A cacophonous, eclectic and fitting homage to Toronto’s Videofag
Owners of the former barbershop-turned-artspace document its indie history in an innovative form
Ask anyone with a connection to Toronto’s thriving indie literary, theatre and queer art scenes over the past few years, and they probably have a story about Videofag. The legendary barbershop-turned-artspace in the heart of Kensington Market was created by lovers Jordan Tannahill ( Age of Minority; Concord Floral) and William Ellis. Since its inception in 2012, the space has played host to literally hundreds of readings, plays, installations and performances, hosting the likes of Vivek Shraya, Sheila Heti, RM Vaughn and many more.
A year and a bit after Videofag closed shop, Tannahill and Ellis have collaborated on an innovative project documenting the history of the gallery. True to its subject, The Videofag Bookeschews a clearcut narrative in favour of a pleasing montage approach. Included in the book is a short essay by Tannahill and Ellis mapping the rise and fall of the project and the heady highs and lows of their relationship. They describe nights of chaotic intensity, their narrow apartment at the back of the gallery transformed into impromptu dressing rooms and rehearsal space for the many actors and performers who moved through Videofag on a nightly basis.
Elsewhere, Jon Davies presents a love letter to Videofag, Aisha Sasha John offers a celebratory poem and Greg MacArthur presents the manuscript of his play A Man Vanishes, a noirish mystery inspired by his visits.
Most compelling is an oral history pro- ject curated by Chandler Levack with some of the many collaborators, performers and fans who frequented the space. We hear from neighbour Erin Brubacher about Tannahill’s first sighting of the grotty barbershop. Sheila Heti recalls staging her play All Our Happy Days Are Stupid in the tiny front room.
The winding conversations are enhanced by a gorgeous photo archive of drag shows, dances and cabarets held over the years, presented in all their cramped, magical glory.
The result is a cacophonous, eclectic and fitting homage to one of the most important cultural incubators in recent Toronto history. Every fan of Videofag will want a copy of this book. Trevor Corkum’s novel The Electric Boy is forthcoming with Doubleday Canada.