PRIDE | Rainbow Flag Raising
After this weekend's protest painfest, our city is in serious need of some lovin'. Some queer lovin', that is. Right on the heels of the G20 comes the thirtieth edition of Pride, the biggest celebration of same sex affection in North America. There are dozens of parties and events over the next seven days that will attract up to a million visitors and even millions more dollars to our city, but most importantly the public weddings, even more public nudity, and the return of Cyndi Lauper will hopefully dispel the bad vibes that have gripped downtown for the last three days. Official celebrations begin when City Hall puts its ceremonial stamp of approval on Pride by hauling up the rainbow flag in Nathan Phillips Square. Mayor David Miller, Councillor Kyle Rae, and Pride leaders will preside over the event.
Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen Street West, Free, 12 pm

THEATRE | Dora Mavor Moore Awards 2010
I haven't been writing about theatre in Toronto for that long, but one thing that you notice quickly in this biz is that Dora Awards are a big deal. Anyone who comes close to winning one at the award ceremony tonight will cite their nomination on their webpage bio for the next three decades at least. The local equivalent to the Tonys, the awards were named after Scottish-Canadian theatre pioneer Dora Mavor Moore and honour the creative minds behind the year's best works in five categories of performance: general theatre, independent theatre, dance, opera, and theatre for young audiences. This year the awards are hosted by CBC's pop culture know-it-all Jian Ghomeshi, and will be followed by an open-air after party on Front Street.
Bluma Appel Theatre at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Performing Arts, 27 Front Street East, $65, 8 pm

COMEDY | Second City: Live in 3D
Throughout the summer, Toronto comedy institution Second City is staging a Monday night show that revamps classics from the club's storied history and adds a dose of current events. Expect tonight's show to be full of homages to John Candy, G20 jokes and soccer-bashing courtesy of Monkey Toast alumnus Jan Caruana, commercial fixture Jason DeRosse, improv artist Alastair Forbes, She Said What co-founder Carly Heffernan, Rob Norman, and Nigel Downer. Runs til July 26.
Second City, 51 Mercer Street, $12, 8 pm

FILM | Beyond Gay: the Politics of Pride
While Torontonians welcome annual Pride festivities with open arms, in other parts of the world gay pride marches are still a politically defiant and dangerous act. Beyond Gay: the Politics of Pride is a multiple award-winning documentary directed by the Vancouver Pride Society's Ken Coolen that takes us behind the scenes to gay rights events around the world. Coolen goes undercover to show how in Moscow, preparations for their parade are made entirely in secret, while in Sri Lanka events are only publicized after they take place to protect the identities of participants. It's not all bad news however; the 4-million strong parade in Sao Paolo, Brazil is sponsored by the government takes direct aim at Latin America's culture of homophobia. The film is to date the most comprehensive document on worldwide pride events, and screens for free tonight to coincide with the official opening of festivities in Toronto.
Isabel Bader Theatre, 93 Charles Street, Free, 6 pm

GAMES | Dirty Bingo at Zelda's
Start Pride off right with a spicy session of naughty bingo at Zelda's Living Well. It's just like the bingo your grandmother loves to play except that instead of coupons for a foot pomace at the local beauty parlour, prizes are the latest in state of the art sex toys. The game is a regular Monday night favourite of the Church Street crowd and should be especially well-attended for the first night of Pride Week. Beware the infamous X-Round, which frequently leads to nudity, mock embarrassment, and an overall good time. Hosted by two ladies packing more than just a great sense of style Lena Over and Gloria Hole.
Zelda's Living Well, 692 Yonge Street, Free, 8:30 pm

Have an event you'd like to plug? Submit your own listing to the blogTO calendar, contact us directly, or use our handy Facebook app.

For Toronto movie showtimes, view our Movie Listings section.

Photo: "The Bright Side of the G20" by Mike SqaulorLee, member of the blogTO Flickr Pool.