TD BANK WOES 7 TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS NEW COLUMN HOLE & CORNER JAN 8–21, 201 5 8–21, JAN 11 88 #7 VIVA LAS VEGAS 20 @dailyxtra facebook.com/dailyxtra facebook.com/dailyxtra

FREE 36,000 AUDITED dailyxtra.com Smokin’In print, on screen and on stage — CIRCULATION NOW ON 100% Alan Cumming is on fire 14 RECYCLED PAPER More at More 2 JAN 8–21, 2015 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS XTRA Published by Pink Triangle Press PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF TORONTOO’S’S We help you make the change. GAYGAY & LELESBIANIAN Brandon Matheson NEWSNEWS EDITORIAL Confidential conversations. #788 JAN 8–218–21,, 2015 MANAGING EDITOR Matthew DiMera Anxiety? Practical tools. Roundup ARTS EDITOR Phil Villeneuve ASSOCIATE EDITOR Andrew Jacome COPY EDITOR Lesley Fraser Depression? STAFF REPORTER HG Watson Todd Kaufman, EVENT LISTINGS: [email protected] CONTRIBUTE OR INQUIRE about Xtra’s editorial Panic Psychotherapist content: [email protected], [email protected], attacks? Call now: 1.800.699.3396 [email protected] info@ .com EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUE GenesisSquared Drasko Bogdanovic, Kyle Burton, Rolyn Chambers, Chris Dupuis, Erica Lenti, Michael Lyons, Mike Miksche, Christin Scarlett Milloy, Eduardo Sabate, Sissydude, • • Steve Vaccariello, Johnnie Walker, Jeremy Willard ART & PRODUCTION CREATIVE DIRECTOR Lucinda Wallace GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Darryl Mabey, Landon Whittaker ADVERTISING ADVERTISING & SALES DIRECTOR Ken Hickling SALES ADMINISTRATION MANAGER Lexi Chuba SALES TEAM LEAD Lorilynn Barker RETAIL ACCOUNTS MANAGERS Brian Garrison, Phil Clowater CLIENT SERVICES & ADVERTISING ADMINISTRATOR Eugene Coon ADVERTISING & DISTRIBUTION COORDINATOR Gary Major DISPLAY ADVERTISING: [email protected] RADIO CITY NEW COLUMN 416-925-6665 or 800-268-XTRA LINE CLASSIFIEDS: classifi [email protected] SPONSORSHIP AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Kero Saleib, [email protected] $579,000 The publication of an ad in Xtra does not mean that Xtra endorses the advertiser. 281 Mutual Street, #1001 Storefront features are paid advertising content. • 2 Bedrooms • Approx. 855 s.f. Action features are advertising intended to advance Hole & community involvement and political action. • Corner suite • South east views Printed and published in Canada. ©2014 • Modern kitchen • Private balcony ROYAL LEPAGE REAL Pink Triangle Press. Xtra is published every two • Granite & stainless • Parking & locker ESTATE SERVICES LTD., weeks by Pink Triangle Press. ISSN 0829-3384 BROKERAGE Address: 2 Carlton St, Ste 1600, Toronto, ON, M5B 1J3 Corner O ce hours: 9am–5pm, Monday–Friday A fi rst-person look Phone: 416-925-6665 Fax: 416-925-6674 at public sex and the Website: dailyxtra.com Email: [email protected] Subscriptions: $77.81 for one year (26 issues); people who love it 11 $69 (US) in the United States; $125 (US) overseas. [email protected] 800-268-XTRA PINK TRIANGLE PRESS Founded 1971 Editorial DIRECTORS Jim Bartley, Gerald Hannon, Family matters Glenn Kauth, Didier Pomerleau, Ken Popert, Out in the City Gillian Rodgerson By Andrew Jacome 4 HONORARY DIRECTOR Colin Brownlee Arts roundup Christopher PRESIDENT & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Ken Popert Feedback 4 CEO, DIGITAL MEDIA David Walberg House, Come Up to My Room CHIEF OPERATING Xcetera 5 and Shawn Hitchins’s Ginger OFFICER Andrew Chang Nation 13 Upfront Cover story Alan Cumming is an artist at TD Bank blocks trans his peak 14 customers’ access 7 What’s On 16 Black LGBT scholarship turned Club Scene 17 down in Hamilton 8 Deep Dish History Boys TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS By Rolyn Chambers 18 The making of Auntie Mame By Jeremy Willard 10 Daily Xtra Travel Now on Sin City’s soft side ondailyxtra.com Indulge in a luxurious weekend Legal protection of pampering in Vegas 20 100% uneven in Canada Gay Las Vegas Rainbow refugees make Headliners on The Strip Nova Scotia home have always had a queer recycled In the waiting room, sensibility 23 with Diane Flacks Xtra Hot Christopher Church’s By Drasko Bogdanovic 25 paper! gay psychic detective

Video: Singing Out Choir COVER PHOTO BY STEVE VACCARIELLO

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! JAN 8–21, 2015 3 email [email protected] comment dailyxtra.com & facebook/dailyxtra.com Comment tweet @dailyxtra

FEEDBACK Trans TD customers Family matters It would appear that TD Bank and other fi nancial institutions need new policies, They might be a little less orthodox rest of us decorate the o ce walls with EDITORIAL procedures and sta training to address than what I’d share with my mother (as Madonna calendars and pictures of ANDREW JACOME not only the issues identified in the fun as she is, I don’t think she’d appre- burly-chested men. above article, but also other problems Not My Father’s Son, ciate spending Valentine’s Day drunk We even take turns being the drunk- that transgender people encounter Alan Cumming’s new o her ass in a bingo hall), but they’re en uncle during o ce parties. I’ve been with fi nancial institutions while tran- book, has been making the rounds just as important to me. We celebrate guilty of that one more than I care to sitioning [“Trans Customers Locked through the Xtra office. In case our our successes and mourn our losses. admit. Out of TD Bank Accounts,” dailyxtra. cover wasn’t a dead giveaway, we love We don’t always get to see each other Our family extends beyond the four com, Dec 22]. the book — and not just because we’re as often as we’d like, and some of us corners of the Toronto o ce: we have ALEX S all fans of Cumming. (Though frankly, may be living closer than others now, our Vancouver and Ottawa teams, DAILYXTRA.COM but not compensating for bad service with an IMDb catalogue that includes but our bonds are what keep us tied. freelance writers from around the Last June, I read in Xtra that Pride is unacceptable. These people should Spice World and Sex and the City, how It’s going to sound lame — corny, world, and the people and groups in our get a Plan 60 account, where all service could you not love the man?) His rela- even — but the people I work with here community. We’ve celebrated Woody’s Toronto had entered into a sponsor- ship agreement with the company that fees are waived and cheque book orders tionship with his father is heartbreak- at Xtra are just as much my family, 25th anniversary with readers, cheered are free. Service has gone downhill ever ing, and it made me refl ect on my own too. We can be a little dysfunctional, on drag queens weekly at Crews and makes Trojan condoms. The agreement provided that only Trojan condoms since Canada Trust got taken over by a families. like any group of strangers thrown applauded the unveiling of Sky Gilbert bank, TD Bank. I’ve been thinking of Like many gay men from strict reli- together, but we have strong traditions Lane behind Buddies. could be distributed during the Pride parade. I assume that Pride Toronto’s switching. gious backgrounds, I got a less-than- of our own. Getting the paper out and It can be easy to become insular ROGER VANDEVENTER thrilled reaction from my parents keeping the Daily Xtra website run- when you’re surrounded by a core sponsorship agreement with TD Bank FACEBOOK when I came out. My dad eventually ning is a tradition, I suppose, but we group of people, but unlike Drake, we provides that TD Bank can be the only So let me get this correct: approximately softened in his disapproval. He passed make the time to bond with each other love new friends. Meeting the people fi nancial institution promoted at Pride. three (maybe more) people had very bad away before we could ever come to a beyond our working tasks. who make our community as colourful I wonder if the sponsorship agree- customer-service experiences, out of full understanding of each other, but We all look forward to the RuPaul’s and eventful as it is, whether they’re ment between Pride Toronto and TD possibly thousands of trans TD clients it opened the door for my mom and I Drag Race premiere — we even have an fi ghting for social rights or throwing Bank also prevents any “negative mes- (including myself). And now approxi- to have honest conversations about my o ce pool going — as feverishly as the a fabulous party, is paramount to who saging” against TD Bank at Pride. For mately six people are calling for major life. I think my brother was only wor- most ardent Leafs’ fans look toward a we are. With New Year’s Eve freshly example, would trans activists be per- changes in TD’s policies, procedures ried that I’d be unemployed and play- game. A surprising number of us are behind us, we look forward with an- mitted to march in Pride with signs and training. ing video games for the rest of my life. particularly gifted in the kitchen: treats ticipation to what else our community calling on TD Bank to change the way So many trans people are hunting for But I say families, plural, because I and goodies often fi nd their way into creates. it treats transgender customers? Would any negative statements (intentional or can’t just count my immediate family the office like dancing sugar plums, Remember your chosen families trans activists be permitted to march in not) against trans persons, as though in the equation. Throughout the years, mysterious and delightful. The more this year — they defi ne us just as much Pride with signs criticizing TD Bank, there was a million-dollar prize associ- I’ve been lucky enough to meet people, cultured members of our little clan as our DNA does — and, if you’re the parodying TD Bank’s green and white ated with it. Cis people can’t even make exceptional people, whom I consider host wine-tasting events and cheese- touchy-feely type, remind them that colours or parodying TD Bank’s adver- honest mistakes around us anymore a part of my family. And like any good platter afternoons in an e ort to refi ne they mean the world to you. And if you tisements that target gay and lesbian without our community releasing all its family, we craft our own traditions. our beer-and-chips sensibilities; the happen to see any of us from the Xtra couples seeking mortgages and lines pent-up rage against those persons. If team out on the town, feel free to stop of credit? we want patience and acceptance from us and say hello. We’re not all huggers, SHAWN H DAILYXTRA.COM cis people, we need to o er patience and The outcome that we seek is this — gay and lesbian but we don’t bite. people daring together to set love free. I remember complaining about the call acceptance to them. DEIGH Xtra is published by Pink Triangle Press, at 2 Carlton St, Ste 1600, Toronto, M5B 1J3. Andrew Jacome is Xtra’s associate centre assuming I was straight. Training DAILYXTRA.COM editor. needs to be better. Mistakes happen,

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MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! JAN 8–21, 2015 5 SHERBOURNE HEALTH CENTRE St. John’s Norway 333 SHERBOURNE STREET TORONTO, ON M5A 2S5 Cemetery and Crematorium 416-324-4103 • WWW.SHERBOURNE.ON.CA 256 Kingston Rd. at Woodbine HAVE YOU HAD A LOVED ONE DIE? Chapel and Crematorium LGBT HEALTH Various options for your interment needs • Bereavement care available [email protected] • 416-691-2965 LGBT Health runs various free community groups. Groups are run by experienced facilitators in a Monday – Friday 8am-5pm, Saturday 9am-3pm wheelchair accessible space. All groups provide either a snack or a meal. TTC tokens are available for those who need them to access a group. Please contact us for further accessibility or other information.

COMMUNITY KITCHEN TheRegistered Power Massage of Therapy Touch Learn to cook easy meals that are healthy and low cost! Meet new people, talk about and Manual Osteopathy food and health, and have fun. For details, dates and to sign up, contact Jessica at 416-324-4100 ext. 5250. GENDER JOURNEYS Gender Journeys is an 11-week group for anyone experiencing changes across the gender spectrum. To register, contact Kusha at [email protected] or at 416-324-5078. MIND YOUR MIND: A CBT GROUP FOR ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION Mind Your Mind is a 12-week group that uses CBT techniques to help with experiences of anxiety and depression. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) can help people understand the thoughts and feelings that influence behaviours. To register, contact Peter at [email protected] or 416-324-4100 ext. 5058. ROBERT G.COATES, MEN’S TRAUMA RECOVERY AND EMPOWERMENT B.SC, LL.B, TEP A weekly, 75 minute, 24-session skill building (CBT) group for male-identified survivors of BARRISTER, SOLICITOR trauma. Open to gay, bi, queer, and trans men. Contact Peter for dates and further & NOTARY information: 416-324-5058 or [email protected] CERTIFIED SPECIALIST (ESTATES & TRUST LAW) TRANS PARTNER NETWORK TPN is a free workshop series for partners, lovers, spouses or significant others of trans, genderqueer and gender-variant people who are looking for help, support, resources and information regarding their and/or their partner’s transition. Meet other partners to share, explore, and reflect in a structured, supportive and creative environment. R.G. COATES ESTATE LAW P.C. Wednesdays, 6-9pm, January 21 to March 11, 2015. To register, contact LeeAndra 120 Carlton Street, Suite 307 Toronto, Ontario M5A 4K2 1 9 8 1 at [email protected] or call Laura at 416-324-4100 x 5096. Tel. (416) 925-6490 Fax (416) 925-4492 E C web: www.rgcoates.com N email: [email protected] I TRANS MEN’S POST-SURGICAL SUPPORT GROUP S The Trans Men’s Surgical Support Group is a biweekly group for trans men who have started the process of or have completed bottom surgery. To sign up, contact Laura at 416-324-4100 x 5096 or [email protected]. TRANS WOMEN’S POST-SURGICAL SUPPORT GROUP The Trans Women’s Surgical Support Group is a biweekly group for trans women who are healing from or have completed bottom surgery. To sign up, contact Laura at 416-324-4100 x 5096 or [email protected]. Connect with us PUBLIC TALK: WORKPLACE TRANSITIONS - TRANS* PEOPLE’S STRUGGLES WITH UN(DER)EMPLOYMENT WITH DR. DAN IRVING on social media! Friday, January 23, 2015 • 5:30-7:30pm • Everyone welcome Dr. Dan Irving will present on trans* people’s employment experiences within the corporate, public and non-profit sectors. This accessible talk is based on interviews conducted with un(der)employed trans* individuals residing in Ontario, British Columbia and Washington State between 2012 and 2014. Light refreshments provided. Please contact Rupert Raj for further accessibility and event information: (416) 324-4174 or [email protected]. dailyxtra

6 JAN 8–21, 2015 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS What more appropriate time than a Black History Month event to showcase Upfront some diversity within the black community? datejie green • 8 Trans customers locked out of TD bank accounts manager insisted on adding a notation to the file ‘It took me five that says she is a transgender woman. “TD is a proud supporter of the LGBT com- attempts . . . to get munity,” says Ron Puccini, senior manager of diversity at TD. TD Canada Trust is a major an- any help,’ Toronto nual sponsor of Pride Toronto, including 2014’s WorldPride, and routinely runs pro-gay banking woman alleges advertisements during the Pride season. Despite the experiences reported by both Kin- TRANS ISSUES sley and Sam, Puccini says that “we do not prac- CHRISTIN SCARLETT MILLOY tise putting personal information on customer profiles that ‘outs’ them.” However, he does not A TD Bank Group employee blocked a Toronto deny that TD judges callers on the quality of their trans woman from her bank accounts and credit voices: “In order to prevent fraud against our card because he didn’t like the sound of her customers, TD uses a variety of best practices, voice on the phone, the woman alleges. including voice authentication.” “I got locked out of all my accounts because . . . my In 2011, a gay man in Vancouver told Xtra that he voice wasn’t completely perfect,” says Emily-Rose was denied access to his account after a call centre Kinsley, a self-employed business owner. “He was representative mistook his voice for a woman’s. calling me ‘ma’am’ but then switched to ‘sir,’” she At that time, TD spokesperson Suzanna Cohen says. “[He] refused access [to my records] and then apologized for the “bad service.” called me a man because of my voice and said that “We don’t want this type of situation to happen. I was being locked out . . . [He] didn’t even ask me People shouldn’t have to call and experience this my security questions,” she claims. type of frustration and bad service,” she said. Kinsley says TD’s customer service representa- For TD, raising a red flag against uncommonly tives refused to listen to her when she called back pitched voices is an effective way of protecting ac- and appeared to have no awareness of trans is- counts, but Puccini acknowledges that TD doesn’t sues. “I even told them I was transsexual, and TD Bank relies on voice authentication to confirm identity before accessing accounts, a practice have a concrete solution for its trans customers. that can present problems for trans customers. THINKSTOCK they just hung up,” she explains. “I was shocked; “We are aware of the recent concerns, and we it made me cry.” they are difficult to access and can be prohibitively voiced transsexual,” she says. “That is not okay.” take them seriously. We also recognize that we Without access to her money, Kinsley was at expensive. Newman agrees. “I personally find it disturbing don’t get it right every time,” he says. “We are a loss. “I couldn’t eat or smoke or anything for Some trans women can adjust their natural that you are forced to be outed as trans just so some continuously looking at ways to improve our cus- two days.” She says she used to trust TD with her speaking voices on their own, through practice or call-centre rep doesn’t lock out all your banking tomer service, and this includes looking at ways to money “but not anymore.” by guided speech therapy, but not all trans women because you don’t sound like your proper gender.” improve the customer experience for customers “They made me cry; they made me scared to be are able to — or even want to. Kinsley is not the only transgender customer in the transgender community.” me. They told me I was a guy. I can’t trust anyone “Why should I have to be in a constant state of who has had problems with TD. Sam (who asked MP Randall Garrison, who is the federal NDP who would treat me with such disrespect.” panic over how my voice sounds?” says trans activ- that Xtra use only her first name) reports an critic on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and Many trans women, depending on what age they ist Christine Newman, who describes her voice as almost identical experience. “I had forgotten transsexual issues, says that stories like these were when they transitioned, have already ex- “low and throaty, like Lauren Bacall.” She says the my PIN number and been locked out of my point to the need for increased protection for perienced the testosterone-based puberty typi- need to “pass constantly,” for transgender people bank account. So I called [TD customer service]. transgender people in Canada. cally associated with boys growing into men. to fit into an expected set of standards based on They asked me security questions, which I knew “Banks are regulated federally,” Garrison says. Whereas trans men (who were designated female at how cisgender people look and sound, is unfair. the answers to.” Despite passing the standard He introduced Bill C-279 in 2012 to add gen- birth) can gain a deepened voice from testosterone “It’s one more expectation put upon trans security test, Sam says, she was still refused der identity to the Human Rights Act, which treatments, estrogen cannot reverse or “heighten” people instead of just being able to be yourself,” phone service. would solidify the government’s position against a trans woman’s voice if it’s already become deep. she says. “They said I had to go in to the bank,” she says. anti-transgender discrimination. That bill hasn’t Although there are throat and larynx surgeries Eventually, Kinsley regained access to her Unlike Kinsley, Sam had a backup account at a passed yet, but even without it, Garrison says, designed to alter the voices of trans women to money. “It took me five attempts and five hangups different bank, so she had other options. When these women might have a case. “They could make them sound more conventionally feminine, to get any help,” she says. She says someone from she did visit her branch, she says, she was told [make a complaint against TD] to the Canadian these surgeries are risky, they leave visible scars TD told her that her computer file has been “there was a note on my account saying a guy Human Rights Commission, and a decision would and they don’t guarantee good results. Also, like annotated in a way that “outs” her without her called in pretending to be (me), and we locked be made,” he says. “But it would certainly be easier all surgical treatments related to gender identity, consent: “All my accounts now say I’m a deep- the account.” Sam also reports that her bank to find resolution after 279 passes.”

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! JAN 8–21, 2015 7 Scholarship for black LGBT youth turned down Hamilton couple donating the funds is determined to go ahead with scholarship

COMMUNITY suggested making the award exclusively typically donate the funds and have HG WATSON for allies. some input into the terms but not total That was not an acceptable change for control. (There are several awards, not When they got married in August, green and Cameron. “We wanted to be scholarships, handed out for specific datejie green and Ruth Cameron de- very explicit that this scholarship was sectors of the community according to cided to eschew traditional gifts and meant for those individuals who are the organization’s website.) instead asked guests for something they vulnerable because of multiple types According to Myrie, the deadline for hoped could make a difference in their of oppression,” Cameron says. the awards, Dec 19, also did not allow community — money for a scholarship On Dec 10, Myrie emailed green and enough time to properly promote the specifically for black LGBT youth. Cameron to tell them that the commit- award. Pushing it to next year would The couple received $2,900 from tee had decided not to create the award allow sufficient promotion time and enthusiastic friends, co-workers and this year but would commit to consider- give them a chance to tie it into the family members for an annual $1,500 ing it next year. In the email, provided 20th-anniversary celebrations, she says. scholarship they named after black to Xtra by both Myrie and green, Myrie Myrie repeated this reasoning in a story lesbian poet Audre Lorde. They de- writes that the “Nelson Mandela award in the Hamilton Spectator. cided they wanted to offer the schol- is open to LGBTQ youth as it recognizes However, the nomination form on arship through the Reverend John C youth who are involved in human rights the John C Holland Awards website Holland Awards, which celebrate the and social justice issues.” She adds that gives the deadline as Jan 10. The first accomplishments and contributions the awards strive to include everyone. time green became aware of a time of the African-Canadian community Myrie tells Xtra that the committee issue, she says, was when she read in Hamilton. members are very interested in creating the Spectator article. Cameron and green had attended the awards ceremony during Black History Month last February and found it to be a We wanted to be very explicit that positive experience. They thought that creating an award specifically for black this scholarship was meant for those LGBT youth would promote inclusivity individuals who are vulnerable because in the community. But now Cameron and green are of multiple types of oppression. clashing with the committee that ad- RUTH CAMERON, SCHOLARSHIP DONOR ministers the awards over allegations that the committee wanted to expand the scholarship to allies and delay its an LGBT-focused award but that they The turn of events has left the couple induction until next year for the Hol- had questions about what the scholar- frustrated. The committee has “essen- land Awards’ 20th anniversary. ship itself would focus on. “We talked tially refused an opportunity to really The idea for the scholarship was about inclusion and what does that make an inclusive, affirming, welcoming raised with Evelyn Myrie, co-chair of look like,” Myrie says. “Does that look gesture to a part of the community that the Black History Month committee, like someone who works in the LGBT is rarely discussed or acknowledged,” earlier in the year, green says. At the community and someone who promotes Cameron says. time, Myrie expressed her support. equity and social justice to ensure that She and green continue to promote Feeling that they had an organization the LGBT community is respected and the scholarship; one way or another, showing interest, green and Cameron embraced and valued?” they say, they will ensure that it is given proceeded to ask for the funds and “For young people who come out at and healthy,” green says. They hoped the Myrie says Cameron and green want- to a deserving candidate for the 2015/16 publicly talked about their plans. such an early age as they are now, scholarship could address these issues. ed to prescribe the terms of the award, school year. “We know that this is a For them, using infrastructure that you are additionally marked and In the fall, green and Cameron ap- while the committee wants to open up needed scholarship,” green says. additionally at risk of falling through was already in place made sense: the the cracks of the very things that proached Myrie and the awards com- consultation to the LGBT community. “However, we thought that a fantastic John C Holland Awards include a num- you need to be very independent mittee again. They say they faced “We’re not saying no to the award,” opportunity to make a very big statement ber of scholarships for youth aged 18 in life and to be safe and healthy,” repeated questions, including why the Myrie says. “We just want to determine that is inclusive and welcoming has been to 24. datejie green says. scholarship couldn’t be extended to the best way to establish this and to missed here,” Cameron says. “If we go “For young people who come out at THINKSTOCK LGBT allies. The same questions were recognize the LGBT efforts — whether through other organizations, it won’t such an early age as they are now, you echoed when green and Cameron went it’s an award to an LGBT student or it’s be centred on the group we want it to are additionally marked and addition- in person to make the case for their someone who is an ally. I don’t know, be centred on — black youth. What more ally at risk of falling through the cracks scholarship at an awards committee but we need to sit down and talk this appropriate time than a Black History of the very things that you need to be meeting on Nov 16. Green later clarified through.” Month event to showcase some diversity very independent in life and to be safe in an email to Xtra that the committee Other award donors, Myrie says, within the black community?”

8 JAN 8–21, 2015 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS A Proud Representative of the Gay Community

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MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! JAN 8–21, 2015 9 Check out our columnists and bloggers on dailyxtra.com The making of Auntie Mame The beloved protagonist of the 1955 novel A sex worker’s tale was forged on the battlefield Trading a blowjob for 20 bucks and HISTORY BOYS a half pack of JEREMY WILLARD cigarettes had brought me to a new From an early age, Ed- level of debauchery. ward Everett “Pat” Tan- Courtney Love ner III (1921–1976) enjoyed upsetting would have been people’s sensibilities. Each morn- proud. ing, he’d sit in front of the window and make a show of flipping casually through the pages of Ballyhoo, a 1920s Playboy-style magazine, so that his classmates would see as they passed Adventures by on their way to Dewey Elemen- in gay tary School, in the Chicago suburb of parenting Evanston. It’s not that I don’t Tanner eventually authored 16 nov- like Hot Wheels or els, including the best-selling Auntie Thomas the Tank Mame, which he wrote under the name Engine, but I can’t Patrick Dennis. Published in 1955, it’s quite figure out my a comic novel in the style of Evelyn son’s predilection Waugh. It was made into a play, film, toward traditionally stage musical and film musical — all masculine pursuits. within his lifetime — but people are probably most familiar with the 1958 film version starring Rosalind Russell. Like a literary version of reading a dirty magazine in a window, the novel History is all about challenging the status quo. Those of you who didn’t watch Boys Author Pat Tanner was always a bit like Mame — eloquent, theatrical, the film as a gay rite of passage may The Wonder whimsical, worldly, living in a kind of fantasy world — much to the chagrin require a primer of the tale: when the Woman comics of his father, a champion swimmer who often called Tanner a pansy. SISSYDUDE from the 1940s are young Patrick Dennis (a character rife with BDSM. On in the novel as well as Pat’s nom de almost every page plume) is orphaned, he comes into the World War. was elsewhere entirely, in a suburban there’s kidnap, care of his Aunt Mame, an eccentric To avoid being drafted to fight, Pat house, and assigned his friends roles in slavery or bondage. New Yorker whose motto is “Life is a volunteered as a combat ambulance a make-believe suburban family. The banquet, and most poor suckers are driver with the American Field Ser- fantasy helped him and his friends deal starving to death.” She wants to give vice (AFS) in 1942. To alleviate the with the horrors around them. And him as liberal an upbringing as pos- boredom of the three-and-a-half-week then one day, Pat’s fantasy didn’t end. sible. Unfortunately, Patrick has a voyage to Africa, where he initially He wouldn’t come out of it. He had a trustee, Mr Babcock, who wants him served, Pat got up to various hijinks, nervous breakdown and was honour- raised conservatively. When Babcock including organizing a talent show. He ably discharged and sent back to the and Mame clash, the comic outcome also, according to a weekly newslet- United States, where he spent a few Hooking up is delicious. ter put together by other volunteers, months in psychiatric care. in public It’s often thought that Patrick-the- employed his experience having once He didn’t take long to recover, and When I find character’s upbringing is based on that trimmed a poodle to start cutting his in 1945 he moved to New York City, myself exploring a of Pat-the-author, but this isn’t so. Pat chums’ hair (with varying degrees of which, after holding its breath during dungeon party on had a conventional upper-middle- success). the war, was a magnet for cash and tal- a Sunday afternoon, class upbringing. However, Pat was The leader of the AFS volunteers ent. It was there that he became a suc- I know why I’m always a bit like Mame — eloquent, instituted 15 minutes of calisthenics cessful novelist. He created his most there. I’m on a theatrical, whimsical, worldly, living each morning, including running on famous character, Mame, a woman journey searching in a kind of fantasy world — much to the spot. On the first morning, Pat imbued with many of Pat’s qualities for those the chagrin of his father, a champion started humming loudly and doing — qualities that had become more connections. swimmer who often called him a pansy high kicks. When his peers followed pronounced to help him deal with his (Pat was bisexual but probably didn’t suit, the leader gave in and on subse- homophobic father and, to an even know it yet). quent mornings would resignedly say, greater extent, a devastating war. The I’d guess that Pat’s father’s atti- “Okay, kids — can-can!” whacky, grand lady that so many of us tude helped to foster Pat’s Mame-like Pat used his imagination to cope love was to some degree fashioned on qualities and caused them to become with violence as well as boredom. the battlefields of the Second World more deeply entrenched. Making life When he was later assigned to serve War. a bit more glamorous and fantastical in Italy, he faced about as much dan- helped Pat cope both with his difficult ger as any soldier and sustained sev- History Boy appears in every issue of home life and, eventually, the Second eral wounds. He started to pretend he Xtra.

10 JAN 8–21, 2015 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS 2 minutes to ChurCh st DENTAL Eating out on Yonge Street or the subway CARE all of toronto Surprises await at Toronto’s Loft 18+ Cinemas is at your doorstep

MIKE MIKSCHE HOLE AND CORNER DR. ELON GRIFFITH I enter the Loft 18+ Cosmetic & General Dentistry • Emergency Service Cinemas (also known as the Yonge) • Participant in Student Dental Program from Yonge Street, just south of Ger- rard, and climb the stairs, mesmerized 416-923-3386 by the LED lights along the mirrored [email protected] walls. toronto downtown Centre 25 Charles ST.W I insert seven dollars in change into Toronto ON M4Y 2R4 the machine and push through the 30 CARLTON STREET BLOOR ST. W. TORONTO, ONTARIO M5B 2E9 CANADA turnstile, leaving the ordinary world Hotel Front Desk: 1-416-977-6655 CHARLES ST. W. ONGE ST. BAY ST. BAY behind. There are fi ve cinemas in the www.holidayinn.com/TorontoCentre Our Office Y space: two straight ones on the second fl oor, three gay on the third and a series of private booths. I automatically head for the gay cinemas but fi nd them quite typical: they’re fi lled with gay men, do- ing what gay guys do in a pornographic setting — there’s a much better selec- tion of men at a bathhouse or sex club. I decide to try the straight ones in- stead, just out of curiosity, and am pleasantly surprised. There is some- thing sexually ambiguous about them, something I haven’t experienced be- fore, along with an element of danger, especially if you hit on the wrong guy. Needless to say, I am hooked. Most of the men here are not the type you’d no- tice on the street. Many wear ball caps, carry backpacks and look like they just got o a city bus. You’d think they just made a quick pit stop on their way home — and maybe they did. If you’re lucky, you’ll get the occasional jock or daddy, the handsome sort, though that requires a bit more patience.

There are three doors past the gate LANDER N MAXWELL in the straight section: Cinema 1, Cin- ema 2 and the washroom, which is a Most of the men here are not the type private stall. I turn into Cinema 1 and fi nd some kinky fare playing onscreen: you’d notice on the street. Many wear a man with pu y chest hair and thin ball caps, carry backpacks and look arms is fucking a girl in fi shnets from behind, using his foot to press her face like they just got o a city bus. into the wooden fl oor. Her moans are mu ed by the theatre’s cheap speak- porn onscreen as my focal point. Later woman leaning back in her seat with ers, making them sound like something I’ll learn that all it takes is for someone her skirt up and panties at her ankles. in an inaudible dream. Three other to make a sign: fl ash their cock, give An elderly man in his 60s is eating her men are in the cinema watching; it is that look, something, anything and out, chomping down at her crotch. too dark to tell who is masturbating, the whole room ignites. People start A few minutes later, the man next to but I hear a belt buckle clinking. gawking and grabbing, sucking and tug- him gets on his knees and takes over. The cinemas are small, with only a ging. On this fi rst visit, though, I wait The crowd stares, ravenous, jerking few rows of seating in each one. I stand 20 minutes and nothing happens —it’s o and licking their lips. It isn’t quite at the back near the door to keep an as if people are there to watch the fi lm. what I was looking for, but I fi nd the eye on things — I don’t want to miss an I venture to Cinema 2, which is much scene intriguing so continue to watch VIDEO: Daily Xtra’s top opportunity. At fi rst, I worry that I look more lively. Approximately 20 men as other men take turns . . . odd back there, peering at people: stand around the fi rst row with their YouTube comments of 2014 I’m the only one standing. Nothing is cocks out, jerking off to something Hole & Corner is a fi rst-person look at truly odd at the Loft, though, so I stop happening there. The bluish glow from public sex and the people who enjoy it. It worrying. the movie screen seems pasted on appears every Wednesday on the Ideas I scan the room, back and forth, wait- the skin of the patrons, adding to the page of dailyxtra.com, where you can dailyxtra.com ing for some action to erupt, using the frenzy. I move to the front and fi nd a also fi nd Part 2 of “Eating Out. ”

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12 JAN 8–21, 2015 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS I don’t like a mean drag queen — I think that’s a OutintheCity very over-rated virtue. Alan Cumming 14 GINGER QUEST Shawn Hitchins spreads his gay genes at Buddies How do gay men make babies? That’s one of the questions Shawn Hitchins sets out to answer in his solo show Ginger Nation. “That conversation isn’t happening,” Hitchins says. “Or if it is, it’s happening in a very middle-class, upper- class perspective with sperm donors; it’s not the bare-bones, at-home, in-the- bathroom making babies.” For Hitchins, helping a lesbian couple he was friends with conceive meant going DIY (or as DIY as you can get without actually putting a penis in a vagina). After a few months of lending his friends samples of his precious ginger DNA, they suc- cessfully made a baby in the bathroom. Christopher House “I never really wanted to have a family or makes a welcome have a kid,” he admits, “but I managed to do it in a really queer way that doesn’t return to the stage compromise my beliefs, the core of who Moving House ALEJANDRO SANTIAGO I am or my lifestyle.” It’s taken 36 years, but Christopher House has company,” he says. “To be honest, performing was istic optimism in tow, he sees more possibilities Ginger Nation, which tells the story of fi nally come full circle. This month, the longtime always a bit stressful for me, so it wasn’t tough to than limits for his 65-year-old frame. Hitchins’s journey to pseudo-fatherhood artistic director of Toronto Dance Theatre returns let it slip away.” “There are lots of things I can’t do as well as I (and quest to repopulate Earth with to his roots and takes to the stage in I’ll Crane for His journey back to performing started in could when I was young, but there are an equal redheads), certainly isn’t the fi rst solo You, a solo performance choreographed by Debo- 2014, when he appeared alongside the rest of the number of things I can do now that I couldn’t performance he’s rah Hay that blends text and song with movement. company in Ame Henderson and Jennifer Castle’s do then,” he says. “My body is more articulate, done in Toronto. But it is the fi rst House started as a dancer with Toronto Dance Voyager, then in the solo Rough House, co-created more conscious and more sensitive than it to be a hit before Theatre in 1978, began choreographing in 1979 with Jordan Tannahill. used to be. It’s a crazy game, but I have nothing it’s even opened. and took the reins in 1994. As his focus shifted to Though he’s been mostly absent from the stage, to lose, so I’m seizing the day.” — Chris Dupuis In 2013, Ginger Na- creating, he gradually gave up performing. “I had he’s hardly been sedentary. He still teaches regu- tion had its debut never really planned to stop dancing, but once I larly, does Pilates and rides his bike nearly every- I’ll Crane for You runs Thurs, Jan 15–Sun, at the Edinburgh became the director I felt weird hogging stage time where, maintaining a physique men half his age Jan 18 at the Winchester Street Theatre, Fringe, where it when there were so many amazing dancers in the would envy. Back on the fl oor with his character- 80 Winchester St. craneforyou.eventbrite.ca received an al- most unheard-of amount of media enzie’s Love Design Party, a com- coverage. “It bination closing party and art was almost 50 installation that seeks to express shows in 30 days,” ROOMS WITH A VIEW Hitchins says, “and Mackenzie’s concerns about the then all the media The Gladstone’s 2015 art environment and indigenous Shawn Hitchins stu , which was show is bigger than ever rights. JEN SQUIRES unprecedented. This year’s installations in- Nobody has hit Building on a tradition of fostering clude Lizz Aston’s Fibre Optic/Radi- that festival as hard as I hit it; I kinda artistic creation, this year’s edition of ant Light, which “refl ects transient broke the festival.” the Gladstone Hotel’s art and design patterns of lights, colour and shad- Ginger Nation is clearly a watershed show, Come Up to My Room, will ow in her immersive installation.” show for Hitchins — he’s currently work- be the longest yet. For 10 days, visi- Lindsay Montgomery’s Third Eye ing on both a televised version of the tors will enjoy artwork of every kind Experimental Figure Theater brings performance and a book. But you won’t displayed and performed throughout together installation, puppetry and fi nd any butterfl ies in his stomach. “I’m the charming 125-year-old building. performance, while Menalon and actually excited because it’s one of the fi rst times I’m not worried about the “The Gladstone is one of the The New Beat collaborate on“a material,” he says. “I’ve taken it to the longest-standing hotels in Toron- Alexandra Mackenzie’s Love stunning and interactive laser harp harshest environment you can take it to. There used to be a station here, Design Party. GLADSTONE HOTEL where viewers become musicians to, and it’s survived and thrived. To get a which would be the last stop before with the simple stringing of a chord.” compliment from a Scottish audience is Hamilton, so a lot of artists and bur- that history really well. In terms of it of this year’s show are Design Pirates, — Jeremy Willard pretty impressive.” — Chris Dupuis lesque dancers would come and stay,” being a queer space, I think we really a late-night, talk-show-style event exhibitions coordinator Lukus Toane want to get the picture into people’s hosted by Zahra Ebrahim and Flu y Come Up to My Room runs Ginger Nation runs Thurs, Jan 22–Sat, says. “The Gladstone’s always been heads that it’s a safe place for risk Sou é; Heretical Objects Coopera- Fri, Jan 16–Sun, Jan 25, at the Jan 24 at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, a kind of creative hub, and I think taking,” he says. tive’s evening of music and art; and Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen St W. 12 Alexander St. shawnhitchins.com Come Up to My Room fits in with Some of the must-see components multimedia artist Alexandra Mack- comeuptomyroom.com

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! JAN 8–21, 2015 13 The star of stage and screen dishes on Broadway, his brave new book and, of course, Spice World CUMMING

ATTRACTIONSJOHNNIE WALKER PHOTO BY STEVE VACCARIELLO

think if you’re going to be a drag queen, you breathe in the middle of the word ‘because.’” And then the should just know the words. Do you know Tony Award winner puts down his pomegranate seeds and what I mean?” bursts into song: “My dreeeams came truuue be—” pausing Alan Cumming asks the question while for a gulp of air, “—caaause of yooou. Seriously, listen to it. grazing on pomegranate seeds in a conference It’s a choice. But it’s not one that I approve of.” He gently room at the TIFF Bell Lightbox. Impeccably skewers the Pride of Timmins in the same archly scolding dressed in a pinstripe suit and round Harry tone he used on the forgetful drag queens. Potter glasses, the 49-year-old actor, author and singer is It’s hard not to be charmed by Cumming. He’s handsome, in“I Toronto in connection with TIFF’s Stanley Kubrick: The well spoken and has a conspiratorial way of telling a story Exhibition (remember him as the flirty concierge in Eyes Wide that makes you feel like you’re sharing a well-loved private Shut?). After arriving in town the night before, Cumming joke. He’s funny, and when he laughs the deep dimples in his caught a drag show in which he noticed the queens covering cheeks bring out a boyish, almost elfin quality to his face. On their mouths or turning from the audience when the lyrics screen, he’s often doing an accent: Russian as a Bond villain seemed to escape them. But after his playful critique, he’s in GoldenEye; German as the superhero Nightcrawler in quick to add a compliment: “They were nice. I don’t like a X-Men 2; American as the acerbic Eli Gold on The Good Wife. mean drag queen — I think that’s a very over-rated virtue.” As a civilian, he speaks with a soft Scottish brogue and the Surely if anyone’s an authority on nightclub performance, same easy candour found in his memoir, Not My Father’s Son. it’s Cumming. While his acting resumé is as lengthy as it is Cumming’s second book is worlds away from your typical eclectic, the Scottish performer is perhaps best known for celebrity tell-all. While his wry Scottish wit is on full display his turn as the Emcee from Cabaret. In fact, you can catch as he describes, say, a funny story about auctioning off a duet him right now in the Broadway revival, returning to the by Patti Smith and Mary J Blige that neither knew she had iconic leather jacket and white suspenders he first wore signed on for, at its heart his book is a mystery and a family more than 20 years ago. saga, unfolding in a series of cliffhangers and dramatic twists. His story about the drag queens makes him think of Emma The book is divided into alternating “Then” and “Now” Stone (his current “Sally Bowles”), who certainly knew chapters. In the “Then” chapters, Cumming describes his the words in her epic lip-sync battle with Jimmy Fallon. If childhood in rural Scotland. It is difficult to read at times; Cumming were asked to do battle with the Tonight Show he remembers the trauma of growing up with an angry, host? “I’d have to do a slow song,” he says. “A Shania Twain violently abusive father who terrorized him and his brother. ballad.” With a smirk, he reveals his favourite song from Meanwhile, the “Now” chapters track his experience film- Shania’s catalogue: “From This Moment On,” in spite (or ing on the British version of the reality show Who Do You perhaps because) of her unique phrasing. “She chooses to Think You Are? in 2010. Cumming’s episode of the program

14 JAN 8–21, 2015 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS (which investigates celebrities’ family trees) centred on his It’s amazing that a production that premiered in 1993 maternal grandfather. Tommy Darling, who died in Malaysia feels as fresh, daring and vital as ever — even when things sometime after the Second World War, had always been a go wrong. “There were some drunk people in the other question mark for Cumming and his mother, Mary, who was night,” Cumming says, “and obviously, there’s drinks, you’re only eight at the time of her father’s death. What had he been supposed to be in a club . . . But there was this kind of ugly like? Why hadn’t he returned to Scotland? And how did he scene afterwards with the audience saying how disrespect- really die? In the midst of investigating these questions, the ful they were being.” “Now” and “Then” threads converge as Cumming’s estranged In a departure from the original staging, the Sam Mendes– father returns in the present with shocking revelations and directed production ends with the Emcee stripping off his long-buried secrets. sexy leather jacket to reveal a concentration-camp uniform Gripping and emotionally powerful, Not My Father’s displaying both a pink triangle and a Star of David. “So I’m Son reads like the late-night confession of a close friend. saying, ‘I’m going to a concentration camp; I’m gay; I’m “I couldn’t stop talking about it,” Cumming says. “I literally Jewish; I’m dead.’ And these people are still laughing.” was obsessed with it.” His need to share his stranger-than- While the experience was jarring for both the performers fiction story is almost tangible. “It was an urgent thing. I don’t and the audience, for Cumming, those kinds of reactions are think you can have something like this happen to you without important for the message of the show. “The audience were expunging it in some way. It’s great for other people in the horrified that these people were not respecting this terrible world to share in the same kind of anger or amazement or thing that happened, but of course, the whole show is saying horror that you have experienced. It makes you calmer.” that you’ve got to be vigilant because there are those people While he doesn’t shy away from his harrowing relation- who don’t get it and are going to be the ones who are going ship with his father, he also spends time describing the to let it happen. And so the whole thing sort of happened in healthy relationships he shares with his mother and brother. microcosm right there.” “People tend to focus on the more violent bits, but actually, Here’s a game: open up Cumming’s IMDb page and scroll ultimately it’s about three people who survived. I think that through his credits. You’ve seen him in more things than it’s quite uplifting. ” you realized, haven’t you? His artistic output is prolific and While the writing process was cathartic, Cumming worried remarkably varied. He’s just as likely to pop up in highbrow how his family would take the candid memoir. “I was nervous fare like Julie Taymor’s Titus or a Jane Austen adaptation as about it coming out because of the effect it was gonna have something deliciously lowbrow, like Josie and the Pussycats on my mom, especially, and me,” he confides. “But actually, it or Burlesque. couldn’t have gone better. My mom asked for 10 more copies But does someone who’s really “done it all” still ache for to give to her friends. And I thought that was the new challenges or pine for the roles that got best review I could have got!” NOT MY away? “Mostly it’s like, ‘Oh, I dodged that bul- Cumming hopes Not My Father’s Son can help FATHER’S SON let!’” Cumming says. “I’m not a yearner. People By Alan Cumming others who have experienced similar abuse come HarperCollins can waste so much time yearning or aspiring for to terms with their past, or at least start that harpercollins.com something. That takes up your energy. That takes conversation. “Everyone’s got fucked-up families. STANLEY KUBRICK: you away from the present and closes you off to I think that the word ‘dysfunctional’ is almost ir- THE EXHIBITION what might happen. I feel I’ve tumbled through Runs until Sun, Jan 25 relevant as a prefix to the word ‘family,’ because TIFF Bell Lightbox life and really fascinating things have come to everyone’s is. And so many people say, ‘Oh, I’m 350 King St W me. And I just do what I like. I’ve actually more buying your book for my mom.’ And I think, tiff.net often had a terrible time doing something that ‘Wow!’ As a family gift, I wouldn’t put it at the I really thought I was doing for my art rather top of my list. But I like it. I think it’s really making people than for my wallet. Because when you enter into something talk about things.” because it’s a job to earn money, then you have fun; you get on If exploring his past with his father was the most painful with people. But when you go into something and your heart part of writing Not My Father’s Son, discovering the truth is in it, your soul is in it, and it doesn’t go well and people are about his grandfather Tommy Darling was perhaps the most dicks, then that hurts you more.” rewarding. As he travels with a TV crew through France, the When asked about his appearance in the critically reviled UK and, ultimately, Malaysia, he pieces together an idea of Jaws 4, character actor extraordinaire Michael Caine fa- the grandfather he never knew. mously remarked, “I have never seen it, but by all accounts “The thing with Tommy Darling was I actually felt so close it is terrible. However, I have seen the house that it built, and to him, so like him, and I know that I can spot the genetic line it is terrific.” Cumming has an equally sanguine take on his much more closely from that side than from my father’s side. less prestigious work. “You can actually trace my filmography And I think that’s also why I was so sad for him, ’cause I really through when I was either renovating a house or getting a could recognize parts of myself in him.” His grandfather was divorce by the films I’ve done; that’s absolutely true,” he a combatant in some of the most brutal battles of the war, and admits. “And why shouldn’t I do that?” Cumming believes Darling’s traumatic experiences shaped Recently, on the BBC’s HARDtalk, host Stephen Sackur the man he became. “I feel like I have a form of PTSD from asked Cumming if he regretted saying yes to certain roles. “He my dad. So, learning all this stuff about him, it was so intense. named certain films, likeThe Smurfs and Spice World. And I I did feel this — not sympathy, but complete connection to was like, ‘No. Why do you think I should just do rarefied, arty him. And to be able to go back to Malaysia and take my mom things just because you would like me to, rather than do The there — that was such a beautiful thing to be able to do.” Flintstones to earn a lot of money?’ And finally I said, ‘And It’s fitting that Cumming is releasing a book that reflects actually, I think Spice World was really good.’ And he went, on his past in the same year he returned to his star-making ‘Oh, I’ve never seen it.’ And I said, ‘Then don’t cast asper- turn in Cabaret. Not that it was easy. “I am so fucking old!” sions!’ I love that film.” Besides, his role as a documentary he says with a laugh. “When I came back to doing it this time, filmmaker following the every move of Baby, Sporty, Ginger, I couldn’t remember anything about it. I had to go to the Posh and Scary made him an instant hit with co-star Emma Lincoln Center Library and watch the video of it from last Stone. “Emma Stone is a huge Spice Girls fan!” he says, with time to remind myself. But I have been doing it for 20 years. a grin. “We have Spice Girls lip-sync battles in my dressing I did it in London, New York. I’ve only done . . . it’s only 660 room with the Kit Kat Girls!” It’s probably safe to assume performances — I count them every day.” they know the words.

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! JAN 8–21, 2015 15 7pm. Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen button under the intercom near the Francisco Ibáñez- St W. No cover. gladstonehotel.com wheelchair entrance. Takes place Carrasco — Black the first and third Wednesday of Eagle, Mon, Jan 19 each month. Wed, Jan 21, 7–9pm. BECCA LEMIRE Mood Disorders Association of HEALTH & ISSUES Ontario, 36 Eglinton Ave W, Ste 602. The 519 Legal Clinic Free. mooddisorders.ca A free, accessible service for low- WHAT'S ON income people. Volunteer lawyers FOR MORE EVENT LISTINGS, GO TO DAILYXTRA.COM provide legal advice, referrals and LEISURE & PLEASURE help with forms and letters. The Bawdy Art confidential and private visits Board Games Night ARTS & LITERATURE Facilitator Stephanie Baptist shares are first-come, first-served. Bring Nerds bond over such games as poetry and art from The Vagina any necessary documents. Every Wizard and 7 Wonders. Sat, Jan Butch: Not Like Project, inspired by Naomi Wolf’s Thursday; registration 6–6:30pm. 10, 7pm. Glad Day Bookshop, 598 the Other Girls book Vagina. For women only. Sat, The 519 Community Centre, 519 Yonge St. $6 before 9:30pm, $3 SD Holman’s photographs explore Jan 17, noon–2:30pm. Good for Her, Church St. Free. the519.org after. gladdaybookshop.com masculinity in contemporary 175 Harbord St. $33. goodforher.com communities, fighting the way LEGIT Gay in a Corporate World women, gender and sexuality are Giving It Raw Legal counsel for same-sex couples The featured speaker at The defined in the mainstream. Runs Francisco Ibáñez-Carrasco immigrating to Canada. Tap into Fraternity’s dinner meeting talks until Fri, Jan 23. Canadian Lesbian launches an AIDS memoir in a the community and access useful about being an out gay senior and Gay Archives, 34 Isabella St. place that inspired some sections resources. The second Thursday of manager at TD Canada Trust. RSVP Free. clga.ca of his book. Mon, Jan 19, 6–9pm. each month. Thurs, Jan 8, 7–10pm. to [email protected]. Mon, Black Eagle, 457 Church St. Free. The 519 Community Centre, Jan 12, 5:45–9pm. Courtyard Art Calorie blackeagletoronto.com 519 Church St. Free; donations Marriott, 475 Yonge St. $20–40. This mixer and art show raises funds appreciated. legit.ca thefraternity.org for the Toronto Arts Foundation and OCADU’s Digital Media Research COMEDY & CABARET The Black Queer ’90s Trivia and Innovation Institute. Runs Fri, Youth Initiative With Miss Fluffy Soufflé hosting, Jan 9–Sun, Jan 11. Inclusive Design Singular Sensation: A Black and multiracial youth aged teams of up to four people compete Institute, 49 McCaul St. $10–15. Musical-Theatre Open Mic 29 and under who identify as queer to see who knows the most about artcalorie.eventbrite.ca Jennifer Walls invites amateur or questioning gather in a safe, such topics as Orbitz, The Fresh crooners to perform their favourite true. Wed, Jan 14, 7:30pm. The Flying and 11pm. The Flying Beaver, 488 social space. Every Wednesday, Prince of Bel-Air and fly girls. Mon, Colours of the City songs accompanied by a live band. Beaver, 488 Parliament St. No cover. Parliament St. $20 advance, $25 6:30–8:30pm. Sherbourne Health Jan 12, 7–10pm. Wayla, 996 Queen An exhibit of Philip Cairns’s abstract Every Monday, 9:30pm–12:30am. pubaret.com door. pubaret.com Centre, 333 Sherbourne St. Free. St E. No cover. waylabar.com paintings and drawings. Opening Statlers, 487 Church St. No cover. soytoronto.org reception Sat, Jan 10, 2–6pm; statlers.ca Scott Thompson: Too Queer: A Bi Visibility runs until Sun, Feb 1. Arcadia Gallery, Off with His Head Cabaret (version 2.0) LGBTQ Peer MUSIC 680 Queens Quay W. Free. Paul Bellini’s Liar Liar Famous for his roles on The Kids in Writers, musicians, dancers, visual Support Drop-In philipcairns.com Guests tell dubious tales and the Hall and Hannibal, Thompson is artists and more present pieces Queer people with mood disorders She’s Listening audience members are challenged a performer whose comedy is best related to bisexuality. Sun, Jan 18, gather for support and discussion. If Singer/songwriters Heather Hill, to decide whether the stories are experienced live. Sat, Jan 17, 9pm the building door is locked, press the Kat Leonard, Angela Saini, Jessica

PLAYUNDERWEAR PARTY 4< STRICT DRESSCODE > UNDERWEAR (OR LESS)

SPINNING everything is permitted

DJ SPINNING JOHN CAFFERY DJ MARK FALCO SATURDAY TH JANUARY 17TH SATURDAY, JAN 24 PM AM PM AM (OR LATER) 10:00 TO 3:00 (OR LATER) 10 UNTIL 3 COVER: $5 BEFORE MIDNIGHT, $10 AFTER COVER: $5 BEFORE MIDNIGHT, $10 AFTER @ THE BLACK EAGLE 457 CHURCH ST. TORONTO, ON Church/Wellesley

16 JAN 8–21, 2015 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS Speziale and Kristine St-Pierre birthday candles. Now that’s talent. perform to benefi t Ovarian Cancer Cassandra Moore at 11pm. Byzantium, 499 Church St. No Canada. Thurs, Jan 8, 7pm. The Business Woman's cover. byz.ca Flying Beaver, 488 Parliament St. Special — Round, $15 advance, $20 door. pubaret.com Sat, Jan 10 Sun, Jan 18 Woody’s Sunday The Hollywoody Nightingales: Broadway Show, with Miss Undiscovered Conception, brings out the fl ash drag and Unplugged CLUB SCENE performance at 6pm; Old School, TNTMen: Nighttime Dance Take Thurs, Jan 8 hosted by Georgie Girl, brings out the Johnny Salib hosts a night of it all o and dance with the wind in classics at 9pm; Smokin’ Hot Divas, songs written and performed by Heavenly Thursday Kim Jee your pubic hair at the monthly au hosted by Georgie Girl, brings out local Toronto artists, including Young plays the piano in the lounge, naturel party. 9pm–2am. Club120, the glam at 11pm. DJ Blue Peter on Maccie Paquette, Shayne Stolz and 6–9pm; Jade Elektra and Heaven 120 Church St. $10, $8 members, $5 decks. Woody’s, 467 Church St. No Chris Tsujiuchi. Fri, Jan 9, 7:30pm. Lee Hytes give saintly and sinful students. tntmen.org Buddies in Bad Times, 12 Alexander performances at 11pm. DJ Relentless cover. woodystoronto.com St. $15 advance, $20 door. on decks. Zipperz/Cellblock, 72 Sat, Jan 10 buddiesinbadtimes.com Carlton St. No cover. facebook.com/ Mon, Jan 19 zipperz Last Night on Earth Elegy: A Doompunk LARP gets interactive Giving It Raw Book Launch Francisco Ibáñez-Carrasco reads T-Girl Party DJ Todd Klinck with its 18+ post-apocalyptic excerpts from his AIDS memoir, then SEX spins upstairs for an evening of live-action role-playing game. writers Trystan Cotten and Daniel socializing with T-girls, their friends Apocalyptic dress encouraged. South Asian Night Allen join him for a literary threeway. and admirers. 8pm. Club120, 120 Salvage and ammo not accepted in When they’re not cruising the rooms 6–9pm. Black Eagle, 457 Church St. Church St. $8 before 11pm, $15 after; trade. 8pm. Club120, 120 Church St. and dark areas, horny men enjoy No cover. blackeagletoronto.com additional $10 for all-night VIP $20, $15 advance. elegy.ca a 50/50 draw, tel-maalish head booth access. club120.ca Dirty Monday DJ Relentless starts Business Woman’s Special: massage and a safe-sex workshop. the week o on the right beat. Pup Night Argo and Sprocket Electric Circus Cassandra Moore Thurs, Jan 8, 8–11pm. Spa Excess, Daytona Bitch and guest perform D’Husky host a night of pup play at performs, while DJs Nino Brown, 105 Carlton St. Regular rates apply. drag on the main stage and host a the Black Eagle Kennel Klub, with Sammy and Diego Armand spin spaexcess.com game show with prizes. 11pm. Crews renovated play room and wrestling some managerial dance beats. & Tangos, 508 Church St. No cover. mats. Pups, handlers and spectators 10pm. Round, 152A Augusta Ave. $6. TNT Naked Night 10pm. Crews & Tangos, 508 Church 10pm–2am. Round, 152A Augusta crewsandtangos.com of all genders and experience roundvenue.com Men are invited to join Totally Naked welcome. 9pm. Black Eagle, 457 St. crewsandtangos.com Ave. $5 before 11pm, $8 after. Toronto for a monthly celebration Church St. blackeagletoronto.com Trade: Underwear Party DJs facebook.com/cherrybombtoronto Tues, Jan 20 of nudism and sex. Tues, Jan 27, DD Whitebread (LA) and Scooter Wed, Jan 14 DJs RRose, Orphx, 7–11pm. Spa Excess, 105 Carlton St. Woody’s Thursday DJ Mark Falco McCreight throw down sexy beats Format 007 Karaoke with Foofer There are Bust out Measure Divide, Frederik Hatsav, Regular rates apply. spaexcess.com provides the beats for the boys in their tighty whiteys. 10pm. Black Toronto Wranglers thousands of songs to choose with some do-si-do at this weekly Mike Gibbs and R&D spin industrial showing their pecs and abs at the Eagle, 457 Church St. $5 before from if you can get the mic o country-western hoedown. 7–10pm. and techno beats. 10pm. Club120, Absolut Best Chest Contest, with midnight, $10 after. facebook.com/ Foofer. 10pm. WAYLA, 996 Queen Zipperz/Cellblock, 2 Carlton St. No 120 Church St. club120.ca $300 in cash up for grabs. Midnight. getsometrade St E. No cover. facebook.com/ THEATRE Woody’s, 467 Church St. No cover. cover. facebook.com/zipperz 4Play: Underwear Party DJ waylabarnounge Buddies Afterhours DJ K-Tel spins woodystoronto.com DJ Cozmic Cat spins John Ca ery is at it again after a Next Stage Festival in Tallulah’s, throwing down top Crooked Soul Varsity Tuesday Sofonda Cox soul, Motown, funk and remixes successful launch. This men-only Some of the best productions 40, dance, house and retro faves, hosts the amateur So You Think You Fri, Jan 9 at a low-key, laid-back night in the event gets guys in their briefs, jocks, from this year’s Toronto Fringe with a di erent drag performance Can Strip? competition, with a $100 west end. 10pm. Crooked Star, 202 union suits or less, with the strict Festival return for encore Fabulous Friday Fierce & Flawless, on the stairs every weekend. cash prize. 11pm. Remington’s, 379 Ossington Ave. No cover. facebook. dress code making sure everyone performances. Runs until Sun, Jan with Ivory Towers, Katherine Hytes 10:30pm. Buddies, 12 Alexander Yonge St. $5 before 11pm, $7 after; com/crookedstarto 18, various showtimes. Factory Dior, Carlotta Carlisle and DJ Chris, St. $5 before midnight, $8 after. Theatre, 125 Bathurst St. $10–15. at 8:30pm; DJ Roxanne in Tangos buddiesinbadtimes.com fringetoronto.com and DJ Relentless in the Zone, Thurs, Jan 15 both at 10pm; Bitch-a-Palooza, Sun, Jan 11 The Danny Show Host Danny with Daytona Bitch, guest Xtacy Her2 Rough House Leathermen and Adhim showcases talented Toronto This Nightwood Theatre production Love and DJ Sarah, at 11:30pm. friends get into all kinds of BDSM comics and performers every week. tells the story of a group of women Crews & Tangos, 508 Church St. play, including saline, percussion 7pm. 120 Diner, 120 Church St. No who form an unbreakable bond crewsandtangos.com play, sounding and suspension at cover. club120.ca when they participate in a clinical this social dungeon-cum-house- Ultimate Thursday Beauty and drug trial for breast cancer. Runs party. 1–5pm. Club120, 120 Church the Bitch, with Daytona Bitch and Tues, Jan 13–Sun, Feb 1, various St. $15. roughhouse.ca, club120.ca Katinka Kature, at 9pm; Ultimate, showtimes. Buddies in Bad Sultry Sunday Diva Supreme, with with DJ Craig Dominic, in Tangos Times, 12 Alexander St. $39–45. Michelle Ross, Alisha Van Horne and and Vocal Rehab karaoke, with buddiesinbadtimes.com DJ Jay, at 8:30pm; Sultry Sunday, Elyse, in the Zone, both at 10pm; Trade — Black with Farra N Hyte, Jada Hudson and Drama Queen, with Ivory Towers Eagle, Sat, Josh Karmin at House Into the Woods in Concert DJ Alex, at 11:30pm. Crews & Tangos, and guest, in Tangos at 11:30pm. Jan 10 Music Anthems — To benefi t local charities, Beyond Crews & Tangos, 508 Church St. 508 Church St. crewsandtangos.com Byzantium, Fri, Jan 16 Boundaries presents the musical crewsandtangos.com Cajo hosts that combines the songs of Karaoke Sunday and belts out some favourite Stephen Sondheim with songs. 9:30pm–1:30am. The Fri, Jan 16 shows his sexy self. 10pm–3am. no cover with student ID before characters from Cinderella, Boat, 158 Augusta Ave. No cover. DFMO DJs John Ca ery and Black Eagle, 457 Church St. 11pm, $2 after. remingtons.com Little Red Riding Hood, Jack theboatkensington.com Phil V throw down tracks to get the $5 before midnight, $10 after. and the Beanstalk and other crowd sucking face and more on the blackeagletoronto.com fairy tales. Sat, Jan 17, 8pm. Wed, Jan 21 dancefl oor. Hosted by David Kraft. Metropolitan Community Mon, Jan 12 Fly Saturday DJ Sumation and Latin Live The best Hispanic talents 10:30pm–3:30am. Black Eagle, Church, 115 Simpson Ave. Woody’s Monday DJ Blue Peter other locals spin house, top 40 and in the city take the stage. Featuring a 457 Church St. $5. $20, $15 arts workers. spins for people taking advantage dance faves. 10:30pm. Fly 2.0, 8 special tapas and trago menu. 7pm. blackeagletoronto.com brownpapertickets.com of the all-night day prices. 8pm. Gloucester St. No cover for fi rst 150 120 Diner, 120 Church St. No cover. Woody’s, 467 Church St. No cover. House Music Anthems before 11:30pm, $10 before 1am, $15 club120.ca after. fl yyyz.com Blithe Spirit woodystoronto.com DJs Josh Karmin and Kevin Bailey College Night DJs Sumation and spin their favourite house beats in Angela Lansbury plays FML Monday Rotating DJs spin Fit DJs Kris Steeves and Phil V werk Cajjmere Wray spin for the favourite the swanky venue. 11pm. Byzantium, the implausible medium top 40, hip hop and dance music it out with house, pop and disco for Hump Day event back where it all 499 Church St. No cover. byz.ca Madame Arcati in Michael for hard-working industry folk the sweaty west-end boys. 10:30pm. started. Check Facebook page for Blakemore’s revival of Noël looking for post-weekend fun. Best Men’s Ass Contest DJ Mark The Beaver, 1192 Queen St W. $5. updates. 10pm. The Marquis of Coward’s beloved comedy. 10pm. Flash, 463 Church St. Falco spins as guys expose their beavertoronto.com Granby, 418 Church St. facebook. Runs Wed, Feb 11–Sun, fl ashonchurch.com plump behinds for the $300 in cash Double Xposure DJ Cajjmere com/collegenightwednesday March 15, various showtimes. prizes. Midnight. Woody’s, 467 Church Wray throws down Nicki Minaj and Princess of Wales Theatre, Tues, Jan 13 St. No cover. woodystoronto.com Rihanna beats while blowing out his 300 King St W. $29–130. Carlotta mirvish.com Industry Night Carlisle, Katherine Hytes Dior, Sat, Jan 17 Brooke Lynn Hytes and Vitality Cherry Bomb DJs Cozmic Cat and Submit your event listing to [email protected]. Black take the drag stage, while Denise Benson spin dancefl oor faves Deadline for the Jan 22 issue is Tues, Jan 13. Elyse warms up the karaoke mic. for queer women and their friends.

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! JAN 8–21, 2015 17 1 3

DEEPBY ROLYN CHAMBERS DISH Fly NYE 3 Skye Stevens and his light-up jacket 4 Logan & Ryan WED, DEC 31, 11:45PM FLY NIGHTCLUB 5 Star & Je rey 2015. 20–15=5. It’s the average age, I think, that most of the Pitbull: Whiteout people in here were when Fly THURS, JAN 1, 12:45AM Nightclub fi rst opened almost THE PHOENIX 15 years ago. Fresh and frisky. We enter good old Fly on this 2015. 20+15=35. It’s the average frightfully cold winter evening age, I think, of most of the men at 11:45pm, and the club is just at Pitbull’s NYE Whiteout party. fi lling up. As we whisk past the Mature and manly. The count- lengthy line to catch the end of down has long since passed and DJ Sumation’s opening set, I the new year has begun as we wish everyone outside a happy make our way into the sea of New Year, knowing that some of white-clothed — and partially these latecomers won’t make it clothed — men on the dance- inside before the clock strikes fl oor of the Phoenix. Promoter midnight. A lineup is the worst Francis Gaudreault gushes about place to be. The other worst his team of go-go guys; they’re place to be as the year begins is wearing matching, sparkly silver outside on the sidewalk having Speedos, and they’re shooting a cigarette. Yes, even though wads of confetti into the crowd 2 4 Fly has a spacious patio where with their massive cannons. everyone has always been al- Some stop to reload while two lowed to smoke, new bylaws guys lie down on the stage to now prevent partygoers from receive intimate midnight kisses doing so. Even though smoking from sweaty admirers on the is the only reason anyone would dancefl oor below. As we cruise need to go out to a patio in the to the beats of DJs John Ca ery middle of a wintery night, the and Shane Stiel and pass by enclosed space in front of the beard after beard after beard, club is blocked o , forcing peo- I wonder if the hot, hairy, moun- ple onto the sidewalk like dis- tain man look will pass this placed homeless hu ers. Inside, year? I predict that handlebar however, the night is about to mustaches trimmed to precision be set on fi re as Sofonda — sur- and waxed with Astroglide will rounded by four backup danc- be the next big gay-daddy look. ers — leads the riotous crowd It’ll be more than a conversation on a 10-second countdown that starter; you’ll actually be able culminates with white balloons to lube up your partner while bursting onto the dancefl oor licking his cornhole. Practical. 5 before her seven-minute show- And speaking of cornholes, a few stopping performance. But guys are wearing nothing but stealing the countdown spotlight butt-exposing, hole-highlighting are dancers Logan and Ryan, jockstraps. I’m not sure how I who break rank to cross the feel about this. We’ve all been on stage and exchange a midnight the dancefl oor when someone kiss in front of the approving lets one rip. A little bit of fabric crowd. I almost forgot that this between you, us and your poten- is a tradition. Another tradition tial fart is, to me, a polite cour- is introducing audiences to new tesy. Unless you’re a go-go guy talent. Tonight it’s American pop on a podium several feet above singer Skye Stevens. Singing my nostrils. Then I’m all for it. his catchy “Pass the Keyz” in a All eyes are on them. This year, light-up leather jacket, he keeps however, all eyes are on you. the energy up post-Sofonda. The 6 Munir, Mitch, Ricky & Elijah night now belongs to headliner 7 Connor & Sterling 8 Brad the DJ Mark Falco. The year, angel 9 Ryan & Christien however, belongs to us. 10 Anthony 11 Rob & Rob 1 Rolyn & Alex 2 Ariel & Tom

Deep Dish appears in every other issue of Xtra. For this week’s Xposed column, by Anna Pournikova, go to dailyxtra.com. 8

18 JAN 8–21, 2015 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS 6 xtralivingtoronto.com

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01_XLT2014-2_Cover.indd 1 14-10-03 3:34 PM A world of gay adventure Travel Sin City’s soft side Skip the casinos and indulge in a luxurious weekend of pampering in Vegas

BRANDON MATHESON meticulous, contemporary elegance. My spacious suite offered a comfort- Perfect pampering Infamous for its reputation as a gam- able living area separated from the Is there any better way to adjust to a bling, boozing and “what happens in bedroom by a console housing back-to- new time zone than with a luxurious spa Vegas, stays in Vegas” party mecca, Sin back flat-screen TVs. A spacious marble treatment? Entering Espa at Vdara at City has been showing a softer side of bathroom had both freestanding walk- 8:30am, I perused a menu of signature late that each year gains in popularity in shower and Roman tub for two. With treatments that included specialties with gay and lesbian travellers: that of a kitchenette and quaint dining area for for both guys and girls. I opted for an upscale, luxury getaway. two, the accommodation reads more 80-minute personalized treatment: Nestled among the more raucous designer apartment than hotel room. traditional Swedish massage, aromatic entertainment palaces are enclaves of Vdara is attracting enough LGBT visi- oils, hot stone massage and full-body serenity and indulgence for mind and tors to register on the company’s radar, salt scrub. Final destination: Heaven. body. A hot-massage stone’s throw off according to David Gonzalez, public On. Earth. Las Vegas Boulevard — aka The Strip — I relations manager for MGM Resorts Rejuvenation continued in the men’s checked into the eco-friendly Vdara Ho- International, which operates Vdara. Of wet spa area, with tea with lavender- Louis Vuitton and Versace. Crystals caramelized foie gras with black-olive tel and Spa, part of the Aria Resort and course, it’s difficult to track who’s gay, infused honey, servings of nuts and is a comfortable walk, or the Bellagio- seasoning, lychee and brioche. From the Casino. Nestled beside the Cosmopoli- but some customers self-identify and fruit, lots of water and invigorating CityCenter-Monte Carlo tram, which wood-burning grill, mains include certi- tan Las Vegas and Bellagio, the Forbes the number of same-sex pairs request- rounds between the steam room, whirl- stops at Vdara, will whisk you there in fied Kobe beef from Japan, an Austra- four-star-award hotel is a smoke-free, ing one bed has increased, according pool and dry sauna. just minutes. lian six-ounce Wagyu filet mignon and no-casino oasis. The vibe and décor are to Gonzalez. If your first-day goal is to relax and A treatment at Espa includes same- a challenging 36-ounce porterhouse; unwind, start with the spa and then day reentry privileges to the wet area, be sure to sample the accompanying spend the afternoon with a good book perfect for a refreshing hot tub or sauna house-made flavoured salts, mustards and great cocktails at Vdara’s spacious after an afternoon poolside or shopping. and steak sauces. Jean Georges is re- pool and lounge-chair area. Start your evening at Aria, with cock- nowned for its Australian tomahawk Vdara is among a small group of hotels tails at Sage, specializing in rare beers chop — a thick, marbled steak roughly that have eschewed the “party pool” for and spirits. Craig Schoettler, Aria’s first the size of an adult’s face with a foot- a more serene setting. It’s social, but “property mixologist,” set out to break long protruding bone handle, it’s eas- relaxation and sun worship trump the the boundaries of modern mixology ily shared. Broiled bone marrow with Weekend at Bernie’s vibe found at some and crafted a menu of sublime cocktails parsley-lemon gremolata and black- hotels. The pool deck affords views of infused with puréed fruit, homemade truffle mac and cheese are wonderful surrounding modern glass architecture bitters and boutique liquors. I fell in side additions. Surf the turf by adding set against a clear blue desert sky, or you love with An Elusive Spring (Buffalo a North Australian lobster tail; colder can opt for more private retreats or spa Trace Aria Select bourbon, blackberry Aussie waters produce a flavour similar cabanas with semi-private plunge pools. syrup, lemon juice, mint bouquet). to Maine or Atlantic Canada lobster. Alternately, check out The Shops For dinner, head upstairs to Jean As the midnight hour approaches, at Crystals, the largest collection of Georges Steakhouse, a world-class steak make your way to the gay nightclubs. Li- luxury brands in Las Vegas, featur- and seafood eatery with a menu of eye- aison at Bally’s is the first gay nightclub ing a shopping list of world-class de- widening delicacies. Jump into the housed inside a casino on The Strip. DJs signer boutiques: Tom Ford, Jimmy starters with Wagyu beef carpaccio with in two separate rooms spin an eclectic BIONDO PRODUCTIONS Steak and sides at Jean Georges Steakhouse. Choo, Tiffany’s, Hermès, Paul Smith, black-truffle fritters and lime salt or mix of hip hop, rap and top 40. Liaison

20 JAN 8–21, 2015 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS SCOTT FRANCES to the 9:30pm show of Le Rêve (The Dream). Chef Joseph Elevado’s modern Asian cuisine complements Andrea’s hip, high-energy dining experience that is integrated with the Surrender night- club. Perfect for sharing are table plates of crispy pork korokke, Wagyu beef tar- tare and seared foie gras bao, or choose from five sashimi dishes. There are no wrong choices on the list of mouthwa- tering mains: Saikyo Miso black cod, five-spice garlic lobster tempura, spicy adobo shrimp and Jidori chicken breast has booth-style seating, multiple bars beauty of Nevada’s desert terrain and all delight. and a stage with surprise live perfor- geological formations. At designated Wynn’s stunningly beautiful water- mances. Not far off The Strip is Share, stopping points, you’ll find nature lovers based Le Rêve blends mystery and ro- with a stylish modern nightclub on the and city slickers scampering along easy mance with gravity-defying acrobatics. first floor and a luxurious and private ul- walking trails, exploring endless gullies Theatre-in-the-round creates an inti- tralounge/bar vibe on the second floor. and crevices or hiking more strenuous mate experience where The Dreamer On Friday nights, a large bizarre clown trails to vantage points with spectacular pulls audiences into the world of the head signals it’s time for Stripper Circus, sightlines. Near the park entrance is a show, especially if you opt for less ex- a sexy show of gyrating go-go dancers discovery centre that provides history pensive front-row seating. Three times that leave little to the imagination. and insight and a gift shop. At $7 per a guest and I have braved the “splash carload (good all day for reentry), the zone” seating and left dry. second most popular tourist site in the If a jaunt to the desert isn’t in the Nature & glamour Las Vegas area is a bargain. cards, daytime attractions from fun After sleeping in late, latte and rental After a few hours communing with to fascinating abound. Head north to car keys in hand, venture just outside nature, plan a swanky evening of refined old Vegas, where the Neon Museum the city limits to experience the seren- dining and breathtaking entertainment and Container Park are must-visits; ity and calm of the desert (minimalists at the Wynn and Encore, spectacles in on the strip, The Linq Promenade and will love it). The majestic Red Rock design and opulence. Combined, they High Roller observation wheel make Canyon National Conservation Area is hold more Forbes five-star awards than for great fun in the sun. Quirky but 29 kilometres from The Strip, an easy any other casino resort in the world, and interesting is the Atomic Testing Mu- 25-minute drive. En route you’ll get a they even boast an “LGBT concierge” to seum to glimpse the impact atomic-age feel for life in Las Vegas’s neighbour- provide guests specialized information. mushroom clouds had on Vegas — and hoods (where liquor stores, drug stores Reserve a 7pm table at Andrea’s at the camp of the Miss Atomic Bomb and shopping are less expensive than Encore, the glamorous Asian-inspired beauty pageant. AL POWERS The Strip). Once at the park, a 32-kilo- restaurant hotelier Steve Wynn named Above left, Temptation Sundays at the Luxor’s fantastic pool. Top, the metre scenic loop showcases the rugged for his wife — and purchase tickets tranquil whirlpool area at Espa at Vdara. Above, high-end shopping at Crystals. continued next page •

MORE AT DAILYXTRA.COM XTRA! JAN 8–21, 2015 21 • continued from previous page with occasional sightings of headliners from The Strip. Full-day rentals of elite deluxe cabanas complete with LCD TVs Saturday excess and refrigerators start at $300. Lounge Commit to a Saturday night out on the in luxury in plush daybeds starting at town Vegas-style: experience cocktails, $150. Bottle service starts at $100. dining and entertainment at the upscale After a day at the pool, book a table Cosmopolitan Las Vegas. To prep, make at Yusho, the Japanese-inspired grill three reservations: tickets to the head- and noodle house at the Monte Carlo. liner at CLV’s Chelsea theatre; pre-show With décor informed by vintage indus- dinner reservations at Rose Rabbit Lie; trial spaces, anime and Japanese ramen and a seat at RRL’s free midnight show shacks, the feeling is airy, bright and ca- Breakfast at Piffany’s. sual. Inspired by his travels throughout Reinventing the social club, Rose Japan, Singapore and mainland China, Rabbit Lie blurs the lines between res- renowned Chicago chef Matthias Merges taurant, bar, cabaret and high-energy crafted his interpretation of traditional dance club. The various club rooms Japanese street food in a menu broken (some hidden and worth searching into five categories: pickles and relish, out) have a seductive cocktail-culture noodles, grilled/fried, steam buns and vibe that shifts from relaxed to raucous; sweets. Meats and veggies are grilled over throughout, casual elegance is enforced an open fire; order the duck breast with by a reasonable dress code (consult shiitake marmalade and Xinjiang lamb RRL’s website before you get there). with cucumber and cumin. Traditional Start the evening at Rose Rabbit Lie, steam buns arrive open-face; crispy cod allowing time for pre-dinner cocktails in and pork shoulder deserve inclusion in the intimate, manor-like Library, then your choices for the three-bun sampler. migrate — cocktail in hand — to your Complement your selections with a side table in the upbeat dining room, with of Yusho’s house pickles or assorted its boisterous live entertainment. For kimchi, and don’t shy away from the tasty a starter, try the snow-pea salad, caviar RYAN FORBES/AVABLU rooster-ball ramen soup — it requires flatbread or crispy oysters Rockefeller. Above, Yusho’s bright modern vibe. Left, a less commitment than the name implies. The Berkshire pork belly, rabbit fricas- cabaret performance at Rose Rabbit Lie. Below, Japanese beer and a large sake selection see and slow-roasted octopus are all Rose Rabbit Lie’s duck confit. Bottom, signature complete the Yusho experience. Ask your French toast at Simon. perfect plates for sharing. For mains, waiter for advice on customized pairings duck-confit pasta or short-rib Stroga- of sake with each dish. noff are highlights among an array of To complete the weekend, head to tantalizing offerings. the Colosseum at Caesars Palace for a With show tickets in hand, head nighttime concert. For gay and lesbian upstairs to The Chelsea theatre, a fans, Caesars has in recent years firmly 40,000-square-foot black-box theatre entrenched itself as the Vegas home of with unobstructed views and sharp the one-name diva-queen residencies: acoustics. We caught Chelsea Handler’s Bette, Cher, Celine, Shania — and Elton. Uganda Be Kidding Me tour; upcoming Late January through March, John will shows include Billy Idol (Feb 21) and perform five decades of hits in his Mil- Amy Schumer (April 24). lion Dollar Piano show. Rod Stewart After The Chelsea, return to the Li- has dates scattered throughout January brary at Rose Rabbit Lie for another and February. For country fans, Reba round of cocktails and an intimate mid- McEntire joins Brooks and Dunn for night show with one of Las Vegas’s most summer 2015 dates. quirky performers. Clad in a kitschy For the perfect final night in Vegas, dragon onesie, Piff the Magic Dragon buy a ticket for Celine Dion’s concert KABIK/RETNA DIGITAL PATRICK TREGENZA (“Maybe you’ve heard of my brother, (she’s on hiatus but will return) at the Puff?”) is infamous for stumping Penn Froot Loops treats, brownies and cot- Colosseum. The show uses modern and Teller with his magic on the British ton candy, and more. Consider enjoying high-tech effects not expected along- TV show Fool Us. Piff performs with Mr Chef’s food poolside: a private cabana at side a large orchestra — from Celine Piffles, the “world’s first magic perform- The Palms’ chic, Hollywood-vibe pool performing inside a massive circular ing chihuahua” — and, if you think magic comes with a $150 minimum food and rainstorm to a mesmerizing optical is for dorks, Piff opened for Mumford & beverage purchase, so if you start with effect in which she performs a duet Sons on their 17-date UK tour. brunch, you’ll be well on your way. with herself in holographic form. Ce- If you’re in the mood for a pool-party line’s sophisticated show, the elegant vibe, in season (Sundays, May through orchestra and the luxury of the Caesars Diva Sunday September, 1–7pm) check out Temp- showroom evokes vintage Vegas: the era Brunch fans flock to Simon at The Palms tation Sundays at the Luxor hotel, of atomic cocktails, dapper suits and to enjoy chef Kerry Simon’s signature Las Vegas’s longest-running gay pool smart evening dresses. approach to American comfort food. party. Hosted by JSon of Naked Boy Las Vegas remains the perfect des- The vast offerings include a buffet and News, Temptation is a sexy social scene tination for a wild weekend of boozing made-to-order fare: French toast, ome- around an expansive pool area. With and gambling, but when you deserve a lets, sushi rolls, salads and carving sta- a vibe more modern nightclub than long weekend of luxury and pampering, tions. Simon’s must-try dish is meatloaf, “boom boom” circuit party, it’s easy to you can #DoVegasDifferently. made from a secret family recipe, served chat with new friends to a soundtrack with mashed potatoes and succotash. A of high-energy music by resident DJ For the most up-to-date travel restaurant staple is the whimsical “junk Matt Lucio and special guest DJs. The information on gay Las Vegas, see our city, listings, events and activ- food platter”: Hostess cupcakes, Sno crowd is a good mix of locals ($10 ad- ities guides at dailyxtratravel.com. Balls, cookies, Rice Krispies squares, mission) and tourists ($20 admission),

22 JAN 8–21, 2015 XTRA! TORONTO’S GAY & LESBIAN NEWS A wor ld of gay adventure Travel Gay Las Vegas Headliners on The Strip have long dished out camp culture and a queer sensibility

BRANDON MATHESON A gay sensibility rests comfortably in plain sight behind the monstrosity of glitz and glam that is Las Vegas. Queer- ness is lost completely on many (most?) tourists doing The Strip. Others are confused about whether they’re wit- nessing gay “that way” — or just the bevy of theatrical oddballs they’d expect to fi nd in Sin City. For decades, the blue-rinse set tine, easily ripping and tossing their thought Liberace was just theatrical. way through 100 skimpy white tanks. They lapped up his frequent procla- Curiously, the star who provoked the mations of heterosexuality, devoutly largest response from the women in the watching a pianist dripping in diamonds crowd was openly gay Jaymes Vaughan, and pink feathers. “And doesn’t his of Amazing Race fame. And surpris- handsome chau eur, Scott, look like a ingly, whether from the stage or in wholesome Midwestern boy?” aisles interacting with the audience, CAROL M HIGHSMITH Wearing red, white and blue sequined many Chippendales acknowledged their Clockwise from above: Roy Horn (left) and Siegfried Fischbacher with their hot pants and jacket patterned after white lion; Liberace — the original Las Vegas diva; Frank Marino as Joan Rivers. gay fans with friendly winks and nods. the Stars and Stripes along with white Any dancer who arrived with anti-gay majorette boots, Liberace marched past Roy show, Roy Horn stumbled mid- business until 2010 and remain fi rmly machismo, apparently, had checked it the double entendre of “pianist” and performance and was dragged o stage entrenched as magic and entertainment at the stage door. an attempt by gossip rag Confi dential by a white tiger named Montecore, which royalty in Vegas history. But no magi- I was in Las Vegas in August 2014 the to out him in 1957 to become, during clutched Roy in his jaws like a kitten. The cian can lay claim to being the gayest day Joan Rivers died. I immediately the height of his fame, the highest-paid cat’s powerful grasp punctured Roy’s show in Sin City. bought tickets to Frank Marino’s show entertainer in the world. neck. He su ered major blood loss and It might surprise some to learn that that night, anticipating a sweet tribute. Liberace defi ned “absolutely fabu- the ravages of a major stroke. the longest-running Vegas headliner is a Marino is famous for his portrayal of lous.” A curious oddity of prissy gayness, Don’t mistake Penn’s comment for drag queen. In 2015, Frank Marino will Rivers, who was a close friend, and FRANKMARINO.COM he laughed all the way to the bank on homophobia; it’s comedy closer to catty celebrate his 30th year performing on performs a “Can we talk?” segment each ticket sales to old Republican women and cutting drag humour, though Penn The Strip — and as “the Queen of Vegas” with world-class circus arts. But some show in character. It was clearly a dif- and their begrudging husbands. Long is the avowed heterosexual in Penn & (his social media moniker). His current of the show’s oddball characters were fi cult night for him, but he was brilliant. before the sadness of his life story Teller. Both rushed to hospital after show, Divas, is a high-end Vegas show- likely delinquents at circus school — out At one point between numbers, Ma- leaked into the tabloids and was drama- their show to join other entertainers room production at The Linq. back in an alley smoking, drinking and rino pokes fun at Elton John’s gay- tized in the fi lm Behind the Candelabra, gathered to support Siegfried Fisch- On two occasions while attending trying to one-up each other in cursing. ness, claiming the extravagant gown Liberace was the original Vegas gay diva. bacher as he awaited Roy’s prognosis. Marino’s show, we’ve shared a classic The sexual language and banter is he is wearing was a hand-me-down He died of AIDS in 1987 but denied his There is a queer sensibility to Penn & showroom banquet with elderly couples for neither the prudish nor the faint of from John. In another showroom, il- gayness to the grave. Teller’s stage show, now in its 13th year in their 60s and 70s who were huge heart. Absinthe’s greasy emcee deliv- lusionist Jan Rouven tells stories of While the Liberace Museum closed at the Rio. It’s cleverly laden with social fans of Marino; we shared stories of ers vulgarities and o ensive quips that his friendship with Siegfried & Roy and in 2010, many of his costumes are on commentary (they’re both libertar- his early days, about seeing him back would make insult comic Lisa Lam- also pokes fun at John’s gayness. The display at The Cosmopolitan Las Ve- ians, atheists and skeptics), wrapped in in the mid-1990s at the Riviera. These panelli blush. German-born magician pulls comedy gas. A foundation formed in 2013 to mesmerizing artistry and Penn’s witty weren’t fans in denial like Liberace’s — Some straight girls are crazy for the from his “English as a second language,” resurrect the museum but within a year narration. They skewer government Marino is gay, gay, gay, and his legions of gay guys. Attending a late-night per- referring to John as “her” and feigning announced that the e ort had failed. interference in our lives, touching on small-town fans — young, old, straight formance of the Chippendales is an innocence at the audience response. In conversation at Toronto’s Massey issues from gun control and religion or gay — love him. energetic and interesting experience. There’s no note of cruelty or belittle- Hall a few years back, an audience mem- to the theatrics of airport security in Situated in front of Caesars Palace Six gay men clustered at cocktail tables ment — Marino’s and Rouven’s banter ber asked Penn Jillette how he and a post-9/11 world. Much glides by the in a large circus tent is Absinthe, the in row two stood out in a sea of raucous is gay camp humour at its fi nest — and his silent partner, Teller, who have first-time tourist; after seeing them critically acclaimed “acro-cabaret” women (many clad in bridal tiaras or a kinship emerges that makes gay audi- performed in Vegas since 1993, rose to perform eight times, I fi nd them clever show by Spiegelworld. You’ll endure sashes) whose frantic energy and deaf- ence members feel welcome. become Sin City’s leading magic act. and entertaining. bum-numbing folding wooden chairs, ening screams outpace anything seen in A queer sensibility abounds in Las Ve- “After a tiger bit the head o a gay guy,” The Siegfried & Roy show at the jammed cheek-by-jowl with your neigh- a gay or straight men’s strip club. gas shows. Perhaps many entertainers, Jillette quipped. Mirage closed immediately after the bour, but every minute is worth it. To thunderous applause, the bu ed like gay people, convey the experience He was referring to a tragic incident accident. The performing and life part- Absinthe, one imagines, is akin to a male beauties danced (far better than of being outsiders in a “normal” world. in 2003 when, during a Siegfried & ners didn’t o cially retire from show Weimar-era German cabaret morphed I was expecting) routine after rou- Though Vegas is far from normal.

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