This week, the nominees for the Dora Mavor Moore Awards were announced - and we are thrilled to be among the many fantastic nominees.

In total, shows in our season received 12 nominations, including Outstanding Production for PIG and Best New Play nominations for PIG and The Gay Heritage Project.

A huge thank you to everyone who made this past season such a success, and congratulations to all the nominees.

Our 2014 Queer Pride cleebrations are already under way. We've got a whole month jam packed with queer theatre, comedy, cabarets, and parties.

Keep reading for some of the festival highlights, plus some other fun stuff coming up this month.

And click here for the full Queer Pride 2014 festival line-up.

THURSDAY, JUNE 12 | 10:00PM | FREE

This year, Buddies turns 35 years old and we're having a birthday party! We invite the entire community to come celebrate all that we have achieved together over the past 35 years. 

The night will be hosted by Evalyn Parry and Clinton Walker with performances by Keith Cole, Kitty Neptune and friends, and tunes by DJ Paul Petro. It will be a great chance to catch up with all your Buddies friends, see some amazing performances, and to celebrate.

A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR PRESENTING SPONSOR: TD Bank Group

illustration at top by lightupthesky.ca

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18 | 8:00PM

The hallmark of Buddies’ Queer Youth Arts Program, the ever-popular PrideCab tackles what it means to be young and queer today in a series of original stories, songs, and performances created and performed by Buddies’ youth ensemble.

This project is made possible by Education Partner TD Bank Group and by The Mukti Fund and the NigE Gough Foundation.

SUNDAY, JUNE 22 | 7:00PM

A powerful new play by Ugandan writer ADONG Lucy Judith about the anti-homosexuality laws in her country. Just Me, You and the Silence traces the rise of a fictional politician who uses his new found power to introduce a bill that divides a nation. A panel discussion will follow the reading.

written by ADONG Lucy Judith
directed by Mumbi Tindyebwa
performers Karen Robinson, Cara Ricketts, Tawiah Ben-Eben M’Carthy, Araya Mengesha, Sodi Waboso Amajor, and Peter Bailey

This event is a co-production between IFT Theatre, Buddies in Bad Times, Obsidian Theatre, and WorldPride 2014 Toronto.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25 | 8:00PM

Two artists, both born to play Hamlet, also happened to be born women. With 1920s New York City as their sparring field, they engage in a war of wits that leaves their colleagues and lovers caught in the crossfire. Buddies teams up with WorldPride 2014 Toronto to present a reading of this new work by renowned writer and thinker Sarah Schulman, who will also be in attendance.

written by Sarah Schulman 
directed by Andrea Donaldson
performers Laura Codlln, Michelle Pollack, Richard Greenblatt, Elley Ray Hennessy,
and Dalal Badr

We are celebrating our 35 Anniversary with a challenge: to get 350 people to invest in our future.

You can empower people to speak freely. You can provide a space where these voices can be heard. You can build a better, more compassionate world for everyone. You can make this happen with even the smallest contribution – every dollar goes a long way when it is part of a community.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE NOW

OR VISIT OR WEBSITE TO LEARN MORE

Make a donation. Spread the word. Be part of a bright future at Buddies.

Viva Cabaret: A Tribute to the Greatest Divas

Satirical drag parodies of gay icons from the country where gay, satire and drag are banned

From Russia with Pride! The show that was banned in Moscow and Sochi comes to Toronto, bringing bold and provocative caricatures of spectacular gay icons in a fast-paced one-man show of impersonations. Viva Cabaret is an electrifying tribute to the most divine divas of all time: Liza, Tina, Cher, Madonna and over 20 other fabulous femme fatales of popular culture come alive on stage at The Rivoli for two nights only.

Viva Cabaret – A Tribute to the Greatest Divas
June 25 & 26, 2014 | 8pm, 75 minutes
The Rivoli, 334 Queen St West,
Tickets: $20 (advance), $25 (at the door)
Buy online.

ACCESSING THE ARTS SYMPOSIUM
Co-produced by Selfconscious Theatre and Abilities Centre
Friday, June 13 | 10am – 5pm
Abilities Centre, 55 Gordon Street | Whitby, Ontario

Lend your voice to a critical conversation, meet colleagues, share ideas and inspiration – join in a daylong symposium exploring accessibility in the arts. The event spotlights the field of disability arts through panels, group discussions, art bursts and more – with a focus on the performing arts. Featuring Buddies' own Brendan Healy as one of many stellar presenters. A not-to-be-missed gathering for anyone who believes in inclusion and diversity in the arts.

More information: symposium@bookofjudith.com | 905.665.8500 | www.bookofjudith.com/symposium