There goes the gaybourhood

(Half of RealTalk, the infamous Johnny OC; photo by David Pike)

Saddle up boys, the Barn is back. After every fag's fall-back plan, Crews and Tango, recently closed its doors for renovation, the twinks have had few places to tango... or cruise. Until last night.

Conceptualized by pretty-boy party promoter Matt Sims, There Goes The Neighbourhood is a new weekly dance party that is equal parts hipster and homo. Columnist, keyboarder, and half of the now-defunt Dopplehertz, Sims' history on the see-and-be-seen scenester circuit has taught him nothing if not how to curate an electro evening that makes the kids dance.

And dance, they did. Despite the lure of no-cover, few of the street's resident creepers crept south of Maitland, which kept the crowd fresh and fashion-focused, something Church St. hasn't seen in years. The mix of cock and cool in the small but packed second floor projected the type of good-to-be-gay vibe usually only felt at Queer West haunts like the Beaver.

Gallerist and go-to DJ for electro shows, Vaneska, was enlisted to introduce new anthems to a street usually content to hear Britney on repeat. Also on the bill were ViVi Diamond, Shane Mckinnon, and DJ Doctor Baggie.

And as if he were possible to forget, former hardcore kid turned Circa-spinner, Jonathan O'Callaghan was also playing, as half of his newest incarnation, Real Talk. Mr. OC's usual knack is for bringing in the extra-young breed of blonds, rearing to break edge and/or rip off their Hollister tee's. But his appeal held equal weight with the horned up homos, cheering for his chest-hair at the Barn.

Yes Johnny, I'm calling you a bear. If you're going to spin east of Ossington, get used to it. Welcome back to the dark side (0f the club).