Baby's first Black & Blue

MEGA-BASH :: MONTREAL - Black & Blue is a festival of social, cultural, sports and party events that last for seven days. It all began in 1991 by a group of friends who decided they wanted to create a party, a big party. That party was a success and has been ever since. The proceeds go to Montreal AIDS organizations. The foundation is The BBCM Foundation. More than $1.6 million in grants and donations have been distributed by BBCM so far.

Black & Blue is a celebration that is non-discriminatory and includes men and women, straight and gay. And this was my first time going. I went with one of my BFF’s, Lauren, to the main event held at Stade Olympique/Olympic Stadium in Montreal.

The stadium was split in half with one half being the trance room and other the house room. There were fifteen trance DJs each playing an hour set, where in the house room there were six DJs each playing a about a two hour set, with Hernan Cattaneo closing the event, playing a three hour set.

Upon arrival we were guided into the VIP area to obtain our bracelets, and then lead to the coat check where they gave our coat check ticket in a small blue plastic baggie. The coat check girl said the reason was for sanitary purposes: “You never know where people put these things.”

We then entered a room where there were several line-ups for security check. Never have I been searched like this. Shoes off, everything had to be taken out of my purse and I do mean everything. The female security checked inside my shoes, gave me a friendly foot rub checking for bumps of any kind, and frisked me, then checked all the belongings I had from my purse. After I was cleared I put back on my shoes and put my belongings back into my purse.

We then entered the stadium where it was darker and we could feel the bass beating through our bodies, but first stop was the washroom. And let me tell you having VIP bathroom access was pure pleasure, no long line-ups. I noticed signs warning about drug use and what it can do to you.

Then we hit the dance floor. The trance room had more lighting than the house room which was darker. Lauren informed me, “Trance people like more light, while house people like it darker.” All I can say was I was enthralled with the trance room’s lighting.

My trance room high lights were Canada’s own Max Graham and Super 8 & Tab. Marcus Schossow, whose energy was infectious, and Artento Divini came in a close second.

The sexy fembot dancers (Black Mohawk Productions) who performed during the first part of Graham’s set were intoxicating with their lit-up skimpy costumes and silver helmets.

The flashing, rotating lights, the spotting of various country’s flags relating to each DJ’s birthplace, DJ’s images flashed on playing cards splashed on the screens with dancing graphics, all of it was nothing less than surreal. I was literally transported into another realm – which was something I’ve missed lately – and I’m happy to say it hasn’t disappeared.

MISS RAQUEL :: “I miss is being on the dancefloor immersed in what my musical minister is preaching to me…”

Fembot Dancers. Image: Miss Raquel / Shaun Proulx Media

The house room is where I shook my booty like it was my last chance to dance. DJ’s Rosabel and Mark Vibe were spot on and made me bring moves back to the dancefloor that I knew were just waiting to tear out of me. My sore legs still today are proof of my wreckage.

But what if you're too G'd out to read? Image: Miss Raquel / Shaun Proulx Media

MISS RAQUEL :: ‘Proper’ Partying

Black & Blue was an event that I call “Proper”. Everything from security checks, washroom cleanliness, medics walking around to ensure everyone was okay, clean floors, the availability of food in both the VIP areas and in the general area, and fast moving lines at bars made this event a pure pleasure. Toronto really needs to step up its event organization game.

My first of only complaints is about the sound system. It was terrible, the acoustics in the stadium had far too much echo. The vocals were lost way above the crowd, if subs were placed on the ground it might helped keep the lows together. And sound curtains would have helped tremendously if placed on the perimeter of the stadium to help bounce the sound waves back into the centre of the stadium.

The second was the beer. They only served Coors Light and a few mixed drinks (vodka, rum and Jack), and juices. Maybe you don’t agree this is a worthwhile complaint, but for someone like me who prefers to have a few beers Coors Light made me feel like they were putting me on a diet. Never have I been to an event where the only beer I could find was light beer.

Upon leaving I asked the coat check girl if the numbers were lower this year when compared to past years, and she said yes. I could tell by the many empty hangers and how easy it was to move through the dancefloor and empty spaces.

Nonetheless the light beer, empty spaces and bouncy sound waves didn’t stop me from having one of the best times of my life. I dressed in my fancy black & blue best and danced till I hurt. This is a testament of a great party.

Too bad en route back to Toronto we hit gridlock. It took us eight hours to get home and sadly I missed Thanksgiving dinner with my family. That’s okay though, because I celebrated the weekend of thanks by being with one of my BFF’s and enjoying one of the things I am most thankful for: music.

THANKSGIVING :: I’m thankful for my Nanny and uncle Harry both having heart attacks on the same day – only hours apart – back in May.

Sure this sounds evil at first, but you see, what really happened was these terrible incidents brought me closer to them. Before my Nanny’s heart attack, I hadn’t seen her in over ten years. She put me down all the time, saying I was too fat and not smart. For those like me who’ve suffered from eating disorders (and sadly still do), her comments were too difficult to deal with, so I opted out. I didn’t speak to her.

Shaun Proulx :: Unbearable Body Fascism

Now that my Nanny is living in a fancy retirement home in Sudbury she’s calmed her ways, and has become a cute little old lady I’ve learned to love and appreciate more than words can describe.

My uncle Harry basically replaced the person I once called Dad when I was in my early twenties. My biological father’s brother, his heart attack was the result of too much stress on the job and dealing with my Nanny who can be quite demanding and requires stringent daily regimes.

I used to only see my uncle his wife and my cousins once annually – at Christmas – and that was it. Since their heart attacks, we speak all the time and plan holidays together.

Like a family.

Although this Thanksgiving I’ll be in Montreal to cover Black & Blue for GGT, I will show up late on Thanksgiving at my uncle’s with my Nanny, cousins and my long lost uncle Don from Banff who I haven’t seen since I was about 5.

I may be feeling black and blue by then, wrecked, tired, and not looking my best, but I’m thankful to actually have a family who will keep a plate warm for me upon my return and won’t mind that business took me a way for the majority of our dinner. All they care about is that I’ll be there. And for this I’m thankful for.

This Thanksgiving I want to be with my family.  Never before have had I had the feeling of want and acceptance from them.

Super sexy Christopher Aaron Slade is one half of LoveShot – a “dirty rock n’ roll” group based in Toronto. He likes to break shit, wear make-up, lie about his age, and also loves himself a lot. He has no regrets, and just wants to have a good time. Perfect Man of The Hour, in other words. Slade takes our TMI Questionnaire, but first, enjoy the yummy he is in the new video for LoveShot’s single, Love Assassins:

JUST THE FACTS

I’m a: Virgo.
I’m: 34, but according to my band’s bio, I’m 22.
I was born: Not that long ago.
I: like to break things.
My fave colour: Red.
Passion: Breaking things and making music that inspires people to break things!
Inspiration: Myself, but as a blonde.
My Canadian icon is: Marilla Cuthbert.
Fantasy entourage: Joan Collins (of course!), Lucius Malfoy and a doped up Mariah Carey.
Fictional best friend: Santa Clause or Luigi from Super Mario Bros.
Turn-ons: Humour, Honesty and the ability to honestly break things with humour.
Irresistible in a mate: The ability to do exactly what I want.
Phrase I most overuse: “Hells ya!”
Most people would be surprised to know I: love to surprise people.
Talent I wish I had: The ability to shoot lazers out of my eyes that cause people to immidiately undress!
The celebrity I most closely resemble is: Paul from The Wonder Years.
The one word my best friend would use to describe me is: barfy.
My parents wanted me to be this when I grew up: Well-behaved (jokes on them!).
When I order a cocktail I ask for: Vodka and Gingerale.

GUILTY PLEASURES

TV: Housewives of Atlanta.
Song: “Snowbird” by Anne Murray.
Greatest extravagance: my overuse of cologne.
Candy: Dairy Milk.
Last impulse-purchase: A copy of Vogue with Resse Witherspoon on the cover (ech!). I was drunk at the grocery store at 3am.
Last regretted purchase: I regret NOTHING!

WEAR APPARENT

Jeans: The Gap.
Footwear: Converse.
Underwear: CK.
Watch: I keep breaking them, so no watch. If I didn’t break them as often, it would be a Swatch.
Eyewear: Cheap and nothing fancy since I would just break them.
Casual: Gap kids- no tax, and the t-shirts are nicely fitted!
Formal: Century 21 in the states.
Perfume / Cologne: Gucci – Envy.

BEAUTY DUTY

Shampoo: Head and Shoulders.
Face wash: Shiseido Men’s.
Moisturizer: Biotherm Men’s.
Body Lotion: NARS Body Glow.
Make-Up Line: NARS.
Indulgence: Fish and Chips.

GOTTA-GET GADGET

Gadgets: I break gadgets.
On my music player now: Steven Sondheim‘s Assassins.
I always PVR: True Blood.

CULTURE VULTURE

Last book read: 3001 by Arthur Clarke.
Last movie seen: Transformers 3.
Last concert: Kylie Minogue in Montreal.
Last play: Into the Woods.
Last song sung in the shower: Kinda lame, but my band’s song, “Love Assassins” ( I consider it rehearsal).

OBSESSIONS

Current obsession: myself.
Past obsession: myself.
Future obsession: myself and possibly my pet dog from the future!

CRYSTAL BALL

The next big thing will be: Shirtless hockey, or any sport with more male shirtlessness (fingers crossed!).
I see myself in this place in ten years: Hanging with Sinbad and Joan Collins, trash-talking Imelda Marcos.

AND FINALLY …

Words of wisdom: Love your neighbour as yourself. All the rest is commentary!

Get your undies in a bunch! Priape Toronto’s new manager is our Man of the Hour this week! Sexy! Check out Michael Schelt’s TMI Questionnaire!

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The Godfather of House Music

To a whole generation of music fans there was only one name synonymous with “House music”, Frankie Knuckles. From the moment he spun “The Whistle Song” at The Sound Factory in Manhattan, he became this one moment etched him into the heart and ears of music lovers everywhere. Over the years Knuckles not only became spun house music. He “was” the face of house and given the term by many in the genre, “The Godfather of House Music”.

His landmark career has seen him work with just about everyone including Diana Ross and The Pet Shop Boys. In addition, to having played in every major city you can name in 1997 he won a Grammy Award for Remixer of the Year.  If that wasn’t enough in the evolution of his career, he has become a musical luxury brand. His name has been dropped on shows like Absolutely Fabulous and through Internet sound bites on Ministry of Sound. With his numerous talents, celebrity following and able bring out the soul in music he still remains very humble and gracious to this day. So what do you ask him?

On a personal note, every Journalist has their “bucket list” interviews. Those dream interviews you hope to land one day. As many times I danced to Knuckles’ grooves in cities all over North America, I’ve never actual said to two words to him. For the first time I was actually nervous. What do you ask the man who, since the late 80s, got you and your friends on the dance floor Voguing, strutting and cat walking your way through his music?

Knuckles is not just a DJ. He’s the symbol of an era, one which evokes memories of when House Music and fashion were a true marriage. A time where gay men dressed to go dancing and had a reason sashay and be proud to be gay men regardless of colour and class.  So as sweaty and shaking as I was, I rang him in Manhattan and upon hearing his “Barry White” voice, I knew it was going to be an interview unlike any other.

Max MacDonald: What inspired The Whistle Song?

Frankie Knuckles: Everyone made that song a classic. There are some songs which are a signature and that song is the signature of House. I was asked to fill in one night at the Sound Factory. I wanted to spin something which would make the room sparkle. After I spun, people were asking me, “what was that you played? Who are you again? That was amazing!” The rest is history.

MM: What was your favourite gig?

FK: Sound Factory Bar! The room was custom built to the way I play and it was smack dab in the community. The place stayed packed all night long.

MM: OK I’ve got to ask in your opinion who is the “Godmother of House”?

FK: Honestly, I don’t think there is one. There are performers who “try” to lay claim on it.  Barbara Tucker tried to lay claim on it. No disrespect to Barbara but she isn’t it. I’m just trying to keep it real. Singers come and go but no one has lasted long enough to lay claim on it. There are some who come close.

MM: Whoa Frankie! I’m a huge Barbara Tucker fan! Don’t you think she deserves some credit?

FK: Max don’t get me wrong I love Barbara but there is not one specific female singer who has been around long enough to lay claim on the title. Barbara is really good.

MM: How has House changed?

FK: This is simple. What you and your generation in the late 80s grew up with is song-based dance music. Where a singer had a song and it was produced into a dance hit. That’s what I do as a producer. Somewhere in between 95 and 98 house became a DJ culture. At the same time, Trance music blew up in Europe. That trickled across the ocean to North American and started showing up in House. The DJ’s today are not song writers as anyone can become a DJ. Back then House was much more 3D and today it is more 2D. It is not pure House.

MM: What can anyone travelling to Montreal’s Diverscite expect to hear from you?

FK: Hmmm. I try to stay as current as possible so you will a lot my take on the music of today.

MM: Finally, what would you say to young DJ who wants to be the next Frankie Knuckles?

FK: Wow! Be yourself! Be honest about the music you present. You can tell whether it is coming from the heart and soul or if it’s not. You can teach someone how to spin a record but you can’t teach them soul. It has to be there. You have to recognize music for what it is. Most people today can’t recognize a DJ from a performer. That’s where the soul comes in. A performer can perform a DJ has to have the music in his soul.

The Whistle Song video

Frankie Knuckles will be spinning his set on Saturday, July 31st at 7 p.m. during Diverscite. The is a $2 entrance fee. For more information visit the official website

For more information about Frankie Knuckles visit his website

Wow, it’s been a busy few weeks since my last entry here. I apologize for the brief absence and welcome you back to my column.

To make up for my lengthy absence, I will be writing more frequently (every couple of days) until we’ve caught up on what’s been happening in the wonderfully entrepreneurial world of SERIAL SEAN.

To start off, I was recently hired by a travel group to be in Montreal for a week with a group of 2000 students on their break from school to document their trip.

This was an interesting opportunity and experience – but not only because it was my first photography booking to shoot a vacation package (yay!) – but because of the debaucheries that occur when you drop 2000 students of mixed gender and sexuality in a city away from home with an almost endless supply (and non-stop consumption) of liquor – let the fun begin!

The itinerary for this trip was pretty simple. Be at the pick-up spot to depart on time, travel to Montreal, check-in to the hotel, pre-drink, and get ready for the first night of a week long whirlwind of parties and daytime activities. Sounds easy, right?

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Europe somehow conjures up pictures of a gay utopian society for many.  A place where nelly men, butch women and everything in between walk down the golden streets arm in arm.  An advanced civilization where equal rights abound for all!  Well I’m here to tell you how fuckin’ fantastic we have it here in Canada.  Don’t get me wrong.  Loved London!!  Loooooved it!!!!  I’m a bit of a history nerd, and that city has it in spades.  But when it came down to gay life…

First off, the gay clubs are the same you’d find anywhere.  Some disco tunes, a couple go go boys and free flowing booze.  It’s a combo that’s tried, tested and true, but lacks creativity.

Next, the feeling of community you find on Church or on Ste. Catherine in Montreal wasn’t there.  I think because it is such a crowded and international destination that London lacked a cohesiveness and sense of belonging.

One of the first things I noticed when I returned to Toronto was the presence the gay community has in our city.  From rainbow flags, to the reach of the free gay rags and even popping up on TV and in commercials.  None of that was to be found in London.  Oh sure, one club was called GAY, but neary did I see a flag, and the feeling was more of ‘we have decided this area is the gay area of London and the businesses in this area would be smart to call themselves things like GAY to attract that clientele that will spend $$$ in their establishment’

Long story short.  There is NO gay place, like THIS gay home!!!

But now I’m back and it’s business as usual.  And by business I mean finding out that pictures that were taken 3 years ago are still being used to push magazines!  I guess I should shut up and be flattered, but since I don’t see any residual money from it… I get to complain… at least a little.

What is Fugues?

Fugues is the bible of queer life in Montreal.  Within it’s pages one can find where to eat, sleep, shop, fuck and even sightsee in one of Canada’s most beautiful cities.

Movies, books, parties, DJ’s, travel… it’s impossible to find a topic that is NOT covered, including of course, porn. Read the full story

When Dorothy says in The Wizard of Oz, “There’s no place like home.”  She wasn’t kidding.  After so many years in Southern California and being so far away from my family and old acquaintances, it was great to be home in Toronto!

Now that I was back, I wasted no time.  Read the full story

There’s no keeping a good man down, including me at the great Montreal queer arts and culture festival Divers/Cite, where you can run into the most INTERESTING people!