What's on: in Queer Toronto today?

One of Gay Toronto's leading media publications, with the hottest happenings in the coolest places

The Bent Expressions eNewspaper since 1996 A Social Enterprise of QueerWest.org (Formerly The Inside Story). Your complete resource guide to Queer West Village, Toronto ON: Approved Events What's an Approved Event? It’s local events Bent Expression Newspaper puts, our trusted stamp of approval on. We know the local event organizers, promoters and public relations people. We believe in them enough, to sponsor them with Cost-Free Promotional Support, to put them before our vast audience 840,000 unique monthly site visitors and 15,000 eblast newsletter readers. You can sift through reams of other Queer listings elsewhere – We’re simply showing you the very best that Toronto has to offer.

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Spotlight events in the heart of Toronto's only Bent Village - Queer West

Five Week Writing Workshop @ Toronto Women's Bookstore, with Anna Camilleri. Tuesday nights in February and the first week of March. Story Lab is a five-week writing intensive that focuses on narrative and scene-based action, and how to weave them to build stories with momentum, and clarity of voice.

Participants will work with elements including tension, conflict, dialogue, point of view, compressed and stretched time— particular attention will be paid to setting and details, characterization, and structure. The emphasis is on directed writing practices in a supportive group setting, constructive feedback, and focused discussion.

Instructor-Facilitator Bio: Anna Camilleri is writer/performer of two one-woman shows, and critically-acclaimed author of I Am a Red Dress, editor of Red Light: Superheroes, Saints and Sluts, co-editor of Brazen Femme: Queering Femininity, and writer/director of two CBC radio works. Camilleri recently performed at the Queer Literary Kinships Symposium in Gent, Belgium, and with SweLL, at the 10th Annual Pride in Art Festival in Vancouver. SweLL is the (re)iteration of Taste This—a queer performance troupe that tourerd Canada and US from ‘95-2000, and co-authored Boys Like Her: Transfiction. For more information, visit www.annacamilleri.com.

The Details: TUESDAY evenings in FEBRUARY and MARCH FEBRUARY 2, 9, 16 and 23 and MARCH 2 from 6:30pm to 9pm @ TWB Fee: $60 (No Refunds). Pre-registration and payment required.. Please call to register. Enrollment limited to 15 participants. Limited sliding scale spots available.We regret our bathroom is not wheelchair accessible. Toronto Women's Bookstor. www.womensbookstore.com 416-922-8744

Wednesday Night Latin Jazz Jams Series with Sean Bellaviti! @ Lula Lounge Featuring Luisito Orbegoso, Max Senitt, Alexander Brown, Paco Luviano & guests Every Wednesday at 10pm, pianist Sean Bellaviti hosts a salsa/latin jazz jam featuring Luisito Orbegoso, Max Senitt, Alexander Brown and Paco Luviano. The event is open to any and all musicians interested in playing Latin music in all of its various guises. The jam starts at 10 pm and continues for the rest of the night. There is no cover, however, a small donation is encouraged. 1585 Dundas St. W., west of Dufferin 416 588 0307 info@lula.ca www.lulalounge.ca

Queer West Film Fest - Call for Video Submissions

For 3rd annual Queer West Film Festival at Fixt Point Theatre, 1550 Queen St W. Date Saturday June 26, 2010 Film Festival Forms & Details 2010

APPROVED EVENTS - SHOTGUN REVIEWS - HOT PARTIES, HOT SHOWS and HOT SPOTS IN TORONTO - "February 2010" - See Also | Films, Festivals and Art | Theatre Events | Weekly & Monthly Events | Queer West Bent Events

What's On: In clubland

Bread and Circus Whiskey Bars is Bremner Duthie's one-man show featuring a selection of songs by Kurt Weill. The cabaret production runs every Tues. 8 p.m., to Mar. 21 ($15/$12 at www.totix.ca). Bread and Circus, 299 Augusta Ave. www.bremnerduthie.com

Cadillac Lounge (1296 Queen St. W. 416-536-7717): Ancient Chinese Secret, Big Ass Cracker Thurs.; The Screwed Fri.; George Westerholm & the Rowdy Men Sat. (Cadillac Ranch 3 p.m. Sat.); The Rattles Sun.; open stage & jam Mon.; blue grass night Tues.; Hillbilly Heroine Wed.

Cameron House (408 Queen St. W. 416-703-0811): Stalemate, Volger Thurs. (Corin Raymond & the Sundowners 6 p.m. Thurs.); Stalemate, Silent 5 & guests Fri. (Jack Marks 6 p.m. Fri.); Stalemate, Girls Girls Girls Sat. (Sue & Dwight 3:30 p.m., Rattlesnake Choir 6 p.m. Sat.); Stalemate, Kevin Quain & the Mad Bastards Sun. (Frank Nevada 3:30 p.m., Colleen Hodgson 6 p.m. Sun.); Laura Hubert Band, Dr. Sketchy Mon. (Ariana Gillis 6 p.m. Mon.); Dan Kosub, Luke Nicholson Tues. (The DoneFors 6 p.m. Tues.); Graham Playford & Shane Murphy, Lady Hughes Wed. (Andrew Collins 6 p.m. Wed.)..

Clinton's (693 Bloor St. W.): The Stormalongs, Ready My Radio, The Fools, Andrew Downey Thurs.; Tuff Meat Fri.

Dakota Tavern (249 Ossington Ave.): Rob Lutes Thurs.

Drake Hotel (1150 Queen St. W.): Laura Marling, The Wheel Tues.

El Mocambo (464 Spadina Ave.): Haiti Relief benefit with Bishop Brigante, D-Sisive, Muneshine, Rich Kid etc., Bob Marley Tribute Show Fri.; Reed Nathan & others Sat.; Hadouken Tues.; Scary Kids Scaring Kids, the Sleeping, I Am Committing Sin, In Lights Wed.

Holy Oak Café (1241 Bloor St. W. 647-345-2803): Lisa Bozikovic & the Pining Thurs.; Nordic Nomadic & VIVIV Fri.; Angela Morris 3 p.m. Sat.; Marc Roy 1 p.m. Sun.; Brothers Eros Tues.

Hugh's Room has Women's Blues Fuse with Carrie Chestnutt, Lorraine Segato, Brandi Disterheft and others Thurs. ($20-$22.50); Kevin Fox performs Wed. ($18-$20). Shows begin at 8:30 p.m.; tickets at 416-531-6604. 2261 Dundas St. W.

Lee's Palace (529 Bloor St. W. 416-532-1598): Davey Parkey Radio Sound, Father Christmas, Kevin Krouglow Thurs.; Dave Borins, Blues In D, The Jing Bang Show Fri.; Bob Marley Birthday Bash with House of David Gang, King Selah, High Plains Drifter Sat.

Lula Lounge (1585 Dundas St. W. 416-588-0307): Dominic Mancuso Fri.; Café Cubano Sat.; Marisa Buffone's Tarantella Cabaret Sun; ukulele jam Mon.; fundraiser with Los Salvages Tues.; Sean Bellaviti's Latin Jazz jam Wed.

Music Gallery Wavelength 500 tenth anniversary festival kicks off with Bruce Peninsula, Evening Hymns, Pony Da Look, Deep Dark United and Canaille, Wed. 7 p.m. ($12 at Soundscapes). Music Gallery, 197 John St.

The Rivoli (334 Queen St. W. 416-596-1908): Walk Off the Earth, Staylefish, Crooked Hook Fri.; The Berettas, All But Over, Broken Sons Sat.; Best of Both Worlds with Dave Merheje, Barry Taylor, Mike Costantini, The Bring Back Swayzes Wed.

Silver Dollar Room (486 Spadina Ave. 416-763-9139): The Ambassadors, The Good Bad, Dead Famous, Inhumanoids Fri.; Ainike CD release, Eric St. Laurent Sat.; Crazy Strings every Wed.

Supermarket (286 Augusta Ave. 416-840-0501): Open mic/jam/songwriter night Sun.; benefit with Northern Primitive, Hue Tues.; John Tayles, Stereo Goes Stellar, Good and Broken Wed.

Wrongbar (1279 Queen St. W.) Chuck Ragan & Tim Barry, Dave Hause & the Cavaliers Sat.; Ebony Bones Sun.

What's On: By Date

Wednesday February 10 - Lady Fest All full of Love @ The Tranzac Club All is Full of Love - Presented by Ladyfest The Tranzac, 292 Brunswick Ave.

February 11 - Up for Discussion series @ Sherbourne Health Centre.In celebration of Family Day 2010, the LGBTQ Parenting Network (Sherbourne Health Centre), in collaboration with the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto (Domestic Violence Team), is launching the first event in its Up for Discussion series

The Up for Discussion series will focus on a range of issues relating to LGBTQ parenting and families, including sperm donation, surrogacy, adoption, co-parenting, birth registration, violence, shared parenting, custody and access. All forums will feature key speakers, including academic, legal and local “experts,” and plenty of time for discussion amongst all who attend.

Speakers Include: Barry Stevens, Suhail Abualsameed, Chloe Brushwood-Rose and Kelly Jordan. Moderated by: Rachel Epstein.

The Details: Part One: SPERM Thursday, Feb. 11, 6:30 – 9:00 pm Pizza and snacks provided.Childcare available. Preregistration required before Feb. 4, 1010. Sherbourne Health Centre, 333 Sherbourne St. For more information: parentingnetwork@sherbourne.on.ca www.lgbtqparentingconnection.ca

February 11 - Night at The Indies presents Come Out, Come Out Wherever you Are! @ Meow Films Office. Spoken word event and film The Baby Formula.

Amai Kuda is a singer/songwriter, community activist and the mother of a young child. The name Amai Kuda means "mother to the will of the creator" in the southern African language Shona. Through parenthood, community work and art, Amai is a vehicle for creation and for change. She co-founded and coordinates two organizations, Moyo Wa Africa and Seven Directions, dedicated to the decolonization of African peoples and to indigenous solidarity respectively.

The Baby Formula Two adventurous women in love are desperate to have their own biological child. They take a chance on an experimental scientific process and make sperm from their own stem cells. Pregnant with humour and unexpected twists, their journey tailspins out of control when their families discover there is no father. 2009 - ALISON REID (Director/Producer), RICHARD BEATTIE (Writer), ANGELA VINT (Athena), MEGAN FAHLENBOCK (Lilith), and more...

The Details: We are proud to present a collaborative series of short and full length films every 2nd Thursday of the month at the Meow Films office - 868 Dovercourt Road - 2 blocks North of Bloor.Please join us to celebrate this series. Meow Films Office, 868 Dovercourt Road, Admission: $10/pay what you can Showcasing: The Baby Formula & Spoken Word by Amai Kuda

Thursday February 11 - The Trans Inclusion Group hosts a FREE screening of “She’s A Boy I Knew @ The Centre for Women and Trans People at University of Toronto.

Using interviews, animation, old family footage, and voice mail, Vancouver filmmaker Gwen Haworth documents her male-to-female gender transition partially through the voices of her anxious but loving family, best friend, and wife.

Calling for a new era of DIY transgender self-representation, Haworth’s feature debut is a comic, heartbreaking, and uplifting autobiography that breaks away from the marginalized depictions of transsexuals that populate mainstream media. The film celebrates creative activism, self-advocacy and empowerment. She's a Boy I Knew begins in 2000 with Steven Haworth's decision to come out to his family about his life-long female gender identity. The resulting auto-ethnography is not only an exploration into the filmmaker's process of transition from biological male to female, from Steven to Gwen, but also an emotionally charged account of the individual experiences, struggles, and stakes that her two sisters, mother, father, best friend and wife brought to Gwen's transition. As her transition progresses, Gwen is forced to reckon with the end of her marriage and the loss of her status as son and brother. But in doing so, she also discovers that while the nature of personal relationships may change, the love and support present within those relationships can remain just as powerful and sometimes even more so.

The Details: Thursday February 11th, 2010 6pm-8pm FREE at The Centre for Women and Trans People at U of T 563 Spadina Ave. North Borden Building rm. 100, womenscentre.sa.utoronto.ca womens.centre@utoronto.ca 416-978-8201wheelchair accessible

Thursday February 11 - My Kinky Valentine @ Bread and Cirucs

Crash Pad Series Volume 4: Long time lovers Ex and Muscle Beach share their craft and kink like true experts. There’s nothing more profound than when two lovers play together and push each others’ limits. Directed by Shine Louise Houston/produced by Blowfish Video.

Trans Entities: The Nasty Love of Papi and Wil: A classic! This super-edgy flick shows this couple engaged in serious role-play alongside tender negotiation with a whole lotta love. Directed by Morty Diamond.

Penny Flame's Expert Guide to Rough Sex: Aiden Starr has a nasty, mean mouth, and she unleashes it on man-puppy Devin. Aiden's degradation and humiliation of Devin never let's up, and he loves every minute of it. Directed by Penny Flame from SmartAss Productions.

Handcuffs: Public submission, thrilling voyeurism, stunning visuals, and a hot soundtrack are just a few of the things you'll find in this beautiful short film. Directed by Erika Lust.

Speakeasy: Jiz Lee and Dallas Fivestar perform an elaborate bondage suspension with sweet and intense sex to top it off. Directed by Courtney Trouble and produced by Good Releasing.

This evening would not be complete without a couple of kinky performances, dirty dirty raffles, a spanking booth (with spanking coach Carrie Gray from Aslan Leather) and more!

AND! This will mark the official opening of ticket sales for the Good For Her Feminist Porn Awards, being held on April 8th and 9th 2010!

The Details: Bread and Circus - 299 Augusta Avenue, Toronto Doors 7:30 Show 8:30 For more information about the Feminist Porn Awards, please visit http://www.goodforher.com/feminist_porn_awards

Friday February 12 - A Family Day is A Gay & Lesbian Family Day too. Photo-scavenger Hunt. *We celebrate and encourage the participation of families with one or more members who identify themselves within the spectrum of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgendered, 2-spirited, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, and Allied (LGBTT2QQIA) identities.

Join us in the first ever Family Click, a week-long photography scavenger hunt celebrating family in all it's diverse forms. All you need is a digital camera and you're set to go!

The Basics: Work in a team, or alone to shoot photos that best represent our 15 Family Day themes. Submit your photos to the Family Click team by February 12th and come see your work in the digital slideshow on February 15th as part of a La Famille Showcase 2010. If you submit past the deadline we cannot guarantee you will be part of the show. Your participation gets you into the event for only $5 (regular $12) Kids under 12 get in free! Simply email with your name and group members to tovacofam@gmail.comfor instructions and scavenger hunt list! All photographers and photo-based artists welcome. Happy snapping.

Friday February 12 - Can't Stop Esther – The Madonna Marathon Revival Bar - 783 College St (at Shaw), Toronto

Can't Stop Esther is a hi-NRG, non-stop, multimedia Madonna extravaganza. This is the party's 9th edition! This time, we're back at Revival. Previous editions of Can't Stop Esther have been held at Revival, The Phoenix, The Courthouse, and The Drake Hotel.

DJ doctor BAGGIE (Purplelectricity, Jackson Family Values) spinning hi-NRG Madonna trax and videos spanning her entire career. Madonna tribute troupes MADGESTY and ALDONNA perform. Prizes for best Madonna-wannabes and voguers -- prizes consist of Madonna Cds and DVDs.

The Details: REVIVAL 783 College St (at Shaw), Toronto 10 pm until 2:30 am $7 cover 19+ ID required Links: Can't Stop Esther http://www.cantstopesther.com DJ doctor BAGGIE http://www.doctorbaggie.com and http://www.myspace.com/doctorbaggie Get there early as interest in this party is always high!

Friday February 12 - Rhubarb Festival 2010 Kicks offs for 16 days @ Buddies In Bad Times Theatre Feb 12 to Feb 28 This year’s Rhubarb Festival will showcase a host of brave new offerings from some of Toronto’s hottest indie artists and provocateurs such as d’bi.young, Jess Dobkin, Ulysses Castellanos, Sherri Hay, Nicole Brooks, Ryan G. Hinds, Jeremy Bailey, Zachary Russell, Birdtown and Swanville, David Tomlinson and Ryan Kelly, Lindsey Clark and Aubrey Laufer, Jordan Tannahill, Jonathan Heppner and Sasha Kovacs, Shannon Blake, Chris Dupuis, Rose Plotek and Devon Elke. From out of town Rhubarb will host renowned Canadian artists: singer-songwriter Rae Spoon and animator Jessica MacCormack (Montreal) and Ian Mozdzen and Mia van Leeuwen from Out Of Line Theatre (Winnipeg) alongside three exceptional New York-based artists: Neal Medlyn, Glenn Marla and Karen Bernard. This year’s line-up is the most outrageous to date with kitch, camp, glamour, sleaze, drag, full frontal nudity, fake moustaches, mullets, glitter, violence and splosh. Price: TICKETS
Evening Pass $17, Week Pass $25, Festival Pass $60 12 Alexander Street, (416) 975-8555 Toronto Ontario

Saturday February 13 - Family Fun Icycle 2010 Ice Race @ Dufferin Groove Park. This winter classic promises thrills, spills, studded tires and costumed competitors. Bundle up and cheer for your favorite riders. Thanks to the City staff at Dufferin Grove park who are supporting this event. After Party will take place a the Bike Pirates on Bloor Street. All proceeds from this event will go to Charlies Freewheels. www.charlesprinsep.org/home.html. Party Location: The Bike Pirates 1292 Bloor Street West, Bloor Street West & Lansdowne Avenue

Ice Race Details. Runs 7 pm to 10 pm Phone: 416-532-6392 Dufferin Grove Park Ice Rinks, 875 Dufferin Street, Dufferin and Bloor Street West. TTC: Exit Dufferin subway station, walk south on Dufferin to the park.www.bikepirates.com

Saturday February 13 - Sticky Fingers Valentine Edition @ The Beaver. FREE QUEER PARTY AT THE BEAVER!! NU-SOUL/URBAN, DISCO (loft, garage), HOUSE FEATURING: // LE FREAK C'EST KEEK www.nowtoronto.com and PAUL REVERED www.facebook.com NO COVER // 19+ (ID required) 1192 Queer St. W.

Saturday February 13 - Your Loved ones Valentine Edition @ Naco Gallery. Naco" means “The Heart’s Town” or “The People’s Heart.” And February is the perfect time to celebrate what we attribute to the heart: love, compassion and friendship. We invite you to come and celebrate with us and "Your Loved Ones" on Saturday the 13th. We will have live music performance by "Andrea Henry" and DJ. Chriss Formagin will be spinning great Love Songs, Soul, Funk and Jazz from the 50's & 60's The party starts at 9pm. Cover includes: Champagne & Chocolate Strawberries. By your tickets at NACO & Match your "Broken heart" upon arrival I bet your heart will melt from the fun! $14 per couple/ $7 per person. 1665 Dundas St W. | www.nacogallery.com

Sunday February 14, 15, 21 and 28 - Family Fun at Model Railroad Club of Toronto Annual Show.@ Liberty Market Building,- Visit one of the largest permanent model railroad displays in North America. O scale trains travel over 5000+ feet of track in a vast miniature world full of cities, lakes, mountains, villages and trains. See the result of over 60 years of patient dedicated creative effort and talents. A Toronto tradition in the Liberty Village area since 1946. Great fun for all ages and a wonderful family outing in the depths of winter. Open only on Sundays Feb 14, 21 and 28 plus Family Day Monday Feb 15. For more information contact: Phone: 416-536-8927 Liberty Market Building, 171 East Liberty Street, Suite B1, Liberty St and Hanna Avenue. Toronto Parkdale Cost: $1 - $9 TTC: Take the 63 Ossington Bus www.modelrailroadclub.com

Friday February 19 - Queer Latin America Mix and Mingle Party @ Naco's. NACO's Queer World Music and Latin Rhythms night. Great environment at the bottom end of Dundas St. West. Just West of Brock. Bringing a night of dancing for the cultures and queer diaspora of Toronto, Friday February 19th come to NACO and BURST your HUEVOS DANCING with Dj. NoLoves! will spin enough salsa, cumbia, R&B, Hip Hop & top 40 to sweat the rhythm out of you. No Lo Ves aka Alvaro Giron is a Colombian-born, Toronto based visual artista and DJ that digs deep into the crates to drop the finest in Latin Funk, Salsa, Cumbia and House. No Lo Ves has played regularly at Not My Dog and Tinto and is the Latino community’s choice selector for all the hot partiesNO COVER! CHEAP DRINKS! AWESOME PEOPLE! Come and Support ♥ 1665 Dundas St W. | www.nacogallery.com

Wednesday February 24 - Queer Youth Public Forum a shOUT presentation @ Masaryk-Cowan Community Centre (Parkdale). Shout is a new program by Youth for Youth 18 to 27.

We have moved into the future of queer public forums and programming. Shout has a completely new concept, Open Space Technology, "ShOUT is an Unconference" A Participant-Facilitated Discussion

Topic this month at shOUT: Out on the Street. Young, Queer and Homeless in Toronto.

Some LGBT youth find their sexual orientation an additional barrier within already limited services for homeless (Film short titles, Guest Panelists and Biographies coming soon) The evening is Free and Wheelchair Accessible. Launch Party Vegetarian food, cupcakes and green tea, will be provided.

Since this is a public forum. Everyone, is welcome to participate regardless of age. Considering the nature of the program–i.e., dealing with mature topics that are pertinent to Young Queer Adults to be discussed in a relatively sophisticated manner, it is geared more or less for the Late Teens and 20 Something age bracket.

Confirmed Guest Speakers for Feb 24 are:

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.

Whitney Pyper and Crystal Le Blanc, Youth Employment Services.

Ilona Abramovich, (PhD. Candidate at OISE/UT) with her film on street youth.

Parkdale-based author Emily-Pohl Weary speaking about the fabulous program she runs called "Parkdale Street Writers" out of the Parkdale Public library. (Free weekly writing workshop for Street Youth).

Two of the participants from the Youth Street Writers group, Max Baru and Dani Mas will be presenting a chosen piece of writing that has emerged from the program.

A former Toronto street youth Brian McCurdy will be the evening’s facilitator.

Meet the six members from the Beehive Collective who worked hard putting tonight's event together. All Generation-Y volunteers. The Queer West Board of Directors will also be present. Philip Cairns, Jaclyn Isen, Michel F. Paré.

Biographies (more coming soon)

Max Baru 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 has been a thrilling experience. " Baru said.

Brian McCurdy 25 (ShOUT Facilitator) Toronto Parkdale. McCurdy an active member of many communities and projects, including the AGO Youth Council, Culture Shock youth arts project, a group at The North York Griffin Centre for LGBTQ youth with disabilities, Laidlaw Foundation's Youth Engagement Program, the Bring Back the Don project in Regent Park, Queer West Arts Collective and is an artist who has participated in a number of art and theatre projects and shows. He won a Toronto Lesbian Gay Bi Trans Youth Line Creative Activism Award in 2007.

The Details: Runs Monthly on Last Wed from 6:30 pm to 8.30 pm at the Masaryk-Cowan Community Centre, 220 Cowan Avenue (Toronto Parkdale) Street Map It then runs on the last Wednesday of every month. Families welcome too.RSVP Jaclyn Isen qwshout@gmail.com SHOUT Queer Youth Program Help line 416-879-7954 Shout Brochure