Story by Ed Salvato; Above: To coincide with Luminato's premiere production of his debut opera,
Prima Donna, Rufus Wainwright makes Toronto the first stop on his North
American tour for his new solo album, All Days Are Nights: Songs for
Lulu. Photos courtesy of Luminato.
Our northern neighbor is gearing up for a slew of cool events popular with LGBT locals and visitors alike. With its soaring skyline, burgeoning restaurant scene, cutting-edge architecture (especially new art-related developments), and vibrant Gay Village, Toronto -- a sophisticated metropolis that I call a nicer, cleaner version of New York -- rolls out a season of queer-popular events starting in May.
Pick one (or more) of the events below. Then figure out where you want to stay. Our brother site OutTraveler.com covered Toronto's hotel scene. In addition, there are two new hotels that are great places to lay your head.
The Hazelton, in the heart of the ritzy Yorkville neighborhood in downtown Toronto, is sleek and contemporary and widely lauded as one of the city's most exclusive hotels. Their chic restaurant ONE offers the best perch for people watching in this upscale neighborhood.
The Hyatt Regency Toronto is a stylish pad overlooking Lake Ontario. Their plush, comfy Grand Beds are appropriately named and every rooms boasts a 42" inch Plasma TV.
Toronto's Gay Summer Events: Grab your calenders and slot of of these queerly fun events into your busy gay calendar this summer.
May 20-30
Inside Out Toronto LGBT Film and Video Festival
The 20th anniversary year of Toronto's kick-ass festival unspools over 250 films and videos from around the world over 11 days.
May 29-30
Doors Open Toronto
150 buildings of
architectural, historic, cultural and/or social significance open their
doors to the public. Best part: Admission is free.
June 11-20
Luminato
Toronto Festival of Arts and Creativity where Rufus Wainwright launches his North American Tour: All Days are Nights: Songs for Lulu.
June 25 through July 4
Toronto Pride
This 10-day long event is one of the largest Pride celebrations in the world with an estimated attendance of over 1.2 million people.
June 30-July 11
The Fringe Toronto's Theatre Festival
The Fringe, Toronto's largest theatre festival, will be host to over 150 theatre companies from around the
globe. Admission to all shows is under $10.
September 9-19
Toronto International Film Festival
TIFF is one of the largest annual showcases of Canadian
film and attracts thousands of Canadian and international industry delegates as well as an festival goers from around the world..
September 26
Word on the Street
A booklover’s paradise with a marketplace of more than 258 book and
magazine exhibits, 248 of Canada’s top authors, poets, storytellers and
presenters and 198 readings, performances, workshops and other events.
For more gay trip-planning information
offered by Toronto's official tourism bureau, visit SeeTorontoNow.com.
Story by Ed Salvato; Above: To coincide with Luminato's premiere production of his debut opera,
Prima Donna, Rufus Wainwright makes Toronto the first stop on his North
American tour for his new solo album, All Days Are Nights: Songs for
Lulu. Photos courtesy of Luminato.
Our northern neighbor is gearing up for a slew of cool events popular with LGBT locals and visitors alike. With its soaring skyline, burgeoning restaurant scene, cutting-edge architecture (especially new art-related developments), and vibrant Gay Village, Toronto -- a sophisticated metropolis that I call a nicer, cleaner version of New York -- rolls out a season of queer-popular events starting in May.
Pick one (or more) of the events below. Then figure out where you want to stay. Our brother site OutTraveler.com covered Toronto's hotel scene. In addition, there are two new hotels that are great places to lay your head.
The Hazelton, in the heart of the ritzy Yorkville neighborhood in downtown Toronto, is sleek and contemporary and widely lauded as one of the city's most exclusive hotels. Their chic restaurant ONE offers the best perch for people watching in this upscale neighborhood.
The Hyatt Regency Toronto is a stylish pad overlooking Lake Ontario. Their plush, comfy Grand Beds are appropriately named and every rooms boasts a 42" inch Plasma TV.
Toronto's Gay Summer Events: Grab your calenders and slot of of these queerly fun events into your busy gay calendar this summer.
May 20-30
Inside Out Toronto LGBT Film and Video Festival
The 20th anniversary year of Toronto's kick-ass festival unspools over 250 films and videos from around the world over 11 days.
May 29-30
Doors Open Toronto
150 buildings of
architectural, historic, cultural and/or social significance open their
doors to the public. Best part: Admission is free.
June 11-20
Luminato
Toronto Festival of Arts and Creativity where Rufus Wainwright launches his North American Tour: All Days are Nights: Songs for Lulu.
June 25 through July 4
Toronto Pride
This 10-day long event is one of the largest Pride celebrations in the world with an estimated attendance of over 1.2 million people.
June 30-July 11
The Fringe Toronto's Theatre Festival
The Fringe, Toronto's largest theatre festival, will be host to over 150 theatre companies from around the
globe. Admission to all shows is under $10.
September 9-19
Toronto International Film Festival
TIFF is one of the largest annual showcases of Canadian
film and attracts thousands of Canadian and international industry delegates as well as an festival goers from around the world..
September 26
Word on the Street
A booklover’s paradise with a marketplace of more than 258 book and
magazine exhibits, 248 of Canada’s top authors, poets, storytellers and
presenters and 198 readings, performances, workshops and other events.
For more gay trip-planning information
offered by Toronto's official tourism bureau, visit SeeTorontoNow.com.
