What to know
- Drag brunches with Makayla Couture: The Canada’s Drag Race star will host four Pride-themed drag brunches at the CF Toronto Eaton Centre on June 13 and 14, featuring live performances, food and entertainment.
- Paint-and-sip classes with Emmy Tran: The Toronto artist returns for two Pride-themed tote bag painting workshops on June 17 and 24, complete with a complimentary cocktail and hands-on instruction.
- Win tickets: Queer & Now is giving away two tickets to the June 14, 2 p.m. drag brunch — enter now for your chance to attend.
The CF Toronto Eaton Centre is having a series of drag brunches hosted by Canada’s Drag Race superstar Makayla Couture this weekend, and we’re giving away two tickets!
Set in the heart of downtown, the Eaton Centre is a local landmark. Right across from the iconic Sankofa Square and a short walk from The Village, the neighbourhood is often the site of Pride events throughout June. The mall itself has a wide array of Pride programming this year, including four drag brunches and two paint-and-sip events with local artist Emmy Tran.
Hosted by Canada’s Drag Race queen Makayla Couture, the CF Drag Brunches are set for June 13 and 14, with two shows a day, one at 11 a.m. and another at 2 p.m. Featuring a powerhouse cast, organizers say the event brings together live performances, high-energy entertainment and delicious food in a celebratory brunch.
In honour of Pride Month, Queer & Now is giving away two tickets to the June 14, 2 p.m. event. In order to enter, you must be over the age of 18 and of legal drinking age in your province of residence. Find out more about how to secure your seat at the brunch on our contest page, or enter the contest through this form.
Collaborating with local talent
For the Eaton Centre, collaboration is the name of the game this Pride Month. Mall officials told Queer & Now that this year they are proud to spotlight and support Toronto’s vibrant 2SLGBTQIA+ community through meaningful local partnerships, including their market space. The annual Pride market has returned to Trinity Square, highlighting local 2SLGBTQIA+ artists and vendors on June 4-7, 11-14, and 18-21 from 12 p.m. until 6 p.m.
This year, the Eaton Centre also partnered with local artist Paul Crombie to create The Pride Mechanism, an on-site art installation that celebrates Queer creativity.
The company explained that Pride programming is an important way for the mall to reflect the diversity of our community. Transforming the centre into a vibrant hub for Pride in Toronto, their events are curated specifically to celebrate inclusivity, community spirit, and Toronto’s 2SLGBTQ+ community while ensuring everyone feels welcome, seen, and celebrated.
“The goal of the programming is to celebrate the diverse voices of our community while creating fun, engaging, and inclusive experiences for all who visit,” the company said in a statement, adding that it’s all about bringing people together to celebrate love, foster community connection, and highlight the vibrant voices that make our city shine.
Paint-and-sip with Emmy Tran
Additionally, those looking to celebrate Pride in a creative way should check out the Pride-themed tote bag painting class with a local powerhouse in the Queer art scene. After a successful paint-and-sip hosted by Emmy Tran in 2024, she’s returning for another set of events. Known for her paintings featuring Queer love, political resistance, joy and community with vivid colours and sultry imagery, Tran is an experienced art teacher who runs various painting classes throughout the province, including her iconic Paint Your Own Booty series.
At these paint-and-sip events, Tran will guide participants through the process of designing and painting their own tote. The class is Pride-themed, but guests are welcome to paint their bag however they like while Tran gives a masterclass on colour theory and painting techniques.
Tran’s painting events are scheduled for June 17 and 24, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 and include all the necessary materials, as well as a complimentary cocktail at Queen’s Cross Food Hall. Additionally, $10 from every Drag Brunch and Paint & Sip ticket is donated to Rainbow Railroad, an international human rights organization dedicated to helping at-risk 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals access lives free from persecution.
You can find out more about the CF Eaton Centre’s Pride events on their website.
