WELCOME!
TO THE BEST OF GAY TORONTO
Toronto is a thriving Mecca for Canadian gays and International tourists. The Gay Village, galleries, theatres, nightclubs, gay marriage and more!
Let us be your online magazine gay guide to everything gay and gay-friendly in Toronto and also show you some things off the beaten path, that only the locals know about!
We’ll be covering it all!
THE BEST OF GAY TORONTO!
For advertising information and SEO perks for your business,
contact us today!
Michael Snell and Derrick Sorles (773) 878-5323
Email us today
MEMBER
Subscribe via e-mail
Subscribe via RSS
International Gay Travel Guide
GAY TRAVEL on Facebook!
Gay Palm Springs California
Gay Chicago
Best Gay Las Vegas
Gay Fort Lauderdale Florida
Gay Hotels and Accommodations
Gay New York City
Gay Puerto Vallarta Mexico
GAY NEWS That Doesn't Suck!
Best Gay Cities
BEAR Travel
519
Media Partners
A 200 x 200 Sized Ad
>
A 200 x 400 Sized Ad
Copyright Trademark BEST GAY
This work is licensed
under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
Blog Development Consulting Provided by Michael Snell and Derrick Sorles ~ YourBusinessMD's
PLEASE NOTE:
The appearance of any person or business on this site, is not to be taken as any indication of the sexual orientation of such persons or businesses.
DISCLAIMER – Occasionally WE accept free copies of books, cds, dvds for review, restaurant meals to critique, bottles of wine and liquor for tastings, and at times all-expense-paid FAM & PRESS trips and free hotel stays in exchange for articles and our honest reviews about the destinations. WE also accept payment for feature reviews when appropriate.
Famous and historical casinos near Toronto
In 1996 opened the Casino Rama, a two-hour drive from Toronto. Built on Chippewa land, the entertainment complex joins the tribe in business with more commercial gaming operators. There are over 2,500 slot machines and over 100 gaming tables inside the establishment, and for those in search of other entertainment, the 5200 seat Entertainment Centre put on various glamorous shows that visitors can also buy tickets to separately. The hotel inside the complex offers 300 rooms, a spa and a health club. There are also almost ten excellent restaurants, if there’s time to eat between the gaming and the relaxing.
As many of the casinos of Ontario were built in the 90s, the Casino Niagara shares its opening year with Casino Rama. It’s located at the stunning Niagara Falls, an hour and a half from Toronto, and it was built on the historic Maple Lear Village amusement park. One interesting historical fact is that Casino Niagara was the first in Canada to offer electronic roulette to its customers, being a forerunner in the current trend of less physical gaming and even the preference to game online on sites like http://www.ipadcasino.ca instead of gaming in a landbased casino. For the more traditional gamer, Casino Niagara houses more than a thousand slots games, and over 40 table games. As an interesting addition they also offer sports betting.
The 3rd Annual Queering Black History Month
Inside Out LGBT Film and Video Festival 2013
will take place this year May 23-June 2. Inside Out is a not-for-profit registered charity that exists to challenge attitudes and change lives through the promotion, production and exhibition of film and video made by and about lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people of all ages, races and abilities.
For more than two decades, Inside Out has brought Toronto's LGBT community together in celebration of the best queer film from Canada and around the world. Through our annual Festivals in Toronto and Ottawa, our filmmaker initiatives, our youth engagement and our year-round events and screenings, Inside Out is engaged every day in challenging attitudes and changing lives. INSIDE OUT
Barbra Streisand Announces Concert Date for Toronto
The magic of Barbra Streisand in concert continues this fall with the addition of NEW live performances in the US and Canada with special guests Chris Botti and Il Volo!
| DATE | CITY | VENUE | FAN PRE-SALE | PUBLIC ON SALE |
| Oct. 8 | Philadelphia, PA | Wells Fargo Center | Aug. 9, 10 am ET | Aug. 11, 12 pm ET |
| Oct. 17 | Montreal, QC | Bell Centre | Aug. 9, 10 am ET | Aug. 13, 10 am ET |
| Oct. 20 | Ottawa, ON | Scotiabank Plaza | Aug. 9, 10 am ET | Aug. 13, 10 am ET |
| Oct. 23 | Toronto, ON | Air Canada Centre | Aug. 9, 10 am ET | Aug. 13, 10 am ET |
| Oct. 26 | Chicago, IL | United Center | Aug. 9, 10 am CT | Aug. 13, 10 am CT |
Details will be released soon on where to buy tickets online, but in the mean time, there is a special offer for Barbra's most loyal fans... A limited number of tickets will be available before the public on sale date through an exclusive Fan Pre-Sale, and we'll distribute the password for the Pre-Sale through the Barbra Streisand Mailing List.
The Fan Pre-Sale password will be emailed early on the morning of August 9th to subscribers of the Barbra Streisand Mailing List, so make sure to sign up if you haven't already and check your email inbox early on August 9th for the first chance to purchase tickets!
Pin Button Project Brings GAY PRIDE Past to Present
(CLGA).
The project is an online gallery exhibition that features pin buttons from the archives’ vast collection, and invites visitors to share their personal stories and interact with the hundreds of pin buttons collected over the CLGA’s history.
For decades, buttons have symbolized political statement pieces worn by the masses to spread
awareness during specific campaigns worldwide. Since its original design patent in 1896, the simple
communication abilities of a single button have survived the test of time. Specifically for the LGBT
community, buttons have been used for a variety of reasons ranging through forms of protest, to
conveying messages without use of the spoken word. Creator William Craddock comments, “The Pin
Button Project is about sharing history through the display of photographs of pin buttons that represent
a range of causes, events, organization, and identities from our various pasts. It's about provoking
memory and inviting individuals to share their memories with others. It's a place for discussion about
the past - and about the present. And it is, of course, a place to look at and enjoy all of the visual
appeal that these buttons from the past have to offer.”
The CLGA has a history of providing ground-breaking innovative exhibits to the Toronto art scene: The
Pin Button Project marks a new online initiative to spread awareness and content. Dennis Findlay, VP
of the CLGA remarks: “I have two major hopes for the site. First, that its existence allows these archival
objects and the discussion around them to extend the reach of the CLGA across Canada, and even
beyond. Given the limitations of access to the CLGA by individuals outside of Toronto, it's important
that we work to extend channels of communication and engagement with our fellow Canadians. My
second hope is that the project, by engaging visitors in telling their own stories and sharing their
opinions, that we will collect a wealth of diverse histories and ideas that help us to better know and
remember the past. Our history books and documentary films are often filled with colourful accounts by
our communities' prominent figures, but I hope this website opens up these accounts to the stories of
everyone else, those who weren't necessarily on the front-line on a rally, but who may remember
carrying a placard in the back of the crowd.”
The Pin Button Project launches on Friday, June 29th, 2012 with a public reception at the Canadian
Lesbian and Gay Archives (34 Isabella St., 3rd Floor) from 6:00 to 9:00pm. Complimenting the launch
will be interactive button design stations and social media integration – providing a true multiplatform
experience for all guests. For more information, visit Pinbuttons.ca.
About The Pin Button Project:
The Pin Button Project is an online interactive exhibition and oral history project featuring pin buttons
from the Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives. Viewers engage by asking questions, stating opinions,
and sharing their own stories.
About Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives
The Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives was established to aid in the recovery and preservation of
LGBT histories. Its mission: to acquire, preserve, organize, and give public access to information and
materials in any medium, by and about LGBT people, primarily produced in or concerning Canada. To
support this function, the Archives also maintain significant non-archival collections, which include a
research library, international subject files, and an international collection of queer periodicals. It is the
CLGA’s mandate to make this information available to the public for education and research. Over the
years, the CLGA has helped hundreds of people - students, artists, journalists, lawyers, filmmakers
complete numerous projects inside and outside of the LGBT community.
Website: Pinbuttons.ca (official site launch: June 29, 2012)
Twitter: @PinButtons
Facebook: http://facebook.com/ThePinButtonProject
New York Couple for Toronto Gay Pride Parade Wedding
Tourism Toronto and Pride Toronto are hosting a New York City based contest, marrying one lucky LGBTQ couple during Toronto’s 2012 Pride Festival.
Toronto’s Pride Festival is among the largest in the world, attracting an estimated one million people with visitors from all over the globe. This year’s festival starts on June 22 and concludes with the marquee event, the Toronto Pride Parade, on July 1. The winning couple will receive an exclusive wedding gift from Tourism Toronto, including two round trip Executive Class airline tickets from New York City to Toronto on Air Canada, wedding attire, hotel accommodations at the luxurious Windsor Arms Hotel, ground transfers, marriage ceremony as part of the Pride Parade, and more, valued at more than $20,000.
“Toronto is the first jurisdiction in North America to conduct same sex marriages and continues to be one of the hottest destinations for gay couples,” said David Whitaker, President & CEO of Tourism Toronto. “We are proud of the decade long legacy of gay marriage in Toronto.” Kevin Beaulieu, Executive Director, Pride Toronto said “Pride Toronto is pleased to once again partner with Tourism Toronto inviting people to join us in Canada’s largest celebration of LGBTQ history, courage, and diversity. Our marketing partnership with Tourism Toronto is building momentum in out of town markets as we move towards our World Pride celebrations in 2014.”
If you know someone in NEW YORK, TELL THEM!
Rainbow (LGBTQ) Workshop Day at Toronto Bike Pirates
DID YOU KNOW?
There is a Rainbow (LGBTQ) Workshop Day
at Bike Pirates (of Toronto).
Bike Pirates is a completely volunteer-run
organization that provides a
Do-It-Yourself workspace where you can:
- Learn bicycle maintenance
- Work on your own bike on a drop-in basis
- Build up a new bicycle from scratch
They also sell new and used parts, and even fully refurbished used bicycles.
We have striven to create an inclusive welcome space for all kinds of people to learn about their bicycle and maintaining it. A new portion of our programming is to include a specific time for members of the LGBTQ community to come into our space and become more empowered about bicycles. It will be staffed by LGBTQ and ally members of our volunteer group.
This new workshop-format event will take place every Third Wednesday of the month, from 6pm to 9pm.
Our Mission for this event is: To provide a safe inclusive space for those with a common interest in cycling, and to share skills through workshops and events.
Our Vision for this event is: To promote cycling among the LGBTQ community and to promote a sense of community among cyclists.
The first workshop will be on January 18, from 6pm to 9pm. This workshop will be on Preparing for winter: Taking care of your bike, and YOU the cyclist, during harsh winter conditions. Please join us!
Please note that during this time, the space is reserved for LGBTQ folks and will be closed to ordinary DIY participants.
1292 Bloor St. West
Privacy Policy
We collect information from you when you subscribe to our newsletter.
When ordering or registering on our site, as appropriate, you may be asked to enter your: name or e-mail address. You may, however, visit our site anonymously.
What do we use your information for?
Any of the information we collect from you may be used in one of the following ways:
; To administer a contest, promotion, survey or other site feature
; To send periodic emails
The email address you provide may be used to send you information, respond to inquiries, and/or other requests or questions.
How do we protect your information?
We implement a variety of security measures to maintain the safety of your personal information when you enter, submit, or access your personal information.
We offer the use of a secure server. All supplied sensitive/credit information is transmitted via Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology and then encrypted into our Payment gateway providers database only to be accessible by those authorized with special access rights to such systems, and are required to?keep the information confidential.
After a transaction, your private information (credit cards, social security numbers, financials, etc.) will not be stored on our servers.
Do we use cookies?
We do not use cookies.
Do we disclose any information to outside parties?
We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer to outside parties your personally identifiable information. This does not include trusted third parties who assist us in operating our website, conducting our business, or servicing you, so long as those parties agree to keep this information confidential. We may also release your information when we believe release is appropriate to comply with the law, enforce our site policies, or protect ours or others rights, property, or safety. However, non-personally identifiable visitor information may be provided to other parties for marketing, advertising, or other uses.
Third party links
Occasionally, at our discretion, we may include or offer third party products or services on our website. These third party sites have separate and independent privacy policies. We therefore have no responsibility or liability for the content and activities of these linked sites. Nonetheless, we seek to protect the integrity of our site and welcome any feedback about these sites.
Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act Compliance
We are in compliance with the requirements of COPPA (Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act), we do not collect any information from anyone under 13 years of age. Our website, products and services are all directed to people who are at least 13 years old or older.
Online Privacy Policy Only
This online privacy policy applies only to information collected through our website and not to information collected offline.
Your Consent
By using our site, you consent to our web site privacy policy.
Contacting Us
If there are any questions regarding this privacy policy you may contact us using the information below.
US
bestgaycities@gmail.com
773-878-5323
This policy is powered by Free Privacy Policy and Rhino Support. Compare Rhino Support to Zen desk and save!
CONTACT US
Welcome to Best Gay Toronto! If you don't find what you are looking for, let us know!
This site is dedicated to bringing you fun and exciting photos and the best gay travel information about exciting Toronto LGBT friendly places and gay events and gay news.
We have about a dozen sites around gay information and people from around the world call us for potential advertising opportunities. We sell display ad space, text link advertising, and sponsored posts.
Our pink crown and BEST GAY slogan is becoming a widely-recognized brand in LGBT travel and news. Covering travel information as well as local, national and international news.
In 2012 we trademarked the name BEST GAY and officially became BEST GAY INC.
Michael Snell
Derrick Sorles
773-878-5323
BestGayCities (at) gmail dot com
Gay Penguins At Toronto Zoo are Being Split Up
Pedro, 10, and Buddy, 20, have formed a close bond since their arrival at Toronto Zoo in May as part of a breeding program, the National Post reported.
"The two girls have been following them, we just have to get the boys interested in looking at them," Tom Mason, curator of birds and invertebrates at the zoo, said.
Mason said that if the penguins were not an endangered species the zoo would be happy to "let them do their thing".
Pedro and Buddy's separation will only last as long as they can inseminate their respective female partners -- while incubating eggs, the two may well be back "side by side."
Once breeding season is up, Pedro and Buddy will "probably" ditch their female partners and reunite, according to Bill Rapley, executive director for conservation, education and wildlife at the zoo.
UPDATE -
Polled as to whether the zoo was doing the right thing, nearly 34,000 TODAY.com readers responded – and an overwhelming majority of 83.4 percent said that the birds of a feather should stay together. “They are happy and healthy, leave them alone,” MemoryintheMachine commented. “They chose, we need to respect that!” jag24659 agreed.
Well, everyone can rest easy: The Toronto Zoo says the penguin pals will be reunited by spring 2012. “There will be a limited time of separation, but it will not be permanent,” Tom Mason, the zoo's curator of invertebrates and birds, told PinkNews.co.uk. “If Pedro and Buddy wish to get back together, they will be welcome to do so.”
Participants Needed For Gay Mens Sexuality Study in Toronto
Are you an HIV-negative gay or bisexual man?
Sometimes nervous in dating or sexual situations?
Ever drink alcohol or use drugs to take the edge off in social or sexual situations?
If you answered “yes” to these three questions, you may qualify for our research study that aims to help participants feel more comfortable in social and sexual situations.
WHAT YOU GAIN:
Free counselling sessions with a psychotherapist.
Financial compensation for your time.
WHAT WE GAIN:
A better understanding of the sexual health needs of gay and bisexual men to help us develop programs to serve you better.
If you are interested in participating in our study,
please contact Natalie at
416-979-5000 ext. 1-2179 or
email sexualhealthlab @ gmail.com
Study approved by Ryerson University Research Ethics Board.
Toronto Nuit Blanche All Night Art Event Oct. 1
arrived when Nuit Blanche happens!
For one sleepless night experience the city transformed by hundreds of artists for Toronto's sixth annual sunset-to-sunrise celebration of contemporary art.
Discover art in galleries, museums and unexpected places. From a streetcar, alleyways and storefronts to churches, ponds and parks, choose from more than 130 destinations and chart your own path.
One night only. All night long. Oct. 1, 6:59PM - Sunrise.
FOR 2011 - Discover more than 130 free and accessible contemporary art projects within three zones. Each zone features a mixture of Exhibition Projects and Independent Projects.
Some works encourage an intimate, evocative encounter with art, while others will wow you with large-scale interactive spectacle.
As a centrepiece to the event, the City of Toronto has produced a special project for 2011. Visit Toronto City Hall for Flightpath Toronto, a soaring installation by Usman Haque and Natalie Jeremijenko.
Drink Coffee and STAY UP!!
Toronto Pride event in support of NOH8 Campaign and Jer’s Vision
"What could be better than having fun and giving back at the same time?"- With Same-sex marriage and gays in the military remain on the political front burner, general education and anti-discrimination campaigns have recently drawn a wider audience. With the number of teen suicides that have occurred as of late, it is no wonder that so many have decided to stand up and pay attention. It is charities like NOH8 and Jer’s Vision that are ensuring that real progress occurs. The NOH8 Campaign is a photographic silent protest created by celebrity photographer Adam Bouska in direct response to the passage of Proposition 8. Photos feature subjects with duct tape over their mouths, symbolizing their voices being silenced by Prop 8 and similar legislation around the world, with "NOH8" painted on one cheek in protest. The NOH8 Campaign has grown to over 13,000 faces of politicians, military personnel, newlyweds, law enforcement, artists, celebrities, and many more; and continues to grow at an exponential rate. Jer's Vision is a world leader in anti-bullying and anti-discrimination programming. The organization is youth led and looks at diversity inclusively, (including homophobia, sexism, racism...) in parallel and through their intersections (ex. how sexism and racism affects a woman of color). Jer’s Vision runs programming all over Canada and the United States, working with over 75,000 people annually. Jer's Vision also is the proud leader of the International Day of Pink (DayOfPink.org), engaging millions of people in wearing pink and running programs that stand up to bullying. Taking place on Sunday July 3rd 2011, the event is being held at Toronto's hottest new boutique hotel, Hotel Ocho, the event will feature a Black Carpet, tunes by internationally known DJs Designer Imposter (New York) and Betti Forde (Toronto), with the city’s favourite hosting duo Chrys & Kris. The event will also play host to a slew of special guests including actress Nicole Piña of The Lovers and Friends Show. Guests will be treated to a completely unique experience with will include live nail art by guerrilla image squad, the |WÖR|iors, and the opportunity to purchase Pride themed items from event supporters like foodFIGHT, Girls Like Us, F! and more. The proceeds from the sale of each item going directly to the NoH8 Campaign. Custom cocktails and delicious hor d'oeuvres will round out this chic evening. The event will definitely be the perfect way to close Toronto Pride this year!
that’s the idea behind T.G.I. SWAGGER 2011, taking place at Hotel Ocho on July 3, from 9pm. T.G.I. SWAGGER is being held in support of the NOH8 Campaign and Jer's Vision.
Toronto Pride Video Showcases Diversity NOT Stereotypes
Tourism Toronto, in partnership with Pride Toronto, launched its P90X parody Pride Pump 2000x, filled with a mix of gays and lesbians and the workouts are led by the dainty, over-sexed, workout-obsessed pretty boy.
In the video, instructor Brody wears skintight shorts to show off his glistening oil-rubbed skin, promoting a gym lifestyle centred on the fact that many gay men and women want is “the best chest.” Amid “sparkle crunches,” a “disco break,” a “bear” appearance and a lesbian who is grossed out by a penis (aren't most women??) - I THINK IT'S CUTE AND FUNNY.
Stereotypes... exist for a reason people!
Where is your sense of humor? Stereotypes exist because they sometimes are accurate. If there weren't enough true examples around, nobody could create a "stereotype" to begin with. The stereotype might not be true ALL the time, but it's true often enough to give it solid purchase in people's perceptions.
Do you not know a gym obsessed, weight obsessed, or a fem guy?
WATCH THE PRIDE PUMP VIDEO
3rd Annual Toronto TRIGGER Festival – Militantly Unapologetic, Radically Queer
The militantly unapologetic and radically queer, survivor-centric TRIGGER Festival is provoking Toronto audiences for a third year this June 16th, 17th and 18th with an incredible schedule of local, provincial, national and international professional artists.
TRIGGER hosts three incredible nights of film, theatre, performance, installation, music and discussion at The Steelworkers Hall and Raging Spoon reclaiming the notion of queer survival through art as activism and activism as art.
hosts three incredible nights of film, theatre, performance, installation, music and discussion at The Steelworkers Hall and Raging Spoon reclaiming the notion of queer survival through art as activism and activism as art.Thursday, June 16th opens TRIGGER with a film festival evening highlighting the inspirational new San Francisco films 50faggots by Randall Jenson and 4Play by Kyle Henry, the Australian short doc Every Ho I Know Says So and Vivek Shraya’s Seeking Single White Male featured at this year’s Inside Out.
On Friday, June 17th TRIGGER opens the evening with Bait, a one woman play chronicling the 2010 Jamaican military incursion events written and performed by dub poet D-lishus, seen at Mayworks, Ladyfest, TRIGGER 2010. Toronto based dance crew Ill Nana and Mr. Rubber Toronto Mikiki perform alongside BC award winning artist Jody Franklin who founded MungBeing Magazine and The Misfit Library Literary Journal and has been featured on CBC Radio for his evocative art. African American Chicago based storyteller Ni’Ja Whitson who founded And What?! American hip hop group well known for her African Diaspora work with Columbia College, About Face Theatre and queer institution Andrew Harwood co-founder of TAAFI are showcased amongst an entire line up of powerful artists in the interactive performance extravaganza.
The final closing party takes place at Raging Spoon on Saturday June 18th after a full day of workshops celebrating queer survival with Toronto Vogue troupe Kiki House of Pink Lady, Toronto/Montreal’s Yamantaka Sonic Titan band who recently premiered their no wave opera at Toronto Underground Cinema, soul tech trio LAL recently featured in Mayworks, NOW Magazine, World Performing Arts Festival in Pakistan and Dainty Smith Xtra! Writer, actor and professional burlesque performer.
TRIGGER FESTIVAL
BestGayToronto.com
Gay Pride and Deals to Amsterdam for August
Amsterdam Pride is one of the biggest and most special gay prides around the globe! With street parties all weekend long, the best club circuit parties and of course the famous Canal Parade on Saturday.
Last year Amsterdam Gay Pride drew in a record amount of visitors. Some 500,000 people watched the Canal Parade, where a record 80 boats took part.
Our friends at Travel Leaders have negotiated amazing rates for an 8-day/6 night package running from August 1-8th.
Roundtrip airfare from Boston (other departure gateways available, pricing upon request)
6 nights hotel – city center near all attractions
Roundtrip airport/hotel transfers
All taxes and surcharges
Local escort from Travel Leaders to show you around
The price is $1998.00 per person based on double occupancy.
This is an awesome way to experience Amsterdam and Pride!
Call David for all of the details 1-800-942-1280 or email him.
Join DAVE for an unforgettable 8-day/6-night getaway to exciting and beautiful AMSTERDAM, a city that is easy to get around by bike, canal boat or on your own two feet! You will be impressed with its eclectic architecture, excellent museums, mazes of canals, great shopping and its SERIOUS PARTY SCENE! The mix of people and cultures is like no other in Europe.
Come with me and be introduced to the unique history, PARTY SCENE and spirit of Amsterdam - from the historical city center to the heart of the famous RED LIGHT DISTRICT to the many "COFFEE SHOPS" to the AMSTERDAM PRIDE festivities - you will be amazed at its unique, laissez faire attitude. You won't be disappointed.
AUGUST 1 - BOSTON - AMSTERDAM: Depart Boston's Logan International Airport aboard your overnight, transatlantic
flight to Amsterdam with full meal and beverage service available. (other departure cities available).
AUGUST 2 - AMSTERDAM: Morning arrival at Schipol airport in Amsterdam where we board our private motor coach for
the drive into Amsterdam. We will check in @ a deluxe hotel the heart of Amsterdam.
AUGUST 3-7 - AMSTERDAM: Buffet breakfast is included at our hotel each day and all other meals are on your own. All days
are at leisure to explore Amsterdam. Dave can assist you in choice of activities. Enjoy the many Amsterdam PRIDE festivities
- throughout the city and the famous Canal Parade on Saturday, August 6. Thousands from around the world flock to
Amsterdam for the many parties, street festivals and other special events.
AUGUST 8 - AMSTERDAM-BOSTON: Buffet breakfast and hotel check-out. Transfer to the Amsterdam airport to board our
return flight to Boston with full meal and beverage service.
This is an awesome way to experience Amsterdam and Pride!
Call David for all of the details 1-800-942-1280 or email him. 
Casper Andreas Shows GOING DOWN IN LA LA LAND inToronto May 22
Going Down in LA-LA Land
premiered at this year’s Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival in Miami as the coveted final night feature this week. And got RAVE REVIEWS!
It will show in TORONTO May 22nd, and Casper will be in town for the screening!
Going Down in LA-LA Land
TIFF Bell Lightbox Cinema 1
Sunday May 22 | 9:15pm
Based on the novel penned by Andy Zeffer, this film explores the ups and down, and trials and tribulations of trying to make it in Hollywood. What would you do to survive and achieve your ultimate dream?
Directed by Casper Andreas, the film stars Matthew Ludwinski as “Adam,” a Hollywood newbie looking to get his start in the world of lights—camera—action.
Adam is a recent transplant from New York City who has arrived in Los Angeles to make it big as an actor. Unfortunately, he shares his dream with thousands of other out-of-work actors, and when he lands a job as a production assistant at a porn company he is initially adamant that he is going to stay behind the scenes. It isn't long, however, before the lure of extra cash sees Adam stepping in front of the camera and eventually turning to escorting.
We recently caught up with Matthew to talk about his starring role, the steamy sex scenes and working with Casper Andreas.
"I know what it's like to feel objectified. I know what it's like to feel used. I know what it's like to feel desperate. And every actor has thought at some point about the casting couch, and has had the thought, "I wonder if it is possible to sleep my way to the top?"
"But really his whole journey from arriving to
When asked - What was it like working with director
Including Slutty Summer
and A Four Letter Word
Check out their
Facebook Page and keep up on all of the news and interviews!
Watch for this film to come to your town!
We'll be covering it all this summer!
It is the #1 Must See Gay Film of the year!
(it's in Boston this weekend!)
BUY THE BOOK!
Casper's latest DVD ......
Kaboom! The Films of Gregg Araki April 8 - 20
of Gregg Araki’s urgent and
indispensable cinema arrives at
TIFF Bell Lightbox this Spring.
Still one of the most unconventional and relentlessly intriguing voices in independent cinema, Araki’s oeuvre intertwines themes of tragic romantic love and alienated youth set against the backdrop of post-punk anthems, hyper-stylized Valley Girl vocabulary and eye-popping art direction.
His radical explorations of sexuality as mutable and unpredictable continue to push boundaries throughout his tenth feature, Kaboom, one of the unquestionable hits of last year’s Cannes Film Festival.
The film will have its theatrical release at TIFF Bell Lightbox on April 8 and launches a full retrospective of his films which includes his debut feature, the Warhol-inflected Three Bewildered People in the Night (1987); the celebrated abuse drama Mysterious Skin (2004), featuring Joseph Gordon-Levitt; Splendor (1999), a screwball comedy that uniquely meshes the worlds of Preston Sturges and Jean-Luc Godard; Smiley Face (2007), his beloved slap-happy stoner comedy; Totally F***ed Up (1993), an expedition into the melancholic teenage wasteland of the ’90s; and Nowhere (1997), the Araki-described ‘Beverly Hills 90210 on acid’ starring Shannen Doherty, Rose McGowan, Ryan Phillippe, Heather Graham, Mena Suvari and Christina Applegate.
Gregg Araki will also join TIFF Bell Lightbox Artistic Director Noah Cowan on April 9, 2011 for an in-depth look at his career – from his scrappy beginnings to his current status as one of the recognized pioneers of American independent cinema.
Kaboom kicks off the movie week on April 8th. Gregg Araki returns with a giddy vengeance with his wild new comedy, which shoves a typically Arakian crew of frequently stoned, sexually fluid San Fernando Valley dwellers up against portents of conspiracy and apocalypse. When a sweetnatured, bisexual punk-waif and his tart-tongued lesbian pal arrive for their freshman year at a southern California college, they embark on a lively round of experimentation with sex and substances.
However, their frolics take on a more ominous cast when dream visions, mysterious messages and threatening figures in animal masks seem to foreshadow dark times on the horizon. Unapologetically libidinous and hilarious, Kaboom s perhaps the first great paranoiac-dystopian sex comedy in the history of cinema.
Details, showtimes and tickets online!
Toronto Mayor Threatens Gay Pride Parade Funding
You may recall all of the drama last summer when Pride Toronto's leadership abdicated its responsibility as organizers of the city's gay pride festivities by allowing a controversial group called Queers Against Israeli Apartheid (QuAIA) to march in the annual parade.
Outraged pro-Israel and anti-discrimination groups, as well as city politicians, pressured Pride Toronto to reverse its decision, which it did, before flip-flopping at the last minute and allowing QuAIA to march.
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford says he will withhold more than $100,000 in city funding to the annual gay pride parade if an anti-Israel group again is allowed to participate.
Ford, who was elected on a right-wing, waste-slashing agenda last November, told the Canadian Jewish News last week that he will cut funding to the annual Pride Toronto event if Queers Against Israeli Apartheid is allowed to participate in this summer's parade.
"Taxpayers dollars should not go toward funding hate speech," Ford told the weekly, repeating a pledge he made while campaigning for the mayor's post.
Pride Toronto received $123,807 from the city last year.
Writer Terry Levine says, " One can legitimately oppose Israel's occupation of the West Bank -- I do and have done so vocally -- but for purported gay activists to be so blinded by their pro-Palestinian views that they, to paraphrase the quote above, bark at the finger of gay-friendly Israel while overlooking the glaring moon of Arab and Muslim intolerance toward gays is ridiculous.
If QuAIA members want to protest in front of the Israeli embassy or board the next flotilla to Gaza, they're welcome to. But to spray their venom at an event that celebrates gay pride and the struggle for gay rights is obscene."