A Night at the Queerium (Ripley's Aquarium in Toronto)

 Was It Worth It? 

Recently, I finally made it out to The Queerium—(at the Ripley's Aquarium in Toronto), this was a venue I’d been hearing a lot of buzz about. As a straight female, I have always been someone who’s always supported the 2SLGBTQ+ community, so I was genuinely excited to check it out. 

I didn’t go in expecting Vegas-level glitz, but for the $76 ticket price, I did expect something beyond just access to the space.

And that’s the thing—it was literally just entry. No drink ticket. No food. No perks. Just... the use of the venue.

Still, I was determined to have fun. My friend decided to order a “Sugar Daddy” (adorable name, right?). But she asked them to skip the grape juice mixer, and they replaced it with three shots of gin - to fill the glass. Great, until we saw the bill: $40 for one drink. I wish I was kidding.  Don't worry she got a refund for the 2 additional shots :)

As for the show, the lineup was supposed to feature 3 or 4 drag acts. Only two queens performed: JUICE BOX and BOA. Their energy was decent, but their sets were short—about 15 minutes in total. They lip-synced to the usual Gaga go-tos, “Born This Way” and “Bad Romance,” which felt tired and a little too on the nose. The rest of the evening was filled by two male dancers, who gave it their all but were clearly exhausted after 2 hours of nonstop movement.

 

I really wanted to love it. I came open-minded and ready to celebrate drag culture. But I left feeling a bit let down. Maybe my expectations were too high, or maybe it’s just that the experience didn’t match the price tag or the promise.

That said, I’m curious—have you been to the Queerium or a similar venue recently? Was your experience different? Am I being too harsh, or did I just catch an off night?

Let me know in the comments. I’d really love to hear your take—especially if you’re part of the scene or a regular at these events.  Maybe there's more to the Queerium than I saw.

The Power Plant (@Harbourfront centre)

We finally got around to checking out The Power Plant in the HarbourFront Centre.  The HarbourFront Centre's Power Plant was originally built in 1926 known as the 'Powerhouse"  The Powerhouse interestingly enough contained heating and refrigeration equipment for the Toronto Terminal Warehouse (which is now known as the Queen's Quay Terminal) and the 'Ice House" which is known today as the Habourfront Centre Theatre.

 In 1976, the site was renovated into an Art Gallery at the Bill Boyle ArtPort. and further construction years later formed "The PowerPlant" which opened it's doors officially in 1987.  

It's a Canadian charitable organization and completely free to enter at set hours.  It contains Contemporary Art, which I don't mind tell you I am not a fan.  There's a historical component to the artwork and for some, you may find displays to be interesting and for others not so much.

The site hosts major solo shows and group exhibitions as well as free public programs, educational events and workshops.  It has produced several artists books and have released more than 140 publications to date!

You can easily spot the Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery from Queens Quay by the prominent smoke stack which stands out from the Harbour off of Queens Quay in Toronto.  As I mentioned earlier it is a Canadian Contemporary public art gallery mandated exclusively to a diverse and advanced artistic culture.  It is supported by and to a diverse group of living artists while engaging equally diverse audiences in their work. 

Keep your eyes and ears out for exhibitions, lectures and symposia that encourage debate and further understanding; invitations to visitors to question, explore and reflect upon their experiences.  

Since 25th anniversary in 2012, the gallery introduced ALL YEAR, ALL FREE, offering free admission and open access to the public to all exhibitions. 

In 2022, The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery is celebrating its 35th anniversary by introducing new ways to engage with diverse audiences through a brand new website, new communications channels, and the return of Power Ball in 2023.

Today, general admission to the PowerPlant is still FREE.

Don't wait as long as I have if you live in Toronto or visiting.  The Harbourfront Centre's PowerPlant is a unique experience.  You may find yourself coming with a little more understanding and a lot more cultured in Contemporary Art!

Happy New Year 2017

  Every new year we wish to come up with some way to begin again.  To apologize for  our past, to mend broken hearts, broken dreams, broken promises, but in the end we need to learn from our mistakes.

To be better people, to learn from the pain from loss, the hope for the future and to give more of ourselves than we have done before.  If that means we come up short, so be it.

Nothing is more precious than family and friends, and that means no matter how much money, or job status, or goal mines we discover, our friends and family or really anyone we hold precious and dear in our lives, are worth all their weight in gold.

Let this year, not be a way to begin again or struggle with ourselves to correct what mistakes we think we have but rather to move forward.  To learn from the past and continue walking forward one step at a time.