(Four of North America’s frostiest drag queens, Jackie Beat, Bianca Del Rio, Sherry Vine and Varla Jean Merman, headline the centrepiece comedy night at the Whistler Pride and Ski Festival on Wednesday, Jan 27, 2016./gaywhistler.com)
Thursday, Jan 21
Lilith Fair
No, this isn’t the estrogen-fuelled concert with the monotonous sounds of Sarah McLachlan (hey, that’s just my opinion). This two-time Edmonton comedian of the year, Lilith Fair, joins Vancouver’s Molly Wilson for a night of comedy, music and mayhem at this drag cabaret. 7pm. XYYVR, 1216 Bute St. Tickets $15 at eventbrite.ca or $18 at door. More on Facebook.
Dinner At The Birdcage
I don’t usually think about dinner in the same sentence as Carlotta Gurl. I always imagined her daily meal consisting of grabbing some white powder and a straw — hey, how else are you going to drink a protein shake? That gurl is lean. But tonight is all about drag, glamour and, yes, good food from Chill Winston and Guilt & Company, as they team up with Friends for Life to bring you an evening of cocktails, nibblies and a live interpretation of a cult classic drag cabaret, starring Joan-E, Carlotta Gurl and Coco. 7pm. Guilt & Company, 1 Alexander St (downstairs). Tickets $65 at on their Facebook page.
THOT Thursday
Are you “that hoe over there?” Find out who thinks so at this monthly night brought to you by Evita Versace, with DJs Geoff Pye and Teen Spirit. Drag, burlesque, contortionists and more, including Lola Frost, Cinnamon Winters and Carlotta Gurl. Doors 9:30pm, show 11:30pm. The Cobalt, 917 Main St. Cover $6. More info on Facebook.
Friday, Jan 22
Lick Club: Queer Fam Jam
I always thought Lick Club is to women as Slurp Ramp is to men, my bad. Lick Club is a night of hip hop, trap, house, dancehall and mashups, hosted by Brigee-K and DJs Bey, Skylar Love and Denise, with drag king performances by Owen and Rain. 10pm. The Hindenburg, 23 W Cordova St. Cover $10 but nobody will be turned away for lack of funds. Find out more on their Facebook page.
Saturday, Jan 23
Avalanche
And so the onslaught of ski bunnies and ski wannabes begins. Tonight’s opening party kicks off the Whistler Pride and Ski Festival here in town, before heading up to Whistler. (For more on the festival read our story.) DJs Alain Jackinsky and Landon James will keep you moving until the wee hours of the morning. 10pm. Encore Dance Club, 1058 Granville St. Tickets $30 individual and included in the full week pass $399 at gaywhistler.wantickets.com. Individual tickets also available at Top Drawers, 809 Davie St and Little Sister’s, 1238 Davie St. gaywhistler.com
Out In Harmony
Eons ago, when I was in grade school, I sang in a choir. (Shocking, I know!) We even went to a choir festival, where I had a duet with the cutest guy in the choir (even back then I was slutty). Nothing happened with him, but “Edelweiss” still haunts me in my dreams. Tonight is Out In Harmony’s Got Your Number concert celebrating numbers, mathematics and the different ways we measure beauty and meaning. Count on having a great time. 7:30pm. Unitarian Church of Vancouver, 949 W 49th Ave. Tickets $15 at door or eventbrite.com. outinharmony.org
Diversity: the reunion
Believe it or not, Surrey has had a gay pageant for 17 years now and tonight is a reunion of all their past title holders. Most of you don’t even know how to get to Surrey, so now is your chance to find out and join them in a celebration of their legacy, a salute to today and a positive vision of their future. Doors 7pm, show 8pm. Olympia Resto/Culinary Express, 10257 King George Blvd, Surrey. $10 nonmembers, $7 members. More information on gaycities.com.
Bears Night Out
Del Stamp — who has spent so much time in Facebook jail he’s known as Zuckerberg’s bitch — brings you a new night full of all the bear meat you can eat. Bears Night Out promises great music, hot men, dancing bears and probably even a few surprises up his soon-to-be-tattooed sleeves. 9pm. Pumpjack Pub, 1167 Davie St. $5 cover. More information on Facebook.
Sunday, Jan 24
Sunday Legends
Sunday is my perfect day to drink. Start at Pumpjack for the afternoon with 200 of my closest friends, hit 1181 for some pre-show cocktails because there’s a bar there to hold me up, then stumble across the street to see some of the classiest talent in town. Every Sunday Iona Whipp and Jaylene Tyme strut their stuff, along with a guest, and do impersonation with style. Get with some old school and enjoy. 9pm. XYYVR, 1216 Bute St. Cover $5. Find out more on XY’s Facebook page.
Tuesday, Jan 26
Queer Box Camp
Had a place like this existed when I was growing up, I probably wouldn’t have endured so many wedgies. Or maybe I’d be the one giving them. Every Tuesday and Thursday queer and trans people and allies can learn boxing technique, fitness and conditioning routines based on a boxing workout. Learn to take care of yourself while gaining confidence and structure. Tuesdays from 7:30–9pm, Thursdays from 7–8:30pm. 5 Star International Gym, 657 E 15th Ave. For more information go to their Facebook page.
Wednesday, Jan 27
Oh Snow She Didn’t
Now I’m not saying drag queens can’t ski, but the ones I’m around seem to head to the bathroom whenever I mention snow. So to have four of the most talented queens around at the Whistler Pride and Ski Festival is quite the feat. This show is destined to be the hit of the week with Bianca Del Rio, Jackie Beat, Varla Jean Merman and the amazing Sherry Vine in one night of music and comedy. 7–10pm. Whistler Conference Centre, 4010 Whistler Way, Whistler. Tickets $60 at gaywhistler.wantickets.com. Find a full listing of the festival’s events at gaywhistler.com.
Miss Understood
Part of the PuSh Festival, this show produced by the frank theatre company brings you Antonette Rea as she candidly shares her journey as a trans woman and addict in the Downtown Eastside. “A brutal and sometimes hilarious story of oppression and transformation through the frank and funny poems of one of life’s shining survivors,” writes frank theatre. Read our full story. Show runs until Sunday. 8pm. Performance Works, 1218 Cartwright St. Tickets $36 at ticketfly.com or 604-449-6000. pushfestival.ca
(Think there’s an upcoming event I should attend? Click here to list your event on dailyxtra.com or send me a note at oitc.vancouver@dailyxtra.com.)
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