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#762 1ȻOT‡e ISSUE1ȻO ISSUE @dailyxtra facebook.com/dailyxtra facebook.com/dailyxtra dailyxtra.com dailyxtra.com More at More 2 JAN 9–22, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! JAN 9–22, 2014 3 XTRA Published by Pink Triangle Press SHERBOURNE HEALTH CENTRE PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Brandon Matheson 333 SHERBOURNE STREET TORONTO, ON M5A 2S5 EDITORIAL ADVERTISING MANAGING EDITOR Danny Glenwright ADVERTISING & SALES DIRECTOR Ken Hickling ‹>>>:/,9)6<95,65*( ARTS EDITOR Phil Villeneuve NATIONAL SALES MANAGER Jeff rey Hoff man COPY EDITOR Lesley Fraser NATIONAL ACCOUNTS MANAGER Derrick Branco NEWS REPORTER Andrea Houston RETAIL ACCOUNTS MANAGERS EVENT LISTINGS: [email protected] Brian Garrison, Phil Clowater CLIENT SERVICES & ADVERTISING 3.BT HEA3TH CONTRIBUTE OR INQUIRE about Xtra’s editorial ADMINISTRATOR Eugene Coon content: [email protected], ADVERTISING & DISTRIBUTION LGBTQ FAMILY PLANNING COURSES WINTER AND SPRING 2014 [email protected] COORDINATOR Gary Major EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUE DISPLAY ADVERTISING: [email protected] Still Trying Dykes Planning Tykes Diego Armand, Natasha Barsotti, 416-925-6665 or 800-268-XTRA Jamo Best, Drasko Bogdanovic, Kyle Burton, LINE CLASSIFIEDS: classifi [email protected] LGBTQ Fertility Support Daddies & Papas 2B Rolyn Chambers, Michael-Oliver Harding, Jennifer Hollett, Serafi n LaRiviere, SPONSORSHIP AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Monday, January 27, 2014 >LKULZKH`,]LUPUNZ Michael Lyons, Karen Roze, Rob Salerno, Erica Bestwick, [email protected] 6:30-8:30pm February 19 - May 7, 2014 Tanja-Tiziana, Jeremy Willard, Eric Williams The publication of an ad in Xtra does not mean at Sherbourne Health Centre 7:00 - 9:30pm at The 519 ART & PRODUCTION that Xtra endorses the advertiser. Storefront CREATIVE DIRECTOR Lucinda Wallace features are paid advertising content. GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Darryl Mabey, Printed and published in Canada. ©2014 Pink Contact [email protected] or 416-324-4100 x 5276 or visit Bryce Stuart, Landon Whittaker Triangle Press. Xtra is published every two lgbtqpn.ca/familyplanning for more information and registration. weeks by Pink Triangle Press. ISSN 0829-3384 Registration is also available at The 519 front desk. Address: 2 Carlton St, Ste 1600, Toronto, ON, M5B 1J3 Offi ce hours: 9am–5pm, Monday–Friday MATURE TRANS SISTERS Phone: 416-925-6665 Fax: 416-925-6674 MTS is a weekly drop-in group for Mature Trans Women who are 45 years and older to meet, learn, plan, Website: dailyxtra.com General email: [email protected]

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4 JAN 9–22, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS .com #762 JAN 9–22, 2014 Roundup Psychotherapy • Counselling • Depression • Anxiety Gender • Sexuality • Life & Executive Coaching

Clinical Member, Ontario Todd Kaufman Society of Psychotherapists COVER STORY JAMO BEST JAMO 1.800.699.3396 • [email protected] St. John’s Norway Cemetery and Crematorium ŲŵŶɠ #(!-.)(ɠźɠ.ɠ))#( HAVE YOU HAD A LOVED ONE DIE? T‡e Chapel and Crematorium ,#)/-ɠ)*.#)(-ɠ ),ɠ3)/,ɠ#(. ,' (.ɠ( -ɠƀɠ , 0 ' (.ɠ, ɠ0#&& #( )ƞ-.$)"(-(),13 ' . ,3źɠƀɠŴűŶƐŶŹűƐŲŹŶŵ 1ȻO )(3ɠƑɠ,#3ɠŸ'Ɛŵ*'Żɠ./,3ɠŹ'Ɛų*' ISSUE Ŕ

Here’s the Hogtown’s best E13–19 Protein prix fi xe When you’d rather eat out E20 Sea change Catching up with Toronto’s fi shmongers E22 Faking it Vegetarian-style eating E23 Butchering fashion The history of the meat dress E24 Style Life Tightening the apron strings E25 SAME-SEX LEGAL ISSUES Editorial Hogtown meat E Out in the City By Phil Villeneuve 6 online at JANICE P. WARREN Feedback E6 Arts roundup BARRISTER & SOLICITOR Xcetera E7 Queer comedy 101 E27 dailyxtra.com 416-323-7767 What’s On E28 [email protected] E Immigration: Same-Sex Sponsorship Club Scene E29 The two solitudes Upfront of two-spirit Applications from Canada & Overseas Deep Dish U.S. Work Permits Accessibility and Toronto’s By Rolyn Chambers E30 E La Cubana is a Church-Wellesley Village marvellous new eatery CYNTHIA BOROVOY WARREN Can you party, shop and play on Roncesvalles in the Village if you’re gay and Daily Xtra Travel BARRISTER & SOLICITOR in a wheelchair? E9 E Reimagining The Barn 416-964-0900 Boys’ weekend in Vegas [email protected] History Boys E Party like a rock star TIFF’s top Canadian NYC’s Meatpacking Domestic Matters: Domestic Agreements in the city of sin E32 fi lms of 2013 District’s sexy queer history Real Estate: Purchase, Sale & Mortgages: By Jeremy Willard E10 Xtra Living E35 E Calgary’s shrinking Estate Planning: Wills and Powers of Attorney Local news Hundreds turn Classifi eds E36 gay-club scene out for Christopher Peloso Xtra Hot 30 St Clair Ave W Suite 400, Toronto ON M4V 3A1 memorial E11 By Drasko Bogdanovic E37 COVER PHOTO BY JAMO BEST

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! JAN 9–22, 2014 5 email [email protected] comment dailyxtra.com & facebook/dailyxtra.com Comment tweet @dailyxtra

FEEDBACK Bitterness says more about

Trinity Western editorial the person than the issue. Hogtown meat Trinity would be homophobic if [RE: TWO-SPIRIT IDENTITY CONFLICT] they banned only same-sex intimacy [“Fighting Trinity Western,” Xtra #761, ing when walking into any of these Dec 26]. They actually ban opposite- need to go deep down inside ourselves EDITORIAL SEX WORK sex intimacy outside of marriage (pre- RULING and question who we are as a rainbow PHIL VILLENEUVE locations. The barn vibe helps, but it’s E 11 TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS DIVERSIFYING marital sex and adultery) as well, so VIDEO community and how we make a diff er- also because all three are staff ed with GAMES One sunny, summer experienced butchers who love what they are more sexophobic than homo- E 14 ence to our community and the world.

phobic. Diff erent cultures tend to have 2014 8, 2013–JAN 26, DEC Bitterness says more about the person

day around lunchtime, they do. A rejuvenated desire to work #761 I skipped out of work, hopped on my with the hands, share one’s knowledge diff erent beliefs. If gay people don’t than the issue. bike and bolted over to Sanagan’s Meat and carve out a “farmland in the city” want their culture to change, why do PAULA KEY TORONTO, ON Locker in Kensington to get some- sounds idealistic and over the top, but they expect Christians to change their culture? Live and let live. thing -able for dinner. When it’s all true. DJs Recklezz and Lady Supa I got back to the offi ce I plopped into I spoke with Steve O’Brien (you SAMUEL DANIEL @dailyxtra Mark Zmuda resignation TORONTO, ON We really need to have one school

my chair and exclaimed, “Woof! I’m can see a video of our conversation facebook.com/dailyxtra so hot and bothered!” A co-worker at dailyxtra.com) at Sanagan’s. It was WE LIKE TO PARTY!›20–21 board [“US: Catholic School Students dailyxtra.com dailyxtra.com YOUR ULTIMATE NYE PARTY GUIDE FREE 36,000 AUDITED The new Barn CIRCULATION turned around and asked, “Is it that hard — his dimples stare you right in at More Protest Gay Vice-Principal’s Resigna- hot today?” It was hot out (remember the face and dare you to look away. This new pub on the old Barn property tion,” dailyxtra.com, Dec 19]. It’s a summer?), but more importantly it was While he couldn’t explain the oddly is a perfect example of the Village’s Catholic school boards are still actively pretty gross inequality for one faith to the hunky butchers at Sanagan’s who’d high number of very good-looking gay decline [“Reimagining the Barn, fighting GSAs. They are completely have their own schools, not to mention really raised my body temperature. butchers in the shop, he did talk about dailyxtra.com, Dec 26]. I will never go missing the point of Christianity. they are contravening employment law If you’ve ever been, you know exactly the idea of living a more authentic life. there because they painted over the (I’m no fan, but even I get the basic in this instance. what I’m talking about. If you haven’t, People in the city are craving a less gay cowboys, and for that they don’t message.) EARL COUSINS (FACEBOOK) TORONTO, ON do yourself a favour and visit the shop manufactured experience — they now deserve the business of any gay man DAVID CHURCH as soon as possible. want to meet the person who chopped in the Village. They could have painted TORONTO, ON The 5,000-square-foot storefront their chicken and who picked it up over the Molson signage and left the Calgary Village is packed with not only some of the from a farm near the city. original image. Instead they replaced it Sex work ruling gentrification best carnivorous fare in the city, but For the boys at The Meat Dept on the with a ridiculous androgyny theme just I read the Court ruling, and As in Toronto and most other places, also possibly the most handsome men Danforth, the shop is all about com- like they’ve done with Crews & Tangos, it seems that it is gender neutral [“Sex even in the US, the gay village is also and women ever found behind a meat munity. Sure, their local meat is good, which is even tackier. I knew this “mu- Workers Celebrate Supreme Court disappearing in Montreal [“Calgary’s counter. but Big Jim and his small team know ral project” was going to be a disaster, Ruling,” dailyxtra.com, Dec 20]. While Shrinking Gay-Club Scene,” dailyxtra. And so we sat around and gushed pretty much everyone who walks in the and sure enough it is. White gay men three females put forth the original com, Dec 28]. Gentrifi cation is the ob- about who the cutest was, door and can tell them when the aged aren’t welcome in the Village anymore. application to the court, it seems to vious cause. Behind the scenes there is wishing we had baseball-card versions beef they put on hold will be ready 11 There are no gay businesses left on apply to all. Finally, the Charter pro- much more: we live in a political world of them to trade and centrefolds to pin months down the road. Wellesley Street, so saying “Church and hibits discrimination and diff erential chock full of equal rights where some up. As the conversation continued, Perhaps the handsomest in all the Wellesley” to denote the gay village is treatment on the basis of sex and would are more equal than others. If you other offi ce folk piped in to let us know land is Teo Paul at Côte de Boeuf. Paul inaccurate. We have Woody’s, the Eagle, overrule an unfair law. remove a wildlife habitat, let’s say to Steamworks and the pubs at Church where their favourite butcher worked. and his team, all in custom-made CAELAN build a condo, the wildlife disappears. and Maitland — that’s it. Once they’re TORONTO, ON We ended up with an impressive list Klaxon Howl shirts, take their time ZACK and decided to dedicate an entire issue preparing meat. The slowed-down gone there will be no more Village. TORONTO, ON to meat, its vendors, its restaurants, its pace of this butcher shop is never an RYAN U of T prof apology TORONTO, ON alternatives and its fashion. issue because they’re super hot, but Barf! I can’t believe some of these The Vatican and Uganda I was lucky enough to join photog- also because of the obvious care that I think this column summarizes the statements [“‘I’m Sorry,’ Says U of T He lost me at “conversion” [“Uganda: rapher Jamo Best on a day-long shoot goes into prep, display and packaging. current status of Church Street as Prof Who Provided False Information Vatican Rep Caught Off -Guard by Anti- to capture three of the best-looking Why rush the meat when it took its declining gay venue. The Barn (a gay on HIV,” Xtra #761, Dec 26]. Even Gay Bill’s Passage,” dailyxtra.com, butcher shops in Toronto. All three time getting there? male sex venue) has been replaced within his quotes he is stigmatizing. Dec 30]. It’s still bullshit, more of that (Sanagan’s, Côte de Boeuf and The Their skilled hands are busier than with a pub that caters primarily to He has been teaching this shit for 30 “learn to be straight”–type therapy Meat Dept) had some key elements ever, thanks to a new love of local meat straights. A mural on the property years? So much unlearning to do. that really just messes people up. Why in common. in the city. The passion these butchers that celebrated gay male sexuality has JACQUIE JAGUAR is it so hard for people to understand First, they are all decked out in barn display in one conversation is inspiring, TORONTO, ON been replaced by a mural that features that if we weren’t “healed” or “coun- wood. Ever-changing chalk boards and the killer good looks they provide trans themes. I think we will be seeing selled” straight before, there is nothing are also the norm and all off er various is a delicious bonus. more of this. Two-spirit they could provide us with to make that accoutrements, such as rubs, sauces identity conflict magically happen. We have tried it all. and . There’s a warm feel- Phil Villeneuve is Xtra’s arts editor. MARATI TORONTO, ON If I mention Russia, Uganda, Saudi MARIO JOHNOVITECH (FACEBOOK) Arabia — and add LGBTI issues — TORONTO, ON Christopher Karas you get the idea that these countries The outcome that we seek is this — gay and lesbian It’s nice to see the Catholic Church This kid is a hero [“Student Barred and many others are divided against people daring together to set love free. us. Now, I read these comments and making these small steps towards be- from Using Harvey Milk Quote Not ing less of a despicable organization. Xtra is published by Pink Triangle Press, at 2 Carlton St, Ste 1600, Toronto, M5B 1J3. Satisfied with Board’s Statement,” we, the LGBTI community, divide brother/sister against one another. We ALAN KING (FACEBOOK) dailyxtra.com, Jan 1]. I’m amazed that RED DEER, AB

6 JAN 9–22, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS ‘Tasting‘Ta much like beef’ OstrichO meat, Sushi accordinga to A BIWEEKLYY HELPING fitday.com.fi OF POP CULTURE,LTURE,, SERVED À LA CARTECARTE Olliffe XCETERA NameNam of a Toronto bbutcherutc r shops that selssellsls osostrich. FROM THE PTP ARCHIVES 3 YEARS AGO KangarooK Also on XTRA #709, DEC 29, 2011 offeroffe at the “I’m a lesbian. I paid a woman for sex and highigh-endh-en store. it was the best I’ve ever had in my life,” Sam GuGundynd Jessica Walden writes. Her story explores Co-ownerCo-ow of Olliffe. the feeling of connection she experienced New! Search MLS listings directly from my Facebookcebook page!page! and how paying for it didn’t change that Male it was “mind-blowing sex.” Sex of chicken Gundy says customers prefer buying to avoid high Gaelen Patrick OUT ON THE STREET BY KYLE BURTON levels of naturally Real Estate Sales Representativeative occurring hormones. Buying? Selling? Renting? What was the last Thinking Pre-construction? 6 Proudly Serving Our Community! Number of hormones piece of meat you ate? Achievement in Exceptional approved for beef Sales Performance and Service production in the US. For a hot beef injection, turn to page 13. Proud Financial Supporter of the Church 1,200–1,400 lbs St. 519 Community Centre with a donationn Typical weight of a from every sale going to the centre! cow when it’s sent to a processing facility. Contact me 416.801.9265 | [email protected] Processed meat www.gaelenpatrick.com A market expected to yield worldwide Sutton Group Realty Systems Inc. Brokerage revenues of almost Independently Owned and Operated | 416.762.4200 Toronto $800 million by 2018. Not intended to solicit those already under contract with another Realtor.

Yana Curtis Kayla Joelle MARKETING MANAGER SHOE SALESMAN SOCIAL WORKER SALES ASSOCIATE 1937 I’m vegetarian, so I I had chicken pizza Shaved turkey on a Fresh Italian The year haven’t eaten meat at work yesterday. sub. But I’m not a from a Spam was ini thethe llastast six years.years. DoesDoes tthathat count? hugehuge meatmea eater in place in Libertyy introduced. generageneral.l. Village. ShShoulders of and QUOTABLEQUOTABLE Rumoured meaningm of the ccanned meat’s I thinkthi what I name. CannedCann unicorn meat rreallyeally llovedo about Available from the Sisters at Radiant Farms, in County ggettingetting to shoot the sex Meath, Ireland, via sscenece was going thinkgeek.com. ffromr being in a really iintimaten moment County Meath with someone and Ireland’s leading producer of potatoes and a significant then hallucinating producer of beef.

tthath a werewolf Mike Valenti Detroit sports iiss popping out of personality recently injured by a flaming that scorched mmy stomach. his face. — CCharlie Carver talks about his Kiernan’s Named top Detroit gaygag y sex scenes in MTV’s Teen Wolf in 2013.

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8 JAN 9–22, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS It’s going to be easier for us to say Chris suffered from depression and Upfront he committed suicide, and there’s no shame in that. Reno Peloso E 11 Accessibility and Toronto’s Church-Wellesley Village Can you party, shop and play in the Village if you’re gay and in a wheelchair?

COMMUNITY NEWS tions or changes its purpose. But own- ROB SALERNO ers can get around these requirements where accessibility improvements One of the defining features of Toron- would be impossible or damage heritage to’s gay village is its Victorian heritage or cultural elements of a building. Many architecture, with narrow walkup or Village businesses are not required to below-ground storefronts. For many, install improvements for these reasons. this type of building is a hallmark of the Still, many businesses on Church neighbourhood and a point of pride in a Street are fully accessible. In a recent rapidly changing city. But if you’re in a survey of businesses in the Church- wheelchair, all those stairs can seem like Wellesley neighbourhood, Xtra found a barrier to being part of the community. that 46 out of 94 businesses had barrier- “It’s mostly not accessible,” says An- free front entrances — although few drew Morrison-Gurza, a gay disability had buttons to open their doors and activist and blogger who lives in Rich- not all had accessible bathrooms. Many mond Hill. “I don’t think the bar owners of these businesses are located in rela- are trying to exclude anybody, openly, tively new buildings or have been re- but by not having access, that’s what’s cently renovated for a chain business, happening. By having access it would like Second Cup or TD Canada Trust. allow people with disabilities who are Some businesses have devised other queer to meet other people and for other solutions to their accessibility barriers. people to see them there.” Both Woody’s and Flash will welcome But the accessibility issue is complex. disabled patrons through the back en- Under Ontario law, all businesses must trance off the Alexander Place alley. make some accommodation for disabled Woody’s will also allow disabled patrons customers who want to access their to access the staff washroom on its main premises, whether that includes physi- floor, although they can’t officially call The owner of Fuel Plus says disabled customers can phone in their orders and his staff will meet them outside. DAVID OWEN cal changes to their buildings or simpler it accessible because the washroom’s case-by-case accommodations, such as door is too narrow for most wheelchairs. his disabled patrons prefer to be car- health food and coffee shop Fuel Plus, disabled. He was unaware that Woody’s having an employee help a customer Woody’s manager Dean Odorico ac- ried in through the front doors. Some says he encourages disabled patrons to and Flash even had rear entrances, and into the premises. knowledges it’s an imperfect solution. patrons think it’s less dignified to be sent phone in their orders and a staff member Woody’s Yelp page says it is not wheel- Since January 2012, the Accessibil- The rear entrance isn’t manned, so first to the back entrance, which is also an op- will meet them in front of the store with chair accessible. ity for Ontarians with Disabilities Act a patron has to let the bouncer at the tion, he says. “We accommodate anyone their order and a wireless credit/debit While many disabled people are has required all businesses to create front know he’s coming or call ahead. who comes. We can’t install a ramp, but card reader to pay. “We’re very health- aware that the law requires businesses an accessibility plan and train their The alley is also poorly maintained, we can bring anyone inside,” he says. conscious, and we want to serve the to serve them, many are not, and new- staff on it. Businesses employing more full of potholes and has no sidewalk, so Fileti says he’d like to see the city and community,” Wong says, noting that his comers and visitors to Ontario shouldn’t than 20 people are also required to file guests must manoeuvre around trucks the owners improve Alexander Place so storefront is a grandfathered heritage be expected to know, Morrison-Gurza their plans with the Ministry of Com- and cars using the lane; it’s where busi- that it’s safer and easier for patrons to building with no room to install a ramp says. Having signs outside a business munity and Social Services and post nesses store their trash, and there are use it as an accessible entrance to the or lift. “We believe it goes beyond move- that explain what accessibility options them where customers can read them. no signs in the back. “It isn’t glamorous, businesses. ment and accessibility. We always ask, are available would be helpful. Because The Ontario Building Code also re- and we can’t say it’s accessible,” Odorico For businesses where the store itself ‘How do we get you what you need?’” many disabled people have had their quires building owners to make ac- says. “The biggest thing is that our staff is incidental to the service, owners are But Morrison-Gurza says businesses needs overlooked, they often expect cessibility improvements whenever a are trained to help the customers.” finding other ways to serve disabled cus- should be more proactive about indi- others to be unaccommodating unless property undergoes significant renova- Black Eagle owner Carlos Fileti says tomers. Chester Wong, who co-owns the cating that they are accessible to the otherwise indicated, he says.

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I had my fi rst orgasm in about 1998. I was sitting in a creaky, 1970s green chair in my grandma’s basement. It was unex- pected, confusing and glorious, and while I would have further orgasms David LeBlanc, Bruce Ferreira-Wells, Successful Clients Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants RCIC – ICCRC (especially that summer, all summer), this particular one is very important. If that chair were to be preserved some- how — as part of an unlikely tribute to my grandma’s house, for instance — it would go on existing, and people would look at it and think, “What an ugly ’70s chair,” but its signifi cance to my life would be lost on them. I could go and put a sign next to it that says, “Here is the site of Jeremy’s terrifying inaugural splooge,” and people would understand, but if I didn’t, then the chair would exist only as a monument to ugly chairs and the generations of Willard asses that had occupied it. The chair’s history would be, in a sense, tidied up, with all my messy sperms forgotten and only the tamer, more socially acceptable history of the chair preserved. Many a sperm shed in New Despite all the preservation going on in New York’s Meatpacking District, its deviant past is in danger of being wiped from history. ERIC WILLIAMS York City’s Meatpacking District is being forgotten as well. where they could be themselves and the Meatpacking District “New York’s The Meatpacking District is an area fuck. A plethora of fetishes and the most fashionable neighbourhood.” of Manhattan bordered by West 14th spectrum of BDSM delights were the Meanwhile, quite a lot of preserva- Street in the north, Gansevoort Street focus of such nightclubs as The Zoo, tion is going on. In 2003 Gansevoort in the south, the Hudson River on Mineshaft, Assterick, Anvil, Cell Block Market District was designated a the west side and Hudson Street on and Manhole. For many, the freedom historic site, and then in 2007 the the east. Industrialization took hold of the Meatpacking District was their Greenwich Village Society for His- of the area in the mid-19th century, way of combating society’s ideas about toric Preservation announced that when Fort Gansevoort was replaced sexual morality. New York State Parks was going to by freight yards and other industry With AIDS in full swing, the city make the entire Meatpacking Dis- sprang up in the area, including iron closed down the Mineshaft in 1985. trict historic. Restrictions have been works, lumber yards and granite works. In the 1990s, Mayor Rudy Giuliani’s placed on development in the area, By 1900, there were about 250 slaugh- “clean-up” eff orts wiped out much of but what is really being preserved? terhouses and meatpacking plants in what remained of the queer scene in So far, I haven’t read that any trace of the area, and by the 1920s the focus the district. The area’s edge has been the memory of the queer scene of the was almost exclusively on meat-related dulled by gentrifi cation, and now the 1970s and ’80s is being maintained. industry. Warehouses, shedlike market most common sight in the region is Some of the buildings may continue buildings, huge slabs of meat hanging probably Sarah Jessica Parker look- to stand, but without anything to in- on hooks, and workers sporting blood- alikes blithering in high-end restau- dicate what those buildings mean to spattered aprons became the scenery rants or trotting along West 14 Street the queer community, they’re just of the district. and double-fi sting lattes while brows- charming old industrial buildings to Utah filing asks top court to stop A decline in the meatpacking indus- ing clothing labels like Alexander Mc- titillate rich people who love all things try in the 1960s meant that through Queen and Diane Von Fürstenberg. vintage. And like the green chair in the gay marriages pending appeal the 1970s and 1980s the area was The success of the High Line project hypothetical tribute to my grandma’s a hotspot for gay nightclubs. With — the conversion of the abandoned house, the district’s history might end its uninhabited warehouses and elevated railway that runs through up “tidied up” as a result, all sperms poorly policed streets, the district the Meatpacking District into a pub- lost to history. Without some greater became a haunt for gays, transgen- lic park — has spurred rent increases eff ort to maintain the messy, kinky and dailyxtra.com der people, sex workers and other and real estate development in the sexually deviant past of the district, “sexual deviants” looking for a place region. New York magazine has called that part of its history may be lost.

10 JAN 9–22, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS Hundreds turn out for Peloso memorial ‘A man has taken his life because the pain in his brain was unrelenting’: Smitherman

NEWS Christopher later took him to Sudbury’s Michael’s refined palate is just part Barbara Hall, a long-time family friend of the stigmas and fears about his con- ROB SALERNO only gay bar during a Christmas visit. of the legacy Peloso leaves his children. whom Smitherman worked for when dition,” Hall said. “As we gather and “It opened up my eyes to see who he “His legacy is a four-year-old who she was mayor of pre-amalgamation celebrate to say goodbye, let us accept More than 500 people gathered at the really was,” Peloso said. knows which guests should be greeted Toronto, spoke of the difficulties Peloso the challenge to create a legacy for Wellesley Community Centre on Jan 3 Smitherman spoke mostly off-the- with ‘As-salaam alaikum,’” Smitherman faced as a gay father and as a man suf- Christopher — a society without stigma to pay tribute to former deputy premier cuff, eschewing the notes he said he’d said, noting with self-deprecating irony, fering from mental illness. and stereotypes.” George Smitherman’s husband, Chris- need his new glasses to read. Many of “My greatest legacy is helping to create “Christopher was proud of who he Smitherman said his experience of topher Peloso, who was found dead Dec his remarks touched on his gratitude Rob Ford.” was and his family, but sometimes coming out as a gay man leads him to 30 after being reported missing the for the support of the gay community Though Ford did not attend, numer- societal attitudes got in the way,” believe that being honest — including previous day. and the Village neighbourhood where ous political figures did, including cur- Hall said. “He was challenged by com- about Peloso’s illness — is best. Set to a soundtrack of jovial pop mu- he and Peloso met. “We really liked rent and former premiers Kathleen munity services that seemed just for “There is no hiding the reality of what sic taken from Peloso’s playlists, the this building [the Wellesley Commu- Wynne and Dalton McGuinty and To- moms, or moms and dads, but not [for we face. A man has taken his life because celebration of his life drew many friends nity Centre],” Smitherman said. “It’s ronto Centre MPP Glen Murray. dads alone]. the pain in his brain was unrelenting,” and family members, who openly shared not where we live now, but it is our Ontario Human Rights Commissioner “In recent months, he talked often he said. happy stories of better times without neighbourhood.” shying away from the fact that Peloso Smitherman choked back tears as died by suicide. he recounted the horrible day when Christopher’s father, Reno Peloso, he learned that his husband was gone praised former premier and MP Bob and he had to tell their children, aged Rae for writing a guest column in The five and two. Globe and Mail that called on the gov- “Michael ran to the bathroom and ernment to create a national suicide brought me some tissues and said, prevention plan in response to his son’s ‘Don’t be sad,’” Smitherman said. “Then death. the circumstances went through his “It’s going to be easier for us to say mind and he asked, ‘Who’s gonna make Chris suffered from depression and me dinner?’ he committed suicide, and there’s no “It’s an indication of what a five-year- shame in that,” Peloso said. old mind can process and a sense of the Peloso revealed that his son “strug- deep shit I’m in,” Smitherman said with gled with his sexuality” in his teens slight chuckle. “That kid can identify and admitted that he was “ill-informed four different types of mushroom and and unprepared” to help him. He says eat them with relish.”

George Smitherman pays tribute to his late husband, Christopher Peloso, with their children, Michael and Kayla, and Peloso’s daughter, Morgan Morrow, at Peloso’s memorial Jan 3. ROB SALERNO

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12 JAN 9–22, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS T‡e 1ȻO ISSUE

Let us consider the cow. Regal, elegant and inspiring as it strides purposefully over our hallowed prairie lands, the true epitome of grace and perspicacity. Plus, it goes just awesome with fries and a milkshake. All right, so even the most ardent of animal ac- tivists surely admit that the cow is just about the dumbest creature ever to trod sod (despite stellar efforts by the brothers Ford in this category). I’m not saying they deserve to die but also can’t muster much outrage that poor Bessie’s lifespan is generally deter- mined by the Canadian Beef Grading System. Then there’s that whole fries and milkshake thing. And we love beef — at least most of us do. The aver- age Canadian will consume more than 30 kilograms of beef every year, never mind the 60-odd kilograms of other and that we manage to choke back with joyful abandon. Whether it be organic, processed, slow-cooked or deep-fried, it’s clear that we Canucks are not about to embrace any time soon. Living in a foodie city like Toronto, the options for meat lovers are nearly endless. Our thriving multicultural communities offer a rich variety of ways to prepare and serve all sorts of animals, while restaurants have become bolder in both responding to customers’ curiosity and challenging their culi- nary boundaries. We even experience the changes in our grocery baskets, as recent years have seen meat produce taken to a whole new level by an adventur- ous new breed of butcher. We’ve become smarter consumers, increasing the demand for what was pre- viously the domain of specialty shops; it’s quite common now to find organic, sustainable and free- range products at even the largest grocery chains. Perhaps it’s the ubiquitous presence of TV cook- ing shows, magazines and websites, always looking for something new (and sometimes controversial) to fill airtime and page space. Either way, with things like bone marrow, charcuterie and even hitting Hogtown menus, there’s never been a better time to put down that Big Mac and take an adventure in some of Toronto’s most exciting and captivating temples to all things feathered and hooved.

A rack of aged at Côte de Boeuf. JAMO BEST BY SERAFIN LARIVIERE

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! JAN 9–22, 2014 13 14 JAN 9–22, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS T‡e More and more people are 1ȻO looking for responsibly raised, ISSUE perfectly aged meat. A proper butcher is really the best option.

HG’S THE WBEF

Côte de Boeuf 130 Ossington Ave Ossington Avenue is one of those classic Toronto neighbourhoods in transi- tion. While perhaps best known as home to the Queen Street Mental Health Centre (previously the Ontario Provincial Lunatic Asylum and now operat- ing as CAMH), Ossington has in recent years become more of a hipster hang- out: still a bit scruffy but dotted with interesting shops, bars and restaurants. Of course, it’s only a matter of time before developers cut their inevitable swath through this still-affordable area, but at the moment there are plenty of heritage storefronts giving a glimpse into the area’s rich history. Walk- ing through the old-fashioned glass doors of Côte de Boeuf certainly feels 2 like a step back in time. Weathered hardwood floors, rustic shelving and a country-store feel are a nice echo from the stockyards that used to populate the avenue, as are the artisanal charcuterie, cheeses and meats on display. 1. Côte de It’s a pleasing and evocative design shared by the butcher shop’s sister estab- Boeuf co- lishment, the much-celebrated Union Restaurant. owner Teo Both places are the brainchild of Teo Paul, who partnered with his brother 3 Paul in the Chasen Gillies to open Côte de Boeuf earlier this year. The inspiration for meat locker. each establishment came from Paul’s five-year stint living in France’s fa- 2. Bikes parked mous City of Light. outside the Parisian- “Teo wanted to recreate a little bit of that time he spent in Paris,” says influenced Chris Mathias, a friend and colleague who now works in the butcher shop. butcher shop. “Both the restaurant and the shop reflect that and a more European feel.” 3. David Ridge The stock is decidedly not what you’d find at your local Loblaws. There’s serves up Scotch Mountain beef, sheep-milk yogurt, heritage chickens, some vegetable some freshly made ham- produce and a respectable artisanal soft-cheese selection. “We butcher ev- and-cheese erything on-site,” Mathias says. “Plus, we make our own terrines and confit, sandwiches.

quince jelly and charcuterie.” ALL PHOTOS Herbs are grown at Paul’s farm outside the city, where they also smoke the BY JAMO BEST duck, chicken and paprika they sell. It’s all very hands-on while still being af- fordable, a combination that’s becoming more prevalent downtown. “I actually lived here before,” Mathias says. “None of this stuff was available back then. I returned after 12 years, and things had really changed. It’s defi- 1 nitely spearheaded by the chefs and cooks in restaurants. And I think people are travelling more and educating themselves. They want quality.” E

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! JAN 9–22, 2014 15 2

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Sanagan’s

Meat Locker 176 Baldwin St Kensington Market has long been a go-to destination for ethnic foods, with its eclec- tic patchwork of spice shops, cheese vendors, fishmongers and butchers. Even now the quirky enclave resists the wave of gentrification washing over other downtown neighbourhoods (witness the current battle to keep Walmart from setting down at the Market’s entrance), keeping its multicultural/hippie/anarchist vibe not only surviving, but thriving. How perfect that the marketplace once home to European immigrant merchants still features some of the best artisanal offerings found in the city. Sanagan’s Meat Locker opened its doors back in 2009, taking over a father-and- son butcher shop that had been serving the market for five decades. Owner Peter Sanagan, a chef by trade, was looking for a way to bring the locally produced meats he had been cooking in rural restaurants to downtown Toronto shoppers. “As a chef I’ve always been passionate about working directly with farmers,” Sanagan says. “There are so many interesting products, like meats, traditional meats, fruits and vegetables. It’s all about bringing the best flavour profile to the plate.” Working at the Falls Inn in Walters Falls, Sanagan had the opportunity to work closely with independent farmers and brought these sources with him when taking the plunge into retail meat. It was a welcome partnership, giving the local produc- ers a chance to make further inroads into the big-city marketplace. “When you’re working with small farmers, it’s a very different scale,” Sanagan points out. “Because they’re smaller operations, restaurants are expected to purchase whole animals, which is difficult because you can’t always use all the parts on your menu. As a butch- er, I can use everything from the nose to the tail.” Sanagan’s has since made a move from its modest beginnings, taking over the old European Meats store a few doors down from the original location. The new space is several times larger, offering more scope for its owner’s personal vision. “At first I was a little bit hesitant,” admits Sanagan, who finally decided to jump into the new venture whole hog. “The first few months of operation in the big store were pretty strange,” he says. “Before, I had four employees, and now I have 32, so watching my cost of labour go from $7,000 every two weeks up to $25,000 was a little daunting.” The move proved a big success. The raw-meat counter still stocks the familiar, along with such offerings as or large shanks. Fans of the butcher’s amazing handmade will be happy to see an expanded range. But now there’s room for a charcuterie section, featuring terrines, patés and confit, all made in-store. There’s even a maple doughnut (yes, I ate one, and it was outrageously good). Also popular is the new lunch counter, featuring some of the shop’s delectable items, sizzling away and further whetting the appetite. A newly launched wholesale side- line to restaurants and hotels is ticking along nicely, building on Sanagan’s original vision of responsible food production. “I enjoy working with smaller producers who raise their animals in a sustainable nature,” he says. “This is with zero hormone use and antibiotic use only if the animal is sick. The animals are well fed and well taken care of, not factory farmed. That’s 6 always going to be my focus.” E

16 JAN 9–22, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS T‡e 1ȻO ISSUE

1. The charcuterie menu at Sanagan’s. 2. Head butcher Lisa Giraldi. 3. In-house meat expert Steve O’Brien. 4. Steven Pierre-Noel preps behind the scenes. 5. Baker Mike Merenda readies meat pies. 6. Claire restocks 3 the counter.

ALL PHOTOS BY JAMO BEST

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MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! JAN 9–22, 2014 17 1

The Meat Dept 207 Danforth Ave There is something undeniably sexy about being handed a pork tenderloin by a guy wearing a Darth Vader mask. Maybe it’s the geek in me, or maybe it’s the fact that the men who work at The Meat Dept on the Danforth are so freakin’ hot. The place is a dream come true for het guys, too, with manly cuts of steak and ribs perfect for noshing while watching a football game — and, the day I visit, one is playing overhead on a giant LCD televi- sion screen. The shelves are packed with an impressive selection of pick- led goods, accented here and there with vintage action figures and other memorabilia. It’s kind of like visiting a super-cool uncle who kept all the stuff from his childhood and just happens to also stock a mouthwatering selection of beef, lamb, pork and poultry. Zach Davidson put a lot of thought into the design and concept of his 2 butcher shop when it opened in 2010. Back then it was known as The Friendly Butcher, but after he bought out his partner two years ago it was rebranded under the new name. “I wish I had a better analogy, but when I’d daydream about the sort of business I could run one day, it was like something in the movies,” David- son says. “You’d see those places and think, man, it would be great if life was really like that. A laid-back environment, where you’re supposed to have fun doing your job, fun working with everybody else there. Where you’re encouraged to just be yourself.” Certainly the place is full of personality, but it’s also full of interesting products and knowledgeable staff. And as passionate as Davidson is about creating a fun and professional atmosphere, he’s even more committed to the wares he offers. “We’re trying to be different and to just tell the truth to the customers,” he says. “Part of that is reeducating the customer when it comes to the choices they’re faced with when it comes to meat. “A perfect example of this is the whole grass-fed thing. The problem is that you’ve got a lot of unprepared retailers who have given customers the misrepresentation of how the industry works. The truth is that an ex- clusively grass-fed animal takes almost three times as long to develop the weight and marbling that customers want in their meat. So if you want to support your local farmer who does that, you’re looking at triple the price.” So, how do we ensure that our favourite hunk of sirloin isn’t super tough, without coming from a massive complex of mechanically induced torture and chemical cocktails or paying through the nose? “The only way you can support your local small farmer is if they partici- pate in the supplementation program, where the animal is finished on oats and grain and corn after eating grass for most of their lives. Corn is hard on the animal’s digestion if they’re a young animal, but if you’re giving them corn at the last stage before the , you get great marbling from the sugar.” Davidson also points out that an organic label may not always mean 5 what the public thinks it does and eschews labelling his products as such. “Organic only applies to the food, not the conditions of the animals during their lifetimes. The organic section is the fastest-growing segment in the supermarket, and a supermarket’s driving force is to never be out of prod- uct. Think of the strain that it’s putting on the organic community itself. You now have these massive organic farms that are doing the same things as the others. It’s like the animals are in prison. They get maybe an hour a day outside, and that’s considered free-run.” Despite these concerns, Davidson isn’t saying that all organic produce is bad and occasionally has it in his cooler. “If organic happens to be the best product available, we absolutely sell it. I just won’t market it as organic. I only sell the best possible product, and if that’s it, then we have it.” The stock certainly is impressive. Davidson has 11 kinds of , countless cuts of dry-aged beef, sausages made in-store, and even fun stuff like ostrich, and a turducken burger — all of it prepared by a group of guys who appear to love their jobs and respect the products they carry. “For me, it’s truly about honour,” Davidson says. “We are humbled every day because animals gave up their lives for this. If you respect that and pay 4 homage to that, then that’s where this profession finds its honour.”

18 JAN 9–22, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS Prime Pick T‡e 1ȻO ISSUE

1. Tenderloin on display at The Meat Dept. 2. The Meat Dept also carries pantry staples made by local Mennonites. 3. Fat Chohe cleans chickens in the back room.

4. Big Jim and PJ are PHIL CLOWATER meat educators as well as butchers. St Jamestown Steak & Chops 5. Hawaiian bobble dolls 516 Parliament St add to The Meat Dept’s 3 kitschy décor. This butcher shop features one-stop shopping when it comes

ALL PHOTOS BY JAMO BEST to meals. The meat selection is solid, with friendly advice about cuts and cooking times, but there are also fresh breads, desserts and seasonal vegetables to accompany the protein portion of your dinner. It’s particularly fortunate for Cabbagetown residents to have this venerable institution still going strong after several decades, given that the nearest alternative is a particularly dis- mal No Frills just down the street. The store is also home to some of the biggest you will ever see, and they’re always fresh.

MMMORE Cumbrae’s 481 Church St A neighbourhood staple, this third-generation butcher shop was serving fine meats sourced from local farmers long before it was hip and trendy. I’ve never seen the place with fewer than six people behind the counter, all fully versed in the cuts of meat, along with serving suggestions and cooking times. There’s a great heat-and- serve counter for last-minute meals and a freezer full of more exotic or seasonal items. Their “farm to fork” philosophy includes participation in the Grey County cattle program, a network of breeders and farmers committed to raising cattle in a sustainable, humane fashion. The Healthy Butcher 565 Queen St W This Fashion District butcher shop features a variety of organic meats and prepared foods, sourced from animals that are raised “as nature intended.” Their food activism is refreshingly optimistic. The Healthy Butcher eschews mass-produced beef in favour of organically raised cattle that can roam grassy pastures and eat natural foods before ending up on our plates. Special orders are welcomed, sourced from reliable farmers and offering documenta- tion that can trace your meat back to the organic farm where it was grown. They also offer butchering and cooking classes, as well as gift boxes like The Sausage Sampler and The Perfect Steak Box. Bloor Meat Market 2283 Bloor St W This Old World–style butcher shop has a reliable selection of beef, pork, poultry and fish. It’s known for great service, with a friendly “hello” greeting customers as they arrive. There are organic and grass-fed options available, as well as regular meats that are sev- eral steps up from anything you’ll find in a grocery store. The Irish salmon is to die for, rich and flavourful.

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! JAN 9–22, 2014 19 PF;T!6 %PriÄ& đ ]

Sizzling, charred, rare or even raw: a good restaurant knows how to cook quality meats to perfection.

Barque Smokehouse 299 Roncesvalles Ave If you’ve done much travelling south enhancing the meat’s flavour with chefs are classically trained,” Nein- 1 of the border — and I mean really a dry rub that goes on before the stein says. “So our food is classic pit south — you’ve probably tasted South- cooking process, as opposed to the barbecue meets modern classically ern barbecue, the impossibly tender heavy sauces added afterward that trained chef. pork, beef or chicken that positively one often finds in the States. He “We push the refined barbecue melts in your mouth. Mind you, this blends these spices himself, gearing experience. There are no squeeze 2 isn’t the backyard type of grilling each batch toward the type and cuts bottles; we put brushes at every place we’re accustomed to above the 49th of meat being loaded into the res- setting instead. We try to elevate parallel: these joints of meat are taurant’s massive smoker. This self- barbecue and include some non- cooked for 24 hours or so, until even taught chef is quick to point out that traditional items, such as our beef- the toughest old pig becomes delicate his recipes are nearly all the fruits of cheek-stuffed sushi rice balls.” and tasty. simple trial and error. Um, what? Having successfully avoided much “I’m not a classically trained chef,” Neinstein laughs. “Beef cheeks are of the Deep South’s influence when says Neinstein, formerly a marketing amazing. They don’t taste gamey. It’s it comes to things like public lynch- expert. “When I decided to open this just like a really tender piece of meat ings and rampant racism, it’s still a restaurant, I was methodical about that we smoke, then braise and wrap shame that some of their more in- it. I went down to a small town in around sushi rice with a little miso teresting culinary practices haven’t Oklahoma and worked in a barbecue glaze.” And how did he come up with migrated north. Barbecue restaurants restaurant. Then it was basically me this creation? “I like sushi rice and in Toronto are few and far between, working to get each dish right to my I like beef cheeks,” he says with a grin. but one of the most interesting and own satisfaction.” “Simple.” successful has to be Barque, a cool Barque proved a near instant suc- Another element in raising the posh little place located in the of cess. Certainly it was helped by the factor is Barque’s impressive wine list, Roncesvalles. famously loyal residents of Roncie, chosen by the restaurant’s operations ing signature cocktails for Barque’s restaurant’s signature pecan pie with The owner is Dave Neinstein, a always eager to support their local in- manager and certified sommelier Ge- drinks menu. Among the less success- ginger gelato, the kids are offered the hunky bearded bloke who has brought dependent businesses, but the novelty rardo Diaz. ful of these was a summer concoction chance to decorate their own cookies. his own version of barbecue to the of delicious barbecue served in a cool “I like the way wine can change and named after our illustrious mayor. There are even toys and games to oc- city. “I call it authentic southern urban setting has proven a winner enhance a meal,” Diaz says. “And each But, as Diaz dryly points out, “Nobody cupy the little darlings. Ontario barbecue,” Neinstein says. with non-residents as well. Neinstein bottle has its own story, depending wants the taste of Rob Ford in their “This neighbourhood is all about “Which actually doesn’t exist.” opened the place with a skeleton on the environment where the grape mouth.” kids,” Neinstein says. “I love it here. It may not officially exist, but if crew, taking on most of the kitchen was grown, the type of season and the Barque also offers fish and veg- My partner and I have since moved to the crowds flocking to Barque every duties himself. Now there’s a staff of growing conditions.” etarian options and, in keeping with the area. His kids go to school here, night are anything to go by, it darn 40 or so, specially trained to produce Diaz has spent most of his profes- Roncesvalle’s family-centric vibe, and I’m happy to work here. So it’s im- well should. Unlike some Southern his creations. sional life working in restaurants welcomes children with open arms. portant to us that we bring something barbecue, Neinstein focuses on “Aside from myself, all of the other and has even tried his hand at creat- While their parents are enjoying the good to our neighbours.”

20 JAN 9–22, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS T‡e 1ȻO ISSUE MMMORE

Farmhouse Tavern 1627 Dupont St Great rustic place in the heart of The Junction. The chairs are a homey hodgepodge of colours and styles, and the décor is a comfortable mix of antique farm tools and country kitsch. The menu emphasizes local, seasonal produce, along with a meat selection that is sinfully drippy and delicious. You can’t go wrong with one of their massive burgers, piled 3 high with things like goat cheese, pork belly and fried duck eggs. Por- tions are generous, and the staff is

1. A wall of mouth- friendly. watering products La Palette 492 Queen St W at Barque. The Stockyards TANJA-TIZIANA Like its country of origin, French and then let them know that we “Aside from the horse, there are 699 St Clair Ave W cuisine is a study in contrasts. Of served it. When we finally came out of things here you wouldn’t normally 2. Barque boys: Owner Dave Neinstein with course, there’s the glossy veneer lent the closet, so to speak, it really raised see in a restaurant,” Amlani says. “We A modern interpretation of the family Gerardo Diaz, his diner and barbecue joint. Favourites by Parisian sophisticates, but un- some people’s ire.” have quadruple-A beef steaks from manager and sommelier. include such comfort food as derneath those fancy sauces lurks a To put it mildly. ac- Alberta, and we bring in things like TANJA TIZIANA Southern-fried chicken served on a whole world of snails, and green tivists and horse lovers picketed La farmed from Manitoba and 3. La Palette’s cozy waffle, wood-smoked Carolina-style amphibian amputees. Once North Palette for months, protesting the res- muskox from Banks Island in the dining room. barbecue, and burgers with toppings Americans got past the initial squea- taurant’s serving of their friend Flicka Northwest Territories. Only the Innu COURTESY OF LA PALETTE mishness, these delicacies rightly and often getting into heated confron- are allowed to hunt it.” that include marrow, blue cheese and found their way into our . But tations with the restaurateur. Like Popular items on the menu are red-wine butter. Small and homey; be there’s one French staple that seems any good marketer, Amlani viewed smoked duck hearts, foie gras and, of sure to try the ginger iced tea. to elude popularity — indeed, that these protests as free publicity. course, the horse. “The cut that we’re seems to cause havoc whenever it “It was endless hours of talking serving is the tenderloin. It’s like the Copacabana rears its majestic, maned head. and fun,” he says. “They would be out best filet mignon you’ve ever had. Brazilian “In English-speaking North front picketing, and my bar business It’s like beef but silkier and a little America, horse meat is anathema to would actually pick up. I turned it into sweeter. We have an entrée called the Steakhouse people,” says Shamez Amlani, owner some crypto-advertising campaign: Quack and Track, which is duck confit 150 Eglinton Ave E of La Palette, a popular French bistro Free horse tartar during protests! served with the horse tenderloin. It’s Serves authentic Brazilian rodizio, a in Toronto. “It’s a deep and interest- Horse happy hour!” very popular.” prix-fixe menu where diners choose ing controversy.” As the city’s tastes evolved and But one of Amlani’s favourite dishes from a selection of items. Prime rib When Amlani opened his restau- broadened, La Palette’s reputation is also one that perfectly represents infused with white cheddar cheese, rant 13 years ago, the presence of this for authentic French cuisine grew. his mischievous and infectious sense chimichurri and a selection controversial dish was a secret shared There’s still the occasional protest of humour. “I love the duck neck of sausages are not to be missed. only with select customers, a sort of about chowing down on poor Trigger, sausage,” he says impishly. “The neck The roasted pineapple is delicious, wink-wink, nudge-nudge that created but it’s lost in a sea of great reviews is used as the sausage casing and and the live entertainment gives a a cult following. and customer loyalty. And if Amlani’s then we place a confit duck head on nice party atmosphere. Perfect for “Horse wasn’t listed on the menu,” establishment has a hint of notoriety it. You can crack his beak open and large groups looking for a fun night Amlani says. “We would surmise that about it, the menu is anything but eat the cheeks. Watch out — he’s got with great food. a table wasn’t going to be squeamish one-note. a tongue!”

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! JAN 9–22, 2014 21 SEA CHȽNG

There’s a chance that our fine finned friends might feel left out of all this meat worship. Far be it from us to neglect the dazzling purveyors of fresh fish this city has to offer.

1 Hooked 206 Baldwin St & 888 Queen St E Kensington Market has a history These concepts are frankly new to of being a bit hit-and-miss when it me, but a little research shows there comes to fishmongers. It was gener- is quite a movement among fishers ally easy to tell which ones to avoid and vendors to ensure sustainable in days past: the cut-rate prices, the and responsible practices within the filthy floors and a pong so strong that profession. Small boats are favoured, you rushed out, eyes streaming and with direct relationships encouraged gasping for fresh air. But as newer between suppliers and consumers. shops like Sanagan’s Meat Locker Hooked’s produce follows these set a high standard for hygiene and guidelines, without seeming much variety, other like-minded places are more expensive than Loblaws or Met- beginning to take hold. ro. Plus, it looks and smells a whole lot In fact, the first thing I notice about more appetizing. Along with staples Hooked when I enter is the lack of like steelhead and wild salmon, a fishy smell. It’s a small space, with Hooked offers baseball-sized chunks an old-fashioned cooler window and of ahi and a variety of . vintage-wood floors — in fact, the very You can also place special orders for space that Sanagan’s started out in exotic items like arctic char before moving to larger premises or chow down on their ready-made a few doors down. The next thing crab cakes. I notice is a sign stating the shop’s Judging by the stream of customers, unusual philosophical approach to people are willing to pay a little more selling their wares. Sales associate for products that support independent Mikhail Williams explains: “Every- fishermen as well as the fish schools thing here is ethically caught, using themselves. “I think more people are no-troll methods. The farmed fish are moving in this direction,” Williams from low-population communities, says. “People care about what they eat and there are no antibiotics used.” and where it comes from.” 2 1. Tuna and on ice at Hooked. JAMO BEST 2. Hooked co-owner Kristin Donovan shows off her wares. JAMO BEST 3. Cam Cash is happy to help at De La Mer. ADAM COISH

22 JAN 9–22, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS T‡e De La Mer 1ȻO Fresh Fish FAKING IT, ISSUE Market VEGGIE STYLE How do you find a vegan at a dinner party? Don’t worry, they’ll let 291 Roncesvalles Ave you know. & 1543 Bayview Ave That’s funny, even to us vegetarians and vegans, because that is what It’s kind of hard to miss this fish we do. It also steps up the typical eye-rollers we receive at the dinner market when you’re walking down table. Like, “Salad? That’s what food eats!” Roncesvalles, with its front window a While being vegetarian is easier than ever before, with celebs like Be- veritable wall of racing water bubbles. yoncé and Jay Z trying on a vegan diet for size, there’s still a lot of curiosity I half expect a little red to start and confusion that comes with the diet, the biggest one being fake meat. singing about life under the sea when Why would someone who doesn’t eat meat want to eat fake meat? I walk through the door but am greet- In high school, after reading up on animal cruelty, I decided to go veg- ed by a perfectly ordinary, friendly etarian. Having a positive impact on the environment kept me vegetarian, human. There’s a large selection of and the health benefits were a big fat bonus. But it was difficult at first, fresh fish and , from regu- because I loved meat. Like most vegetarians and vegans, the decision lar cod fillets to succulent-looking wasn’t about the taste of meat, but rather ethical concerns. . De La Mer also stocks At the time I worked at Arby’s and ate bacon-and-cheddar deluxe house-smoked trout and a variety of burgers four times a week (hey, we got 50 percent off). I remember des- sauces and marinades. They do spe- perately missing ham submarines and pizza in the early days. cial orders and offer smoked salmon At first I gave up , then chicken, then fish. Nearly 20 years later, platters, shrimp rings and other party I don’t miss it, because I have fake meat, fake chicken and fake fish. The favourites. texture and taste reminds me of the meals I miss. And you don’t need to be a vegetarian to eat fake meat. Next time you’re making a meal, throw some fake Ground Round into pasta sauce or chili. Bill’s Lobster Then, don’t say anything. You’ll be surprised: most people at the table won’t even notice. Fish Market Toronto is an incredible city for vegetarian food, hands down the best 599 Gerrard St E in Canada and perhaps in the top three in North America. In addition to Like the sign says, this place sells a lot a variety of international vegetarian-friendly cuisines, from Ethiopia to of , along with a respectable India, dedicated vegetarian restaurants like Fresh are always packed and selection of other fish and seafood. expanding (hello, Yonge/Eglinton). But my favourite spots I’ve discovered I have to admit I’m never crazy about by word of mouth. And they’re some of Toronto’s best-kept secrets. seeing the poor buggers swimming The top restaurants in the city for mock meat are Asian fusion: east-end around their little tanks in stores Green Earth (385 Broadview Ave) and west-end King’s Café (192 Augus- or restaurants, but then I remem- ta Ave). Hogtown Vegan (834 Bloor St W) is a hipster hangout with North ber there’s a reason they have to tie elastic bands around their wicked claws. Cuddly and kind they’re not. Still, I can’t face boiling one of them alive, so instead I walk out with a bag of scallops that prove to be among the freshest and sweetest I’ve ever cooked. The owner and his wife are happy to advise when it comes to selection and recipes, and it’s obvious why this neighbourhood favourite has been around for more than 10 years. St Lawrence Vegan nachos at Hogtown Market Vegan. MADELEINE FOOTE 92 Front St E American childhood faves turned vegan, and Rancho Relaxo (300 Col- It’s difficult to profile just one fish- lege St) will make their Mexican meat dishes vegan. I also go out of my monger at the market, as they all way to support veg offerings from fast-food chains like Lick’s (best veggie seem to specialize in different things, burger around) and fake pepperoni at Panago Pizza. depending on stock and availability. Until then, while cooking at home, a simple brick of extra-firm tofu can That being said, it’s hard to go wrong go a long way; just deep fry and add curry or even hot sauce. There are picking up fish and seafood at this also a variety of meat substitutes by Yves and Gardein, and Tofurky now historic marketplace. How they man- offers products like pizza, hot dogs and sausages. Nelakee (200 Silver age to cram so much seafood into Star Blvd) in Scarborough is a fake-meat Costco, selling everything from one area without it stinking to high fake shrimp to duck. heaven, I will probably never know. Scientists are also getting closer to the first lab-grown . This But they do, and the St Lawrence sci-fi innovation from synthesized animal tissue or plant material could 3 Market remains one of the prime help address issues like population growth, factory farming and climate destinations for fresh fish and seafood change. I should probably start crafting a party joke now. — Jennifer Hollett in the city.

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! JAN 9–22, 2014 23 T‡e 1ȻO ISSUE BUTCHERING FASHION

The history of the meat dress BY MICHAEL-OLIVER HARDING

Those hoping that Lady Gaga’s it was included as part of silence due to Easter, infamously decaying meat an exhibition at Ottawa’s other media took up the dress had gobbled up its full 15 National Gallery, with subject.” minutes in the spotlight by now some 200 people mailing More than 25 years should probably fi nd another pop in food scraps in protest after Sterbak laid bare culture phenom to harp on, as the and MPs campaigning the novel, not-quite- hfl eshy, subversive slab of fashion to donate the meat... to edible garment, this — voted by Time magazine as the nearby food banks. now-iconic piece has top fashion statement of 2010 — “The protest was been reproduced and rei- isn’t going anywhere soon. Gaga about government magined countless times, herself spoofed the dangly bits of spending on the arts, consistently igniting the ire raw fl ank steak, fi rst donned to closely following the pur- of the same targets (animal much public condemnation at the chase of Barnett Newman’s rights organizations, rightwing 2010 MTV Video Music Awards, Voice of Fire by the National Gal- anti-art curmudgeons and certain in a Saturday Night Live promo lery for over a million dollars,” anti-poverty activists), serving to late last year. Dissertations ex- Sterbak told Xtra in an email ex- remind us that those issues remain pounding on said fl esh dress’s change. “The media got hold of it as just as relevant today. One can only feminist, anti-fashion or anti- New Wave punker Linder Sterling wore a result of an intern working for the imagine that the innumerable pos- factory-farming readings have a meat dress onstage in 1982. Ottawa paper, who called a shelter sibilities of lean red meat will strike been emerging from university for homeless men to ask if they a chord with the next generation and college campuses across What’s interesting is that Gaga could make better use of the mate- of subversive artists with a bone America ever since. and her Haus of Gaga style team’s rial... During the relative news to pick. Designed by Franc Fernan- stab at raw-meat couture (complete dez and styled by Nicola For- with meat purse and shoes) is only michetti, the bacon, steak and the latest in a long line of transgres- pork chop–assembled dress sive females stitching together meat, has amassed its fair share of gender and fashion in the name of devout fans and detractors: attention-grabbing art and incisive the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame social commentary. went out of its way to dry, paint and British New Wave punkster (and preserve the dress, touring it as good friend of Morrissey) Linder part of a national exhibit about pio- Sterling, frontwoman of the ex- neering women in rock and roll. perimental band Ludus, famously Gaga, responding to widespread performed outfi tted in a meat dress public indignation from animal — with a massive black dildo to boot rights groups such as PETA — — to a crowd of Manchester patrons which argued the performer had in 1982 to rail against men who liken callously paraded around wear- the female body to meat cuts. ing “the decomposing fl esh of The most high-profi le incarna- a tormented animal who didn’t tion of the “fl esh dress” leading up want to die” — told Ellen DeGe- to Gaga’s appropriation is attributed to Montreal-based conceptual artist Lady Gaga neres back in 2010 that her aim in meat at was to make a statement about Jana Sterbak, whose Vanitas: Flesh the 2010 equality and condemn the US Dress for an Albino Anorectic sculp- MTV Video government’s much-maligned, ture (1987) comprised 50 pounds and Music $260 worth of raw steak, stitched Awards. now-repealed Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy. “If we don’t together and pre-salted to prevent stand up for what we believe in rotting during its six weeks of gallery and don’t fi ght for our rights,” life. A framed photograph of a model she warned viewers, “we’re go- wearing the dress was mounted on ing to have as much rights as the nearest wall. Sterbak’s meditation Jana Sterbak's “flesh dress” the meat on our bones. And I on vanity, aging and human decay comprises 50 pounds of raw steak. am not a piece of meat.” ignited quite the uproar in 1991 when

24 JAN 9–22, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS PHOTOS BY KAREN ROZE KAREN BY PHOTOS Tie me up

Tightening the apron strings BY DIEGO ARMAND

Lately I’ve been obsessed with aprons. As a wardrobe stylist, I like being able to keep my clothes clean and have pockets for my tools. Combine an apron with underlayering and you have the ideal fashion/function relationship. Here’s a variety of aprons (locally made, for the most part) that will get you through a messy day in style.

1. ROLL OUT “The Original” apron, by Bluntroll, is made especially for chefs and also doubles as a knife roll. (Knives are not meant to be put in this way, but Jamie likes to live dangerously.) $140. thebluntroll.com

2. NICE AND EASY The Jersey apron, by JM&Sons. These canvas and leather aprons are handcrafted in Quebec by 2 3 co-founder Junior’s mother. $105. jmandsons.com

3. BLUE JAMIE Denim apron, made from vintage overalls. $50–175. A Homerun, 165 Augusta Ave.

4. KITCHEN MASTER Bluntroll’s made-to-order leather “Outlaw” apron. $280. thebluntroll.com

5. THE MINIMALIST Jamie’s own, by Japanese design company Muji. muji.com

Modelled by Jamie, who not only makes intricate, avant-garde accessories, but is known by his friends as a great chef. All other 1 4 5 clothes are Jamie’s own.

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26 JAN 9–22, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS If we don’t stand up for what we believe in and don’t fight for our rights, we’re going to have as much rights as the meat on our Out inthe City bones. And I am notot a piecepiece of meat.meat. LadyLa Gaga E24

Paul Bellini, teacher. QUEER COMEDY 101 Never has one man in a towel done so much for so many. Comedy writer, standup comedian and all-around local hero Paul Bellini is taking on a whole new stage when he launches an LGBT comedy-writing course this January at Humber College. The hilarious alumnus of the Kids in the Hall TV show (both as writer and a mute character dressed only in a white bath towel) is no stranger to educa- tion, having taught several classes through the Second City training program, but never one specifically geared toward queer folks. “We have a training centre in Chicago that had something like it,” Bellini says. “There’s a gay man named Andy Eninger who advertised that he was doing an LGBT comedy workshop, so I figured if he can do it, I can too. I took it The many faces of The 519’s to the head of Second City in Toronto, and his Green Space parties for Pride 2014. eyes lit up. We did it just before Pride.” The workshop proved a success, prompting Bellini to eye a more in-depth program that would examine the history of LGBT comedy and help students build acts that embrace their orientation. “Second City is wonderful, but it’s a training program,” Bellini points out. “Humber College has one of the best comedy courses in the Is it Pride yet? country, but they’ve never had an LGBT one. I figured it could be an interesting niche market.” Every year, the 519 Church Street Community says Chantelois, who promises that a much larger So what does this creator and performer Centre kicks off Pride season early with a big team of speedy bartenders will be in place to avoid hope to impart to wide-eyed supplicants bang by revealing the lineup for its outdoor Green a repeat of last year’s long lineups. ready to sup at the Bellini font of knowledge? Space party. Also new this year, organizers will request a $10 “I do a history reel of gay comedy, but there’s Xtra got the inside scoop on what the party will donation at the quad entrance, while donations very little,” he says. “It’s mostly William Haines look like, and it’s going to be the festival’s biggest will remain voluntary at all events in Cawthra and Paul Lynde. I talk about my experiences Kids in the Hall year yet. “Seven years ago, we only had one party,” Square Park. Celebrations in the park will include on and the rise of gay standup in the ’90s, with people like Elvira Kurt. Then says Mathieu Chantelois, honorary chair of the the signature Starry Night event, with the theme I have exercises that I give them, like writing a Green Space. “This summer, we will have six! once again Love Is in the Hair, for which OUTtv gay version of a big movie. Someone did Jaws We’re now the destination of more than 50,000 will import the most fabulous queens of RuPaul’s where the shark was giving blowjobs.” partygoers while still being one of the biggest Drag Race Season 6, airing next month. Infamous Bellini will also encourage students to be fundraising efforts of the community centre.” Montreal queen and self-proclaimed “clown ex- upfront about their sexuality, as he and Scott This year, The 519 has added another party to traordinaire” Mado Lamotte will be behind the Thompson were when they started on KITH its lineup and it’s a doozy. On Saturday, June 28, decks. The organizers are counting on her to bring more than 20 years ago. — Serafin LaRiviere Green Space will host Main Event, a 12-hour dance la joie de vivre and, as always, some handsome guys marathon at the Ryerson Quad, since last year’s from La Belle Province. The LGBT Comedy Workshop runs eight weeks Sunday party was so successful. And remember, Pride is only 20 party weeks at Humber College, starting Thurs, Jan 23. Con- “We built a very strong relationship with the away. —Phil Villeneuve tact Hilary Higgins at [email protected] Ryerson team last summer, so this year for World- for more information. Pride we will be hosting two events at the quad,” greenspaceto.org

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! JAN 9–22, 2014 27 PLAYS & MUSICALS Next Stage Theatre Festival Next Stage’s diverse off erings include pieces performed at previous WHAT'S ON Fringe festivals and new works CLUB SCENE FOR MORE EVENT LISTINGS, GO TO DAILYXTRA.COM by established Fringe artists. Runs until Sun, Jan 19, various Trade — Black showtimes. Factory Theatre, Eagle, Sat, Jan 11 125 Bathurst St. $10–15. INKED KENNY COMEDY & CABARET HEALTH & SUPPORT fringetoronto.com Kristen Becker’s Dykes The 519 Legal Clinic Manon, Sandra and of Hazard Comedy Hour A free, accessible service for low- the Virgin Mary income people. Volunteer lawyers The inaugural night of a new In parallel monologues, the pious provide legal advice, referrals and monthly showcase of up-and- Manon contemplates her purchase help with forms and letters. The coming queer comics. Sat, Jan of an extravagant new rosary, while confi dential and private visits 11, 7pm. The Flying Beaver, 488 Sandra, an irreverent drag queen, are fi rst-come, fi rst-served. Bring Parliament St. $10 advance, tries to decide what she will wear any necessary documents. Every $15 door. pubaret.com tonight. Runs Sat, Jan 11–Sun, Feb 2, Thursday; registration 6–6:30pm. various showtimes. Buddies in Bad The 519 Community Centre, 519 Singular Sensation: A Times, 12 Alexander St. PWYC–$32. Church St. Free. the519.org Flirtation 101 — Good for Her, Musical-Theatre Open Mic buddiesinbadtimes.com Fri, Jan 17 Jennifer Walls invites amateur LEGIT crooners to perform their favourite Unintentionally Jan 17, 7:30pm. The 519 Community songs accompanied by a live band. Legal counsel for same-sex couples Depressing immigrating to Canada. Tap into Centre, 519 Church St. Free. Every Monday, 9:30pm–12:30am. Children’s Tales the community and access useful the519.org Statlers, 487 Church St. No cover. If you’re looking for a fable to make statlers.ca resources. Takes place the second Thursday of each month. Thurs, Positive Routes you feel better about life, this isn’t it. Erin Fleck hosts three workshop Hypnotixxx: A Slightly Jan 9, 7–10pm. The 519 Community to Recovery Centre, 519 Church St. Free, A peer-led support group for gay performances of shadow puppetry, Naughty Comedy projections and stop-motion Hypnosis Show donations appreciated. legit.ca men working through substance abuse issues. Takes place the fi rst storytelling. Runs Mon, Jan 13– Brandon the Hypnotist takes SOY Monday and third Tuesday of each month. Wed, Jan 15, various showtimes. audience volunteers on a risqué Night Drop-In Tues, Jan 21, 6–8pm. The 519 Videofag, 187 Augusta Ave. PWYC. and slightly rude jaunt into the videofag.com Queer youth aged 14 to 29 gather Community Centre, 519 Church St. subconscious. Wed, Jan 15, 7:30pm. to watch movies, participate in art Free. pr2r.org more. 10pm. WAYLA, 996 Queen St The Flying Beaver, 488 Parliament St. Thurs, Jan 9 projects and special workshops, E. No cover. waylabar.com $10 advance, $15 door. pubaret.com Pup Night Argo hosts pups, and seek the support of Supporting SEX & WHATNOT Smirnoff Best Chest Contest Our Youth’s community mentors. handlers and spectators at an Queer as Fuck: LEISURE & PLEASURE Depicted in Human Form Tynomi Banks hosts the shirtless For more info, contact jcaff ery@ evening of fetish puppy play. Some Comedy Open-Mic An evening of music and discussion boys as Lena Over gets them sherbourne.on.ca. Every Monday, I Am Divine gear available to borrow, but bring Catherine McCormick, the creator related to Mirra Kardonne’s onstage, with DJ Mark Falco on 5:30–8pm. Sherbourne Health A documentary about the status- your own hoods, collars, leashes of Laughs at Slack’s, presents a photographic narrative on power decks and $300 in cash prizes. Centre, 2nd fl oor, 333 Sherbourne quo-smashing Divine, aka Harris and squeaky toys. No dress code. twice-monthly comedy night in the imbalance and objectifi cation Midnight. Woody’s, 467 Church St. St. Free. soytoronto.org Glenn Milstead, who through his 9:30pm. Black Eagle, 457 Church St. No cover. woodystoronto.com west end, featuring a rotating lineup collaborations with fi lmmaker John in sex. Sat, Jan 11, 6–9pm. No cover. blackeagletoronto.com of queer and queer-friendly comics. Communication Art Gallery, 209 LGBTQ Peer Support Waters became an internationally Random Play Wed, Jan 15, 9:30pm. The Steady Harbord St. $20, $15 students and Fri, Jan 10 Drop-In Group recognized drag superstar. Runs Fri, DJ Dwayne Café, 1051 Bloor St W. PWYC. arts workers. mirrakardonne.com Queer people with mood disorders Jan 10–Thurs, Jan 16, various times. Minard and That Time of the Month DJs Alex thesteadycafe.com Bloor Hot Docs Cinema, 506 Bloor guest spin and Devon spin feminine soul and drop in for support and discussion. If Naked Yoga for Men the building door is locked, press the St W. bloorcinema.com ’70s and R&B. 10pm. Henhouse, 1532 Dundas Chris Tsujiuchi: Gregory Saliba hosts a gathering button under the intercom near the ’80s disco, St W. No cover. henhousetoronto.com Back in the Saddle for yoga enthusiasts who prefer wheelchair entrance. Wed, Jan 15, The Diva-Off Series: yacht Pop Friday DJ Sumation spins top After his successful three-night their downward dogs in the buff . For 7–9pm. Mood Disorders Association Destiny’s Child rock, new 40 and dance faves on the main holiday run at Buddies in Bad Times more info and to register, contact of Ontario, 36 Eglinton Ave W, Vs Spice Girls wave fl oor. 10pm. Fly, 8 Gloucester St. Theatre, the cabaret marvel returns [email protected]. Tues, Jan Ste 602. Free. mooddisorders.ca Nerd Girl Burlesque and A Platinum and No cover before midnight, $4 after. to the Pubaret with guests Scott 14 and Tues, Jan 21, 8–9:30pm. Production team up for a burlesque fl ynightclub.com Christian, Matt Marcoccia, Robin Awaken Studio, 270 Carlaw Ave, FTM Support Group tribute to harmonized vocals and girl Back to Church A hot new girl Claxton and Sophie Dushko. Sun, Unit 102. $20. phillipcoupal.ca Trans men share their experiences power. Sat, Jan 11, 10pm. Club120, party, with DJs Delicious and KLR Jan 26, 8pm. The Flying Beaver, in a supportive environment. Takes 120 Church St. $10. club120.ca spinning house, hip hop and top 40. 488 Parliament St. $10 advance, Flirtation 101 place the fi rst and third Friday of 10pm. Church, 504 Church St. $10. $15 door. pubaret.com Lorraine Hewitt hosts a each month. For more information, Ovarian Cysters: Punk churchonchurch.com workshop where people contact [email protected]. Fri, Women on Film of all genders learn the Her DJs John Caff ery, Cozmic Cat Jimmy Weaver presents a four- ins and outs of friendly and omgblog.com spin house and day screening series focused and romantic fl irting. Fri, disco tracks, while host Nancy on the work of David Markey, Jan 17, 7–9:30pm. Good Bocock helps attendees fi nd their Susan Seidelman and Penelope for Her, 175 Harbord St. $33. inner v-her-gins. 10:30pm. La Perla, Spheeris. The series concludes goodforher.com 783 Queen St W, upstairs. $5. with the Canadian premiere of Jon herherher.com Moritsugu’s latest fi lm, Pig Death Sapphic Aquatica: Cub Camp: Sweatpants, Machine. Runs Thurs, Jan 16–Sat, Anniversary Party No Underwear DJs Scooter Jan 18, various times. Videofag, 187 In addition to the usual amenities, McCreight and Shane McKinnon Augusta Ave. PWYC. videofag.com women and trans people enjoy on the turntables for the men going commando. 11pm–2:30am. Out and Out Club New the music of DJ Nix, artwork by The Beaver, 1192 Queen St W. $7. Members’ Night Anne Moto and a performance by drag duo Jasai and Chocolate. beavertoronto.ca, facebook.com/ The queer social club introduces Oasis is also collecting donations cubcamp potential members to its broad for Supporting Our Youth. Dykes of range of activities. Sessions are Tues, Jan 28, 8pm–2am. Oasis Odyssey Sat, Jan 11 Hazard — held the third Tuesday of each Aqualounge, 231 Mutual St. $20. Mag release Bush Beat DJs Shoegayz and Flying Beaver, month. Tues, Jan 21, 7–8pm. The 519 oasisaqualounge.com party — Pony are on decks for the west- Sat, Jan 11 Community Centre, 519 Church St. Remington’s, MICHAEL WALLINE Free. outandout.ca end ladies’ dance party. 10pm. Thurs, Jan 16

28 JAN 9–22, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS Henhouse, 1532 Dundas St W. No and Katinka Kature, at 9pm; Dirty Tristan Jackson performs live and Jockstrap DJ Deko-ze on decks for cover. henhousetoronto.com Monday, with Devine Darlin and fundraises for the relief eff ort the bulging boys, while Chris Munro Tues, Jan 21 Woody’s Tuesday Fly Saturday DJs Shawn Riker and Daytona Bitch, at 11pm. Crews & in the Philippines. 8pm–2am. and Dale C host the monthly men’s DJ Chris Steinbach Mark Falco spin house and tech Tangos, 508 Church St. No cover. Remington’s, 379 Yonge St. No cover jockstrap party. 11pm–3am. Marquis spins for the peeps beats for the boys on the dancefl oor. crewsandtangos.com before 8pm, $5 before 11pm, $7 of Granby, 418 Church St. $10. taking advantage 10pm. Fly, 8 Gloucester St. No cover Singular Sensation: A Musical- after. remingtons.com facebook.com/jockpartyto of super-low day before midnight. fl ynightclub.com Theatre Open Mic Amateur Naked Night A diverse group of Sun, Jan 19 prices — at night. Business Woman’s Special DJs crooners perform their favourite men take it all off and mingle at the Crews & Tangos Sunday By 8pm. Woody’s, 467 Sammy and Kevin Ritchie spin pop show tunes with a live band every popular monthly event. Separate Request, with Michelle Ross Church St. No cover. and R&B for the unoffi cial Drag Monday night. Hosted by Jennifer area for clothed folks. 10pm. and Carlotta Carlisle, at 6:30pm; woodystoronto.com Race tour afterparty at the former Walls. 10pm–1am. Statlers, 487 Black Eagle, 457 Church St. Sexy Sunday, with Devine Darlin and Augusta House locale. 10pm. Round, Church St. No cover. statlers.ca No cover, $2 clothes check. guest, at 9pm; Sultry Sunday, with Wed, 152 Augusta Ave. $6. blackeagletoronto.com Farra N Hyte and Jada Hudson, at Tues, Jan 14 The Dirty Hustle DJ Blackcat spins Jan 22 Trade DJs David Picard and Scooter 11pm. Crews & Tangos, 508 Church old- and nu-school hip hop and McCreight spin deep, tech house Play Again Allysin Chaynes hosts St. No cover. crewsandtangos.com TMI Tales Monthly for the frisky lads and bearded bad the classic board-gamers event, R&B every Thursday. 10pm. The reading series with O’Grady’s Karaoke Hosted by Chris boys; hosted by Pup Wolf. 10pm. with a performance at 11pm and Steady, 1051 Bloor St W. No cover. selected storytellers and Amanda Jean, with everyday Black Eagle, 457 Church St. $5. DJ Kid Sis spinning oldies. 8pm. facebook.com/thesteadycafebar giving too much information. divas belting out tunes from blackeagletoronto.com, facebook. Henhouse, 1532 Dundas St W. Followed by an open-mic the broad song selection. 10pm. com/getsometrade No cover. henhousetoronto.com Fri, Jan 17 segment. 7:30–10pm. O’Grady’s, 518 Church St. No cover. Henhouse, 1532 Dundas Varsity Tuesday Sofonda Cox Pop Asia DJ Sumation spins ogradyschurch.ca Sun, Jan 12 hosts the amateur So You Think K-pop, J-pop, top 40 and dance St W. No cover. Spectra Talent Contest Group You Can Strip? competition, with a faves for this new Asian party, Mon, Jan 20 henhousetoronto.com A Quarterfi nal Bell Media picks $100 cash prize. 11pm. Remington’s, with Cassandra Moore and WAYLA ’90s Trivia Night Kaleb up the Spectra Talent Contest 379 Yonge St. $5; no cover with guest performing. 10pm. Fly, 8 Robertson and Miss Fluff y Souffl é Glitz & Glam — as a TV series, made available student ID before 11pm, $2 after. Gloucester St. No cover before 11pm. Crews & Tangos, remingtons.com fl ynightclub.com test the audience’s ’90s knowledge, through Fibe TV’s videos-on- Mon, Jan 13 DAVID HAWE covering topics that include demand service. Erica Fox and Were-House DJs Aeryn Pfaff and television, music and dance moves. Paul Bellini host live to air. 1pm. Wed, Jan 15 Jeff Kirkwood spin deep tech house. 7pm. WAYLA, 996 Queen St E. Submit your event listing to [email protected]. Bishop Marrocco Auditorium, 1515 Crews & Tangos Wednesday Soul 10pm. Church, 504 Church St. $5. No cover. waylabar.com Deadline for the Jan 23 issue is Wed, Jan 15. Bloor St W. No cover; $2 per vote. Sistas, with Michelle Ross and Jada churchonchurch.com spectrashowcase.com Hudson, at 9pm; Foreplay, with Bearcode DJ Cory Activate spins Woody’s Sunday Hollywoody Devine Darlin and guest, at 11:30pm. house and top 40 for the rough men Broadway Show, at 6pm; Old Crews & Tangos, 508 Church St. and their admireres.10pm. Zipperz/ School, hosted by Georgie Girl, with No cover. crewsandtangos.com Cellblock, 72 Carlton St. No cover. Michelle Ross and Jada Hudson, at Toronto Drag Kings The misters facebook.com/zipperz 9pm; Five Smokin’ Hot Divas, hosted take the stage for the weekly drag- El Convento Rico Friday Fabulous by Georgie Girl, with DJ Blue Peter on king show. 11pm. Zipperz/Cellblock, Russella and Mr Rico play the early decks, at 11 pm. Woody’s, 467 Church 72 Carlton St. No cover. facebook. show games, with prizes at 11:30pm; St. No cover. woodystoronto.com com/zipperz Devine Darlin and Xtacy Love perform at 1am. El Convento Rico, 750 College Mon, Jan 13 Thurs, Jan 16 St. $10. elconventorico.com Crews & Tangos Monday Glitz Odyssey Magazine January Cruiseline’s Best Men’s Ass & Glam, with Carlotta Carlisle Release Party Recording artist Contest Georgie Girl hosts the boys showing their behinds, with Brooke Lynn Hytes recruiting them to the Business Woman’s stage for $300 in cash prizes. DJ Special — Sat, Jan 11 Chris Steinbach on decks. Midnight. MAY TRUONG Woody’s, 467 Church St. No cover. woodystoronto.com Sat, Jan 18 Cherry Bomb DJs Cozmic Cat and Denise Benson spin house, hip hop, disco and dance faves for queer women, trans folks and all their friends. 9pm–3am. Andy Poolhall, 489 College St. No cover before 10pm, $7 after. facebook.com/ cherrybombtoronto Barbershop DJ Michael K and guests on decks for the monthly event for dudes who like dudes. 10pm. Henhouse, 1532 Dundas St W. No cover before 11pm, $5 after. henhousetoronto.com Fly Saturday DJ Kevin Bailey spins house and circuit beats. 10pm. Fly, 8 Gloucester St. No cover before midnight. fl ynightclub.com Shish-Ca-Dog Meet the Toronto puppy community as Victoria Windsor and Pup Ego host the special HOTF (Heart of the Flag Federation) bar night and the step-down party for Pup Ego (Toronto Puppy 2013). 10pm. Black Eagle, 457 Church St. No cover. blackeagletoronto.com Fit A winter warm-up for sporty boys, with DJs Kris Steeves and Phil V. 10:30pm. The Beaver, 1192 Queen Her — La Perla, Fri, Jan 10 St W. $5. beavertoronto.ca FRANK GRIGGS

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! JAN 9–22, 2014 29 DEEP DISH 1 ROLYN CHAMBERS

The Beaver a set of huge angelic wings spread wide behind her, giving the count- TUES, DEC 31, 11PM down courtesy of her cellphone. Dear new year, this year instead Complimentary bubbly is passed of voguing for the homeless when out, and as each second is counted they ask for money, I resolve to down and yelled out by the men dig in my pockets and give them around me, I pop a greasy nugget whatever I grab. On my way to in my mouth. Ten, nine, eight... 3 The Beaver for its unnamed, “Happy New Year,” Sofonda unthemed (who needs labels?) shouts. Shit — I still have two left. NYE party, some lucky beggar is Streamers shower down, confetti pleased with a pack of gum, a few flies, sparklers are lit and boys toonies and some prescription look around for someone to kiss... pills. I’m generous like that. The or at least grind up on. Cheers. 2 Beaver’s already almost full, a sign 4E Criscian, Carlnon, Hubert of either a really bad year ending & Marco 5E Ryan, Ike & Danne or a really great year beginning. 6E Mikko, Josiah, John & Lawrence I debate this with hosts Igby Liz- zard and Judy Virago, both glori- ously glam in formal outfits. “This Pitbull: Red 6 year I plan to finish and produce Light District my three-person play. It’s about love, sex work and psycho people @ The Phoenix on the subway,” Virago says. “And WED, JAN 1, 12:20AM to have tits for summer.” In con- Dear new year, I resolve to stop trast, DJ/host Boy Pussy (who worshipping myself and to find makes my girl cock crow) and God. Stumbling over to Pitbull’s DJ Regina the Gentlelady give Red Light District party, I trip full sensory overload in hot-pink over an abandoned leash in a 4 satin numbers. But it’s Scooter in snow bank. I take it with me. If his Donald Duck hat and beaver- I can’t find God, I plan to bring 5 fur wrap, waddling in with Miss home a dog. Hopefully one of 7 Squirts from NYC, who looks like the smaller breeds: shorthaired a reincarnated Amy Winehouse, and obedient and able to lick his who make me do a double take be- own balls. I’m very lazy. As DJ fore downing a triple shot. Cheers. John Caffery fist-pumps the audi- 1E Judy Virago & Igby Lizzard ence, DJ Brian Maier tweaks his 2E Scooter & Miss Squirts knobs. Go-go dance cages contain 3E Mikaela & DJs Boy Pussy go-go-guy convicts, while huge, & Regina the Gentlelady oversized red metallic pendants and red mirror balls hang over the room, reflecting the frenzied Black & White action of the dancefloor below. Ball @ Fly I’ve seen these somewhere before. TUES, DEC 31, 11:45PM Perhaps Fly’s attic of goodies? Dear new year, this year I resolve Decoration should be shared, to join a gym and gain back the passed around and used, like a 8 9 weight I lost by partying too greedy power-bottom. Separated much. On my way to Fly I pick from the pack in the darkened up a 12-pack of chicken nuggets side room, DJ Sumation spins. to eat on the dancefloor. I like to “My resolution is to become more multitask. It’s a circus of guys, international,” he says between 10 some dressed up in button-down tracks. “I’ve got my eyes set on shirts and ties and others in un- Italy.” And I’ve got my eyes set on buttoned tops and unzipped flies. a Canadian who looks a bit like a It’s surprising how respectably street person who works out. formal a go-go guy can look just by Or Jesus Christ in a harness. adding a bow tie to a pair of ass- 7E Biko & Jeremy 8E John Caffery less Andrew Christian underwear. 9E Jesse & Nick 10E Jail bait Sofonda stands centre-stage, with 11E Pitbull boys

Deep Dish appears in every other issue of Xtra. For this week’s Xposed column, by Anna Pournikova, visit dailyxtra.com. 11

30 JAN 9–22, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS WITH DHARMA FRIENDS GLBT Buddhist Meditation Group Body break Invites you to a January Open House INTRODUCTION TO BUDDHIST Checking in MEDITATION with Jeremy January 8, 15 & 22, 2014, 7:00 – 7:30 Regular meditation session, 7:30 – 9:00 I’m pear shaped. If I were to fall, I would, like a bowling pin, spin round Beginners are welcome. and round, my head in the centre and All are invited! my wider end on the outside. With any luck that will never happen, or if it does, 177 Mutual Street, Community Room I hope it’s not in a crowded room — my For information call Robert at 416-929-5205 little arms hopelessly trying to gain purchase on a table leg to stop my spin- or email Jacqui at: [email protected] ning, while everyone laughs and claps. Find us online at dharmafriends.weebly.com What I’m saying is that I’m chubby. or at facebook.com/dharmafriends And while I don’t hate my body — I don’t think my chubbiness makes me inferior in any way, and I cer- tainly have no strong opinions on the chubbiness of others — I would like to lose some weight and gain a bit of muscle and flexibility. To that end, I’m beginning a four-month fi tness

campaign with Evolution Fitness at Jeremy’s first consultation with Evolution founder Conor Kelly. EVOLUTION FITNESS 101 Yorkville Ave. One recent snowy afternoon I trudged over to the gym for my initial access, but I’ll have two sessions with a riously, and with the help of this odd consultation with Evolution owner personal trainer every week (I’m par- cast of characters I’m planning on Conor Kelly. I was braced for the usual ticularly looking forward to she whom having some fun getting into shape and Yorkville snobbery, but Kelly was they call the Mistress of Pain) and time will be reporting on my experiences very personable and down-to-earth. with a nutritionist (the aptly named regularly in Xtra. With any luck, by We discussed my sedentary lifestyle Dr Abs). I’ll have to get used to pre- the end of this project I’ll be a diff erent — I spend most of my time writing; paring food in advance so that I have kind of fruit. I’m one of Xtra’s two History Boys the ingredients to a good meal sitting columnists — and the distressing pear in the fridge (to help me avoid quick, Follow Jeremy’s progress for the next ISRAEL shape it has created, and he outlined unhealthy snacks), visiting the gym at four months in Xtra. For more informa- what I should expect in the coming least three times a week, and varying tion about Evolution Fitness and their GAY PRIDE months with Evolution. my workouts so that I don’t plateau. team of experts, visit personaltrainer- Not only will I have unfettered gym I don’t usually take myself very se- storonto.com. TELJune 9 – AVIV17, 2014 “the city that never sleeps” 2QWDULR5HJ Experience this spectacular adventure, with fun events during *D\3ULGHDQGDVSHFLDOSHUIRUPDQFHRI9HUGL·V/D7UDYLDWDDWWKH foot of the breathtaking Masada. Designed exclusively for the DGYHQWXURXV/*%7WUDYHOHUWKHSURJUDPLQFOXGHVYLVLWVWRVRPHRI GIVE YOUR BUSINESS ,VUDHO·VEHVWNQRZQVLWHVDQGSOHQW\WRFHOHEUDWHDORQJWKHZD\

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MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! JAN 9–22, 2014 31 A world of gay adventure Travel Boys’ weekend in Vegas Party like a rock star in the city of sin

BY DANNY GLENWRIGHT how much you drink). This intrepid journalist took one for the team and got Las Vegas is not for pussies. It’s the kind wasted like Britney for the sake of the of town where you can get married on story — and, of course, in order to suss your first date, sign your name with out the best Vegas has on offer. Here dollar signs and strip down with random are some suggestions for an excess-ful floozies in a plush hotel room — right, gay weekend in Nevada’s finest oasis. Prince Harry? Everything is big, Sweetie, huge. Lac- Arrival roix, Chanel, Wynn! Wolfgang, Darling, Grab a quick beer while you acclimatize Wolfgang! When Celine builds a dress- at the McCarran International Airport ing room in Vegas, she creates a replica — named after Pat McCarran, a Las of her real home, which is only minutes Vegas senator from 1933 to 1954. McCar- away from the Caesars Palace theatre ran was a Communist-hating politician that was also constructed for La Dion who spent many years trying to restrict on the famed Vegas “strip.” When they immigration to the United States and make burgers in Vegas, they fly in the Nevada. It didn’t work, and the senator beef from Japan and top it with French is surely rolling in his grave: one fifth truffles and foie gras; when they run out of those who live in Nevada today were of water, they steal it from Arizona; and born in another country, making it one of when they create ice sculptures, they the most diverse states. The airport has carve them from cubes previously used several bars and slot machines where you to freeze Walt Disney (okay, that last can drink to McCarran’s failed policies one might not be true). and whet your appetite for the weekend If you want to make it in Vegas you’d ahead. Better to enjoy the airport’s booze better have big tits, big tigers or big tal- and blackjack at the beginning of your ent. The saying goes “Don’t mess with trip because you’ll likely retch at the Texas,” but it’s Las Vegas that’s really sight of both on the way out. something to be reckoned with. “Lost wages,” as the city is so tenderly known Regroup and ALEX HILL by locals (and there are so many ways Above, Bellagio. Right, the Luxor hotel’s Temptation Sunday is where all the cute boys of Vegas play in the afternoon sunshine. to lose yours), is also gayer than Steel explore your mini bar Magnolias. It’s the city of Liberace, Now is not the time to stop and rest. Siegfried & Roy, Elton, Barry Manilow, Check into your hotel (the city has doz- Dinner on the strip straight for one of its glitzy restaurants. David Copperfield and Frank Marino. ens to choose from, including six of the The infamous Vegas “strip” is like a Try a light dinner at Andrea’s at Wynn, And those are just the divas. world’s 10 largest), have a quick whore’s Monopoly board, with as many pitfalls as where chef Joseph Elevado’s sharing It’s also a city flush with the best and bath and pack the necessities for a night opportunities. Please don’t end up in jail. plates are just right for a group. Elevado worst of everything American — which out: gum, cologne, condom, deodorant, Depending on where you start, the strip spent almost a decade working under means it’s a perfect place for a dynamite p-p-p-poker face, check! Don’t forget can seem either daunting or mesmeriz- celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa (whose quick-and-dirty weekend getaway that a cheeky shot from the mini bar and ing. If you’re planning a big Friday night Las Vegas spot, Nobu, is also a must- you won’t soon forget (depending on you’re on your way. out, better to save your energy and head visit for dinner), and his modern Asian

32 JAN 9–22, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS ALEX HILL Left, the buffet at Simon Restaurant at The Palms includes everything from French toast to sushi. Above, Roman guards (and gods) abound at Caesars Palace.

LAS VEGAS TOURISM

dishes show off what he learned. Our ment. The Bathhouse’s dark and cavern- flashing appliances. Once you’re bored group especially loved Andrea’s wagyu ous clothing-optional hot tub and sauna from not winning, jump on the handy beef tataki with ginger and green onion area also allows for a full recharge before Vegas Monorail and head back to your and the sashimi with salsa verde. heading back into the bright lights of Ve- hotel to freshen up for an evening show. gas. And its cute pool boys will help you Round one get other systems back up and running. It’s all coming Las Vegas has dozens of nightclubs, Before leaving Mandalay Bay, grab back to me now including several gay spots. The safe bet lunch at Border Grill, where famous lezzie chef Susan Feniger — of cooking It’s not a trip to Las Vegas without a show. for a Friday night is Share, a two-storey And boy, did my group of boys put on a nightclub, bar and lounge that offers show Too Hot Tamales — and business partner Mary Sue Milliken have created show as we walked drunkenly down the VIP cabanas for groups that want to street on the way to see Celine. “There party like rock stars. For those looking a hot and spicy Mexican menu that’ll guarantee the previous evening’s booze were nights when your cock was so hard,” for something more traditional, Share we sang (well, shouted and squealed), so provides private rooms, and its website continues to evacuate your pores. We couldn’t get enough of their Peruvian excited were we to see Canada’s most suggests customers “ask shot boys how popular export. Celine didn’t disappoint, you can receive special treatment and ceviche and Yucatan slow-roasted pork in banana leaves. If you’re ready to start but of course, if you’re not into Ms Dion make your experience a little more (don’t admit to that in Vegas), there are Sharable.” Nothing says slutty vacation drinking again, Border Grill’s flavoured margaritas are a very good place to start. plenty of other options. Cirque du Soleil like an anonymous backroom hookup usually has a handful of shows on the go with a hot cocktail waiter. Glut, guzzle (give Zarkana a miss, see O if you can) or check out magicians Penn & Teller or one Sweat it out and gamble of the many celebrities always on hand. If you completed day one following the Spend Saturday afternoon like any self- above instructions, you’ll be feeling a little respecting Las Vegas tourist: walk the Pre-clubbing drinks worse for wear Saturday morning. That’s strip, gamble, spend money you don’t If Vegas were a zoo, The Cosmopolitan what you get for waking up in Vegas! Best have, eat lots of bad food and drink hotel would be the panda enclosure. Take to follow Katy Perry’s lead, shake the glit- slushy piña coladas from guitar-shaped yourself there Saturday night when you’re ter off your clothes and sweat out your plastic glasses. Remember that casinos still somewhat fresh and classy and a few hangover at one of Vegas’s many luxury offer free drinks to customers who drinks away from “Work Bitch.” (Brit- spas. The Bathhouse (not that kind!) at gamble, so it’s a great way to get soused ney’s new video, by the way, was filmed Mandalay Bay’s THEhotel offers spa without the fuss of reaching for your in Vegas.) Head for The Chandelier bar, packages that include everything from hot wallet. I recommend the MGM Grand, a three-storey affair surrounded by two stone treatments to “soufflé” scrubs. My where wait staff always made sure I had million crystals that feels a bit like Studio throbbing head thanked me for the spa’s a bevvy so long as I was shifting cash gorgeous deep-conditioning scalp treat- from my bank account into the hotel’s continued next page E LAS VEGAS TOURISM MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! JAN 9–22, 2014 33 E continued from previous page

54 meets The Ritz. The Cosmopolitan is known for its mixology program that includes more than 150 cocktails. Your mouth will hopefully be filled with all kinds of wonderful things during a Vegas weekend but likely none more unique than The Verbena cocktail, also known as the Szechuan Button. The tequila-based potion is garnished with the bud of an Acmella oleracea plant, native to Brazil, which, when chewed, releases mouth- numbing chemicals. It intensifies every- thing you taste for the next few minutes, including the citrus cocktail it garnishes. ALEX HILL Above, the scenic Red Rock Canyon is 20 minutes from the Strip. Right, Adventurous types may want to grab a few the Bathhouse at Mandalay Bay has a clothing-optional hot tub and sauna area. extra Acmella buttons for later. Sunday brunch includes sushi, paninis, MANDALAY BAY Round two Lather, rinse, repeat peel-and-eat shrimp and an all-you- it’s a refreshing homo vibe compared to you had fun — but gosh, there’s only so Krave Massive, Las Vegas’s newest gay You’ll be all fear and loathing when you can-drink Bloody Mary bar complete many of the strip’s family-friendly or much fun you can have before you col- club, should be somewhere on your look at yourself in the mirror Sunday with every possible garnish, from spicy ultra-macho pool areas. Rent a cabana, lapse into an airplane seat and think, agenda. Not to be outdone by the other morning. But you still have plenty to beans to Mexican hot sauce. I drank my order a bucket of beer or a pitcher of “I can’t wait to get home.” But beyond superlatives floating around Vegas, Krave discover, so swig back a quick hair of way through several of my group’s drink margarita, get into a tiny swimsuit and the slot machines, there’s something bills itself as the country’s largest gay the dog from the mini bar — or down a combinations because I’m a journalist kick back and enjoy the sunshine. rather addictive about the city. And just club. While it doesn’t yet have the energy coffee if your stomach’s not there just who likes to get to the bottom of things. like Celine before you, a new day will of an established space like Share, Krave yet — and get back out there. Start with Leaving Las Vegas come and you’ll likely head back there is worth a visit. If you get there early, stop a buffet brunch at Simon Restaurant Sunbathe like again. For now, settle back into your in for a drink where there’s plenty of vibe at The Palms hotel. There’s something It’s always hard to wrap up a vacation, an Egyptian seat, order a cocktail from the flight at Drink & Drag, a drag-queen bowling- deliciously trashy about a Vegas buffet but something about the debauchery The Luxor hotel’s Temptation Sunday is attendant and, whatever you do, don’t alley bar in the same complex as Krave. — but that said, it’s best to get your buffet that is Vegas makes it a particularly the Don Juan of Vegas’s gay party scene post any of your photos until you’ve had Warning: the Las Vegas City Council fetish out of the way at brunch so you can easy city to leave. It could be the sun- — a poolside event that’ll have the pants a chance to sober up. There’s a certain recently denied both bars liquor licences, reserve your evenings for the city’s best burn or the scabies, or possibly that off any lad still wearing them. This is saying about allowing some things to so be sure to check online to see if they’re dining spots. The team at Simon knows big hole in your bank account. It’s not where all the cute boys come to play, and stay in Vegas. up and running again before you go. their clientele, and the all-you-can-eat that you didn’t have fun — of course

STOREFRONT We defi ne social networking The city that never sleeps a little differently here. (based in Toronto) from June 9 to 17. Pride in Tel The tour will put you in Tel Aviv just in time to celebrate Pride Day on June 13 Aviv and opera with thousands of others who descend on the city each year for the festivities. in Masada The tour will then continue to Ma- sada, where you’ll enjoy a spectacular Tel Aviv, known as “the city that never performance of Giuseppe Verdi’s opera sleeps” and the “white city,” is consid- La Traviata on June 16 (after you float ered by many to be the most cosmo- in the Dead Sea). politan city in the Middle East. You Competing with all the gay capitals can saunter down almost any street around the world, this experience of and find café-goers, joggers and dog Israel encompasses both celebration walkers. and culture. In addition to visiting Is- With its prime position on the Medi- rael’s regular attractions, more than 50 terranean coast, Tel Aviv is known for special events take place during Pride Above, Gay Pride Tel Aviv. Below, La Traviata at Masada. YYZ TRAVEL GROUP its sea, sun and surf. This fun-loving Week, culminating in La Traviata. city never stops. There is always some- thing to do or see, whether it be en- Direct flights to… tertainment, art, shopping or visiting picturesque artists’ quarters. Visitors can also enjoy a rich night- life, shopping and international cuisine. Tel Aviv is considered a gay- friendly city, where anyone is free to live, love, work and play. Like no place else.™ A specially designed tour to Israel for the LGTB community led by Colin VisitPalmSprings.com Sines, president of Travel Gay Canada, is being offered by Aufgang Travel

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36 JAN 9–22, 2014 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS DRASKO XTRA HOT BOGDANOVIC

NAME: SHAZAD AGE: 30 SIGN: LIBRA

By day, he’s a mild-mannered AIDS service worker for the Alliance for South Asian AIDS Prevention (ASAAP), and by night he’s a Bollywood go-go- dancing star. On a date, Shazad likes to grab a coff ee, go for a walk and chat. “I’d rather do that than go to a dinner and awkwardly try to slam food in my face while attempting to sound articulate.” Watch for the next Rangeela, billed as Canada’s “biggest queer South Asian dance party,” on Saturday, Feb 8 at Club120, where Shazad will continue to rally behind those fi ghting the Indian Supreme Court’s decision to re-criminalize homosexuality. facebook.ca/rangeelato, facebook.ca/shazfi tness Twitter: @shazadhai, Instagram: shazadhai #news To comment on or become an Xtra Hot guy or gal, email Drasko at [email protected]. #arts

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