This content was created by Xtra’s branded content team alongside Vancouver Pride Society, separate from Xtra’s editorial staff.
Bubly Davie St. Lounge and Granville Island Lounge are hosting a wide variety of performances and events throughout the festival
With more than 40 events planned across the city during the 2024 Canada Pride Festival, there will be no shortage of activities and performances to entertain attendees during the 10-day celebration, which runs from July 26 through Aug. 4.
And, with all those choices, there are two lounges taking place during the festival that you won’t want to miss, not only for their special Pride programming, but also to reconnect with new friends and familiar faces—the Bubly Davie St. Lounge and Granville Island Lounge.
Curated by local community organizers, these lounges will celebrate the creators who foster
2SLGBTQIA+ spaces throughout the year, with performers who will appeal to all communities in the acronym.
The Bubly Davie St. Lounge, located at 1207 Bute St., is playing host to the festival’s opening ceremony on Friday, July 26, with an all-indigenous list of performers lead by legendary local performer Jaylene Tyme. Along with an opportunity to showcase traditional cultures, it will also feature drag performances from Theo Rhetical and Continental Breakfast, an evening show by burlesque performers Virago Nation.
Bubly Davie St. Lounge will also play host to annual favourites, like the Terry Wallace Memorial Breakfast—in honour of the Vancouver resident who funded and sustained the Pride Parade when it experienced financial uncertainty—on Saturday, Aug. 3, and new events, like Juntos, Vancouver Pride’s first-ever Latin party on Sunday, July 28, featuring DJ Litney from Toronto.
Other highlights include Trantasia, a celebration of the beauty, talent and star power of trans women and femmes through drag, comedy and fashion curated by Amy Grindhouse on Friday, Aug. 2, and a takeover of the Bubly Davie St. Lounge by the Lesbian collective Babes on Babes on Saturday, Aug. 3. That will be an all-day celebration, complete with DJs, performers and music.
Pride Sunday—on Aug. 4—will showcase The Next Generation: Drag Takeover, curated
by Vancouver’s Next Drag Superstar 2024 winner Androgynass and runner-up Atondra, and
featuring emerging stars of the drag scene. Parade day will also feature a street party along Bute Street
Just across False Creek at 1531 Johnston St., the Granville Island Lounge will offer a mix of low- and high-key energy with its planned events. The Granville Island Lounge gets its Pride celebrations started on Thursday, Aug. 1, with the award-winning Comedy Here Often?’s One Night Stand-up showcase, which will provide a laugh-filled night.
On Friday, Aug. 2, the Patio Party with Fruit Forward will offer a curated selection of natural wines, followed by Hotlatch’s Pride Party, an incredible celebration of queer Indigenous talent from DJs to drag performances by Canada’s Drag Race Season 4 Winner Venus alongside Canada’s Drag Race Season 2 contestant Beth.
Don’t be afraid to show off your creative side when you attend the Granville Island Lounge Sweet Soul Saturday on Aug. 3. Late afternoon will feature Hot Fruit Figure Drawing, where you can try your hand at figure drawing—no prior experience necessary—followed by Soul Stories hosted by fanny kearse for an evening of music, poetry, inner child freedom and collective witnessing. Open mic spots are available for the showcase but you need to pre-register to take part.
On Pride Sunday, Aug. 4, the Vancouver Gaymers will host a free games day, creating a relaxed and fun environment with a variety of games for those wanting to escape the busier events and take a relaxing breather—unless you are seriously competitive, of course. The Pride festivities will conclude on Sunday with the Last Dance Closing Party—a fitting end to Vancouver’s first-time hosting Canada Pride.
Both lounges are also conveniently located near VanPrideFest at Concord Pacific Place, Vancouver Pride’s free, two-day outdoor festival featuring performances through the festivals closing weekend, making it easy to hope between all three locations.
For the full schedule of events and to purchase tickets, visit vancouverpride.ca.
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