The mercury creeping up, patios rolling out and the shirts coming off means one thing: summer in Montreal’s Gay Village. The 2013 edition of Aires Libres will soon be underway once the famous Boules Roses are strung up above the pedestrian-only paradise of Sainte-Catherine street…

Aires Libres is one of the most unique and fun spots in Montréal every summer. It invites LGBT people and friends to enjoy a slice of our vibrant Gay Village all day and every night. There are some exciting things planned this year so here is a brief overview of what’s happening from May 13 to September 6, 2013.

Once again, Les Boules Roses are back. 200,000 pink resin balls will transform the Gay Village into a dreamscape. The balls come in three different sizes, in five hues, strung up in nine unique suspension patterns. .

All summer under the bubblegum canopy, the Gay Village will be buzzing with activity. From outdoor shopping festivals and a big open air art gallery called BoulevArt to some spectacular circus performances in Parc Emilie-Gamelin during MONTREAL COMPLÈTEMENT CIRQUE, there’s nowhere more wonderfully “à la Montreal” to be.

Aires Libres also includes many weekly activities running throughout the summer. Tuesdays at noon between Beaudry and Amherst, you’ll be able to to catch some live music from local musicians. Every Thursday at sunset is a screening of an LGBT movie in Parc de L’Espoir (Saint-Catherine & Panet), courtesy of Image+Nation. Saturday afternoons in Parc de l’Espoir there will be a “Fruixi” stand, which sells fresh and local produce. It’s a delicious and sustainable place to grab a quick snack!

We’ll be covering all the LGBT festivals in Montréal this summer, so check out QueerMTL on Twitter and Instagram to keep updated. A quick preview of what’s to come: Divers/Cité (July 30-August 4, 2013), Fierté Montreal Pride (August 12-18, 2013) and Montréal Fetish Weekend (August 29-September 2, 2013).

THE DETAILS

Aires Libres, May 13 to September 6, 2013

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Montreal’s Gay Village is centered roughly between Berri-Uqam and Papineau metro, bordered by Sherbrooke Street on the northern edge, and René-Levesque on the south. Smack dab in the center on Saint-Catherine is Beaudry metro, easily identified by the rainbow bars above the main entrance. The best way to discover the Village is to explore the streets and meet the people. However if you need a little assistance, here are some notable Village hotspots…

Notable restaurants in the Gay Village include the highly-rated Mezcla, a “nuevo latino” restaurant that combines South American flavours with European style cooking. Mezcla has an extensive seafood menu, with private import wines from Latin America. Miyako Sushi is one of best Japanese restaurants in the area with good service and prices that won’t make you squirm. Other higher-end restaurants in the area include the amazing BYOB O’Thyme, mediterranean-style Ella Grill, and the open-kitchen Kitchenette.

If you’re looking for something a little more on the casual side try Quebec classic St-Hubert, the always tasty Resto Pub St. André, La Piazzetta, Mozza (BYOB) or village favorite Saloon (complete with cute waiters.) You can dine your way across the globe in the Gay Village, with some international cuisine like Couscoussiere d’Ali Baba, the Korean rice bar Be Bap (BYOB), and the insanely yummy NosThés Bistro which offers up great value Taiwanese with an impressive selection of exotic tea.

During the summer Montreal’s patios bloom to life. Restaurants with great open air seating include Bistro Florin graced by a large poplar tree, or Sky with huge pitchers of Sangria on the rooftop. One of the highest rated restaurants in Montreal on TripAdvisor (coming in at #8) is located a block east of the Gay Village called Le Grain de Sel. It has a neighbourhood vibe with some exquisite French cuisine. Want a sleazy one night stand with a burger? Five Guys Burgers on Saint Catherine is all the meat you’ll need.

Finding a fun, local watering hole in Montreal’s Gay Village is probably the easiest thing you’ll do all week. Every block has at least some sort of bar/lounge that will satisfy your thirst and preference. Starting with the always lovely Gotha Lounge, it’s intimate with a fireplace and a big beautiful bar. Try not to be deceived by initial appearances, Bar Relaxe on Sainte-Catherine is a solid place to grab a quick drink and chit chat with a friend. One of the hidden gems near the Gay Village is a little door and staircase right outside Berri-Uqam metro called l’Escalier. Escalier is filled with chill people, cheap beer, with nooks and chairs to get lost in.
Drinking with a purpose always feels more productive, so flipping through the extensive song list (and settling on any Celine Dion) at the Village karaoke bars Club Date and Cocktail will be an easily achievable goal. If you’re a man’s man looking for other men, Bar Le Stud and l’Aigle Noir cater to a slightly more beefy demographic. Grabbing a drink while taking in one of Mado’s famous Drag Shows is particularly popular with students on Tuesday nights, due to the cheaper cover. The deadliest cocktail list in the Village is at Saloon, I suggest trying the “Bangkok.” I’m sure there was no pun intended when the owners named it.

Generally the consensus among frequent nightlife patrons is the Gay Village has some of the best dancing in town. Big open floors, flashy light shows, and people who, you know, actually dance. Club Unity is big on Friday nights filled with a young college crowd grinding to Top 40, while Saturday brings a slightly more mature crowd and House music. Apollon sits inside a stunning building (a former post office) and is worth going any night between Thursday and Sunday. The crowd is mixed, the bartenders are shirtless, and the space is a fun place to explore. Especially the basement level called Katakombs. Complex Sky has several dance floors, a gentle crowd, and music that fluctuates in quality depending on the room you find yourself in.
Even after the regular clubs close, if you’re still itching to move, the Gay Village has two afterhours clubs you can hit. Stereo is renowned for its sound system and weekly lineup of world-class DJ’s, and Circus does its name honour after the clubs close. Don’t forget to grab breakfast on your way home at Chez Cora, L’Oeufrier or Resto du Village!

While wining, dining, and dancing is always a good time for a Friday night, it’s those Sunday afternoons in a coffee shop reminiscing about that wild night out that are often the most enjoyable. There are a bundle of cozy cafés for your latté sipping pleasure in the Gay Village. Autour d’un pain is the best-smelling café because it also doubles as a bakery.

There are the chain coffee shops like Starbucks, Second Cup, Java U, Tim Hortons and Presse Cafe, but why would you bother when you could support local small business by going to places like Le Pouce Gourmand, De Farine et d’Eau Fraiche, Pourquoi Pas, and 1000 grammes (formally known as Kilo). La Mie Matinale is filled with handsome men, sandwiches, coffee, treats, and pictures of singer/actress Dalida, so naturally it’s worth every minute and dollar spent there.

Starting with White Party Week (March 28-April 1) there will be lots happening in the Village during these busy few days. Also in March, ARTSIDA and the Edgy Women’s Festival will be taking place throughout Montreal. The real festivals begin in the summer though, when the Village transforms into a pedestrian boulevard with patios, performers, and people watching. Divers/Cité will take place July 30-August 4, followed by Fierté Montreal Pride, August 12-18. Fierté Montreal Pride week will see Community Day, Dyke March, and free concerts draw huge crowds to the Village. Check out some highlights from the full summer festival season in Montreal:

While not all festivals happen in the Gay Village, all of them are LGBT-friendly. All of January and into February, Montreal will be spending hours outdoors dancing at Igloofest, the coolest electronic music festival ever. Following in February is Montreal en Lumiere with Nuit Blanche, a celebration of culture in the Plateau, Old Port and Downtown. The summer season includes Jazz Fest, Just for Laughs, and Completement Cirque!

There are two primary shopping arteries in the Gay Village. Saint-Catherine that runs west-east and Amherst going north-south. Amherst is filled with many antique shops and stores that specialize in home decor like Cité Deco, Montréal Moderne, Spoutnik, and Second Chance. If you’re strolling down Saint-Catherine and hunting for something a little kinky, Priape and Fetish Armada are both high-quality stores with all the leather and rubber you could shake a stick at. For men’s clothing check out Evolution, Podium, Ernest, or the very cool Boutique Osez just off Saint-Catherine on Wolfe.
If you’re in the market for art, stop by the galleries in the area: Galerie Dentaire (yes, doubles as a dentist’s office), Galerie Hermine, Galerie Nowhere, and Zephyr. All can be found dotted along Amherst. Last but not least, if you’re looking to buy something for a little furry friend, Doggy Style on Amherst is stocked with bones and toys!

The post WHAT TO DO IN MONTREAL’S GAY VILLAGE IN 2013 appeared first on Tourisme Montréal Blog.

She might not have won RuPaul’s Drag Race, but Shangela turned it out during a performance at Fierté Montreal Pride 2012. Check out the incredible full mini-concert..

Queer of the Year 2012 contestant Shane Jenek AKA Courtney Act spins those sultry limbs on the QOTY firetruck for 167,000 people that lined René-Levesque Blvd. during the Fierté Montreal Pride Parade 2012.

Tracy Trash kills it as Marilyn Monroe at Divers/Cité 2012 during the world’s largest drag show Mascara! Look at those Spirit Fingers! The 21st edition of Divers/Cité will be July 30 – August 4, 2013.

A sexy beefcake glitter dancer shakes it during Fierté Montreal Pride Parade 2012. Fierte Montreal Pride 2013 takes place August 12-18, 2013. See you all there!

Vagina puppets a wavin’ at the 1st Official Dyke March to kick off Community Day under the pink balls of the Gay Village.

Nana creeps a peek onstage during the evening show at Cabaret Mado in Montreal’s Gay Village. Try going on a Tuesday night, it’s a packed house with great drink deals!

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PLUS A BONUS GIF:
Well done, Sir. Well done.

Gifs by Alexander Dunphy / Original videos by Guillaume Langlois

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It goes without saying that all events take place Monday, December 31, 2012. Consider arriving before midnight so you don’t ring in 2013 sitting in a taxi or metro.

ODYSSEY 2013 is definitely one of the main events in Montreal’s Gay Village. Taking place at the famed after-hours club Circus, the party will continue until many hours into 2013. An impressive lineup in both the Trance Room and House Room include Orjan Nilsen, Leon Bolier, Jay Lumen and Koen Groeneveld. Tickets are $60 in pre-sale available here, or $85 at the door.

Royal Ball @ Royal Phoenix: Royal Phoenix in the Mile End was just voted as the Sexiest Gay Bar on the planet by NewNowNext Traveler’s Choice Awards! In an astonishing coincidence (not) Royal Phoenix will be hosting the sexiest New Year’s Eve party in Montreal! The Royal Ball is $10 in advance, $15 at the door, and there’s an optional $50 open bar from 9 – 10 PM. Everyone will get free champagne at midnight, and a massive crowd of LGBT folk to smooch. The night will be hosted by MTL Clubkids Sally & Tyler along with Montreal Roller Derby’s SmackDaddy and Royal Phoenix owner Val Desjardins.

Unity 2013: Tickets are already on sale and going fast for Unity’s annual New Year’s Eve bash. They’re $15 in advance and include free rapid coat check! Richard B will be spinning on the main dance floor with Stally at the Bamboo Bar. The midnight countdown at Unity is always a spectacular show complete with gogo-dancers, drag queens, and lots of making out.

Carnavalesque: In the depths of Bain Mathieu, you’ll find the most tantalizing NYE Party in Montreal. Put on by the infamous Cirque du Boudoir, the 2013 theme is New Orleans / Mardi Gras! So dust of those old beads you know you have somewhere and get caught up in the decadent fun. General tickets are $60 before December 27 and $80 at the door. VIP tickets are $85 until December 27 and $120 at the door. Both are available online.

Velvet Speakeasy: L’Auberge Saint Gabriel and Velvet Speakeasy present “La Second Avant Minuit” which translates to “The Second Before Midnight.” Deep minimal techno in the Velvet Speakeasy, House and Old School music in the Lounge, and a live Jazz /Soul band in the restaurant.

Note: This article will be updated as more events are scheduled! Check back closer to NYE!

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The 2012 edition of Image+Nation 2012 takes place exclusively at Cinema du Parc from November 22 to December 2 and features some incredible films premiere. They have several section of festival programming like “Lived Lives” for documentaries, “Eye on the World” for an examination of international LGBT culture, and “Generation Q” which is by and for LGBT youth.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HitH8qJxCg

The fest opens this year on Thursday, November 22 with three films: Keep the Lights, Pariah and Une dernière chance. Keep the Lights On is a semi-autobiographical film that explores the intense, sometimes shocking, relationship and sex life between two men, while Pariah is Dee Rees’ (a former protégé of Spike Lee, who is credited as a producer) feature film debut. It’s an edgy portrayal of black lesbian sexuality and is described as “Precious meets The Colour Purple.” Un dernière chance is an NFB documentary about people seeking political asylum in Canada because of their sexual orientation and gender identity.

The closing film of the fest, on December 1, is Matthew Mishory’s Joshua Tree, 1951: A Portrait of James Dean. As expected, it’s a film that follows the life of silver screen icon James Dean as he moves his way up through Hollywood and examines the rumored relationships, however brief, between Dean and his male suitors.

Image+Nation has a nice mix of feature and short films, all of which explore the many realms of sexuality and gender identity. Some are made to tickle your funny bone like Bear City 2: The Proposal, and others take a more sinister undertone like Severed – a short about a murder of an identical twin and the disturbing way he tries to mend the loss. Lesbomundo on November 23 & 24 is a collection of lesbian centric short films. Films in this series also include Where Are The Dolls, Do You Have a Cat? and The Light.

One of the films I’m personally most excited for is Travis Matthews’ I Want Your Love. Don’t call it porn because it has much better cinematography, but it does promise lots of intimate rendez-vous that I expect will leave the audience wide-eyed and not being able to blink.

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THE DETAILS

Image+Nation, November 22 – December 02, 2012

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Bingo Night at Royal Phoenix: Located in the hip and very Queer Mile End, Royal Phoenix has become an institution of LGBT activity in Montreal since it opened in June 2011. There’s something to do there every night of the week, but Monday night is Bingo night hosted by Burlesque Star “Matante Julie.” For $5 you get three bingo squares and a Pabst, plus all the funds go to supporting the ACCM! After a few rounds, try out the Royal Phoenix Cantine’s tempura-covered deep fried chocolate bars.

The Edwards Twins: The Edwards Twin brothers have been delighting audiences for years with their uncanny impersonations of over 100 stars. You can see them do everything from Bette Midler, Cher and even Kermit the Frog in Montreal at Theatre St. Denis, September 14-16.

Montreal AIDS Walk: The Farha Foundation has raised more than $8.7 million for AIDS foundations across Quebec since 1992. Their annual AIDS walk “Ca Marche” takes place at 9AM on Sunday, September 30 starting at Parc Emilie Gamelin.

Shows at New City Gas: Do you love dancing and light shows with the best DJs in the world? New City Gas (a mid 1800s Industrial complex turned multi-functional event space) has an impressive line up for the fall: AN21 & Max Vangeli on September 15, Thomas Gold on September 22, Joachim Garraud on September 29, Armin van Buuren on October 5, and Calvin Harris on October 19. Tickets available here.

Festival Black & Blue: Evolution 2012: The 22nd edition of Black & Blue will be held on Sunday, October 7 and feature DJs like David Morales, Gareth Emery, and Sander van Doorn (to name a few.) The theme this year is “Evolution” with emphasis on inclusion, respect, open-mindedness, peace, equality, altruism and love! Reserve your tickets here, it’s for a great cause!

PitBull Montreal: The 2nd Edition of Pitbull takes place September 29th at Underworld. The event is in association with Gay Village fetish store Fetish Armada and features DJ Dwayne Minard from Toronto.

Catch a Music Show: Lesbian Canadian crooner and music icon k.d lang brings her band “The Siss Boom Bang” to Montreal at the Corona Theater on September 28 and 29. Fresh off his amazing show during Montreal Jazz Fest, Rufus Wainwright will be returning for a more intimate show at Eglise St-Jean Baptiste on October 26.

Date Night in the Village: Visiting Montreal with your lover? A cute date night in the Village will have you seeing rainbow hearts. Try some of the fine dining options in the Village like Kitchenette, or the more casual Lallouz for some kebobs! After a stroll up through the adorable back streets of the village surrounding amherst and ontario will bring you right up to the bottom of Parc Lafountaine.

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DID I MISS ANYTHING? IF SO, PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT ON THIS POST WITH ALL THE INFO!

The post LGBT FALL EVENTS IN MONTREAL appeared first on Tourisme Montréal Blog.

It is November and the homosexuals are getting chilly. Time to make a trip to H&M and stock up on scarves. All the scarves. The weather here in Montreal has played nice, so I’m really running behind in my late-fall/pre-winter fashion shopping. At least all the visitors that come to Montreal this time of year can enjoy temperate weather while taking in all the beautiful fall colours. So as the Gays and Lesbians saddle up their scarves and fashion boots, here are 12 things they can do in Montreal…

1. Hold hands with your boy/girlfriend, whilst taking a nice fall stroll through the multicoloured leaves in a Montreal park

Please follow this simple 5-Step program to achieve the perfect fall day. Step 1: find a boy/girlfriend. Step 2: Make sure they have hands. Step 3: Get two (or three?) pumpkin spice lattes. Step 4: Hold latte in one hand, hold your boy/girlfriend’s hand with the other. Step 5: Put one foot in front of the other in a park while drinking aforementioned lattes and slowly enter bliss.

Need park suggestions? Try Mount Royal Park, Canal Lachine, Parc Lafountain, or Old Montreal. (I know the last one is not a park, but it’s equally bliss-worthy.)

2. Check out one of the brand new restaurants in the Gay Village!

Over the summer a few pretty neat new restaurants popped up in Montreal’s Gay Village. So far, I’ve only had the opportunity to go to one of them- in the location where Mike’s used to be (where food would go to die) is a new place called Resto-Pub Saint André. Nothing fancy here, except a charming decor, friendly service, nice big TVs and a surprisingly gourmet menu. Unique burgers, sweet potato fries (or as I like to call them: Les Frites du Bourgeoisie), extensive salad menu and more. Check this place out, cheap eats and happy taste buds make for the gayest meal of your week.

3. Visit the Travel Gay Canada Conference, November 17-18

Are you in the travel industry? Do you want to open your horizons and business opportunities by learning about the LGBTQ travel industry? Well, this weekend in November will bring people from all over Canada who are ready to learn about gay and lesbian tourism. Sign up today if you’re interested!

4. Grab some people, gay or straight, and have a drink at Gotha Lounge

Cozy as can be, Gotha Lounge is the perfect place to just settle down, relax and grab a drink. Open every day at 4PM. No cliques here, just friendly patrons.

5. Make your triumphant return to KATAKOMBES!

Yes, you read that correctly, KATAKOMBES IS BACK! Located in the basement of 1450 Saint-Catherine East, Katacombes brings the best of leather, denim and fetish. I’m going to go dust off my chaps and dry clean my denim jacket because I’ll soon be found hanging by the pool table. Come for the free entry, stay for the leather and chest hair. Opens November 5.

6. Get Dragucated

Congratulations because you’ve been accepted into the Academy of Drag! Every Wednesday at 9PM, 5 students get selected and the Drag Queens of Mado not only transform them but teach them the drag basics! Do you have have what it takes to be a Queen?

7. Go to an Hors du Village Party

Every month there are a slew of gay and lesbian parties that happen outside the Gay Village. These parties usually start popping up around the middle of the month, so details are still scarce at this time. Major ones include Meow Mix, Tease, Pink28, Mec Plus Ultra, GayBash, Drama Queen and Faggity Ass Friday. Check out their Facebook pages to get updates on when and where these parties will take place! Mec Plus Ultra is always my favourite and it happens every two weeks at the Belmont.

8. Go to a fancy gala: Gala Phenicia 2011

Has it been at least six months since you got to wear your ball gown? Are you dying to break out that satin baby again? I know I am. So check out The Gala Phenicia, presented by TD and Telus, and hosted by the Gay Chamber of Commerce of Quebec. This will probably be the ultimate gay networking event of the year, filled with the best and brightest of Quebecois gays and lesbians. It will include a cocktail, a gourmet meal by Executive Chef Martin Paquet and a Quebec-themed spectacle. Check out the Facebook event for deals on how to get tickets and more information.

9. Get started on your Christmas shopping

I was walking through the mall the other day, and what did I hear? Christmas music. Not 2 days past Halloween and there’s already Christmas music. Justin Bieber’s sultry puppet voice rang into my ears with something about mistletoe and I was hooked. So why not get started on that Christmas shopping? In the year of the 1%, why don’t you support the local merchant economy by grabbing something handmade in Quebec? KA-VIE-ART in the Gay Village has tons of little nicknacks, arts, jewelry and such. They have these amazing little bowls that are made out of old vinyl records! Or check out Fait Ici, located on Notre-Dame, a “Modern General Store” that has a bit of everything and is fun to pick through and find some locally-made goods. Maple butter anyone?

10. Live out your big gay Broadway dreams

On November 12 at the landmark Rialto Theatre, go see a bilingual Broadway extravaganza that combines the best of Broadway in a single show: Simplement Broadway. I’m pretty sure this is a real life version of a Nyquil dream I once had. I can also imagine this being a fabulous place to meet cute theatre boys and their funny mothers. This is where Glee meets Montreal meets Spirit Fingers.

11. Seek out the best Apple Cider in Montreal

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to seek out the best Apple Cider in Montreal and then tweet me where it is. This means lots of exploring, lots of experimenting and lots of glasses of apple cider. I have a feeling this is the year of the Cider, and November is the perfect month to start this. Officially I gay-clare, November = Cider! I’ll send you one place to get your search started: Get a pint of Cider at Cafe Griffintown.

12. Enjoy a pastry and tea at De Farine et D’eau Fraiche

Nestled on the up-and-coming Rue Amherst in the Gay Village, this place is as quaint and adorable as a Youtube kitten video. They also have mini cakes.

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Take regular Halloween things like spiders, vampires, ghosts, and werewolves. Now make them sexy. Add glitter, dance music, alcohol and fashion. And now you have the general premise of the majority of big gay Halloween parties in Montreal. Sounds fabulous right? Well consider this your official invite to join in the horror-glamor-scary-fabulous and the downright terrifying. Good luck…

GayBash presents: HALLOWEEN XTRAVAGANZA Gaybash always throws the wonkiest parties with the most complex themes. Each theme must be dissected carefully and fully embodied. Because if you don’t, you’ll be the loser not dressed up. Their Halloween theme this year is: Zombie Voguers Infect Montreal. Still not inspired? They provide a list of words to help spark your creative costume mind: Zombies, glitter, Santeria, occult, Bones, Sickliness, glamour, opulance, 28 Days Later, neon glowing eyes, Zombie Nuns, lipstick, warrior face paint, sequins, pearls, bloody dead girls, human flesh, voguing, Death drop, and expensive ripped clothing. I’m sure now you know exactly what you’ll wear. Time to zombie vogue for a good cause too because a portion of the proceeds go to  Saturday, October 29, 10PM, Cherry (417 Rue Saint Pierre), Presale tickets $10 at Moog Audio, Priape or Arithmetik stores. $20 at door.

Cirque de Boudoir presents: SILVER SCREEN HALLOWEEN Something wicked this way comes! A classic old horror movie themed Halloween party, hosted by the amazing Cirque de Boudoir! This is the one to be seen at. It is being held in the spookiest place in town: The underground dungeon speakeasy of Velvet in L’Auberge St-Gabriel in Old Montreal. Performances by Bella Obscura are sure to shock, and visuals by Bunnyguts are going to creep under your skin! This party is going to be the most horrifying thing in the most fabulous way. Saturday, October 29, 10PM, Velvet/Auberge St-Gabriel (426 St-Gabriel), Presale tickets $20 at Priape, Xtasy, Image In, Cruelle and Auberge St-Gabriel. $30 at door.

Club Unity presents: EPIDEMIE There is an international epidemic happening, a rogue mutating bacterial infection is spreading throughout the world, killing everything in sight. By complete chance, a bartender at Unity has created a cocktail that neutralizes the infection instantly! At midnight on Saturday, October 30, this antidote will be distributed to everyone at Unity. Will you be there? Will you survive if you don’t? Unity also has the most competitive costume competition. These gays really go all out. First place winner gets $1000, 2nd place takes $500. Free entry for anyone in a costume! Saturday, October 29, 10PM, Club Unity (1171 Ste-Catherine E.), Cover $7, Free in costume. Note: Huge line ups. People wait up to an hour to get in.

Royal Phoenix presents: FRIGHT NIGHT This is a royal Halloween bash! Hosted by Montreal Street Fashion, Hot Sauce, and the amazing Antonio Bavaro! There will be free candy, go-go dancers and all night drink specials. Royal Phoenix is a real hot bar right now, so this place is sure to be packed. Saturday, October 29, 10PM, Royal Phoenix (5799 St-Laurent), $5 before 11:30PM, $7 after.

Faggity Ass Fridays presents: NIGHT OF THE CLOSET MONSTERS This party is also known as the Night of the Giving Head. This is one of the more classic homo halloween bashes that delivers fun year after year. The costume contest is almost who can wear the least amount of clothing while still being something. I think Adam & Steve won last year, if you catch my drift. The theme is monsters, so you’re supposed to dress as your favourite monster! Here are some suggestions: Ann Coulter, Lady Gaga fan, Cookie Monster, or your ex. This is another chance to give to a good cause! All proceeds go to the Head & Hands project to help promote safe sex and sex education in Quebec. Friday, October 28, 10PM, The Playhouse (5656 Avenue du Parc), Suggested donation of $10. Pay what you can.

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Montreal has always had a fun and spirited gay community. Yet at times it can be tailored more to gay men. So the lesbians of Montreal took it into their own hands and started making their own cultural footprint on this city. The LBGT is splattered all over this great city, but the lesbian splatter finds itself concentrated up in the trendy Mile-End and speckled throughout the Village. If you are a lesbian, or want to be cool enough to hang with the lesbians, then here is a small guide to the best Lesbian landmarks in Montreal…

Le Cagibi (5490 Saint-Laurent): I put Le Cagibi atop my list because if you have time to hit only one lesbian establishment, then this must be it. You won’t find a greater concentration of the most awesome dykes anywhere else in Montreal. Le Cagibi is a vegan/vegetarian licensed establishment that has quickly gained a dedicated following of lesbians, students, artists and bike messengers. But really, aren’t those all the same thing? They have a non-stop event list of shows that nestle into the space perfectly. If you find yourself being cultured by one of their shows, while enjoying a beer… Spoil yourself a little more and indulge in their late night menu including the the Grilled Tomato Sandwich. The simplistic beauty of this sandwich will make a grown butch cry.

Ella Grill (1237 Amherst): Dining options in the Gay Village are getting better and better. Ella Grill really takes that up a notch with one of the few fine-dining options in the area. This lesbian-owned restaurant is a minimalist black and white space that lets the Mediterranean cuisine take centre stage. Like most establishments in the Village, both men and women go here, but Ella Grill has special summer T-Dances and one-off events exclusively for their lesbian clientele.

La Paryse (302 Ontario East): La Paryse is a lesbian-owned 50s inspired diner that has burgers, shakes and more. Maybe this is just an urban legend, but the story goes that Madame Paryse used to make her egg with melted cheese on rye for her lady lovers in the morning, who would always say she should open a restaurant. Now we can all enjoy the delicious food, that before only the extremely lucky were privy to.

Drugstore (1366 Sainte-Catherine East): Drugstore is the big lesbian playground. Every lesbian has for sure been here at least once. Hate it or love it, this place is packed full on game night, throughout the weekends and all summer long. It’s a chill (and sometimes rowdy) place to watch the hockey game, play pool and eat free popcorn. During the summer months, their street and rooftop terrace is filled with everything from lipstick femmes, to motorbike dykes! I feel if I were to bump into Alice from the L Word anywhere in Montreal, it would be chilling on the rooftop terrace with a pitcher of sangria. Only lesbians and honorary lesbians like myself will totally get what I mean by that.

Bikurious (1757 Amherst): If Shane was real life and owned a bike shop that did “lesbian haircuts”, Bikurious would so be it. So buy a bike and and get a haircut for $15. This shop is worth the visit just to browse, hang out and chat with the owner!

Royal Phoenix (5788 Saint-Laurent): Royal Phoenix is the new queer bar on the scene. Up in the Mile-End it’s located perfectly to cater to the lesbian and queer community. Events almost every night of the week keep the people flowing in. Check out their website for the most up to date calendar. They take debit and credit at the bar, which is a rarity in Montreal I find. This place is filled with people who know and love to have fun. Pick any night of the week and I’m sure you’ll have an excellent time.

Meow Mix: Meow Mix is a monthly event that takes place at the Sala Rossa, usually on a saturday night. In a poll of my lesbian friends, they all agreed that Meow Mix is the best dyke party in town. It usually gets going around 10PM with a performance be it music, drag or burlesque. After that, the lights turn off and the music gets loud! If you find yourself in the city the weekend that Meow Mix is happening, drop everything and go.

Pink 28: Pink 28 is a monthly lounge night targeted at the “professional” lesbian. It takes place at a different location from month to month, so going you might discover a cool new spot. Usually starts in the early evening and finishes before bed time. This is the prefect place to meet people, without having to go out and “party”. Check out their next event here.

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Looking around the cavernous room filled with people, a mishmash of leather-latex-female-male-gay-straight dancing for hours, a Black & Blue virgin like myself finally begins to comprehend what exactly this is all about. The concept seemed foreign to me. A manifestation of a personal nightmare: dancing to techno music for 16 hours straight. Why would people do this?

With apprehensive footsteps into the infamous Olympic Stadium, my expectations for this night teetered on the abysmal. From outside the stadium you can hear the faint thump-thump of the monster inside. As I walk deeper through the maze of lines and into the full body search, a peculiar feeling can’t help but infect me. Excitement? With every foot I move closer, the beats and vibrations grow louder. We make our way through the security checkpoint, turn the corner and I find myself blown away. I was standing right in the belly of the beast. Thousands of people danced around me, and instantly it becomes clear. The people that fill this room, this is not just an activity for them. This is a lifestyle.

Even with thousands of individual people, all expressing themselves in their own unique way by their dress or their movement, taking a step back they seemed to be all united. From above it looked like one giant pulsing organism. My skeptic start had turned into a thirst for more. I wanted to be apart of this. Because Black & Blue is plain and simple COOL. A huge benefit by the BBCM for HIV/AIDS, which attracts people from around the world. My ignorance of this place, and these people before I arrived has vanished. Now replaced with nothing but awe and wonderment at the love and fun that gets to be shared by thousands of people for 16 hours every year.

The video is a small window into this world, watch it as only a teaser into the energy that one can experience by being there in person. Black & Blue 2012 anyone? Next time, I’m dressing up.

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