World Pride is in Toronto this year and people are coming from all over to celebrate and attend parades and parties on Church Street. There are lots of events happening in Ossington Village also! Pride officially runs June 20-28, but there are some affiliated events beginning as early as tonight.
That’s right, get over to The Ossington on Wednesday, June 18 for a special edition of the storytelling show “Tales of Toronto” – Tales of Pride! It starts at 8PM and is pay-what-you-can.
One big event this weekend is a new city-wide all night art party called Nuit Rose, on Saturday, June 21st. Called a queer focused contemporary art event, there are exhibits on Church Street, plus there is a West Queen West brach. That hub is at The Gladstone Hotel and other local spots include Artscape Youngplace, The Theatre Centre and MOCCA. This one-night extravaganza celebrating World Pride features photography. painting and sculpture exhibits and installations and performances and runs from 7PM Saturday night through until 3AM Sunday morning.
Another happening this weekend that’s a little outside the box but still tying itself to Pride is Unleashed in The City’s Pup Pride Event in the Dogbowl at Trinity Bellwoods Park. This Sunday, June 22 at 1pm, bring your pups to the park for races, goody bags and conversation. It’s an open event, so if you have a dog and are in the area, head over and say hi!
Next week, The Garrison is hosting three nights of Pride parties. Stiff Cocks kicks off the weekend on Thursday, June 26th with several DJs and a fundraiser for the Friends for Life Bike Rally. On Friday night, the club becomes Electric Circus with more DJs and lots of dancing. Finally, the Saturday night event is Hotnuts World Pride. All events go late – The Garrison has extended hours until 4am for Pride.
Know of any local Pride events we may have missed? Please share in the comments or via our Facebook or Twitter and have fun out there!