WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

[wirthwoman]

Back to the Roots of Queer as Folk in Toronto. What a fantastic time we had with Randy Harrison, Scott Lowell, Dean Armstrong, Makyla Smith, Sherry Miller, Harris Allan, Stephanie Moore, Fabrizio Filippo and the added treat of “Dame” Sharon Gless as the cast likes to call her.

Comments

[gaedhal]

Dixie, you are a die-hard!

I've archived all your convention reports and they are always the best!

[wirthwoman]

Thank you Gael,

I have been fortunate enough to be able to attend the Cons and even though it is sometimes a chore, I feel I should report for those who can't go and also to keep a record for myself.

I will miss them and the friends I have made when they end.

[later2nite]

It was so great to see you in Toronto, Dixie! Thanks for the recap of the con. I hear you on everything sort of running together in your mind - same thing is happening to me now that it's a week later. I just love how the cast of this show genuinely loves each other and their fans. It's really special to be a part of that. ♥

[wirthwoman]

Hi Linda,

One of the best parts of the Cons is reconnecting with friends from all over that you only see once in awhile.

If I don't write my report within the first week of my return, I find it is very hard to remember the sequence and the events and what impressed me.

I think this was a great cast of simply delightful people who enjoyed their time together and are happy to continue it. I love getting to know them as real people and not just the characters they portrayed. .

[toto_too514]

Great report Dixie!

I agree, one of the best parts is reconnecting with people you don't often get to see, and of course, making new friends as well!
I certainly haven't been to the same number of Cons that you have, but I'd have to say I noticed a different atmosphere with this one. It didn't seem forced or uncomfortable at any time. It was obvious to me that the members of the cast and crew were genuinely and thoroughly enjoying their own little reunion, the feeling just spread to the whole event! I also mentioned that it felt good knowing we were the reason that some of these people were meeting for the first time, or getting back together for the first time in years. They wouldn't have had their reunion without us! Elke outdid herself with this one!

Have fun with the boys in Bilbao!

[wirthwoman]

Thanks Trish,

Yes, even the cast has Elke to thank for getting them together from time to time and we get to be a part of it too. Randy hadn't seen Makyla since the wrap until they both went to Cologne. I doubt that Sherry or Stephanie had seen the other cast members since either.

Though each Con has its special moments, the last one is always the one that you remember.....until the next one.

[predec2]

Thank you for the report, Dixie! I have been trying (miserably) to find time to write something up, but it's a slow process. This brings back a lot of good memories, and it was a wonderful time. That view from the CN tower restaurant was amazing, and the panels were lively and very interesting. Everyone in the cast seemed to really be having a great time. I don't think I ever seen Randy laugh so hard that he literally fell off his chair - twice! And I enjoyed simply walking around the Church Street area and visiting Woody's, along with the long walk to Brian's loft building from the hotel.

Bittersweet, thinking this may be the last one, but maybe if not Elke someone else will pick up the torch, so to speak, somewhere down the road and at least give us one more. I do enjoy seeing a lot of people I otherwise would never see, and I treasure all the friendships I have forged as a result.

Thank you again for the report. ~Kim

[wirthwoman]

Thanks Kim,

I figured you would have a big report up by now and of course your wonderful photos. I was surprised to find out that the loft was still standing as I had thought it was torn down. I didn't get a chance to visit the spots that I did years ago but saw the photos my friends took in the week following the Con.

I look forward to reading your report since you were with Randy, Sherry and Makyla and got some different experiences than the Scott/Dean crew.

[anonymous]

At Woody's for us poor folk we got to mingle with Stephanie, Harris and Fab. They were really great making the rounds talking everybody and finding out a little bit about everyone

[wirthwoman]

Thank you Danielle for letting me know that Stephanie joined you at Woody's and giving me the names and positions of the crew that was the Heart of QAF. I didn't take notes and missed some of the names and couldn't remember what they did on the show. I knew Patrick, James and Stephen Lynch who were at the Toronto Cons back in the day. I looked up Thom Best and saw him listed as a director but I did think he did photography. I appreciate your information.

I attended the big Con in Cologne in 2012 and it will always be my favorite because it was the first and had all the main cast except for Gale but this one is special because it was the last and the one that is fresh in my mind.

The Zarata events can't compare to Elke's but I go to see Gale who will always be my favorite and this year Randy will join him and the dynamic duo is a sight to behold.

[anonymous]

Oh you are very welcome. There were so many activities, new, and old friends it's definitely hard to remember everything that went on especially as more time goes by and we get further and further from the event.

I am not a fan of Gale...met him, saw him, and it was enough. I also live in the Los Angeles area so to travel to see him is laughable and to spend $3000 for a couple of days.. ummmm...I'll pass. Randy is my absolute favorite so my money is best spent seeing Cabaret a few more times.

[wirthwoman]

We all have our favorites and that's great. I only get to see Gale at Cons and when he did a play in NYC and L.A.. Back when the show was still running, I saw him at several DVD signings and some film festivals in Tribeca and Toronto so I imagine after seeing him in September that will be it unless he does another play. I have followed all of Randy's plays in NYC, the Berkshires, DC, Minneapolis and Montgomery, AL and the endeavors of many of the other cast members over the years. I love all the cast.