Discover Gay Toronto's Queer West Village
We're more than art galleries, coffee houses and bistros

OuteXpressions Newspaper: For culture queers.

OuteXpressions online newspaper is a Publication of the Toronto Queer West Arts Centre. Copyright 2012. All Rights Reserved. Outexpressions is copyrighted and may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the publisher. Opinions expressed are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect those of Outexpressions or its publisher. We are dedicated to promoting the Queer Toronto and it's performing arts community to the world, for the past ten years. We're not an exclusively gay and lesbian publication. Each year we help to inform the entertainment decision-making process of more than 685,000 visitors from within Canada and abroad. We are consistently No 1 or on Page One in Google for most search returns. "Our entertainment event lists are now hosted on: DigitalJournal.com One of the worlds leading alternative news networks. Listing editor: OUTeXpressions@gmail.com Phone: 1-416-879-7954 If your not on OUTexpression, your not being seen.

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Welcome des ami: Your village tour guide today is Michael

A Tourism Guide of Gay Toronto's Queer West villages, research by Michael F. Paré, ML.S - M.Phil © Copyright 2012 torontodigitalq@yahoo.ca The opinions expressed by authors, do not necessarily reflect the opinion of queerwest.org

Street Map of Queer West Village Toronto, Ontario gaybourhoods (The Map)

(Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

Unofficial Maps:

"Toronto's gay ghetto moved around in the early 1970s, it was on Spadina Avenue; later Queen St., east of Spadina, Parliament Street in the early '80s; and Church & Wellesley by 1992." In fact there is no gay village in Toronto. "There remained some confusion in 1992 about what to call the gay neighbourhood east of Yonge Street: Church & Wellesley (accurate if not very snappy); The Village (favoured by those business types); or simply The Ghetto." wrote Rick BéboutT The continuing concept that Toronto is one big gay village is dead..

Oher Toronto gay travel writers who say Leslieville (lezzieville) in the East end of the city, is a new gay district. In my opinion, perhaps in another ten years, just not today, its all rather sketchy. The Flying Beaver Pubaret is just one gay bar on Parliament St in Cabbagetown, too close to Church St to be considered a new gay area.

While Queer West Toronto is not a designated tourist area like the traditional gay village in Church and Wellesley neighbourhood.. No one cares, business is booming. Safe yes, if you keep in areas mentioned in this article.

Like a fabulous herd of reindeer gays and lesbians are moving out to live, work and play in the new queer districts in the city.The best known of these districts is the newly claimed 'queer arts' neighbourhoods emerging on Queen Street West (Parkdale) and to some extent on Dundas St. W (Brockton Village) in west central old Toronto. Commonly known as the Queer West Village. You won't find the village festooned with Rainbow Flags on every lampposts and it's easy to miss, as you drive through, best bet, to find a local LGBT tour guide that's a resident.

I starting calling it the Gay West Village and then changed it to Queer West Village ( no gay bars) in 2001 just for fun, long before the Beaver Cafe, was reopened in 2006 by the late artist Will Munro. Surprisingly the name Queer West Village caught on with Toronto Tourism). The silly season was upon us in June 2011 when the West Queen West BIA got a crazy idea to call the main street between Dovercourt and Spadina in Ward 19, "Queer Street West." Pride Toronto and Proud FM names were on the sign too (Unlike regular street signs, that have no advertising.) Only two staffers from NDP councillor Mike Layton's office showed up to clap for the inaugural address. The project was hilarious flop, the cardboard signs quickly disappeared, as collector items..

The City of Toronto in 2009 bolted new signs on all lamposts, officially designating it the "Art and Design District, " Due to West Queen West's popularity, condo developers and higher commercial rents are forcing many smaller gallery owners and clubs to move north a couple of blocks to Dundas W (between Ossignton and Lansdowne Avenue) . The height limit is only three stories.(Reference source for height limit: Dundas West BIA)

More commercial and huge tracts of condo gentrification is happening between 1001 Ossignton and 1214 Dufferin on West Queen Street West (Beaconsfield Village). The bigger galleries like MOCCA are staying put for now. That part of the famous artists neighbourhood will disappear in ten years for less for the hipsters, as the epicentre of gay culture moves West to (Parkdale) and North to (old Brockton Village also know as, Little Portugal) New enclaves are starting West in the Junction. Margaret On Dundas (2952 Dundas St. W.) (Slowly gaining fame as queer hot spot). That's the thing about gay Toronto, it's ever changing.

There hasn't been gay bashing, in over 26 years, since school teacher and librarian Kenneth Zeller, was kicked to death in Parkdale's High Park by five youths in 1985. Which was made into a play called Steel Kiss. While Toronto Parkdale is a working class gritty part of the city (Some jokingly refer to it as Crackdale) Here you will find all races, genders and sexualities, old, young, rich and poor living side by side.

In Queer West Toronto rents are cheaper ($450+) for the 20 / 30 somethings living, work and playing in the west village, lots of parks for cruising, to swap spit and bug spray.

So do yourself a favor: shuck those glossy, brochure vision of soul-sucking Ma and Pa merriment, and instead embrace the edgy, artsy, booming Queer West Toronto, that has room for everyone: hot, indie music scenes, celebrity-chic shopping, all-night dance parties and an über-cool mixed crowd.

You have may noticed I didn't mention LIBERTY VILLAGE in Toronto Parkdale, an upscale trendy neighbourhood of the West Toronto, where a lot of gentrification is taking place. Simply because there is no queer activity taking place there. BLOOR WEST VILLAGE. Very posh and upscale. No gay or queer bars (mixed crowd). There's never been any LGBT queer events in these neighbourhoods, in recent memory.

Trinity Bellwoods, still edgy but losing uniqueness

The Queer West Toronto has been home to an underground queer scene since the 1970's. Long before Vazaleen was started by late artist Will Munro as queer monthly event in Kensignton Market; The Body Politic Collective a pioneering gay lib rag born in 1971, came to live not in a gay ghetto on Church St. but an artists' enclave on Queen Street West.www.rbebout.com/divas/dcarole.htm (In 1975, the Body Politic created its own owner, the Pink Triangle Press, forerunner of Xtra Gay and Lesbian Newspaper.) Dark raves, electro-sexual, queercore, goths, punks, hard rock, metal, and fetish nights are held Velvet Underground 510 Queen St. W., Neu+ral 349A College St., Bovine Sex Club 542 Queen St.W., Savage Garden is Toronto’s oldest goth nightclub, 550 Queen St. W. and the Dance Cave 529 Bloor St. W.

Exclusive, raw footage from Sketched Out, a documentary chronicling 30 years of Queer West Toronto's underground scene. In this clip, John Angus of Exodus Productions discusses the early days of the rave scene. www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWb8y8-4BF8 DJ Denise Benson is chronicling her night club experiences in the early 80's and 90's in The Grid Weekly READ INSTALLMENTS HERE

The Queer West neighbourhoods (Brockon, Parkdale and Trinity Bellwoods) are a rich mix of ethnic populations, gay and straight, young and old, decidedly progressive and counter cultural bent. Small-business owners moved a few blocks west to a more affordable area and the neighbourhood flourished, never losing its “indie” identity. As a matter of fact, small galleries featuring local talent were here long before the first trendy bar opened, consequently attracting the hip and artsy, the young and trendy. (According to Environics Analytics’s “Gaybourhoods” database, 70% of Toronto’s gay men live outside of the so called traditional Gay Village.) There's more than 40 galleries with the likes of Katharine Mulherin Contemporary Art Projects (1086 Queen West), MOCCA Gallery (952 Queen West) and Gallery TPW (56 Ossington)

(Public transit: subway to Osgoode station. The shopping strip is about 5 km (3 miles) long but the 501 Queen streetcar runs the whole length. A TTC day pass is handy for hopping on and off streetcars.)

There are no purely gay bars in this part of town; instead there are however a mixed crowd and venues (LGBT crowd and gay friendly straights together) that provides a safe and welcoming place to party and be yourself. As well, there are several funky dining establishments and accommodation options so you can actually plan a full itinerary in Queer West Village.

Queer West Toronto is more of an attitude than an identity—new and radical with a thriving underground gay scene. “I like the diversity here,” explains local Tom Riley, who has lived in the area for 10 years. “This is a fairly tolerant in terms of ethnicity's. As for its attitude toward the gay community…I've had no adverse reactions.” Riley said.

Jeremy Vandermeij found Vazoween, aka Will Munro’s Vazaleen Halloween Party, Gay Shame. "Up until that point I had no idea that there was an alternative queer scene in Toronto, or at least not one that I could identify with. I ended up meeting a lot of my now long time friends at those parties. They told me that they were living in the west end near Parkdale, and that there were a lot of like minded people moving there. Shortly afterwards I emigrated to Parkdale where I have lived now for almost 6 years. I really started to come into my queer freakish self at that point in my life and I really have Will Munro [Sic: Munro past away May 2010] to thank for that. Without him I still might have never found my queer niche community in Parkdale or made any of the long time alliances and friendships that have so affected my career and my overall sense of safety and happiness." Vandermeij said. jeremyvandermeij.com

So why choose Parkdale over an obvious Church Street destination? “The west-end queer scene is really diverse — it’s not like the Church street scene and concentrated on this one strip, I’ve lived in the west end for years and years and seeing the scene develop over the last 10 years is really impressive." said Shotgun Café co-creator Michaelle Bodner to EYE Weekly

"I feel far more welcome and visible on the Queer West scene. I find that Queer West holds an attitude that’s quite the opposite to Church St’s — it encourages queers to come as they are, without fear of having to fit in with the crowd. Probably as a result the west-end scene is a lot more racially mixed and there’s more room to express yourself both as ethnic and lesbian." said Parul Pandya, a Toronto Writer raised within a Hindu tradition.

The post mos (post modern queers) are wonderfully creative. They're just not the driving force behind the popularity of the West Village - See - (History of Gay Toronto and the Birth of the Queer West Village).

The West Queen West strip (sometimes called “Queen West Queer”) suddenly exploded with the arrival the ever-so-funky venue/hotel The Drake (1150 Queen W). The boutique concept rooms have been featured in magazines, on television and most recently on international flights.

The hip and happening migrate here nightly to be seen or to catch the hottest acts in the city. A cluster of other equally trendy venues soon opened in the vicinity, including The Beaconsfield (1154 Queen W), Lot 16 Bar (1136 Queen W) and the gay-owned Beaver Cafe (1192 Queen W) originally owned Megan Whiten, who sold it to the late Will Munro and his friend Lynn MacNeil (Lee's Palace manager) in 2006, they turned it into a nightclub and restaurant by day.

Gay neighbours boost real estate property values. An academic study of how Ohio neighborhoods voted on a 2004 Gay Marriage Amendment has linked the result to house prices. Gentrification by gay people has previously been studied as a boon to property values. This study of home values in and around Columbus, Ohio concluded that an increase in the number of same-sex couples by one in 1,000 households is associated with a 1.1 percent price premium in enclaves that backed gay marriage The same influx in areas that didn’t support same-sex marriage was linked to a 1 percent discount. It compared average home prices in neighborhoods after controlling for a number factors, including distance to the central business district, income, graduate degrees, school quality, crime rate and house size.

Queer Parkdale hotspots

The queers are now migrating even further west along Queen Street into the heart of Parkdale. This area is still gritty enough to provide an edge, yet hip enough for some gentrification to occur alongside traditional Parkdale establishments. It’s not uncommon to see same-sex couples strolling hand-in-hand without anyone skipping a beat.

Happening entertainment venues in Parkdale, include the Cadillac Lounge (1296 Queen W), Rhino (1249 Queen W), long-time mainstays of the area that continue to attract devotees to their premises. Last year “The Caddy” doubled its patio size, making it one of Toronto’s largest. Rhino also underwent a facelift and now sports new décor with changing art exhibits. As for Stone’s Place, it’s their eclectic and often gay events that make it interesting. across the street.

Walk past Queen West club like The Parts and Labour, a hardware store transformed into a restaurant, at the tail end of Queen Street West (1566 Queen St. W.at Sorauren Ave.), 416-588-7750, partsandlabour.ca any given night and there they are, smoking in packs on the sidewalk, skinny jeans, thick-rimmed glasses, ironically ugly cardigans and greasy hair all congealing into a look both meticulous and haggard. Inside, they dance to Madonna and Goldfrapp, Souljah Boy and Faster Pussycat, stopping occasionally to sip bottles of 50 and to pose for photos, that will appear the next morning on blogs like Blogto.com. Just don't call them hipsters, please.

Further along is the discreet Café Taste (1330 Queen W). Not to be missed are the great affordable eats at Bacchus Roti (1376 Queen W), regularly voted as one of the best places in the city to buy a roti. For a quick pint be sure to stop by Not My Dog (1510 Queen St W), a tiny spot with a big attitude. This area is locally known as Little Tibet with the large Tibetan population adding character and flavour to the area, including Tibet Kitchen (1544 Queen W). Mezzrow’s (1598 Queen W) and Mitzi’s Sister (1554 Queen W) are two long-time watering holes that attract the neighbourhood night-owls. Mitzi’s is gay-owned and operated, and Mezzrow’s proudly displays a Pride sticker in their window.

Poor John’s Café (1610 Queen W) is a cozy little shop offering an assortment of baked goods, sandwiches and other delicacies all made onsite. There’s also free WIFI to keep you connected. Rice and Noodle (1690 Queen W) is a great stop for take out before heading down to the lake or over to High Park. Finally on the south side of Queen just before Roncesvalles is Easy Diner (1645 Queen W), around for quite some time and still attracting crowds, especially on weekends when there’s generally a line up. While you’re in this block, be sure to browse the multitude of antique shops. Twenty-something Jonathan who recently moved to the neighbourhood enjoys the alternative scene without the attitude. “I like being able to step outside my door and have options of where to go for queer happenings without having to make my way to the old Gay Village, which is so mundane anyway.”

There are several accommodation options in the area, including the swanky Old Mill Inn and Spa (21 Old Mill Rd) right on the Bloor subway line. This magnificent 59-room, 4-star hotel (circa 1793!) is a historic country retreat along the banks of the city’s Humber River. Those seeking something lighter on the pocketbook should check out Palmerston Inn B & B (322 Palmerston Blvd) or Toronto Townhouse (384 Clinton Avenue). There’s also the economical Travelodge Toronto Downtown West (621 King Street W) with free parking, Internet and breakfast. Day’s Inn (14 Roncesvalles Ave) has great views of Lake Ontario. Be sure to check out other places to stay in the Queer West, Toronto.\

Hotter is the old Brockton Village now turning queer too.

Toronto gay community is constantly moving. Richard Florida at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management has consistently shown that higher concentrations of gay people are linked with economic prosperity, innovation and creativity within a region.. A new renaissance has started in old Brockton Village a romantic peaceful neighbourhood, know as LittlePortugal (Along Dundas W between Lansdowne Ave and Gladstone Avenue) as it becomes a vibrant alternative community with recently developed mix of galleries, cafés, restaurants and boutiques to serve an increasingly visible queer clientele. A cadre of Yuppies are buying up the row houses in the neighbourhood, while prices are still cheap. The last half of the 20th century, the area south of College Street saw the influx of Portuguese immigrants and more recently, immigrants from Latin America, China and Vietnam - (Demographics)

(Public transit: westbound 505 Dundas streetcar from St. Patrick or Dundas station, 63 Ossington bus south from Ossington subway, or 29 Dufferin bus south from Dufferin subway)

Brockton was a genuine village before it was annexed by Toronto in 1884. At the intersection of Dundas West and Brock Avenue, the former Brockton Town Hall still stands (as a Nova Scotia bank branch, naturally). Way off in the distance, the skyscrapers of downtown Toronto are visable. A 15 minute bicycle ride to Yonge and Dundas on a good day.

Queer West Arts & Culture Centre live / work offices are located in Brockton Village (Toronto Ward 18) at the crossroads of Dufferin & Dundas W. As well as the home base for Toronto's gay and lesbian newspaper, OUTeXpressions.

In the photograph to the right stands St Helen's (Portuguese Roman Catholic Church) which sits as beacon on Dundas W, as one nears the bridge over the CN railway tracks further west. East down the street is a rightwing Pentecostal Church. It's doubtful either of the churches, know they are sharing the neighbourhood with the gay community and likely don't care. The gay community certainly spends big bucks at their annual yard sales

Many new art galleries are springing up weeds along Dundas W. There's Wil Kucey, LE Gallery, 1183 Dundas W east of Dufferin. Then there's loop Gallery, 1273 Dundas St. and Alison Smith Gallery, 1410 Dundas Street West. Jessica Bradley Art + Projects, 1450 Dundas east of Dufferin Street. Ms. Bradley, a former curator of contemporary art at the Art Gallery of Ontario, was drawn to the Dundas and Dufferin area three years ago for similar reasons. "I could see what was going on, down on Queen Street, where the rents were doubling and tripling, driving the galleries out. ... When I saw this space, I just thought it was in the right zone." West end clothing stores continue to move north from Queen Street.

Who doesn't own a computer, in need of repairs? Queer West Village ally Javed (Jay) Nasimullah TBC Computers 1435 Dundas W Open 11 am to 6 pm Monday to Sat. A few doors in from Brock Avenue, Southside, in the heart of old Brockton Village. 416-532-6262 He doesn't care if your gay or straight, tall or short. Good humoured Jay is a wiz at fixing any computer your have, dirt cheap. Clients come from as far away as Oakville and Brampton, to bask in Jay's know how. Check out his parts supplies.

Hey are you a Vintage women clothing shopper? the new Magwood store takes care of all needs with a careful selection of vintage apparel. Magwood’s racks are filled with sophisticated, ladylike separates — many from the ’40s and ’50 Magwood 1418 Dundas St. W., 416-818-3975,

Chef Nathan Isberg at the Atlantic Restaurant 1597 Dundas St. W. Phone Number: 416-219-3819. Nate left behind more jaded Queen Street West when he took over this Portuguese tavern. Now it’s affordable, earnest and rich in character – which pretty much sums up the hood.

Only one six story condo went up Dundas West (At Brock Ave, they got around three story height limit as main entrance isn't on Dundas) with a starting price just under $350,000, Its actually not that nice, with only windows in the front, and cement blocks for walls. More typical are the old semi-row houses which can be had for $450,000 on side streets such as Florence and Gordon. Detached houses are less common and will fetch more than $500,000.

TWO BATHHOUSES in the Queer West Village (Steam heat at the tubs)

Central Spa (Bathhouse) - (C-Spa is the cleanest bathhouse in the city, mostly older gay men and some curious closet cases, out for a quicky) 1610 Dundas St. West 2nd Floor at Brock Ave, two blocks west of Dufferin northside. 416. 588.6191. 15 rooms, 60 lockers (noon-3am, 7 days/wk), regular room: $15, locker: $10 Very busy: Sundays noon-8pm. It opened in 1997 and offers several services. Kill the time while cruising with a “Scrub’n’Wash” from one of the staff. The also have an only queer women's evening. Other services include pedicures, Vibrasage and body shaving. Services are $25/30 minutes, $40/hour + $5/half hour for stone treatment. Add 10 minutes for $10.www.centralspa.ca

If your into old world charm. Then take a Shvitz! at the Oak Leaf Steam Bath, founded n 1941. 216 Bathurst St at Queen W. T: 416-603-3434 The basement and first floor are used by homeless guys and old heterosexual European men who are there for the steam and to sleep (Discretion is advised.) Age group: 30 to just under 90. The top (second) floor is exclusively gay by mutual consent. No glory holes, no dark rooms, no props. The place has changed little since it opened in 1941. Facilities: Two large ancient semi-dry saunas, one small renovated steam room, on 3 floors, 37 rooms. Hours:24 hours, except Tuesday, when it opens at 5 pm. Best times: Saturday afternoon and Sunday afternoon. Rooms: $12 for four hours or $20 for over night. Lockers $12 for 12 hours. Cruisiest Spots: Top floor. * Wheelchair Accessible: No. No Website.

Lula Lounge - little Portugal Toronto exterior view

Gays and Lesbians are now hanging out along Dundas Street W., between Gladstone and Lansdowne, where it's cheap in the western end of Little Portugal (Dupont South). Places that queers love so much. José Ortega opened Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas Street West, a nightclub specializing in world music and jazz, on Dundas West in 2002, the street was a low-rent zone of bakeries, car garages, sheet metal and plumbing suppliers and a rash of Portuguese sports bars. "Seven years ago, the area had this ugly-duckling vibe," Ortega said. "But ... it felt more authentic, more real, a working-class neighbourhood where artists and bakers and construction workers and store owners come and do their work."

Mr. Ortega has created brightly coloured street banners for Dundas Street West, which feature a pair of open hands cradling a neighbourhood growing beneath a golden sun. "That's what I think of the neighbourhood," Mr. Ortega says from his art studio on Dundas West. "It is vibrant, on the cusp of change, but still friendly and unpretentious.

With the opening of the Alison Smith Gallery, 1410 Dundas Street West, was the latest sign of the once-homely neighbourhood's transformation. Grain, Curd & Bean, 1414 Dundas Street, a high-end cheese shop, specializes in three things: bread, cheese and coffee. More specialty store than cafe, this new spot does have some stools by the front window, but, generally, it's more of a take out spot than somewhere to meet-up, surf WiFi or otherwise pass the time.

The village is home to Dundas Street West hotspot OMG Baked Goodness 1561 Dundas St W. (647) 348-5664. The shop will first catch your eye with its striking pink and brown sign, Elk antlers in the window, and graffiti adorning its walls. And then there's the yummy cupcakes, gluten free, lip smacking good...walk a doors west to She Takes the Cake - Bakery Shop (Street Map) 1600 Dundas St. W. 416-538-2253. Owners Adrienne and Peter Weinberg are not gay friendly We would not recommend this place to anyone.Go to OMG who are. For gay men and closet queens there's always the Central Spa Bathhouse 1610 Dundas Street W. at Brock.Ave.

Naco Gallery and Cafe 1665 Dundas W. closed on December 17, 2011 (Their three year lease was up, building owner wanted the space for themselves. pity) Naco's was known for its all-inclusive, queer-friendly environment, never short of experimental in its offerings from art shows to dance nights.The-bar-with-no-name opened at 1602 Dundas W opened same day Naco's closed. No rumours yet if BWNN will be become a queer friendly hotspot, will likely attract the same type of crowd (local yokels in ball caps) that hangs at The Black Dice bar/cafe, further east at 1574 Dundas West.

The design shop of Lubo Brezina who hail's from Bratislava, Slovakia (1659 Dundas St W) creates furniture from recycled and reclaimed wood. Beadle (cherie@beadlestore.com 1582 Dundas Street W.) or exquisite jewelry handcrafted by Canadian artisans. Cherie Lunau Jokisch’s store front has been open for five years. In 2011 she is offering Toronto workshops and parties to learn her craft. Store hours are: Wed: 12:00 pm-6:00 pm, Thurs – Sat: 11:00 am-7:00 pm Sun: 12:00 pm-5:00 pm. And everywhere artists in Bockton Village, are inhabiting little bits of cheap space, as their studios and lofts in other parts of town, are turned into condos.

The Common 1071 College Street, two blocks west of Dufferin southside. 416.546.7789 Free Internet (WiFi) - A hidden gem. Unlike other cafes in Queer West, that discouage loitering over one latte, this place dosen't mind. It attracts a fairly artsy crowd of LGBT friends, where everyone seems to know everyone else, many of whom sip lattes while designing web sites on their Macbooks. Wonderful spot for cruising, if you come alone. Age group is roughly 20s to mid 40's, the odd local senior citzen, drops in now and again. The Common can sometimes feel like a west end hipster (including students and baby toting moms). version of Central Perk, the coffee shop from Friends. That's not a bad thing, what's not to love about a place where everybody knows your name? There's no menu on the wall never fear ask the staff, they can make you pretty much anything you want. Long wooden benches and tables give the room a kind of unavoidably communal feeling. Since its very popular, you may not get a place to sit.. Still it serves the best coffee in the city, hands down!. Damn good London Fog and the Cappuccinos are top notch as well, plus they also use organic milk oh did I mention they have a tea, from Silk Road. Not Wheelchair Accessible though. Cash only.

The Henhouse at 1532 Dundas St W. 416-534-5939 on north side, just past Dufferin. Wonderful cozy little bar, where even strangers are friendly. Although mixed crowd, a disproportionate amount of gays come here. Way more than 10 percent of the people here are gay. . Henhouse has become one of the most popular up-and-coming lesbian bars on the Queer West scene. Open 6 PM to 3 AM, every day best to go Friday or Saturday night, when the 1950 jukebox is jumping with Siouxsie and the Banshees, Kate Bush, Donna Summer, Blondie. Most played Fleetwood Mac, Dolly Parton. www.henhousetoronto.com

Other places to explore

toronto high park cheery blossom festival photo 2011

Queer West Toronto, Ontario boasts some of the most beautiful parkland and nature trails in the city. High Park is Toronto's largest greenspace and a beautiful park, with a pond (Grenadier Pond), a small zoo, and an outdoor stage which houses an annual summer Shakespeare production called "Dream in High Park." Celebrate our annual Cherry Blossom Festival with a visit to High Park and participate in the centuries old Japanese tradition of Sakura Hanami, roughly translated as “cherry blossom flower viewing”. The spectacular flowering of the Sakura (Japanese flowering cherry) trees is not to be missed – plan on spending at least an hour wandering under the blossoms and appreciating the beauty of High Park in the spring

(Public Transit: 506 College streetcars from downtown, Takes you right into the Park. You can come another way via 501 Queen streetcars have a stop at the south end of the park, by Grenadier Pond; from downtown make sure you board a westbound streetcar with a destination sign of "Long Branch" or "Humber" and get off at Colborne Lodge Drive.)

The best vintage clothing stores are in Queer West Village Toronto - brimming with unique finds, some dating back to the late 1800s. From high-end and designer to cheap-and-cheerful rock tees and poly frocks, the variety is almost endless. Parkdale, Ossington, Kensington Market, and Dundas West (Brockton Village) are the major epicenters. Visitors from all over the world come to shop for Vintage clothing ..View BBC Promo Video http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/fast_track/9646907.stm

The best gay (sand) bar in Toronto, is located in Queer West Village on Hanlan's Point (One of several recreational island across the Toronto harbour.) n the balmy summer of 2011, it’s hard to believe anyone ever had any issues with Hanlan’s Point. On any given day, the clothing-optional beach is arrayed with all kinds of bodies, some bathing-suited, some not. Hot Saturdays in recent years have often been shoulder-to-shoulder, with a vibe — at least in the fantasies of the gay men who still tend to make up the majority of the beach’s frequenters — not unlike Baillie Walsh’s video for Kylie Minogue’s “Slow”(which is, consequently, inevitably blaring from a large proportion of iPod speakers). In essence, Hanlan’s has become sexy. With its liberal mix of West and East End boys, it may be shaping up to be one of Toronto’s best gay bars. Getting There

There's lots of Festivals going on in the Queer West Village during the summer; Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival (August 1st weekend), Queer West Arts Festival (early August) Toronto African Dance Festival (mid august); Beer Festival (Fort York first weekend in August) and Canadian National Exhibition late August early September) .

IF YOU COME

Toronto’s Pearson International Airport has service on nearly every major airline. Toronto is also severed by VIA Rail. As well, it’s within easy driving distance of many eastern Canadian and US centres. Over View of The City of Toronto, Ontario

EAT:

Beaver Café, 1192 Queen Street West, 416 537-2768 – Serving healthy creations during the day and providing queer entertainment at night. Complete meals for around $10.00. Check local listings for evening events

Easy Restaurant, 1645 Queen Street West, 416 537-4893 – A diner of sorts serving huge mouth watering portions. Their specialty is breakfast and located steps from the lakefront so you can walk it all off afterward. Complete meals for around $15.00. Licensed but not open in the evenings.

Mitzi’s Café and Mitzi’s Sister – the cozy Café in picture (100 Sorauren Avenue - 416 588-1234) is a haven for weekend brunch. Complete meals for around $15.00. The bigger Sister (1554 Queen Street West - 416 532-2570) offers an assortment of meals and is a hotbed for local evening entertainment. Serves upscale pub-grub with complete meals including beverage for around $20.00. There’s never a cover charge and both gay owned.

There are now over 70, safe friendly Bars, Cafes and Restaurants, where owners, welcome all orientations. There have been no reports of gay bashings since 1978, in the QWT. For travel visitors, there are now over 200 events in theatres,cinemas, galleries, bars, cafes, Restaurants and the community every day of the week, in Queer West Toronto, Ontario.

GAY TORONTO'S - ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF QUEER CULTURE

Toronto’s Queer West Arts and Culture Festival in August is an arts-oriented politics and culture festival. Queer West Fest is the largest queer arts and culture festival in Canada. Queer West Fest was created because; many are self-defining queers who feel “the Pride scene” does not cater to their needs or outlooks and see Queer West Arts Festival as an annual highlight. Paradoxically, another chunk of friends have no idea the festival even exists. Queer West Fest celebrates and supports artists who create work on their own terms; in their own way… here they can make the work they’re burning to make. They can risk and they can play.

Now firmly established as a major event, after 11 years within the city's lesbian and gay social calendar the TORONTO FESTIVAL OF QUEER CULTRE has something for everyone, from a film festival to spoken word to a political unConference to classical music, from a ramble in the ART AND DESIGN DISTRICT to a QUEER CABARET whether you're gay, straight, lesbian, bi, trans, queer or confused there's something to inspire, challenge or entertain you. The Queer West Arts Festival The largest of its kind in Canada.

MARRIAGE:

It's official! At 6:09 pm on Wednesday, July 20, 2005, the Equal Marriage Bill was proclaimed into law in Canada, making it legal for same-sex couples to exchange vows from coast to coast. Two years previously, the Province of Ontario, announced the legalization of same-sex marriage on July 12, 2002, and as a result hundreds of couples from around the world have come to Ontario and other regions of our province to legally exchange vows.

Marriage requirement for the Province of Ontario: Marriage licenses, valid anywhere in Ontario for three months from the date of issue, cost about $83 and are available from any municipal office in Ontario. Both parties must sign an application form and submit it in person, along with a passport or birth certificate and one other photo I.D. There are no residency or citizenship requirements, and a blood test is not required.

Same sex marriage information and requirements for Province of Ontario and City of Toronto, official government websites. Gay Weddings Toronto Inc. Wedding planners: traditional, contemporary and post-modern services. Telephone: 416 969 9191 Email: info@gayweddingstoronto.com | www.gayweddingstoronto.com/

PRAY:

St. John's Anglican Church - 288 Humberside Avenue, Toronto, Ontario. Telephone: 416-763-2393 The parish of St. John's serves the neighbourhoods of historic West Toronto (Parkdale-High Park) including the Bloor West Village. St John's, is a church that welcomes and affirms gays and lesbians.

SLEEP:

Day’s Inn Toronto West Lakeshore, 14 Roncesvalles Ave, 416 532 9900, Rates from $74.00 to $169.00 depending on season. A five-minute walk to Sunnyside Beach at Lake Ontario, and includes breakfast. daysinn.ca

Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen St W, 416 531 5042, 19 rooms. Chosen by Travel and Leisure Magazine is one of the world's top 500 hotels in 2006. Rates from $179.00 to $289.00 for individually artist designed rooms. Choose based on your mood swings at check-in time. thedrakehotel.ca

The Old Mill Inn & Spa, 21 Old Mill Road, 416 236 2641. In 1793 the Kings Mill - the forerunner to Today's Old Mill - was built in order to process lumber for the first homes in Toronto. Rates from $219.00 to $659.00 depending on season. A classic addition to the historic Old Mill Restaurant, Meeting and Conference facility. On the banks of the Humber River. Right on the Bloor Subway line. This exclusive Boutique Inn incorporates, 59 beautifully appointed rooms and suites, together with a pampering Spa. oldmilltoronto.com

Young Man - Global Village Backpackers Youth Hostel is the place you should go. Young man, there's no need to feel down. You can get yourself clean. You can have a good meal. You can nap whenever you feel. Cost: $24.50 (dorm); $150.00 (weekly dorm rate); Queer West Toronto's Original and Largest Backpackers Hostel offers the ultimate Downtown Experience in the heart of Canada's most vibrant city! Now GVB is your home in Toronto, and the perfect hub for independent youth and student travellers. Global Village Backpackers, just steps away from all Toronto's top tourist attractions and Queer West's Entertainment District. Facilities include 24 hr reception, Free breakfast, Free wireless internet, huge common areas, self-serve kitchen, laundry, daily tours, stunning outdoor patio and Toronto's only in-house Backpackers Departure Lounge, a fun place to hang. GBV .460 King Street West, at Spadina.Tel: (416) 703-8540 Fax: (416) 703-3887 Tollfree: 1 (888) 844-7875 Website: www.globalbackpackers.com

VIDEO TOUR:

VIDEO TOURS of Gay Toronto's - Queer West neighbourhoods. Running through the village is a beat driven queer street which, defies the ordinary Canadian stereotype with its live lingerie models and progressive music scene Funky stores on West Queer West Not to be missed is a visit to Kensignton Market and the famous 501 Queen Streetcar ride, that runs 25K from one end of the city to the other in 1 hour.30 minutes http://bcove.me/9497mm91

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Discover Gay Toronto's Queer West Village We're more than art galleries, coffee houses and bistros