Welcome to Toronto’s second annual Bi Arts Festival, the world’s largest celebration of bisexual voices in art and culture. September 23rd is a special day. On that Sunday, we will be joining with communities from around the world to celebrate the 20th annual “Bi Visibility Day” - a day for being both gloriously and deliciously bisexual as well as unapologetically out, loud and proud.
The Bi Arts Festival was born from a belief in the power of storytelling. When shared with an audience, stories can and do change lives. But too many stories are left untold, unspoken, unshared, or unheard.
We say... NO MORE!
Although bisexuals make up the largest slice of the pie that is the LGBTQ2SA+ community, we are often invisible. In response, the Bi Arts Festival offers six days of vibrant and original programming - including visual art, craft, storytelling, performance, theatre, video, dance and the launch of the second issue of our zine, CRUSH. Our events are creative, playful, impactful and transformational. We look forward to seeing you!
Sunday September 9, 2018
Artscape Youngplace
Join us at this free, fun hands-on workshop where you will learn to make a short video that tells the story of YOU. more info here.
last Monday of each month, 7PM-8:30PM
Email for location!
FREE
Join us at Toronto's first bi+ book club - open to all bisexual, pansexual, fluid, polysexual or other non-monosexual folks. Each month we pick and discuss a new book, from poetry to fiction, from non-fiction to memoir, and more. Friendly discussion with new friends. Accessible space.
Saturday September 22, 2018
Trinity St. Paul United Church, Gym
A few tables have opened up for bisexual-identified artists, makers & craftspeople for a special one-day market. Our focus is handmade & hand-crafted, including zines and art. Email biartsfestival@gmail.com for more info.
POSTCARD SHOW & FUNDRAISER
Friday September 21 at Beaver Hall Gallery
At the SWITCH postcard show, a variety of original, postcard-sized artworks on paper are displayed anonymously. It’s the show with a secret: the identity of the artist is only revealed after purchase (as the postcards are signed on the back only). Proceeds benefit the Bi Arts Festival, building community through a celebration of bisexual visibility in arts and culture. Last opportunity to submit works!! more
Guess who's on Spotify? Listen to the original "Bi Beats" playlist, and other jingly jangly tunes. more
Full Schedule or Meet the Artists
Tuesday September 18th, 2018 - Opening Night - Zine Launch and Opening Night Party with DJ Kim, "Dance, Dance, Dance" @ Glad Day Bookshop
Wednesday September 19th, 2018, 7PM - Storytelling Showcase @ Palmerston Library Theatre
Wednesday September 19th, 2018, 9PM - Film and Video Showcase @ Palmerston Library Theatre
Thursday September 20th, 2018 - Womannish: Redefining Womanhood in a World that Won't Make Room,
featuring Eris Eady @ Artscape Youngplace
Friday September 21st, 2018, 6PM-10PM -
Art Exhibit Opening & Postcard Show @ Beaver Hall Gallery
Saturday September 22nd, 2018, 10AM-3PM - Pop-up Market @ Trinity St. Paul's United Church
Saturday September 22nd, 2018, 2PM-4PM - Author Showcase @ Glad
Day Bookshop
Saturday September 22nd, 2018 7PM and 9PM - How to Self-Suspend (a special workshop presentation), featuring Katie Sly @ Collective Space / RAW Space
Sunday September 23rd, 2018, 8PM- Velvet: A Bi Arts Cabaret @ the Tranzac Club
The 2017 Bi Arts Festival was held September 22-24, 2017. We celebrated with a pop-up market, two art shows (D-Beatstro and Glad Day), an author showcase, Franny McCabe Bennett's one-woman show SMASHES, a wiki edit-a-thon, our zine CRUSH, and a showcase of short film and video.
Check out last year's website here.
We couldn't do this work without the support of our amazing community and private partners. The Bi Arts Festival works with community groups, small businesses, and brands, both large and small. When you partner with us, you get access to our team of artists who will work with you to develop unique and creative ways to showcase your business or organization. We love to develop custom experiences that reflect both your brand and capture the excitement of this young, growing Festival. Let's start a conversation - write us at biartsfestival@gmail.com.
The 2018 Bi Arts Festival is supported by the Toronto Arts Council with funding from the City of Toronto.
We'd love to hear from you
Email: biartsfestival@gmail.com
1488 Queen Street West, Box 90111
Toronto, ON, Canada
M6K 3M4
