PODCAST :: Episode 22 is an unexpectedly intimate and revealing UNCENSORED! It left Mark Wigmore feeling shell-shocked and Shaun Proulx like he’d just been through therapy. Who knew there was ever hate between them back at the radio station? Who? Hear it all go down: http://www.shaunproulxmedia.com

I’ve had something I’ve wanted to say for a while.

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Hell hath no fury like queer radio listeners scorned.

The dust is barely settling since last week’s sudden firing of not one—but four—Proud FM radio personalities: Deb Pearce, Patrick Marano (the morning team), Mark Wigmore and Shaun Proulx (the afternoon drive team). Read the full story

A good party doesn’t have to be in a large venue, it also doesn’t need hundreds of people. It only requires a good vibe, friendly folks, great music and enough room to dance, and no long line-ups for the washrooms.

This is one reason the College Street and the Bathurst and Bloor areas are the places to hit. These locals have always had nightlife, just not always dance nightlife.

Case in point I went with one of my BFFs Lauren and her man, and my fellow Scenester writer/DJ Samhouse to hit a private birthday party held in a rented loft. DJ Charles G, the birthday boy is a long time friend and affiliate. He was the first to hire me to write his bio back in the day.

The Loft where he had his birthday was on Bloor at Bathurst (Studio 56). It was very dark and the few cement steps within this small gallery loft could’ve used some lighting, but other than that this was a night when hearing music from DJs who I don’t get to experience that much. In a venue hand-picked for a party such as this reminded me why I love this scene, and electronic music so much.

The DJs at Charles G’s birthday were Audio Creeps who both took me on a bumpy, joyous dancefloor ride; O-God delivered some fresh beats as did Hubert K who’s been bringing his beats for years to dancefloors. Hotmess DJs who I never heard of before this night got me dancing without a care in the world, and dropped one kick-ass “Happy Birthday” track which no DJ should do without. Sorry at time of this blog I didn’t have the name, but Samhouse got it! I just need to get it from him!

We tend to pay attention to large venues putting on large events which are spoon fed to us through social networks and promotional advertising which only the fat cats can afford. Then of course there’s the popularity issue, but the one common complaint I hear is these events always have the same DJs booked pretty much all the time.

Since I was released from a “club political hold” three years ago I’ve been breathing fresh musical air thanks to the vast array of small venues booking talent who play with passion.

Scenester will be putting on a small event inside the Loft of MOD CLUB (yes I know MOD CLUB isn’t a small venue, but the Loft is!) Saturday April 10. It’s called “Scenester Soundz” and it’ll showcase Toronto’s Cam Maxwell, Samhouse, Mike Colas and Ryan Carlucci.

Then of course the little event which grew is fast approaching, JaXx HouZe 9 – The Enchanted Tribal Platoon Friday April 23^rd. The barracks are Footwork Bar & Afterhours (425 Adelaide St. W, Toronto).

The musical Platoon is D-Unity, irGO playing an all vinyl set! Cam Maxwell and Samhouse. Dress in your army best, win prizes courtesy of Cinelli Hair, Stag Shop, Scenester, bpm:tv and more….Ooops! Now all that sounded like a fat cat, no?

Nonetheless I’m only trying to say to go out and hit places you never have before and hear DJs you’ve never heard before. You just might like the experience.

To get on the JaXx HouZe 9 – The Enchanted Tribal Platoon Soldier Guestlist by emailing [email protected].

See you on the dancefloor!

Queer media has become an industry that now has a global reach and uses every medium available to speak its message. However, as an entity, it’s still relatively in its infancy. In 1971, a collection of queer writers, politicos and social activists got together to form Pink Triangle Press which soon published radical rag, The Body Politic. Shepherded to the masses through Glad Day Bookstore, The Body Politic took on the sexual, social and political mores of the time and waved the banner of queer rights back in a day when the movement was just getting a foothold in the public consciousness. Read the full story

Barbi is 51 today. 51! I thought she’d be older. Not like 100 or anything but at least as old as Cher. And she’s 64!  I’ll bet Cher’s pissed. And why shouldn’t she be? At 51, Barbie owns a pink dream home, a pink camper van, her own horse (which is not pink thank you) and drives a pink corvette convertible. She’s been a teacher, a flight attendant, a life guard, a fire fighter, a nurse AND a doctor, though not at the same time because that would be silly. She’s also been a cheer leader, a singer, a dancer, a model and a princess. Gay men adore her, which explains Ken…and that princess thing. All this and she still only looks 20 and has a big rack. Mind you bigger isn’t always better. I mean, Barbie’s doesn’t move when she jumps.Then again, neither does Cher.

Here we go with traditional Valentine’s Day and the somewhat new Family Day holiday upon us. I remember my first Family Day weekend it was when I was a host at the infamous Comfort Zone and it was just after the overly publicized Project White Rabbit raid. The club was so empty and clean I could actually smell bleach, yet it was great to be in that place only with those who genuinely loved the music and weren’t there for any other reason.

Three years later I’ll be celebrating this holiday with a buffet of beats with what will be packed dance floors, with music supplied by some of Toronto’s finest, and one American finest, Behrouz at CiRCA.

First up is The Scenester Showdown Friday February 12^th at The Barn featuring four of The Village’s favourite DJs all battling it out on the decks; Jamal vs. Jeff Kirkwood vs. Rhubix vs. DJTK. It’s free till 12am and only $5 after. You can’t get a better Valentine’s deal than this!

And if you’re into winning sexy, luscious prizes Scenester is holding a contest to win a Valentine’s Day prize bag filled with sweet treats courtesy of Stag Shop, Scenester Magazine, The Barn and Hype energy drink. (Here’s how to enter). Maybe for some this might be the only chance of getting a Valentine’s Day gift.

I’ll only be getting a box of chocolates from one of my BFFs, and that’s cuz we already planned on buying each other a box of chocolates. Let’s face it, it’s really it’s an excuse to have chocolate!

Its time for some Love, Sex & Magic at CiRCA on Saturday February 13th with Behrouz and Toronto’s deep beat devil DJ Addy. Also on the bill are Chris Fresque and Joe Ghost.

Advance tickets are only $20 with guestlist being $25. For tickets or guestlist you can contact Scenester at [email protected].

As I wrote this I was trying to think of my most memorable Valentine’s Day and I have to say it was with another one of my BFFs. It was about four or five years ago. We left Comfort Zone on Valentine’s Day in the evening, her with a shiny glass decorative figurine her boyfriend bought her that lit up when she put it together showcasing a glass statue couple in the middle of it. Yes it was intricate and different, yet somehow strangely lovely.

I on the other hand had a rose my boyfriend gave me earlier in the day which by this time was wilted and crunchy. My BFF and I ended our sad Valentine’s Day with each other (no boyfriends they were bouncers and had to work) taking our somewhat paltry gifts back to her place, but not before buying a pint each of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

I don’t know about you but I find it fascinating how everyone, well almost everyone you see on the street, on the subway, walking, running all have on a white pair of ear buds hanging from their ears; you know they’re listing to an iPod.

What wonderful branding this is, if only you or I were reaping the financial benefits of this musical invention. Nonetheless it’s bringing music of all genres, cultures, likes and dislikes to the forefront. I have to admit I love to see people plugged in and enjoying their simple pleasure; music.

Mind you getting from conception to execution, hence your ears isn’t an easy musical production feat by any measure, but seeing someone tap their foot, doing the 4 by 4 head nod is awesome to me.

Nothing pleases, uplifts, sets, creates, kills, saddens, and heightens the mood than music to our ears.

When you’re in a club you have no choice to but to listen to what is put forth upon you, but with your own mobile club you control the DJ with no overhead. How awesome is that?

I find when I’m upset, anxious, tired, happy or mad if I put on my iPod shuffle all is OK. Wow! Isn’t that an ad right there, but it’s true. I feel ten times better than I did before I plugged in.

You can subscribe to your Podcasts, buy your tracks (cuz you know you should!) and voila! There you have it; your perfect mobile club created for you, by you.

I’ve seen people inside a club wearing their pearly white buds, to this I question, “Why are you here? But to each his own.

The next time you’re plugged in and feel the need to tap your foot, nod your head go right ahead. Music is a universal language, and it’s something we all understand. No one will think anything of you except that you really like the track tickling your ears…and they’ll wonder just what it is!

Natural disasters like last week’s massive earthquake in Haiti or the tsunami that killed so many a few years ago or wars, acts of terrorism, famine and the suffering in their wake is incredibly overwhelming.

We have a very privileged vantage point of the world. We are so lucky to be where we are and so relatively unscathed by the catastrophic randomness of life that triggers unimaginable suffering on our planet. We’re a little spoiled by the luxury of not having to worry about our survival from one moment the next. Read the full story

Believe it or not, I actually arrived early to The Shaun Proulx Show yesterday in advance of my fellow GGT blogger Andrew Vail for our on-air debate (okay, it was a chat) on his recent Middle Edge post.  I’m never early.  Ever.  Being the opportunist he is, Shaun took full advantage of this Hailey’s Comet occurrence and got me to do an extra segment on their Poll Of The Day, aging.  Who ages?  Here it is: