CiTR -- Queer FM

Kwolanne Felix (she/her) is a queer writer, student, and gender equality and environmentalist. She was born in Haiti, grew up in Miami, and currently lives in New York City. She is a senior at Columbia University studying History focusing on the African Diaspora. Kwolanne writes creative nonfiction, opinion pieces, and personal essays where she reflects on issues surrounding gender, sexuality, race, as well as pop culture from intersectional perspectives. Her writing has been featured in feminist publications like Ms. Magazine, and Malala Fund’s Assembly, as well as the Columbia Spectator. Learn more by following @kwolanne on Insta or check out her website at kwolannefelix.wordpress.com ********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************* BYHAZE (he/him) "The Architect of Healing Sounds" is a singer, singer writer and creative content entrepreneur dedicated to the progression of his community through sonic healing, visual evolution, and artistic philanthropy. BYHAZE emerged onto the scene gifting audiences with his ocular narratives as not only a model, but a photographer/ photojournalist. In this realm he has been featured in a wide variety of publications such as Vogue, Afro-Punk, Essence, Allure and many more. He amplifies the need for global evolution of self through sonic healing, visual transformation, curative manifestation, and the theory of UBUNTU, which means "I am, because you are". Believing that all things are divinely guided, Haze, created his “Repeat After Me" affirmation series on TikTok accruing 130K followers, teaching audiences about the power of manifestation. His single AFFIRMATION, went viral on TikTok and led him to Coachella to offer soundbaths and affirmation workshops for attendees. ByHaze is fluent in many creative disciplines but uses music and dance to amplify the spaces he and his people occupy. He recently debuted the Mixtape “Clarity”, that included the breakout hit “Magnetic” followed by the acoustic version. These projects exude joy and uplifting energy & include healing harmonies, singing bowls, wind chimes, and acoustic instruments for an organic feel. Peaking at #8 on the Itunes R&B Charts during its debut week, prompted the release of live acoustic performances and meditative visualizers. Learn more and follow the artist via his website at www.byhaze.co

Murry Peeters (she/her) is an actor and WGC-award nominated screenwriter. Recent screenwriting credits include: THE PARKER- ANDERSONS and AMELIA PARKER. Her screen credits include NBC’s TAKEN, FARCRY 5 and SEE. Peeters’ acting experience enables her to write material populated by richly diverse and layered characters. She was selected to participate in the inaugural class of the WarnerMedia Canadian Academy Writers Program. She is also an alumna of the Canadian Film Center's 2018 Writers' Lab, a 2018 Magee TV Diverse Screenwriters Award recipient and a Netflix-Banff 2019 & 2020 Diversity of Voices participant. Murry is the Director and Writer behind WOMAN MEETS GIRL, an indy film short set to take the film festival circuit by storm about two women finding love and connection in unexpected places. Over a vodka-fueled game of Never Have I Ever, Annabelle, a 40-something year old virgin and Tessie, an 18-year old homeless sex worker, challenge each other to expose their vulnerabilities revealing their differences and similarities. Through the night, an undeniable chemistry emerges between them. Follow Murry online at @murrypeeters or the film at @wmgfilm

Restlust, (aka) Tianna Nicole (they/them) is a queer, non-binary, Black- and Mexican-American artist, sound explorer, transdisciplinary artist, multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer, and DJ, based in Los Angeles. Their focus is on creating sonic healing experiences, often as a collaborator. They are also the drummer and manager for the queer Afropunk band, Fuck U Pay Us. Their performance and music has been shown at MOMA PS1, The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA LA, NTS Radio, and Afropunk festival, among others. They are also the Program Manager at Side Street Projects and you can check out the Artist on digital at: IG: @Restlust | website: restlust.com ***************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** Comedian. Actor. Musician. Advocate. Entrepreneur. Five-time Grammy and Emmy nominee Margaret Cho has been a strong voice in comedy for many years. Vogue Magazine named them one of the 9 best female comedians of all time alongside Joan Rivers, amongst others. Cho staunchly supports the causes that are important to her: anti-racism, anti-bullying, LGBTQ+ rights, all while fulfilling her successful creative side with a legendary stand-up career that has yielded 10-plus comedy tours. Her recent TV roles include Season 2 of HBO Max’s The Flight Attendant, a guest starring role on Season 2 of HBO Max’s Hacks, and two Netflix is a Joke comedy specials: Stand Out: An LGBTQ+ Celebration AND Jane Fonda & Lily Tomlin: Ladies Night Live; and her role as the ‘mother hen’ in the well-reviewed movie, Fire Island. Margaret brings her unique brand of comedy to Vancouver with the Margaret Cho: Live and LIVID! Show at the Vogue Theatre SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2023, and you can get your tix at jflvancouver.com. Catch Margaret online at Insta: @margaret_cho Twitter: @margaretcho Their focus is on creating sonic healing experiences, often as a collaborator. They are also the drummer and manager for the queer Afropunk band, Fuck U Pay Us. Their performance and music has been shown at MOMA PS1, The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA LA, NTS Radio, and Afropunk festival, among others. They are also the Program Manager at Side Street Projects and you can check out the Artist on digital at: IG: @Restlust | website: restlust.com

KENDALL GENDER As a performer, host, model and LGBTQIA2S+ activist, Kendall Gender (he/him (out of drag, she/her in drag) is a bonafide Canadian drag sensation. With grassroots in Vancouver, she has performed coast to coast since 2014 and shows no signs of slowing down. Kendall is best known for being on season 2 of Canada’s Drag Race, where she placed in the top 3. She is also known for being the queer ambassador for Fairmont Hotels, a member of the infamous drag group ‘BRATPACK’ and a past winner of the elite drag competition “Vancouver’s Next Drag Superstar” in 2017. She was also elected as the “Empress of Vancouver” and raised over $25,000 for various charities as a part of the Dogwood Monarchist Society. In 2020 she was also the first drag performer to do a halftime performance at the Rugby 7’s game, performing for a crowd of 50,000 people. As a biracial artist, Kendall started the show ‘VISIBLE’ which is designed as a platform to raise money and awareness for visible minorities. In 2020, the events moved digital and raised over $9,000 for Black Lives Matter during a single event. The next VISIBLE show is going to be held February 20th at The Junction. Kendall has been cast in the lead role of an upcoming film called “Stay”, playing the character Kaleb/Ivy Diamonds. The film is set to release in March of this year. As on third of the “Brat Pack”, she has a new single out, SHINE, available on all the streaming platforms. And this song is SMOKING HAWT! You can learn more about Kendall on her Insta at instagram.com/kendallgender or at kendallgender.com

Vertarias is a Singer, Choreographer, and creative director originally from California and now a resident of Austin for four years. He’s slayed commercials for Dell technologies as well as starred in music videos for the “Seratones” and debuted his debut ep “VERT” (available on all platforms) on the “ICONIC” Cheer Up Charlie’s stage in Austin exactly at 12:01 am New Year’s Day 2022. All while living in Austin. Vertarias is a sultry, fun, and creative person who enjoys life and expressing themselves through multiple art mediums. Permitting themselves to let go and move out of their way. Sharing their gift is most important to them. Follow @vertarias Vertarias has fallen in love with the queer community in Austin and has found themselves through the many mirrors/friends they have encountered while living in Austin.

Originally from Montréal, Mélanie Bray is a bilingual actor and producer who has worked across the country in both French and English. Mélanie’s film and television credits as an actor include: QUÉBEXIT, THE L WORD, PSYCH, YEAR OF THE CARNIVORE, ODD SQUAD MOBILE UNIT, RAIN DOWN, (UN)CERTAINTY, and ROSIE (the short film). Mélanie is a Dome Theatre graduate and Jessie Richardson Award nominee. After studying Film and TV Production at Langara College, Mélanie began working as an office P.A., researcher, and writer. She quickly gained experience as a production coordinator, 3 rd A.D. and voiceover coordinator. She was the casting director for two seasons of the television series EAUX TROUBLES DU CRIME/DARK WATERS OF CRIME (produced by Red Letter Films and aired on OWN). Over the years, Mélanie has also worked with Out TV, Productions Testa, Unis TV, Proximity Films and Médiatique. Mélanie has produced three short films: watermarked (Moonstone Productions), and (with her partner Gail Maurice) - ASSINI and ROSIE (Assini Productions). The award-winning Assini has screened at festivals around the world, it was nominated for four Golden Sheafs at the Yorkton Film Festival. ROSIE, the short film, has also screened at festivals worldwide, and was nominated for Best International Short Film - Comedy category at the New Filmmakers LA Film Festival (2020). Most recently, it was awarded the UNICEF award for Best Children’s Film by the Stuttgart Film Festival in Germany. Through film funding magic, Rosie - the short film became Rosie – the feature film. Each year TIFF releases their Canada’s Top Ten – Best of Films, and this year is featuring Rosie The Film, on January 28th at the TIFF Bell Lightbox Theatre. Rosie The Film will be premiering throughout British Columbia starting February 6th via “a theatre near you” You can learn more about the FEATURE film version (and screenings) on socials at @rosie_the_film

We welcome Shaun Brodie (he/him) the Artistic Director of The Queer Songbook Orchestra (QSO), a Toronto based 13-piece chamber pop ensemble, dedicated to exploring and uplifting 2SLGBTQ+ narrative in pop music. The QSO have been steadily working to bring intimacy and vulnerability to stages across Canada since the project was founded in 2014 by Artistic Director Shaun Brodie. By working with a base of familiar songs, drawn from pop music of the last century, which is reinterpreted and offered alongside their accompanying narratives, the listener is allowed a new entry point into familiar works, and a peek inside the elusive nature of song and the pockets of memory where they tuck away. They are a highly collaborative ensemble and have worked with nearly 200 guest artists and arrangers, and many others, including high school students and elders from all across Canada. The QSO have released four albums to date; the 2017 collaborative album with Vivek Shraya, Part-Time Woman (Long Listed for the Polaris Music Prize); the 2018 solo debut, Anthems & Icons; the 2019 collaborative EP with Christine Bougie, Love Songs; and the 2020 live holiday ep Roasted Chestnuts. The QSO produced a short stop-motion animated film, Reach the Sky, which is now available online, and has played festivals all around the world. They have a new show for the holidays - Roasted Chestnuts VII - a holiday fundraiser for the Queer Songbook YOUTH Orchestra at the Opera House in Toronto taking placed Tuesday, December 20th. For our local BC folx, mark your calendars for January 15th, 2023, for their show with Intrepid Theatre at the University of Victoria. Check out the incredible work they do at www.queersongbook.com ******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************* Vancouver’s piano man, Matthew Presidente (he/him) is a bold rock/pop songwriter. Whether performing solo or with his full band, his music’s honest queer perspective invokes nostalgia, small town memories and challenges you to reflect on an exciting journey of self discovery. His next gig will be December 30th at Windfall Cider Company in North Vancouver, keep an eye out on his socials for gigs in the New Year! He’s currently recording a new full band album with songs speaking of loss, life changes and ultimately evolution. You can hear the first single, ‘A-List’, now on all streaming platforms and for more info on the artist, visit his website at www.matthewpresidente.com

Andrea Routley is a writer, editor, and the 2022/23 Haig-Brown House Writer-in-Residence. Her work has appeared in literary magazines such as Geist, Room and The Fiddlehead Review. In 2020, the title story of her new collection, “This Unlikely Soil,” was shortlisted for the Malahat Review Novella Prize. Her debut collection, Jane and the Whales (Caitlin Press, 2013), was a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award.She holds an MFA in creative writing from UBC (Okanagan) and her most recent work THIS UNLIKELY SOIL a series of five novellas published in September 2022. Andrea is currently at work on her third book, a novel entitled Field Guide to Bats and Other Damage. For more on the author and her work, visit her website at andrearoutley.com *******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************A singer, songwriter, and bandleader based in Toronto, Steven Taetz (he/him) has written for many internationally renowned artists published on Sony/ATV, Nettwerk, Warner, Shapiro Bernstein, and Universal.With a voice that transcends time, Steven was turned onto singing after witnessing k.d. lang‘s iconic 1985 wedding gown appearance at the JUNO Awards. Like Lang, Steven’s style covers a wide range of genres.For 2013’s debut solo album Steven Taetz, he created a cross-Canadian collaborative collection of songs with JUNO-award-winning singer-songwriters from each province of Canada. His 2018 Drink You In album debuted at #3 on iTunes jazz charts and received rave reviews from JazzTimes and other leading media.His latest is the title track LATE BLOOM, which is out now on all the streamers and the full album LATE BLOOM and further singles will be out in early 2023.Intended as a collection of queer love songs, celebrating a love found later in life, Late Bloom took on a confessional tone as Steven fully embraced his queer identity. Late Bloom grew to encompass activism for equal rights, and loss, having experienced the death of three grandparents throughout the making of the record. To learn more about the artist visit his website at www.steventaetz.com

Holly Cinnamon (she/they) is a queer femme-inist lesbian actor, singer-songwriter, poet and embodiment educator hailing from Edmonton, Alberta, currently based in NYC. Holly has been singing and writing songs since they can remember, but only during the pandemic did they transition their creative energy fully back to songwriting.They have written over 50 songs and released five singles so far in 2022 and they self produce their music through their record label, The Female Gayze.L0GAN (they/them) is a gender fluid artist who aims to achieve ambiguity with their sound. Primarily a poet and vocalist, the inevitable development into song writing and composition was catalyzed by the use of an electric guitar.Catchy melodic lyrics, gritty R&B cadence, mixed with a raw soulful integrity, L0GAN wants their music to make you think and feel. Heavily influenced by classic blues and jazz chords, juxtaposed with hip hop and latin drum and bass rhythms, they are striving to carve out an alternative space in the modern pop era that can’t be defined by just one genre. Their debut single NEW CLEAR is available now on the streamers and for more on the artist, follow them on Insta at @logansloud*********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************Holly is inspired by her identity as a queer woman, a feminist and trauma survivor and her relationship to her body as both a subject and object. They collaborate with arranger and musician Matthew Lowy.As an actor, she has appeared in Marvel’s Daredevil, Hocus Pocus 2 and will appear in the next season of HBO’s hit show Succession, set to air in the Spring of 2023. Their latest release THE LANDSCAPE OF YOUR MIND came out in late November and for more on this busy artist, visit www.thefemalegayze.com

Benjamin Lefebvre (he/him) lives in Kitchener, Ontario. His edited books include the three-volume critical anthology The L.M. Montgomery Reader and a set of books that collect Montgomery’s extensive shorter works, most recently Twice upon a Time: Selected Stories, 1898–1939. This fall, he published his first novel In the Key of Dale, (Arsenal Pulp Press), the story of a queer sixteen-year-old music prodigy who starts writing letters to his father, as well as short stories in The Antigonish Review, Plenitude Magazine, and an upcoming short story in The New Quarterly.For more on the Author visit his website at benjaminlefebvre.com*****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************BiG SiSSY (she/her) is a green-haired witch from the Black Starr Planet. The sonic lovechild of Prince and Peaches, she has shared the stage with queer icons including Backxwash and John Cameron Mitchell (Hedwig & The Angry Inch). SiSSY’s notorious stage show has earned her a spot on the Cult Montreal’s Top 5 Freakiest Musical Acts list for five years (2018-2021).Over time SiSSY’S live act organically developed a narrative, evolving into a 30-minute rock opera titled The BiG SiSSY Show: The Message, which made its debut at Toronto’s 40th annual Rhubarb Festival.Fresh off the release of her debut music video “Everybody Knows”, her debut EP entitled BlackStarr is set to launch in February of 2023 and her second single CAKE (ft. Backxwash) will be out December 31st. Find out more about BiG SiSSY at www.dabigsissy.ca short stories in The Antigonish Review, Plenitude Magazine, and an upcoming short story in The New Quarterly.For more on the Author visit his website at benjaminlefebvre.com

Kevin Chiang (he/him) is a Canadian singer/recording artist based in Vancouver, BC. who is breaking all society norms. At a very young age, Kevin represented everything that culture and society didn’t believe in. Now he wants to show the world that “you can”!! Break the chain because the world is changing. You can be whatever, and whoever you want to be! Kevin creates music from the heart and his life-experiences are his source of inspiration when it comes to song writing. His new single “The Outsider” tackles the struggles that the LGBTQ community go through; from fitting in, judgments, the opinions of others, and finding your own strength. By creating music, Kevin hopes to use his voice to be of service of others. For many years he has sat in the sidelines while things happened in the world that he wished he could speak up about, but now with his newfound path; he states “things will be different”. ******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************The Chutzpah! Festival returns with an exciting and dynamic lineup of performances this November 3-24, 2022, including an amazing show you don’t wanna miss!Celebrating Queer Jewish Comedy featuring Liz Glazer and Hosted by Yenta (USA) With Drag Queens Ziona Patriot & Talula Bonet “The Holy Sisters” (Israel) this show takes place November 24 at 8pm, Norman & Annette Rothstein Theatre. Our guests from this comedy show include:Liz Glazer began her career as most stand-up comedians do, as a tenured law professor. Liz gave it all up to do comedy, where her material draws from her own life as a lesbian, a rabbi's wife, and a former lawyer.Accolades include winning at the Boston Comedy Festival, Ladies of Laughter Competition, and has been featured in a full article about her comedy in the Wall Street Journal. She opens for Maria Bamford. Liz is married to a rabbi, lives in New Jersey and you can check out Liz at her website dearlizglazer.com With more new ideas and a full “The Outsider” album in the works (the single was just released in October), he cannot wait for what the future holds. He encourages others to take things “one day at a time” and “to keep going no matter where the road takes you”. To follow Kevin’s career or to learn more visit him on Insta @kev.chiang

Crys Matthews, she/her/hers A troubadour of truth, Nashville resident Crys Matthews (she/her) is among the brightest stars of the new generation of social justice music-makers. An award-winning, prolific lyricist and composer, Matthews blends Americana, folk, blues, bluegrass, and funk into a bold, complex performance steeped in traditional melodies punctuated by honest, original lyrics. She is made for these times. Of Matthews, ASCAP VP & Creative Director Eric Philbrook says, “By wrapping honest emotions around her socially conscious messages and dynamically delivering them with a warm heart and a strong voice, she lifts our spirits just when we need it most in these troubled times.” Justin Hiltner of Bluegrass Situation adds; her gift is a "reminder of what beauty can occur when we bridge those divides." Her hope-fueled, love-filled, social-justice album called Changemakers was released last year and the title track was named the International Folk Music Association's "Song of the Year". Their next concert is in Vancouver on November 18th at Rogue Folk Club. Visit crysmatthews.com for more on the artist!***************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************David Ng / Orville LimDavid Ng (he/ him) is the Co-Artistic Director of Love Intersections, a media arts collective made up of queer artists of colour dedicated to using collaborative art making and relational storytelling to address systemic racism in our communities. They produce intersectional and intergenerational stories from underrepresented communities of colour.Orville Lim (he/him) is a board member of the Lim Sai Hor Kow Mock Association which rents space in Chinatown in the Sai Hor Kow Mock Benevolent Association Building. The building is the oldest of 13 Chinatown non-profit society heritage buildings, originally constructed in 1903. The Lim Sai Hor (Kow Mock) Association eventually purchased the building and has been located there since 1926 and it serves as headquarters for its members to this day. Orville is a long-time proponent of conserving the history and integrity of this historic brick and timber building, located at the southwestern edge of Chinatown.Orville and David combined to produce The House of 9 Dragons an oral history exhibit that invited audiences to hear, feel, touch, and taste lived stories from the walls of this special heritage building. Born from an intergenerational and cross-cultural collaboration, the exhibit included texture monoprints of the buildings architecture that were created with Lim Association members.To learn more about these two amazing organizations working to educate and inspire in Vancouver’s Chinatown district visit their websites. www.limassociation.ca www,loveintersection.com

BELINDA GILBEYBelinda Gilbey (she/her) is a female entrepreneur, green building enthusiast and market leader in heat pump technology. Her graduation from the University of Ottawa with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering kickstarted her successful professional journey that was fueled by her passion for clean technologies. While working in the solar and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning industries, she gradually developed a true passion for creating cost-effective decarbonization solutions for a better tomorrow, which brought her to co-found and become President of BONDI Energy.Since then, she’s been raising awareness on the positive effects that these technologies provide, not only from an environmental point of view but also from a cost reduction angle. Under Belinda’s guidance, BONDI is now aiming to decarbonize as many buildings as possible across North America.Belinda just won the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association award for energy efficiency & grid firming, making her company BONDI Energy one of Ontario’s Top 10 Clean Tech Companies.****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************The Shale Project is a multimedia storytelling initiative “roughly in the shape of a planet”. Together, (partners in life and art) Authors Avi Silver (they/them) and Sienna Tristen (they/them) have built a shared fantasy world and are populating it with all manner of stories. Shale stands atop three pillars: top-notch worldbuilding, daring and exploratory fiction, and the philosophy that art is medicine. Since its inception in 2018, the project has published two book series, a theme song, and interactive media. Their latest project is The Heretic’s Guide to Homecoming, Book Two: Practice which launches October 25th with an in-person book launch in Toronto. Learn more at welcometoshale.comBelinda and her team are now moving forward to complete a 300+ unit heat pump retrofit project in an old Toronto building, demonstrating the push towards green energy solutions, which Belinda believes will help us reach net zero. While the multi-unit buildings business is dominated mostly by men, Belinda is a woman with a vision in a marketplace with tough barriers and has been a strong voice for local green energy solutions in the industry. For more information visit their website visit bondicorp.com

RENEE MUZQUIZ (she/they) Where Trees Once Made a Sound is the third album from Renée Muzquiz, lead singer and guitarist for Major Tomboys, Portland’s all-woman David Bowie cover band. Muzquiz claims that playing with the Tomboys, as well as in many Portland tribute shows over the past decade, helped shape her as a lead guitarist. This inspired her to “rock out” more while also digging deeper into her vulnerability than on her previous folk-jazz records.An indie-pop/rock album at its core, Where Trees Once Made a Sound is brimming with popular music influences that span from the late ‘60s through the ‘90s. From a disco-funk song about the perils of climate change (Warning Signs) to a dirty-pop fantasy about waiting for a lover to come home from work (All Night for You), Muzquiz, along with her brother Ramon Muzquiz and producer Sean Flora (The Shins, Beth Ditto), crafted each song with its own distinct palette. Throughout the record, Muzquiz yearns for something just out of her reach, whether it’s a lover, bittersweet moments from her past, or how to exist in a world she perceives as falling apart.****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************Gabe Calderón (they/them) currently lives in Treaty 6 territory's Amiskwacîwâskahikan (Edmonton) as an author, poet, mixed media artist, activist and educator. Gabe has achieved several literary and poetry awards, namely a Lambda Literary Award in 2021 for the LGBTQ+ Anthology Love After the End.Gabe’s work is described as “poignant, elaborating on heartfelt descriptions of inner struggles with the current world we live in. From poetry to sci-fi, Gabe builds worlds where radical love for the people dismantles the greed and corruption we witness daily.”Màgòdiz published by Arsenal Pulp Press is their first novel, being released in October of 2022 by Arsenal Pulp Press. Check out their website at gabecalderon.com for more on the artist.Muzquiz has released three singles from the forthcoming album so far: Gay Kids, All Night for You, and Warning Signs. Currently, these singles, as well as the album can be heard at reneemuzquiz.com and all major streaming services.

Gisele Lullaby - mystery reporter, woman of the people, drag sensation and can now add to the ever-growing list of accomplishments WINNER of Canada’s Drag Race Season 3 and Pop Star!Gisèle began her ascent in the drag community in 2009 after being a dancer for Rita Baga. She has been igniting the various stages and TV sets of Quebec for 15 years, impersonating artists such as Lady Gaga, Céline Dion and Marie-Mai. The recipient of several awards in the LGBTQIA2+ community, Gisèle has distinguished herself through her charisma and humour. Host at the Cabaret Mado for 6 years, she knows how to excite crowds and entertain with her monologues and contagious laughter. In addition to mastering the art of drag, Gisèle excels as a make-up artist and to complete her wide range of talents, she was able to use her modeling skills during the Denis Gagnon and Lakuachimoto fashion shows as part of the Fashion & Design Festival.In 2019, she had the chance to appear alongside Marie-Mai in her music video for the song «Oser Aimer». Other notable achievements include her participation in the Web-series “L’Abri de Québec”, the Just For Laughs festival and gala, the “ComediHA Gala”, an ad for Uber, was the face of an online lottery game on the “Casino de Montréal” website, hosted and performed at the 2021 Montreal Pride festival, and more recently took part (and won) Season 3 of CRAVE TV’s popular reality TV show, Canada’s Drag Race. In 2022 Gisele paired up with Producer Velvet Code to create her DEBUT single, JE NE SAIS QUOI which is available on all streaming platforms. To learn more about Gisele, visit sofiercemusic.com/artists or find her on Insta @Gisele_lullaby*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************VELVET CODE is an International award-winning genderfluid Electronic Music DJ, producer, songwriter, radio show host and music label owner from Toronto, Canada. Firmly established as a producer and songwriter on the electronic and pop music scenes, Velvet has been called “The Queen Maker” because of his work with Drag Recording Artists around the world.During his 15-year career in the music industry, Velvet has worked with acclaimed artists and songwriters Wendy Starland, Mark Saunders and Taylor Swift, and in 2020, Velvet was chosen to be a part of Lady Gaga’s Chromatica Billboard remix team, with notable remixes of Stupid Love and Sour Candy.Later that same year, Velvet Code launched So Fierce Music, now with a talent roster of 40+ up and coming LGBTQIA+ artists including globally recognized drag recording artists destined for mainstream success. In the Fall of 2021, Velvet launched the You Do You Foundation which aims to help underprivileged and financially compromised 2SLGBTQIA+ musicians utilize music on their road to wellness.Velvet is also the host of a House and Nu-Disco Mixshow called “Rise to the Rhythm” which airs weekly on 42 radio stations around the world to 3.8 million weekly listeners. For more info about Velvet Code, visit: www.velvetcode.com or follow them on Insta at @velvetcodeofficial

A nonbinary boy band of one, Joey Baby (they/them) is a NYC-based artist and producer. A student of late 90s/early 2000’s R&B and pop artists like TLC, NSYNC, Destiny’s Child and Aaliyah, and producers like the Neptunes, Missy Elliott and Timbaland, Joey Baby invites listeners into a creative universe that’s one part unreleased TRL video, one part *****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************Sarantos is a DIY international award-winning solo music artist, Top 5 iTunes UK Charting singer-songwriter, #1 iTunes South Africa Charting Folk & Country Artist, #1 iTunes UK Christian Charting singer, proud nerd, multi-instrumentalist, book author, comic book nut, radio show host, poet and part time spy. His music is a cross between Justin Bieber, Queen, Journey & Ed Sheeran.He’s an alien who landed here to infect the human race and spread the disease of music. 2022 is Year #9 of his journey as he continues to release a new song, lyric video, music video, book chapter and poem every month bringing his music to life! In 8 years, he has released 16 albums with 202 original tracks as well as 8 fiction/fantasy books that parallel the songs!Every year until the day he dies, every single month Sarantos will release a new song & lyric video in week 1, new music video in week 2, new book chapter in week 3, and a new Poem in week 4. The CD & complete book will then be released every November along with a surprise Instrumental CD every year.He tackles almost every genre imaginable as he expands his unique signature style with an eclectic mix of edgy experimentation across genres. Fans enjoy regular surprises and always wonder what’s next, check out his website at www.melogia.com His podcast is called “the songwriters show” and is available online, and his newest music release “Believe In Yourself” drops on Tuesday, October 4th on all the usual streaming channels and of course his yearly album comes out in November! We dare you to try and keep up!deleted scenes Nickelodeon, remixed with a futuristic queer spirit.Their newest musical creation is the debut single and accompanying video "Dance W/U" which you can find on their website at joeybabymusic.com

jaye simpson (she/they) is an Oji-Cree Saulteaux Indigiqueer from the Sapotaweyak Cree Nation. simpson is a writer, advocate and activist sharing their knowledge and lived experiences in hope of creating utopia. simpson’s work has been performed at the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word (2017) in Peterborough, and in Guelph with the Vancouver Slam Poetry 2018 Team. simpson has recently been named the Vancouver Champion for the Women of the World Poetry Slam and their work has been featured in Poetry Is Dead, This Magazine, PRISM international, SAD Mag, GUTS Magazine and Room. They are in four anthologies: Hustling Verse (2019), Love After the End (2020), The Care We Dream Of (2021), and the forthcoming Queer Little Nightmares (2022). their first poetry collection, it was never going to be okay was shortlisted for the 2021 ReLit Award and a 2021 Dayne Ogilvie Prize Finalist, while also winning the 2021 Indigenous Voices Award for Published Poetry in English. Their latest work is Queer Little Nightmares: An Anthology of Monstrous Fiction and Poetry that will be released on October 4th. For more info on the artist’s work, go to arsenalpulp.com

HELEN COUNTS (she/her) is a queer indie singer songwriter who began her musical career singing in East Coast coffee houses. This resident of Madison, Wisconsin then self published her own CD, 'Into Your Arms' in 2002 which is newly released NOW on streaming platforms. She first broke into Spotify in 2021 with her single 'That Look', followed quickly by her second release 'Some Healing'. This year saw her release ‘Shaky Ground’ with an even stronger indie rock sound. All her songs have both lyrical and visual intensity that captivates the listener. Her brand-new single ‘Firefly’ was released in August of this year. You can learn more about Helen by visiting her website at helencounts.com********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************CJ WILEY’s (they/them) new single "All Our Love", is a little bit country, a little bit garage rock, with lyrics that are as sentimental as they are playfully tongue-in-cheek. Their debut EP (also called “All Our Love”), was recorded at Banquet Sound in Toronto, and features guest appearances from heavy-hitting musicians like Dani Nash and producer Nixon Boyd. “This EP has a few themes;" says CJ, "it tells a story of teen nostalgia, finding humour in hardship and reflecting on push and pull relationships.” With songs “Don’t Die Charlie,” “Running Backwards” and “All Our Love,” CJ’s EP offers up a different set of emotions to every listener. Their band’s first show was to a sold-out Horseshoe Tavern in the Fall of 2021, and 2022 saw much new music released throughout the Spring and Summer. Genre-bending and gender-defying, CJ’s voice has drawn comparisons to the candid wit of contemporaries Sharon Van Etten and Courtney Barnett, with the wholesome twang of Shania Twain. ALL OUR LOVE is available on the streaming channels, and you can listen and learn more about the artist at cjwileymusic.com

SIESKI (she/her) is a Vancouver-based performer and multi-disciplinary artist. As a singer, songwriter, musician, and actor, she is a queer-femme force, charming audiences on the stage and screen. The pandemic was a catalyst in SIESKI’s music, landing her in the Top 20 of the online songwriting competition, ‘Sing for the Shot,’ composing an original score for the world premier of ‘Dressed as People,’ presented at the 2021 Ottawa Fringe Festival, and earning a spotlight for the alt-pop anthem, ‘Lady Deity,’ in the #VizzybilityProject, backed by Canada’s Drag Race Winner of Season 1, Priyanka, and the Toronto-based “Queer Collective”. Songwriting is second nature to SIESKI, writing rooted and raw song-stories that flow and swell and absorb the listener. The sound of her name represents the keys of a piano and the tides of the sea - SIESKI’s deeply evocative singing and imagery transport you with subtle power.SIESKI released the indie-eclectic jam, ‘Jamie,’ this summer followed by her second music video and FACTOR Funded project, ‘Scale Model, (expected in the Fall of this year) which will have the Artist immersing herself in an intersection of sound and story. Visit www.sieski.com for more on this intriguing artist.****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************Three-time Juno Award nominated artist and Top 22 Women Artists to watch in 2022 (by TuneCore worldwide) – ALYSHA BRILLA (she/her/they) is a songwriter and music producer with a special interest in sound as a healing modality - stemming from a deep belief in music's power to transform ourselves and our world. As the first female artist in Canada to receive multiple Juno Award nominations for a self-produced album, her genre bending sound is inspired by growing up with parents from two different cultural and religious backgrounds; a Muslim Indo-Tanzanian father and a Christian Irish/Scottish Canadian mother. Alysha's music connects rhythmic sounds with esoteric lyricism; transporting listeners to a place suspended between the earth and the stars. Raised in Brampton, Ontario, Brilla's rocky youth and intersecting cultural influences encouraged the birds eye view, non-linear philosophies that inform her artistry and teachings. At nineteen, Brilla was signed to a major record deal, but felt limited by the sexism and boxes placed around her in the industry.After a string of heartbreak and disappointment at the hands of the industry, Brilla moved back to Canada from L.A. and began producing and releasing her music completely independently.What followed was one of the most successful indie artist careers to come out of Canada. Thanks to a growing collective of music fans worldwide, Brilla regularly tours internationally including across Australia, Singapore, Tanzania and Chile. In addition to live performances of music, Brilla has conducted creative wellness workshops in schools for the past ten years; promoting storytelling through music and mentoring in self-expression through the arts with a focus on developing skills in songwriting and music production. Deep Talk is their latest single, you can listen to her tunes and learn more about this compelling artist on her website at alyshabrilla.com

2021 saw THE HYAENAS launch onto the music scene in an explosive sold-out performance alongside iconic rock duo, The Pack AD and they haven’t slowed down since.Embodying the energy and ferocity of the animal they are named after, Hyaenas is a new Indie Rock band breaking into the Canadian music scene. With fun, catchy hooks, their songs are written through a queer feminist lens; exploring meaningful themes from acceptance to vigilance, celebrating a love of nature, witchcraft, and social justice while drawing inspiration from 80’s icons The Go-Go’s to modern day Indie darlings, Warpaint.Born in a pandemic, Sophie Heppell (guitar, vocals), Jessie Robertson (bass), Jen Foster (drums) and Luvia Petersen (synth) have a palpable chemistry making this new band feel like it has always been.Each Hyaena comes with a breadth of accolades: notable performances include showcases at SXSW, Reeperbahn, Canadian Music Week, and Breakout West; Festivals such as Dawson City, Vancouver Pride, L-Beach, and Warped Tour; and supporting slots for Metric, Mother Mother, Rancid, and The Buzzcocks.Their 6-track debut EP Little Trophy, produced by Elisa Pangsaeng (Yukon Blonde, Said the Whale) and Jesse Gander (The Pack AD, White Lung), is set for release in early 2023 with singles dropping throughout 2022. ******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************JON COHEN EXPERIMENTAL:Fantasy prom king, master crafter of cult-pop gems and multi-threat instrumentalist JON COHEN EXPERIMENTAL is a Montreal troubadour who’s stripped down rootsy tunes bring us all back to the countryside of our minds. Blues, folk, and pop all collide with organic immediacy, creating sweet but potent stories that spring from a natural and infectious sense of curiosity.Surrender to the cozy hug of a well-worn sweater, sipping on a dark roast, looking out at the rain, and wondering, “why don’t I come here more often?”This dynamic one-man band's beguiling art rock on-the-spot inventions and melodic hooks promise a sultry escape from those pesky workaday hang-ups. At times folksy, indie and at times grungy, the E.L.O vs. 90’s vibe is raw and unapologetic. To learn more about Jon, visit his website at www.joncohenex.comLittle Trophy, their first single released in June of 2022 is the perfect introductory song - it pulls you into a pocket of grit and groove, pairing punchy bass and drums with catchy melodies and crystalline harmonies. With powerful lyrics that rebel against the sexual objectification of women, Little Trophy makes you feel the layers of the patriarchy unapologetically. For everything and all things Hyaenas, visit them on socials @hyaenasband and their website, at hyaenasband.com

Francis Plourde (he/him) is an award-winning journalist from Quebec. He co-produced the podcast Recall: How to Start a Revolution on the rise and fall of the FLQ, Quebec’s radical movement of the sixties. Since Francis joined Radio-Canada in 2007, he’s worked across the country - mostly in French, sometimes in English. His work has appeared on investigative programs such as CBC's acclaimed series, The Fifth Estate. Plourde is the host and producer of CBC Podcasts The Village: The Montreal Murders.The Village: The Montreal Murders - in the early 1990s, as AIDS tightens its grip on major cities around the world, the relative safety of Montreal’s nightlife becomes a magnet for gay men. But when they start turning up dead in hotel rooms, beaten lifeless in city parks, and violently murdered in their own homes, the queer community has more to fear than the disease. While the city’s police force dithers over the presence of a serial killer, a group of queer activists starts making connections, and rises up to start a movement that would end up changing thousands of lives. Hosted by Francis Plourde. *This season, Radio-Canada is producing a sister podcast in French, titled Le Village hosted by Marie-Eve Tremblay.*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************Martina Petric (she/her) is a Chilean singer, songwriter and producer. In 2018 she released her first solo album “VELVET” which led her to win Best New Artist for the Indigo Awards (2018) and be nominated for the Pulsar Awards (2019) in the same category. Martina has continued to release material since then, standing out as an active artist in the female and LGBTIQ+ scene. She’s currently living in Barcelona and preparing her new EP.Percy Richter (he/him) Born in Chile and now living in London, Percy Richter has been mesmerizing audiences with his powerful lyrics and chilled pop, finally ready to take centre stage and leave his mark on this industry. Is quickly making waves in the scene with his unparalleled sound and style. Inspired by his life experiences, Percy seeks to create music that will inspire people around the world.Inspired by their personal events and real life situations, Percy Richter and Martina Petric have created a wonderfully laid back vibe with their latest, “One More Night”, their duet released in June of 2022. Celebrating “love and positivity”, One More Night holds a strong and resounding message that “love is love, it is lightning and healing”. You can learn more about them both via their respective Insta accounts @martinapetric @percyrichter . The Village: The Montreal Murders Podcast is available now on CBC Listen or wherever you get your podcasts! For more on the show and Host, follow at @cbcpodcasts @FrancisPlourde

RABIN (he/him) is the author of the novel 'I Only Make Love In Montreal'. This stunning debut collection of stories draws heavily on the author’s memories of growing up in Trinidad and explores themes of family, faith, race, child abuse, sexuality, and otherness. Heartbreaking yet hopeful, funny yet wise, these stories are infused with the warmth and vibrancy of the Caribbean sun and the insight of a young man who was trying to find love amidst the violence of his childhood.Rabin was born in Trinidad to a large Hindu, Roman Catholic family of both Indian and African ancestry.He immigrated with his family to Toronto, Canada, when he was a pre-teen. Geography has left an indelible stamp on Rabin’s writing, as he has lived in Trinidad, Ottawa, Guelph, Vancouver, his beloved Montreal and now Arthur, Ontario.Rabin has worked as a health educator for Men that have Sex with Men (MSM) at the Black Coalition for AIDS Prevention. He is a visual artist and a landscape and botanical photographer. For more information visit www.ionlymakeloveinmontreal.com*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************LAYKE: Growing up in conservative environment in Dallas, our next guest LAYKE (she/them) frequently felt like an outsider, but sought solace in self-expression through dance, musical theater, and writing which she incorporates in her latest project. Layke recently released the single "No One Can Stop Us," off their new EP “Frequency”, a 90s infused dance-pop track that speaks to embracing the moment you're in, feeling everything and everyone and not letting it stop you. On the EP, she not only spotlights the enigmatic LGBTQIA+ community as well as her own bi/pansexuality, but she also touches on the normalization around discussing mental health. Unapologetically living her truth, Layke is ready to speak openly to help others find their voice with her new music— and for the universe to take note. To date, Layke has garnered 2 million+ global streams following the release of two eclectic EPs as well as a collaboration with legendary rapper Snoop Dogg on an unparalleled version of Bastille and Marshmello’s “Happier” and has received support from Entertainment Tonight, Billboard, GLAAD, Wonderland, Ones To Watch, and Spindle Magazine among others. You can find Layke and her music on youtube/layke and on the socials at @laykeofficial

Out On Screen is bringing back the highly anticipated Annual Vancouver Queer Film Festival (VQFF) for its 34th edition and we welcomed their ED, Brandon Yan to join us and talk about all the incredible programming that is in store for you. The festival runs August 11-21st this year, both online and in person with a creative theme of “Make It Yours” inviting audiences to return to the political grassroots. The Festival expands a provincewide video-on-demand selection with 2-3 theatre screenings per-day in Vancouver. Passes are on sale now at www.queerfilmfestival.ca with full programming and tickets for the VQFF 2022 at that site as well.******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************Timothy McLemore (he/him) is the founder of Essential Haus, a non-profit organization in Miami, Florida, that provides a safe place for individuals in the LGBTQ+ community who have been affected by domestic violence and homelessness.His new book, “Love Is Not Abuse,” speaks about his own personal experiences with domestic abuse in a gay relationship and provides resources and hope for others who find themselves trapped in similar relationships. McLemore is a community organizer, social media influencer and creator of “Gays with Stories,” a popular Instagram page that shares the positive stories of gay men around the world. His mission is to bring awareness to LGBTQ+ relationship issues and provide a safe space for anyone living a truth not widely accepted by mainstream society. His dedication to the LGBTQ+ community is inspired by his own struggles of growing up biracial and gay. His vision for future generations is to have a better experience, and that fuels his motivation to inspire self-acceptance and self-expression for all. His book is titled Love Is Not Abuse, available on Amazon - a portion of the proceeds (or all of the proceeds) support Essential Haus. And to learn more about Tim and the work he is doing, follow him on the socials at @essentialhaus @essentiallytim @gayswithstoriesBrandon Yan is the executive director of Out On Screen. He joined Out On Screen seven years ago and has been a key team member for the annual festival. Yan was previously the education director for Out in Schools and was then named deputy executive director for Out On Screen, ultimately becoming the organization’s executive director. Follow Brandon on Insta at @citizenyan or on twitter at @citizenyan

Elliott Ramsey (he/him/them) is Curator of The Polygon Gallery and holds a Master of Arts degree in Comparative Media Arts (2015) from Simon Fraser University. In 2021, he curated Interior Infinite, an exhibition on self-portraiture through masquerade and disguise featuring internationally acclaimed artists including Nick Cave, Martine Gutierrez, Zanele Muholi, and Carrie Mae Weems.Recently, he has served as a juror for the 2022 VIVA and Sobey Awards and is co-curating the forthcoming exhibition As We Rise: Photography from the Black Atlantic, presented by Aperture, at the University of Toronto Art Museum. Ramsey is a member of the Black Curators Forum and an alumnus of the Professional Alliance for Curators of Colour.*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************Uschi Tala (they/them) is a Queer gender fluid, multi-instrumentalist, and live loop Witchop artist. Witchop is a term they coined themselves as they found it difficult to fit themselves into any other genre. Uschi draws inspiration from the elements of the underworld and the light found within darkness. Wielding a loop pedal, beat machine and various instruments, they create ambient soundscapes that dance along hauntingly serene vocals and rhythmic rhymes. Uschi’s music has been described as tragically beautiful, otherworldly and pure magic. Their lyrics embody an ocean of healing and encourage others to see the radiance in themselves as well as the bigger picture. They will ground your spirit, and raise your heart into etherial worlds of the "in between". Settler residing in the woods of Sinixt Territory. Their latest release is Many Ways To Pray which came out at the end of July with an accompanying video and is available on streaming platforms. To learn more about Uschi and their music, visit their website at www.uschitala.comTheir latest exhibition is Ghosts of the Machine, with exhibition dates running now through August 14th at The Polygon Gallery in North Vancouver. For more information on the exhibition visit www.thepolygon.ca

Karen Marshall (she/her) As co-founder of Fleurs de Villes and with a long-term international career in publishing and the digital space, Karen has put together countless programs bringing key community organizations and media together to create outstanding promotions and immersive experiences through the joy of flowers. With Fleurs de Villes, she has produced 23 flower-powered shows across 5 countries on three continents. “Flowers for Joy, Flowers for Pride, Flowers for All.”From July 27 to August 1, Yaletown and the West End will bloom with flower-bombed benches, rainbows, swings and selfie-frames in conjunction with the Vancouver Pride Festival. Fleurs de Villes’ famous floral mannequins will pay homage to iconic drag artists, (such as Jimbo and Bob The Drag Queen) for this joyous week of celebration culminating with the Pride Parade on July 31st. To learn more about this unique Pride-themed initiative, visit www.fleursdevilles.comKaren Marshall (she/her) As co-founder of Fleurs de Villes and with a long-term international career in publishing and the digital space, Karen has put together countless programs bringing key community organizations and media together to create outstanding promotions and immersive experiences through the joy of flowers. With Fleurs de Villes, she has produced 23 flower-powered shows across 5 countries on three continents. “Flowers for Joy, Flowers for Pride, Flowers for All.”******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************Jeffrey Sotto Based in Toronto, JEFFREY SOTTO's (he/him) first novel Cloud Cover, won a Best Indie Book Award and an Independent Publisher Book Award in 2019. His new novel, The Moonballers: A Novel about The Invasion of a LGBTQ2+ Tennis League … by Straight People (GAY GASP!) was released in May of this year and for book titles alone, is a queer “must read”!The Moonballers is a social satire about an LGBTQ tennis club whose president wants to "Make Tennis Gay Again!" And don't worry – as the author is a gay Toronto man who was actually in an LGBTQ tennis club, so he speaks from the experience.Jeffrey is also an advocate for mental health and eating disorder awareness/recovery and we delve into an often overlooked demographic, male eating disorders. He's been on CBC Radio and Global News to speak on that topic, and will be in an upcoming docuseries Wicked Bodies by Truefaux Films, which will focus on fostering positive culturally competent engagement in treatment and support centres, universities, and non-profit programs working with LGBTQ+ groups with disordered eating and body dysmorphia. His books can be purchased on Amazon Books and you can learn more about Jeffrey on his website Jeffreyasotto.com or on socials at @jeffreyasottoFrom July 27 to August 1, Yaletown and the West End will bloom with flower-bombed benches, rainbows, swings and selfie-frames in conjunction with the Vancouver Pride Festival. Fleurs de Villes’ famous floral mannequins will pay homage to iconic drag artists, (such as Jimbo and Bob The Drag Queen) for this joyous week of celebration culminating with the Pride Parade on July 31st. To learn more about this unique Pride-themed initiative, visit www.fleursdevilles.com

Henry Fry (he/him) grew up a gay vegetarian butcher’s boy in rural Southwest England. After stints as a theatre designer, journalist, copywriter and briefly manager of a crystal shop, he is now a writer, designer and LGBTQIA+ activist living in London.His words have appeared everywhere from national magazines, sites and apps to protest placards and toilet cubicle walls. First Time For Everything is his first novel, (think a gay man's Bridget Jones) which he has adapted for TV in collaboration with Moonriver Content. A “big-hearted” (The Daily Beast), “LOL-worthy” (Cosmopolitan) debut about a down-on-his-luck gay man working out how he fits into the world, making up for lost time, and opening himself up to life’s possibilitiesYou can find Henry on Twitter @henrycfry or on Insta at @henry_fry*****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************QUEEN Sir JET (her/he/they) is an American queer pop artist best known for his mixture of masculine bodybuilder looks combined with his effortless matching of feminine costumes and lingerie. The “Sir” in his name is a reference to being “everyone’s knight in shining armor” along with the “JET” being his initials. JET, a former agoraphobic mute, began singing in an attempt to reclaim his voice. It was from there he began not only pursuing a singing career, but also a journey of fitness and interest in the male body itself. As he explains in many of his popular Youtube vlogs, the male body can be adorned with anything that makes one feel beautiful, including clothing originally designed for women. Sir JET released his first EP dedicated to his gender fluidity, Shout-out to the Lonely, in 2012. JET followed that up with the first Sir JET full length album, Empowered Bottom, which chronicled the emotional and physical journey he went through getting into the adult film business. His latest single ALIVE saw JET work with acclaimed Canadian music producer Velvet Code, adding the name “Queen” to the beginning of his name in order to reflect a new image and his first release on a label, So Fierce Music.You can check QUEEN Sir Jet out on tiktok: @queensirjet | youtube at shoutouttothelonely and his incredible photos on Insta at @queenjoelevantye

Emerging singer/songwriter, Courtney Wolfe (she/her) delivers passionate indie-pop music through stripped lyrics and abstract sounds. Beginning to sing from a young age, Courtney’s true connection with music unfolded when she discovered her love for the art of songwriting.As her musical skills developed, Courtney Wolfe made her official debut in 2019 with the single, Missing Out, followed by her debut EP New Moon the following year. Wolfe is eager to share more dynamic material with the release of her latest single, She, which came out this Spring 2022 in honour and recognition of her true/ self as a bisexual woman. Courtney is set to release another single entitled SLEEP A LITTLE BETTER (alongside the accompanying release concert) on July 22nd and you can find out more about this artist and her music at courtneywolfemusic.com. *******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************Winnipeg-born Sophie Dow (she/they/he) is a multidisciplinary creative, inspired by dance, music, film, collaboration and Métis-Assiniboine + settler roots. An avid adventurer, Sophie has a passion for busking, yoga and traveling on top of holding a degree in Dance Performance and Choreography from York University. Sophie has had the great fortune of working with some of the country’s wonderful dance innovators, including O.Dela Arts, Chimera Dance Theatre, Carol Anderson and Jeanette Kotowich. Sophie’a latest work is Maamawii [mom-way]: Together Through the Fire – a live & VR contemporary-Indigenous dance work appearing at Dancing on the Edge Vancouver July 7 – 16 + Scene-O Fest Banff August 6 – 8th. For more information you can reach Sophie on Facebook at facebook.com/sophie.dow.3

ISABEL KANAANExecutive Producer/Performer/Writer/Co-Creator ISABEL KANA’AN (she/her) is a Filipina-Canadian actor, comedian and writer. Isabel is a Second City graduate and Seneca College Acting for Camera and Voice alumna. She has been awarded the NBC Universal Bob Curry Fellowship.A cast member of two iconic Canadian comedy classics, Royal Canadian Air Farce and This Hour Has 22 Minutes, Isabel can also be seen on OMNI TV as their Canadian correspondent and was a member of the award-winning group Tita Collective.Isabel’s latest work is “ABROAD” an OMNI TV half hour, satirical sketch series that focuses on the immigrant experience in Canada. Starring and co-created by Isabel, the show presents a humorous look at how immigrants think, perceive and deal with living in this country. ABROAD is available on OMNI TV airing Sundays at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT until July 10th or also streaming at omnitv.caFollow Isabel on the socials at: @isabelkanaan (Insta and TikTok) or @AbroadComedy******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************TRP.P TRP.P (pronounced “TRIP-ee”) is an R&B/Hip-Hop duo hailing from Toronto, Canada. The duo consists of Truss (he/him) (music producer, singer and songwriter and Phoenix Pagliacci (she/her) singer/songwriter. After meeting at a concert in 2015, the two became fans of each other, and have been collaborating in music and life ever since.Their collective sound was introduced to the world in 2017 with the release of their self-titled EP, TRP.P. Since then, their unique voices and clever lyricism have continued to add a modern twist to their 80’s/90’s inspired repertoire. The duo is heavily inspired by Black singer/songwriters, both old and new, including favourites Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Lauryn Hill, Jazmine Sullivan, Ari Lennox and NAO. Whether in the studio or on the stage, TRP.P is determined to connect with others through their songwriting; TRP.P gains inspiration from the world around them, writing music based on their hopes, their dreams and their personal experiences.In 2019, TRP.P released their first full-length album 2TRP.P, which garnered press from outlets which include Fader, Earmilk, Exclaim! Magazine and NOW Toronto. The album also caught the attention of Canadian booking agency Paquin, whose roster boasts heavyweights Buffy Sainte-Marie, BADBADNOTGOOD, The Reklaws and The Strumbellas. TRP.P’s captivating and playful energy on stage has taken them across the country, performing at festivals such as Toronto Pride, POP! Montreal, Wavelength, and Hillside. They also opened for Kehlani, Mumu Fresh and Charlotte Cardin early in their career. Fresh off of their Western Canada tour, where they opened for Juno-award winning rapper Shad, TRP.P is releasing their second full-length album entitled “Mirror Soul” June 24th. Their modern twist on 80’s/90’s inspired R&B gives way to powerful lyrics, which often champion queer love, justice and their communities. Currently,TRP.P just released their new album MIRROR SOUL on June 24th and you can learn more about the band, catch their music library and videos atwww.wearetrpp.com

THIS WEEK on QueerFM Van we shine the spotlight on our Indig-queer community for National Indigenous History Month and National Indigenous Peoples Day!We at QueerFM Van gratefully acknowledge that we live and operate on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples, x?m??k??y??m (Musqueam), S?wx?wú7mesh (Squamish), Stó:l? and S?l?ílw?ta?/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. Yvonne Chartrand (she/her) is a contemporary dance artist as well as a national award-winning master Métis jigger. She is a 7th generation Michif from her ancestral community of St. Laurent, Manitoba. In 2000, Yvonne co-founded V’ni Dansi (“Come and Dance” in Michif) where she continues to act as sole Artistic Director. Yvonne’s Métis dance work was passed onto her through many Métis Elders, and she is dedicated to preserving traditional Métis dance in Canada.Yvonne is a winner of the 2011 Victor Martyn Lynch-Staunton Award from the Canada Council for the Arts. Her latest project La Mitchin di Mitchif, is an Indigenous dance production produced in partnership with The Talking Stick Festival and Dance Centre and is currently running at the Scotiabank Dance Centre (677 Davie St, Vancouver).To learn more about Yvonne and the work she does, visit her website at vnidansi.caDJ O SHOWDJ O Show (she/her) is Vancouver's Afro-Indigenous/2 Spirit/DJ/Performer/Motivational Speaker/Workshop Facilitator - and kick ass human - and she’s making the first step into her Hip-Hop career with her debut track "Status & Clarity" - a hard hitting song that will open up the dialogue of decolonization through art. A proud member of the S?wx?wú7mesh (Squamish) Nation, her world is seen through lenses of intersectional light, and a two-spirited vision that is beaming through one body. Directed by Patrick Shannon from The Haida Nation, the music video for "Status & Clarity" showcases the importance of having someone who understood her vision and where she was coming from. This song tells the truth about growing up in her S?wx?wú7mesh (Squamish) community, and the work that needs to be done for future generations. The first step to decolonization is truth and this track is it. For more on all the incredible work DJ O Show does, visit her website at djoshow.com

Veronica Gutierrez (she/her) is the author of As You Look, a mystery novel. She is a former community organizer, civil servant, civil rights attorney, and corporate executive. She draws from years of experience in those worlds for her fiction. "In "As You Look", former LAPD cop-turned private investigator Yolanda Ávila blames herself for her mother’s death. If she’d only followed her cop instincts instead of the juju—her random prophetic dreams—the perpetrator would have been off the streets and her mother would still be alive. The only salve against her guilt is Yolanda’s vow to reject that juju crap, and to solve cases using only good solid detective work. But when her godson is kidnapped and his parents are suspected of murder, Yolanda finds herself caught between what she feels and what she knows. And with the escalation of the case comes the escalation of her dreams. Until she can no longer ignore their importance..."Veronica was born and raised in Boyle Heights, the Los Angeles neighborhood that her novel protagonist Yolanda Avila, calls home. When not writing, Veronica hosts mixology lesson fundraisers with her wife Laura called Mixology on a Mission—to help Los Angeles nonprofits grow their donor base. Visit www.veronicagutierrez.com for more on the Author and her published work!**********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************Danah-Lee (she/her) is a Contemporary Christian/LGBTQ musician, producer, award-winning music educator, entrepreneur, and author. Outside of her strong faith in Christ as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, and outside of her career as an artist, Danah owns and operates a safe and inclusive music school. She was recently nominated for Louder Than The Music's "Christian Album of the Year" and the "Impact Award" at Ottawa’s Capital Music Awards. She has released three solo albums and two collaboration albums and has toured extensively throughout North America. As a Christian artist, she does not fit the traditional mold because of her existence within the marginalized LGBTQIA+ community. It is Danah’s hope to merge Christian ideals and a Queer existence into her music. The intention is to inform, engage, educate, and open doors. The cross-community collaboration as a Queer and Christian has the power, potency, and potential to bring change to both the Christian community and the Queer community. After all, the premise of Christianity is LOVE. Her previous album, These Are A Few of My Favourite Hymns is a rekindling of her favorite songs, stemming back from her time as a youth in the church. Dana’s newest record is Made in the Image was released in March of this year and is available on all the streaming networks. Visit danahleemusic.com for more on this incredible artist.

Brayo Bryans (he/him - real name Brian Nkoyooyo) is a Toronto-based aspiring singer-songwriter and newcomer from Uganda East Africa. A human rights activist, Brayo has used his musical talents to advocate for LGBTQ+ Rights in Uganda and empower, sensitize, and educate about LGBTQ+ issues. He is the Composer of the Ugandan LGBTQ+ movement song called the Kuchu Anthem and is a Co-founder of the community-based Organization called Icebreakers Uganda, which opened up the first LGBTI clinic in Uganda, giving free access to health services to the Ugandan LGBTQ+ community. With the assistance of Toronto based organization Rainbow Railroad, Brayo left his country to seek refuge in Canada away from persecution due to his work. It was the hardest thing he had to do, uprooting himself to start over from zero. He moved to Canada in June 2019 with nothing but a backpack of worn-out clothes, his music, and his voice. He is the first recipient of a You Do You Foundation music grant and is set to debut his first single NOW THAT I’M HERE with renown Canadian music producer Velvet Code on the 9th of June at the So Fierce Music event, A Fierce and Fabulous Affair, in Toronto. To catch Brayo’s inaugural performance, go to Eventbrite.ca/sofiercemusic. Brayo is also a member of a QueerFM Van fave, MANifesto, the musical group based in Toronto. For more on Brayo and his music check out his website at www.brayobryans.com For more information on Rainbow Refugee and the important work they do assisting LGBTQIA+ refugees: https://www.rainbowrailroad.org/For more information on the YOU DO YOU Foundation assisting (canadian based) LGBTQIA+ musicians in need: https://www.youdoyoufoundation.org******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************Carlo Capobianco (he/him) is an Italian-canadian singer/songwriter born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Carlo’s fascination with pop music started in his early years - he would create mixtapes for school and do choreography with friends in the gym, instead of doing normal gym tasks. He took several months of vocal lessons in his teenage years and studied pop culture and pop music heavily. Carlo recorded his first single with Adam Fuhr, head of recording studio House of Wonders. Shortly thereafter, Carlo quickly recorded a full album. ‘Pray To You’, with three accompanying music videos. Carlo is constantly writing music, Setting out to create classic pop hits, he blends his deep knowledge of pop-music and classical songwriting to create memorable, exciting pop tunes. Follow Carlo on socials @carlocapobianco or on his website at www.carlocapobianco.com

All The Way Mae is the powerhouse performer and producer behind Twisted Tassels Productions. They are Autistic, queer, and non-binary, and the proud parent of two Autistic kiddos. When they created Twisted Tassels, their aim was to make productions that reflected their social justice values and promoted equity within the art form.*********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************Maya Henry is a Toronto based actress and social media content creator. She graduated from Ryerson University with a BFA in Film Studies with a focus on film editing and screenwriting. In 2014, Maya created her YouTube channel as a way to chronicle her transition and share her experience with the world. Seven years later, she has amassed over 27 million video views and built a YouTube family of over 215 thousand subscribers. In September of 2017, Maya made her acting debut, starring in a short film titled, “For Nonna Anna” which made its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival and won a Special Jury Prize at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival. Her most recent role is the title character in the feature "Dawn, Her Dad, and the Tractor", which debuted at the 2021 Inside Out Festival in Toronto.Shelley ThompsonNova Scotia, Canada based, award-winning performer and veteran of The Trailer Park Boys, Thompson trained at the UK’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, the Canadian Film Centre (2015), and was one of the eight Women In the Director’s Chair (WIDC 2016/17) where she was also recipient of the Feature Film Award for her screenplay Dawn, Her Dad & the Tractor.Dawn, Her Dad & the Tractor was one of twelve projects invited to the NY Writers Lab (supported by Meryl Streep/Nicole Kidman) and one of ten international scripts invited to Cannes for the Breaking Through The Lens initiative in 2019. This, Thompson’s debut feature film, was shot in Nova Scotia in the summer of 2020 and made its world premiere at the Inside Out Film Festival in Toronto, May 2021.Thompson’s short films have played festivals around the world. Pearls, the precursor to this feature and also starring Robb Wells, was one of the last BravoFact shorts. Her short Duck Duck Goose (2018), explored the impact of school lockdowns, and was selected by Telefilm Canada for the Not Short on Talent program at Clermont-Ferrand before playing across Canada and in the US, as well as being a finalist in CBC’s Short Film FaceOff.Thompson has performed leading roles on the stage across Canada and the UK including at the Shaw Festival, UK’s Royal National Theatre and the West End. Notable TV and film performances include Labyrinth, an award-winning performance in Michael Melski’s The Child Remains and Thom Fitzgerald’s Splinters (TIFF 2018).Thompson is presently working on her second feature BOUQUET.She is a champion of LGBTQ issues and parent to Singer/Songwriter T. Thomason.

Peter Breeze is a former club kid and underground pop star who performed with acts like Bif Naked, Aaron Carter and Sharon Needles. He now has a podcast called The Superficial Spirit that explores the relationship between pop culture and spirituality and has featured Canadian icons like Jann Arden, Rick Campinelli, Simone Denny and Priyanka.How do you interpret spirituality? It's his mission to uncover unconventional ways in which people experience the divine and to fully understand the experience of fame through interviews with his famous friends. You can find Peter on all the socials at @peterbreezeCheck out The Spiritual Spirit podcast every Sunday for a fresh episode, available wherever podcasts can be found!

QueerFM April 12, 2022

FRNKE (they/he/her) is an androgynous free spirit from the streets of Toronto, Canada; yet, heavily rooted in the Caribbean culture. Love and light is key, and men must understand that they too could express vulnerability, be sensual. With this, FRNKE leaves messages and alludes a soulful spirit with the undertones of a sweet, sultry alternative reggae. We sat down for a chat with this “Earth Angel”, where we covered all sorts of topics, tune in to discover (or get reacquainted with) the amazing spirit that is FRNKE on QueerFM Van April 5th! Their EP “Sunday Mourning” came out on April 1st and is available on all the streaming services, featuring the sweet new single Best of Me, stay tuned for more on their upcoming Sunday Mourning Party, by following them online at https://linktr.ee/frnke or Instagram @frnke_

TIANA WARNER (she/her) is an LGBTQ+ author from Coquitlam, BC, Canada, best known for her critically acclaimed, #1 Amazon bestselling series, Mermaids of Eriana Kwai. Her books have been recognized by Writer's Digest, Foreword's Top 10 Indie YA Books of 2014, and the Dante Rossetti Awards.In addition to writing stories, Tiana is a tech nerd and former programmer, as well as an outdoor enthusiast who loves to explore nature (she is certainly living in the right place for that) with her hyper-active four legged friend Joey. Her latest is the sapphic fantasy novel, The Valkyrie’s Daughter, based on Norse mythology. 16-year-old Sigrid crosses the nine worlds on a journey to become a valkyrie, who are warrior women on horseback. The book is available in early May of 2022 and you can learn more about Tiana ANDF pre-order the new book) via their website, www.tianawarner.com

EMILY MCNALLYBrooklyn based queer singer/songwriter Emily McNally (she/they) is creating the soundtrack for the lovelorn & an anxious generation of young people with their genre-fluid, DIY bedroom pop music. With vulnerable lyricism, Emily confronts their own naivete & yearning in layers of lush vocals, sharing a time capsule of emotions in order to ease the sense of loneliness in others (and herself). Emily has a new track coming out March 23rd, (that’s this week folks) “Lonely” co-written with Producer Girl in the Mirror. Visit their linktree for all the Emily MCNally hookups on social! ********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************the della kitWith the intention to nourish, sooth and empower the voices of her listeners, the della kit (she/her/them) is a gifted singer, songwriter, producer, DJ and voice teacher. Improvising and circle singing is how the della kit connects the community through collaboration.Inspired by artists like: Ella Fitzgerald, Jill Scott & Joni Mitchell, the della kit’s music oozes jazz inspired neo soul with evocative stories of healing and self-love. Born into a lineage of Italian & Jewish Jazz musicians from Boston and New York, then uprooted and raised by hippies amongst the evergreens and mountain beds of British Columbia, Canada. It is through music and nature that the della kit found her sense of belonging. “When I sing, I connect to myself, my ancestors, my spirit and the natural world around me. I light a candle and let the music be the medicine that flows through me, I am simply the vessel” says the multi talented artist. Raw and dynamic the della kit creates to share reflective, playful and tender inspiration. Her career has taken her all over the world, with many releases and features under her alias “Erica Dee”. She has supported artists such as Miguel, Quest Love & Nneka, performing and coaching internationally, while breaking bread and building family along the way.CLARITY is the first single off of their upcoming album ‘moonbeams + frequencies’, you can learn more at Dee’s website www.thedellakit.com

ELLAROSE:ELLAROSE CHARY (she/hers) is an award-winning writer and advocate for inclusion in media. She is a Richard Rodgers Award Winner, Drama League Award Nominee, Dramatists Guild Fellow, O’Neill, Kleban, NYFA and Kernodle Finalist, Rhinebeck Writers Retreat Triple R, Ars Nova, Milikin University and Catwalk resident and a Harvard TDM Guest Lecturer. Her work has been featured by The Civilians (Joe’s Pub), GPTC, The Rose Theater, Encores! Off-Center, & UArts Polyphone Festival. Her new album Place & Time is available everywhere you get your music.Recorded in New York City, Place and Time is a culmination of EllaRose Chary and Brandon James (Gawin) Gwinn’s musical and gender awakening. Developed over ten years of working together, songs are mostly queer-themed with emotional surges that are character and story driven. They include “Always Heard, Never Seen,” written from Ella’s own experience of being a woman in queer spaces dominated by cis white men and “Why I Chose,” about feeling somewhere in the middle between male and female, much like Brandon’s real-life story. Throughout the album, there are solid influences from folk, as well as protest songs, pop-rock radio and 70s era tracks. To learn more about this artist and their work, visit the website at www.ellarosechary.com (or) www.brandonandella.com*****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************Ana Pac:Ana Pac (she/her) is a triple-threat dynamo: singer, dancer and actress. As a talented dancer, she has appeared in many films and TV shows, including Work It (Produced by Alicia Keys) and Feel The Beat – both released on Netflix. And if you are a fan of speed-skating, you may recognize the name: Ana was one of Canada’s Top speed-skaters in 2012.Originally from Montreal, Ana is passionate about music and dance. DOWN IN MY WHIP her first single, is a fun, up-beat song about falling in love – and being in control, down in her whip! THIS IS … is a pop tune inspired by the music of K-POP and the “you can do” lyrics of Lizzo – it’s a tune filled with positive messages, an anthem for all ages, a rally call to all to live their passion, follow their dreams and never give up. These are words that Ana lives by – listening to your inner voice and having the courage to go after your dreams, despite the obstacles and the nay-Sayers. Ana’s philosophy on life is to work hard and never lose sight of your inner voice. It’s that voice that took her on a journey from a short-track speed skater to center stage as a singer-songwriter and performer. Her latest single BLAST OFF (LIGHT YEARS AND BEYOND) is about finding true love and joy it brings. “Blast Off is about finding that someone that changes everything you ever thought love could be. It’s about feeling a connection with someone that goes above and beyond any connection you have ever made prior to meeting them. It is about meeting my fiancé Jo on TikTok, loving and being loved by her and experiencing life with her by my side.” Ana is currently working on a new single to be released soon as well as creating a few more songs for the release of her album "This Is... Ana Pac” You can download and stream Ana’s music on any digital platform and follow her on socials at anapacofficial.

Elaine Mercedes Mendoza (she/her) is an Author and Speaker with a thirst for knowledge, equality, inclusion, and bases her work around the idea that diversity IS our strength. She created the #AllHumansBelong movement which emphasizes that EVERYONE regardless of nationality, sexual orientation, race, religion, BELONGS. Elaine enjoys sharing her life around the world on Instagram @FinallyElaine. However, although her work as a travel writer has been published, it is her work as an Author and Speaker that makes her come to life. She is a Contributing Author in "Time to Rise" where she was featured and called a "Change-Maker" by The Gandhi Foundation in 2017. In her upcoming book "Humanized--Life Beyond Labels," (release date March 13th) she openly shares her journey growing up in a world that is not always welcoming to those that are not considered the norm. The book serves as a guide to living your life without the labels that create “stories” about us that are not usually accurate. Elaine openly explores and shares the four labels that affected her life: immigrant, Latina, female, and a part of the LGBTQ community. Most importantly, she helps us become aware of our own labels that hold us back and the stories we tell ourselves about others. Finally, the tough conversations about Diversity and Inclusion come to life in a safe space. FinallyElaine is here. She does not just talk about diversity and inclusion --she LIVES it. You can learn more about Elaine and her mission at her website www.FinallyElaine.me and please follow her and her travels on social at @finallyelaine or “our world with finally elaine” on Youtube.*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************NOT SISTERS is the new act at the forefront of the melting pot emerging within Vancouver's ever-growing music scene. The LGBTQ+ alt-pop duo comprising of vocalist Amanda Doucette (she/her) and producer Tom Maguire (he/him) explores the dark side of life and relationships in their carefully crafted, relatable songs. The limitations of being a two-piece have forced the pair to develop a creative and encapsulating live performance, utilising complex live looping in order to perform without the need to recruit extra members.Their most recent single LATELY was released in January of this year and is available on all the streaming services. Their upcoming single SAFETY will be released April 1st and they are going to be performing their first ever live gig on March 12th at The Portside in Vancouver. You can learn more about this unique up and coming band on their website at www.notsisters.ca

Incendiary Sweet is the singer-songwriter/indie rock project of Victoria Feige (SHe/Her).It started because of the pandemic. As a multi-instrumentalist wheelchair user, and adaptive surfing world champion, she put her energy into music during the Covid lockdown. She was hesitant to perform after her acquired spinal cord injury, but when everything shifted online every open mic was accessible. And she could control the camera angle so that the music was the focus and not the wheelchair. She discovered her voice and guitar work was good enough to stand for itself. Incendiary Sweet released three singles in summer and fall of 2021. They received nationwide community radioplay, CanQueer postcasts inclusion, and numerous Spotify play-listing including Exclaim’s Eh! List and three months on the “From The Strait’s Indie List” Top 20 chart. She has performed with members of the bands Hey Ocean and Parlour Steps. As “Incendiary Sweet” Victoria has been recording with Winston Hauschild and has a new single Let Go that will be coming out March 4th 2022. You can learn more at www.incendiarysweet.com*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************GETCHNAH is a Tamil-Canadian rapper from Scarborough, Ontario. Her genre of music entails Trap, Hip Hop with slight RnB and South Asian elements. Whether it’s fusing her language, culture, or her origin story, she writes creative flows and lyrics. With only two remixes under her belt, she has performed in multiple shows and headlined at Toronto’s MOD Club Theatre in 2019 with Honey Jam. In January 2020 she performed at SoulxHouse, a Sign Language interpreted art showcase. GETCHNAH was one of many openers for Toronto’s Manifesto in 2020 and as we ramp up live shows again we expect to see quite a bit of this amazing performer. After experiencing losses early in her life, GETCHNAH turned to writing lyrics as an outlet to express herself. In her early teens, GETCHNAH pursued a professional dance career, however, she soon realized it wasn’t her true passion. After graduating from college for Audio Engineering in 2017, she began writing and rapping more consistently. GETCHNAH’s path has now led her to becoming a performing artist. As of 2021, she currently has 3 singles out as an independent artist, Benjamin, Around for Now, and Hold Up. She released her debut EP “Gem In I” in June of last year. Additionally, she has currently taken on roles as Choreographer, Director, and Editor for her upcoming music video “We Gon Whine”. Growing up GETCHNAH’s biggest influence was her father, and as she grew older she found more people who inspired her such as Prabhu Deva, Beyonce, Aaliyah, MJ, Nicki Minaj, and Lady Gaga. TO learn more about the artist, visit www.getchnah.com

"Matriach of the Blues", Dalannah Gail Bowen (76) is a member of the NY Blues Hall of Fame and has been singing professionally for more than half a century. Her music career began in Winnipeg, Manitoba with an all-female group called the Feminine Touch. Touch had the good fortune to tour Canada, opening shows for groups that included the Guess Who and The Monkees. Her album. (released in Fall of 2021), known is titled “ In My Own Words” and was released on her label Quest Records, who selected their 15 favourite songs written and recorded by her on the label over the past 15 years and compiled this anthology to celebrate her 75 years of “Living and Loving” . They included a 16th bonus track (her latest single) called Blues Keep Knocking’.In November 2021 Dalannah was nominated for the prestigious Maple Blues “Lifetime Achievement” award, and was notably the producer of the decades long annual “Blues For Christmas Benefit" at the Commodore Ballroom that raised funds for musicians in need. She has concerts and Festival appearances scheduled into late summer 2022 and remains active and vocal about issues she has espoused for more than 50 years… Shelter for the homeless and social housing; the environment, imminent climate change action; and indigenous issues especially the “Missing Women Campaign”, you can find more about Dalannah on her website www/DALANNAH.com ****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************Anisha Reindorf (she/her) is the Owner & Founder of HighKu.Co. a holistic cannabis company, spreading the joy & benefits of Cannabis around Canada. They are 100% Vegan, Gluten Free, & using natural products, HighKu.Co is here to break the stigma behind this amazing plant. HighKu.Co is one of the first black female companies in Canada to jump into this very white male dominated industry and she feel like she is now able to pave a way for future black entrepreneurs in this industry. Being one of the first black females in the cannabis industry, she has been able to build the company without outside help or influences and Anisha is now able to help other entrepreneurs achieve their goals. To check out Anisha’s business, visit www.highKuCo.com

Marisa Rosa Grant (They/Them) is an event planner/producer focused on creating unique spaces for Black Queer and Trans folks. If you want to make something happen, Marisa is the person to do it! Based in Toronto, they are the founder and creator of: STRAPPED, Pour Choices: A Queer Wine tour, Strapped House, and many more events yet to come. Aside from hosting show-stopping events, Marisa is also a workshop facilitator and events consultant.Their goal is to always make spaces inclusive to queer people of colour and help you do the same. Marisa’s event planning has also led them to become a DJ and Drag King “Buster Hymen”. They also have a great podcast for you to enjoy called Date With Daddy”, season 2 of the podcast began February 14th. And their popular STRAPPED event takes place next on March 26th 2022. For more on Marisa and upcoming events, visit www.marisarosagrant.com / www.Strapped.to (Photo courtesy of @weareyohomo)**************************************************************************************************************************************************************************Here comes Océane Aqua Black, the Caramilk Queen, most recently showcased as a much loved part of the cast of Canada’s Drag Race Season 2. Oceane Aqua Black is the stage name of Quebec City native, Thierry Simard (He/She/They).A queen of 18 years plus, Océane is the total package: she is always ready to party and serve curve, juice, class and insanity all at the same time. Because Océane has no inhibitions and no filter, you’ll gag at everything she has to offer. Dance, comedy, glamour, and some unexpected surprises, you’ll leave completely transformed after you see this Queen on stage! Océane has won many pageants in Montreal and was a finalist in MX Fierté Canada in 2017, showcasing her incredible talent against 120 other competitors.She has sold out shows with a barrage of excitement: dancers, props and a little bit of magic dust. Freshly out of Canada’s Drag Race Season 2, she is not here to clown around.She is here to conquer the world – and music is next on her list! Her upcoming release CREAMPIE on So Fierce Music and produced by Velvet Code will be released February 18th, and we are going to be sharing a QueerFM exclusive of the new song on today’s show, so go pre-save it and look for the video release soon! You can follow the trail of Oceane’s career past, present and future on her website www.oceaneaquablack.com and give her a follow on Insta at @oceaneaquablack4. We welcome to the Show Kween extrordinaire, Oceane Aqua-Black!

SHAMIRComing off the 2020 release of his acclaimed self-titled LP that cemented his legacy as a songwriting dynamo; SHAMIR just dropped a 2021 release of a chapbook of essays which focus on his paintings; and he shepherded a 2021 collaboration between his Accidental Popstar Records imprint with the inimitable Macy Rodman out in the world… Now just 26, the polymathic Las Vegas native and current Philadelphia resident is releasing his 8th full-length album, Heterosexuality. His 2015 debut, Ratchet, focused on the prospect of youth; the following several records helped navigate difficulties with mental health. The new record is the first to confront head-on Shamir’s queerness explicitly in album form. Yet, instead of a pure confirmation of a certain gender politics, he chooses a radical refusal of any sort of categorization--at all. It’s a floating point of rebuff, erasing any ideological identification, further confirming Shamir as the everything-for-everyone antihero of the indie underground.“I think this (Heterosexuality) is my best record. At the least, it’s my favorite,” Shamir says. Look for it being released February 11, 2022 on AntiFragile Music and you can check out Shamir’s music at https://shamir.bandcamp.com or on Instagram at shamir326******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** Laurent Maurice Lafontant / MASSIMADI FESTIVALLaurent Maurice Lafontant is the president of the Massimadi Foundation, the organization behind Massimadi: an Afro LGBTQ+ Film & Art Festival. Laurent is also a columnist and writer. Laurent is a Canadian of Haitian descent. He graduated in Fine Arts from Concordia University after achieving a double major in Film Studies and French Literature. Laurent has been involved in the LGBT community since 2008. He is a volunteer for Gris-Montréal, an organization that raises awareness about homophobia. He worked at African Rainbow, an organization that served black LGBTQ+ people in Quebec, it was there that he directed two short documentaries Be Yourself (2012) and Beyond Images (2014) about Black LGBTQ+ people in Montreal. Every February since 2009, as part of Black History Month, Massimadi presents films, documentaries and web series on LGBTQ+ themes that highlight members of Black communities. Massimadi is a space where artists and activists address issues affecting Black communities in round tables and public discussions. The festival is also a platform to introduce local artistic talent and share Afro LGBTQ+ culture through the arts.The Massimadi Foundation’s mission is to promote the arts and culture of Black LGBTQ+ communities as a vector for social change in the fight against homophobia and transphobia, and as a means of integration for Afro LGBTQ+ individuals. The festival takes place February 11th until March 11th 2022, visit massimadi.ca for more info!

TEA FANNIE (her/she): Hip Hop Artist Tea Fannie was born in Victoria, raised in Edmonton and now calls Calgary home.She grew up listening to Kenny Rogers and Whitney Houston, (no, that’s not a typo) and by the time she was old enough to choose her own ear vibes she was into Green Day and Nas. She feels that her music style reflects that in a random way especially because she listens to music for lyrical content over beats which is kind of different in this day and age. Like most rap artists, Tea used to write poetry growing up. She’s always had a deep love for music, but growing up on the likes of Whitney Houston, she figured if she couldn’t sing like her then she couldn’t be a singer, and if she couldn’t sing, then she couldn’t do music… Fast forward to 2019 when Fannie stole everyone’s attention performing at a record release party. She hasn’t looked back since and headlined her first gig for a Highku New Years event later that same year.Tea just released a Live Sessions EP Jan 21st (available on all the streaming platforms) and her next release entitled Volume 2 – HerSheTea - EP drops Feb 15th 2022 with a video. Check her out at teafanniemusic.com

Icesis Couture (pronouns & Velvet Code (He/Him/They/ Them)Time for one of today’s interviews. This next duo (music artist and producer) just combined to create LA PUSETTA, one hella hot dance tune that is burning up the streaming services online!Entertainer, Singer, Drag Star and recently crowned CANADA’S DRAG RACE S2 winner Icesis Couture is an “Ottawa Girl” born and raised, with family roots in El Salvador, Icesis Couture’s unique and passion filled performances are legendary within Canada’s Drag community and if her popularity with the TV audience on Canada’s Drag Race S2 was any indicator, she is set for global drag domination! With a drag career spanning 14 years across North America, her versatility is limitless, crossing boundaries and genres, marking a stage presence that is hard to ignore, or label. The moment her heels hit the stage, the passion and effort are evident, showcasing creativity and humour, and enchanting audiences with a signature style of beauty, glamour and fashion. Having won the most recent season of Canada’s Drag Race, part of the ever-burgeoning RUPAULS DRAG RACE family, Icesis immediately dropped her global debut music single LA PUSETTA produced by Velvet Code which already has over 300,000 streams and is only getting started! Look for Icesis to tour with Drag Race in the near future and you can learn about them on the So Fierce Music website sofiercemusic.com or hit her up on Instagram at @itsqueenicesisPrevious QueerFM Van guest VELVET CODE is an Velvet Code is an International award-winning genderfluid Electronic Music DJ, producer, songwriter, radio show host and label owner from Toronto, Canada. Firmly established as a producer and songwriter on the electronic and pop music scenes, Velvet has been called “The Queen Maker” because of his work with Drag Recording Artists around the world.During his 15-year career in the music industry, Velvet has worked with acclaimed artists and songwriters Wendy Starland, Mark Saunders and Taylor Swift, and in 2020, Velvet was chosen to be a part of Lady Gaga’s Chromatica Billboard remix team, with notable remixes of Stupid Love and Sour Candy.Later that same year, Velvet Code launched So Fierce Music, now with a talent roster of 40+ up and coming LGBTQIA+ artists including globally recognized drag recording artists destined for mainstream success. In the Fall of 2021, Velvet launched the You Do You Foundation which aims to help underprivileged and financially compromised 2SLGBTQIA+ musicians utilize music on their road to wellness and SO FIERCE CANDY, an online blog/zine on LGBTQIA+ culture, music and news. Velvet is also the host of a House and Nu-Disco Mixshow called “Rise to the Rhythm” which airs weekly on 42 radio stations around the world including Gaydio, Virgin Pride, and Clubland UK to 3.5 million weekly listeners. For more info about Velvet Code, visit: www.velvetcode.com LA PUSETTA is available on all the streaming channels and check out it’s video on youtube!*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************INTERVIEW TWO:David Pevsner (him/his)David Pevsner is an LA-based TV/film/theatre actor, writer, composer, and model. He has a blog of erotic photos and videos on OnlyFans, and has become an anti-shame, anti-ageism, pro-nudity and sex, activist. His new book Damn Shame, a memoir told through the lens of body shame and sexuality, was just released by Random House Canada. Over the course of his 40-year career in show business, David Pevsner has done it all. He’s acted on Broadway, off-Broadway, in independent films and numerous TV network shows including Grey’s Anatomy, Modern Family and Criminal Minds. Away from the stage and the television cameras, Pevsner has dedicated himself to exploring his deepest sexual fantasies. In his late ‘30s, he became a male escort and over the last several years has attracted a large international fan base through his blog of erotic and nude photographs celebrating his 62-year-old body. DAMN SHAME is David Pevsner’s incredible story and is a passionate and poignant look at one man’s journey from a thin, shy boy ashamed of his body and sexuality to a defiant, fearless everyman exploring his erotic desires. Along the way, he fights back against society’s demonization of gay sex, body shaming and ageism while pursuing his own very personal definition of success and seeking love, validation, and self-esteem. With this remarkable book, Pevsner gives a loud and powerful voice to a generation of mature men who have been conditioned to believe from society (and especially younger men) that they are sexually irrelevant, old and undesirable. In a world where everything is about youth and beauty, Pevsner asks who sets the definition of beauty? His story goes in directions that many could not imagine, but the lessons learned through his experiences will resonate with readers everywhere. You can purchase his book on David’s linktr.ee “David.Pevsner”

RAINE HAMILTONRaine Hamilton (they/them) is part prairie songstress, part storyweaver; Each song has a story, delivered between songs with humour and grace. Raine invites their love of the violin into the singer-songwriter genre, writing for violin and voice, as well as for guitar and voice. Joined by cello and upright bass, expect string arrangements that push and pull, that move as they console. A classical violinist and musicologist by training, Raine and their string trio offer string-quartet-like arrangements of Raine’s original songs. They call this chamber-folk, a hybrid of the classical tradition of string quartet chamber music, with the singer songwriter folk that comes so organically to Raine. Raine’s latest work, the full-length album Brave Land (2021-22), is a concept album about mountains, and the courage, wisdom, and otherworldly connection they represent. Here, as in Raine’s 2018 album Night Sky, their songs are set to intricate and seasoned arrangements for guitar, violin, cello, and double bass. Once again Raine has worked with string trio collaborators Quintin Bart on double bass, Natanielle Felicitas on cello, and Lloyd Peterson as producer/engineer. An experienced educator, Raine offers workshops in songwriting and fiddle tune writing. Raine is the recipient of the 2018 Canadian Folk Music Award for Emerging Artist of the Year! Raine has toured Canada extensively, Highlights include: Performing songs with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra five times, performing with the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, playing a show in a cave ten stories below the earth's surface, and numerous major music festivals across Canada. Brave Land, their latest release drops this Friday, January 21, 2022, to learn more, visit www.rainehamilton.com******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************DESIIREDESIIRE (he/him) is a Congo Born, Toronto based singer songwriter who delivers a unique blend of R&B, Afro, Electronic & Hip Hop to create music that is filled with hypnotic instrumentals and vocal moody simplicity. Influenced by soul contemporaries and pioneer African artists, DESIIRE has become known for his gospel inpired vocals, afro infused, rap staccato cadences and engaging story-telling songwriting.Over the past 2 years, he has been featured in such prominent publications as Billboard, AFroPunk, MTV, SPIN, Rolling Stone Magazine as well as graced the stage at festivals such as Manifesto, Pop Montreal, Luminato, Canadian Music Week and Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa Pride Festival stages.He continues his musical journey with a slew of eclectic releases with 2021's Afro-R&B slow jam " I'm Sorry " and his upcoming single dropping February 2nd, “Euphoria“. Learn about Desiire and his music on his webpage at desiirenow.com

Kamilah Haywood aka K Woodz (She/Her/They/Them) is a Queer, Black, Canadian fiction Author of Jamaican heritage who depicts the unfiltered, authentic, and occasionally dark side of Toronto life. Her previous works include Concrete Jungle, Diamond in the Rough (Parts I and II). Their latest release is THE HIDDEN TRACK released in October of last year.Through raw, intimate narratives, they capture issues from female incarceration, sex trafficking, relationships, coming of age, and spirituality through their intensely gripping novels.In addition to their creative writing, Kamilah has co-founded a series of writing workshops and events in collaboration with Kya Publishing, encouraging cultural awareness, professional development, and international networking throughout the Black writing community, and creative industries at large.Kamilah is also the host of the weekly Chuuch Live Show and is an active Toronto Prison Rights Advocate. To connect with K Woodz, visit their website at www.chuuchliveshow.com********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************INTERVIEW TWO:Fay Nass (they/she/he)LOCAL MULTIDISCIPLINARY ARTIST Fay Nass’s earliest memories go back to the Teatr-e Shahr, the Tehran City Theatre where her aunt worked as an actor and director. She would tag along to rehearsals and go behind the scenes from as young as age three right up until her family left Iran for Canada when she was 17. “It was magical,” Nass tells Stir. Those experiences in the arts planted the seed for a career that sees the non-binary queer theatre director exploring race, sex, culture, and identity in her work. Now, the artistic director of the frank theatre company is mounting a queer musical-audio play that reflects the organization’s very purpose and heart. Its adaptation of I Cannot Lie to the Stars That Made Me by ground-breaking author Catherine Hernandez, a queer woman of colour, premieres January 7 to 16 online and is being offered for free listening. The story features four women who gather around a campfire to swap stories and share in strength and healing. So many things about the play appealed to Nass, who is also the founder and artistic director of Apothic Theatre, has a master’s in fine arts from Simon Fraser University, and is doing the artistic leadership residency at the National Theatre School of Canada. For one, it fits with the frank theatre company’s mandate to elevate the voices of queer and nonbinary women of colour. Consider that the percentage of female playwrights in Canada is small to begin with; “when you add queer and race on top of that, the number just keeps getting smaller,” Nass says. Established in 1996, the frank is the oldest professional queer theatre company in Vancouver and one of few theatre organizations in the entire country to be led by a genderqueer, immigrant woman of colour. Collaborating with LGBTQ2SIA+ artists and arts workers, the frank aims to subvert Eurocentric styles of and approaches to storytelling.

Parlour Panther local bandGritty guitar, immersive synths and howling vocals - Parlour Panther lifts you up to a sonic dream. With influences like Jungle, St. Vincent and Sylvan Esso, this self-produced Queer duo brings you thunderously dark dream pop. “Their lyrics are bold and the vocal delivery captivating” - Beatroute Magazine Parlour Panther’s discography to date tells their love story from lustful lesbians to enby loves for life. Their latest release on Coax Records, sophomore LP Retrograde, takes a sharp turn. Almost entirely written during a global pandemic, it explores the forced reflection that comes from isolation through danceable anthemic hits. The arrangements cover the wide spectrum of sound. Vibrantly showering synths hug the high end and resonant bass synths hold the low end. Distorted melodious guitars call and respond with striking vocals. Their voices blend effortlessly in harmony while also standing strong on their own. This fierce pop album flows seamlessly through grief and growth to protest and apocalyptic love. Retrograde is available everywhere now.WEBSITE: www.parlourpanthermusic.com ********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************Raven Two Feathers Raven Two Feathers (Cherokee, Seneca, Cayuga, Comanche) is a Two Spirit, Emmy award winning creator based in Seattle, WA. Originally from New Mexico, they spent their childhood moving and exploring Indigenous cultures across the continent and Pacific. They returned to New Mexico to attend Santa Fe University of Art & Design, graduating magna cum laude with a BFA in Film Production. They recently released a comic-based zine, “Qualifications of Being,” about their journey of realizing they are trans and Two Spirit. They grow and explore their practice through the people they meet, and the stories that guide them. Check out their linktree for more info on them and their work at linktr.ee/Raven_Two_Feathers****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************MANifestoA decade in the imagining and two years in the making, MANifesto, a ManBand, DIONISIO, TWAINE, ICARUS, KELLY, BRAYO present a collection of 12 pop gems, spanning 70 years. The 5some utilize their queer feverish energy and stacked harmonies to tie the lot together. The brainchild of Toronto Renaissance Man, R Kelly Clipperton (Kelly and the Kellygirls, Merkury Burn), MANifesto emerged out of a need for visibility and inclusion. Clipperton scoured the city of Toronto to find the right voices and energies to complete the lineup, citing diversity as a paramount element. MANifesto launched in February ’19 with Automatic (Pointer Sisters), followed by the mid-Pan Dam scorcher The Promise (Girls Aloud), and this Pride’s anthem Say You’ll Be There (Spice Girls). The three singles have all had accompanying videos that showcase the group's newfound friendship in humor, dance, joy, and theatrics. A 4th single: Lady Marmalade (Labelle) is in development and with the launch in tandem with the album. The album completes with songs by Bananarama, The Chordettes, Fifth Harmony, The Supremes, All Saints, Jade, Expose and En Vogue. The group worked with award-winning Producers: Brad ‘Merlin’ Nelson (Cylinder Sound), Spencer Sunshine, and Daryn Barry (Orange Lounge) to hone the early 90s dance feel that fused the record together. MANifesto has joined forces with Rainbow Railroad, an organization very dear to them, with a wish to bring visibility and fundraising to the most disenfranchised of the global Queer Population. A big part of the journey is brotherly support. Gay men are rarely presented as unified in the public eye and are certainly one of the last great taboos when it comes to acceptance and understanding. Celebration. Dedication. Gaynation. WEBSITE: @ManifestoTimes5

Jameson Farn UK author of Bathhouse BabylonJameson Farn is originally from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and has had a mutual love with France for most of his life and it is where he has now lived for an extensive number of years in Saint Jean Cap Ferrat near Monaco.For just over the past decade, Jameson has contributed articles on a range of topics for European and North American online magazines, along with maintaining his blog, Gay French Riviera, aimed at those in the LGBTQI community that either lives in the region or are seeking to travel to this part of France.Jameson also owns a luxury real estate and villa rental agency with properties not only in France but globally.https://www.gayfrenchriviera.comhttps://www.twitter.com/gayrivierahttps://www.facebook.com/bathhousebabylonBathhouse Babylon can be found on Amazon and other major online retailers.********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************Compassion, empathy, transparency, and true forgiveness are only Ronald Canady, has been influenced by the foundation of contemporary R&B, but infused with Gospel and Pop. From the tender age of 7 years old, as an only child, he watched his grandmother sing in the choir and listened to his mother casually cover Anita Baker songs. The heart and soul of the choir and the raw emotion his mother shared singing songs such as, “365 days” ignited his passion for music as an art form and allowed for the recognition of his own talent. Music blossomed within him as he grew to perform with an award winning group, “the Jazz Singers'', and instilled the dream in him for a solo career. For the past ten years, Canade – his artist name -- has performed at open mics, showcases, and talent revues both locally in the greater Atlanta area and NYC. Cultivating his own sound by challenging the norm, Canadecovers deep cuts and obscure nostalgic gems in his sets that most artists would never even think of. With his complex lyrical content and compelling arrangements, he’s getting back to what R&B/Soul music is at its core, honest and raw. Canade’s brand is a complete package of complexity and sincerity. His sound, a compilation of a wide range of influences, is different from today’s music - not manufactured or copied. Canade is a representation of authenticity and his story of redemption is heartfelt. He uses his platform to uplift others and it vividly paints his relationship with GOD. Compassion, empathy, transparency, and true forgiveness are only a few topics touched by this alien in his music. Rising from the ashes like a phoenix, he’s resilience is captivating and inspiring. He’s ready to walk in his light and nothing will stand in his way. With persistence, passion, and purpose, he is ready to give the world something to imitate.... but never duplicate. Website : iamcanade.com*****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************Cast of CBC's ‘Sort Of ‘ Sort Of is a CBC and HBO Max original series; Sort Of airs in Canada beginning Tuesday, November 9 on CBC TV with back-to-back episodes starting at 9 p.m. (9:30 NT); and available to stream on CBC Gem, CBC’s streaming service.Sort Of is a groundbreaking new CBC and HBO Max original series that follows a gender-fluid millennial South Asian character named "Sabi" who straddles various identities from bartender at a queer bookstore/bar, to the youngest child in a large Pakistani family, to the de facto parent of a downtown Toronto hipster family. A coming-of-age story, the series exposes the labels we once poured ourselves into as no longer applicable...to anyone.The series unapologetically represents and pushes against the walls of underrepresentation on TV to create space for queer people of South Asian, Muslim backgrounds; and of colour across North America and beyond. Sort Of is co-created, co-written and stars Bilal Baig (they / them) - a queer, trans-feminine, Muslim playwright, performer and workshop facilitator, whose first play, Acha Bacha, had its world premiere in 2018 and has been published by Playwrights Canada Press. WEBSITE: https://gem.cbc.ca/media/sort-of/s01

Gyimah Gariba (He/Him) is an inspiring queer Ghanaian Canadian artist whose vision was to create a show where kids of all backgrounds, specifically Black children, could see themselves reflected on screen. Gyimah’s career started before graduating college when he joined the character design team for Black Dynamite. Since then, he has worked on a variety of hit shows including Steven Universe, True and the Rainbow Kingdom and Justin Time GO!, where he was the lead character designer. In 2020, Gyimah was named one of Animation Magazine’s Rising Stars of Animation. Gyimah was named by Forbes Magazine as one of “15 Young African Creative’s Rebranding Africa”; his artwork has amassed him a large following on Instagram, and he’s done collaborations with Marvel, ESPN, and Adidas. His new CBC Kids animated series, titled Big Blue, aims to help children and their families understand climate change (without the doom and gloom) and the importance of taking care of our planet and each other. Big Blue is a cartoon comedy about siblings Lettie and Lemo (inspired by Gyimah’s own siblings) who lead The Calypso's submarine crew as they explore and protect their underwater world. Grammy-winning producer and Beatclub founder Timbaland produced the series theme song. The series is now available to watch on CBC Kids every Saturday morning, or you can stream it anytime on CBC Gem, CBC’s free service on CBCkids.ca. He is a fierce advocate for queer rights in Ghana/Africa and continues to use his art to confront race, sexuality, and power — subverting the falsehood that "being queer is un-African".*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************Kai Cheng Thom, (She/Her) is an author, performer, somatically trained coach and ex educator, mediator, wicked witch and lasagna lover based in Toronto. She is the author of five award-winning books in various genres, including the novel Fierce Femmes and Notorious Liars: A Dangerous Trans Girl's Confabulous Memoir, which was featured on Emma Watson's feminist book club and the children's book From the Stars in the Sky to the Fish In the Sea, which was featured on a podcast by Dame Julie Andrews. As an embodiment coach and consultant, Kai Cheng works with individuals and organizations to resolve conflicts, shift systems, and pursue transformative change. She also writes the advice column Ask Kai: Advice For the Apocalypse for Xtra, Canada's queer newspaper. Her latest novel is a children’s book For Laika: The Dog Who Learned the Names of the Stars You can learn more about the author at www.kaichengthom.com