If you're fed up with all the development going on down in the West end and wish everyone would just get along, here's your moment of zen. On Sunday March 18th, the Gladstone will be home (donating the use of it's space for free, even) to what's being called "The Queen West West Equitable-Development Beach Partee", an event organized by Tomboyfriend's Ryan Kamstra and Zoilus' Carl Wilson "to raise arts-community awareness of equitable development, homelessness, and the growing disparity between the rich and poor in the neighbourhood and in the city." Musical entertainment will feature Blocks Recording Club artists The Phonemes, Bad Bands veterans Garbage!Violence!Enthusiasm!, and Ghostlight; along with improv, a cameo appearance by Tomboyfriend themselves, plus tracks from DJ Misty Rock'n'Roll and quite possibly between-set dance lessons. Proceeds will go to homelessness-aid organizations PARC (Parkdale Activity Recreation Centre), and Na-Me-Res (a temporary home for men and youth, native and non-native which foster and maintain a healthy sense of community, cooperation and self-worth through the promotion of traditional Native Culture and Values).

"We'll party in the name of respect and equality between street artists, the professional art world and nightspot parvenues," the organizers say, "and a better balance between the wants of faux-boho condos and the needs of their neighbours, whether homeless or housed". Come join the fun, and help raise some cash AND good karma. 9 pm @ the Gladstone (1214 Queen St. West). Admission $8.

(G!V!E! photo by our own MikeR).