Is it possible to find a man your friends haven’t already slept with? Philip Tetro, star of MTV’s 1Girl5Gays doesn’t think so, blogging his ideas on it and chatting with GGT publisher Shaun Proulx:
It is impossible to find a single gay guy in Toronto who hasn’t slept with, or at least dated, one of your good friends. All it takes is one click on “Mutual Friends” on Facebook to find that you have over 30 friends in common. All it takes is a single picture of the guy on your phone, shown to everyone at Sunday brunch, to have everyone tell you that he slept with someone you know who dated another friend in 2007. All it takes is for the two of you to be at Woody’s on a Thursday night and have the guy tell you two of his ex-boyfriends are here.
It’s fucking terrifying.
For someone who hasn’t been on a date in three months, it’s scary to know that the next guy I find online or at a bar will probably have fucked someone I know. I wonder if I’ll have to start going on ManHunt Napanee just to meet someone that hasn’t slept with one of my friends.
… it’s scary to know that the next guy I find online or at a bar will probably have fucked someone I know …
When I talk to people about this, apparently they are surprised at my disdain for wanting to be a “sloppy second,” if you will. I guess I missed some sort of unspoken agreement in the gay community that tells you that it’s completely normal and acceptable to sleep with someone, even after you are both aware that you have fucked the same people.
That boggles my mind. It boggles my mind that when I bring the man I’m dating to a social event, he’s already potentially slept with a quarter of the gay men there. It boggles my mind that I people are shared and tossed around like sexual clowns, going from one party to the other.
Must I be the first to say “no”? Must I be the one who ends this? I must. I, Philip Tetro, declare today that I will no longer become romantically involved with another man who has slept with someone I know. Even under the influence of several $2 vodka-cranberries, I will not take someone home who is the ex-boyfriend of a friend of mine. I refuse to be second best, baby!
Someone really needs to make me a membership card so I don’t forget the rules.
- Philip Daniel Tetro
Tags: 1Girl5Gays, dating, GayGuideToronto.com, Philip Daniel Tetro, second best, Shaun Proulx Media, sloppy seconds, Toronto, Woody's
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The Scotiabank CONTACT Photography Festival is running until May 31, so we sent Richard Ryder, Eddie Stone and Nate Webster to check out the photographic magic.
Grounded – Richard Ryder
Now I want to make this perfectly clear. I am not a shrimper. I do not have a foot fetish, per se. But if we’re talking dancer’s feet…well. The arch of the foot. The strength in the toes. There aren’t enough words to describe the power and poetry of a dancer’s greatest tool. Thank God for Grounded. Aptly shown at the National Ballet School at 400 Jarvis Street, Grounded is a photographic love letter to those ten little piggies that help dancers float on air. Joel Benard chose to not only photograph the dancer’s naked feet, he took their portraits as well and hung them side by side. It’s makes for a haunting dichotomy of serenity and power in these paired pictures. Like a well used instrument, these feet have been used and abused. Every callous, bruise, cracked heel and dead toe nail (You know what I mean. That black toe nail everyone gets once and the only way to get rid of it is to let it grow out, only how do you let it grow out when you’re dancing on it every friggin day?! That one.) is juxtaposed to the face that shares the same body. It’s a startling comparison. The age and wear of the feet next to the youth and innocence of theses (almost) children’s faces. Except for Fransico. Go to this show, look at his pictures and tell me this man doesn’t have the most beautiful feet in the world! I almost question his ability as a dancer his feet are so nice. Dancer are hard on their feet. That’s the rule. The only difference between these artists and any professional athlete is that they don’t often get concussed. Don’t get me wrong, if a bitch step outta line, she get cut but there aren’t a lot of blows to the head in ballet. What was I talking about?
Grounded by Joel Benard is on display at the National Ballet School, 400 Jarvis St from May 4 – 29, M-F, 5-9pm
Colours, Lights, Places: A Journey In Photographs – Eddie Stone
“When I travel with a camera I’m not alone” –Dan Ambramovici
Travelling is one of my very favourite past times. Exploring unknown lands, hearing strange tongues and tasting foreign foods. Unfortunately, I don’t get to travel as much as I would like. Enter photographer Dan Ambramovici. I visited Dan and his Scotiabank Contact exhibit at a very popular neighbourhood coffee house called The El Almacen, at 1078 Queen St. W.
Ambramovici’s photos immediately sparked my travel imagination with his sometimes haunting and always vivid images taken in South America. Browsing through the café, the visitor is taken on an exotic journey through a far away and mystical landscape. From the shot of a ruined home in the forest, to the vast landscape shots of the countryside, Dan’s photos are nothing if not inspiring. Inspiring to the traveller in me. Inspiring to the people watcher in me. Inspiring to the nature lover in me.
From the soaring mountains to the broken down villages and the cracked earth, Dan’s photos make for a unique travel experience like I’ve never had.
Bravo Dan!
Colours, Lights, Places: A Journey In Photographs by Dan Abramovici is on display at El Almacen Yerba Mate Cafe and Gallery at 1078 Queen St. W until May 31.
Fall and Implosions – Nate Webster
Are you ready to jump?
On Wednesday, May 4, 2011 I attended Fall and Implosions at the Alliance Francaise de Toronto – Gallerie Pierre-Leon. The exhibit examines the tension between human actions and their surroundings by bringing together the work of two French photographers, Denis Darzacq and Mathieu Pernot. Each series–in its own way–suggests fragile relationships between humanity and the environment.
As I made my first lap around the gallery I was haunted by the images surrounding me. A disturbing photograph of a man falling. His body inches from the ground. Buildings collapsing. Rubble cascading to the ground. Complete and utter destruction. I believe in artistic freedom, but on this particular afternoon I needed to lifted up, not brought down.
As I made my second lap around the gallery I decided to look at each piece differently. I cocked my head to the right, left, upside down almost. I was determined to pull a different message from each piece. Now, instead of a man falling, my perspective showed a man jumping.
The way I chose to view Darzacq and Pernot’s work made me feel as light as a feather. I gazed at each piece the way I look at life. Any given situation might appear bad, but all it takes is a slight shift of perspective to see a completely new picture.
The next time you feel like you’re falling, turn it upside down. Now you’re jumping.
Yes, I’m ready to jump.
Fall and Implosions by Denis Darzacq and Mathieu Pernot at the Alliance Francaise de Toronto – Gallerie Pierre-Leon at 24 Spadina Road.
Raw Memory – Eddie Stone
Having left the heart of Toronto to live in the west end this past winter, it would be an understatement to say that I am thrilled to be living steps away from so many galleries. Not long ago I lived in a barren wasteland of culture; today I am surrounded by beauty.
I was able to get up close and personal to some of that beauty at Gallery 1313 on Queen Street West for the Scotiabank Contact Photography Festival.
Gallery 1313 is unassuming, tucked back from the street and easy to miss, that is, unless you know where you’re going.
The exhibit for Contact comprised of 2 groups of 15 artists showing their work at two different times.
The first group showed from April 27 – May 8 and comprised of Linda Briskin, Kye Marshall, L.E. Glazer, Peter Dewdney, Richard Lush, Christine Marshall-Smith, Chritian Badanjak, Randi Apple, Alex Coley, Deborah Kanfer, Nelly Akerman-Singer, Marvin Antonio, Kelly Lamorie, and Paulette Michayluk.
The second group shows from May 11 – May 22 and is comprised of Laura Horne, Tim Neesam, Paul Osadchuk, Thomas Hlavecek, Dennis Duncan, Anuta Skrypnychenko, Robin York, Keith Davidson, Wendy Jones, Jack Martin, Showwei Chu, Robert Teteruck, Roz Tepper, Robert Caspary, and Chris Blanchenot.
In the two installments, emerging and established photographers use both traditional and new media to explore how the mind perceives, translates and interprets the world through memory. The works range in style and subject matter, from the black and white nude lady stormtrooper by Chris Blanchenot to the run down theatre front by Robyn York. One of my personal favourites was the back of an anonymous man’s head surrounded by video cameras, very paparazzi, captured by photographer Robert Teteruck.
Photography helps humankind record events and solidify memory.
Real memory recalls experience; digital memory perceives and records.
In the space between lies Raw Memory.
Tags: ballet, CONTACT, Dan Abramovici, dancer, Denis Darzacq, exhibition, feet, gay, GayGuideToronto.com, grounded, Jarvis Street, joel benard, Mathieu Pernot, National Ballet School, Photography, Queen Street West, Scotiabank, Scotiabank Contact Photography Festival, The El Almacen, Toronto
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They’re in the stores now, but they won’t be long, just until Easter than they’ll be gone …
Had it with the same-old-same-old Easter giving? We teamed with home and design expert Manny Machado to come up with one cute suggestion that combines the joy of Easter with the ritual of spring cleaning in a way that says “I love you, Bunny!”
- The GayGuideNetwork
Tags: Easter gay, GayGuideToronto.com, Manny Machado, Shaun Proulx
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I heard of KickStarter, a funding platform for global creative projects about a year ago. Last week, when I heard legend Carole Pope was using it to try and fund her upcoming album, I thought it would be fun to chat with her via Skype about the intersection of art and technology.
I Skype daily, I had just shot a Skype interview moments before, but as it came time for Carole and I to Skype, it took us 90 minutes just to get audio going. Our chat begins there:
- Shaun Proulx
Tags: Carole Pope, GayGuideToronto.com, KickStarter, Shaun Proulx, skype
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Still a bit baffled as to why my years-ago photographic entry into SNAP! was never chose as competition-worthy, last night I pulled noted photographer / SNAP! executive committee member Nelson French aside at the media launch for this year’s edition of the AIDS Committee of Toronto fundraiser to demand an explanation:
Tags: GayGuideToronto.com, Nelson French, Shaun Proulx, SNAP!, The AIDS Committee of Toronto
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SNAP! Lot 33 - Nelson French: New World Venice
Oh, SNAP! you little minx of a fundraiser. Ten years old you say?
Well you look terrific. Who did your shots?
Remember that image my friend Rico and I submitted to you? Just perusing today through my advance catalog of photographic inspiration all up for auction March 27th, (LOVE page 6!) I’ve got to tell you I’m embarrassed we even thought to send it such a dreadful submission.
I apologize: I apologize for even being part of such a bad photo shoot, apologize on behalf of myself, Rico, and, in fact, every other idiot out there with a camera who thinks they’re making art.
But in a weird way that photo is testimony to how much you’ve grown in one quick decade; evolving into the spectacular demonstration of artistic aplomb you are today is a long way from twits like me and my pal sending in this. (Really? A photo he shot of me smoking a joint, Soap Opera Digest by my side like a Mormon with a Bible?)
We called it ‘It’s Been A Bad Day Please Don’t Take A Picture’ because it was taken January 3rd some year and I was still recovering. A guy the radio started singing, It’s been a bad day, please don’t take a picture, and so Rico, inspired, shot up off the couch and began snapping me within a thick cloud of smoke.
Suddenly we were so clever, submitting away, two copies, as required. God we were high.
Moving on, SNAP! I am stunned by the leading edge images up for bid this year – some of them the most beautiful photographs I’ve ever seen. In particular, I love Lot 4 to pieces and bits, Globe De Mariee by Carole Suety:
Keep growing, kid and ignore snap-happy fools like me. Each year you bring art, beauty and gorgeous people together like one big glam squad, all to fund raise for the awesomeness that is The AIDS Committee of Toronto and that’s just damn hot. See you March 27th.
xShaun
P.S. Rico and I didn’t win.
P.P.S. Don’t you think Jeff Harris on this year’s jury is hot?
- Shaun Proulx
Tags: Carole Suety, Enrico Mandarino, GayGuideToronto.com, Jeff Harris, Shaun Proulx, Shaun Proulx Media, SNAP!, The AIDS Committee of Toronto
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GGTheatre – Ryan Farrell reviews Brothel #9 – For those of you who have read my reviews in the past, you know that I use a perfect five out of five review very sparingly. In my life, I can really only recall two plays that I would say were worthy of such high praise. Now I can say there are three. Brothel #9, currently playing at Factory Theatre, is the best play I’ve seen the company put on, the best play I’ve seen in Toronto so far this year with some of the best acting I’ve ever had the honour to witness.
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Tags: Anusree Roy, Brothel #9, Jamuna, Pamela Sinha, Rekha, Sanjay Talwar, Shawn Williams, Toronto
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Even though Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, The Musical has gone Stateside for a spring opening on Broadway, a backstage source from the Toronto production shared some startling beauty secrets (you did not hear this from us):
O 24 pairs of false eyelashes were used every performance - 150 a month!
O 3.5 inches is the length of the penis of castmember the longest pair of eyelashes
O 175 tubes of lipstick were used in one month
O 75 pots of eyeshadow were used per month
O 475 costumes were used from 18 design houses in 4 countries
O 150 pairs of shoes were used per show
O In one month, 2 pounds of handmade glitter imported from Australia was used
O 72 wigs were used per show
O The height of the highest wig in the show was 3 feet with 4 hairdressers needed to maintain and prep them
O 200 hats and head dresses were also part of the show
O The fastest makeup change in the show took 11 seconds. Eat your heart out, RuPaul
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The Monkey Bunch.
Hey! Parents! Kids rock ‘n’ roll band The Monkey Bunch – just nominated for a Juno for best children’s album – have a new residency at The Drake. Shaun Proulx chatted with The Monkey Bunch’s Shoshana Sperling about the news, and whether or not Jews drink:
Tags: GayGuideToronto.com, GGT, Juno 2011, Shaun Proulx, Shoshana Sperling, The Monkey Bunch
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GGTheatre – Ryan Farrell reviews Eternal Hydra – I’m going to let you in on a little secret: writing is not an exciting career to bear witness. To watch a character hash out a literary work holds no literary merit. The irony is not lost on the fact that a writer has to develop a story of intrigue, yet the act of writing itself holds no intrigue at all. Writers are told, “Write what you know”, but when they try to write about writing, it almost always comes up flat. Other artistic crafts are much more physical and, if the audience is privy to watch the creative process unfold, it is much more interesting. The relationship a writer has with his/her piece, however, is intimate and insular. How exciting is it to watch a writer hack away at a computer, typewriter or word processor? Eternal Hydra, currently playing at the Factory Theatre, is probably one of the only plays that could challenge this theory.
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Tags: Anton Piatigorsky, Cara Ricketts, David Ferry, Eternal Hydra, Factory Theatre, Gordias Carbuncle, Liisa Repo Martel, Pauline Newberry, Sam Maklin, Stratford Festival, Toronto, Vivien Ezra
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