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: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mflARiQGLOM&feature=PlayList&p=D75DFF220963EC07&playnext_from=PL&index=0&playnext=1

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 web site: http://www.diverscite.org

For more information about Frankie Knuckles visit his web site: http://www.fkalways.com

It was hard not to notice this year Toronto’s Pride seemed to have a lot more paid events than any other year. No, I’m not talking the Prism Festival events (http://www.prismtoronto.com) but the two hosted by the new party impresario Joesph Patrick and his Epic Weekend  Splash Bash (http://www.epicweekend.ca). Now I’m a pretty jaded party guy. I’ve been to big circuit parties all over North America so when I got notice of a  Foam Party in Dundas Square I had to go. So I did. Now, before you shriek, “there was a foam party in Dundas Square?!!!” Yes there was and as this was a new event so there was good and some things need to be tweaked.

The Splash Bash In Dundas Square

As I walked to Dundas Square it took me a actually 10-minutes to find my way in. In fact, I was lost with Sofonda who had to call Joseph to say, “um, how do I get in?’ Sofonda and I both laughed at that. Once you found your way in you were greeted by a woman at a desk who took my ticket and gave me a wrist band. The first thing I asked was, “is there a clothes check?” This ticket woman looked at me, screwing up her face, and huffed, “clothes check?! No there isn’t one here?” When I asked her what do I do with my bag and clothes she shrugged her shoulders and said, “I don’t know.” Translation: I don’t care.

The Splash Bash In Dundas Square

Once you were inside it was actually an interesting set up. The main stage was up front and the entire area was blocked off by a blue metal fence with see-through holes which was a little unnerving at first. As parade was turning two blocks up on Gerrard, curious on-lookers where gawking through the fence to see, as I heard one man say, “the strange men dancing in dish water.” At the end of the of the space, there standing 60 feet high was foam machine. This machine with four making devices cranked out enough foam to  cover one area, which was closest to Yonge Street,  and not the rest. When I heard about this party, I expected to be knee-deep in foam and not having to walk to one area to get my foam action. However, there was a lot of good to this event.

Toronto’s Pride party scene needed a little shaking up. Yes the Prism Events are good but they are the same events I was attending almost nine years go. Patrick brought an event, which got it starts in Europe back in the 90s, updated it for gay boys and took a huge risk by plopping it right in Dundas Square. So I’ll answer the question you most want to know, was it worth the ticket price? Well here’s my honest review, it brought a smile to my face and I witness people laughing and playing with each other, so I would say “yes”. However with a few caveats.

As this event is new I hope next year Patrick adds another foam machine and clothing check. I can’t tell you how dismayed a few people were about attending a foam event without a clothing check. The signage was lacking and it was hard to find you way in. Though, when people did get in they enjoyed posing in the for onlookers who were flashing their cameras way. I look at this way, how many people can say they got to play with hot boys and in foam on Pride Day? That alone made this event a conversation started for months. Oh and if you are wondering, the foam is not wet so you won’t go “slip, sliding, away” should you be rubbing against a hot boy while dancing. I can’t wait to see how this evolves in 2011.

Block-O-Rama at it's "phinenest"

If you were at Toronto Pride (http://www.pridetoronto.com) on Sunday, July 4th you knew two things. One, it was a sizzling hot day. Two Block-O-Rama in George Hislop Park was going to going to turn the day into an inferno with the music. You knew the minute the first DJ took to the decks, the event was going to be like none other, and I am happy to report it wasn’t. During the day, the attendees were treated to the Soca, Calypso, Reggae and classic Soul all with a very gay positive vibe. Block-O-Rama for those who haven’t been following the event is very positive space…you won’t find any Beane Man blasting hate.

As the day went on, each DJ came and went to the cheers and applause of the appreciative crowd. More than what was doing the crowd in, other than music, was the oven-like heat.  By the time Jojoflores (http://www.jojoflores.com) came out of the final set, hundreds of people had come and gone to share the vibe. In the heat and working up a sweat, you didn’t mind that you were literally shoulder to shoulder with people and there wasn’t much dancing room. Though from past Block-O-Rama’s this not the organizer’s fault it has to deal with the Pride Toronto Committee.

Over past few years Block-O-Rama’s biggest challenge is getting the respect it truly deserves. As this is one of the most well-attended events, though not the largest by sheer capacity, it’s location to many who were attending this year became a slight mystery. During the past few Prides, the location has moved from a spacious parking lot to well a park not able to accommodate more than 200 people. This event is usually attended by a few thousand people over the course of the day. But that’s not all.

Two Of The Hot Boys At Block-O-Rama

There are many I talked to who used the words “shameful” and “racism” to describe Block-O-Rama’s new location. In fact one angry attendee boldly stated to me, “this is not right. They [the Pride Toronto Committee] has got to stop doing this to us. My gut tells me they are threatened by Block-O-Rama and they would like us out of the way.” I would tend to agree. Block-O-Rama needs a permanent home where it can grow into the space rather than just “put up with what it has been dealt”. I hope that next year, during the planning discussions, the Blackness Yes! group finally get a stronger voice to barter for a larger space to be the permanent home for this truly unique event.

The Beginning of Enza Campaign

Today marks a unique day in Toronto. Enza Anderson (http://www.enzaanderson.ca) is running for political office. However, this time she means serious business. If you are like me you have followed Anderson’s political career with a “one-eye” open interest. Back in the early stages of her political life, Enza “Supermodel” Anderson was about headlines. The most shocking which sent soundbite heaven around the world was Anderson running for the head of the Alliance Party. As they say in the media business, “one minute you’re the EXTRA! EXTRA! The next minute a 90 year old woman rescues a cat out of a tree.” That’s exactly what happened to Anderson and her political asperations.

Now after a few years in the quasi-spotlight through her red hot column in Metro News, dropping the “Supermodel” middle name, and being Canada’s first openly transsexual front-line, Customer Service Rep. at the Bank of Montreal (http://www.bmo.com) she is now ready to step out again. Having knowing Anderson personally I asked her once, “what the hardest obstacle you will face in your campaign?” With a straight face Anderson looked at me and replied, “getting people to take me seriously. Since I ran for the Alliance Party no one will take me seriously. I have a new outlook on issues which affect the riding I am running in. I want a chance to show I am not only a transsexual, I am a woman who means business.”

Anderson’s campaign kicked off today at Just Desserts on Yonge Street where many people attended to lend there support, myself included. It is important to listen to Anderson’s view of how she would run Toronto Centre – Rosedale – Ward 27 which is one of the most important council ridings in Toronto. You will notice I did not report on what Anderson wore as she would not want the focus to be on her outfit but the issues she stands for. I found it amazing during Hilary Clinton’s campaign journalists cared more about what she wore than what she stood for. Go Enza and kick ass in high heels!!!!

The Le Chateau Window at Yonge/Bloor

It’s funny. Yesterday at Rainbow Toastmasters I was talking about the power of gay dollar and it’s importance on the retail sector. As Toronto Pride (http://www.pridetoronto.com) roars it’s glitter Godzilla like head into Toronto, right after the G20, there are some retailers who are not missing a beat. Le Chateau (http://www.lechateau.com) the retailer many gay men love to hate, has done one of their famous window displays. Over the years, as Creative Director Shawn Schmidt has told me, Le Chateau has come under hetro consumer fire for it’s more risque windows. As a result Le Chateau senior management has asked the effervescent Schmidt to tone it down for their Eaton Centre, Yonge/Bloor and Queen West stores. The result, in my opinion, has has lackluster results. That’s the thing about the gay dollar, retailers know how much gay men love to shop, however they are not willing to take visual risks to get gay men into their stores. Here’s hoping Schmidt gets his creative collar taken off next Pride and brings back the shock value.

And They Wonder Why Gay Men Watch Soccer...

OK. I’ll admit it I’ve been watching soccer. I’m in a quandary though. I half watch the games for sport because I understand the vast amounts of cardio they must do to stay in top shape. But being a gay man,  I watch it for the men. The hot, sweaty, dirty FIFA men! So by now you are either into it or trying to avoid it at all costs. If you are trying to avoid you won’t like this week’s post. If you are into it or want to get into it, let me give you the quick rundown of where to get your FIFA World Cup 201o (http://www.fifa.com)  action.

Where To Watch It :

The best place of course is from the comfort of your own living room. Grab your favourite snack food or breakfast, remember some games are at 6 a.m. (Toronto time) and tune into CBC Sports (http://www.cbcsports.ca)  Now I know what you are going to say, “EW, a sports channel!” Not so. CBC has kept the commentary intesteting yet informative but stiffled the hard-ass jock talk down to a minimum.

If you want to be with the fans here’s a couple of gay-friendly places to watch:

Cafe Diplomatico:594 College Street. Not only is this long standing College Street institution is returning to cafe society chic once again and they also serve a wicked non-Starbucks cappucino. Go to view the game. Stay to watch the hot Italian boys who are sitting around you. Most are primo!!!

The Football Factory:164 Bathurst Street. Now I pass this almost every day coming from the gym. If you are die hard “Footie” this is your home and believe it or not, tt’s pretty cool. No you can’t make out there but the straight guys are cool enough to high-five and belly bump you and not get wigged out that you are checking them out.

What To Wear:

If jersey wearing a jersey means taking a side buy a few. Or the team whose colours best suit your skin tone. LOL. Here are some suggestions of where to get your jersey on:

Joe Fresh: (http://www.joefresh.ca) They have done a limited-edition line in various team colours. Price: $14. It’s best to find a store location and see them in person. You can’t go wrong for $14.

The Adidas Store:10 Dundas Street East (http://www.adidas.com) Here you will find the widest assortment of jersey’s ranging from $50-$120

SportsChek: Eaton Centre, Lower Level. They will give you good FIFA jersey and are a little cheaper than the Adidas Store. Again this is a “go to the store” deal. Most of the FIFA gear is not on the web site.

The Adidas Original Store:389 Queen Street West. Hate the “jock guy” jersey. Visit sports haven for the Queen West set. However these are limited-editons and will set you back a few bucks but you will stand out wherever you go.

I Want The Original FIFA World Cup Ball:

Exclusively for Gay Guide Toronto here’s the official link of where you can your own Jabulani – Official Match Ball FIFA World Cup 2010: http://www.shopadidas.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3939055 But you better hurry selling faster than Adidas can make them.

Want Your Own Hot FIFA-esque Action?:

If you to get hot, sweaty and dirty just like FIFA World Cup boys but without the jeers of millions. The Downtown Soccer Club (http://www.downtownsoccerclub.org)  is your answer. Here you can join the club and get your “footie” groove on with other gay men who love scoring as much as you do.

If you’ve been reading my Facebook page I’ve asked my Facebook Friends, “what’s do you call a gay man 40+ or Zoomer (I hate that term) who is currently dating a guy 20-30?” Now the stipulations were you couldn’t automatically type the words “Sugar Daddy”, “Chicken Hawk” or ”Cougar”. As I don’t like to delve into the stereotype that a 20 to 30 something can’t take care of himself financially. There are a lot of gay men who are graduating college and/or university and getting good jobs who actually end up supporting men 40+.  So let’s move on from there.  In the realm of gay men, the nomenclature is a little limiting. Where we are labeled something derogatory were  you can feel borderline dirty old man or a closet pedophile.

What started this is I have whole line of thinking is my close friend who mulled over for weeks of whether to date a man 20 years younger than he is. For nights I would be on the phone with him and the one question which inevitably arises is, “am I a Cougar?” I kept on telling him, “well you’re in good company look at Demi and Madonna they are Cougars.” He laughed but it had me questioning, if you’re 40+ and dating a 20 year old could it be not a the sign of mid-life crisis but the bigger warning that gay men 40+ are not fun to date?

Now my friend is exactly like me. He’s tried everything to meet a man. He’s joined gay singles groups, gone out on numerous dates with various men, been to gay groups which have the same interests as him. He’s been on-line and as they say “out there”. However his efforts were fruitless with guys his own age. Many times he would regale stories of how he thought about feigning injuries on dates just to leave and not be rude. So after a while, the dating pool seemed Mr. Turtle sized small and he started dating guys younger than him. The differences were night and day.

The younger men were funnier, better educated, more optimistic, had a less baggage, had the same interests and the sex was 10 times better. I’m taking this on account. Recently his new partner and him were camping for the weekend and where men his age would be content to sit around the trailer and read for the weekend. His new guy was getting him up and playing Volleyball with group which is something my friend loves to do. Now for the sex, apparently this guy is far more open to experimentation in this department than other guys his age he’s dated. So what’s wrong with this? Nothing. However what our culture has programmed gay men to think that the older you are and they younger your boyfriend is, the more eyebrows will raise. Why should we care?

Sure style is about labels and bring a certain flair to things. However, style also encompasses having the class to realize something suits you regardless of how young it may you look. That can go from a bag, shoes, a car to a boyfriend. What really will carry it off is you. So until we can think of a better name than “Cougar” to define a gay man who is dating a younger man, why not just admire that a “Zoomer” has to style to carry it off.

Here’s an add which was done for Air New Zealand which was ultimately banned. Can you see a 40+ gay man acting like this?

My where have I been. With Pride gearing up and the world focusing on those hot, dirty boys at the FIFA World Cup it’s easy to forget Toronto Pride (http://www.pridetoronto.com)  is coming in less than three weeks. I know yours truly has stepped up the workouts, the body treatments and making sure I have that “glow”. However in prepping for the big day I’ve seen some tres cool gear I think you should know about. I’m not big about the rainbow colours this year. After all it’s not just about the end of the rainbow, it’s how you look getting there.

Cool Find Number One: Funkyfonic Lady Bug Headphones, $34.95. Available: Rolo Store, 24 Bellair Street (http://www.rolostore.com)

Don’t deny it. You love listening to Madonna’s Hung Up anytime you damn well want to during Pride. Why not stand out while bobbing your head.  These adjustable headphones are not only cool on but beat letting “Sony” use your ears as a free billboard. The head phones will also easily fit into your iPad, iPhone, iPod or MP3 player.

Cool Find Number Two:  Punk Shirt by Tuesday Night Band Practice, $125. Available:The Serpentine, 18 Hazelton Avenue (http://www.theserpentine.net)

I’m so not about the Pride colours this year and more about self expression. I was in Yorkville  popped into one of my favourite stores The Serpentine. Now before you “huff” that it’s one of those stuck up “too chic for you” boutiques in the window of the store there are candles flipping you the bird. If you have read FAB Magazine you know I have featured this store a few times as one of Toronto best dens for those who love black, goth and cool. This shirt is meshes the best of easy summer dressing for guys who still refer to their combat boots as “shit kickers” and download the Sex Pistols off of iTunes.

Screw the Pride Colours. Look Sex Pistols sexy...

With only three weeks to Toronto Pride starts. I will be bring you more cool pre Pride goodies each week.

After the rumours, whispering and gossips had their way LG Fashion Week (http://www.lgfashionweek.ca) finally illuminated the runway in their new home the Allstream Centre on the CNE Grounds. Wearing John Galliano (after a muchly debated post of what I should wear on Facebook) I clicked into the Allstream Centre ready synical as all hell. Like many of the fashion press, my patience with the FDCC  was wearing thin overthe constantly changing locations. If you haven’t heard here is the list, yes you read that right list, of attempted locations: the Travelodge demolition site at King/Bathurst, Liberty Village, the former location of the Chrysler dealership on King West and now the Allstream Centre.  Robin Kay, President of the FDCC, once justified the constant change of locations as being “fashion nomads”.  However I question if the word “nomand” is covering up for other shortcomings which are not being made public?

The opening night itself was pretty much  standard with usual fashion pack in attendance: Suzanne Boyd from Zoomer Magazine, David Livingstone Fashion Journalist extraordinaire, Andrew Sardine from NOW, the fabulous Bernadette Mora Acting Editor-in-Chief of Fashion Magazine,  Jeanne Beker  designers: Farley Chatto, Marty Rotman (of North Bound Leather) and Joesph Mimran (of Joe Fresh) .The returning sponsors Shick, L’Oreal, Rowentta, Woolite and Holt Renfrew all had respected booths and such. However the feature of the night was the IZMA collection from Izzy Camilleri and Adrian Mainella. Camilleri and Mainella (who you may remember as former host of Fashion File) collborated on the line of furs under IZMA.

As the lights went up the collection has Izzy signature all over it with very little of Mainella’s style blended in. Camilleri over the years as developed a style for sleek, elegant and drool inducing women’s clothes which are, no word of a lie, traffic stopping. However, I was straining to see where Mainella’s, who is now billing himself as an Image Consultant, influence was. Though there were some menswear, it was token and as I found not very practical. For women’s clothes this collection had some awesome pieces and if you can sift through some of the mesh pieces for Fall 10, it would be worth it.

Here are some pictures from opening night:

The Shick Razor Girls at LG Fashion Week

FDCC President, Robin Kay Opening Night of LG Fashion Week

Designer Farley Chatto at Opening Night

My seat at the IZMA Show

Holt Renfrew (http://www.holtrenfrew.com), Canada’s leading specialty retailer, will welcome runway coach extraordinaire, Miss J. Alexander to Bloor Street this Saturday, March 13 for a celebrity “walk-off” event and book signing. The famed television personality will guide brave celebrity contestants, beginning at 2:00 p.m., as they “strut their stuff” on the custom-made runway in women’s shoes. Following the catwalk extravaganza J. will sign copies of his recently published book, Follow the Model, Alexander’s guide to “unleashing presence, poise and power.”

Miss J. Alexander’s appearance will help Holt Renfrew kick off Wholelottaholts – a week of designer personal appearance and events that celebrate fun and fashion at Holt Renfrew stores across the country.

WHO: Miss J. Alexander

WHAT: Celebrity “walk-off” and book signing

WHERE:Holt Renfrew Bloor Street. Saturday, March 13, 2010. Mezzanine level

WHEN: Celebrity walk-off begins at 2:00p.m.

Miss J. Alexander