dirty Dabz.

Pretty Munny Productions presents KINGS AND CLASSICS: BODY PRIDE EDITION – June 22 at 11:00pm | The Cabaret | Tickets $15 advance, $20 at the door

Spencer Munny and PrettyRiikkii host a special pride edition of Toronto’s favourite drag king showcase. Kings and Classics is a safer space for up-and-coming performers and a place for the whole community to come together and celebrate.

HOMOSEXUAL PANIC – June 23 at 8:00pm | The Cabaret // Tickets $10-$20

Award-winning, muff-diving Elvira Kurt, one of Canada’s best-known and most-loved comics, returns home to Buddies for a one night only Pride encore. Guaranteed to be intimate, outrageous, personal, provocative, honest, unapologetic and without fear. Just like last year. But more.

BITCH SALAD PRIDE – June 23 at 8:00pm | The Chamber | Tickets $25

Bitch Salad unites the country’s fiercest female and queer comedians for one unforgiving night of laughter. Back for its tenth all-star Pride edition, this year’s super-sized show guarantees to devastate! Hosted by Andrew Johnston and featuring Sara Hennessey, Aisha Brown, Heidi Brander, Jackie Pirico + Shirley Whalen plus special headliner, Bitch Salad all-time favourite, DEBRA DIGIOVANNI!

Glam-Glam Productions presents HOMO NIGHT IN CANADA – June 24 at 8:00pm | The Chamber | Tickets $25

With over 15 years of sold-out shows, Homo Night in Canada showcases some of North America’s best gay and lesbian comics for one hilarious night of fun! Hosted by the infamous B-Girlz, our stellar 2017 lineup includes Adrienne Fish, Elvira Kurt, Phil Luzi, Meg MacKay,Chantel Marostica, Brian Millward, Ted Morris, Richard Ryder, David-Benjamin Tomlinson, and Dawn Whitwell.

THE LADY OIYE’S TEA DANCE – June 25 at 3:00pm | The Cabaret | Free

Buddies provides cool respite for the weary and thirsty on Pride Day afternoon, spreading out the welcome mat for a friendly gathering just off the parade route. Special guest DJ CRSR spins classic vinyl all afternoon.

TALLULAH’S PRIDE PARTY

The best party on the block takes over the whole building for Queer Pride. Featuring amazing DJs spinning top-40 tunes and Toronto’s hottest queens dominating the stage.

SATURDAY, JUNE 17 10:30pm | Full Facility | $15 with DJs Regina & Margot. Hosted by Katinka Kature

FRIDAY, JUNE 23 10:30pm | Full Facility | $15 with DJ Regina

SATURDAY, JUNE 24 10:30pm | Full Facility | $15 with DJ Regina. Hosted by Fay Slift

SUNDAY, JUNE 25 – 10:00pm | Full Facility | $10 with DJ Regina hosted by Katinka Kature

 

Queer Pride –  June 7 – 25, 2017 Buddies in Bad Times Theatre – 12 Alexander Street, Toronto

Click here for more information on programming, schedule, and ticket information.

About the Author

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist with a focus on travel, lifestyle, entertainment, and hospitality. He has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors, and other public personalities. He enjoys discovering delicious eats, tasting spirited treats, and being mesmerized by musical beats. Reach out - bryen@thebuzzmag.ca