The Q Musicale 2024
The Q Musicale artist spotlights – Blxck Cxsper, Mira Fantasy, Danny Dymond, Robert Watson
Bryen Dunn
The Q Musicale was founded in 2024 by Antoine Elhashem and Sherry Sylvain, who are shaking things up with their curating of 2SLGBTQIA+ live entertainment festivals and initiatives. Armed with a mission to amplify the voices of queer artists, the determined duo’s goal is to provide space and exposure for both emerging and established 2SLGBTQ+ artists to share the immensity of their unrestricted talents and identities.
The inaugural festival takes place June 22, 2024 between 1pm and 11pm at Barbara Hall Park outside The 519, located at 519 Church Street, Toronto. Presented in partnership with the Church Wellesley Village and Pride Toronto.
Blxck Cxsper is a non-binary hip hop artist, and founder of Trans Trenderz, the first record label for trans artists, earning them a spot on Billboard’s top 100 music executives list in 2021. Their music, influenced by their French Caribbean heritage, is driven by anti-colonialism, blending cultural richness with powerful messages.
What’s one thing people might not know about you?
I went to film school. I graduated in Film Production from Concordia University, and won an award for “Innovation in Queer Cinema”.
Who has been an inspiration to your creativity, either musically or personally?
The French rapper Diam’s has always been a huge inspiration. The way she managed to blend in hit songs with very engaged content and never backed down from staying true to herself shaped the way I look at my own artistry. I can confidently say that her music saved my life.
Catch Blxck Cxsper at The Q Musicale, at 6:55pm on June 22, 2024 at Barbara Hall Park, 519 Church Street, Toronto.
Mira Fantasy is a Toronto based artist who just celebrated her 2nd anniversary as a drag performer. With years of experience in acting and singing, when you come to a Mira Fantasy show, you’ll experience anything and everything that tells a good story. She’s all glamour with a touch of madness!
What are you most excited about performing at Q Musicale?
I’m most excited about having a space to share my voice! I love to lip sync and I love to host, but being able to sing live has always been a dream of mine and I couldn’t think of a better stage to do it on!
What can attendees expect from your performance?
A lot of emotion, vulnerability, and my own splash of Mira magic on all the songs I’m performing.
Who has been an inspiration to your creativity, either musically or personally?
Oh there are so many people who inspire me it’s hard to narrow it down. Sherry Sylvain of course for inspiring me to continue singing live, Katinka Kature and Carlotta Carlisle for helping me and guiding me with their drag excellence. And my family, they inspire me everyday to reach higher and dream bigger.
What’s one thing people might not know about you?
I’ve broken both my arms before so I have hyper extension in my elbows.
Are you currently working on any new or upcoming projects?
Not anything specific currently except refining and elevating my drag. As an out of drag performer, I filmed season two of the OUTV series “Two Brothers” which is releasing this summer that I’m really excited about! Season one is already streaming!
Catch Mira Fantasy at The Q Musicale, at 6:35pm on June 22, 2024 at Barbara Hall Park, 519 Church Street, Toronto.
Danny Dymond is a recording artist and creative director with striking vocals and electrifying performances that leave audiences in awe. Experience the thrill of his boundary-pushing music and captivating visuals for a ride unlike any other in the music scene!
What are you most excited about performing at Q Musicale?
Beyond the anticipation surrounding my forthcoming release “Karma” coinciding with Pride Month, I am particularly thrilled to showcase “Disco Mannequin” on stage. The intricate choreography and dynamic vocals intertwined within this piece exude an explosive essence, making it an ideal opening number in my repertoire to establish the prevailing tone and fervor of the performance.
What can attendees expect from your performance?
A riveting amalgamation of high-energy theatrics and commercial finesse. Collaborating closely with my talented dancers, we are diligently crafting a captivating and distinctive musical spectacle that promises to captivate and delight.
Who has been an inspiration to your creativity, either musically or personally?
In terms of musical inspiration, luminaries such as Lady Gaga, Adam Lambert, and Britney Spears have significantly influenced my artistic journey. Lady Gaga, in particular, epitomizes a comprehensive and multidimensional approach to music that resonates deeply with me. Her seamless integration of sound, visuals, performance, and choreography serves as a guiding beacon in my own creative process and live performances. Adam lambert has an amazing vocal delivery while on stage and was an inspiration when I started doing music as he was one of the first “out” artists of our recent era. His style is dark and enigmatic with edge, which I pull inspiration from. Britney Spears was the first artist I ever experienced live back in 2003 for the Onyx hotel Tour in Toronto which was an instrumental part of my first exposure to a big budget musical production.
What’s one thing people might not know about you?
An aspect of my life that may not be widely known is my ongoing struggle with mental health challenges, including a diagnosis of adult ADHD. Despite these personal hurdles, I strive to cultivate a compassionate and empathetic demeanor. It is important to me to transcend the stereotype of artists as self-absorbed and self-centered individuals. Each day, I dedicate myself to personal growth and self-improvement, aspiring to uplift and positively impact those around me through my artistry as well as through personal relationships.
Are you currently working on any new or upcoming projects?
Presently, I am fully immersed in the creative process of developing visual accompaniments for my latest musical endeavor, “Karma.” This project represents a significant milestone in my artistic journey, and I am dedicated to crafting a visual narrative that complements and enhances the thematic essence of the music. Karma is a track about being taken advantage of by people in authority in professional and personal settings.
Catch Danny Dymond at The Q Musicale, at 8:30pm on June 22, 2024 at Barbara Hall Park, 519 Church Street, Toronto
Robert Watson is a two time Canadian Comedy Award winner and the host of Gay AF Comedy, Toronto’s favourite place to find fabulous Queer comedy that uplifts our community.
What are you most excited about hearing or seeing at Q Musicale?
I wanna dance! Looking forward to some great grooves to sway my body to!
What can attendees expect from your hosting?
I’m big on spreading positivity and Queer Joy, I’ll be serving up some laughs with a few surprises, and I will be all costumed up, of course.
Who has been an inspiration to your creativity, either musically or personally?
Musically I look at artists like George Michael as being a pinnacle of vocal influence on me. When it comes to comedy, I take huge inspiration from Eddie Izzard, her boldness and clever intelligence are the kind of things I aspire to.
What’s one thing people might not know about you?
I was born in St. John’s NL and raised in Victoria BC, so not only am I gay, I’m also bi-coastal.
Are you currently working on any new or upcoming projects?
I just finished a western province stand-up tour with Gay AF Comedy, our east coast Queerdos can expect to have us coming that way in the near future! And if you can wait long enough this year’s Gay AF Christmas Spectacular is going to be our biggest holiday extra-vaganza to date. Come join the funny!
Catch Robert Watson at The Q Musicale as host between 7:00pm and 9:00pm June 22, 2024 at Barbara Hall Park, 519 Church Street, Toronto.
The Q Musicale takes place at Barbara Hall Park, 519 Church St, Toronto – June 22, 2024, 1pm – 11pm. Check the website for a schedule of performances.
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.
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