It Takes a [Gay] Village

G.A.G.

2008-08-19T22:00:00.000-04:00

It's not what you think. ;-)

G.A.G. is the acronym for Gays Against Glitter.

And while both ...

And ...

...induce a gag reflex in us, neither Gary Glitter or Glitter (the movie) are what we, G.A.G.ists are Against. No, the object of our revulsion is indeed, plain old, every day obnoxious GLITTER.

That multi-coloured crap thrown at you from every direction at gay bars, drag bars, pride and circuit parties, not to mention R.A.G (Random Acts of Glitter)

That's right. Here and now, in front of you all I am announcing the birth of what is sure to become one of the foundation groups of the Modern Gay World Order... GAYS AGAINST GLITTER.

We're Here,
We're Queer,
and we're not gonna sparkle anymore!

If you are a Serial Homosexualist (a poofter, a pansy, or fudge packer) and have had it up to top of your over-product'd coif, then join the ranks. Vow that from here and now, you will never EVER throw rainbow coloured handfuls of this most heinous and foul debris into the air at any party, pride event, parade or other festive event. Should you be accosted by any glitter wielding person[s] you will immediately and with as much force as possible knee the offending party(s) in the nads and set both them and their remain glitter alight. (Fear not for you are doing the work of the good and just.)

It's a fact that at each gay event in the world today, one person loses an eye, 3 people against their own will inhale glitter, permanently be-dazzling their lungs, 69 fags hair-dos become hair-don'ts due to unauthorized glitter applications and 101 people are left scarred for days with un-removable body glitter that is perma-stuck to their skin.

Don't be a statistic, just say NO to Glitter!

- - - - -

Special thanks to Tom McGurk. A Fellow flaming 'mo and devout G.A.G.ist and co-founder (along with yours truly) of the G.A.G. Movement.

PRIDE 2008 - These are the people in my gaybourhood

2008-08-17T23:55:00.004-04:00

Oh. these are the people in my gaybourhood, in my gaybourhood, in my gay-bour-hood...

The people that you meet, when you're walking down the street...

Dos Hombres Guapo...

Marty showing us what a NON-Scotsman wears under his Kilt... OH MY!

Les enfants perdus from the float for le bar Aigle Noir...

...are not so lost any more... after they found their Mother...

Sister Anita Makeover...

Random Queen #1...

Random Queens #2 and 3...

I say #2 winds tits down!

PRIDE Parade 2008 - The Boys

2008-08-17T23:53:00.004-04:00

Boys, Boys, Boys...

FINALLY!

Howard got new pants just for the parade...

Hunk alert on the Right... grrrr...

Le Groupe Événours Montréal (That's our friend Marty holding the Bear Pride Flag)...

A leather clad Juggling duo...

Le groupe Les Legende Urbaine...

The ever hunky John... or as he's know by friends... Johnny Delicious...

This little leather clad devil... or angel - you decide - deserved two photos...

The zoo comes alive in leather and latex with the groupe DOM S/M Acadame...

Lions...

...and Horses...

... and Elephants. Oh My!

PRIDE Parade 2008 - The 'Girls'

2008-08-17T23:52:00.001-04:00

Girls, girls, girls... Or... mostly 'Girls'...

Cantelli...

Wilma and Betty...

I didn't get a full frontal of this one, but isn't her outfit DIVINE?!!?

OLE!

And look... a surprise appearance by Amy Winehouse...

PRIDE Parade 2008 - Filler

2008-08-17T23:51:00.003-04:00

Between the glamour of the Drag Queens, and the machismo of the Leather men and the dancer filled floats you have the filler...

The requisite Pride Flag...

...and what pride parade is complete without some two-stepping cow-pokes in the gayest outfits on Earth... le Club Bolo de Montreal...

... or a gayrobic group... Les Pieds Leves...

...part of Equipe Montreal... Au Contre Courant...

PRIDE Parade 2008 - The Floats

2008-08-17T23:50:00.012-04:00

What a BEAUTIFUL day for a Parade. Sunny, a nice breeze and thousands of mos!

The theme of this years parade was the Circus...

The opening float, the official entry of Fierte-Montreal-Pride...

Bar le Stud...

Club Unity...

Don't you wish your girlfriend was hot like her...

Bar le Sky...

...avec V.Nus...

Bar Aigle Noir...

I was never fond of clowns... until now...

Cabaret Mado...

Bar le Parking...

Bar le Stock...

And it is because of this blond dish that a new society is born...

PRIDE 2008 - Saturday

2008-08-16T22:00:00.004-04:00

We took it easy on Saturday...

We took walked up and down Ste-Catherine Street and looked around the booths of the Community day and eventually made our way to the Aids Memorial Park to watch and listen to the Choeur Gay de Montreal.

They ended up having an impromptu guest singer... she... was... a... riot...

Later on we walked around a bit more and at a booth selling both clothing for humans as well as cats and dogs there was this ADORABLE Lesbionic bitch... I think her name was Ruby. Ain't she sweet...

Happy Pride Weekend

2008-08-15T00:15:00.004-04:00

PRIDE!

Sunday in the park with 30 thousand fags...

2008-08-03T23:59:00.009-04:00

Well Sunday at Divers/cite is always fun, you've got two big events:

La Grande Danse: Where thousands of beefy boys go topless and danse their fool asses off... (sadly as much as the eye candy not only churns but melts my butter, I can only manage about 90 minutes of that mindless BOOM-CHICK music...

Le Grand Bal Disco: Where thousands of fags and a number of lesbionics and UGH straights, shake their groove thangs to the fabtastic Boogie Wonder Band! Not only are they fabulous, they did 3 45 min sets, each with a full costume change.

Then after the BWB, V. Nus did a 30 min show of *ugh* Celine "A New Day" Ok, I'll say this, if I HAVE to look and listen to Celine Dion, this is my preformed format... via a REAL Drag Queen, not some half assed rendition, oops I mean the real Celine...

And then, what for many was the show stopper... Deborah Cox. I guess he music is lost on me as it's a little too dance clubby / Circuit Party. She Is a fantastic singer though and certainly doesn't phone it in, the woman has got some lungs!

- - - -

Here's a little photo recap of the day...

This is a fellah from Toronto that makes it down every year in THE most out there outfits! I just love her to death!

And here she is with a few little beasties in her lasso... Jason, Franco and Didier. heh.

Here's a pic though of just what we were dancing beside at la Grande Danse...

...delish, non?

Our friend Ric flagging...

The Boogie Wonder Band... and their costume changes...

Set #1

Set #2

Set #3

One of their many admirers...

She worked it all friggin afternoon... from 3:00 pm to 9:30pm. She was grooving her thang, most proud!

I'm not sure how to really explain these two, other than to say, they were feeling it all afternoon as well.... and by 'it' I mean copious ammounts of some green leafy substance...

Greetings from the planet Woodstock...

- - - - -

As usual another great weekend in the Village has come and gone... the best part is we get to repeat it all over again in two weeks... Fierté Montréal Pride.

it's Brittney, bitch...

2008-08-02T23:59:00.012-04:00

OK this part of MASCARA 2008 deserves it's own post because it was just that brilliant.

Each year at Mascara, they generally do a group performance at the finale, paying homage to one fabulous songstress or another, where one after another the drag queens come out and preform a snippet from the stars songs, chronologically. Last year it was *cough cough* Celine Dion... ok some years they are off the mark....

Well! THIS year they did something a little extra special, it was not an Homage, but rather a DOMMAGE a Brittney. And it stole the show!

Take a look...

"...Baby one more time"

"Sometimes"

"Crazy"

"Opps, I Did it Again"

"My Perrogitive"
This was one of my fav moments. Notice the two babies in her arms... well sorta... momentarily...

"Lucky"

"Gimmie More"

This was so THE moment of the night. I cannot tell yyou how loud the audience roared! it was genius!!

Mado's Mascara ran...

2008-08-02T23:58:00.010-04:00

Yes, it was time for Divers/Cite's most ultra extravagant event ... MASCARA. Hosted by non-other than Mado.

It would seem that this year was almost a total wash out, seeing as Mother Nature, that bitter bitch decided that what Montréal really needed was 13 rainy days out of 15.

Didier and I weren't sure what to do. Do we go in the rain to see the show? Do we stay home and stay dry? Was the show even still on? By 7:20pm we decided to take a stroll over, under our umbrellas and see what was up.

We arrived at the stage at about 7:40pm and there was probably only about 150 people there, at an even that generally draws crowds of over 25,000 spectators... Fortunately because of the rain we got closer to the stage then we ever had before.

At about 7:55pm the rain stopped... at 8:15pm Mado's voice over the sound system apologized for the delay in starting as the rain had wreaked havoc with-out of the power generators.

With the delay in the start and the weather now behaving, the street in front of the stage filled in, back to deMainsonneuve... as usual... no clear numbers are in but it's safe to say the audience reached the 20,000 mark...

By 8:40pm she said fuck it, the show was to go on without the one generator and the show went on...

I took quite a few photos as I always do, but alas they are not the clearest... due to: the high humidity in the air, the stupid camera man in most every shot and the fact that my camera is not the most 'night-friendly'...

The opening number:

Here is the diva Herself, in some of her more memorable costume changes (I think there were over 20)...

You'd think it was impossible to pick a favourite frock out of the lot, but no...

MEOW! What's new Pussycat?

- - - - -
Here's a few of the highlights of the night:

Nana preforming XANADU...
(I KNOW!)

Some Diva (I forget her name... anyone?) preforming "Rhythm is a Dancer"

Tracy Trash preforming "Do Re Mi / Wind It Up"
This was my favourite... I mean it's the bloody Sond of Fricking Music people!!!!

Sheena Hershey and the Sheenettes preforming a medley of the Pointer Sisters (I'm So Excited / Neutron Dance / Jump)

Cantelli preforming "Mon Truc en Plumes"

Some other Drag Queen (Help me here people!) preforming Katy Perry's "I kissed a Girl" complete with a stage full of REAL lesbians... all sucking face...
(Yea. I nearly lost my lunch too)

The divine Dream preforming Kylie...

Kiki preforming Rhianna...
She was VERY convincing I have to say.

An homage a la Spice Girls...

I love this next shot... notice Posh, way lost on stage right. She was all over the place. Mostly just walking across the stage, over and over again as if it were a runway... forgetting to sing. A riot I tell you. Brilliant!

And a final curtain call for all the fabulous ladies of the evening...

It might be a cliché but but yes, in the rain, Mado's Mascara did run... and it never looked better!

Mado Chant ABBA - 2008

2008-07-31T23:59:00.003-04:00

As long as Mado graces the stage and sings ABBA... I will be there. This was my 3rd time there, and I tire not...

I treated Didier (anniversary gift), and we were joined by friends, Franco and Jason, Bruno and Paddy.

An ABBAsolutely fabulous time was had by all!

What I love about this show, other than it's Mado, AND she's singing ABBA, is that EVERYONE is singing along. Not just when she requests it. Each and every song, the audience is singing too. And by the end... Waterloo, Dancing Queen, Mamma Mia... it's the most fantabulous gay choir, all of us singing ... and it gives me goosebumps every time.

I DEFY you to listen to ABBA and not get your happy on...

See what you missed by not being there...

Check out Mado's website so you don't miss any more fantabulous shows.

Aires Libres

2008-07-17T18:00:00.003-04:00

Lord I'm a bad fag. Almost 4 months ago I swore weekly posts.. OK so spank me.. harder... HARDER! Now, I think I've got more to say now... It's amazing I never shut up! lol

Since June 20th , and until September 1st, (as I mentioned waaaaaaaaay back in March), rue Ste-Catherine is closed to vehicles, and is a pedestrian only street (between Berri and Papineau)

Thus far it has been an incredible success, with all the bars and restos building elaborate terrasses in the front of their establishments, many as accessible in the rain as in the sun.

I took a couple shots of the street scape, two as I headed to work at 7:20 am and 2 as I came home from work at 6pm. All pictures are from the vantage point of my street (Parent) looking West and East)

7:20am:

West...

East...

6:00pm.

West...

East...

I should post some weekend afternoon pics to really show the difference in the pedestrian traffic... soon to come)

To get an idea of what's involved in the closure of Ste-Catherine and what's happening throughout the summer you can check out the official site here.

Ch-ch-changes

2008-03-18T23:53:00.004-04:00

The Village has been going through many changes. Well to be truthful it seems to do so every winter. The village is an incredibly vibrant community, especially in the Summer and Fall, but in the winter it's as if the Village doesn't really exist.

Sure there are many events. What are we is not an over Event-ful people. White parties, Red parties, Mr Rubber, Mr Leather, Sleaze, Strap, Black Night, SugarBear, Cuir, and on and on and on. But even still there's something missing. The vibrancy of street life. Passing people as they casually stroll down Ste-Catherine street. Hanging outside of cafés and linger in the small corner parks.

Add to the lack of exterior activity and the environment is changing... not all for the best. Back in February there was the fire on Amherst. Many businesses and homes affected. And even 5 weeks later, many businesses and homes adjacent to the collapsed building are still closed.

And then days later the now infamous Leaning Tower du Village (next to Beaudry Métro Station began to crumble (finally) and so Firemen and the City decided once and for all the demolish the structure less anyone be seriously harmed. And even in this controlled collapse, the Depanneur du Village and then many Apartments above it remain closed well after a month until structural testing can prove that the building is safe. Yet again more people out of work and homeless.

And just yesterday Mi Burrito (one of our preferred dinning spots) is closed. Hopefully for renovations, but no signs posted at the front door or windows would indicate. Libarie Serge et R 130al has closed on Amherst street, le Chateau du Pantelons has also closed. As has the Frame and art shop next to Cabaret Mado.

I love Winter, don't get me wrong, but it seems that this winter has been a particularly tough one on the Village. One can only hope for a quick Spring to rejuvenate us all.

And lo, there does appear to be a light at the end of the tunnel (even as we are about to receive even more snow and sleet). Seems Ste-Catherine street will be closed to traffic and become a pedestrian only zone from Berri to Papineau, starting June 17th and going straight on through the summer until September 3rd. It would seem there are still some technical and legal issues to iron out, but this will be a tremendous boost for the Village.

Two years ago during the Out Games and Pride, Ste-Catherine was closed in the Village. Bars and restos and even the local shops spilled out onto the street and were met with a continuous flow of people; gay straight and everything in-between. Last Summer we had six consecutive weekends with the same pedestrians only traffic flow and that too was tremendous. Both years the response was incredible. And I can honestly say we took full advantage of such a wonderful experience.

To think that this could very well be the case for almost 3 months this Summer has me biting at the bit. I cannot wait for leisurely days and evenings at the many outside cafés restos and bar's terrasses.

The village needs a change, a little boost in it's Pride, a positive and rejuvenating change and hopefully the Closing of Ste-Catherine Street this summer this just might fit the ticket, and then some.

...and I promise many a post during that time as I take in the many sights, sounds, tastes and sensations that will abound.

clichés and good intentions...

2008-03-18T23:27:00.005-04:00

They say the road to hell is paved with WalMart fashions. Well at least that's what I say. You might say it was paved with good intentions. That's good to, and more correctly describes this Blog... or rather lack of blog.

I swear I was full of good intentions when I started this back July 28th. But then, multiple house guests, vacations, family medical emergencies, work, and life in general got in the way.

But here's my pledge to you. And by 'you' I mean anyone that might actually be checking this blog out... I will be posting to this blog at least once a week, (not including this post, because, well that's a cop out isn't it).

I'll as ever try to keep this blog focused on my neighbourhood, Montréal Gay Village, but when the time calls for it, I'll blog past those boundaries, as I should have with a Blog Post from my Flag Ship blog Misster Kitty's Internal Voice back on January 7th: Dear Health Canada... In the future I might cross post these types of entries as I feel they warrant more attention (he says somehow deluding himself into thinking that people read what he writes)

Apologies to not posting more often. I'm a bad mo... I only hope my membership has not been affected ...

MADO chante ABBA

2007-08-02T23:59:00.000-04:00

This is the second time I've seen this show and it was even better than the first time last year during the Out Games.

Call me a stereotypical old fag, but I lurv me some good Drag Queens and I lurv me some ABBA... They are a perfect match as far as I am concerned... (can you say "Priscilla"?!?)

Mado Lamotte is by her own admission the Queen of all Queens and I tend to agree. She is not only a Drag Queen, she's an entertainer, and that's what she did here. Not all Drag Queens can put on a show like Mado and even fewer can Preform like she and even fewer still actually Sing.

Now while Mado will likely never win a Grammy, she does keep your attention!

With a mix of kitsch and glam...

a wickedly forked tongue that loves to tease and please her audience, like poor unsuspecting Roy from Miami...

Mado makes the time fly and keeps you singing and grooving in your seat and leaves you screaming and begging for more.

No one was more surprised than Mado herself when the audience would not accept only one Curtain call, but two... Unprepared for a 2nd curtain call, and having nothing extra (ABBA) to sing she polled the audience what she should reprise... and after a quick "Minifée" she sang Mamma Mia again.

There's something magical that happens when a Cabaret full of people; gay and straight and everything in-between, English and French and other, are all dancing, and clapping and singing the same song. There is nothing but pure unadulterated joy and happiness.... and as cliché as it might be... goosebumps.

Whether it's "Mado Chant ABBA" or any one of the other amazing shows you can catch nightly, if you're in the village, do yourself a favour and go to see Mado and her group of gals at Cabernet Mado.

You won't be disappointed.

PRIDE

2007-07-29T14:30:00.000-04:00

This is what Pride is...

Leathermen,
Families,
Bikers,
Drag Queens and Kings,
Dancers,
Athletes,
Freaks,
Activists,
and more...

All together, celebrating their uniqueness and their sameness. A day to just hang out and be the most fabulous versions of yourself without fear of recrimination, hate or violence just because you're 'different' in someone elses eyes.

Willkommen, bienvenue, welcome!

2007-07-28T11:11:00.000-04:00

Just a quick initial post about why I have created this second Blog. Why I'm not placing the posts contained here in my regular Blog.

Well, there are a few reasons:

Misster Kitty's Internal Voice is a place I go to rant and rave and bitch and kvetch and have fun about just regular 'Seinfeld nothingness' yadda yadda yadda.

While there will still be a bit of that bitchiness here, this is about Pride. Pride in myself, in my neighbourhood, in my community and in those that live and work and visit, shop, drink, talk, play, cruise, and erstwhile exist.

Yes I'm filled with all that Pride as Misster-Kitty, but I prefer to use this Blog to amass just why it is I'm Proud and let you the reader discover that as well. Maybe even refer others to this who want to learn more about Montréal's Gay Village as well, or even just use it a resource, or reference if you're coming to town. Sure there are lots of Gay Directories that you can go to on the web, but how many are by someone that lives right in the middle?

So, I'll be posting about my favourite restaurants and shops, and bars. Hang outs for coffee and more adult stimulants. Events -gay or otherwise. Interesting bits of trivia and history. Introduce you to some of the colourful residents. Basically, the good, the bad, the ugly and the down-right fabulous.

And as the song says...

"Willkommen, bienvenue, welcome!
Fremde, etranger, stranger.
Gluklich zu sehen, je suis enchante, happy to see you.
Bleibe, reste, stay."