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Hitting the street

June 18, 2008 17:06

Rainbow Flag raising
June 23, 12:30pm
Join Mayor David Miller at the Toronto City Hall podium (100 Queen W.) for the annual raising of the Rainbow Flag, which signifies the launch of Pride Week.

AIDS candlelight vigil
June 26, 9pm
Light a candle to honour both those who have died from AIDS and those still fighting the disease. This annual community event is held at Cawthra Square Park, 519 Church. Go to www.the519.org for more information.
Street festival
June 27, 6pm-midnight; June 28, 11am-midnight; June 29 11am-11pm
On Pride Weekend, the Church-Wellesley Village hosts the biggest street party of the year, with 12 city blocks shut down to make room for beer tents, a marketplace and live performances ranging from the indie-pop of the Hidden Cameras (Bud Light South Stage, June 28, 10pm) to burlesque from Skin Tight Outta Sight (Via Rail Village Stage, June 28, 8pm). Check www.pridetoronto.com for full details.

Dyke March
June 28, 2pm
Women and trans folk take to the streets for a march with more political heft and less product placement than Sunday’s parade. (No vodka-sponsored floats here!) The Dyke March begins at Church and Hayden, heads north to Bloor, west to Yonge, south to Wood, then east back to Church. This year, honoured dyke and social justice activist Anna Willats leads the march, joined by honoured dyke group the Toronto Newsgirls Boxing Club.

Pride Parade
June 29, 2pm
Wrap yourself in rainbow flags, fill up your Super Soaker and prepare to party. The Pride Parade starts at Bloor E. and Church, moves west to Yonge, south to Gerrard and east to Church. At the front, you’ve got international grand marshal Gareth Henry (the former co-chair and program director of JFLAG, the Jamaican Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays); grand marshal Enza “Supermodel” Anderson; and honoured group Friends for Life Bike Rally.