Block-O-Rama at it's "phinenest"
If you were at Toronto Pride on Sunday, July 4th you knew two things. One, it was a sizzling hot day. Two Block-O-Rama in George Hislop Park was going to going to turn the day into an inferno with the music. You knew the minute the first DJ took to the decks, the event was going to be like none other, and I am happy to report it wasn’t. During the day, the attendees were treated to the Soca, Calypso, Reggae and classic Soul all with a very gay positive vibe. Block-O-Rama for those who haven’t been following the event is very positive space…you won’t find any Beane Man blasting hate.
As the day went on, each DJ came and went to the cheers and applause of the appreciative crowd. More than what was doing the crowd in, other than music, was the oven-like heat. By the time Jojoflores came out of the final set, hundreds of people had come and gone to share the vibe. In the heat and working up a sweat, you didn’t mind that you were literally shoulder to shoulder with people and there wasn’t much dancing room. Though from past Block-O-Rama’s this not the organizer’s fault it has to deal with the Pride Toronto Committee.
Over past few years Block-O-Rama’s biggest challenge is getting the respect it truly deserves. As this is one of the most well-attended events, though not the largest by sheer capacity, it’s location to many who were attending this year became a slight mystery. During the past few Prides, the location has moved from a spacious parking lot to well a park not able to accommodate more than 200 people. This event is usually attended by a few thousand people over the course of the day. But that’s not all.
Two Of The Hot Boys At Block-O-Rama
There are many I talked to who used the words “shameful” and “racism” to describe Block-O-Rama’s new location. In fact one angry attendee boldly stated to me, “this is not right. They [the Pride Toronto Committee] has got to stop doing this to us. My gut tells me they are threatened by Block-O-Rama and they would like us out of the way.” I would tend to agree. Block-O-Rama needs a permanent home where it can grow into the space rather than just “put up with what it has been dealt”. I hope that next year, during the planning discussions, the Blackness Yes! group finally get a stronger voice to barter for a larger space to be the permanent home for this truly unique event.
