Thursday, June 24

about face Exhibition of images from the 21st century and new work by urban photographer Nelson Osborne French. To Jul 2. Arta Gallery, 55 Mill. 416-364-2782.

aids candlelight vigil Candlelight ceremony celebrating the lives of people who have died of AIDS-related illnesses. 9-10 pm. Free. Cawthra Square, behind 519 Church. 416-392-6878 ext 312.

charles pachter Iconographic pop paintings of moose, the Queen and other celebrated Canadians by the queer artist. To Jun 26. Spin, 1100 Queen W. 416-530-7656.

cheap queers The Hardworkin' Homosexuals present No Thin Towels In Da Haus, featuring Daniel Barrow, Nova Bhattacharya, the Boychoir of Lesbos, the Delightful Divas, Ali Eisner, Gentleman Reg, Ginny, Louise Liliefeldt, Shane MacKinnon, Evelyn Parry, David Roche and Marion Wall. 9 pm. $4.55. Vatikan, 1032 Queen W. cheapqueers@hotmail.com

city and nature: ciudad y naturaleza Retrospective of paintings by gaybourhood resident Alex Flores. to Jul 9. Gallery X, 491 Church. 416-925-6665.

cookin' at the cookery Jackie Richardson portrays blues legend (and lesbian) Alberta Hunter in the play by Marion J Caffey. To Jul 4. $24-$69.50. New Yorker, 651 Yonge. 416-872-1111.

cube party DJ Gordon Embry spins, plus a best ass contest. 10 pm. No cover. Cube Night Club, 529 Yonge. 416-963-5196.

double chin picnic Art by collaborators Andrew Harwood, Allyson Mitchell, RM Vaughan and Christine Zeidler. To Jul 18. 1080 Bus Gallery, 1080 Queen W. 416-537-8827.

da ali g show First episode of the U.S-produced series from Jewish-Welsh comedian Sacha Baron Cohen and his politically correct rapper alias, Ali G. 10 pm. Showcase.

drag in a bag Staff drag show hosted by Miss Conception and guests. 8 pm. Zelda's, 542 Church. 416-845-4645.

the enormous room Exhibition of art by bill bissett, Menno Krant and others. To Jul 31. Pteros Gallery, 2255 Dundas W. 416-533-5159.

xxxtreme contest What will Buzcek do? Extended drinking hours to 4 am. Black Eagle, 457 Church. blackeagletoronto.com

flash: queering the field A photo-collage exhibition of work by Tania Anderson, John Caffery, Pamila Matharu, Scott McEwan, John Simone and Trixie & Beever opens today (8 pm) and runs to Jul 4. Edward Day Gallery, 952 Queen W. 416-921-6540.

free to be... the scandelles Queer and saucy burlesque tribute to the classic 70s children's album and book Free To Be... You and Me. 8 pm. $15. Buddies in Bad Times, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555.

fruit and fibre Gay stand-up comic Carl Stewart performs. 6:30 pm. $8, stu pwyc. Textile Museum, 55 Centre. 416-599-5321.

girls with guns Art by Fiona Smyth, Freshdiscoporkergas, Maurice Vellekoop, Mary Dykstra, Rob Elliot and others. To Jul 18. Burston Gallery, 1092 Queen W. 416-516-1232.

hairspray This candy-coloured adaptation of John Waters's camp classic, starring Vanessa Olivarez, runs indefinitely. $26-$94. Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King W. 416-872-1212.

i was a male war bride A French captain married to an American war lieutenant tries to get into the U.S. along with a group of war brides. 9 pm. PrideVisionTV.

karlheinz weinberg Retrospective of photographs by the 83-year-old, Zurich-based artist. To Jul 18. Lehmann Leskiw & Schedler, 626 Richmond W. 416-922-1914.

live with regis and kelly SNL's Chris "Mango" Kattan and the BBC's So Graham Norton catch a number from Angel In America as Reeg salutes Broadway. 9 am. ABC/CTV.

THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING In the last instalment of Peter Jackson's adaptation of the trilogy, Frodo moves deeper into Mordor and Aragorn heads toward Gondor to meet his destiny. See Movie listings.

lovers R Bruce Flowers's same-sex couples embrace in his clay sculptures. To Jul 14. Rainbow Cinema, 80 Front E. 416-214-7006.

mamma mia Abba songs tell the story of an independent woman, her about-to-be-married daughter and the three men who might be the daughter's dad. $26-$94. Royal Alex Theatre, 260 King W. 416-872-1212.

a man's man Painter Sadko Hadzihasanovic's tongue-in-cheek exploration of masculinity runs to Jul 3. Paul Petro Contemporary Art, 980 Queen W. 416-979-7874.

MEAN GIRLS Mark S Waters's laugh-out-loud film is about the titular hotties who rule high school and the outsider (Lindsay Lohan) who dares to shake things up. See Movie listings.

my mother likes women Spanish actor Leonor Watling stars in this family drama about a mother coming out. See Movie listings.

my name is not barbra Seraphim's play on gender confusion and gay iconography opens today and runs to Jul 8. $15. Take a Walk on the Wildside, 161 Gerrard E. 416-921-6112.

prism weekend The Prism parties kick off with DJ Joe Gauthreaux, followed by a Pride Ball, aqua party, boot camp and more. $149/ wknd pass, VIP pass $199, stu pass $99. 5ive Night Club, 5 St Joseph. www.prismtoronto.com

pride business mixer Have fun with the Fruit Factor and meet future clients. 6-9 pm. $25, adv $20. Church Mouse & Firkin, 474 Church. 416-925-XTRA ext 2163.

pride hospitality suite Meet Mr TNT!Men, Sean McGowan, and view his exhibition of nude male photography (5-7 pm) then participate in naked men's yoga (7:30 pm). $5. 177 Mutual. www.tntmen.org

pridelicious Celebrate Pride Week with Cajun, Creole and soul cuisine and benefit Pride Toronto. $25 three-course prix-fixe menu. To Jun 27. Southern Accent, 595 Markham. 416-536-3211.

pride pub The U of T Pride contingent hosts a pub night, featuring a barbecue and dancing. 6 pm. $5. Hart House Quad, 7 Hart House Circle. 416-978-2452.

pride week cheek Comedy show featuring David Mclean, Doug Taylor, Roberto Bozac, Tanya Henley, Stephen Sharpe and more. 7 and 9:30 pm. $12. Laugh Resort, 370 King W. 416-364-5233.

pride week forum The Law Soc of Upper Canada hosts a panel discussion on legal issues affecting the transgender community. 4 pm. 130 Queen W. 416-947-7625.

the producers Mel Brooks's adaptation of his 1968 film features swishy queens, horny grannies and clever songs. To Jul 4. $26-$99. Canon Theatre, 244 Victoria. 416-872-1212.

queer duck The Drake holds its loud and proud gay/bi/trans/mallard-enthusiast monthly party with two floors of DJs and dancing. 9 pm. $10. Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen W.

quenched The Scream literary festival presents Dionne Brand reading Thirsty in its entirety. 7 pm. $5, $45 w/ dinner. Toronto Women's Bookstore, 73 Harbord. 416-466-8862.

reg hartt's pride week film fest Queer Hitchcock, featuring Rope (7 pm) and Strangers On A Train (9 pm). Cineforum, 463 Bathurst. 416-603-6643.

sadko hadzihasanovic Paintings of humpy men – Future King Of England, Hommes Fatals and Me And Che. To Jul 3. Paul Petro Contemporary Art, 980 Queen W. 416-979-7874.

salaam pride Festival of queer Muslim culture, featuring performances by Sami, singer Umit, and bellydancers Samara and Noura. 10:30 pm. $10. Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, 12 Alexander. www.salaamcanada.org

salaamania Queer Muslim party. 5-10 pm. Free. Papi's Lounge, 459 Church. www.salaamcanada.org

something of a terrible wonder Natalie Majaba Waldburger's paintings and drawings focusing on desire, transition and the body are on view to Jul 3. XEXE Gallery, 624 Richmond W. 416-646-2706.

strange tongues Anything-goes open stage. 8:30 pm. $2 sugg. Pussycat Club, 304 Richmond W. 416-351-8175.

sven hennze The painter exhibits his work through Jul 10. O'Connor Gallery, 97 Maitland. 416-921-7149.

three's company cabaret All-live, nostalgic Pride celebration of music from the 40s and 50s with Miss Conception, Steve Roseland and Miss Horizon. 11 pm. No cover. Zipperz/Cellblock, 72 Carlton. 416-921-0066.

tits up Local shit-disturbing dykes, trannies, drag queens, breeders and gender-fuckers read five-minute feminist porn stories. 8 pm. $10. Buddies in Bad Times, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555.

translating minoritized cultures Translated readings by Arun Mukherjee, Alok Mukherjee and Barbara Godard. 7 pm. Free. Toronto Women's Bookstore, 73 Harbord. 416-922-8744.

twist Jacob Tierney's film, set in Toronto instead of London, is a bleak update of Oliver Twist where all the orphans are hustlers, and instead of musical numbers there's incest and violence. See Movie listings.

urinetown CanStage mounts a production of Greg Kotis and Mark Hollman's musical satire. To Sep 4. $45-$85. Bluma Appel Theatre, 27 Front E. 416-368-3110.

water drops on burning rocks Midnight. Showcase.

well hung Exhibition of work by local artists including Dayv James-French, Pernell Keefe and Adriana Van Drunen. To Jun 29. This Ain't the Rosedale Library, 483 Church. 416-929-9912.

white chicks Two black FBI agents go underground as white girls to prevent twin heiresses from being kidnapped in the Wayans brothers film. See Movie listings.

Friday, June 25

a dancer's story The saga of the country's most famous dance company is explored through archival footage, recent performances and interviews. 8 pm. Bravo!

a night with the pope's sidekick DJ Roxanne spins all night with the Coyote Girls and celebrity bartender Melanie Le Chene. 9:30 pm. $10. Winchester Pub, 537 Parliament. www.chickitas.com

austin city limits Theatrical concert from Pete Escovedo, Rosie Flores and Rueben Ramos followed by five hours of sets from Sheryl Crow, Bela Fleck and others. Midnight. PBS.

boot camp Prism party with DJ Abel and Shawn Riker, and Matthew Rush. $35 adv, more at the door. Kool Haus, 1 Jarvis. www.prismtoronto.com

boylesque cabaret Shows at 9:30 & 11 pm (no cover) and an Iceman Pride Party with DJ Xenon ($15). Cube Night Club, 529 Yonge. 416-963-5196.

by design Patty Duke and Sara Botsford star as a lesbian couple searching for the perfect biological father for the baby they want. 4 pm. Bravo!

cheap queers The Hardworkin' Homosexuals present When Was The Last Time You Hugged A Millionaire?, featuring Virginia Baeta, Gwyneth Baillie, Rose Cullis, the Delightful Divas, Ann Holloway, I Furiosi, Susan Justin, David MacLean, Sonja Mills, David Ramsden, Toby Rodin, Mirha-Soleil Ross, Scandalnavia and Gloria Shreeve. 9 pm. $4.55. Vatikan, 1032 Queen W. cheapqueers@hotmail.com

gay pride women's dance Women4Montreal presents DJs Deb Parent, KellyBoy and Zahara. 8:30 pm. $20, adv $15. Opera House, 735 Queen E. www.theoperahouse.com

homo night in canada v Local queer comics including Trevor Boris, Susan Fischer and Ted Morris face off in She Shoots, She Scores!. 8 pm. $20. Buddies in Bad Times, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555.

i love you, you pay my rent Erotic audio and visual stimulation in a sexy den of playful and frisky mischief. 5ive Nightclub, 5 St Joseph. 416-964-8685, www.5ivenightclub.com

the jump-off triple threat rooftop party Three floors, three vibes, one love, featuring DJs Sydney Blu, Dalia, Nikki Red and more. 10 pm-5 am. $10. Bauhaus, 31 Mercer. www.allwomensweekend.com

the kids are alright Talk on queer parenting with author/NOW sex columnist Dan Savage (see cover story, page 36), author Ann-Marie MacDonald and her partner Alisa Palmer, hosted by Diane Flacks. 7:30 pm. $7-$17 sliding scale. Edward Johnson Bldg, 80 Queen's Pk. 416-922-8744.

military theme night Prizes and contests hosted by Heavenly and Zelda Angelfire. Zelda's, 542 Church. 416-845-4645.

moist Women celebrate their pride, diversity and power with DJs Deb Parent, KellyBoy and Zahra spinning old school, disco, Bollywood and more. 8:30 pm. $20, adv $15. Opera House, 735 Queen E. 416-466-0313.

out at the ball game Celebrate with the Toronto Blue Jays as they play Montreal and raise funds for Pride Toronto. 7:05 pm. $9-$62. Skydome, 1 Blue Jays Way. 416-341-1234, www.bluejays.com

out of the closet and down the aisle Exploration of gay marriage through the ages. 7-9 pm. $20, stu/srs $15. Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen's Pk. 416-586-5797.

reg hartt's pride week film fest The Gospel According To St Matthew (7 pm), Salo (9 pm). Cineforum, 463 Bathurst. 416-603-6643.

robbie williams show The former boy band back-liner throws off his past to become an all-round, 60s-style family entertainer. 3 pm. MuchMoreMusic.

saigon pride Scented Boys and the Fly DiverCity Series host a party. 10 pm to 4 am. $10 before 11 pm, $15 after. Fly, 8 Gloucester. 416-410-5426, www.flynightclub.com

squeeze Buddies Pride weekend kick-off party. 10:30 pm. $15 at Toronto Women's Bookstore (73 Harbord). Buddies in Bad Times, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555.

stories of struggle, pride & victory Academics and community workers discuss queer oppression. 9 am-5 pm. Free. OISE, 252 Bloor W. 416-319-8914.

sugar John Palmer's film about a young suburban gay guy's experiences features an embarrassment of acting riches. Opens today. See Movie listings.

what not to wear Stacey and Clinton make over the only four unfashionably dressed people in Toronto on this first of a series of locally shot episodes. 10 pm, repeated 1 am and 2 pm Sat. TLC.

you can go your own gay Didi-7 blends robot disco and dirty funk while Sasha Van Bon Bon adds a little indipunkglamprogclassic rock to Denise and Andrew's synchro mix. $5. Andy Poolhall, 489 College. 416-923-5300.

zipperz party DJ Black Cat spins. 10 pm. Zipperz/Cellblock, 72 Carlton. 416-921-0066.

Saturday, June 26

all women's weekend Two-day, open-air block party featuring live performances, rotating DJs, a sports tournament, dance, fashion and a super-soaker water fight. Today and tomorrow at a location tba. www.allwomensweekend.com

andrea florian The singer performs 10:30 pm. C'est What, 67 Front E. 416-867-9499.

aqua party Dance to the sounds of DJ Susan Morabito. 1 pm. $25 adv, more at the door. Kool Haus, 1 Jarvis. www.prismtoronto.com

axotika Asian Xpress's Pride party features an Asian showcase, go-go dancers, giveaways and DJ Sumasian. 10 pm-3 am. $10 before 11 pm, $15 before midnight, $20 after. 5ive Nightclub, 5 St Joseph. 416-318-8950.

bathouse babes theme night Wet Underwear contest and cheap show with best ass contest, hosted by Lena Over and Justeen Touch. 9 pm. Zelda's, 542 Church. 416-845-4645.

the beef ball Gay Pride men's dance. 10 pm. $tba. Opera House, 735 Queen E. www.theoperahouse.com

bound An ex-con and a gangster's moll (Gina Gershon and Jennifer Tilly) begin an intense lesbian affair and hatch a plan to make off with ill-gotten gains. 1 am. Bravo!

dyke march The women-only march kicks off at 2 pm at Church and Charles, heads W on Bloor to Yonge, S on Yonge to Alexander and E to Church. Free. www.pridetoronto.com

E! true hollywood story: supermodels Get the inside story on the most exclusive sorority on the planet. 11:30 pm. Star!TV.

extreme divas Asya Black, Chris Edwards, Ginette Dupree and Robin Loren perform on the outdoor stage (5:30-7:30 pm), DJ L'il Ricky spins inside the Cellblock (7:30 pm), and DJ Coreyactivate plays 10 pm to closing. Zipperz/ Cellblock, 72 Carlton. 416-921-0066.

family pride LGBT Parenting Network's picnic has kids entertainment, games and face painting. Today and tomorrow 11 am. Church Street Public School, Church and Alexander. www.pridetoronto.com

fly Party with Montreal DJ Stephan Grondin. 10 pm to 7 am. $20. Fly, 8 Gloucester. 416-410-5426, www.flynightclub.com

fruit loopz All-ages youth festival with performances by Shawn Hergott, Tonya, Robbie, Andrew Spice, Darcy Belisle, Renee Paget, Aamer Esmail, Peter Jaskeiwcz, Marsha Clarke, Arthur (AJ) Gallant and Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha plus Inside Out videos. 3-6 pm. Free. Indoor Stage, Buddies in Bad Times, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555.

fruit loopz The festival continues outdoors with performances by Dragonz Martial Arts, Rae Spoon, C-Lab, Niko Blaxxx, the Venn Experiment, Therapy, Nathan Smith, Julie Buxton, Garth Jensen, Serenity, Tybalt and Jazz Khan. 5-10 pm. Free. Outdoor Stage, Buddies in Bad Times, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555.

hedwig and the angry inch A drag queen from East Berlin tours the U.S. with her rock band and follows an ex-lover who stole her songs in John Cameron Mitchell's film starring himself. 10 pm. Showcase.

it's good to be: beyonce From Star Search to Destiny's Child and beyond, find out how Beyoncé became a household name. 11 pm. Star!TV.

juicy One-year anniversary Pride party, featuring Kiyomi & Galaxy live, and DJs Kiki, Violca, Holly Rock and Sue Seto. $12, adv $10. El Mocambo, 464 Spadina. www.hotpinkproductions.com

kye marshall The jazz cellist plays with guitarist Michael Occhipinti. 9 & 10:15 pm. $9. Mezzetta, 681 St Clair W. 416-658-5687.

leather brunch 11 am-3 pm. Zelda's, 542 Church. 416-845-4645.

miss universe 2004 Billy Bush and Daisy Fuentes host the competition from Quito, Ecuador. 9 pm. Star!TV.

naked pride dance Celebrate Pride with more than 300 naked men at the Barn Bar. 2-8:30 pm. $8. www.tntmen.org

patio bbq Barbecue (1 pm), WRIB party after the Dyke March, Boylesque Cabaret ( 8 pm) and Wet And Wild Pride with DJ Gordon Embry (10 pm, $15). Cube Night Club, 529 Yonge. 416-963-5196.

play goes to pot Host Jian Ghomeshi examines the widespread use of marijuana and the confusion over its current legality. 2 am. Newsworld.

pride ball Canada's largest Pride party and Pride Toronto fundraiser presents Chaka Khan and DJ Barry Harris. 10 pm-8 am. $65. The Docks, 11 Polson. www.pridetoronto.com

pride beer garden Dyke March edition featuring a women and trans section. 3-9 pm. No cover. Cawthra Square Park, 519 Church. 416-392-6878 ext 102.

pride and remembrance run The 519/Fife House annual fundraising run gets rolling at 10 am at Church and Wellesley. $30. www.priderun.org

provoke III Visual art by Tempermettle, Camila Prada, Zac Ridgely and more, and vocalists Wayward Sister. 9 pm. $10. Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen W. www.insomniacmanagement.com

queer eye for the straight guy George is a Fabio look-alike in love with his Bon Jovi-inspired hairdo. 11:45 pm. Bravo!

reg hartt's pride week film fest The Seven Faces Of Dr Lau (2 pm), The Best Of The Sex & Violence Cartoon Festival (7 pm) and The Salvador Dali Film Festival (9 pm). Cineforum, 463 Bathurst. 416-603-6643.

savour: pride Women, trans folk, queers and their friends celebrate with DJs Denise Benson, Dalia, Jola and La Bomba plus the Scandelles burlesque revue. 9 pm-4 am. $15, adv $12. Andy Poolhall and Ciao Eddie, 489 College. 416-923-5300.

slam saturday meets "the affair" A sexy, sophisticated, wild and risqué party with DJs Delicious and Clement. 10 pm-5 am. $10. Croissant Tree, 625 Church. www.allwomensweekend.com

strap one on Pop-up performances, DJs, novelty acts and more benefit Buddies in Bad Times and Nightwood theatres. 10 pm. $10. Buddies in Bad Times, 12 Alexander. 416-975-8555.

the wet party DJ Carol spins all night with the Coyote Girls, give-aways and celebrity bartender Melanie Le Chene. 9:30 pm. $10. Winchester Pub, 537 Parliament. www. chickitas.com

wild on: jamaica Join host Brooke Burke as she explores the island's pulsating reggae music and breathtaking sunsets. 1:30 am. Star!TV.