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Marketplace
Location: Online
When: Happening now
Link: Bi+ Arts Marketplace
Support bisexual, pansexual, queer and 2S artists, authors and artisans. Shop directly from the vendor.
Snail Mail Postcard Exchange
Location: Your mailbox, optional ZOOM event
When: Happening now and September 23rd – ZOOM Meet and Greet
Register at: https://www.biartsfestival.com/postcard-exchange
Exchange postcards, by mail, with bi+ (bisexual, pansexual, fluid, two-spirited) folks from around the city, country, or possibly the world!! Register your name and address at and you will be matched with another person in the exchange.
Hi, How are You Today?
Location: Your laptop or phone
When: Happening now and during the Festival
Link: To leave message for Catherine
How are you today? How are you *really* doing today? To participate, leave Catherine Jones a voice message. She says “You have 3 minutes to tell a story, cry with abandon, share a secret, let me know how you are doing, ask a question, sing, share a poem or a coming out story, share an observation of daily life, ask me a question, anything! The floor is yours. You can call back as often as you like; even every day.” Submissions will be shared – anonymously – both as is and as soundscapes, at a listening party during the Festival.
The Museum of Queer Joy
Location: Online
When: From Sept 19th
Link: Coming Soon
The museum, re-imagined as a space of queer resistance and joy.
Experience Bi+ Art
Location: Online
When: From Sept 19th
Link: Coming Soon
A curated collection of videos, slideshows, poetry and more by bi+ creatives.
Show and Tell: Bring a Bi+ Object
Location: Zoom
When: Saturday, Sept 19th, 12pm-1:30pm EDT (USA/CDA)
Learn more about this event: https://www.biartsfestival.com/showandtell/
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEpc-6vrDssGN1o_LJGxDCuRoYGIc-hkgg8
Bring along an object you’d like to show and tell and spend a few minutes telling us about it. It can be anything: an old ticket stub or event programme, a bi+ button, a zine, a photo of the first bi+ event you went to, a love letter or poem, a t-shirt, or something else.
Bi+ Crafternoon
Location: Zoom
When: Saturday, Sept 19th, 3:30pm-5:00pm EDT (USA/CDA)
More information: https://www.biartsfestival.com/crafternoon/
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYsde-rrDMsE9ySTZK1dw4lX-m5WNc8PGvY
Bring your knitting, crochet, needlepoint, watercolours or any of your fave crafts for our virtual craft circle in a casual and supportive atmosphere. Presented by TBN, the Bi+ Arts Festival and Ottawa’s Crafty Bi Nature. We ask youth under 16 years be accompanied by an adult.
The Human Library
Location: Zoom
When: September 19 to 27th, various dates and times
Apply on Website: https://www.biartsfestival.com/humanlibrary
Apply on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/780328202720139
We bring the library to life. Instead of offering books made of paper, though, we offer a real person that can be signed-out for a one-to-one conversation, with a goal of breaking down barriers. It is a place where personal stories and experiences come together and “readers“ listen, question, share and learn. Our “books“ share diverse life experiences, stories and perspectives in an effort to create understanding, awareness of others and also to create a sense of community.
WE ARE STILL ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR “BOOKS“
Our “books“ belong to one or many diverse groups in society that are often stigmatized as a result of who they are, choices they have made, or an experience they have had. We want to break through the stereotypes and prejudices that divide people by creating a safe space where honest conversations can take place, and curious questions can be asked.
Showgirls Bingo
Location: Zoom
When: Saturday, September 19th, 9pm EDT (USA/CDA)
Learn more about this event: https://www.biartsfestival.com/showgirls-bingo/
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAocO6vqDIjG91qYz1e8zjfcRGu1gO0whEd
This 1995 train-wreck of a film (or cult classic, depending on your POV) has it all: an ingenue & an aging star, weird orgasms, bisexuality, volcanoes, revenge, Kyle MacLachlan, Gina Gershon, innuendo, eating with gusto, and great lines like “there’s always someone younger and hungrier than you coming down the stairs behind you.” Your hosts for Showgirls Bingo are Catherine and Jaene. We invite you download a bingo card or cards, watch along with us, laugh, drink and chat!
Open Studio (Meet the Artists)
Location: Zoom
When: Sunday, Sept 20th, 4pm-8pm EDT (USA/CDA)
Learn more about the artists: https://www.biartsfestival.com/open-studio-meet-the-artists-2020
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Xz5_j4JISjq7Hi62Y-gv0Q
With Cleopatria Peterson, Sofí Gudiño, Amber Helene Müller St. Thomas, Keet Geniza, Patricia Silva (Larker Anthology), and Jaene F. Castrillon (with other artists to be confirmed). Each artist has the floor for 30 minutes – to engage with the audience in any way they choose, to share slides or videos, take questions, talk about their process and current projects, or show us around their space. Exact schedule and order of artists, to be announced. Pop in and out as you like, or stay for the whole event.
Coming Out Stories
Location: Zoom
When: Monday, Sept 21st, 7:30pm-8:30pm EDT (USA/CDA)
Learn more about this event: https://www.biartsfestival.com/comingoutstories-2/
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_LF1Z-MJrRHSfkl_Q2d4ieA
Share your coming out story – in words, a poem, a song, a story, through movement, dance, or more. Hosted by Catherine Jones and Richard-Yves Sitoski.
Postcard Exchange, Social Gathering
Location: Zoom
When: Wednesday, Sept 23rd, 2pm-3:30pm EDT (USA/CDA)
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwvcu-tqD4rGdMg–17EBgV4SJeavKdAzE7
A Zoom get-together where participants in the snail mail postcard exchange can meet each other, and share the postcards we have received (or soon will be receiving) in our mailboxes.
Bi+ Arts Festival: Books and Beats
Location: Zoom
When: Wednesday, Sept 23rd, 7:30pm-9pm EDT (USA/CDA)
Learn more about the authors (& DJ): https://www.biartsfestival.com/books-and-beats/
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0ucOmvqjMsHdTqKotoFqbACazoBv4tQFt3
Join us on the evening of September 23rd – on Bi Visibility Day itself! – for our fourth annual Author Showcase, curated by Dorianne Emmerton, with readings by authors Anuja Varghese, Elizabeth Hirst, and Jen Brown. Following our readings, a video dance party with music curated by Stephen Harvey, from the Bi+ Beats series.
Racialized and Bisexual+: Exploring Identity in Arts Practice
Location: Zoom
When: Thursday, September 24th, 7:30-9:00pm EDT
Learn more about the event: https://www.biartsfestival.com/racializedandbi
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_YwL1_ceHSHWmmn-r0Fno4w
How does it feel to be a minority within a minority? Racialized members of our bisexual+ community face unique challenges. What issues are they facing, and what does art have to do with it? Join us for our interactive panel discussion Racialized and Bisexual+: Exploring Identity in Arts Practice on September 24, 7:30 to 9 pm!
Our panel comprised of racialized, bisexual+ artists will discuss how they are exploring these intersecting identities through the visual and performing arts. Moderated by Anna-Liza Badaloo, our panelists include artist Apanaki Temitayo M, filmmaker Jaene F. Castrillon, and other guests to be announced!
The first part of the panel discussion will explore which issues are on their minds, how their work has been received, and the impact on artists of being vulnerable in this way. The second part will look towards community solutions with a lively discussion of how the Bi+ Arts Festival can support the artistic expression of racialized bisexual+ voices, and work towards dismantling systemic racism in our community.
Bi+ Burlesque
Location: Zoom
When: Friday, September 25th, 8:00-9:00pm EDT
Learn more about the artists: https://www.biartsfestival.com/bi-burlesque/
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUpf-CsqDgvHtaJR-Yn-t4Ja28eL36i-ZWu
Join a bevy of Toronto’s Bi+ babes for an evening of sizzling burlesque! Starring the titillating talents of: Bellamie Beastly, Bianca Boom Boom, Cara De Melo, Dainty Smith, Dolly Berlin, El Toro, Fannie Fullenweider, and Ivory. Hosted by the two and only Imogen and Sydney Quest.
This is a PWYC event. Tips for these incredible artists are always welcome and appreciated! (via paypal or etransfer to biartsfestival@gmail.com)
Queer Love-In: Fall, In Love Again
Location: Zoom
When: Saturday, September 26th, 6:30pm – 10:30pm EDT
Learn more about this event: https://www.biartsfestival.com/queerlove/
Register through Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/328131941636639/
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89162778467
Get ready to ease on down the road in the slow lane, at a queer-centred all-inclusive celebration of love and connection!
David Williston is your host for a Zoom broadcast of music to help you feel like sentimental sloths. Sit or lay back, get up or get down, move around, or meditate in place to the warm, soothing vibes of all the feels. Inspired by Sherwin Sullivan Tjia’s Toronto Queer Slowdance, this is a rare opportunity to show up as you, feel how you do, and perhaps transform a little as the evening progresses. Interact on camera or in text chat, or hover beyond like an ethereal spirit. Stay for a bit or the entire show! You all influence this safer space to be brave in, and can help make it the fall kickoff event for you!
You can support David at this PWYC event, with donations to: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/TheCarrotFactory
Find out more about our upcoming projects:
Quilting Queerly
Location: Your home, Zoom
When: TBA
Sign up for this community art quilt project and receive a 25cm x 25cm square of fabric in the mail (or pickup from a designated partner). Using embroidery, applique, quilting, photo transfer, paint or other techniques tell us YOUR story of bi+ (bisexual, pansexual, 2Spirit, fluid or queer) love, joy, identity, resistance, and desire. We will hold virtual workshops over the next 9 months to help you create your square. Mail back and we will assemble into a quilt panel that will be displayed during the 2021 Bi+ Arts Festival.
Love Letters
Location: Various physical locations around the GTA
When: TBA
Write and leave behind a small love letter for another person to discover. It can be a letter to your community, to a stranger, or to a younger version of you! Photograph your letter (or envelope) and “drop spot” then tag us on social media, and we will share/repost on our IG or twitter feeds. Ideas for drop spots: back seat of a taxi, your laundry room, in a shrub, on a bulletin board, on the TTC, under a rock at Hanlon’s Point.
Traveling Sketchbook
Location: Your home
When: 2021 Bi+ Arts Festival
Ten months; ten artists; ten artist sketchbooks. A series of shared and traveling sketchbooks that will be created over the next 10 months, and launched at the 2021 Bi+ Arts Festival.
Social Time, Hangouts, Affinity Groups
Location: Zoom
When: TBA
Would you like to facilitate an online hangout to network, share support, get angry, talk activism, or strategies, laugh, and more? These might look like sessions restricted to transgender bi+ folks, non-binary peeps, polyamorous folks, neurodivergent bi’s, persons living with disabilities or chronic pain, parents, Black, BIPOC, small business owners, bisexual men, bi+ youth, or other groups. We can assist you with creating a safe Zoom space – you would moderate. Send your room idea and requirements to biartsfestival@gmail.com.