Buddies' Queer Pride: more superstars than in heaven. Or MGM

21 MAY 2023 - photos courtesy of publicists, Access Me photos by Dahlia Kats, Kevin Morris by Sam Gaetz

Pride explodes at Buddies with dozens of events all eager to entertain and enlighten. Covering them all individually was a Herculean task beyond me, so I enlisted the services of nine of the artists participating in this proud cornucopia of theatre, comedy, music, burlesque, cabaret, drag, dance, activism and every other art form that can be made better by queer input. The participants are from all facets of the spectrums of artistic expression, gender and sexuality but they are all powerful talents, sexy as hell and proud activists representing the fabulous fierceness of Pride. Some need no introduction, all of them are artists well worth being introduced to. I asked each a few simple questions and together they paint a partially complete (there are many more events) portrait of the spectacular smorgasbord that is Buddies Queer Pride.

Describe your event at Buddies Pride and your participation in it. 

Paul Hutcheson: The hilarious B-Girlz are hosting Homo Night in Canada, an amazing evening of queer comedy. I am a featured performer alongside other Toronto queer comedy royalty. 

Kevin Morris: I'm back in one of my favourite performance spaces in the city. Bad Gay is full of great songs, hilarious stories, and amazing singing. People who've seen my shows know they're going to have a damn good time. Those who've never been should definitely see what they're missing. 

Denise B. McLeod/ Madame Ode’miin Surprise: I am so excited and honoured to have been asked to be the guest curator for this year’s 2-Spirit Cabaret. This is the 7th edition of 2-Spirit Cabaret, a partnership with Native Earth Performing Arts and Buddies in Bad Times. 

Gay Jesus: Oh baby, CHAOTICA’s Pride edition has arrived! CHAOTICA earned its name by bringing audiences a truly chaotic performance experience featuring a diverse and eclectic mix of performance art that pulls together drag, burlesque and queer messiness. When you join us, you get to watch the mayhem unfold from the comfort of your seat with our cabaret-style layout. Timing-wise, we made sure that our event is perfect for those of us looking to be home and cuddled up by 10:30pm, or makes for a great pre-drink for those of us looking to kick off our night with a bang. 

Robert Watson: Gay AF Comedy Pride-A-Palooza is exactly as the title suggests: it’s a great big queer comedy party featuring a cornucopia of Canada’s most fabulous queer comedians! There’s a new generation of LGBTQ comedians breaking out and making a name for themselves in the comedy scene, and as Pride-A-Palooza’s host and producer I’m here to serve up some big gay laughs with these amazingly talented and hilarious comedians. 

Andrew Gurza: Our event is called Access Me and is a play about queer disabled sexuality. In it, three performers, Ken Harrower, Frank Hull and myself, share raw, real, emotional stories about sex, queerness and disability. We bring the audience access to a world they never thought of before: queerness and disability. 

David Benjamin Tomlinson: Fagnificent is a collection of comedic stories celebrating the multi-layered adventures of turning 50, coming into bloom, and being a proud gay flag bearer for Generation X. It feels fantastic to be bringing the show to Buddies, marking my first return to Toronto stages since 2019! 

Chase Lo: This staged reading of Ruby written by myself and dramaturged/directed by Will Dao with a cast of trans/nonbinary/queer Asian actors, is a theatrical thriller about a family of trans/nonbinary Asian and migrant sex workers on a vigilante search for their missing sister. This is a story about chosen family and the choices we make to pursue our dreams; no matter the cost. 

Anesti Danelis: I’m bringing my new musical comedy Artificially Intelligent to Buddies Pride. It’s a musical standup comedy show that was partially created with AI that satirizes our dependency on technology, and the feeling of being lost in our identities: feeling artificial (just to tie it back to the title of the show). 

What makes your event a must-see? 

Paul Hutcheson: The line-up of comics this year—Kyle Brownrigg, Martha Chaves, Adrienne Fish, Elvira Kurt, Ted Morris, Vong Show and Hilary Yaas—are all at the top of their game. 

Kevin Morris: We have this amazing band lead by Donavon LeNabat that can play pretty much anything. Donavon's a musical genius and I love working with him. And my dear friend Shannon Halliwell-Macdonald is on stage singing with me. She has this absolutely gorgeous voice that you'll get to hear throughout the show. Oh, and then there's me! This show is a big sing. It's gonna be wild. 

Denise B. McLeod/ Madame Ode’miin Surprise: 2-Spirit Cabaret is a night of 2-Spirit joy and brilliance. Often non-Indigenous folks too often only have a single story told about us, many of us are expected to perform our trauma and only tell stories of pain, trauma, and the effects of colonization. These stories, while so important can really wear down our spirits. 2-Spirit Cabaret is a night of celebration, music and sexiness. When Indigenous and 2-Spirit kin come together magic happens. I encourage folks to come, share in this beauty and watch some of the best 2-Spirit performers in Tkaronto! Also, the host is hilarious! (Wink, wink ) 

Gay Jesus: The element that makes CHAOTICA a must-see is that it showcases a diverse spectrum of drag styles from some of the loudest and most vibrant performers. CHAOTICA brings in top notch artists from both the local scene as well as abroad to make audiences gasp, scream, and maybe even drop a drink or two. 

Robert Watson: If you’re looking for queer comedy’s next breakout star this is the show for you. Our headliner, internationally adored comedian DeAnne Smith, has just gotten back from the Melbourne Comedy Festival, having received glowing four-star reviews for their new show. It’s such a treat to have DeAnne back in town for Pride-A-Palooza, people are going to get an ab workout from watching their set. 

Andrew Gurza: When do we ever see sex, disability and queerness onstage? Never. That's why it is a must see, in my opinion. These stories are so important and they are so often left in the dark. Well, here they shine. 

David Benjamin Tomlinson: I’m a fucking STAR, darling. 

Chase Lo: This will be the first public presentation of this work-in-development, which will be followed by a talkback facilitated by artist/poet/community educator Leon Tsai. The development of this script involved an extensive process of community consultation and feedback from sex workers and trans/nonbinary/gender diverse artists including sensitivity consultant, Kai Cheng Thom and dramaturge, Bilal Baig. This story touches on the politics of sex work but it’s personal, complex, and full of heart. We want you to come with an open heart and open mind and enjoy the fun thrills. 

Anesti Danelis: It’s a must-see show for music and comedy lovers who want to have a good laugh, and also see something unique. If you’ve ever been curious to see what a comedy show crafted with artificial intelligence looks like, this is the one to see. I’ve also included aspects of my online life into this show by staging some of my viral moments. I have this series online called Sunday Confessionals where anyone can submit an anonymous confession, and they’ve been absolutely wild. It’s been very fun to take some of these deep dark anonymous secrets and incorporate them in the show. The show is also a must-see for queer people who might have been first-generation born to immigrant families in Canada. There’s lots of comedy in that unique situation and it’s a fun perspective that I haven’t seen a lot of. Also, it’s the kick off show to Buddie’s Pride month. A great way to start the fest off on a high note. I didn’t mean for that to be a pun, but wow the universe delivered. 

How does your event express your pride/Pride? 

Paul Hutcheson: Performing in front of a packed queer crowd for the first time since the pandemic restrictions have lifted, will allow me to fully express my pride through comedy. 

Kevin Morris: My shows have always been a safe/fun space for me to sing music that I love and try new things out. With it being Pride, it's a show where I get to be my silly, dorky, sexy self while still taking risks and surprising myself. 

Denise B. McLeod/ Madame Ode’miin Surprise: 2-Spirit Cabaret is all about celebration, honouring and creating space for 2-Spirit peoples. When we create space for 2-Spirit people to showcase their art, tell their own stories and perform. This feels to me at the core of what Pride means and how we can express our pride. 

Gay Jesus: CHAOTICA expresses my Pride because it brings together the various forms of drag that I came up in as a drag king. It showcases the different voices that make up this art form and celebrates the mess of queerness. In a time where even at our best selves, we are being targeted and victimized, it’s incredibly liberating to embrace our inner chaos and make our voices as loud as possible. 

Robert Watson: Being loud and proud is what queer comedy is all about. Everyone in the show is unapologetically queer and unapologetically funny, so we’re all going to be just gushing with Pride.

Andrew Gurza: Our event shows that disability is a part of Pride. It always has been, and it should be talked about more during Pride. One of the things that we touch on in the piece is the inaccessibility of queer spaces in Toronto and it makes me proud to highlight that. 

David Benjamin Tomlinson: In an age where there are so many voices wanting to have a say about who you can be and how you should go about being it, Fagnificent is me to a T. Or rather, me to an F and an A and a G and an N I F I C E N and THEN a T. 

Chase Lo: The purpose of Ruby is to depict trans/nonbinary Asian and migrant sex workers as complex and human. The spirit of the play is to hold specific political values that work towards the liberation of sex workers, including the decriminalization of sex work. Half of the ticket proceeds will be donated to Butterfly: Asian and Migrant Sex Workers Support Network. We unapologetically celebrate trans/nonbinary sex workers as exactly who they are and advocate for their liberation. 

Anesti Danelis: It expresses my Pride by celebrating the aspects of my life where I’ve felt like I wasn’t enough. As a bisexsual (petition to change it to bisensual) I have always felt like I wasn’t queer enough, or that I was ‘queer-ing’ wrong, but I have come to realize that there is no right way to be queer. I have felt like I have been living in this middle ground in many aspects of my life. Even in being a Greek born in Canada. Not Greek enough to be Greek, but too Greek to be Canadian. There’s lots of comedy that lives in the in-betweens of life, and this show celebrates our in-betweens. The metaphorical butt crack of life, if you will. 

How will your event enhance the audience’s pride/Pride? 

Paul Hutcheson: Laughter has always been a part of the queer community, so nothing best enhances Pride like an evening of laughter. 

Kevin Morris: They'll go through all the feels. They'll be laughing one moment, then wiping away tears the next. I think for some, Pride isn't always an easy time to feel included. Parts of the show are about that, but it's also full of joy and silliness. Oh, and it is very gay. Very. 

Denise B. McLeod/ Madame Ode’miin Surprise: Being able to witness the magic and brilliance of 2-Spirit peoples’ performance and storytelling the audience will get to celebrate the beauty and resilience of 2-Spirit peoples. 

Gay Jesus: I think that CHAOTICA will enhance audience’s Pride by introducing them to the spectrum of drag while bringing them the strongest belly laughs in town. At CHAOTICA, performers are encouraged to create pieces that they’re excited about but that they may not necessarily get a chance to perform at their typical events. I think that freedom and empowerment that comes with trusting your voice and trying new things gets passed on to audiences. So not only do they get a show, but I hope that it encourages them to embrace spontaneity in their everyday lives. 

Robert Watson: Our LGBTQ+ community needs laughter more than ever these days, and there’s nothing quite as gratifying as being in a room where everyone actually gets all the “gay jokes.” My hope is that our audience will leave with their hearts full and their faces hurting from how much they enjoyed themselves. 

Andrew Gurza: I think our event will make people look at our community differently, and confront their own ableism. And I think it will make them proud that stories like this are out there 

David Benjamin Tomlinson: It’s a weird world out there. Let’s get together, share some laughs, and be proud about everything we are. 

Chase Lo: We hope that our reading presentation and talkback will provide a space for trans/queer audiences to feel unapologetic about who they are including being morally ambiguous, being sex workers; any part of themselves that has been shamed. 

Anesti Danelis: My event enhances the audience's pride because it encourages them to celebrate themselves. I think the feeling of not being enough, in any aspect of life, is universal and the show encourages people to see that we’re all flawed and that there is no right way to be or do anything. Where you are is where you need to be. It also enhances people’s Pride by showcasing the absurdity around us, like Straight Pride. I have a satirical Straight Pride anthem about how straight culture is being erased and that we need to give space to the straights to celebrate things like cargo pants, the big bang theory, and pregnancy announcement photos. Lastly, this show will probably enhance Joaquin Phoenix's Pride, who fell in love with his phone in that one movie. There is a Siri-type bit in the show, so Jaoquin, if you’re reading this, come check it out. 

What will surprise audiences the most about your event? 

Paul Hutcheson: Audiences will be surprised but how the queer comedy scene has grown and matured. There are so many talented queer comedic performers in Toronto. 

Kevin Morris: My song selections definitely surprise people at my shows. I think for this show, I hit all of the Pride checkmarks. But the way they emerge from my stories, how one song rolls into another is always exciting and unexpected and the audience gets such a kick out of it. 

Denise B. McLeod/ Madame Ode’miin Surprise: The sexiness of it all. Burlesque, boylesque and musical performances. Indigenous/2-Spirit peoples don’t often get to be sexy in ways that are powerful and authentic. 2-Spirit Cabaret gives space for performers to express their sexuality in safer, non-fetishizing ways. 

Gay Jesus: Probably how much they scream. When I think of CHAOTICA, I think of queer screaming. There’s no bond quite like sharing unadulterated queer screams of excitement with total strangers as you witness bizarre, sexy, and exciting things onstage. 

Robert Watson: Surprise is one of the greatest devices in comedy. There will certainly be a few gag-worthy moments (interpret that as you will), and I just know that each comedian on the show will be full of delightful surprises and observations. 

Andrew Gurza: How raw it is. How honest it is about sex and queerness and its intersection with disabilities. Also, how funny it is. Maybe they've never thought about any of this stuff before. 

David Benjamin Tomlinson: I’ve gotten even more charming. 

Chase Lo: This play is rooted in realism but it’s also magical. Also, things are not as they seem . . .

Anesti Danelis: That it was put together with the help of artificial intelligence! Robots are taking over the world and Daft Punk is their leader. While this show is about feeling artificial in our lives, and our dependence on technology, I thought it would be interesting to take it to the literal extreme and craft a comedy show with AI. I wrote everything myself, but the running order, the initial brainstorming, etc, all came from prompting an artificial intelligence with questions about the human experience. 

What other event(s) at Buddies Pride are you looking forward to attending and why? 

Paul Hutcheson: I am interested in attending another queer comedy show, Gay AF Comedy Pride-A-Palooza as the line-up is stellar; I am fascinated by musical comedy so Anesti Danelis's hilarious act will be a crowd pleaser and I will see Fagnificent, as I have always enjoyed the work of David Benjamin Tomlinson. 

Kevin Morris: David Benjamin Tomlinson is doing Fagnificent a few days after me on June 17th. I saw him in Blind Date at Buddies a few years back and he's so charming and hilarious. I'd love to see him and also some performers and acts I've never seen. 

Denise B. McLeod/ Madame Ode’miin Surprise: I cannot simply narrow my list to only a few events, the whole line-up is INCREDIBLE! Les Femmes Fatales is always a phenomenal show. Steers and Queers – Night of 100 Dollys, who doesn’t want to see 100 Dollys? Lavender is always a great night. I love the concept of Youth/Elders Pride Party + Rainbow Seniors Showcase. 

Gay Jesus: I’m excited for so many events at Buddies Pride. If I had to pick a top three, I’d definitely start my month with Lavender. Then, I’d make sure to grab my tickets for the 2-Spirit Cabaret which is always absolutely incredible. And finally, I would make sure to be front row for Les Femmes Fatales: Showgirls! Glitter and Grime because I’m a huge fan of this troupe and am just dying to watch another of their shows. 

Robert Watson: Well Homo Night In Canada is a Pride institution at this point, I have no doubt the legendary B-Girls will bring a fab show. And there’s so many others I’m excited for- 2-Spirit Cabaret, Fagnificent, Anesti Daniels, QueerCab - honestly I can’t wait to see it all. I’m going to be filled-to-overflowing with all the queer culture there is to see this year. 

David Benjamin Tomlinson: 1) Homo Night in Canada is a fucking INSTITUTION. Hosted and curated for over twenty years by the fearless and iconic B-Girlz, it is one of the best nights of comedy you’ll see all year. 2) The Lady5 Community Drag Pageant is a rambunctious event where anything can and probably will happen. 3) Dancing. I’m up for some pretty serious dancing. 

Chase Lo: Oh gosh! Like EVERYTHING. Have you seen the line-up!? 

Anesti Danelis: I’m looking forward to Pride-a-Palooza. There are so many funny people in that lineup. I’m also looking forward to QueerCab. It looks like an experimental show that is a celebration of weird and unedited ideas, and I’m all about celebrating the weird.