Begun in 2006, the fast-growing Queer West Fest takes place just before the city's official Pride Toronto Festival, from June 13 through June 22, 2008. The eclectic, community-based event comprises a series of artistic and cultural events and workshops and occurs in the city's diverse and artsy Queer West Village, in the city's West End, centered largely along Queen Street West, in the 1100 through 1700 blocks. It's a neighborhood with a rich mix of populations, gay and straight, young and old, and with a decidedly progressive and countercultural bent.
The organizers of Queer West Fest bill their 10-day event as "an alternative! Less corporate! More grassroots All Queer!" response to the more commercialized Toronto Gay Pride events in Church Street Gay Village. Of course, there's no reason you can't come to Toronto and try out both events and both neighborhoods.
Here's a look at a few of the many noteworthy events that make of Queer West Fest in 2008:
The fun begins on June 13 at the Beaver Cafe and Bar at 1192 Queen St. W. The party starts at 9 pm and runs until 3 am.
On Sunday June 15, check out the 4th Annual Toronto Pride Ride, a 25K "environmental-friendly bike ride" along the Martin Goodman Trail, lasting from noon until 4 pm.
Fans of edgy, alternative music might want to attend Queer Ears - A Night of Musical Madness on Wednesday, June 18, at the quite fabulous and architecturally stunning Gladstone Hotel at 1214 Queen St. W, 416-531-4635). The party features several hours of provocative DJ-spun music, electronic from the band GIRAGIRA.gif, and serious revelry.
On Sunday, June 22, head to Emmanuel Howard Park United Church 214 Wright Ave. (a few blocks north of Queen Street West) to watch Forte - the Toronto Men's Chorus present Queerly Beloved, a concert of "music to make your nuptials swing one way or another."
These are just a few highlights, however - the full festival includes dozens of cool and unpredictable events, from cutting-edge art shows to a Fat Femme Mafia Flea Market to the 1st Annual Queer West Film & Video Festival. If you've grown a bit tired of the typical Gay Pride festivals out there, Queer Fest West will definitely provide you a new opportunity to immerse yourself in the GLBT community. It's sort of the Fringe Festival of Gay Pride.
