Church-Wellesley Village

Showcasing VillageFest 2024: 10th Anniversary Celebrating Indigenous and 2SLGBTQ+ Arts and Talent Over the next few days, we will feature some of our performers. TAY BOBO DRAG QUEEN AND TAYLOR SWIFT IMPERSONATOR Tay BoBo is Toronto's top Taylor Swift drag impersonator. Born and raised in the city, she is a Church Street staple where she currently hosts multiple weekly residencies. With six years of drag experience under her corset, she brings a unique blend of humour and ferocity to the stage. @tayboboqueen Event photography by Mitchel Raphael and Dalton Narro. @mitchelraphael @dlnarro

Showcasing VillageFest 2024: 10th Anniversary Celebrating Indigenous and 2SLGBTQ+ Arts and Talent Over the next few days, we will feature our Elders, performers, and other key community members. All photos from VillageFest 2024 and shot by Mitchel Raphael and Dalton Narro. ROSARY SPENCE Traditional Vocalist & Singer Rose is from Fort Albany First Nation, a remote Cree community on the western shores of James Bay in northern Ontario. Rosary strongly believes in the ability to heal our communities through land-based practices, language, ceremony, traditional medicine, and through the wisdom of our Elders. Singing has been a lifetime journey for Rosary as she finds healing through sharing her story in performance, teaching, and ceremony. Rosary also possesses an extensive background and experience as a designer, performing artist, and an arts facilitator. Currently residing in Scarborough, Ontario, where she is raising her family, Rosary also works within the Indigenous community as a social worker, traditional Knowledge Keeper, traditional counselor, and is also highly active within the arts community. Rosary was on stage at the BIA Stage twice on Saturday with two amazing early afternoon shows. @rosaryspence Photographs by Mitchel Raphael and Dalton Narro. @mitchelraphael @dlnarro

Showcasing VillageFest 2024: 10th Anniversary Celebrating Indigenous and 2SLGBTQ+ Arts and Talent Over the next few days, we will feature our Elders, performers, and key community partners via our social media. SHIRLEY GILLIS-KENDALL Elder Shirley is a proud member of Alderville First Nation and is Turtle clan. She holds within her heart bundle the responsibility of maternal pedagogies for her own family and for all People. Shirley has dedicated her life to embracing traditional and all holistic modalities for health, healing and wellness building a foundation to facilitate the ‘good clean work’ with our People. She has worked for extensively for several decades within the Indigenous Toronto community specific to program development/ implementation and also within northern Ontario. Shirley is currently engaged within Indigenous education and research as a Cultural Advisor. Shirley led the Opening Ceremony and will lead the closing ceremony of VillageFest 2024. Photographs by Mitchel Raphael and Dalton Narro.

A big thank you to everyone who made VillageFest 2024 possible. Check out these action shots from Saturday's events! We are just starting Sunday's events and hope to see you there. Lots of activities until 9PM! We will be posting more photos in upcoming days. Photographs by Mitchel Raphael and Dalton Narro. @mitchelraphael

THE IMPERIAL COURT OF TORONTO FUNDRAISER PERFORMANCE. SUNDAY, 23 JUNE 2024, 12.00 PM to 2.00 PM, BIA Stage, Northwest Corner of Church Street and Maitland Street, VillageFest 2024 Founded in 1986, The Imperial Court of Toronto (TICOT) is the oldest Ontario chapter of the International Court System (ICS).  The ICS is the second largest 2SLGBTQ+ organization in the world, second only to the Metropolitan Community Church. With over 70 active chapters across Canada, the United States and Mexico the members raise money locally, nationally and internationally.  TICOT is a registered not-for-profit organization that raises funds for LGBTQAA charities through donations at a variety of drag performances and social events. TICOT has donated over $2 million to the community for projects including food banks, woman's shelters, youth programs and various HIV programs. Each year The Imperial Court of Toronto (TICOT) elects individuals to act as the Monarchs for that Reign. These folks spearhead the organization for a year.  REIGN 37: The House of Showgirls, Leather and Kilted Men The Court of Turtle Island The Shimmering Diamond Showgirl Empress 37 Lily DeVine The Leather and Kilted Tanzanite, Kihew Emperor, Emperor 37 Okimawiw Kevin Lionheart-Davidson. The Imperial Court of Toronto  Reign 37 Fundraiser Performance curated by Nikki Chin 12.00 PM to 2.00 PM, Sunday, 22 June 2024  Donations during this fundraiser will be given to the following Charities of Choice: Anishnawbe Health Foundation  The Native Women's Resource Centre of Toronto PWA Essentials Market Tsi Tyónnheht Onkwawén:na Donations can be made in person by cash or cheque, thru our website www.ticot.ca or by e-transfer to treasurer@ticot.ca

VillageFest 2024 is back on Sunday, 23 June 2024 from 12.00 PM to 9.00PM. Schedule: BIA Stage Schedule Church Street and Maitland Street Sunday, 23 June 2024 .  12.00 PM to 2.00 PM  The Imperial Court of Toronto Reign 37 Community Fundraiser Performance  featuring Emperor 37 Okimawiw Kevin, Morgan James, and other performers curated by Nikki Chin  Reign 37 Charities of Choice:   Anishnawbe Health Foundation The Native Women's Resource Centre of Toronto PWA Essentials Market Tsi Tyónnheht Onkwawén:na 2.00 PM to 3.00 PM Red Dress Project Elders Marilynn Sutherland Vivian Roy on behalf of Native Child Family Services Toronto 3.00 PM to 4.00 PM Wynona Maracle Hand Drum Singer 4.00 PM to 5.00 PM O'Grady's on Church Devome Darlin 5.00 PM to 6.00 PM DJ Nyte Hawk Tea Dance 6.00 PM to 7.00 PM The Drink Tay BoBo 7.00 PM to 8.00 PM DJ Classic Roots Pow Wow Techno and Dancers 8.00 PM to 9.00 PM Closing Ceremony and Remarks Elder Shirley Gillis-Kendall

POW WOW TECHNO TONIGHT FROM 8PM TO 9PM, COME SEE CANADA'S TOP INDIGENOUS DJ (DJ CLASSIC ROOTS) AND DANCERS AT THE BIA STAGE AT CHURCH STREET AND MAITLAND STREET. FREE TO ATTEND. ALL ARE WELCOME. FOLLOWED BY SOME OF THE VILLAGE'S TOP DRAG QUEENS AT 9PM TO 11PM AND A FREE CONCERT BY SIMONE DENNY AND CAROLE POPE AT BARBARA HALL PARK AT 10PM. VILLAGEFEST 2024. (Toronto Media, where you at? Let's get some cameras out to VillageFest! Call us at 416-321-1351!)

VillageFest 2024 We are proud to introduce our Indigenous Elders and Performers. Scroll here to learn more and visit our BIA Stage from 11 AM to 11PM on Saturday, 22 June 2024 and 12.00 PM to 9.00PM on Sunday, 23 June 2024.

VillageFest 2024 BIA Stage Schedule: Saturday 22, June 2024 Northwest Corner of Church Street and Maitland Street      This stage will feature a mix of Indigenous and 2SLGBTQ+ events and performances.   11.00 AM to 12.30 PM Opening Ceremony  Led by Elder Shirley Gillis-Kendall Remarks by MP Marci Ien, MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam, and Councillor Chris Moise   1.00 PM to 2.00 PM EJ Kwandibens  Indigenous Cultural Educator  Sagatay Kwandibens, Layla Parades-Kwandibens, Rosary Spence, Bonne Johnston, and Amy Moore  Jingle Dress Dancers  2.00 PM to 3.00 PM Rosary Spence Singer / Songwriter  3.00 PM to 4.00 PM O'Grady's on Church  Tay BoBo 4.00 PM to 6.00 PM Garage on Church Devine Darlin, Heaven Lee Hytes, and Lou Lou 6.00 PM to 7.00 PM The Drink Devine Darlin 7.00 PM to 8.00 PM Sarah Hopkins-Herr Matriarch and Story Teller  8.00 PM to 9.00 PM DJ Classic Roots  Pow Wow Techno and Dancers  9.00PM to 10.00PM Flash on Church Ariana Bellz and Jay Jay Kings  10.00PM to 11.00PM Woody's and Sailor Sofanda Cox and Jada Hudson

HAPPY NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLE’S DAY. This Weekend, the Church-Wellesley Village BIA is hosting VillageFest 2024. This is the 10th Anniversary of VillageFest. The theme for 2024 is Celebrating Indigenous and 2SLGBTQ+ arts and talent while simultaneously supporting our local businesses.   You are welcome to join us for the opening ceremony at 11.00 AM on Saturday, 22 June 2024 at the BIA Stage at the Northwest Corner of Church Street and Maitland Street. The opening ceremony will be led by Elder Shirley Gillis-Kendall with opening remarks from MP Marci Ien, MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam, and Councillor Chris Moise     Key Locations: BIA Stage Northwest Corner of Church Street and Maitland Street Saturday, 11.00 AM to 11.00PM Sunday, 12.00 PM to 9.00 PM     The Q Musicale Stage Church Street at Barbara Hall Park Saturday, 1.00 PM to 11.00PM   Indigenous Arts Market Church Street between Alexander Street and Wood Street Saturday and Sunday, 12.00 PM to 6.00 PM   Toronto Queer Market Church Street between Wellesley Street East and Gloucester Street Saturday and Sunday, 12.00 PM to 6.00 PM with an expanded Market on Sunday! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to adam@churchwellesleyvillage.ca

VILLAGEFEST 2024 IS THIS WEEKEND. The BIA is seeking volunteers to assist with the following set-up and takedown tasks. FRIDAY, 21 JUNE 2024 - Afternoon (Flexible Hours) - Dropping Notices in Mailboxes on Nearby Streets and Postering Nearby Notice Boards - 2 volunteers needed SATURDAY, 22 JUNE 2024 - 8AM TO 10AM - Setting up Indigenous Market (foldable tables, chairs) and Stage Support Zone (canopy tent) - 4 to 6 volunteers needed SATURDAY, 22 JUNE 2024 - 6PM - Disassembly of Indigenous Market and Unloading into 519 (vehicle provided and driver provided) - 4 to 6 volunteers needed SUNDAY, 23 JUNE 2024 - 10AM - Moving Indigenous Market and Setting up Indigenous Market (foldable tables, chairs) (vehicle provided and driver provided) - 4 to 6 volunteers needed SUNDAY, W3 JUNE 2024 - 6PM to 7PM - Disassembly of Indigenous Market - 4 to 6 Volunteers Needed Please email adam@churchwellesleyvillage.ca ASAP if you are interested in any of these volunteer opportunities.

LINK IN BIO The Q Musicale is an independent 2SLGBTQ+ music festival that has partnered with the Church-Wellesley Village BIA for a one day, free event from 1PM to 11PM at Barbara Hall Park on Saturday, 22 June 2024. Over 25 2SLGBTQ+ artists - including Carole Pope and Simone Denny - and 5 hosts will be bringing you this spectacle! Who are you excited to see? Host: Mickey Dykeman 1.00 PM to 1.25 PM: Circle of Cedars Singers (TBC) and Land Acknowledgement 1.30 PM to 1.50 PM: Emerging Artist Showcase featuring Kalyssa, K WooDZ, nuépa, Scott Thiessen, Dinayro, and others. 1.55 PM to 2.10 PM: Mandy Goodhandy 2.15 PM to 2.35 PM: Brooklyn Doran 2.40 PM to 3.00 PM: Robert Ball Host 3: Amanda Roberts 3.00 PM to 3.15 PM: Shadrack Jackman 3.20 PM to 3.30 PM: Ali 3.35 PM to 3.55 PM: Count Classy 4.00 PM to 4.40 PM: Urvah Khan 4.45 PM to 5.00 PM: Ori Dagan Host: Jade Elektra 5.00 PM to 5.15 PM: Jade Elektra 5.15 to 5.35PM: Adam Wienman and Heidi Michelle Thomas 5.40 to 6.00 PM: Aaron de Sousa and Sherry Sylvain 6.00 PM to 6.25 PM: Sherry Sylvain 6.25 PM to 6.30 PM: Sherry Sylvain and Mira Fantasy 6.30 PM to 6.50 PM: Mira Fantasy Host: Robert Watson 7.00 PM to 7.15 PM: Blxck Cxsper 7.20 PM to 8.00 PM: Christian Jeffries 8.00 PM to 8.30 PM: el Hashem 8.30 PM to 8.50 PM: Danny Dymond Host 5: PAM 9.15 PM to 9.10 PM: J3M 9.15 PM to 9.30 PM: Herdd 9.40 PM to 9.45 PM: el Hashem with Shelly-Ann Skinner 9.40 to 10.15 PM: Simone Denny 10.20 to 10.45 PM: Carole Pope