Montreal’s Outrageous Madame Simone Retires

While local drag celebs like Nana, Michel Dorion, Nicole and Shirley continue entertaining us in La Belle province, Montrealers who know Cabaret Club Mado’s “door diva” Madame Simone were shocked to learn about Simone’s retirement this past November. More performance artist than stage entertainer, Simone hails back to the late 1980s and early 1990s, when Montrealers could hear her famous “coo” from either a mile away or right beside them on the dancefloor of Bar Lézard, where Simone mingled with them as the club’s retro-style cigarette girl.

Known for her unusual headgear (the chicken and the globe are probably still my favourites), Madame Simone eventually became a part of the Cabaret Club Mado family at the front door, and having been somewhat of a Village mascot for years, her absence in the village will be sadly mourned.

“To me Madame Simone was like a Madame of a Bordello,” says Cabaret Club Mado owner Mado Lamotte, “who really safeguarded things. I would run it, but she was really the Madame of the place.”

Simone built her performance art entirely on image and sound, but as Lamotte adds, it takes a helluva socialite to endure long winters sitting outside on rue Ste-Catherine and chatting up the villagers.

“He was queen of the streets,” says Lamotte, “and the feedback I always got was how unique he was as not only door person but entertainer. He started like a wild child, screaming and performing, but never mixing too much with people. People would ask me, ‘Who’s that freak?’ and I’d say, ‘He’s an entertainer’. Yet he was even more social than I am in ways, because he was so close to the people.”

As Simone moves on to focus on his décor skills, it’s like the end of an era. Fortunately, says Lamotte, Simone picked the perfect time to make an exit.

“If you think about it,” reflects Lamotte, Madame Simone’s performance art is like seeing a timeless character that could have just as easily appeared in the 1920s. She never needed to evolve like other entertainers, and so it was always about reinventing herself in the same way. Better to go while still on top than to become that ‘Madame, you’re over’ girl.”

Any Madame Simone anecdotes you’d like to share?

Don’t miss the December-January issue of Outlooks, featuring interviews with Lady Gaga, Dolly, and my new column Trailblazers, a tribute to our Canuck heroes and superheroes making a difference in our queer lives. Download your copy in pdf at outlooks.ca. Send me your suggestions for future issues!

Les Berbères Mémères invite you to an evening of French-speaking love with
(probably) “the best actors in the world”, at the Théâtre de l’Esquisse (1650,
Marianne st. East, Montreal, Qc) from Dec. 1st to to 16.

*Bang Bang Love*: 11 creators, 5 guys, 5 girls, 2 hats, 1 MC and no less
than 125 matches possible. No, it is not a naked swinging night of lust but
a romantic and open concept, made of short-lived but prolific encounters
that owe almost everything to fate.

Revealing the exalted tender moments and the creaking rough patches of
the ”life for two”, *Bang Bang love* mixes writing, direction and interpretation to
explore the lovers’ duo as much as the professional couple in a continuous game
of fortune. This creation shakes the artists and the audience’s idea of the
so-called ”normal” theatrical experience.

(en français)

Where: Théâtre de l’Esquisse, 1650, Marianne st. East, Montreal, Qc

When: December 1st to 16th, 2009

Tickets: regular – 20$ / students & UDA.EQUITY.ACTRA members – 18$ / Carte Premières – 10$

Reservations: 514-848-9696 or cshow.ca

The 22nd edition of Montreal’s Image + Nation queer film fest has bumped up its dates from November to a delightfully ghoulish October. Read the full scoop at xtra.ca and in this month’s Outlooks Magazine at outlooks.ca

In the wake of two recent hate crimes in the city of London, an organized rally is set to take place Wednesday (Oct. 7), in the hopes that all Londoners will stand together and say enough is enough. Visit Facebook for details as well as LondonTopic.ca for more info: Source: www.londontopic.ca

This week is the Montreal book launch of I Like It Like That: True Stories of Gay Male Desire, published this fall by Arsenal Pulp Press. The event will feature readings by local contributors Daniel Allen Cox, Christopher DiRaddo and Mark Ambrose Harris, and Ottawa’s Nathan Burgoine.

From the editors of the Lambda Award-winning First Person Queer come these intelligent, sexy, true-life tales of gay men’s desire. The stories push at the parameters of queer erotic life, featuring contributors both novice and well-known; subject matter ranges from single, significant encounters to the ephemera of emotional desires that never lead to physical pleasure. Throughout, the book deals with the essential erotics of queer male life, to be used as a launching point for exploring the queer male condition: essays that delve into the diverse manifestations of desire between and among men.

I Like It Like That features smart, savvy writing about desire and sex. Unlike mainstream porn imagery that by default dominates our cultural (and therefore personal) references, contributors reach into the far reaches of memory to tell true tales about personal erotic space.

I Like It Like That
True Stories of Gay Male Desire
Edited by Richard Labonté and Lawrence Schimel
Monday, September 28th at 7 p.m.
At Casa del Popolo, 4873 St. Laurent

Attendance was down at this past weekend’s annual gathering of The National Gay and Lesbian Journalist’s Association in Montreal, but morale was up. Full story at xtra.ca.

The world premiere of Oy Vey! My Son is Gay! takes place tonight at Montreal’s World Film Festival, Cinéma Impériale at 7pm. Visit Xtra.ca and the September issue of Outlooks Magazine at outlooks.ca for my interviews with the film’s co-stars, Tony-winner John Lloyd Young and Queer Eye For the Straight Guy‘s “Culture Vulture” Jai Rodriguez. View movie trailer here

With its annual parade scheduled for August 30 and some semblance of summer finally starting to appear, Ottawa Pride celebrations are prepping for what could be its biggest year ever.

Jer’s Vision, Canada’s biggest youth-driven queer ambassador, has already announced its line-up of highlights at this year’s Capital Pride, focusing on a 40-year history theme for its parade float and honouring musician Joel Plaskett and his band at the Ottawa Folk Festival with the annual Jer’s Vision Award for Youth on August 23. Jer’s Vision Pride reception on August 27 will feature a boat cruise on the Canal with wine and beer tasting, raising funds for both Capital Pride and further youth initiatives alongside hosts Yasir Naqvi, Diane Holmes, George Bédard and Diane Deans. Tickets are $30. A chandelier lit tent will shelter Jer’s main gala free of charge immediately following at the corner of Bank and MacLaren,  featuring a slew of performances and a visit from This Hour Is 22 Minutes’ Gavin Crawford. Don’t let the tent fool you; Jer’s Vision is encouraging everyone to dress up.

For more info on Ottawa’s Pride celebrations visit CapitalPride.ca. Vision Jer’s Vision for more info on its ongoing youth-focused events. – DAK

Saturday August 22:  What better way to get through an economic crisis?
Bronson Centre, 211 Bronson Ave, Ottawa – 8-11pm (show 8:45), $10

A night of queer entertainment featuring Montreal’s drag king collective The Dukes of Drag, and all new performances by the Sexual Overtones along with other surprise guests! Hosted by the handsome and talented Excedera as well as Karen, aka Anita Beejay, who entertained and titillated us at Whore’s Hustle. Proceeds to Ladyfest Ottawa and the Venus Envy Bursary Fund. Info: ladyfestottawa@gmail.com – DAK

Celebrating the 40th anniversary of Stonewall this year, Célébrations de la fierté partners kicks up its heels this year with a fierce community day, its annual-theme parade and the earnest of Oscar Wilde.

Featuring a multitude of events jam packed into one weekend (will it ever be on a holiday weekend for tourists?), Montréal’s pride events begin with Village Scene Productions opening of Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest at Théâtre Ste-Catherine just a click or two west of the Gay Village, alternating French-language and English-language performances. Other arts events, like the Visual Arts expo Per7eption at the Café des arts and the multi-cultural music of Zone Tropicale, will be held in Place Êmilie-Gamelin at Berri-UQAM métro station. While nightclubs pack it in for events like Pride’s Mega T-Dance and the BBCM bash Party de la fierté, the community bands together on Saturday for its annual kiosk fair (get your free condoms here from cute Trojans) while the Parade will feature a “Fiesta” theme complete vying for annual awards recognizing several categories.

This year, Pride also invites celebrated artists to join them for the Porn Flakes Show, a jam “happening” in the park where celebrities are invited to take the stage with the band. The 80s theme at Dream Académie should be enough to  put the virgin back in “Like a Virgin” (no offense Madonna) while Omegadom promises to collide soul, funk, rock and electro-fusion that should blow a few speakers and eardrums in the crowd.

Célébrations de la fierté takes place August 13 to 15, 2009. Visit http://fiertemontrealpride.com/home.htm to download the complete schedule in pdf format and listen to a few housetunes.

In addition to the performers, DJs and events mentioned in the previous release, Montreal’s Divers/Cité will also introduce its Cabaret de Minuit / New York Series bringing three outstanding New York performers to Montreal for late night (12 a.m.) cabaret shows. Brace yourself for legendary performance artist Joey Arias – friend to Andy Warhol and Klaus Nomi; gaudy, ballsy musician and spoken word artist Geo Wyeth (a.k.a. Novice Theory) and Justin Bond – a nightlife staple with a sold-out Carnegie Hall performance in Kiki & Herb and a memorable turn in Shortbus. (July 28, 29,30) – DAK

In the aftermath of news regarding a lack of federal funding, Divers/Cité has postponed three major events until 2010:

- Mado au Casino
- The Sister Sledge performance (Grand Bal)
- Fritz Helder & The Phantoms (Sexgarage)

“It has been quite a hectic 48 hours,” says spokesperson Michel-Olivier Harding. “So the event actually kicks off on Monday now with our screening of LES CHANSONS D’AMOUR at the Théâtre de Verdure in Parc La Fontaine”.

This past Thursday, it was announced that DIvers/Cité, one of North America’s largest and most unique outdoor queer events of its kind, was denied about $155, 000.00 in federal funding programming aimed at tourism, despite meeting all eligibility requirements. Speculation continues the funding was denied in the wake of $400, 000 in Toronto Pride funding, which received harsh criticism by Conservative MP Brad Trost and led to junior minister Diane Ablonczy’s dismissal from the program’s file. The federal government continues to deny a connection between Ablonczy’s dismissal and the Toronto Pride controversy.

Divers/Cité takes places July 27 to August 2, 2009. For more information visit diverscite.org – DAK

When $400, 000 was alotted in federal funding towards Toronto Pride this past June, it came as no surprise that a Conservative MP like Saskatoon’s Brad Trost piped in with his opinion on full frontal nudity via a Pro-Life, family website. Junior minister Diane Ablonczy, defending the decision to support Toronto Pride as part of Canada’s mosaic of intercultural festivals (and one that generates more economic dollars for Toronto than any other festival), was quickly removed from the program file itself. That sparked a national news frenzy that ripped the sheep’s clothing off the Conservative Party, but has also opened up a fascinating debate on how taxpayer’s dollars are spent.

It might come as no surprise that Montreal, a city of 350 festivals per year in its own right, also hit the headlines this week when one of its major queer cultural festivals was denied the same right to federal funding despite an equally profitable, municipal venture. Yet waking up to the news story that Montreal Pride was denied funding, I was shocked to discover that it was in fact DIvers/Cité, and not Montreal Pride that was the subject of the news story.

The originator of Pride activities in Montréal, Divers/Cité left Pride activities in the hands of the community only three years ago, creating two seperate entities: Divers/Cité, one of the largest queer, mostly outdoor festivals in North America and Célébrations de la Fierté, the organizers of Pride weekend including its Community Day and Pride Parade. With no affiliation between the two, the split immediately sent both parties back to square one on rebuilding statistical attendance records, and despite their success in maintaining huge economic spinoffs in tourism, the new Divers/cité is by no means any longer the “Pride” event touted on this week’s news, nor an “Arts” event made in other news claims.

As one of Divers/Cité’s biggest supporters and a participant in its earliest Pride marches, I can tell you the event is truly unique in North America’s cultural landscape. With some of the best DJs in the biz and fantastic outdoor stage events that are made free to the public, the event is worth every penny of its million-dollar annual budget for spectators, with a large tourism contigent being held on the Civic Holiday weekend in other parts of the country. Having more than met the requirements for tourism initiative spending that allocates almost 10 times as much funding to other major festivals on the Montreal Island, it’s certainly a strong contender for federal funding, as is Célébrations de la fierté being held in mid-August. And guess what Mr. Trost? There isn’t even a float of naked people at Divers/Cité!

Our fascination with nudity and traditional family values aside, there are significant questions Canadians are asking: should taxpayers fund pride events? Should we fund festivals at all? Where in the land of “artistic” does a festival like Divers/Cité fit in, exactly? Are the Conservatives making a right-wing zinger with a potential election in the air? And if Harper won’t make an appearance at a Pride Festival, when will his party acknowledge queers as part of Canada’s incredible [albeit falsely propagated] diversity?

In my opinion – for which this particular op-ed blog has been written – there are two minorities in Canada – the visible ones, and the invisible ones. Their cultures compose the essence of our particular brand of patriotism, their diversity part of our daily pride, not our annual pride. We recognize their celebrations at key festivals throughout the year and participate in those festivals to honour those cultures. Queers included. As journalists, we are responsible for getting our facts straight – Divers/Cité is not Pride – and as civil servants, we are responsible for creating and managing responsibly spent, intercultural programs that serve and honour not only our visible minorities, but our invisible ones.

As spectators, we want a good show, and yes Mr. Trosk, we also want to protect our kids. We may want to tell them that the naked guy, the one girating on the float, is trying to tell the world it’s okay to be different, because he spends the rest of the year having to hide that from the people around him. We may also want to add that the couple marching behind his float gets to hold hands on the street only one day a year. Or we may want to tell our kids that the group marching behind the couple has been fighting for recognition to protect their families from the same government that allegedly tries to protect all our families from harm on Pro-Life websites.

Just some random thoughts – what do YOU think?

A bi-annual event, the sassy Open Mic and Karaoke night Get Your Queer On happens this Wednesday July 15th at Cabaret Club Mado. Hosted by Dukes of Drag’s Duchess Jack, the event welcomes Toronto’s Kelly and the Kellygirls, Montreal’s Mad June, and Drag Kings Pat McCrotch and Eddi Liscious. Throw in some visual art, sexy games sponsored by JoyToyz, and an info kiosk, and you’ve gone one helluva show for not only bent girlz and their buds, but for their [even queerer] straight friends too.

Cabaret Club Mado is located at 1115 Ste-Catherine Est (www.mado.ca.ca) – don’t forgot to throw that queer on before you go!

As most Pride revellers know, Divers/Cité used to host pride activities but doesn’t anymore – that’s been left in the hands of the community itself in Montréal, and the team behind Célébrations de la fierté will kick off Pride weekend once again in mid-August. It kind of sucks that Montréal’s actual Pride festivities no longer fall on the Civic Holiday weekend for tourists. That said, long weekend visitors can always count on catching Divers/Cité on August 1st weekend, and as per D/C’s press release below, it looks like a blast! From Mado Lamotte returning to the Casino for her famous bingos to some of North America’s hottest DJs, D/C continues to throw a great party for everyone, year after year. – DAK

MONTREAL, Wednesday, June 24, 2009 –

Divers/Cité, Montreal’s unique LGBT Music and Arts Festival heats up the summer with seven days of outstanding talent from July 26 to August 2. Over 17 years, the multidisciplinary festival has won over audiences around the world and earned the enviable reputation of being a top North American dance destination. The Festival boasts everything from electronic music concerts, Latin, jazz and funk showcases to film screenings, cabaret shows, circuit-style parties and the biggest drag show on the planet! In these tough economic times, Divers/Cité offers festivalgoers the most pleasurable of bailouts with over 55 hours of free outdoor programming. Featuring some of the world’s biggest DJs and musicians performing for thousands of queers and their friends, Divers/Cité guarantees the best way to ignore money woes – at least temporarily – is at these phenomenal outdoor events guaranteed to shake booties and stir emotions!

THE BIGGEST BANG-UP ROSTER OF FREE FUN IN THE SUN!

Divers/Cité, which boasts the longest running, free outdoor programming of any LGBT event in the world, is guaranteed to deliver on its promise of non-stop, sultry sonic bliss. For the past 17 years, visitors and stars from around the world have dropped by Montreal’s annual LGBT celebration and 2009 will be no exception. From rambunctious fashionistas to unbridled trance purveyors, it’s all on the Divers/Cité bill. Among the many highlights, Wednesday’s raunchy and rockin’ Sex Garage will feature the fashion electronica of runway rock stars Fritz Helder & The Phantoms – the first act signed to Nelly Furtado’s new label. (July 29) Trance in the park is the motto for Friday’s New Society, as L.A.’s psy-trance innovators Infected Mushroom will transport festivalgoers to a netherworld of euphonic bliss. (July 31)

Saturday’s ever popular Sunset Party will heat up Montreal’s downtown core with acclaimed Israeli DJ Yinon Yahel and an electrifying four-hour DJ set by one of the most prolific remixers of all time, internationally acclaimed DJ and producer David Morales. (August 1) Sunday’s Grand Bal is chockfull of latin twirls and soulful whirls with a soupcon of drag, as a trio of legendary divas take to the stage: sublime disco girl group Sister Sledge of “We Are Family” fame, Queen of Clubland and international gay icon Martha Wash, and Emmy-nominated Latin sensation India. Finally, the biggest free outdoor dance party on the continent, La Grande Danse will offer close to 11 hours of multimedia infused beats spun by the globe’s most impressive DJs, such as Grammy Award winning DJ and remixer Peter Rauhofer, Divers/Cité darling and famed Brazilian spinstress Ana Paula, Mexico’s tribal house export Isaac Escalante, and Spain’s riotous Magic Solutions with diva Marisa Machado. (August 2)

THE CIRCUIT AFTER THE STORM!

After conducting an ocean of throbbing bodies to an unabashed dance delirium with their outdoor performances, Divers/Cité’s headliners will take their pulsating beats indoors to the Theatre Telus into the wee hours of the morning. Friday’s Nuit Trance will see progressive trance magicians Infected Mushroom in an explosive 90 min DJ set. (July 31) Saturday’s D/C Party will feature a 10-hour marathon of bombastic beats from prolific Grammy winners David Morales and Peter Rauhofer. (August 1) After winning over Europe with their innovative visuals and seductive sounds, Magic Solutions concocts the perfect sonic recipe to keep the crowd on its feet at Sunday’s D/C Ball, along with famed Brazilian spinstress Ana Paula, Mexico’s Isaac Escalante and Montreal’s Alain Jackinsky. (August2)

D/C’S SIGNATURE DRAG SPECTACLE & LESBOMONDE EVENTS!

The pinnacle of Divers/Cité, Saturday August 1 will feature two of the Festival’s signature events – the ever outrageous and entertaining Mascara, la nuit des drags and Montreal’s premiere girls’ night out, Lesbomonde.

The unparalleled and unabashed glitz and glamour fest that is Mascara, la nuit des drags has garnered worldwide attention for being a high-heeled, high-octane, gender-bending tour de force that is unique in absolutely every way. The biggest drag show on earth returns with mistress of ceremonies Mado Lamotte promising a new sequined spectacle more akin to Vegas than Broadway. Expect campy tributes to beloved divas – Madonna, Kylie, you know the drill – by Montreal’s revered drag queens, extraordinary group numbers, fabulous costumes and a pastiche of feathers and glitter beyond compare. An opportunity to experience drag Montreal-style, Mascara is as unique as the city itself.

Saturday night heats up at the Just for Laughs Museum for Montreal’s biggest annual lesbian gathering, Lesbomonde. Electro, house and R&B rooms on two floors will offer carnal and sonic escape. With a reputation that draws in partygoers from Toronto to Miami, this year’s Lesbomonde rolls out the red carpet for the phenomenal Alyson Calagna, straight from South Florida, Vancouver hottie Betti Forde, New York’s JD Samson and homegrown favourites Lady McCoy and DJ Torus.

To stay abreast of the latest D/C news and for more info about these events and more, please visit www.diverscite.org

Press release for immediate release

www.festivaldesarts.org

The FIMA (Festival International Montréal en Arts) will soon be celebrating its 10th edition, with many novelties in the program: the outdoor exhibition extending to 10 pm, delirious performances, international short films screenings (in collaboration with the Videographe), DJs and VJs every night (in collaboration with the SAT) and more!

Follow this link to access the full press kit:
www.festivaldesarts.org/PDF/Presskit_FIMA2009ENG.pdf

FIMA is at your disposition for any information and or press interview request.

This summer, let’s meet on the BoulevART… for the 10th time!

The Hammer may have lost its bid for a Coyotes Hockey Team, but the queers down at Bayfront Park are celebrating this week on their own. For the first time, Hammy-town kicks off a week-long carnivale in addition to its Saturday downtown parade, including comedy and gala-awards nights, a Friday night dance at the carnivale, and even a gathering of both women and transgender activists for their own mini-march. Way to go Steeltown queers!

Visit www.hamiltonpride.com with more info on Facebook to get the full skivvy on the week’s events.

Mimproductions teams up with Bernie Bankrupt to showcase a collection of amazing new queer music, as part of the Suoni Per Il Popolo festival.Headlining is MEN - JD Samson's new band making their Canadian debut live at Sala Rossa! Opening acts are Rae Spoon, Sir Clemens (the latest Lex Vaughn creation), local newbies Rainbow Pony with celebrity MC Alexis O'Hara. DJ Lynne T will round out the party train for the rest of the night. This show is likely to sell out so buy in advance - $10 at Casa del Popolo, Cheap Thrills, L'Oblique, Phonopolis, and Atom Heart. $12 at the door, $2 off doorprice with your roller derby bracelet!

Support Your Pride!

If you think corporations have taken a hit in this year’s stinky economy, just imagine how non-profits and charities must feel, many largely supported by the same private corporations. The strapped budgets tighten even further for groups producing many of the country’s biggest queer events this summer, so there’s no time like the present than to get out there and give back to your own community. Thinking Pride? Think outside the box – here’s a mere sampling of some of the exciting events we have to look forward to as we tackle our recession:

June

Queer West Fest Toronto: From June 12 – 20, Queer West will present the fourth annual Queer Toronto Queer West Fest Week, featuring music, art, community events that include the second annual Queer West Film Festival and the Gay West Bicycle Club’s Pride Ride. http://queerwest.org

Sexy Pride: As usual Buddies In Bad Times will celebrate Toronto Pride with a slew of events, including the annual cabaret by Buddies’ Youth Group, PrideCab. June 12 – 28. www.artsexy.ca

Alberta Rockies Gay Rodeo: Cowtown’s now infamous Gay Rodeo takes place this year in Strathmore just east of Calgary. June 26 – 28. www.argra.org

July

Festival International Montréal en Arts (FIMA): This year’s explosive outdoor visual arts extravaganza in and around Montreal’s gay village takes place July 2 to 5 with the usual array of local and guest international artists surrounded by the terrace charm of some of Montreal’s top restos and clubs. www.festivaldesarts.org

Toto, Too: Ottawa gay and lesbian community theatre company Toto, Too kicks off 2009 with its annual fundraiser Swirl and Twirl May 28, followed by a production of Happy Birthday by Vancouver’s David Blue from July 15 to 18. www.tototoo.ca

Divers-cité: July 26 to August 2: Montreal’s “pluridisciplinary” arts festival and now one of the largest outdoor queer festivals of its kind, Divers-cité features everything from outdoor cinemas, contemporary dance and extravagant drag shows to internationally renowned DJ events. www.diverscite.org

August and Beyond

Exposure: Edmonton’s Queer Arts and Culture Festival offers up 9 glorious days of Queerdom at galleries, cafés, stages and cinemas throughout the city. November 13 to 22. www.exposurefestival.ca

Festival Black and Blue: Bad Boys Club Montreal’s biggest long weekend event of the year is more than just circuit parties, DJs and all-nighters. October 7 – 13. Visit www.bbcm.org for info on this and other long weekend events throughout the summer.

Girl Play Toronto: Calling itself “Canada’s largest all-girl party”, Girl Play brings on a week of entertainment and international participation by and for women. Sept. 3 – 7. www.girlplaytoronto.com

Harvest Festival: Each Fall, Montreal’s Village Scene Productions organizes a community-driven queer performing arts fest, featuring local and guest artist productions. Upcoming in 2009 are Suddenly Last Summer and (en français) The Importance of Being Earnest. Check the schedule at www.villagescene.com

Image et nation: One of North America’s oldest queer film fests, the 22nd edition of Image et nation takes place each Fall at various locations in Montreal. Watch for this year’s official dates at www.image-nation.org

Loud n’ Queer Cabaret: Presented last year during the Exposure Festival, Guys In Disguise presents the longest running annual queer cabaret of new work in Western Canada. Loud n’Queer is a staple of the Edmonton arts scene, or as the Edmonton Sun puts it, “a potpourri of poofterism”. www.Guysindisguise.com

Out on Screen Queer Film Festival: Vancouver’s exciting queer film fest has a huge outreach to students and independent filmmakers, as well as a fascinating queer history project on Vancouver’s queer history. August 13 – 23. www.queerfilmfestival.ca

2009 Pride Guide

According to the International Association of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex Coordinators (InterPride), the global pride theme for 2009 is “Your Rights, Our Rights, Human Rights”. The theme is an important one as America struggles to catch up with Canada in the context of gay marriage, and even more befitting when we consider the number of smaller town, start-up Prides in Canada still fighting huge battles in order to celebrate their cultural diversity.

Trekking across the country, meanwhile, here are some fab Pride events we could muster up for you under our Canuck Rainbow:

BC

Victoria Pride: June 28 – July 5. www.victoriapridesociety.org
Vancouver Pride: August 1 – 2. www.vancouverpride.ca
Alberta

Pride Calgary: September 5 and 6. www.pridecalgary.ca
Edmonton Pride Week: June 12 – 21. www.prideedmonton.org

Saskatchewan

Saskatoon Pride: June 7 – 13. www.saskatoonpride.ca
Regina Pride: June 13 – 20. www.gaycanada.com/pride-regina

Manitoba

Winnipeg Pride Festival: June 5 – 14. http://gaypridewinnipeg.com

Ontario

Windsor Pride: August 5 – 9. www.windsorpride.com
Pride London Festival: July 16 – 26. www.prideondon.ca
Halton Pride: June 6. www.haltonpride.org
Hamilton Pride Week: June 13 – 21. www.hamiltonpride.com
Pride Events Peel: July 11 and 12. www.prideventspeel.com
Tri-Pride Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo: May 31 – June 6. www.tri-pride.ca
Pride Week Toronto: June 19 – 28. www.pridetoronto.com
Capital Pride Ottawa: August 21 – 30. www.prideottawa.com

Québec

Québec City: September 4 – 6. www.glbtquebec.org
Célébrations de la Fierté de Montréal: August 13 – 16. www.fiertemontrealpride.com

New Brunswick

Port City Rainbow Pride Saint John: August 9 – 15. www.portcityrainbowpride.com.
Moncton Pride: August 15 – 23. www.fiertemonctonpride.ca.

PEI

PEI Pride: July 3 – 11. www.arcofpei.com (info site).

Nova Scotia

Halifax Pride: July 19 – 26. http://halifaxpride.org
Pride Cape Breton: August 8 – 15. www.pridecapebreton.com
Newfoundland

St. John’s Pride: July 18 – 25. (no website yet).

David Allan King is the OUTtv Ambassador for Montreal and the Artistic Director of Montreal’s queer performing arts company, OUT Productions (www.out.ca). That means he is here to update you on community events, news, shows, anything that he thinks you will be interested to know about his region.