TOUCHDOWN :: The Madonna halftime show at The SuperBowl (“Madonnabowl”) was one of the best performances of all-time. I know people expect my play-by-play, from outfit to hairstyle and song choice to shoes. However, I am not going to do that. That entire twelve minutes and forty seconds of our lives was so electric, energetic, and groundbreaking, that there is nothing I can say that will emphasize anything Madonna hasn’t already. I am just going to give my highlights as I see fit.

So, she lip-synced: big deal. Can we please remember that she wasn’t able to do a sound-check during the game? So, she used a couple of themes that had already been done by other artists in the past: big deal. Can we please remember that all Madonna is doing is showing them who can do it better? So she fell: big deal. Can anyone else come out of a fall so beautifully and with such choreography? No. No they cannot.

The song choices were spot on: album versions of songs with little twists here and there for entertainment. Brand new arrangements would have thrown off the majority of people who just want to hear the hits. I never in my life thought that I would hear the original arrangement of “Vogue” again after over twenty years. Not to mention that entrance with the feathers and choreography and video screens. So much new, brilliant, cutting-edge choreography to learn! Definitely a gay boy’s dream come true.

“Music” was great with the LMFAO inclusion. Fun and quirky, proving that she’s still hot and athletic and “down with it.” Then onto the new single (“Give Me All Your Luvin’”), then a drum-line “Open Your Heart”/”Express Yourself” interlude (which must have been a very last minute addition, because no site ever published those two in the final version of the set-list!). And to finish with “Like a Prayer,” was just brilliant.

High-energy, brand new technology, fresh and current faces to help along the way, and an amazing set-list just prove that Madonna is still the Queen, and will forever be the Queen. It was a visual and audio orgasm, and I keep on cumming.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some voguing to learn.

Philip Tetro is our resident Madonnaologist who has been following Madonna’s every move since last summer. Read all of Philip’s Madonna Watch posts here.

This week I have some goodies for you that will get you out of your seat one way or the other.

The FAT = Alternative Fashion Week Casting Call

Toronto Alternative Fashion Week holding a cast call on Sunday, March 27,for models to work the runway. Don’t worry FAT is not looking for supermodels, quite the opposite, they want the usual, bizarre and those who normally would walk the runway. So if you dream walking the runway run don’t walk to this casting call. Then let me know if you make it. You could find your catwalk debut in a future entry of Style Guy.

Where to go: 60 Atlantic Avenue (in Liberty Village dears), 2nd Floor. The call is from 12-6 p.m.

Lady Gaga’s Mugler Music

If you’ve been following me on Facebook all this week you know I’m insane for Lady Gaga’s (I was NEVER a huge fan of Lady Gaga until I heard this so you know it has to be kick-ass cool) music she did for her recent catwalk appearance for Thierry Mugler. The video I’m currently nuts over is the video installation which was done as the background for the F/W 11 menswear show featuring Montreal-based, zombie, performer and tattooed-artist Rico G.Not only is this tres cool, dark, surreal and mysterious it’s got clips of the collection. Trust me, between the music and watching the Rico, you forget there’s actually hot clothes going down the runway. I dare you to sit still when you hear this song and not prance…I double dare you!

FAT 2011 Call For Entries

This week and exclusively on GayGuideToronto.com I am posting FAT aka Toronto Alternative Fashion Week is looking for entries into FAT 2011.  What’s the big deal?

Read the full story

One of my favourite outfits which went down the runway!

As this is Monday, October 18th and it is mid October, it can only mean one thing. It’s the beginning of LG Fashion Week. The main event other than the fashion presentation by Holt Renfrew was Bustle Rocking The Runway! This runway show would have made Joan Jett and Black Hearts green with envy. After the opening speech by the LG official it was lights, attitude, music. With a live band in at the top of the runway, I was totally expecting the usual Bustle signature: a fabulously cut suit. I WAS PLEASANTLY SHOCKED!!!

Bustle Spring/Summer 2011

So What Was The Collection Like? The team at Bustle have had a few conservative summers I will admit. However they blew that all out of the water this season. From the moment the band started, everyone who was in attendance knew this was a mini concert/runway show. The first suit down the runway was the Bustle signature then the second suit came up and the band started rockin’. Think metallic-looking crumbled, fabric, fantastic matching shorts, rumpled shirts, rocker t-shirts, and rolled up jeans. It was like early Gasworks (a former yet popular rocker bar in Toronto) come to life taking the best of everything rocker 80s and modernized it.

Do You Need A Piece of Bustle? Hell ya! This collection is going to fly out of stores. The pieces to watch for are all the t-shirts, the metallic fabric anything, and the shorts! They were amazing and brought cheers and whistles from the audience. OK! OK! Including one “ROCK ON MAN!!!” from yours truly. For Spring/Summer 2011 this is one collection not to be overlooked.

Where Can You Get It? Got Style Menswear, 60 Bathurst Street.

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

About 12 Prides ago, there wasn’t really much of an alternative to for those who wanted to have a different type of Pride. One with a bit of soul and had a different voice to be heard. Sure there were stages where, if you pardon the bold statement, black men were tolerated by gay white men. However,  to hear the really good Soul, House, R&B, Reggae or Hip-Hop really gay men of colour were at DJ’s mercy. You were hard pressed to hear any Patra, L’ll Kim, or even Rick James.  So a committee was formed made up of members of black queer and trans communities that volunteer their time to put together Block-O-Rama every year.

Now in its 12 year, Block-O-Rama is loud, proud, strong and well attended. My own experience with Block-O-Rama is a personal one.  Having been to gay parties and event all over North America I wanted to see more of soul and multi-racial side to Toronto Pride. I first attended Block-O-Rama when my friend Junior promoted it and told me about DJ Jojoflores, a Montreal DJ, who was spinning the last set. From the moment I arrived, Block-O-Rama captivated me and had me coming back every year. Though Block-O-Rama has faced a number of challenges from changing locations annually to noise complaints this multi-cultural event with black faces has risen to whatever push-back it may face.

This year exclusively for GayGuideToronto.com I bring you two of the unique faces involved with Block-O-Rama, DJ’s Jojoflores, I caught up with him in Johannesburg as he just landed, and BlackCat who have sat down with me to give me their unique views of this event’s place in Toronto Pride on Sunday, July 4th from 12-10 p.m. in George Hislop Park.

DJ Jojoflores

Based in Montreal Jojoflores has built a reputation as music’s “Mixed Tape King” and in addition to being a well known, respected and energetic DJ he is CEO of Gotsoul Records and founder of the infamous Therapy events. In addition he’s opened a club, a record shop; and produced numerous records and CD’s.  He was voted “Best International DJ” 4 years running by NYC’s Undaground Archives.  His hard work and talent have garnered an enviable corporate client list which includes the Thompson Hotel Group, MAC Cosmetics, Apple, Hugo Boss, Vanity Fair, Puma, Details Magazine, Banana Republic, Cadillac, and The Delano Hotel. Headling events with Wyclef Jean, Jody Watley, K-OS, Jazzy Jeff and D-Squared. Jojoflores is the 2010 winner of the Marc Echo Stylus Award as House DJ of the Year.

Max MacDonald:  Why DJ Block-O-Rama again?

Jojoflores: I was able to make the time of Block-O-Rama against this year. I am usually in Toronto at this time of year. Every year they invite me back and show their loyalty to me and it’s a great party. I find it shows a great artistic spirit.

MM: What’s the importance of Block-O-Rama in your mind?

JJF: Well it’s one of the few events which is soulful and ethnic. Block-O-Rama is more geared to an ethnic group and I find it nice. It’s a very community oriented event.

MM:  What can your fans and attendees expect at Block-O-Rama 12?

JJF: [Laughs] I don’t know yet. They can expect to hear same type of music presented differently.  One of the things I try and do through my music is make people dance. However, that’s sort of tough as I don’t know the direction I will go. I will probably figure it out closer to the event.

MM: What would you say to an aspiring DJ who wants to be the next Jojoflores?

JJF: Hmmm…get your name out there and give out mixed CD’s. Try to get the right gigs but respect other DJ’s. It is also important to respect the art of DJ’ing and be business savvy. You have to set goals for yourself and try to get to the next level.

For information on Jojoflores click here.

DJ BlackCat

This summer, Kylie Minogue has earned her title as the Modern Day Aphrodite. With her new album Aphrodite, and more specifically her newest single All The Lovers – which was released for download on June 13th and is expected to become a huge summer anthem – Ms. Minogue proves once again that she is the classiest of them all. Kylie has removed the layers of bubblegum pop and delivered a soothing, magical, sultry, and absolutely beautiful song that should be on everyone’s iPod this Pride season.

The video is unexpected – but in a good way. Like always, Kylie remains poised, exuberant, and strong. In addition, the elements of white doves, white horses, and even white elephants keeps viewers on their toes. A crowd of lovers representing all sexualities, races and genders – all in white jockies – lift Kylie up to the heavens, growing and expanding as the video progresses (until, at last, they reach as high as the tallest buildings). However, the sexiness that this video portrays, to me, is not of a raunchy and over-exploited nature, but rather, a pure expression of love, lust, unity and spirituality (although, I would agree that one criticism could be the fact that all of the lovers are models with beautiful bodies. But if you keep with the theme of Aphrodite and her worshipers, it might make more sense). At the end of the video, Kylie releases a white dove and you can see her expression is one of joy and elation.

So what does Kylie have to do with spirituality? Well, I chose this particular music review to include in a space where the discourse is more spiritually-based because not only is the song uplifting; however, I think that the message is powerful and really speaks to the changing consciousness within the emerging generations. Enjoy.

Defected UK! Those two words with get two responses: F**KIN COOL! Or what’s Defected? If you’re like me you’ve know, love and basically heard everything off Defected’s label. For those not in know Defected started as “Defected In The House” with a radio segment on Ministry of Sound hosted by UK house DJ extrodinare Simon Dunmore. With the popularity of the show, Defected did just that and became it’s own label and the rest is history. For many years Defected’s many loyal Toronto fans have been waiting patiently for any signs of a tour. Wait no more!

The Roosevelt Room has started once a month Defected nights which are connected to the UK label. This Friday, May 7th. their Defected night continues with, direct from the UK, The Shapeshifters. If you are a club boy or girl you inadvertantly heard The Shapeshifters and may have not known it. To help refresh your memory.

The Shapeshifters’ evening begins with a dinner at The Roosevelt Room then this UK duo will spin the night away. Information about dinner with The Shapeshifters and evening’s festivities can be found by contacting the The Roosevelt Room.   Get your tickets early and on-line as this is a ONE NIGHT ONLY exclusive event! Of couse, with any Style Guy posting look chic, The Roosevelt Room will have a dress code in effect for this event.

Benny Benassi has totally screwed with my mind in a delightful way. It was actually a friend who got me hooked on Benassi’s mix Who’s Your Daddy?! and the two versions of the steamy video. Capturing the decadent days of porn Benassi has women in various poses and positions made to look like the the cover of late 70s to mid 80s adult films. The video was so controversial You Tube only would allow the “toned” down version to be posted with strict age restrictions. The “full-on” version was available only his website http://www.bennybenassi.com.

Fast forward three years and Madonna sinking her creative tallons in him. Benny Benassi takes Madge’s Celebration bends it over, has his way with it, and excuse my language, makes it fuckin’ sexy. I’m not usually a fan of Madonna after Ray of Light but I was INSAINE for Benassi’s remix of Celebration and drove my friends nuts listening to it constantly. Not only it is freakin’ danceable, it is a great workout music.

Once again, with many songs the remix was more popular than the actually song. So much so that in late September I witnessed a car full of 20-somethings, stopped at red light, crank up Benassi’s Celebration remix, leave their car and dance with other people joining in. Yes I joined them as well.

So the man which is responsible for tying up traffic, getting gays and straights hopping to another Madonna song and making vintage porn sexy flies into Toronto this weekend. He’s spinning at the Guvernment this Saturday, December 12 along side DJ Mark Oliver. Tickets at the door. Doors open at 10 p.m.

 Trust me! Grab yourself a tres hot outfit, get your posse together and prepare to dance the night away! Screw Santa…Benny Benassi is coming to town!