MEN began in 2007 as the DJ team of JD Samson and Johanna Fateman of the band Le Tigre. At the same time, JD became involved in another project, Hirsute, featuring Michael O’Neill and Ginger Brooks Takahashi formerly of the New York indie‐pop group The Ballet, and artist/writer Emily Roysdon. In 2008, MEN continued to tour as DJs, while Hirsute continued to write songs and create a live performance. Eventually, Johanna decided to take a break from the touring life, and the two projects merged to become one.

MEN is JD Samson, Michael O’Neill and Ginger Brooks Takahashi contributions from Johanna Fateman and Emily Roysdon. MEN is a band focusing on the energy of live performance and the radical potential of dance music. Our lyrics speak to issues such as wartime economies, sexual compromise, and demanding liberties. The music is like smashing Gang of Four into the Talking Heads a la 2009. MEN seeks to develop a live stage show that transcends traditional boundaries of performance art, live music and visual art.

MEN play two shows, both part of the new weekend-long Alterna-Queer program. Friday, July 2 at The Great Hall and Saturday, July 3 at 8pm on South Stage.

With a combined 25+ years of experience in mastering all things audio, Adam K & Soha’s music dominates the dance scene. In 2008, their smash hit “Twilight” captivated the world. An Essential New Tune on legendary Radio 1, Pete Tong set the tone for one of the biggest records of the year. Moreover, their adept skill at remixing has catapulted them into superstardom. “4AM”, “Deep At Night” and most notably “Need To Feel Loved” raised them to astronomical heights. They have reworked singles from icons U2, Tiesto and Deadmau5, and are one of the most sought after names in dance music today.

Adam K & Soha return to Dirty Disco on Sunday, July 4 at South Stage.

Longtime BBC Radio host, co-founder of Outcaste Records, and an internationally touring club DJ Ritu has been a pioneer and key figure in the British club scene for more than 23 years. Specializing in Bollywood, bhangra, Arabic, Turkish, Greek, and ‘world’ sounds, plus a hefty dose of western underground and pop styles, DJ Ritu has performed in over 30 countries and is the ultimate musical chameleon!

DJ Ritu performs on Central Stage on Saturday July 3 and at the Official Dyke Day afterparty presented in partnership with CHERRYBOMB at Revival. Get more details here.

Singer-songwriter Josie Cotton entered the world stage in the early 80s with her controversial new wave hit from 2007, “Johnny are you Queer?” (featured in ‘Jackass Number 2’ and on ‘A Date with John Waters’). Cotton has recorded numerous records over the years, including ‘Invasion of the B Girls.’ This campy but reverent homage to B-movie culture from the 60s & 70s consists of all theme songs from B-movies. In 2006 she released the noir ‘Movie Disaster Music,’ her most critically acclaimed record to date but her upcoming record ‘Pussycat Babylon,’ is the one fans have been waiting for.

Cotton plays the Alterna-Queer program on Saturday, July 3 on South Stage.

Fagget Fairy’s are here to get your feet moving and your ears tingling with big grimy bass lines, sensual vocals and saucy balkan styles. They’ve impressed crowds their rowdy performances. Carla Cammilla’s superb mixing and knob twiddling and Ena’s untouchable vocal performances might even make you fall in love. With their debut EP, ‘Samo Ti’, the Fairys’ full length debut became a hot ticket, and it was quickly snatched up by Danish club-icon Kenneth Bager, and released in March 2009. Fagget Fairy’s are an explosive cocktail of lesbianism, true love, and relentless beats to make your feet move.

Fagget Fairys play the Alterna-Queer warm up part on Friday, July 2 at the Great Hall and headline the Alterna-Queer Saturday, July 3 program at South Stage at 11pm.

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.

As an icon of popular culture, Buck Angel‘s message of empowerment through self-acceptance and being sexually comfortable in your own skin has struck a passionate chord with folks all over the world.

As he demonstrated in his apperance at YALE University,Buck is not only inspiring people to think outside the box, he is re-defining gender and educating an entire generation on the fluidity of sexuality and identity politics.
Buck has been featured in nearly every imaginable international media outlet: television, radio, web, and print. He has appeared on The Tyra Banks Show, Spike TV, The Women’s Entertainment Network, Howard Stern Show, Much Music, Sirius Radio, Dan Savage,VoiceAmerica Talk Radio Network and many others. He’s been written about in The Village Voice, Rolling Stone, Time Out, Maxim, New York Times, and other publications around the world. Armistead Maupin included Buck Angel in his latest book Michael Tolliver Lives.

As a visionary filmmaker,activist, educator and lecturer, Buck Angel launched Buck Angel Entertainment as a vehicle to produce multi media projects that will motivate viewers to think outside the box.

He was flown to London, where British artist Marc Quinn created a life-size sculpture of Buck Angel, that will be included in the sculptor’s upcoming global tour.

Buck Angel made history when he received the prestigious award from Adult Video News (AVN) for Transsexual Performer of the Year in 2007 for his groundbreaking work in the adult entertainment industry. As the pioneer of an entirely new genre, Buck has received international recognition and continues to be a huge box office hit in numerous markets.

His innovative live performances in Scotland, London, Madrid, New York City, Toronto, Amsterdam and Los Angeles have attracted thousands of adoring fans and the respect of critics everywhere.

Buck Angel performs as part of the Pride Toronto Transverse program on Friday, July 2 on South Stage at 9:15pm.

Long a leading force in the Canadian scene, DJ / Producer / remixer Deko-ze has been cited as one of Toronto’s best by Eye Weekly, Fab, Now Magazine, Xtra, and the Toronto DJ Festival. He holds residencies in clubs across the country and has had numerous gigs in the USA, UK, Germany, Taiwan and Mexico.

His energetic and charismatic stage presence, engaging personality, strong technical skills, and ability to fuse music of multiple genres (deep, funky and hard house; tribal; progressive; tech-trance; techno) have uniquely cultivated a huge following in both the gay and straight scenes. Simply put, everyone loves Deko-ze!

Deko-ze performs at “Dirty Disco” on Sunday, July 4 on South Stage at 9pm.

Known as ‘The Peoples DJ’ north of the border, JELO’s enthusiasm and energy is unmatched. This head banging Canadian has rocked floors from coast to coast with dedication for more than a decade. With his magical, unique, hard hitting style found in both his productions and DJ sets alike, JELO often sets the trends that others follow. From House to Techno, Progressive to Breaks and all of it assembled with wild mixing abilities…JELO will make you dance. Period.

This year, JELO performed at the “Ultra Music Festival” the best dance music event in the world. JELO is also a resident performer at the Burning Man festival and at Footwork and has worked with people like DeadMau5, Adam K and Donald Glaude.

Pride Toronto is happy to have JELO as part of the Dirty Disco Collective taking place Sunday, July 4 on South Stage. He performs at 10pm. Don’t miss it!