Calgary: a home away from home for TGs By Coreen Clark Proud of YOUR hometown? Enjoy writing? Why not share the goings on where you live? Contact Cindy for details on how you can tell the world all about your favorite place! Welcome to Calgary! Sprawled out over a large prairie area, Calgary snuggles up to the base of the foothills that lead to the majestic Canadian Rocky Mountains. With a population of just under a million, it is a large, modern city with a burgeoning downtown area, and the promise of even more growth as Canadian corporations relocate, attracted by our province's law against government deficit budgets. Not only are we deficit free, we will be debt free by the year 2014. The city and its expanding suburban community is only 15 - 20 minutes from some of the most picturesque camping anywhere, and approximately 1 hour from some of the world's best skiing near Banff. Some of you may remember the 1988 Winter Olympics being hosted here, and now we are on the verge of winning the rights to hold the World Expo in 2005. Of course, there is always the annual Calgary Exhibition and Stampede, featuring what was once the world's biggest (size and purse) rodeo, until Las Vegas decided to get into the act. You NHL fans will certainly be familiar with the Flames that play in the Saddledome, an ingenious arena design that, yup, looks like a giant saddle! The People In the not too distant past, Calgary had a reputation as a red-neck municipality. This was due to its huge oil and gas industry, and extensive ranching. Although these still make up the core of Calgary's businesses, the trend is shifting from a blue-collar to a white-collar economy. Canada is generally considered a conservative country, and in western Canada it is even more so. With all of that said, one might think Calgary wouldn't be a very good place for a transgendered person to live. In my experience, I have found this not to be true. People here tend to keep to themselves. On the many occasions when I've been read, even by some pretty rough and tough guys, I've never had anything said to me. The worst they might do is shake their heads, or mutter a "holy shit!" and continue on their way. None of my TG acquaintances has ever had any serious trouble here. The worst story I've heard involves some teenagers yelling at our Empress Michelle, calling her "gay," (which, incidentally, she isn't). Climate Even Calgary's weather works in favor of the crossdresser, especially the more "nervous" ones. With late springs and early falls sandwiching a long winter, the sun sets much earlier in Calgary than in the more southern latitudes. Many CDs who prefer not to go out in daylight appreciate the chance to get out earlier in the evening! In addition, most often some sort of coat is required, so you can wear that micro-mini skirt under a full length trench coat and arrive at your destination, warm, safe and undetected. Illusions By far, the best thing about Calgary is the Illusions Social Club. I prefer to call it a support/social/party club! With over 450 members, we now rival San Francisco's ETVC! Most members are local, but some are from out of town, and there are even others from around the world. A second, relatively new chapter, has opened in Edmonton, about 150 miles north of us. Illusions was started over 6 years ago by Barbie and Christine--owners of the two businesses that sponsor us--Lingerie By Barbie and B&B Leatherworks. The club was the dream of Christine, a MTF TV, who should be post-op by the time you read this (good luck, girl!). Barbie is a (gorgeous) female. All new members, as well as visitors, are welcome. The rules of the club are very simple: discretion, cleanliness (including no drugs), and an open mind. The club space includes a socializing area with tables and chairs, a bar, a small stage, washroom, and lounge area in the back. For makeup, there is a long counter, mirrored and lit its entire length. This room also holds the extensive Illusions video and book library. The material is available for sign-out by any member. The small fee charged is used for buying more material, so the amount of information continues to grow. The back area leads to the final room containing lockers and shower. The club is available to members during business hours, Tuesday to Saturday, and until meetings are over on those nights. Many folks drop in during the afternoon to browse the library or watch a video. One of Illustions club members is Dr. J.J. Miles--a sympathetic psychologist, who is not transgendered. His clients include a number of our members, with most of our pre and post-op TSs among them. Dr. Miles almost always recommends that his clients attend our meetings as part of their journey to self-awareness. Illusions meetings are held twice a month and usually have a theme. The hard-working social committee plans fun evenings, such as Vegas casino nights, musical revues and fashion shows. Many guest speakers: experts in makeup, wig styling, nail care, electrolysis, deportment, etc., have attended the meetings. Last September Dr. Menard, the SRS surgeon from Montreal, Quebec gave a presentation on sex change surgery. Members receive a bi-monthly magazine that, over the years, has increased in size and quality. I have been a writer for it (anyone can!) for the last couple of years, and even got to be the cover girl for one of the 1996 issues. I am the clubs "official" photographer and spend a fair amount of time doing photo shoots for the next issue. From my travels and from what I have read, a club like Illusions is quite rare, and we certainly are quite lucky to have it!... and can you imagine, here, in ol' "Cowtown"! Nightclubs The Midnight Cafe & Bar: 1330 8 St. SW 229-9322 This is the number one spot that most members like to go to. It is really a gay bar, but is so small that when the Illusions girls arrive, we kinda' take over the place! There is one pool table there, a small stage, and of course, the bar. You are free to use either the men's or women's washroom without any problem. They host Kareokee nights, drag lip-sync performances, elections concerning the gay community, and numerous charity events. (For a mini food review, see the Restaurants section below.) Detours 318 17 Ave. SW 244-8537 The Arena 306 17 Ave. SW 228-5730 For all practicality, these two places are one and the same, but officially they are separate entities. Without question, this is my favorite nightclub! On a weekend night, things really start hopping. As you enter the building through very inconspicuous doors, there is a sign warning you it is a gay bar, but I find it has the best mix of people anywhere. There are plenty of gay men there, but also a large number of lesbians, and straight couples who might be friends of these others. TGs and drag queens are usually the smallest portion of the crowd, but welcome. Once in awhile, they host drag queen lip-sync performances. The overall appeal of Detours/Arena is the labyrinth of rooms and passageways. You never know when you'll turn a corner and find a little bar or quiet area. You can pick the location that suits your mood! The other big appeal for me is I can dance, Dance, DANCE! Boys Town: 213 10 Ave. SW 265-2028 The name says it all. Definitely a gay bar. A decent sound system aims out over a medium sized dance floor that gets packed very quickly. The area downstairs is a bit more subdued and has a number of pool tables. Boys Town is definitely a "pick-up" club! You'd better be sure about your sexual preference and not be shy about making your feelings known to a persistent suitor! This doesn't always happen, but you should be prepared. As with The Midnight Cafe and Detours/Arena, any washroom is OK. This is my second favorite club. Money Pennies Eatery & Bar: 111 15 Ave. SW 263-7411 This is a lesbian bar and has an atmosphere similar to The Midnight Cafe. I've only been there once when Illusions held its summer dinner show The Girls of Summer there. I had a blast and really enjoyed talking with the lesbian ladies. The food was absolutely fabulous. I'll have to start going there more! Restaurants The Midnight Cafe & Bar: 1330 8 St. SW 229-9322 It's funny, but not many of the girls I know take advantage of the superb food they serve here. When my TV friend, Mandy, visits me from Saskatoon, we usually have supper there. The place doesn't start filling up until around 10pm, so we are able to enjoy an excellent quiet dinner together. Back to Nightclubs. Money Pennies Eatery & Bar: 111 15 Ave. SW 263-7411 (See Above) Ogden Pizza & Steak House: 2420 Crestwood Rd. SE 236-3663 The beauty of this restaurant is it's location--right across the street from the Illusions Club. It's run by a Greek family, but it's "Mama" who really is the boss! She's a lot of fun and doesn't mind us going there, as long as we've done your absolute best at trying to pass. Be forewarned! Mama pulls no punches, and will tell you in a minute, what's wrong with your look! They have a small restaurant area that connects, through a hall, to a large bar. We usually eat in the restaurant, but on a more adventurous night, I ate with Karen in the bar side that's frequented mostly by burly railway and trades workers! Great food. Manie's Pizza: 509 19 Ave. SW 228-9207 This pizzeria is very close to Detours, and stays open right into the wee hours of the morning. It is known for being an after-after hours restaurant. They make mouth watering pizza, but what I remember the most is that it's the place where my life became complete. I was talking to a very good looking woman there who said I looked like Cindy Crawford! Texacana Grill: 1221 11 Ave. SW 244-4377 I have never been there, but it was recommended by a friend, last year's Empress, Teri (Hi, girl!). It has a restaurant upstairs and a bar downstairs. When asked, the management said they didn't mind if CDs came there. Shops & Services Lingerie by Barbie: 6802 Ogden Rd. SE 236-7072 B&B Leatherworks: 6802 Ogden Rd. SE 236-7072 As mentioned before, these are the businesses that sponsor the Illusions social club, as well as Calgary's annual Bizarre Ball. Both are located within the same space, and offer regular and mail order sales of products for just about every alternate lifestyle or fetish. They have a fairly good stock, but will also custom make any article you can imagine! Barbie is an award winning designer and seamstress. For the TG, they offer all the necessary things: wigs, makeup, breast forms, foundation garments, shoes, outfits, jewelry, and on and on. Barbie also will do makeovers for as little as $35 Cdn. A custom made dress can go for around $200. The Bay (downtown): 200 8 Ave. SW 262-0345 (Ty) Nearly the entire first floor is dedicated to all the major makeup lines, with a separate counter for each one. The most popular with the TGs I know are MAC, Revlon (I'm a Revlon girl!), and Derma Blend. It's the only place in town where the latter is available. The attraction here is that the whole makeup floor is overseen by Ty Morgan, renowned makeup artist and drag performer, as well as a member of Illusions! TGs are welcome. Ty, himself, told me he had a girl "let go" for treating one of us poorly. I've been there several times, both en femme and in drab, and received excellent help from the staff. There is also a wig department in the store that a few of my friends have patronized. Salon Five Twelve: 102 1422 Kensington Rd. NW 283-8802 (Brian) The first time I ever went out in public I met Stephanie, who suggested I might enjoy a makeover at this salon. The person to talk to is Brian, who is a professional and does a lot of the makeup for Calgary's booming movie industry. That's the hard part... getting hold of him. Quite often he is away on location. They have a separate, private room for the makeovers and will allow nervous clients to enter or leave via a back door. Brian gave me a face makeup chart for future reference, where he applied the actual products we used. When we went to work on me, he did one half of my face, and had me do the other myself, each step of the way. This really helped in getting used to doing it, as well as remembering what to do after! Style Council Salon: 738 11 Ave. SW 264-8994 (Jamie) Jamie is excellent at styling wigs, and does so for one Calgary's main theaters. A lot of Illusion girls get their formal up-do's done by him. He apparently may be moving locations soon--in that case you might find him by phoning the above number. Photography by Alexis: 911A 17th Ave. SW 541-0700 This is a great place to have a portrait photo session done (by appointment). Alexis is a lot of fun and has, on a couple of occasions, set up at Illusions for a photo night. Entertainment The Uptown Stage & Screen: 612 8 Ave. SW 265-0120 Just down the street from Salon Five Twelve, this movie theater shows off-beat, foreign, and older movies. They attract a more "artsy" crowd and the management doesn't have a problem with TG people attending. And believe it or not, there's a bar in the lobby. Canadian Rockies International Rodeo: 541-8140 Calgary has all the usual events that you find sponsored by the gay communities of most larger cities (to find out more, pick up any of the gay publications at shops around town). There are numerous coronations and balls that allow one to wear their finest party dress or gown, but this event is a little different. Better pull out some tight jeans or a denim skirt for this one! It's sponsored by ARGRA (Alberta Rockies Gay Rodeo Association), who are affiliated with similar organizations outside the country. The rodeo is held at a party ranch just on the northern outskirts of the city and offers camping sites for the three-day event. Those that have'em corral their RVs, but for the tenters, Illusions provides a makeup tent. The event is held annually in late June. Bizarre Ball (see B&B Leatherworks) Some of you may have read my article some time ago describing the first annual ball of 1995. I've included a picture of what I wore this year. You might say the outfit isn't too "bizarre" until you realize I was just about the only one NOT wearing black! I called myself The Summer Girl! The second annual version went on October 26, 1996, to coincide with Halloween, as usual. This is the ball of the year, where anything goes. All fetishes and lifestyles mingle and develop tolerance and understanding as we learn from each other. A live band is followed by a production of fashion shows mixed in with "demonstrations" of the various fetishes. This years show went off like clockwork and was designed to "entertain, educate, and even shock" the audience. Top caliber! Well, What Do You Think? I think by now you will agree that Calgary is not some cowboy hick town (at least not anymore)! We are lucky here to have all these opportunities to "get out" at our finger tips, long and glossy as they might be. I have only mentioned the places I know of to be "safe" for TG types, and certainly not all of them. Can you believe that three years ago I didn't know any of this existed?! Hope to see you here soon! Love, Coreen