Begun in 2006, the Queer West Fest usually takes place just before the city's official Pride Toronto Festival. However, plans for 2010 Queer West Fest are currently up in the air, as the event has been officially canceled due to lack of funding, but a shorter version may still occur. 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.
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Although the event may not happen in 2010, here's a look at last year's celebration: 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.
The fun begins Wednesday, 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 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.
