Block-O-Rama at it's "phinenest"

If you were at Toronto Pride (http://www.pridetoronto.com) 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 (http://www.jojoflores.com) 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.

Pride Toronto’s 2010 Trans program has several aspects. Transverse, a full night of Trans-focused speakers and entertainment after is hosted by author and activist S. Bear Bergman and will take place after the 2nd Annual Trans March on Friday, July 2nd. Commencing at 7 pm and located at South Stage (corner of Church and Wood Streets), this program brings together a transformative, transfixing and transgressive program of entertainers, writers and activists from the Trans community. It also features artists across the continent, as well as local performers, authors and activists.

“Putting together the expanded Transverse program our 30th Anniversary has been a very exciting process. The past few years have seen increased Trans visibility at the festival and we are very proud to present this engaging evening of activism and entertainment for all to enjoy,” says TK, Arts & Entertainment Programming Coordinator for Pride Toronto.

Girlyman’s songs are a dance of melody and suspensions – an irresistible blend of acoustic, Americana, and rock. The band has recently been collaborating with comedian Margaret Cho, co-writing songs for her upcoming album, “Guitarded.” Of Girlyman, Cho says, “They seamlessly blend folk, country, pop, and rock, and they genre-bend as fearlessly and flawlessly as they gender-bend. It’s the music of my heart and soul. Girlyman is the future and the past and the present.”

Alec Butler, a Canadian playwright and filmmaker reads from his award winning literature. A nominee for the Governor General’s Award (for English drama, 1990), Butler has also worked on artistic projects with The 519 Church St. Community Centre as their first artist-in-residence. The Toronto Community Foundation named Butler one of “Toronto’s Vital People” in 2006.

Andrea Jenkins a transgender woman of colour from Minneapolis, speaks on issues of social justice and Trans visibility, reflecting her strongly progressive political views. Jenkins grew up in Chicago during the African-American civil rights movement.  She understood the everyday realities of racism, classism, transphobia, and sexism and also learned how individual work actually drives change. As a published writer and poet, Andrea uses her words to move others to act.

Buck Angel is an icon of popular culture and his message of empowerment through self-acceptance and being ‘sexually comfortable in your own skin’ has struck a passionate chord with people all over the world. As he demonstrated in his appearance at Yale University, Angel is re-defining gender and educating an entire generation on the fluidity of sexuality and identity politics.

Katastrophe, Producer of the Year, as awarded by the Out Music Awards, is a featured artist in the documentary films “Poetic License” and “Pick up the Mic.” His video for the song “The Life” charted on MTV network’s LOGO top ten for 12 weeks, his music has been featured on the soundtrack for “The L- -Word” and in his home town of San Francisco he is the co-editor of Original Plumbing, the first magazine dedicated to the culture of FTM transsexuals.

Nolan Natasha, as quoted from NOW Magazine, “fuses the smart-aleck…attitude of the Beasties with the whimsical storytelling skills of Buck 65.”  Former front-man of queer punk band Scandalnavia, Nolan branched out on his own in order to find an outlet for the intensely personal subject matter, laid-back flow and refreshingly minimal beats that would eventually make up “Beginner’s Luck”, Nolan’s solo debut release.

DJ CPI is Canada’s premier queer DJ. Caitlyn has been spinning as CPI since 1998 and has built a large international following with her impeccable mixes. In the studio she ranges through a massive list of eclectic styles, from the subversive IDM to chillout, downtempo and experimental. Join her as she tears things up with a perfectly mashed blend of hip-hop, electro, house, baille, breaks and party cheese.

“We have also commissioned local choreographer Scott Fordham to produce a show in honour of the Trans community to the soundtrack of GLEE,” says TK. “With the TV phenomenon making its way into viewers’ lives this past year it was only fitting for Pride to put on a spectacle under that theme.”

This year’s Transverse program tops it all off with America’s Best Dance crew, Vogue Evolution. Assembled in early 2008, the group is comprised of some of New York’s most respected and creative figures in the house and ballroom scene.

Other activities in honour of the Trans community include the 2nd annual Trans March earlier that same night at 7pm and, Trans-Form-Nation: The Official Transverse Afterparty produced by Zahra Dhanani of FunkAsia, Nik Red from Blockorama and Blackness Yes! and Shafik Kamani at the Phoenix Concert Theatre.

This year, they pay tribute to the edgy, the underground and the transformative. Taking a global, cross-cultural and inclusive approach to this event, Trans-Form-Nation will innovate, have fun and will celebrate Trans people and diverse queers around the world. The segment features Vogue Evolution, House of Monroe, Malika, Sheesha, Pheonix Ali, Colour Me Dragg, DJ Zahra, Nik Red and Jade Electra.

Pride Toronto is also featuring a variety of Trans-identified performers on stages throughout the festival. Check the Official Pride Guide for details on these exciting emerging and established artists, coming out in NOW Magazine on June 10.