Keyword and Phrases: gay west, gaywest, queerwest, collective. bent
events, beehive, performing arts events, educational workshops, oral, vocal,
voice, bent media, bent village, bent expressions, shout, queer youth, young
adult, spoken word, art shows, queer west fest, film festival. queen street
west, anal, oral, aural, queer visiual art, arts and culture, erotica, érotique,
erotico, eros, eroticism, erotic love, sex, sexist,sexy, poets, poetical, spoken
word, steamy, steam, steaming hot, dirty words, smut, smutty, queer lit, literature,
listening, listen, stories, adventures, adventuresome, adventuring. venture,
noble, raunchy, causes, amatory, amorous, aphrodisiac, lascivious, read, readings,
connect, connecting, salacious, sexual, love or desire: amative, amorous, concupiscent,
lascivious, lecherous, lewd, libidinous, lustful, lusty, passionate.,
Erotica: literary or artistic works having an erotic theme; especially,
books treating of sexual love in a sensuous or voluptuous manner. The word erotica
typically applies to works in which the sexual element is regarded as part of
the larger aesthetic aspect. It is usually distinguished from pornography, which
can also have literary merit, but which is usually understood to have sexual
arousal as its main purpose.
QUEER WEST ARTS FESTIVAL UPDATE - THURSDAY MARCH
18: Something wonderful is about to happen, that will change
the face of Queer Toronto forever. Press release coming soon.
ShOUT! Queer West Young Adult (Un)Conference Series
Presents…
MAKE CULTURE JAM!!
Participant-Facilitated Discussion on Wednesday March 31
Guerrilla Art, Media-Making and Creative Resistance
“As consumers of empowerment, our autonomy is only expressed through the
act of choosing. By creating new choices for ourselves, and expanding opportunities
for empowerment outside of the consumer sphere, we can be activists in the best
sense of the word.”
~Carly Stasko
In her article, Action Grrrls in the Dream Machine,
Part of Turbo Chicks: Talking Young Feminisms (Sumach Press 2001)
Using the culture-jamming inspiration of our participating guerilla artists
and independent media-makers, our discussion tonight will focus on a plethora
of subversive expressions (zine-making, graffiti, stencil and sticker art, print,
performance and blogging, are a few examples) through which marginalized folk
exert their voices and insert themselves into a cultural landscape where they
are seldom seen, heard or validated. Together, we will explore the extent to
which these creative practices work as a “queer” tactic of resistance and as
a process of personal and political transformation and healing.
Discussion Sparkers
1) First and foremost, what exactly IS a Culture Jam?
(hint: think about the multiple meanings of “jam” as a metaphor for what a
culture jam might aim to accomplish)
i—a sweet preservative, ii—a predicament, iii—a blockage wedged into the machinery
2) What makes a particular Jam successful and why? Do all examples of parody
and satire necessarily count as jams?
3) Feminist artist and academic, Allyson Mitchell, has called writings on
public spaces by lesbians and feminists and other forms of political graffiti
“emergency story-telling”. Why do you think the impulse to tell our stories
is so urgent? In what ways does the exercise of personal narrative, which we
see in a variety of jamming mediums (including zines, and blogs) function as
a potent political tool?
4) What is a “zine”? The “DIY-Movement”? and “craftivism”? and what is their
relationship to an anti-corporate/anti-capitalist politic and sub-culture?
5) Many jammers and independent cultural producers, work to reconfigure, denaturalize,
mess with, and “queer” conventions that dictate who gets legitimate space carved
out in urban environments, who really belongs there, and whose voices are authorized
to speak and be heard. Considering this, how are the artistic processes and
methods used by jammers as important as the messages themselves that they communicate?
For example, think about why a jammer would choose a particular site (either
physical, visual or virtual) as the setting for their jam. Why is it significant
that zines are often hand-written rather than typed? How can scissors and glue
be political tools as much as they are crafting instruments? How does a xerox
machine function to legitimate the illegitimate?
6) Some critics may see zine making and blogging and artistic expression in
general as merely a narcissistic catharsis for the self indulgent, rather than
as a form of politics. To what degree can the various creative resistance practices
we’ve discussed, actually be reframed as a valid form of activism, despite that
that they may not enact policy change directly?
7) Toronto culture jammer, and media tigress, Carly Stasko, implied in the
opening epigraph (see above) that empowerment is a commodity to be consumed.
What does she mean by this? How can we develop a critically queer eye for the
ways in which LGBT lifestyles are being co-opted by those in power? At whose
expense do certain identities and bodies gain visibility?
Full Details on panelists …coming soon.
As of Sunday March 7th. Two guests are confirmed. Queer zinester,
Sarah Pinder as facilitator and Journalist Victoria Gray, will be talking about
blogging as indy-media. There are more to be confirmed.
The Event Details: ShOUT is free and Runs on Last Wed of every month
from 6:30 pm to 8.30 pm at the Masaryk-Cowan Community Centre, 220 Cowan Avenue
(Toronto Parkdale) Street
Map Families welcome too. RSVP Jaclyn Isen qwshout@gmail.com ShOUT
Queer Youth Program Help line 416-879-7954 Brochure
Queer West, Toronto Ontario
Upcoming ShOUT Queer West events
TRANS / FORMING FEMINISM: Voices of Queer Feminism
-The Relevance of Radical Feminism for Gay Men -What is Lesbian-Feminism? Is
it dead? Coming-Out through Feminism. -A short history of Trans-Exclusion from
the Feminist Community.(ThisVIDEO
provides food for thought on this upcoming topics) This event will be held
on Wednesday April 28, 2010. If you would
like to be a guest panelist. Contact Jaclyn Isen, Shout Project
Director at qwshout@gmail.com
*QUEER URBAN GEORGAPHY – Queer Times, Queer Spaces,
Queer Utopia-Building, Are Queer Neighbourhoods worth saving? (May 2010) -gay
vs. queer neighborhoods (This VIDEOand
background information provides food for thought on this upcoming topics)
This will be an exciting event, as we have tentative booking with C. Nash associate
professor Geography Brock University, who will be choosing topic. This is a
second in a series the first one was titled. “The Future of Queer Neighbourhoods”
which took place at Gladstone Hotel Artbar Jan 29, 2008, more than 50 people
came and room held 35, we had to turn people away. This event will be
held on Wednesday May 26, 2010 If you would like to be a guest panelist.
Contact Jaclyn Isen, Shout Project
Director at qwshout@gmail.com
Queer West Youth Unconference - Wed. Feb 24
Queer West is launching the First new ShOUT
Queer Youth Unconference on Wednesday February 24, 2010 @ Masaryk-Cowan Community
Centre (Parkdale). Your Invited.
ShOUT is a monthly Open Space technology “Unconference” A Participant-Facilitated
Discussion, designed For and By Queer Youth and Young Adults, including their
friends and allies in West Central Toronto Ontario.
The Agenda Tonight
Mix and Mingle with our panelists, poets and the members from the ShOUT
Beehive Collective, who worked hard putting tonight’s event together
for you. All Generation-Y volunteers. The Queer West Board of Directors
will also be present. Philip Cairns, Jaclyn Isen
and Michel F. Paré.
There will be Art Show and Works by Ilona
Abramovich and Spoken Word Readings by Max
Baru and Dani Mas
There will be short documentary film on Young, Queer and Homeless in
Toronto made by Ilona Abramovich
Tonights topic: Out on the Streets. Young, Queer and
Homeless in Toronto
Guest Speakers: Disclaimer: Please note that participation in ShOUT!
Queer West Youth and Young Adult Program does not necessarily reflect the sexual
orientation or gender identity of its participants in any particular way.
Guest Panelist Biographies
Ilona Abramovich (Guest Panelist/Film Maker) is a PhD student in the
Adult Education and Community Development program at the University of Toronto
– OISE. Her research interests focus on LGBTQ youth homelessness, youth culture,
and support services. The main question that drives Ilona’s work and passion
is “where is the support?” She strives to find where the support is for LGBTQ
youth who are homeless in Toronto and to help share the voices of a population
of people who are often silenced and unheard.
Abramovich is interested in arts-informed research and media activism and is
always thinking of new ways to spread awareness and hope. She paints on canvas,
wood, and concrete – using acrylics, spray paint, nails, wire, and screens.
Ilona is inspired by pink skies, observation, and hope. Her Web Site: www.ilona6.com
Max Baru (Guest Panelist/Poet) was born in Moscow on November 4th, and
currently resides in Toronto. His work focuses on contemporary fiction, and
explores unconventional romance, issues of identity, and gender as well as attempts
to distort social perceptions. Baru’s work often contains undercurrents that
reflect his views on mental health issues, and although often presented through
a dark motif emphasizes self-preservation. Baru is currently a volunteer at
Dandyhorse (Cycling) Magazine and most recently his poetry has been featured
by the Hot-Sauced Words poetry reading series. Baru was an attendee at our Queer
Expressions a night of Poetry and Spoken Word at The Press Club on January 24,
2010
"Writing for me has been a band-aid as much as it has been a way to
communicate. It’s been dangerous and comforting, a way to slow down, connect,
live many places, genders, and hair colors. It lets you revolt in your own unique
way and thank the ones dear to you in the most personal way. Working with the
Parkdale Street-Writers http://parkdalewriters.ca/
has been a thrilling experience. " Baru said.
Jaclyn Alia Isen (Moderator/Queer West Vice President /Shout Project Director)
Jaclyn Alia Isen is one of Queer West Arts Collective’s newest members, joining
the Board of Directors and initiating the ShOUT!
Young Queer Adult (Un)conference Program in December 2009. Jaclyn is a creative
and eager generation Y’er and a proud Parkdalian with an ongoing craving for
queer and feminist theory and community.
Jac holds a Masters of Arts in Women’s Studies from the University of Western
Ontario, has taught an introductory undergraduate tutorial in Women’s Studies
and has participated in a number of conferences on the topics of gender and
sexuality.
She has developed a great deal of experience in organizing arts-based community
programming in her role as the Community Outreach Coordinator for a wonderful
independent feminist business on the Danforth called Red Tent Sisters.
Jaclyn is a woman-loving-woman, and generally a people-loving-person, who holds
a fierce belief in the power of the arts to educate, cultivate, heal and transform
community. She is currently pursuing a Masters of Education in Adult Education
and Community Development at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education
at University of Toronto.
Like many of Queer West’s young volunteers, her work celebrates the valuable
contributions young people make to communities throughout the City of Toronto
and the important role young queer adults play as advocates, visionaries, and
agents of social change.
(Guest Panelist) Toronto author Emily Pohl-Weary grew up and still lives
in the city’s west end. She’s currently writing a four-issue girl pirate comic
(illustrated by Willow Dawson). Her young adult mystery novel, Strange Times
at Western High, was published by Annick Press in the fall of 2006. Emily started
art/lit hybrid Kiss Machine magazine in 2000. A slim collection of her poetry,
Iron-On Constellations, was published in late 2005.
Her first novel, A Girl Like Sugar, was released in 2004.Pohl-Weary currently
coordinates a free weekly writing group for west-end Toronto youth called Parkdale
Street Writers. http://parkdalewriters.ca/
She also facilitated writing workshops at Evergreen Youth Shelter and Street
Outreach Services in 2007 for Toronto Youth Street Stories /Youth Pathways Project,
an arts-based research study conducted through the Centre for Mental Health
and Addiction and University of Toronto, which focused on issues of ethnic and
sexual diversity, drug use, and mental health faced by youth living in high-risk
environments on or close to the street. She is currently working on a new novel,
a film script, and is completing a Master’s Degree in Fine Arts at the University
of British Columbia. Visit Her Web Site: www.emilypohlweary.com
(Guest Panelists) Whitney Pyper, Marketing and Outreach Coordinator
Toronto Youth Employment Services. YES is a premier sponsor of the SHOUT Youth
Program.
She has ample experience with youth job applications and resume writing and
will share with us her useful tips and real world experience. www.yes.on.ca
Dani Mas (Guest Panelist/Poet) Born Danielle Thomas in St. Thomas Jamaica,
the third of seven siblings some of whom she's yet to meet. She currently resides
in a nameless neighbourhood, west of Roncesvalles in Parkdale. She is musician
and fond of producing outsider art. As a writer she is Partial to writing fiction,
she is intrigued with societal structure the complexities and contradictions
of the human condition, particularly obsessed with the ideas of truth and love.
She is a constant student of life and in the literal sense. A member of Parkdale
Street Writers youth group and a big fan of Pride Toronto and the Queer West
Arts and Cultural Festival. http://parkdalewriters.ca/
Volunteer Opportunities available with ShOUT
Beehive Arts Collective, 2 to 3 hours a month, is all we are asking you,
to give back to your community. Values of team work, trust, excellence, sustainability
and creativity. There are many shoes to fill and we need talented people to
fill them. Write: Jaclyn Isen: qwshout@gmail.com
The Details: Runs on Last Wed of every month from 6:30 pm to 8.30 pm
at the Masaryk-Cowan Community Centre, 220 Cowan Avenue (Toronto Parkdale) Street
Map Families welcome too.RSVP Jaclyn Isen qwshout@gmail.com SHOUT
Queer Youth Program Help line 416-879-7954 Shout
Brochure Queer West, Toronto Ontario
Another Night of Erotic Poetry with a Queer Twist
coming soon
Monday March 1, 2010. Queer West's newspaper held our first event called
Bent Expressions: An evening of poetry and spoken word
(Poetry slam) it was such a smashing success on Sunday January 24th.
2010. ORAL-TRIX for Queer West Fest in June
Since these are all professional artists, not amateurs. Organizing them
can be a little more difficult. It's worth a few hassles. All artists are door
money, get 10-12 minutes, the Arts Collective does fundraising, a win-win situation.
This is why we tear up Queer Toronto, finding the Best of Best for your enjoyment.
The Press Club was a good venue, owners were happy with beer sales, but 70
people was a tight squeeze. We think we can do 120 second event. The next event
will be on West Queen West. Fans asked us to add musicians, more spoken word
renegades and more sex in the city poetry sluts, to the next event. Location
TBA
Most of the January performers identified with Church St. gay village poetry
nights. Being welcomed in new queer space in the west end of the city was a
pleasant surprise.
The spoken word artists and poets in mindful sexuality, recite their handcrafted
poetry about love, sexuality, intimacy, and romance. Sharing personal experiences,
based on their direct experience of investigating the body, spirit and mind
in connection, these poets will inspire and intrigue you. Hear their words on
spontaneity, surrender, desire and jealousy. Understand what it’s like to leave
no part out.
If you are interested in reading at this erotic event contact the Arts Collective.
If you live out of town?. We were thinking of trying a Skype or (voIP) ook
up so you won't miss the fun. Please drop a line to the event promoters Michel:
queerwestinfo@gmail.comor
Toronto poet Philip Cairns(fullmoon@auracom.com)
Bent Expressions: An evening
of queer poetry and spoken word - Sun.
Jan 24
Sunday January 24, 2010 - - Bent Expressions @ The
Press Club. A Queer West Arts Collective presentation. Poets: Phlip
Arima, Parul Pandya, Nicki Ward, Philip Cairns, Kirk DeMatas, Yehuda Fisher,
Jay Stewart, David Bateman and Duncan Armstrong are confirmed for the spoken
word and poetry event on January 24.
Event Organized by Michel F. Paré and Philip Cairns. Members, Queer
West Board of Directors
Spoken word poet Phlip Arima, Toronto Ontario.
Phlip Arima is a poet and phenomenal
performer. Born and raised in Toronto, he has three books of poetry and one
book of short fiction to his credit. His poetry videos have air on Bravo and
he has collaborated with fine artists, photographers and dancers. He is known
as a dark romantic and his work is gritty, urban, and socio-political. With
astounding images and rhythms, Phlip’s poetry resonates as strongly on the page
as it does from the stage. For both audio and text samples of his work please
visit www.phliparima.com
Spoken word poet Philip Cairns, Toronto Ontario.
Philip Cairns - . Writes plays, performance-pieces,
short stories and poetry. He has performed his own work in festivals, cafes
and theatres all over Toronto. Philip has performed his writing at Buddies in
Bad Times Theatre, A Space, Free Times Cafe, Clinton’s, The Black Swan, Renaissance
Cafe, The Theatre Centre and Paddy’s Playhouse. He has acted in scores of small
theatre productions and numerous independent films. He is also a visual artist
having recently had a one-man exhibition at Artcetera Gallery in Toronto plus
numerous other solo and group shows in Toronto and Edmonton. Who recently stared
in, Sex, Relationships and Sometimes...Love at the Poor Alex Theatre Website:www.myspace.com/philipcairns
Spoken word poet David Bateman, Toronto Ontario.
David Bateman is an actor, a spoken word
poet, and performance artist presently based in Toronto. His most recent performances,
A Brief History of White Virgins or The Night Freddy Mercury Kissed Me, and
What’s It Like? were presented in Vancouver, Peterborough, Ottawa, Montreal,
and Toronto during the winter of 2009. He has presented his work across the
country over the past twenty years and also teaches drama, literature, and creative
writing at a variety of Canadian post-secondary institutions. He has a PhD from
the English Department (Creative Writing specialization) at the University of
Calgary. His poetry has been published by Frontenac House Press (Calgary), and
his performance work has been published by Blizzard Press (Toronto), Ordinary
Press (Peterborough), and finewords chapbooks (Victoria).
Spoken word poet Duncan Armtstrong, Toronto Ontario.
Duncan Armstrong
is a poet, short-story writer. From 1991 to 1999 Duncan was the force
behind Bushwack Theatre. When it folded in 2000 he wrote a huge novel - in 2002
- jumped back into the poetry/spoken word scene - he’s had work published in
CV2, Labor of Love, Renaissance Conspiracy anthologies, been featured on HOWL,
and hit stages all over the city from former Cafe May in the Queer West Village
to the Renaissance Cafe in the east end of the city. He was featured in shows
at The Black Swan, Cryptic Chatter at Renaissance Cafe, open stages at Word
Jam, Dimentia 5, Diamond Cherry, Poetic Justice, Plasticine Words; hosted the
Coffeehouse Cabaret, workshopped fiction with Rosemary Aubert, & Caro Soles;
in 2009 featured at Pride, Word on the Street, Coffeehouse at TKO's & The
Art Bar. Website: duncanarmstrong.coffeehouse.caTo
watch Duncan perform his poetry: www.youtube.com/user/TOpoet
Spoken word poet Kirk DeMatas, Toronto Ontario.
Kirk DeMatas is a poet, dancer and actor
currently living in the west end of Toronto. Though much of his early years
were spent dancing and appearing in various stage productions, including a role
as Chino in West Side Story, Kirk has spent many nights quietly curling up with
his pen and paper – writing poetry. In 2007, Kirk publically debuted his poetry
in front of a packed house at Trane Studio Jazz Lounge and has since performed
at the lounge with music artists such as Ottawa’s Mellow Dee and Toronto’s own
soulful flautist Jef Kearns. In March 2008, after many emotionally exhausting
nights, Kirk’s first book of poetry entitled “Wordspeak” was published. Tackling
topics from slavery, racism and homophobia, to sex and the undefined spirituality
within, this first book served as an introduction to Kirk, the poet. In the
midst of promoting his first book, all plans were placed on hold as he began
work on his second book (affectionately known as “CWS”). He has spent much of
2009 confronting and slaying his own demons for this book in hopes of meeting
a mid-2010 publication deadline. Other plans for 2010 include an appearance
in a dance film (short), an E.P., and more work on stage and film. www.myspace.com/kirkdematas
Spoken word poet Jay Stewart, Toronto Ontario.
Jay Stewart is a spoken word agent provocateur
who describes himself as 'deaf, bi, and sick.' He takes serious issues and turns
them into controversial & hilarious pieces of art (i.e. Don't Hate, Just
Masturbate & Shoot a Load, Not Yourself). Jay was part of the 1st annual
Young Creator's Unit at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre for creator/performers
under the age of 25. There, he created 'Ticked '07!' - a multi-character one
person show focusing on the issue of hate crimes. Jay has performed and MC-ed
at a variety of events including: Toronto's AIDS Conference, Goodhandy's, Writing
Outside the Margins, Fruit Loopz at Pride, Queer Cab, and the Inside Out Film
Festival. Recently, his company produced 'Hard & Able', a one-night-only
cabaret, that featured exclusively artists that identified as queer & disabled.
ajaystewartproject.com
Spoken word poetess Parul Pandya, Toronto Ontario.
Parul Pandya was born in the UK and moved
to the Toronto area at the age of six. From an early age, it became abundantly
clear what the two things she was passionate about were: talking and music.
Raised within a Hindu tradition, she learned the importance of diversity and
the appreciation of different cultures at a young age. This led her to study
Renaissance Studies (with a special interest in the Italian Renaissance), History
and Sexual Diversity at the University of Toronto. Her passion for art, history
and culture is now being channelled through writing poignant and personal observations
about love, life, sex, sexuality, society and popular culture. She writes an
eclectic and insightful blog, The House of Provocation and appears regularly
in Xtra: Toronto's Lesbian and Gay Bi-weekly. Her other adventures include continuing
reviews for the Toronto International Film Festival and speaking frequently
on South Asian queer heritage. Currently her creative ambition is also revealing
face as an arts programmer at Harbourfront Centre. house-of-provocation.blogspot.com
Spoken word poet Yehuda Fisher, Toronto Ontario.
Yehuda Fisher - a.k.a. PAN, is a poet,
actor and musician who lives in Toronto with computers, quills, books and a
dozen instruments... almost. He's been in the Toronto arts scene for years,
both entertaining and terrorizing audiences around the city - depending on who
you ask. Formerly he hosted and produced Art Attack, a weekly arts and entertainment
magazine show for CHRY 105.5 FM and now hosts the very successful series WordJam:
Poetry/Music Fusion Playtime. He served as Asst. Artistic Director for the 2009
Rustbelt Slam in Toronto and is the Slam-Master/Artistic Director of BAM! the
Toronto Youth Slam. He has enjoyed much success touring and competing in poetry
slams through Canada and the U.S. He helped represent Toronto in 2008 at the
Rustbelt Regional Poetry Slam (coaching the 2009 team) and in 2009 at the Canadian
Festival of Spoken Word and at the QEW Regional Slam. Yehuda/PAN is currently
a member of the Slam Fam Poetry Collective and the Toronto Poetry Project, a
group focused on nurturing and promoting the spoken word scene in Toronto through
events, slams and workshops. His poetry has been published and he has one chapbook
- Pen to Paper, and one Poetry CD - Mouth To Mic. www.yehudafisher.com
Spoken word poetess Nichola Ward, Toronto Ontario.
Nichola Ward Nichola (Nicki) Ward was born
in London and lives in Toronto, Canada where she is a writer and performer.She
is the founder of the publishing and performance group Ground Queero and a long
term member of the respected LGBT writer's group "OUTwrites" She is
the author of "Little Sarah - Wordkeeper", "Babylon Alley - A
Play for Voices" and has recently completed the anthology "Found Album":
More information can be found nicholaward.com or
www.facebook.com/pages/Nichola-Ward/107612480634
The Details:Host & MC for the evening Toronto poet and actor
Philip Cairns. Who recently stared in, Sex, Relationships and Sometimes...Love
at the Poor Alex Theatre The Press Club, 850 Dundas St. W. Starts at 7:30 PM
runs to 10 PM. PWYC with a $5 minimum.. Queer West Village, Toronto
Ontario www.thepressclub.ca
The Queer West Arts Collective is inspired by the Queer West ideals of openness, innovation and participation.We welcome new ideas and new faces, so come join us be part of the team! Our meetings are always free and open to anyone. Emailqueerwestinfo@gmail.com | About Us
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