Begun in 2006, the fast-growing Queer West Fest takes place just before the city's official Pride Toronto Festival, from June 10 through June 21, 2009. The eclectic, community-based event comprises a series of artistic and cultural events and workshops and occurs in the city's diverse and artsy Queer West Village, in the city's West End, centered largely along Queen Street West, in the 1100 through 1700 blocks. It's a neighborhood with a rich mix of populations, gay and straight, young and old, and with a decidedly progressive and countercultural bent.
Shop for rooms and compare rates at hotels in Toronto during Queer West Fest
The organizers of Queer West Fest bill their 10-day event as "an alternative! Less corporate! More grassroots All Queer!" response to the more commercialized Toronto Gay Pride events in Church Street Gay Village. Of course, there's no reason you can't come to Toronto and try out both events and both neighborhoods.
Here's a look at a few of the many noteworthy events that made up Queer West Fest in 2009 (here's a detailed description of events):
The fun begins Wednesday, June 10, with a four-day multimedia interactive event called What Are You Searching For?, which takes place at Beaver Cafe and Bar at Gallery 345. The party starts at 9 pm and runs until 3 am.
On Sunday June 14, check out the 5th Annual Toronto Pride Ride, a 25K "environmental-friendly bike ride". The bikers will leave from Zoots Cafe at 1438 Dundas St. W, at 12:30 pm.
Music fans will find plenty to keep them busy, including concert on Monday, June 15, of Random Order, the Johnnys, and Heavy Filth
, and a Queer Women Songfest on Tuesday, June 16, featuring eMKeh, Dinah Thorpe, Shawnee Lynne Talbot, and Anna Gutmanis.These are just a few sample events, however - the full festival includes dozens of cool and unpredictable events, from cutting-edge art shows to a "Swagga Like Us - Urban Queer Women of Colour gathering to the 2nd Annual Queer West Film & Video Festival. If you've grown a bit tired of the typical Gay Pride festivals out there, Queer Fest West will definitely provide you a new opportunity to immerse yourself in the GLBT community. It's sort of the Fringe Festival of Gay Pride.
