Parkdale Pride - Saturday June 10

The Gay West Community Network presented their first annual Parkdale Pride Party, happening Saturday June 10th at the Rhino Bar upstairs lounge on Queen Street West. The non-profit Network has been around for nearly 10 years promoting queer events and happenings, as well as the multitude of queer-friendly establishments that are in the west end of Toronto. Parkdale is a place to party, as well as a place to call home.

Mix and Mingle Community Fair happens from 7PM to 9PM, and provides an opportunity to visit various community organizations offering services such as travel, health, lifestyle, sports, literature and more. A full listing can be found at The Gay West Community Network. Arrive early to enjoy dinner and cocktails at Rhino in their bar/restaurant located on the main level.

The dance party begins at 9PM and is aimed at bringing various members of the community together to celebrate the beginning of summer, and act as a prelude to the Toronto Pride festivities. There will be a “DJ an Hour” spinning throughout the night ~ open format ~ BOOTY SHAKIN, FOOT TAPPIN TUNES FOR BOYS AND GIRS. Check The Gay West Community Network for the DJ line up and latest updates.

For those that are more energetic, the Gay West Bike Club is meeting for their monthly ride at noon on the same day. This “social bike club” generally meets the last Sunday of every month but this is a special Pride Ride to coincide with this event. Be sure to RSVP to gwbikeclub@hotmail.com.

Media Sponsors: Xtra, Queer Planet, Triple-X Productions

The Details: Sat June 10th - Rhino Bar Upstairs, 1249 Queen St W - $5 after 10PM

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Midweek Mayhem - Wednesday June 21

Triple-X Productions presents Midweek Mayhem, a monthly showcase spotlighting indie bands and DJ’s that happens the last Wednesday of every month. Tonight is a special Pride edition featuring an all-star all-girl line up of fun. It’s also a fundraiser for Wen-do, an organization offering self-defense courses taught by women for women.

Rhiannon Thomas (lead singer The Coast Guard) does an acoustic set of original material as well as some covers that may include Swearing at Motorists, Bettie Serveert, Velvet Underground, Neil Young, and Wilco.

The Whoremoans
Three piece Toronto girl group whoop it up with guitar driven political tunes. Formed in 2003 they have forged forward playing many events of significance aligned with their point of view. Their sound is heavy yet melodic, and you will dance. They have one live demo under their belt and are in the process of putting together their first official release.

Galaxy
These three gals combine their unique backgrounds to create a hard, skin-splitting, rock n roll sound that begs tobe heard. They’ve been together for over two years, played several gigs, and are now starting to get noticed. Currently they are recording their first official EP, to be released in the fall.

There’s also a theatrical performance, "The Awakening of the Spiritual Goddess", by the Fierce Foxy Fires. It's about a spiritual goddess that gets corrupted by demons while trying to heal herself from her emotional pain. The demons are a part of her that she can't break free from. She yearns to break free from them but they end up being more powerful than her and destroy her spirit. As well, leading up to the midnight hour there's an outrageous Fashion Frenzy that will fill the room with passion.

Interlude noises are provided by DJ Winnie.

The Details: Midweek Mayhem – Wednesday Jun 21, 9:00 PM to 2:00 AM

The Line Up: Rhiannon Thomas (1000PM), Fierce Foxy Fires (1045), Whoremoans (1100) Fashion Show (1145), Galaxy (1200)
Smiling Buddha Bar, 961 College St W @ Dovercourt – 416-516-2531 – 5 Buxxx

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Triple-X Trivia - Friday June 23

You think you know your 80’s music? Always knew everything about sex, but were afraid to tell? Then get your hot ass down to the Gladstone Hotel to partake in Triple-X Trivia. This special Pride week event merges music and sexxx, and let’s you strut your stuff for a chance to win some fabulous prizes.

Cheap beer, X-rated music, and sexxx toys with DJ Triple-X spinning the best (and worse) from the 80’s. It’s a gathering of souls that were born in the 80’s, lived through the 80’s, or can’t remember the 80’s. Throughout the evening there will be brain-freezers related to music and sexxx, and sometimes both. Get the answer right and you’re on your way to Xstasy with free swag that will have you in fine form for the coming Pride weekend of festivities. Official sponsor, Come As You Are.

The 26th annual Pride Toronto takes place over the weekend of June 23rd to 25th in the downtown core. Check online for a full schedule of events and locations, including DJ Triple-X at the Alterna-Queer stage, Sunday June 25th 3PM to 11PM.

The Gladstone Hotel, built in 1889, is the oldest continuously operating hotel in Toronto. This Victorian era building also maintains the last hand operated elevator in the city. The kitchen is now open so stop by, grab a pint and some grub, and try your luck at taking home a personal vibrator for Pride.

The Details: Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen St W, Fri June 23, 6PM to 9PM, No Cover

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Alterna Queer - Sunday June 25

“The Pride Alternative” – Alterna-Queer showcases alternative artists that support the underground music scene of punk, industrial, electro and new wave. This year spotlights both out of town and local bands, some making their first appearance at Pride and others back to join us once again.

The afternoon begins with two local up and coming girl bands: Dance Yourself to Death who worked with Elton John’s production company recently, and Galaxy, who know how to rock and roll riot-grrl style. Syntonics and Procon create an electro-fied dance sound that will have you grooving and movin. West Coast (via Montreal) electroids, Dandi Wind, shake the foundations with an abundance of energy. Toronto faves Kids on TV are back ~ bigger and better ~ and ready to explode all over you. Ear-bleeders Crackpuppy plays it loud and proud, Nashville Pussy like.

Evening performances begin with White Trash Debutant, Ginger Coyote. Hailing from San Francisco this lady will leave you on your knees begging for more. Formed in 2002, The Dead Betties are an art-punk trio of openly mixed sexual identities matching the raw intensity of underground pioneers Sonic Youth and My Bloody Valentine. Headliners Erase Errata hail from San Francisco and are signed to the Kill Rock Stars label. Their third release, Night Life, is a mix of dance-punk. They toured internationally since forming in 2000 and this is their first North American appearance since 2003.

The Details: Alterna-Queer, Buddies Outdoor Stage, Yonge and Alexander, 3PM – 11PM

2006 Line Up

Erase Errata 10PM-11PM
The Dead Betties 9PM-940PM
Ginger Coyote 8PM-840PM
Crack Puppy 7PM-730PM
Kids on TV 6PM-640PM
Dandi Wind 5PM-535PM
Procon 430PM-450PM
Syntonics 4PM-420PM
Galaxy 330PM-350PM
Dance Yourself to Death 3PM-320PM

Featuring DJ Triple-X between sets

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