Toronto’s lavender wild is making a comeback! This year’s affair, dubbed “lavender wild presents” is in a new format, taking over a popular downtown venue for a night of music and dancing in August.
“lavender wild has always been about the connection of our communities and creating inclusive spaces for us to enjoy music together,” the 2SLGBTQI+ festival posted to Instagram over the weekend.
“After careful consideration, we will be bringing a fresh take on the event with a special lavender wild presents night at HISTORY in Toronto on Saturday, August 24th. Get ready for the hottest queer dance party of the summer filled with artists, DJs, drag performances & more!”
This year’s headliners were revealed this morning and include American pop artist Slayyyter and the iconic Rebecca Black.
Other performances include multi-hyphenate artist and creator Aliyah’s Interlude, TikTok sensation Ari Hicks, Canadian drag queen Makayla Couture, Naomi Leone, Alexanderher Brandy and Toronto DJ and curator Thirdeye.
Similar to last year, attendees can expect to take in activations, market vendors, and other activities. With organizers on the lavender wild website saying they focus on creating inclusive and interactive events, “fans of all ages can dance to their favourite artists, make new connections, and celebrate together!”
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“This is a queer event for 2SLGBTQI+ communities. If you are an ally, please be mindful of how you are taking up space,” the website reads.
“No racism, transphobia, homophobia, harassment, or oppressive behaviour will be tolerated.”
This year’s theme is lavender & black / glitter / floral. While dressing up is not mandatory, it is encouraged.
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Last year, the event took over Echo Beach with headliners including Girl in Red and Hayley Kiyoko, along with queer art and vendors galore, and was a massive success that had left 2SLGBTQ+ people in Toronto waiting for more ever since.
Presale tickets to this year’s event go on sale at 10 a.m. on June 20 and start at $45 plus additional fees. Regular ticket sales begin on June 21.
A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the Canadian charity, The Get Real Movement, which works to combat 2SLGBTQI+ discrimination in schools and workplaces. Additionally, a percentage of ticket sales will be donated to Glad Day Bookshop in Toronto. Recognized as the world’s oldest 2SLGBTQI+ bookshop, the Toronto store is currently raising money to avoid eviction.
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