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In my experience the only good joint ventures have been between my cock and someone else’s mouth. Partnerships can be hard. Somewhere along the line disagreements come up and someone leaves in a huff. This was the case (again) for Montreal Pride. For years the two groups, who in my opinion produce the best street party ever, decided to part ways with each holding their own festivities two weeks apart. Crazy poutine loving bastards! This led to a slightly smaller Divers/Cité event (the one I choose to attend). With superstar DJs like Peter Rauhofer to live acts including The Cliks, Hunter Valentine, Amannda (The Kristine W of Brazil) and the almost-rained-out performance by Deborah Cox this, despite the massive showers, was definitely the week to be in the city of brotherly amour. On Friday afternoon the 10th Annual Friends for Life Bike Rally cycled into Parc Emilie-Gamelin after six longs days. Surprisingly, crew members Justine Touch and Marc Ellis who provided the over-the-top performances that entertained the over 500 cyclists were unceremoniously kicked off the rally for pushing the boundaries of decency. As no one could locate her, this left Justine stranded in Montreal with 20 bins of drag queen dresses and no way home. “Fuck AIDS,” Marc said angrily. “Next year I’m switching to cancer.”

• The Brazilian theme of this year’s festivities was realized by bi-city cutie and Coverguy host Mathieu Chantelois. “I met these great Brazilian DJs over the last couple years and I was intent on having them play in Montreal.” Perhaps it was their hot blood and sizzling beats, but they — including Rafael Calvente and Ana Paula — kept the rains at bay for most of their sets. Ana is proving her muscle as one of the best DJs I have heard in eons. Completely jammed, her off-thehook set at the D/C Ball on Sunday at the Telus Centre was her shining moment. I have never witnessed so much sweat roll off my body and land on the dance floor to the rhythm of her hard sick beats.

• Two strange things. One, BBCM’s Twist party at Medley, always predictably fun, always attracts more Torontonians than locals. The fact that Toronto’s Neill MacLeod opened for big teddy bear Chris Cox only added to that feeling. Two, Unity nightclub known for attracting the youngest crowd of any of Montreal’s clubs, has gone all hip-hop. Where popular urban music was once regulated to the upper floor, the sounds of Soulja Boy and Lil’ Wayne could be heard alongside retro tracks by Mase and Queen Latifah. All bow to the new generation.

• The rains let up just in time for drag artist extraordinaire Mado and her squad of talented drags queens to entertain for another spectacular edition of Mascara. Think drag shows on steroids. Full productions worthy of a music video with tons of back-up dancers, spectacular costumes performed at night outside under a sea of stage lights. Props go to: Kiki who performed Katy Perry’s hit “I Kissed a Girl” with 20 lesbians ferociously tonguing each other, Manny doing a choreographed three-part Rihanna number featuring Toronto’s Scott Fordham and Michelle Dorion who did a fine job of impersonating someone who has little stage presence: Celine Dion. Like these queens, next year let’s hope the two Pride camps can learn to pitch a tent together.

rolyn chambers
deepdish@fabmagazine.com