Casa Loma better gird its lavish loins, as the Inspire Awards are set to rattle it from conservatory to root cellar on June 15th when it presents Historica. No, Historica isn’t the name of some fanciful drag queen minotaur with a mythic penchant for the pipe-flute (I know... totally the first thing I thought, too!), but a medieval-themed edition of the second annual Inspire Awards ceremony recognizing the achievements of leaders from Toronto’s LGBTQ community.

Founded as a one-off last November with a ceremony recognizing the lifetime achievements of TO LGBTQ icons Michelle DuBarry, Boyd Kodak and late ally Jack Layton, the Inspire-d committee decided to keep the love going bi-annually with this luxuriant gala recognizing a LGBT person, youth, business and community organization of the year. A quadruple-pronged inspiration celebration and the chance to get drunk in a castle?! CAN’T. MISS.
 
As if that’s not enough, the evening will be hosted by Tracy Moore of Cityline (presumably leaving her signature sweater set behind for the evening in favour of something more medieval) and include entertainment by the likes of Glamor Puss Burlesque, Singing Out, Queer Idol 2011 Amy Lewis, DJ Craig Dominic and the fiercest wench in all the land, Donnarama, who promises “a performance that will redefine the term ‘calendar girl’”. She adds, “this show is 3600 years in the making!"
 
Awards will be presented by fab’s own Sir-lanced-a-lot, Paul Bellini and modern-day Ann Boleyn, Mandy Goodhandy, with recipients taking home a bevy of prizes as well as designated marching posts in the Toronto Pride parade. Look for nominations to be announced soon!
 
Tickets are an extremely reasonable $40 (Castle! Cocktails! Castle! Inspiration! CASTLE!) and can be purchased online in advance at inspireawards.ca