Including 6 art installations, and community connect programming
On May 3, Pride Toronto announced all virtual based programming including over 70 individual events showcasing more than 130 2SLGBTQ+ artists, 14 party collectives, and seven community committee programs. The full programming lineup can be found online at PrideToronto.com/PrideGuide.
In alignment with the City of Toronto’s restrictions, Pride Toronto is excited to announce additional phygital based Festival programming further showcasing Toronto’s vibrant 2SLGBTQ+ arts community.
Phygital Festival Programming Art Installations
The Invisible Majority – Zahra Siddiqui – June 1-July 1
Hosted at Stackt Market – 28 Bathurst St, Toronto, ON M5V 0C6
The Invisible Majority is a body work created by Toronto based photographer/visual artist/storyteller Zahra Siddiqui. This series is meant to speak on the consciousness and civilization of our society. It’s meant to honour the existence of Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, 2SLGBTQ+ and those who lack visibility and representation. I hope these portraits will impact and force future generations to ask “Why did she only photograph people of colour? What was happening for her to focus on these groups of people? Why does she call them The Invisible Majority?”.
Pride is a Protest – Rob Shostak & Dioisios Vriniotis – June 3-July 2
Hosted at Harbourfront Centre – 235 Queens Quay W, Toronto, ON M5J 2G8
Pride is a Protest examines the duality of pride. Placards are mounted at various heights creating a field of colours and history. From one side, the colours and materials are a representation of our various communities coming together in celebration. The parade, the pageantry, the parties. The joy, the love, the celebration, the euphoria. The freedom to be who we are. But behind all that is what made these celebrations possible. The uprisings, protests, marches. The people, the anger, the voices. Our shared history that must find a way to pass from generation to generation of chosen families. Pride came from protest. Pride is a protest. This is our history.
Let It Grow – Terran McNeely – June 3-July 2
Hosted at The Donald D. Summerville Pool in Woodbine Beach Park – 1867 Lake Shore Blvd E, Toronto, ON M1P 4N7
This work is a celebration of the most beautiful and vibrant community of people. It is intended to highlight the beauty, joy and resilience our surrounding friends and families bring to the 2SLGBT2Q+ community. We hold our histories, stories and vibrancy within each of us. This energy and strength radiates, demanding respect and encouraging growth. This mural is intended to represent the notion of sharing our collective beauty with the world – it starts with each of us, and grows outwardly as we nurture where we have come from and what we have experienced in order to celebrate who we are.
No Skateboarding – DIY Skate Toronto x Tea Base- June 3-June 31
Hosted at Stackt Market, In partnership with MOCA – 28 Bathurst St, Toronto, ON M5V 0C6
No Skateboarding is a pop-up mini ramp installation that challenges us to reimagine our relationship to art, creation and destruction. The juxtaposition of a built-to-skate-feature and the presence of “No Skateboarding” signs, lends itself to a human curiosity, while commenting on the perceived immutable nature of passive, hostile signage. Built by the DIY Skate Toronto Community and painted by Tea Base in residency with the MOCA, No Skateboarding invites people to interact through familiar colorful design, in homage to MOCA’s current exhibition of Michael Lin’s Archipelago.
Return, Seek, Carry – Jocelyn Reynolds – June 15-July 27
Hosted at Buddies in Bad Times, co-presented by Buddies in Bad Times – 12 Alexander St, Toronto, ON M4Y 1B4
Return, Seek, Carry is a growing body of work documenting elder 2SLGBTQIA+ people through portraiture and oral histories. This project aims to witness the lasting cultural, social, and political contributions of queer, trans*, and gender expansive elders, ensuring that their lived experiences and insights remain visible and accessible to future generations. This project aims to act as a catalyst for conversations between past and present, with the hope of building intergenerational community through reciprocal learning. In listening to one another we can discover possibilities, and imagine futures in which we thrive together.
A Reflection on the Invisible – Aude Guivarch – June 3-June 31
Hosted at Underscore Projects – 1468 Dundas St W 2nd Floor, Toronto, ON M6J 1Y6
A Reflection on the Invisible is a discussion about the unseen. Daylight renders this mirror sculpture almost invisible. It reflects people and their environment and in a way, fades into its surroundings. At night, the semi-transparent two-way mirror doesn’t reflect as much, thus letting the inner lighting define the shape of the sculpture. The dichotomy of night and day symbolizes how ostracized people might choose to camouflage into society by reflecting what it wants to see. The sculptural shape of this polygonal installation reverences the vulva. Large in size, it is staged as an imposing yet graceful monolith, defying society’s oppression and inculcating respect.
Pride Community Mural – Ness Lee – June 3-June 31
Hosted at Underscore Projects – 1468 Dundas St W 2nd Floor, Toronto, ON M6J 1Y6
Ness Lee’s work is an investigation of the human form dealing with notions of intimacy and self-love. Rather than the emphasis on the physical form, the emotional resonance and presence is brought to focus in periods of vulnerability, discomfort and acceptance. Using various mediums, she explores and echoes these emotions, encompassing its tactile experience into one that is filled with a depth of feeling, playing on humourous rhythms and self-exploration.
Come to My Window – Roxanne Luchak – June 25-June 26
Hosted at Underscore Projects – 1468 Dundas St W 2nd Floor, Toronto, ON M6J 1Y6
Dykes in the basement presents: Come to my window; FACADE Edition. An outdoor video installation by Roxanne Luchak with special guest performance by the amazing Frosty Valentine on June 26.
LED Screen Art Exhibition – Featuring Yalla Roza, Vivian Rosas, Mitch Duncan, Jenelle Lewis, Erik Kostiuk Williams, Brian Jiang – June 1-June 27
Hosted on LED screens donated by Outfront Media and SMIRNOFF for more information and artists statements visit PrideToronto.com
Pride Toronto Official Merchandise -Yohomo, Operation Soap, MUKA designs, Annyugenart, Frizz the Kid, the Invisible Majority and Flamingo Market – June 1-July 1
Hosted at Stackt Market – 28 Bathurst St, Toronto, ON M5V 0C6
Stop by Stackt Market every Thursday from 4:00 – 8:00 pm throughout the month of June to shop our official 2021 Pride Festival merch! Created and curated by local, 2SLGBTQ+ owned brands and artists Yohomo, Operation Soap, MUKA designs, Annyugenart, Frizz the Kid, the Invisible Majority and Flamingo Market, the immersive shopping experience at Stackt Market will be the place to be for the best Pride goods this year! Enjoy the outdoor vendor spaces, pride inspired playlist, and receive a free Pride goodie bag with every purchase!
Pride Toronto Virtual StreetFair -June 1-July 1
Online – PrideToronto.com/StreetFair
We will feature 2SLBGTQ+ local businesses, artists and makers for your shopping pleasure! It’s no secret that COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on small businesses, and has had an even greater impact on 2SLGBTQ+ business owners. This year more than ever, spending money with small, local, and independent retailers will have an amazing impact on the community. Whether you have a penchant for handmade candles, a taste for craft cocktails, or just need a new Pride tee to rock during the Festival – the StreetFair will have something for everyone! Live for the entire month of June, be sure to tune in to shop small, support local businesses and the 2SLGBTQ+ community!
Community Connect Programming – June 1-July 1
Directed by Pride Toronto’s community consultation committees, Pride Toronto will be launching a series of select surprise and delight community based programming throughout the 2021 Festival. This initiative was developed in an effort to bridge access to Pride Toronto Festival programming for specific audiences who may otherwise not be able to participate due to a variety of challenges with only virtual based programming. Pride Toronto staff and volunteers will be handing out official Pride Toronto swag bags filled with celebratory items to get the season started. Keep an eye on Pride Toronto’s social accounts to see where the team will be dropping in next to snag yours.
Physical-based Initiatives and Public Health
For all physical-based initiatives, Pride Toronto will continue to follow Public Health Ontario and Toronto Public Health’s recommendations and restrictions when planning. Pride Toronto is prioritizing to ensure the safety and well-being of all event participants and community members. For up to date information about Covid-19 please visit www.toronto.ca/home/covid-19
About Pride Toronto
Pride Toronto is a not-for-profit organization with a mission to bring people together to celebrate the history, courage, and diversity of the 2SLGBTQ+ communities. Uniting and empowering people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions, the annual Pride Toronto Festival has become a major Canadian Arts and Cultural Event and the largest Pride celebration in North America. Pride showcases Toronto on the world stage with diversity, inclusion and vibrant creativity.
Please visit pridetoronto.com and follow @PrideToronto on
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For media inquiries please contact communications@pridetoronto.com
For more information on COVID-19, available community resources, online activities, and updates please visit pridetoronto.com/covid19resources
For information, actions you can take, and staying informed on COVID-19 please use the following resources:
Government of Canada
Public Health Ontario
Toronto Public Health
World Health Organization
