COME OUT AND PLAY: The annual Lesbian & Gay Pride Week took to the streets of Toronto with a parade and a day-long fair Sunday attended by more than 80,000 people. For the first time the Metro Police recognized it as a “community event” and provided their services for free – and wasn’t [028-001, l-r] Officer 50362, seen here getting a warm welcome from Jamal, glad. As seen on a button, “Don’t feed or tease the straight people.” Anyway, among the crowd were [028-002, l-r] co-owner of the Queen’s Bedroom Jane Ford, seen hanging around with actor / writer Diane Flacks, and [028-003, l-r] Jamie, Smurf and Randy from Vancouver. Also out were [028-004, l-r] some of the members of Fruit Cocktail, who were promoting their variety show. Among the participants in the parade were [028-005, l-r] Mistress Bitch and Maitresse Noir, riding along in the Northbound Leather/Urban Primitive rickshaw. And remember, if you can’t be gay, be happy! Many, many never before published outtakes follow. Do you recognize anyone?
![Earl Veale [c] CFNY's director of Canadian talent development, seen in the company of (L&R) the vice-president of Death Records, Ritz and, from Beethoven's Nightmare, April Storm, at the CFNY New Music Search showcase at the Phoenix in Toronto, June 1993.](https://eyespytoronto.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/028-046_CFNY_New-Music_1993-R2_F14©S_Lungley-rdzs8d031epuj1txicc810d12yjukgsvll777pe29s.jpg "028-046_CFNY_New-Music_1993-R2_F14©S_Lungley")
ROOMFUL OF TUNES: Another annual event, the CFNY New Music Search, held its showcase at the Phoenix last week, giving the 19 bands who appear on the CD a chance to shine in the spotlight. The program took place over two nights in order to accommodate an excessive amount of talent. The main brain behind the whole shebang is [028-046, left] Earl Veale, CFNY’s director of Canadian talent development, seen in the company of (L&R) the vice-president of Death Records, Ritz and, from Beethoven’s Nightmare, April Storm, who was guesting on bass for New World Disorder. From the Michael Jackson/Dave Steib school of how to grab attention we have [028-047, l-r] Ron Hawkins of the Lowest of the Low with baker and “band mechanic” Kathline Olmstead. Found backstage were [028-048, l-r] singer Sara Craig and Kris Abbott, the Pursuit of Happiness guitarist who backed up Sara for her 15 minutes. Taking in the show from the pit were [028-049, l-r] high school teachers and self-confessed fans of alternative music Donna Dealy and Alison MacLachlan. Enjoy the carousel of outtakes at the end.
![Baron Marcus [c] and his parents back stage at the CFNY New Music Search showcase at the Phoenix in Toronto, June 1993.](https://eyespytoronto.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/028-060_CFNY_New-Music_1993-R1_F06©S_Lungley.jpg)
GROOVY FUN: Lola’s Lounge at College and Bathurst opened with a bang on Friday. It was stuffed to the rafters with the coolest clientele in town, and we all found ways to amuse ourselves while it poured like mad outside. So what if the ink on the licence was still damp? We know how to have a good time. Having lots of suckers, liquorice and gum scattered around the joint certainly helps. So does a makeup artist in the back, and a colouring section up front. Among the scenesters were [028-064, l-r] organizers Val and Timber with – from New York City! – Lola herself, here with the rarely seen Rebecca Leonard and from the fashion scene Shannon Casselles. Getting goofy at the bar was [028-065, r] television producer Hajop, here with costumer Heather Blurton. Down at the other end of the bar [028-066] was Winnie-A-GoGo, the birthday girl, showing us she knows how to get into the swing of things. Outtakes follow.
BONUS: In advance of Lola’s Lounge opening, Lola, Timber and Val took a stroll along Queen St West trying to dry up interest in the new nightspot. None of these photos [028-093 to 028-100] have been published previously. Enjoy!
Steven Lungley(https://eyespytoronto.com)