sATURDAY, September 4 2021
PARIS IS BURNING
With the short film Stage Name: Victoria
And live music by Decoration Day and Desiire
You think you know drag? You haven’t seen drag until you’ve seen the iconic and legendary Pepper LaBeija walk the runway in the opening scene of Jennie Livingston’s luscious documentary, Paris is Burning. As much a crash course in Black queer and trans culture -- complete with lessons on voguing, reading, and shade -- as it is an unapologetic portrait of Harlem’s ball scene in the 1980s, the film paved the way for today’s mainstream drag culture. A must see for fans of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Madonna aficionados, and anyone who’s ever found themselves at Crews & Tangos on a Saturday night.
The influence of Paris is Burning is on full display in Stage Name: Victoria, an auto-documentary from queer Ojibwe filmmaker and drag queen Taran Morriseau. Morriseau narrates the story over a montage of backstage preparation and onstage performance, illustrating the transformative power of drag in rural Indigenous communities.
Desiire is a Congo-born, Toronto-based singer/songwriter who delivers a unique blend mix of R&B and hip-hop to create music that is a compilation of rhythmic instrumentals, layered melodies and moody simplicity.
Influenced by soul contemporaries such as Erykah Badu, D’angelo, Lauryn Hill, Maxwell and pioneering African artists like Youssou N’dour and Femi Kuti, Desiire has become known for his gospel-inspired vocals, rap staccato cadences and engaging story-telling songwriting. Desiire was a highlight at Wavelength’s 20th anniversary Winter Festival in February 2020 - one of our last in-person events before the pandemic. He continued 2020/2021 by joining Spotify's global official Pride campaign "Unlike Any Other" and being one of the recipients of the Juno Awards’ Masterclass ahead of the 50th anniversary ceremony.
Opening the evening will be Decoration Day. Their debut record Makeshift Future is like a long, deep stretch: It is restorative to engage in an act that appears to be painful. On this stunning record released in September 2020, the Toronto folk band tells us that the only certainty in life is that it is uncertain.
Wavelength Music is a curated concert series designed to champion creativity, co-operation and collaboration in the independent music and arts scenes. Established in 2000, Wavelength is a non-profit arts organization that puts artists and the community first. A cornerstone of the Toronto music scene, Wavelength has championed literally thousands of emerging artists during its two decade-plus run.
Paris is burning
Jennie Livingston, 1990, USA
With the short film Stage Name: Victoria directed by Taran Morriseau, 2017
Live music performance by DECORATION DAY AND Desiire
EVENT DETAILS:
Saturday, September 4, 2021
Admission: Same-day tickets available 12 PM on September 4
There will be no admission without an advance ticket
Venue: "Walled Fort" of Fort York National Historic Site - entry at west gates of 100 Garrison Road
Gates open @ 6 pm / Music @ 7:30pm / Cinema @ 9:30pm
COVID-19 on-site protocols - please read before attending
Event & ticket terms and conditions
Snacks and alcoholic beverages for sale (no outside alcohol permitted)
BYOBlanket & Chairs
Please see the accessibility features of Fort York
Films are screened with captioning
Content advisory: This film contains moderate sex & nudity, mild violence, moderate profanity, mature themes
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