(Celebrate the fifth anniversary of Absolut’ly Dragulous, Saturday, Feb 27, 2016 at the Junction, with the one and only Carlotta Gurl, seen here in this Youtube video performing for her birthday in April 2014./Onoshi Didnt/Youtube)
Thursday, Feb 25
Vancouver’s Next Drag Superstar Finals
Tonight caps off the search for Vancouver’s next drag superstar. Come see the new queen get crowned. Guest judge Trixie Mattel from RuPaul’s Drag Race will be in the house, so you know it will be anything but dull. Winner will receive a trip for two to New York with VIP access to RuPaul’s Finale Party, as well as bragging rights for the next year.
8pm–3am. Celebrities, 1022 Davie St. Tickets $15 advance at Little Sister’s, 1238 Davie St or online at celebritiesnightclub.com. More info at facebook.com/events/197757850574844/
Friday, Feb 26
Launch
I didn’t have many problems coming out 40 years ago, but I still wish these resources had been around then. Launch offers inclusive and accessible space for new and seasoned writers, poets, dancers, performers and everyone in between. Though its main focus is showcasing the voices of queer youth, elders and allies, anyone is welcome to come read, sing, dance, do drag or otherwise entertain in this alternative to the bar scene.
Sign up at 6:30pm. Open mic at 7pm. Venables Hall, 1739 Venables St. Entrance free to those not working, sliding scale, $3–10 for everyone else. facebook.com/events/556963287813623
HI-Fashion
Believe it or not I lived through the 70s and I’m the first to admit my fashion sense was not the best back then. So it will be interesting to see what I think of those fashions now. Maybe next time you see me it’ll be Bell Bottom city! Matt Troy brings you a night of HI-Fashion: “a free-expression fashion party celebrating the futuristic aesthetic of the early 1970s.” Performances by Jay Boogie (NYC) and DJs Skylar Love, Liam Bnkd and others, along with entertainers Dee Blew, Teayana, Cinnamon Winters and Poison Apple. Everyone welcome.
Doors 8pm. Vancouver Art & Leisure, 1965 Main St. Tickets $15 advance at eventbrite.ca. facebook.com/events/1673590262858030/
Man Up: Odd Couples
There’s nothing more odd at a Man Up show than the look on my face as I try to figure out if this is somebody I should hit on. Some performers are so good they look hotter than the guys you run into at the gym (well okay, at Steamworks). Tonight ushers in a new duet night. Performers who have never worked together are asked to pair up and create an original number. It could be magic or it could be tragic. Either way it’s going to be entertaining. With performances by Shanda Leer, Viven Von Flex, Ponyboy, Jane Smoker and more.
Doors 9pm, show 11pm. The Cobalt, 917 Main St. Cover $8 before 10pm, $13 after. Pay What You Can admissions by request at manuodrag@gmail.com. facebook.com/events/404422716394655/
Saturday, Feb 27
Trixie Mattel: One Woman Show
TFD Presents brings you the best thing to ever come out of Milwaukee, other than beer. Trixie Mattel, season 7 RuPaul’s Drag Race favourite, brings her new one-woman show Ages 3 and Up to town for one night only. Check her out on Youtube and be prepared to pee a bit from her NSFW videos.
7pm. XYYVR, 1216 Bute St. Tickets start at $15, or get VIP tickets which include a meet and greet. Available at eventbrite.ca. facebook.com/TFDpresents
Absolut’ly Dragulous 5th Anniversary
Five years already, and still going strong. I swear Carlotta will be doing cartwheels down Davie Street into her 80s. You will just see a flash of granny panties go by and you’ll probably still get goosed — that gurl has spirit. Tonight is filled with drag, live numbers, contests and much more. Get there early to get a good seat, stay late for Hype with DJ Mike Bermudez.
Doors 9:30pm, show 10:45pm. The Junction, 1138 Davie St. Cover $7. junctionpub.com
Mama’s Turning 35
Anyone who has gone to Numbers knows Mama. Mama Pokemom, also known as Josh Camilleri, has been head bitch of the coat check for years and keeps all those nubile young coat check boys in line. And he’s usually shirtless. Tonight the old gal is turning 35 (personally I think a few years may have been shaved off that number) and the party is going to be in full force for everyone who knows her — or wants to know her. DJs Adam Dreaddy and Skylar Love will be spinning all night and I’m sure there will be a few surprises along the way. Come give Mama a few bumps (birthday bumps!), and enjoy the party.
10pm–3am. Numbers Cabaret, 1042 Davie St. Cover free before 11pm, $5 after. facebook.com/events/1520363821599287/
#Salacious Saturdays
This is my kind of weekly dance party: one where you don’t need your clothes and there’s a sling within reach. Synonyms for salacious are pornographic, obscene, crude, lewd, vulgar, dirty and filthy: in other words, a lot of fun. Vancouver’s sexy ginger DJ Gingerbear Todd keeps the music and visuals going till the early hours.
11pm–5am. Steamworks Baths, 123 west Pender St. Entrance $16. steamworksbaths.com
Sunday, Feb 28
Oscars Party
It’s the 88th annual Oscar’s and I swear that Conni Smudge has hosted every single one of them. No wonder she is called “The Unstoppable.” Thank god for Maybelline. Join Ms Smudge tonight at 4pm for the Red Carpet Dish, where she holds nothing back — Joan Rivers couldn’t hold a candle to her. With five TVs, a large projector screen and surround sound, you will see and hear everything. Dress to impress and get ready for your trivia ballot, winner gets a $200 cash prize.
Doors 3pm, Red Carpet 4pm, Oscars 5:30pm. The Junction, 1138 Davie St. No cover. facebook.com/events/221166068225983/
Monday, Feb 29
Deliciously Disabled
Join HIM, Mpowerment and Resist Stigma for an interactive talk about sex and disability with Andrew Gurza. Tonight is open to anyone interested in discussing the sexual lives of people with disabilities and the challenges they experience, including stigma.
7–9pm. Scotiabank Dance Centre, 677 Davie St. Attendance by donation, proceeds to Deliciously Disabled. checkhimout.ca/deliciously-disabled-does-vancouver/
Tuesday, March 1
Get Kinky With HIM: Fisting and Assplay
Also known as Sunday brunch at the Del Stamp residence. Everything you always wanted to know but were afraid to ask. Now is your chance. Claude and Freddy are experts in fisting (not a course I see everyday at UBC) and will teach you all the dos and don’ts, ins and outs, of safe consensual fisting.
7–9pm. Club 8×6, 1775 Haro St. Free event. To register please call 604-488-1001 or register@checkhimout.ca. checkhimout.ca/ai1ec_event/get-kinky-with-him-fisting-and-assplay/?instance_id=21352
Wednesday, March 2
The Gay Heritage Project
Three gifted performers set out to answer the question: is there such a thing as gay heritage? After centuries of queer history being hidden in the closet and the loss of almost an entire generation to HIV/AIDS, The Gay Heritage Project is an attempt to excavate and preserve our community’s cultural history. Show runs until Saturday, March 19. Read more here.
8pm. Historic theatre, 1895 Venables St. Tickets $20 at 604-251-1363 or thecultch.com/events/the-gay-heritage-project.
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