The 519

Summer is calling, and Club 519 wristbands are moving fast, with 3-day passes already sold out. Want to level up your Green Space Festival experience? Snatch your 4-day or 5-day wristband now before they’re gone. As a Club 519 Wristband Holder, you’ll enjoy: ✔️A dedicated entrance to Barbara Hall Park with in-and-out privileges ✔️ Access to the exclusive Club 519 Lounge, dedicated bar, and washrooms ✔️ 10% off drinks at the Club 519 bar (Thu–Sat only) ✔️ Exclusive prize draws and offers ✔️ A tax-deductible charity receipt Link in bio ⬆️

Follow the beat and finish Pride weekend in style. House legends David Morales and The Shapeshifters take over the official Treehouse Afterparty. 🎟️ Ticket link in IG bio.

Our lobby renovations are well-underway and on track! As part of this project, all ground-floor washrooms will be renovated as well, one washroom at a time. As of Monday, March 9: - The NORTH washroom is closed for renovation. - The accessible washroom (just beside our EarlyON on the north side) and SOUTH washroom are both open to the public. During this time, our staff working in the lobby will help direct community members to use a washroom that is not under construction. If you need any support, feel free to connect with one of them, or email Karlene: [email protected]. [Image description: A glitzy pink graphic with a gold plated toilet. Text reads: Category is Plumbing Realness. The first floor north washroom is closed. Accessible and south washrooms are open. More updates at The519.org/lobby]

Together, we can go the distance! We're so thankful to the @priderunto for being such a proud support of The 519 and our work serving 2SGLBTQ+ communities! Funds raised through this year's Run will help power vital intergenerational programming for over 7,000+ children, youth, families and older adults that come to our centre. Lisa Duplessis, Head of Community Programs at The 519 talks about the value our intergenerational programs add to our communities lives, while Jonathan Iu, President of the Pride and Remembrance Foundation highlights the importance of such partnerships to ensure our communities continue to thrive. [Video description: Lisa Duplessis, an older Black person talks about how intergenerational connection has always been a vital part of 2SLGBTQ+ communities. She highlight the impact of The 519's programs for kids, youth, family, and older adults, while talking about increasing funding pressures. Jonathan Iu, an Asian person, highlights the importance of this partnership in the The 519's 50th year and the Run's 30th year.] Run photos by @callmealbs .

Join us for a fun and creative time at The 519 Art Corner, a welcoming space to make art and crafts, explore your creativity, and connect with others. The 519 Art Corner happens on Thursdays between 5 and 7 pm on a drop-in basis. No art experience is required, and all skill levels are welcome. Light snacks, coffee, and tea will be provided. No RSVP is necessary. These sessions will be led by the 50th Storytelling Team and will feature The 519 Art Corner activities inspired by celebrating the 50-year anniversary of The 519. Activities may include Postcards to the Future, story-gathering prompts, and other creative, art-based ways to reflect, imagine, and share. Questions? Email Jess: [email protected] [Image description: A collage of colourful postcards with messages like 'The Future is for Lovers' and 'Trans Folks Are Sacred' arranged on a vibrant pink background. Text reads: "The 519 Art Corner: Postcards to the Future. Thursdays, 5 to 7 p.m. drop-in at The 519."]

This year, I was honoured to be commissioned to create 2 postcards for @the519 in celebration of their 50th anniversary! One is an illustrative postcard, featuring an original painting, the other is an interactive postcard that you can colour in. You can pick up both postcards at The 519 and write messages to the future community of lovers! Swipe to see what folks have been creating with these postcards! This was such a fun and meaningful project to be a part of. Thank you @the519 for all the work you do and for collaborating with me on these pieces. And congratulations on 50 years of serving the community. 🩷

519 Self-Defence workshop this Sunday May 17th. 12pm to 4pm FREE ASL interpretation will be provided for this workshop. All are welcome to come, but giving a special welcome to those that are hearing impaired. Please share to anyone that might be interested.

Raise your red boots, says Lola! Omar Collins, who plays Lola in the North American tour of Kinky Boots, is here to tell you about a special partnership between The 519 and the CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre! Use the promo code KINKY519 to book tickets for performances of Kinky Boots May 12 to 22 and save up to $44 on tickets, with a portion of the sales also going to support The 519. Now that's a win-win, right? You can also come and say hi to us at the May 19 show. Meet our staff at the CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre lobby and learn more about our programs and services supporting 2SLGBTQ+ communities. Stick around after the show to mingle with the cast over drinks. Based on the 2005 film of the same name, Kinky Boots tells the story of the young owner of a struggling shoe factory in Northern England who finds an unlikely business partner that changes his life, and his business, forever. Featuring music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper! Get your tickets now using the link in bio. Note: The promo code has already been applied to the link above, so The 519 pricing you see will be inclusive of the promo code. Sometimes the best way to stand out is to step up. Tickets are selling fast. Get yours now!

You wanna get kinky for a good cause? For perfromances of Mirvish’s Kinky Boots between May 12 and 22, use the promo code ‘KINKY519’ to save up to $44 on tickets, with a portion of ticket sales ALSO supporting The 519! On May 19, you can also meet our staff at the CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre lobby and learn more about our programs and services supporting 2SLGBTQ+ communities. Stick around after the show to mingle with the cast over drinks. Kinky Boots is a Mirvish musical production at the CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre. Get your tickets using the link in bio or call (1.800.461.3333). [Image descriptions: 1 - Red glittery thigh-high boots forming the letter K in 'Kinky Boots' in a promotion poster of the show. In a red patch below, text reads "Save up to $44 on tickets to Kinky Boots with a portion of ticket sales supporting The 519! Support Canada's largest 2SLGBTQ+ community centre using promo code KINKY519 at Mirvish.com or calling 1-800-461-3333. Your purchase will contribute a partial donation. Valid from May 12 to 22." 2 - Poster of Kinky Boots. Text in red patch reads "The 519 Mix, Mingle and Support! Tuesday, May 19, 7 to 11 p.m. CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre. Meet The 519 team in the CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre lobby and discover how our programs and services support 2SLGBTQ+ communities. Share your hopes for 2SLGBTQ+ futures by filling out our special anniversary postcards, connect with fellow community members, and stick around after the show to mingle with the cast over drinks from the cash bar."]

The 519 is hiring for the position of Director, Philanthropy! Learn more at The519.org/careers. Apply no later than Wednesday, May 27, 4 p.m. Reporting to the Head of Development, this position is responsible for driving The 519’s fundraising and philanthropy strategic plans and activities with a specific focus on annual, monthly, and event-based giving, as well as corporate sponsorship. The position leads a Philanthropy-focused team and is responsible for The 519’s individual donor, membership, foundation, corporate, and event sponsorship portfolios, as well as oversight of The 519’s donor database integrity. [Image description: A blue-filtered image of four volunteers standing around a drinks sale station at the Green Space Festival, our largest annual fundraiser. Text below in a dark blue patch reads: "We are hiring! Director, Philanthropy (Full-time, permanent). Apply by Wednesday, May 27. The519.org/careers".]

The 519 is hiring for the positions of Coordinator, 2SLGBTQ+ EarlyON Programs, and Program Facilitator, Child and Family Programs. Both roles report to the Manager of Intergenerational Initiatives, and both play an important part in the amazing work of our child and family programming. Learn more at The519.org/careers.

This year The 519 is so excited to take part in Doors Open Toronto, a yearly event where people can explore Toronto’s unique buildings and sites for free! During Doors Open weekend, anyone can go check out participating churches, broadcasting studios, museums, historic and government buildings, and more of Toronto’s buildings they may not normally be able to walk into. On May 23 and 24 between noon and 5 pm, come enjoy The 519's Edwardian architecture, and the modernist Salah J. Bachir Wing. We also have a newly renovated lobby! As part of our 50th anniversary celebrations, we’re offering tours, a Queer Market, and engaging activities to bring our space to life. Visit Toronto.ca/DoorsOpen for more information. [image description: a stylized image of The 519 building.]