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Pride Toronto Spotlight Series shines!

Artist of the day: DJ Ritu

Artist of the day:  Mariko Tamaki

Artist of the day:  Adam K and Soha

Artist of the day:  House of Monroe

Artist of the day:  Shawnee

The House Of Monroe was formed in December of 2006, when a few close friends decided they wanted to defy the odds and make a change in the Toronto Dance scene. We all choreograph and Vogue, so there is a diffrent flavour from the rest. the House Of Monroe plans to storm the the scene, so watch out!

House of Monroe hits the stage at the Transverse/Transmarch official afterparty on Friday, July 2 at the Phoenix Concert theatre. They also perform at the Blockorama program on Sunday, July 4.

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.

Pride Toronto’s 30^th anniversary festival features local heroes, international stars, literary lights, interactive arts and everything that is diverse, inclusive, queer and progressive on 9 stages spread over 35 blocks in downtown Toronto.

“Pride-goers can see Cyndi Lauper on the new Queen’s Park stage as part of the expanded Dyke Day program along with local favourites The Cliks, Saidah Baba Talibah, Dragonette, Betti Forde and more” says Mary Zondanos, Arts and Entertainment Manager at Pride Toronto.

Alternaqueer expands its program across the weekend with Lovers Love Haters (Debora Cohen from The Organ’s newest project), MEN, Misstress Barbara LIVE w/ Girls On A Ducati, Ryan G. Hinds, Josie Cotton, Woodhands, Diamond Rings, Private Life (Katie Stelmanis), Copenhagen’s Fagget Fairys and many more.

Divas reign supreme this year with Zelma Davis (from C+C Music Factory), Lolene, one the UK’s hottest exports, local darling Nancy Rancourt, resident Pride diva Simone Denny, Amanda Morra and R&B sensations Ivana Santilli and Jully Black.

Pride Week 2010 also features the TransVerse program, celebrating the Trans community with America’s Best Dance Crew Vogue Evolution, a commissioned dance piece by local superstar Scott Fordham (‘Full of GLEE’), Buck Angel, S. Bear Bergman, Alec Butler, Girlyman – who recently collaborated with Margaret Cho on her upcoming album, San Francisco hip hop notable Katastrophe and more including the official after party done in partnership with Pride Toronto’s South Asian program, FunkAsia!

Dance takes on many forms with Project Dance back for Round Two, along with Colour Me Dragg, Queer Idol’s tribute to Pride Toronto’s 30 year history, House of Monroe, FunkAsia’s amazing dancers, and – another first – the Pride Toronto Flashmob.

In 2010 for the first time, Pride Toronto introduces ‘Werq!’ a circuit music program which spans the whole weekend, taking over Wellesley stage.

“It all kicks off with Aqua Pride, a co-presentation between Pride Toronto and Prism Festival,” says Zondanos. “Prism is one of North America’s largest circuit festivals and we are proud to working with them again.”

The Werq! Stage features Ana Paula, Isaac Escalante, David Morales, Australian dream Kitty Glitter, Honey Dijon, Cajjmere Wray, Mike Viera, Pierre Fitch and others.

The Blockorama stage returns for the 12^th year with a solid line up of resident favourites and new discoveries in George Hislop parkette, including DJ Memphis Sugar, Nik Red, Ayo Leilani, Craig Dominic, Abstract Random, Troy Jackson, Michelle Ross, Ill Nana, Unruly Twin, DJ Bugo and Jojo Flores.

Those hot for electronic music can join JELO, Robb G, The House Moguls, Sydney Blu, Hector Fonseca, Dwayne Minard, MC Flipside, DJ Blackcat, Adam K & Soha, Panic Bomber, Deko-ze, Don Berns AKA Dr. Trance, Neill Macleod, DJ Ritu (BBC radio), Brandon Sek, Chiclet, and  the Yes Yes Y’all crew.

“Pride Toronto’s Village stage includes a stellar line up of Drag Queens, Kings and Burlesque,” Zondanos says, “featuring the Degenderit Cabaret, Zippers Angels, Carlotta Carlisle, GIA, Michel Doiron, Divinesque, Eddie Barnett, Michelle Ross, Ivory, Daytona Bitch, Divine, Genderfuct, Miss Conception, Sofonda Cox, Laura Landauer, Dirk and Flare.

For the younger set, Fruit Loopz produced by Supporting our Youth includes two stages with youth artists in sunny Alexander Parkette, complete with Toronto’s most talented young musicians, slam poets, dancers, actors and drag artists.

The Community Café, Pride Toronto’s community space in which performers donate their performance to the festival in celebration of the community includes the Asian Community AIDS Services, Canadian Tamil Congress, NIA, Bold Steps Dance Studio, Queer Dance Community, Hula Sun Village Dance Troupe, Sapphire Dance Productions and 88 Days of Fortune.

The Pride Lounge, the festival’s singer/songwriter space, will feature performances from Michael Caplan, Meridith Shaw, Melissa Li (from Good Asian Drivers), Michelle Mondesir, Shawnee Lynne, eMKeh, Jaceyln Holmes, Rachel Newman, VIVIV and more.

Literary program Proud Voices is back again with curator Susan G. Cole (Senior Entertainment and Books Editor at NOW Magazine) hosting an incredible and inspiring program with the Aqsa Collective, Truth Is…, Beth Ann Fisher, Christina Starr, Jess Dobkin, Rose Cullis, Krystle Mullin, Lex Vaughn, Mariko Tamaki, Jon Redfern, Shaun Proulx, Emma Donoghue, Pink Ink and Vivek Shraya.

Plot, Engage, Disperse, Pride Toronto’s interactive art program, returns again with students from the Toronto Alternative Arts school, youth from Sketch, life size twister, the “What Does Pride Mean to You” photo project from Pride Toronto’s Youth Committee, live graffiti, sketching and many other ways people can interact with the festival!

Pride Toronto’s new Spotlight Series showcases some of the individuals and organizations who contribute year round to the vibrancy of our cultural community. Carlyle Jansen presents ‘Crave’ a women’s erotic cabaret at the Phoenix, the women behind the ‘club skirts’ Dinah Shore present ‘Jet Setter’ at 99 Sudbury, and Matt Sims presents a special Pride edition of ‘HEY REBEL!’, one of Toronto’s best monthly all ages events at one of Toronto’s best venues, The Great Hall.

In addition, Zahra Dhanani of Funkasia, Nik Red and Shafik Kamani present the official Transverse afterparty at the Phoenix Concert Theatre; Denise Benson and Cozmic Cat present ‘CHERRY BOMB: PRIDE: A DEEPER LOVE’ at Revival; Big Primpin’ does a special edition at Wrongbar; Alan Kliffer presents ‘Gay for Comedy’ at the Panasonic Theatre and the Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives present a remount of their National Portrait Collection.

“And that’s definitely not all,” says Zondanos. “There are many other performers we will be hosting at Pride this year, so stay tuned!”

For a full schedule of events, including dates, times and locations, keep checking www.pridetoronto.com.