Java Knights: Gay Travel 5 Guest Panelists

Tuesday May 27, 2008 - Queer Public Forum @ Gladstone Hotel - Art Bar Toronto

GUEST SPEAKERS

Julia Steinecke

Julia Steinecke is the author of Pink Planet, a monthly travel column in the Toronto Star newspaper(www.thestar.com/opinion/columnists/94592) which covers places as diverse as Slovenia, San Francisco and Mexico City.

Steinecke is the new editor of Verge Magazine (http://www.vergemagazine.org/). She is also half of the Zwei Teriak performance poetry duo, with Terence Go. Visit her at http://www.juliast.net/





Greg Kozdrowski

Greg Kozdrowski is the Managing Director of Toronto-based Rainbow High Vacations and the gay and lesbian travel site Conxity.com. Conxity is the first to let consumers book “mainstream” and queer travel options on a single site. Rainbow High Vacations/Conxity is located in Toronto’s old traditional gay neighbourhood at 506 Church Street. The company is owned and operated by gay men and lesbians who are experts in both gay travel options as well as the issues that gays and lesbians encounter as they travel around the world. www.conxity.com/index.php www.rainbowhighvacations.com/



Bump TV - Eric Blais and Polly Washburn

Bump TV (http://www.bumptv.com/). Bump! is the world’s first gay and lesbian travel and lifestyle television series. It is unique and international in scope. In each episode Bump! presents a new gay-friendly destination in a stylish and upbeat format.

Eric Blais, Director Digital Media at Peace Point Entertainment Group Inc. and Polly Washburn a Toronto screenwriter, screenwatcher, and film-and-television-maker and Associate Producer (odyssia.blogspot.com) will show collage of DVD clips not more then 10 to 15 min.


Rick Hulbert



Rick Hulbert - Rick Hurlbut hails fromVancouver, BC a GLBT Travel & Tourism Analyst & Commentator, member of IGLTA, owns the consultancy Pride Enterprises Ltd., and holds shares in Out in Canada Magazine and Toronto-based Rainbow High Vacations.


Each panelist will be given 5-10 minutes to discuss their expertise, followed by a moderator session of questions, before being opened to the public for a Q&A period.

Why should I attend a Queer West's - Java Knights Public Forum? Men and women choose to take part in our workshops and discussion group for a whole variety of reasons. These include to: (1) Gain peer support. (2) Build on communication and other skills. (3) Increase knowledge and obtain information. (4) Increase self confidence and self esteem. (5) Meet new people.(6) Share personal experiences in a safe and supportive environment. (7) Java Knights is not a dating club but its a great place to make new friends. We do acknowledge that many intimate, romantic relationships and platonic friendships have develop within the group.

Attending at Java Knights event is a nice opportunity to communicate worthwhile thoughts, in a rather delirious queer world, that is in need of a new focus


THE DETAILS: Gladstone Hotel Art Bar - 1214 Queen St W at Dufferin -- FREE, fresh finger food served and soft drinks, cash bar. Event runs from 7 PM to 9 PM. Street Map Please RSVP- ASAP seating limited to 30 - Bryen javaknights@hotmail.com or Call 416-551-1709.

Homepage: http://gaywest.905host.net/files/javaknights.php

Queer West Film Fest: Toronto June 18, 2008

Wednesday June 18 - 1st annual Queer West Film Fest @ Good Catch General Store 1556 Queen St. W Parkdale in the Queer West Village. Doors at 9 pm show 9:30 pm An outdoor private theatre, 60 seats only. PWYC. http://www.goodcatch.ca/

5 to 15 minute Film Submissions accept by underground queer indie auteurs to be accepted

Submit Your 5-15 minute Video Shorts - Deadline May 31, 2008 - - Entry forms are available at Good Catch General Store, 1556 Queen St. W. or download: http://gaywest.905host.net/files/pubs/QWFF_2008_entry_form.pdf

Film Entry Fee: $10 You can drop DVD film and entry fee, off at Good Catch. or Mail your DVD film to Box 204 Station C., Toronto ON M6J 3M9

Make you cheque or money order payable to Gay West Community Network Inc. Gay West is a not-for profit Queer Arts Centre.

Event Hosts: Nate Fuks and Michel Paré gaywest_toronto@yahoo.ca - 416-551-1709 (ext 1) Queer West Board Members are always looking for ways to do a little fund-raising, that's fun and cheap for you and making a little profit for The Network. We have some great sponsors for our first year, who like what we are doing. So we will be promoting them too.

Program Manager, Forest Lightbody, is on the selection committee for the annual Toronto Inside Out Film Festival (www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=676075710&ref=ts). or DJ 4est http://www.myspace.com/themockstar

Material that is clearly illegal, will not be accepted or considered for submission. More about Film Festival

Queer West Film Festival Toronto is one of the many events at the annual Queer West Fest which is running from Friday June 13 to Sunday June 22, 2008.

We're Here! We're Queer! and We're Waiting For You!

Hump Day Now Bumps with Nasty Nav

DJ Nasty Nav, Wrongbar Queer Toronto


Inside Story Toronto Saturday May 10, 2008 Don Quixote. "Wrongbar - Let’s see if the play on words will beat the demons away from this jinxed location in the heart of Parkdale. The cryptically-named Wrongbar has taken over the old Dragonfly spot (and the short-lived B-Sweet). The difference this time around is that the new owners - Nav Sangha a.k.a. DJ Nasty Nav and Chris Harper a.k.a. DJ Jelly - are well connected in the Queer Queen West scene." So says Toronto freelance writer Bryen Dunn

Anchored by the ambitious duo, Wrongbar displays a rugged attention to detail - from the vintage pinball machine to the eclecticly-stocked jukebox. In particular, the boys tried to avoid the contemporary clichés of bar-making, hoping instead to give Wrongbar the austerity of Parkdale’s distinctive character.

Having a penchant for the area, the location “vibe” was key to Harper and Sangha. The two have worked in just about every indie record shop in the city, including Rotate This, where they worked together. As for street cred, Harper was the original bar manager at The Beaconsfield, and has tended bar at Lee’s Palace, Communist Daughter, and Sweaty Betty’s. Meanwhile, Sangha owns his own independent record store, Play De Record (357A Yonge Street), just started up his own recording label (Nasty Mix), and his name can usually be found attached to any of the hippest events around town.

“We are not opening with a premeditated plan for programming,” Sangha says. “We know music. We’re really just a couple of music nerds that own way too many records. The only difference is that we now own one of the best Funktion One sound systems in the city to play our records on.” All this pedigree had no doubt inflated expectations when the bar opened on New Year’s Eve, and, while there is no pampered bottle service or other clubland accouterments, as a sophisticated music-intensive club, Wrongbar is a success.

The Wrongbar, great bar /club venue, with the legendary funktionone soundsystem is now sucking in the best talent in the Queer West Village dance scene. Last weekend May 3rd Cherry Bomb presented Scream Club w/ MC Nolan Natasha and DJ's Denise Benson and Cozmic Cat. One wonders if Benson will move from her homebase at Andy's Poolhall to the Wrongbar permanently. The Gladstone weekly neighbourhood queer DJ dance party called Hump Day Bump every Wednesday is now moving over Nasty Nav's Wrongbar starting Wednesday, June 4th. There are already official flyers circulating to this effect on Queer West Queen Street. I'm not sure yet if the Gladstone Hotel, plans to continue having a queer Wednesday party, but it won't be called "Hump Day Bump". This is relatively big news to anyone who goes out regularly on Wednesday to the Gladstone.

Other gigs that have played the Wrongbar, Kid Sister in January, Boytech play March 29, RIOT IN BELGIUM, long weekend Easter Sunday never had it so good!for the launch of Dopplehertz. Hearts Revolution are easily one of the most talked about electro acts in the last couple of months, did a gig, Thursday May 1st.

Wrongbar is located at 1279 Queen St. W. at Brock Avenue Parkdale, (416-858-5851) The party marches into the late, late hours, as they have one of the best all-night dance parties. Of course, this could mean some serious pain the next morning (or, more likely, the next afternoon.) Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Who's who on the new Board for Queer West

Queer West Community Network - Board of Directors

"Think vibrant, hip and Queer West"

Saturday May 10 2008, Inside Story Toronto.

Biographies - Board of Directors - Queer West Community Network

A powerful movement for social change

Gay West Community Network Inc. faces many challenges, building a new queer community in West Toronto, where there was none. It's a brave new world. All of our work is being done by many, many thoughtful committed volunteers. The principles described here have helped us overcome some of the most difficult challenges, and move forward with our work. Throughout our short history, the learning and organizational change, prompted by the inclusion of new voices, has been powerful and rewarding. We hope these strategies will be useful to others in building a powerful movement for social change.

Gay West Community Network Inc. - (Also know as Queer West ) Now governed by a ten member Board of Directors. A not-for-profit centre, that produces performing arts festivals and outreach programming for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, transsexual, questioning and two-spirited (queer community). Connecting queer residents, business and community groups in High Park, Liberty-Parkdale, Davenport, Trinity Bellwoods neighbourhoods in Toronto, Ontario since 2001 Incorporated as a Charity on April 7, 2008. Election of Officers and passing of Bylaws took place Monday April 28, 2008.



Bryen Dunn, President
Toronto Freelance Journalist; focus on adventure, ecotourism, lifestyle and entertainment. He has been writing for over 15 years for trade and consumer publications, both online and print. In addition he has worked with many tour operators and tourist boards to assist with marketing and promotional initiatives. Founder and event organizer of the annual Parkdale Raising Youth Awareness Festival. Bryen can also be heard regularly on CIUT 89.5 FM in Toronto, as host of the weekly program Sex City. Bryen has been the media spokesperson for Queer West since 2004 and was instrumental in establishing the new Board of Directors in October 2007. Bryen an avid year round commuter cyclist, is a graduate of Humber College and enjoys camping, travel, writing and DJing. Bryen was elected President on April 28, 2008.

Shani Betz, Vice President
Operations Manager, Silver Lining Ltd. Has over 15 years of management experience in Marketing, Sales, Corporate Training, Web Development, Research & Development, and Operations Management. Shani has worked in the Mining, Advertising, Franchise and Call Centre industries. When she’s not working, Shani enjoys writing and has written for several magazines including Target Marketing, Job Postings Magazine, Native Careers and CanCon. Shani is a volunteer for Surrey Place at Women's College Hospital and OneMatch (Canada's Stem Cell & Marrow Network) A published poet and is working on a novel which she hopes to have completed by her 80th birthday (hey, she’s a realist!) Shani joined the Board in January 2008. Shani holds a BA in Anthropology from University of Toronto. Shani was elected Vice President on April 28, 2008.

Michel Paré, Vice President
Queer West Founder. Michel is the "bridge builder" the one who can enable good things to occur...the one who uses life lessons to be compassionate in regards to others and to actually see ways in which He can bring about warmth and agreement. Michel has over 25 years experience in management consulting and professional organizing. Currently, part-time web content editor at one of Canada's leading Environmental Research Foundations. He is also web administrator and content editor for Queer West web site. Publisher, Inside Story Newspaper and Digital Queeries magazine. Administrator, Parkdale Raising Youth Awareness Festival. Michel has been instrumental in establishing the Queer West Village and has been a queer rights activist in Toronto, for close to 28 years. Founding Chairman, Gay and Lesbian Association West. Past president of Gay Equality in Mississauga and former member of Parkdale Gay and Lesbian Association. He served for many years, on the Board of Directors with the Fort York Food Bank. Michel is a graduate of Ryerson University with a Masters degree and now lives in Dupont ward 18. He enjoys year round commuter cycling, computer technical reading and community organizing. Michel was elected Vice President on April 28, 2008.

John Colautti, Treasurer
Toronto Consultant with Parkdale Village Business Improvement Area (BIA). John has been living in the Parkdale-High Park area for over 25 years and has been an active member of the community. His background includes ADR Alternative Dispute Resolution in the Urban & Community Planning. John is a former president of the Parkdale Village Resident’s Association, former Ward 14 (Parkdale-High Park) constituency assistant. Former member of Parkdale Gay and Lesbian Association. John was instrumental in establishing the new Board of Directors for Queer West in October 2007. John was elected Treasurer on April 28, 2008.

Catherine Jean Nash, Secretary
Associate Professor in the Department of Geography at Brock University in St. Catharines Ontario. Her area of interest is urban social and cultural geography with a focus on sexuality, gender and space, as well as queer, feminist and trans geographies. Professor Nash currently teaches Social Justice Theory. Her membership on the Queer West Board reflects her ongoing commitment to and interest in the historical and cultural availability and accessibility of urban space for all individuals. Professor Nash holds a Ph D. and M. PL from Queen's and LLB University of Ottawa. Professor Nash was elected Secretary on April 28, 2008.

Matthew Cutler, Board member
Executive Assistant to the Executive Director, Central Toronto Youth Services. Matthew has spent a significant amount of time volunteering and speaking up for marginalized individuals. Founding Chairman of OUTniagara. Matthew has worked with organizations as diverse as the World Bank and the World Congress on the Health of Youth and Children. He volunteered for eight years with Scouts Canada, including a term as Divisional Youth Commissioner for Central Canada. Matthew has made an undeniable contribution to Canadian society, awarded the Queen's Jubilee Commemorative Medal (2002). In 2008 received, Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers, which recognizes the outstanding contributions of Ontarians between the ages of 15 and 24 years to improve the quality of life in the Province of Ontario and internationally through volunteer activities. Matthew is member of the Niagara Imperial Sovereign Court and former director AIDS Niagara. Matthew brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to his role as a Queer West Director. Matthew join the Board, April 28 2008.

Gilbert Estephan, Board member
Sales and Sponsorship Manager with Green Living Enterprises. Has extensive experience includes working with non-profit boards and stakeholders, specifically in the areas of fundraising, corporate gift giving, sponsorships and event management including live events and festivals. Gilbert brings a wealth of knowledge to Queer West as a Board Member, with his dedication to many community events including; An Enchanted Evening for Sick Kids Foundation, Essentia – A World of Wines for the Asthma Society of Canada, Fashion Takes Action benefitting Environmental Defence, including his involvement with Canada's largest AIDS Fundraiser, Fashion Cares. Gilbert is a graduate from George Brown College and joined the Board on , April 28 2008.

Nate Fuks, Board member, Chair of Queer Peers Committee
Toronto Senior Consultant, Strategy and Operations, Deloitte & Touche (Consulting). Nate is fluent in English, Hebrew, Russian and Ukrainian. Past President of the Orthodox Union's, International Humanitarian Help foundation. Fund-raising, community development, and awareness building experience, were an important part of Nate’s decision to join the Queer West's Board of Directors. Nate earned his Master degrees in Computer Science, Business Administration (York University) and Economics (State University). Hobbies: Volunteering, Investment, Educational Reading, Martial Arts (Capoeira) and Gym. Nate join the Board, April 28 2008.

Tam Khuu, Board member
Manager, Revenue Reporting, of a Toronto entertainment company. Tam holds a Bachelor of Accounting degree from Brock University and has over 9 years of experience in the accounting sector. She has worked in public practice auditing private owner-managed companies, multi-million dollar public organizations , and not-for-profit entities, and in the last 6 years has occupied progressively senior accounting roles in industry for various organizations. Tam enjoys wall-climbing, badminton, yoga, travelling, and participating in races for charity. Tam joined the Board on April 28, 2008.

Warren Kennedy, Board member
Manager – Residential Relocations, Armstrong Moving & Storage Ltd (Mississauga branch) Publicly elected and re-elected having served two, three years terms as a Public School Board Trustee representing the largest municipal electoral ward in the City of Mississauga. His background includes ADR Alternative Dispute Resolution. Warren is a graduate of University of Toronto (Mississauga), Undergraduate Studies - BA (Management & Political Science). Warren, joined the Board in April 28, 2008. Hobbies: Collector, Wines of the Old World.

Queer West - Charter/Bylaws GWCN_Bylaws_4282008.pdf PDF Format

Queer West - Mission & Vision Statement: Click Here

Board meetings are usually held on the 1st Wednesday of every month ( subject to change) from 7 PM to 8:30 PM) at the Masaryk-Cowan Community and Recreation Centre, 220 Cowan Avenue, Toronto Parkdale, Ontario. They are not associated with the Masaryk-Cowan CRC.

http://www.gaywest.ca/

Canadian's apologize to Americans

A tongue-in-cheek, truly Canadian apology for all the "wrongs" they have done towards the United States of America.

Queer cycling season starts April 27 in Toronto

(This photo was taken on Sunday June 17, 2007 at Toronto Harbourfront at Second Cup cafe, during the annual Pride Ride. 25 gay, lesbian,Bisexual and transgendered cyclists from the Gay West Bicycle Club took part in the event, during 2nd annual Queer West Fest.)

The GWBC is only dedicated Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered bicycling club in the Province of Ontario.

We will now be entering our fifth year in 2008 with close to 100 registered members. We are the only GLBTQ dedicated bicycling club in Ontario. We have a growing membership with 2007, being our most successful year to date. Over 25 cyclists, all genders, took part in last years 4th., annual Pride Ride

Our member's range in age from 20 to 60, both male and female. Although we are based in the west end of Toronto Ontario, our members are from all parts of the Greater Toronto Area(GTA) and beyond. Volunteers keep the wheels of our club turning, and one of the more visible ways to volunteer is to lead a ride or tour. We're always looking for new leaders. Fortunately, anyone can lead a ride or tour if given enough help beforehand.

Are you ready to join the fun this year? Happening on the last Sunday of every month. 2008 cycling opener. Sunday April 27th – Spring Has Sprung Ride. Sunday May 25th – Queen’s Birthday Ride.Sunday June 15th – 4th Annual Pride Ride . Sunday July 27th – Summer Heat Ride. Sunday August 31st – Labour Day Weekend Ride. Sunday September 28th – End of Summer Ride and Sunday October 26th – Fall Colours Ride. For more information visit the: Gay West Bicycle Club

Gay West Bicycle Club -Presents the 5th. annual Pride Ride 2008 Sunday June 15th, 12 P.M. – 3:00 P.M.

Join us for a leisurely ride along Toronto ’s waterfront from Sunnyside to the Eastern Beaches (about 25k). We are a non-profit bike club dedicated to providing a safe cycling experience for riders of all levels. We have participants of all ages and genders, and our mandate is to have fun and meet new friends. There is no membership fee and we strongly encourage members to be actively involved in planning our various itineraries.Please join us as we explore Toronto’s great waterfront trail system. It’s recommended to bring water, snacks/picnic lunch, and a helmet. The meeting point is south High Park below Colborne Lodge north side of the Queensway. Free.

RSVP / Info: gwbikeclub@hotmail.com Phone: 9am to 9 pm 416-551-1709 For more information visit the: Gay West Bicycle Club

Pride Toronto's ridiculous gay labels

Monday March 10, 2008. Inside Story. Pride Toronto shows how ridiculous gay labelling has become, a couple of years ago when they made it almost mandatory for Toronto Press to refer to Pride Toronto as a LBTTIQQ2S* communities event. ( * Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer, Questioning, 2 Spirited)

Pride Toronto Mission Statement - Pride Toronto exists to celebrate the history, courage, diversity and future of Toronto's LGBTTIQQ2S* communities.

Thankfully the LGBTTIQQ2S community in west central Toronto Ontario, simply call their annual celebration "Queer West Fest" and refer to themselves as queers. A simple, clear and concise welcoming message for everyone.

Pride Toronto organizers and fans should definitely watch this video clip by comedian Susan Norfleet.

~ Don Quixote - Inside Story news and entertainment editor

Inside Out Film Festival apologizes to gay Toronto editor

Inside Out Film Festival does the right thing and finally apologizes to editor-in-chief of Toronto Inside Story enewspaper *But there's a catch.*

Toronto Gay Film Fest Launch Party Sucked (Wed. April 25, 2007)
http://queerwestvillagetoronto.blogspot.com/2007/04/toronto-gay-film-fest-launch-party.html


Dear Don;

My most sincere apologies---

I am the new Festival Assistant here and thus was unaware of any ill treatment towards your staff.

Please accept an official apology from Inside Out on my behalf.

Kind regards,
Claire----

Claire Egan
Festival Assistant
festival@insideout.ca

Inside Out Toronto Lesbian and Gay Film and Video Festival
Ph:416.977.6847 Fx:416.977.8025219 -
401 Richmond Street WestToronto, ON, Canada M5V 3A8

*THE CATCH* - Inside Out's Festival Assistant Claire aka the marketing intern wants money from our little newspaper to promote her festival ha ha ha Claire love your spechel "We are offering Community Screening Sponsorships this year for $250. While we rely on sponsors for their financial support, we do want to make this opportunity accessible to groups with limited resources. Some sliding scale sponsorships are available and we are especially interested in people helping to market the Festival and it's screenings through your organization's email list, newsletter and mailings. Claire at festival@insideout.ca "

Do I think NOW, Xtra or The Toronto Star who are listed as corporate sponsor (logo displayed) gave Claire one red cent. They gave her Nada, just promotional space then made up a dummy bill pretending to write off the cost. Claire has a lot to learn about marketing.

Guess who won't be promoting their 2008 festival? Oh you guess right, that was too easy en? -~ D.Q.

Queer West Fest Toronto 2008, June 13-22

3rd Annual Queer West Festival - 10 days this year - Friday June 13 to Sunday June 22, 2008

Our main point is to show that there is a real and strong alternative to traditional Pride Festivals.


Gay West Community Network and Triple-X Productions teamed up in 2007 to bring Toronto its second alternative Festival for queer arts, culture and music. Having successfully coordinated several queer focused events over the past several years, last year marked the first year that a series of events were presented over the course of one week as part of the new Queer West Fest. Which is about cultural diversity as well as sexual diversity (diverse cité).

Gay West's community objectives are: To produce performing arts festivals for the purposes of educating and advancing the public’s understanding and appreciation of performing arts and to educate artists through participation in such festivals and related workshops and outreach programming for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, transsexual, questioning and two-spirited (queer community). Our network provides educational workshops, community events, and public forums. Our mandate will be to work with all members of the community, including youth, seniors, disadvantaged, and unemployed to provide the necessary counseling and services needed.

Festival Committee's tentative plans as of Friday April 18, 2008

June 12 to 22 - The Fur Real Art Collective presents: "Fur Real: Bears Without Boundaries Art Show" Opening party will be on Thursday June 12th, 2008 at 8pm to 10 pm at Gallery 1313 located at 1313A Queen St. West...madame HAIR will have 2 paintings in this show. Show will run from June 12th to June 22nd, 2008 at 1313A Queen Street West, FREE No Cover www.g1313.org | www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=10989833517&ref=mf

June 12 to 22 - Art Show & Artists Exhibition: Plus we have 5 other different queer artists that will be showing works, 5 painting each (Gladstone Hotel a special artist showroom or Beaver Cafe pending);

Queer Community Brunch - (Time, day and location TBA)

Friday June 13 to 22 - Queer Lounge @ Gallery 1313 - 1313A Queen Street West, Will serve as 10 day volunteer staff "a hub of event information" for queer and queer-friendly festival-goers and R & R resto lounge (Gallery 1313 confirmation pending) FREE No Cover www.g1313.org

Friday June 13 - Opening Night Private Sexy Party of Mayhem @ Beaver Cafe & Patio (Beaver Cafe, 1192 Queen W. confirmation pending) COVER CHARGE: TBA ( this also maybe one of the location for QWF art exhibition

Saturday June 14 - Mix and Mingle Community Fair & Marketplace @ Drake Hotel 1150 Queen Street West, artisans, retail vendors, dozens of community organizations, lots of super door prizes and much more. ( Drake Hotel, Sat. June 14, confirmation pending ) FREE No Cover

Sunday June 15 - 4th Annual Toronto Pride Ride cyclists travel along Martin Goodman Trail (two way Sunnyside to Eastern Beaches 25k, Ride Leader Bryen Dunn. Not associated with Pride Toronto. FREE No Cover Gay West Bicycle Club

Monday June 16 - Gallery Walking Tour along Queen St W. - (Start at www.g1313.org from 6 pm to 9 pm, details & guide pending)

Tuesday June 17 - A Java Knights - Amnesty International - Panel Discussion @ Gladstone Hotel Art Bar 1214 Queen St. W. Topics: Gay China, Tibet and Beijing Summer Olympics There will be no Java Knights on Tuesday June 24th., normally a regular queer monthly public forum - Event organizer Rui Pires FREE No Cover

Wednesday June 18 - 1st annual Queer West Film Fest @ Good Catch General Store 1556 Queen St. W. An outdoor private theatre, 60 seats only. 5 to 15 minute Film Submissions by underground queer indie filmmakers to be accepted with three page entry form. The evening will also including 80 minute premier film presentation by G.B. Jones, The Lollipop Generation View 3:00 minute trailer (www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeMQlzX0CbM) More than 10 years in the making. GB Jones is not only a local legend but an internationally recognized pioneer of the queer punk scene. Though perhaps better known for cofounding the band Fifth Column, for her Tom Girl drawings and for her collaboration with Bruce LaBruce on the seminal queercore zine Jds, she is also a thrillingly talented Super-8 filmmaker.

Submit Your Video Shorts to the Queer West Film Fest 2008

Film Fest Organizer, Michel François Paré and Program manager, Forest Lightbody. 416-551-1709 ext 1 www.goodcatch.ca | Queer West Film Fest 2008


Thursday June 19 - Toronto Wilde Chats (Gay men only) - a Socrates Cafe @ Tinto Coffee House, 89 Roncesvalles. 7.30 pm to 9 pm Topics: Is there such a thing as the gay agenda. Is there a prevalence of porn in our lives and does it affect the way we connect to each other. How has the virtual gay world distorted the real world. Single topics or feel free to combine all three. Moderator Michael Paré FREE No Cover (N.B. Wilde Chats, will then meet every Thursday evening June, July and August at Tinto's) www.tinto.ca

Friday June 20 - Forte - 24-voice Men’s Chamber Choir @ Emmanuel Howard Park United Church (Sanctuary) Forte under the leadership of Edward Connell, one of Canada’s finest choral directors. Its membership is drawn from Toronto’s talented and diverse gay community. Forte tries to have something to say about the gay world, either through its unique repertoire, or through the events it performs at. Although not exclusively gay in its membership, its repertoire or its outlook, some of what Forte does is noticeably gay. www.forte-chorus.com

The Details: Emmanuel Howard Park is located at 214 Wright Avenue, at the corner of Wright and Roncesvalles in the city's west end. To reach us by subway, go to the Dundas West Station, and get on the 504 street car. Get off in front of the public library at Fern. The church is half a block north on the west side. Show starts 8 P.M Cover: PWYC. One and all welcome. Event Organizer, Michael Paré - torontodigitalq@yahoo.ca - 416-551-1709 ext 1

Friday June 20 - Dirty Bingo @ The Friendly Bar with Shirley (After Forte 9 pm to close (pending)

Saturday June 22 - Closing Night - Knotty Nights Dance Party @ Lot 16 Bar 1136 Queen St. W., Featuring Toronto's number one Queer DJ Triple-X spining new wave, punk, and junk from the 80's. Last year the bar was filled to capacity with a large influx of inner-city Parkdale-kids young and old, Bay Street CEO's, Trinity Bellwoods queer hipsters and arty fags from Church and Wellesley, all having a good time. (more details soon) FREE No Cover



STILL BOOKING FOR 2008

PARTICIPATE? If you want to do a workshop, show/do some queer art, play music, make a queer performance, show your short-movie, have a discussion, do a lecture or whatever queer related stuff you would like to do? Queer West Fest - Bryen Dunn - Triple-X Productions info@themarsbar.com ( 416-551-1709)

ARTIST, ACTIVIST MUSICIAN? Write an email and describe how you could contribute. If it is a workshop or an exhibition, a presentation or an activity. Describe what you need and what you would expect us to provide. Then the planning group will look at the proposal and get in touch regarding the possibilities of realising the project within the framework of the festival. Queer West Fest - Bryen Dunn - Triple-X Productions info@themarsbar.com ( 416-551-1709)

ORGANISATIONS: INTERNATIONAL, NATIONAL AND LOCAL? Write an email and describe on what level you would like to collaborate with us. We are also interested international partners who could help to develop an international network for QUEER culture and activism. We would also like representatives from any QUEER organisation to come and make presentations or hold an art or education workshop Queer West Fest - Bryen Dunn - Triple-X Productions info@themarsbar.com ( 416-551-1709)

SPONSORS? Demographics: Our Queer West Village Festival Parties and other events year round, draws both men and women in roughly equal numbers, 25% of who identify themselves as “straight”. 40% have a university degree compared to 14% of the general population, and almost half earn $50,000 or more, while 16% earn $100,000 or more. Car Owners 53% and Home Owners 36% Three quarters of our attendees don't go downtown to gay bars or events. Your company name or organization logo and web site link, is displayed on our Festival page for one full year. Close to two million monthy web site visitors, spend an average of 8 to 53 minutes here, every day of the week. Partnering with us, is your most effective way to reach our entire community and beyond. We have the only exclusive gay, lesbian and straight gay friendly web site in the queer west end of the City of Toronto. Our events are also published in local newspapers, Toronto Star, Toronto Sun, Xtra Newspaper, fab magazine, Eye Weekly and NOW Newspaper and other Canadian Internet event sites, bringing even more traffic to our website. Queer West Fest - Bryen Dunn - Triple-X Productions info@themarsbar.com ( 416-551-1709)

Queer West Fest Toronto - 2008 Overview

Pride Toronto week in the traditional gay village, doesn't officially kick-off till June 23rd. Why Wait? We're Here. We're Queer and We are Waiting for You!

Are you Attending? Register on FaceBook: www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=9194182933

Toronto's First: Gay Book Slam

Monday February 25, 2008 Toronto Inside Story by Don Quixote.

One and All Welcome at Java Knights Public Forum: Guest Speakers to Sex Workshops and everything in between

Bryen Dunn, Gay West media relations director and ACT Toronto collaborated in 2006 to initiated a series of monthly community forums to stimulate a needed dialogue amongst west end queers on Issues: ranging from racism, body image, family, how we age, inter-racial coupling, and the important role, that having fun plays in our lives. ACT Toronto has a mandate to make itself heard throughout the greater Greater Toronto Area (GTA), and felt that by aligning with Gay West Community Network, they felt would be an excellant opportunity to perhaps reach a new audience that doesn’t frequent the downtown core regularly. So each Tuesday evening monthly, generally consists of some form of presentation, guest speaker or performance.

"Attending at Java Knights event is a nice opportunity to communicate worthwhile thoughts, in a rather delirious world, that is much in need of a new focus." Said Bryen Dunn.

Toronto Gay Book Slam

On Tueday March 25, five guest, gay and lesbian Toronto authors will be taking part in a literary panel discussion, at the Gladstone Hotel. Jeffrey Round, Todd Klinck, Donald D'Haene, Pat Capponi and Debra Anderson. Format: Authors will be reading for 5 minutes each (approx half hour), followed by moderated panel discussion and audience questions for the last 90 minutes. Author's books will be available for purchase and signing.

Update Wednesday March 19, 2008- We have two media outlets coming out to film this evening's event - Xtra's gay and lesbian newspaper videographer and Roger's Television channel 10 - Daytime Toronto.

Authors Biographies

Jeffrey Round is an award-winning author, director and editor. Jeffrey has a degree in English Literature from Dalhousie University, where he also studied classical guitar and theatre. He is a graduate from the Humber School for Writers and attended Ryerson University’s Film and Television program. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including Best Director, Best use of Music, Canada Council Production Grant, for My Heart Belongs to Daddy (short film); the Right to Privacy Award for Zebra (a stage play); an Ontario Arts Council Poetry Award and Arts Criticism Award. His first novel, A Cage of Bones, was published in 1997 by the Gay Men’s Press (UK). It garnered acclaim and topped bestseller lists in Canada, the US, Iceland, Australia and others. His second novel, The P’Town Murders, was published by the Haworth Press' Southern Tier Editions in Summer 2007. His third novel, The Honey Locust, is scheduled for publication by Cormorant Books in 2009. More recently he has worked as a producer and writer for Alliance Atlantis and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Round currently lives in Toronto area. Jeffrey will be reading from his book, The P’Town Murders


Todd Klinck (born 1974 in Windsor, Ontario) is a Canadian writer and pornography producer. A graduate of Walkerville Secondary High School in 1994. Klinck moved to Toronto at age 18 to study theatre at York University, but dropped out to focus on his career. In 1996, his novel "Tacones (High Heels)" was the winner of the Three-Day Novel Contest, and was published by Anvil Press to strong reviews in the "Toronto Star" and "Quill and Quire". Todd also collaborated with John Palmer and Jaie Laplante on the screenplay for the 2004 film Sugar, which garnered a nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay at the 25th Genie Awards and was a columnist for fab magazine until 2005. Klinck and his business partner Mandy Goodhandy have also launched several sex businesses in the Toronto area, including a transgender strip club, "The Lounge", an adult DVD production company, "Mayhem North", and a porn site, "Amateur Canadian Guys". Their most recent endeavour is a pansexual nightclub "Goodhandy's" located in downtown Toronto. Klinck has also worked as a professional bondage dominant, and has appeared on KinK, a Canadian television series, which first aired in 2001on Showcase Todd will be reading from his book "Tacones (High Heels)"

Donald D’Haene 48, Born in St. Thomas, and growing up in Southwestern Ontario, has been freelance writing since 1988. His short stories can be found in The Good Life (2000) and Memories of Elgin and Middlesex (2000). He is also an actor with Armstrong Talent (APA Management) in Toronto, Canada. D'Haene is Associate Reviewer for RebeccasReads.com and author of the sexual abuse memoir, Father's Touch. D’Haene now shares his home in London Ontario, with three Siamese cats, his mother and his partner Maurice, with whom he celebrated a 10th anniversary last October. Donald will be reading from his Father's Touch

Pat Capponi (born 1949) is a Canadian author and an advocate for mental health issues and poverty issues in Canada. Capponi is the author of the critically acclaimed memoir Upstairs in the Crazy House: The Life of a Psychiatric Survivor, as well as Dispatches from the Poverty Line, The War at Home: An Intimate Portrait of Canada's Poor and Bound by Duty: Walking the Beat with Canada's Cops. Capponi has served on numerous agency and hospital boards, developed a leadership facilitation program specific to the psychiatric survivor community and is a founding member of the Gerstein Centre in Toronto. She has been awarded the Order of Ontario and the C. M. Hincks Award from the Canadian Mental Health Association. Pat Capponi lives in Toronto, where she is working on the second installment in her Dana Leoni mystery series. Pat will be reading from her book, Last Stop Sunnyside (HarperCollins, 2006)




Debra Anderson is a recipient of the prestigious George Ryga Award for Playwriting and a graduate of the York University Creative Writing Program. A regular on the Toronto reading scene for most of the last decade, Debra's writing has been anthologized in Geeks, Misfits and Outlaws (McGilligan Books, 2003), Bent On Writing: Contemporary Queer Tales (Women's Press, 2002), and the Lambda-nominated Brazen Femme: Queering Femininity (Arsenal Pulp Press, 2002). Literary journal credits include Fireweed, Xtra, The Church-Wellesley Review, Tessera, periwinkle, Zygote, Acta Victoriana, Hook & Ladder, and dig as well as the now defunct Siren and Queers On-Line. She has performed at The Robson Reading Series (Vancouver), Festival Voix d'Amériques (Montreal), Durtygurls Reading Series (Ottawa), Buddies in Bad Times Theatre (Toronto), the Red Spot (Toronto), and at numerous benefits in the Toronto queer community. She has most recently performed at this year's tenth anniversary of the Thin Air 2006 - Winnipeg International Writers Festival. Debra was the guest author in February 2007 at Pink Ink - a Toronto writing group for queer/trans youth at the 519 Community Centre. Anderson is also the organizer and promoter of Get Your Lit Out, an ongoing reading series based in Toronto that promotes local female authors. She also organizes and promotes additional local literary events and writes book reviews for Shameless Magazine. Debra Anderson currently resides in Toronto, Ontario. Debra will be reading from her book, Code White (McGilligan Books, 2005)

Tuesday March 25 - Toronto: Gay Literary Book Slam @ Gladstone Hotel Art Bar - 1214 Queen St W at Dufferin. FREE, fresh finger food served and soft drinks, cash bar. Event runs from 7 PM to 9 PM. Please RSVP - Bryen Dunn - javaknights@hotmail.com or Call 416-551-1709.

Your can also Register On FaceBook too: www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=9081108086

Java Nights homepage: http://gaywest.905host.net/files/javaknights.php

Bringing Out the Hottie in You

Tuesday February 26, 2008 - "Bringing Out the Hottie in You" Java Knights Queer and Trans Friendly Free Yoga Workshop - Kundalini and Tantric traditions @ The Gladstone Hotel - Art Bar.

Hosted by Gay West Community Network and ACT Toronto

Tommy G. & Michael P., new gay friends will doing, Kundalini (swadhistana) and (bhandas) together . How about you?

About the Instructor: Rosanne McCollum, CYT is the Director Brahmananda Yoga Centre. Rosanne was initiated into the Sound and Light meditation, Sant Mat, of the fully God Realized Master Sant Thakar Singh. That's her biggest thing to brag about. It's his job to see her soul (among thousands of others) all the way back to the great cosmic reality. Neat eh? Rosanne started on the yoga path about 9 years ago, pursuing as much knowledge and practice as possible, as well as teaching yoga classes all over Toronto. The most authentic and bliss producing practices attracted her the most such as Raja and Kundalini yoga (although she teaches a Hatha Yoga blend). Some of her favourite teachers have been Paola di Paolo, Sri Dharma Mittra and Yogi Vishvketu. Rosanne's formal teacher training was completed in 2004 when she was certified as a yoga teacher by Sangita Morgan, a close student of Amrit Desai of Kripalu Yoga. Rosanne concieved of Brahmananda Yoga Centre to actively include people of colour, fat, queer and trannies, the poor, those with disabilities, white dudes - everyone is welcome at her classes!

Kundalini Yoga system is remarkably different than most of the religious systems of the world. Most of the religious traditions look forward to maintaining celibacy to attain spiritual growth. It is mainly because of this attitude that the thought, sexual involvement is detrimental to a greater development of self, has come into being. On the other hand, Tantra yoga suggests that sexuality can be a very powerful force that should be harnessed for increased self-awareness and consciousness. Thus, Kundalini Yoga is curious, in that it not only allows sexual feelings and contact, but uses sexual experience as a means to enlightenment and knowledge.

Rosanne will do breathing practices at Java Knights that raise the kundalini energy through the chakras - the second of which is the sex organs - (swadhistana) and then there's bhandas, such as contracting the anus, sex organs and up into the navel. Rosanne will make the workshop fun with lots of talking and laughing too.

The Brahmananda Yoga Centre, was featured in the Ascent yoga magazine about Rosanne's queer and transexual Yoga classes, last September, read the interview - nice pics too: ascentmagazine.net

Interested in taking more lessons after her Introduction at Java Knights? Well, Rosanne (McCollum) teaches a 6 week Queer and Trans Friendly Yoga Class, at her Brahmananda Yoga Centre (BYC) is a spacious, new yoga studio in the heart ofToronto's Roncesvalles Village, overlooking Sorauren Park. Every Tuesdays, 7:45 - 9 PM ~ February 26 - April 1 Cost $72 + gst Call studio 416-645-0112 or visit http://www.brahmanandayoga.com/ (Nota Bene) Rosanne's assistant will be teaching the class on Feb 26 at the Yoga Centre.

THE DETAILS: Tuesday Feb 26, 2008 - Java Knights Public Forum "Bringing Out the Hottie in You" Gladstone Hotel Art Bar - 1214 Queen St W at Dufferin -Hotel no. 416 531 4635 - FREE, fresh finger food served and soft drinks, cash bar. Event runs from 7 PM to 9 PM. Street Map Please RSVP - Bryen Dunn mailto:javaknights@hotmail.comor Call 416-551-1709. So we know how many are coming. MORE ABOUT JAVA KNIGHTS Queer West, Toronto Ontario. ~ D.Q.