WORLDBEAT
- NORTH AMERICA
Hot
Spots for the Jet Set - August 2010 Events
CANADA
MONTRÉAL
Join 500,000 people at the 2010 Divers/Cité,
July 26–August 1. This GLBT arts and music festival
has existed since 1993 and this year the event is poised
to be the best ever. It takes place in the heart of downtown
Montréal and is jam packed with activities that
include dancing, DJing, movies, photo exhibits, jazz,
pop, Latin, house, R&B, and electronica concerts.
Tired of all that culture? One of the most popular events
is Mascara, La Nuit des Drags, the largest drag queen
event in the world. Here, the girls show off everything
they’ve got…well, not everything. Then afterward,
check out La Grande Danse, a massive, 11-hour party with
some of the best DJs in the world. www.diverscite.org
TORONTO
Grab a friend and head to one of the many international
movies being shown as part of the Toronto International
Film Festival. There, experience world-class movies
of every stripe. Watch documentaries, shorts, animated
pieces, and features. If you’re lucky enough, join
the A-list mob for the opening and closing galas. Take
in all the flicks from September 9-19. www.tiff.net
VANCOUVER
Before heading off to the Toronto Film Festival,
movie buffs should make a stop at the Vancouver Queer
Film Festival from August 12–22. This is Western
Canada’s largest queer arts event with nearly 200
LGBT-themed films and videos, discussions, seminars,
forums, and parties. www.outonscreen.com
In Vancouver from September 9–19,
the city becomes a stage. Vancouver International
Fringe Festival is one of the largest in Canada.
For a low price, you’ll get to witness your choices
from over 500 performances by more than 65 different
groups. Don’t forget to celebrate the festival’s
26th birthday at the opening and closing parties. www.vancouverfringe.com
MEXICO
SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE
If you haven’t visited the picturesque town
of San Miguel de Allende, there is no better time than
during the Festival de Musica de Camara. From
July 30–August 15, the city becomes an enclave
for well-established artists and blossoming newcomers.
Many regard this festival as Latin America’s most-renowned
chamber music festival. Over eighteen concerts will
be set among centuries-old churches, cathedrals, theatres,
and sanctuaries, including some of Mexico’s most
treasured landmarks. www.festivalsanmiguel.com
UNITED STATES
CALIFORNIA
LOS ANGELES
Bask in the heat and celebrate diversity at the
Sunset Junction Street Fair with games, rides,
food, art, and GLBT outreach events. As the sun sets,
be sure to bust a move on the dance stage and rock out
by the three performance stages where performers like
Shiny Toy Guns, The Whispers, Fishbone, Orgone, and
a slew of DJs spin. This year, the street party runs
from August 21–22. www.sunsetjunction.org
SAN DIEGO
Throw on your Cat Woman suit or your old Super
Girl costume and join in the comic book bliss at Comic
Con. As Comic Con becomes less about the actual
comic books and more of a way to revel in geeky pop
culture, its appeal is widening—can you say Glee
discussion panel, anyone? This year’s event takes
place July 22–25 at the San Diego Convention Center.
See the latest in comic books, meet and greet some of
your favorite artists, and listen to top-notch professionals.
www.comic-con.org
SAN FRANCISCO
Mark the end of Leather Pride Week in San Francisco
with the Folsom Street Fair. The festival takes
place this year on September 26, in the South of Market
district on Folsom Street between 7th and 12th Streets.
Take your time perusing 250 sexy exhibitors, grab some
food, and enjoy GLBT entertainment. Make sure you put
on the chaps (or less) and strut over to the fair’s
two stages or the huge dance area with its internationally
renowned DJs. www.folsomstreetfair.com
SONOMA
Art in the Redwoods returns to Gualala Arts
Center for the 49th annual festival from August 19–22.
This popular weekend event features a Champagne preview,
the “Top Hat” opening dinner and wine celebration,
live entertainment, and a quilt raffle. An exhibit of
fine art including oil paintings, acrylics, watercolors,
pastels, drawings, photographs, sculpture, woodworking,
stained and fused glass, jewelry, and fiber arts will
also be on display. www.gualalaarts.org
COLORADO
DENVER
Walk around the Mile High City at the Denver AIDS
Walk. Join friends and family for prominent speakers,
panels, live entertainment, an awards ceremony, and
of course walking or running the 5k route on August
14. Over 13,000 individuals participate to raise money
for services needed for HIV/AIDS clients of Colorado
AIDS Project and 30 other service organizations. www.aidswalkcolorado.org
In the tradition of such popular music
festivals as Coachella and Bonnaroo, the third annual
Mile High Music Festival features a lineup jam-packed
with stars, including The Dave Matthews Band, Jack Johnson,
and Weezer. The two-day event, August 14–15, is
the largest of its kind in the Denver Metro Area, attracting
a crowd of close to 100,000. This year it returns to
the Outer Fields of Dick’s Sporting Goods Park,
a location boasting immaculate lawns and spectacular
views of the Denver skyline and Rocky Mountain Front
Range. www.milehighmusicfestival.com
TELLURIDE
The city of Telluride makes for more than just
an amazing ski vacation. From September 3–6, the
36th annual Telluride Film Festival will begin
a weeklong look at carefully selected movies. When you
are not enjoying the flicks, wander around the picturesque
town at the base of majestic mountains. The end of summer
weather will surely make for a beautiful weekend. www.telluridefilmfestival.org
FLORIDA
KEY WEST
Key West will become an estrogen-fueled playground
from September 7–12 as over 4,000 head there for
Womenfest Key West. With all the activities available,
it is no wonder women come back year after year. Party
at the clothing-optional pool, dance the night away
at the dance club, and test your strength at competitive
bull riding. Lodging with special deals is available
throughout the island and nothing is too far from the
main events. www.womenfest.com
MIAMI
Miami may be the land of the South Beach Diet,
but forget about a watching your waistline during Miami
Spice Restaurant Month. During August and September,
the city’s top restaurants serve up specialized
three-course signature meals for a fixed price. Enjoy
lunch for a set price of $26, or dinner at $36, and
celebrate the city's “Passion for Food and Life.”
www.miamirestaurantmonth.com
GEORGIA
ATLANTA
“Where my gays at?” Our favorite redhead
(besides our marketing manager Paul West), Kathy
Griffin, is bringing her celebrity-focused sideshow
to the Fox Theatre on August 14 with two shows. If you
love her Bravo show, then you will surely love her stand-up
routine, in which Griffin does not hold back when it
comes to dishing on celebrities. Shows are at 8 P.M.
and 10 P.M. www.kathygriffin.net
ILLINOIS
CHICAGO
Come join in on all the love at the Second City
Tennis Classic GLBT tournament. The tough competition
takes place at the Lakeshore Athletic Club-Lincoln Park,
and the Mid-Town Tennis Club in Chicago from August
7–9. Either participate or check out the men and
women competing for a spot at the top. Either way, you’ll
take pride knowing that all the proceeds go to local
gay-focused charities. www.secondcitytennis.com
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