CGLCC 6th Annual Black & White Gala: THE UNSTOPPABLE BALL
75 Lower Simcoe Street
Toronto, ON M5J 3A6
We’re Having a Ball!
After the year we’ve had, we could all use a good night of celebrating.
Inspired by the bright lights of disco and the legends of the New York City ballroom scene, join us as we celebrate the incredible achievements of Canada’s LGBT+ community, hear stories from some of our fearless LGBT+ leaders, and enjoy an evening of fabulous entertainment.
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| Time | Agenda |
| 6:00 PM | Cocktail Reception |
| 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM | Dinner, Awards & Entertainment |
| 9:30 – 11:00 PM | After Dinner Reception |
Featured Performers
Lemon
This year’s Black and White Gala emcee is a talented rapstress, professional contemporary ballet dancer, and Canada’s Drag Race royalty. Hailing from Toronto, Ontario, Lemon is gorgeous, hilarious, and sour as hell. From the cover of Vogue Brazil and New York Fashion Week to her viral rap verse on Come Through, the hit single from fellow Canada’s Drag Race alum Priyanka, Lemon is making her mark not only on the Canadian world of drag, but worldwide. And remember, “When life gives you lemons, Lemon gives you life.”
Simone Denny
A four-time Juno Award winner and Billboard Dance Chart topping vocalist, Toronto-based Simone Denny’s powerhouse vocals drive a prolific list of songs beloved around the world, including You’re A Superstar, Broken Bones, and TV’s original Queer Eye For The Straight Guy theme: All Things (Just Keep Getting Better). Beyond music, Simone is now branching out into extended run theatre performances, TEDx Talks, body positivity promotions, fashion modelling, and now hosting her own weekly Instagram celebrity chat show Simone Denny Live.
Beany John
Beany John is a Two Spirit shapeshifter, storyteller, and dancer, whose dynamic performances have filled thousands of audiences with wonder, appreciation and excitement. A Taino and Cree from Kehewin, Alberta, Beany is a Grass Dancer, Hoop Dancer, and Traditional Artisan. From a young age Beany was surrounded by traditional storytelling, dance, and arts as a member of Kehewin Native Dance Theatre. While travelling and performing, she has met and learned from traditional knowledge keepers from many different nations across the world who help inspire her performances.
Joey Niceforo
After making his professional debut in 2005 with the original Canadian Tenors, Joey Niceforo formed his own classical crossover ensemble Destino. He’s performed at the Beijing and Vancouver Olympics, Carnegie Hall, the Miss America Pageant in Las Vegas, toured with the Rankin Family, and on both NBC and ABC networks. Joey’s first solo album, Priceless, debuted on iTunes Canada at #3 and hit the top 100 charts in Ireland, Australia, the United States, and South Africa. Joey recently opened for Jennifer Hudson and will be on tour in the U.S. and Canada from November of 2021 into 2022.
DJ Blackcat
Voted Church Street’s favourite DJ and recipient of the Inspire Awards “Lifetime Achievement Award”, DJ Blackcat is of Jamaican descent and a native of Toronto. This Black Cat never sleeps and neither will you if you’re at one of his functions. He’s opened for Canadian R&B superstar and friend Jully Black as well as hard hitting DJs like Mikeq, Bambii, and the late Vjuan Allure. During COVID he’s taken his collective GO HARD online, where they throw parties to help raise awareness and monies for Black people & business focusing on the LGBTQ+ community.
Toronto Kiki Ballroom Alliance
Since our launch in 2010, the mission of the TKBA is to provide LGBT+POC youth opportunities and activities that build positive relationships, strengthen the community-at-large and develop their self-esteem/confidence. Although our youth are mostly Black LGBT+ youth, our community is absolutely diverse. Citizens and newcomers, cisgender and transgender, queer and questioning, binary and non-binary; all make up the fabric of our community. When we are doing what we love, we celebrate the differences within. We are not a homogenous community, but we are a community full of unique individuals with unique experiences and lives.
Check out our Gala Spotify Playlist
2021 Business Leadership Awards
Our nominees have been selected for our 2021 Business Leadership Awards. You can learn more about our nominees here. The winners will be announced during the gala on Friday.
Silent Auction
Whether you’re looking to make an unstoppable getaway or have a legendary night in, this year’s silent auction prizes are sure to please. Simply text CGLCC to +1.647.699.1492 to browse the prizes and favourite the ones you’d like to keep an eye on. Once bidding is live, you’ll be ready to place your bids!
Prizes include:
- Vacation and Staycation Packages
- Gift Baskets
- Fine Art and Photography Prints
- Raptors and Leafs Tickets
- A Unique Piece from Patrick Hunter Art
- Much more!
Enter to Win Air Canada Economy Tickets to Fly Anywhere in Canada
Purchase a $50 ticket for a chance to win two Air Canada Economy Tickets to Fly Anywhere in Canada. Some exclusions apply, participants must be of the age of majority in their province. No purchase necessary. Rules and regulations.
COVID-19 Information
We will be following the COVID-19 guidelines and restrictions of Toronto Public Health for an in-person event, with the option for guests to attend a modified version of the event virtually.
If you plan on attending the event in person, a COVID-19 Waiver Form will be emailed to you around 72 to 48 hours prior to the event. You must complete this form before arrival.
Deluxe Gala-At-Home Package
For those who wish to attend the event virtually, a Deluxe Gala-at-Home Package containing some fun and exciting products from LGBT+ businesses to help you celebrate from home will be available at checkout. Please see ticket options.
Click through to learn how to redeem your SkipTheDishes gift card via the App or via the Website.
Thank you to our Gala Sponsors!
