Back outside with Pride
Happy Pride! To start off the month-long celebration, here are a few events from Toronto Pride’s schedule we’re excited about.
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After a two-year pandemic hiatus, one of Toronto’s most iconic international celebrations – Pride – is back at full capacity this year, with a packed schedule of festivities. Pride Toronto recently unveiled its 2022 lineup, featuring a dynamic range of performances, parties and parades celebrating the 2SLGBTQ+ community. We rounded up a few of our favourites below.
One of several Pride kick-off events, on June 4 Toronto’s first ever 2-Spirited Pow Wow will be held in North York’s Downsview Park. Hosted by 2-Spirited People of the First Nations, the Pow Wow will run from 10 am to 6 pm and will feature food, music and dance that highlight various aspects of 2-Spirit identity. Stephanie Pangowish will guide the day’s program as MC, along with lead drumming by Two-Spirit Bear Moon and 416 Singers.
Produced by Toronto-based community collective Blackness Yes!, two Toronto Pride staple events – Blockorama and Blockobana – are back this year with a very special headliner. On Sunday, June 26, soca superstar Patrice Roberts will take the Wellesley stage for a live performance as Blockorama’s featured act, following a packed lineup of local artists and performers. Then, stay in touch with Blackness Yes! throughout the summer as they kick-off Blockobana on July 31 at Toronto’s Stackt Market.
To inaugurate the big weekend, on Friday, June 24, Pride Toronto welcomes “The Queen of Dancehall” Grace Hamilton AKA Spice to the TD Mainstage for a headlining performance. Warming up the stage for the dancehall phenom will be the season two winners of HBO’s hit series Legendary: vogue dance crew The House of Miyake Mugler. The crowd will also enjoy sets by Legendary’s resident DJ Mike Q and Toronto’s own DJ Blackcat.
Winner of Canada’s Drag Race season one, Toronto’s own Priyanka will perform Taste Test – her debut EP – live on the TD Mainstage on June 26. This will be her first live hometown Pride performance since being crowned Drag Race winner in 2020.
Closing out the month with a bang will be the much-anticipated Toronto Pride Parade. Remaining to be one of the largest 2SLGBTQ+ celebrations in the world, the Toronto Pride Parade carries a long historical narrative dating back almost four decades.
Check out Pride Toronto’s homepage for more info about all this month’s festivities.