Thursday, March 30
Dining Out For Life
As if my partner and I need another excuse to leave the oven off and go out for dinner — have you seen the size of us? From Whistler to White Rock and across the Lower Mainland, Dining Out for Life’s restaurant partners will contribute 25 percent of their food sales to A Loving Spoonful, who provide free, nutritious meals for people living with HIV/AIDS. Grab a few friends and make this a day to remember.
Lunch and dinner at over 60 participating restaurants. Check diningoutforlife.com for info and a full list of eateries.
Friday, March 31
Cloud 9
Before you get all excited, like I did, thinking the Empire Landmark is finally throwing a gay night at the revolving Cloud 9 restaurant before it’s torn down, sit back down. Hell has not frozen over. This Cloud 9 deserves much more of your attention: the 9th anniversary of the Man Up show, one of our community’s longest running queer parties. Man Up began as an effort to revitalize the once vibrant local drag king scene, and tonight this party celebrates everyone for supporting the artists, creating the space, dressing for the themes, shredding the dance floor, giving the feedback, and looking ahead together.
9pm–2am. The Cobalt, 917 Main St. Tickets $15 at brownpapertickets.com and at facebook.com/events/1266877716759917/
Kink V: Fetish Nights
Since I don’t really like walking around in kink or fetish wear on the streets — as if a six-foot-eight bear covered in latex is going unnoticed — the closer a kink party is to my condo the better. This is about as close as you can get. This is a PLUR kink-based LGBTQ and straight-friendly event, so please come open minded. When you arrive, you will be asked to show the door mistress exactly what you are wearing or planning to wear. The dress code is strict: The more wild you dress, the more at home you will feel once you step in the door. Dungeon space, gear check, gear slaves and even a performance by the Borg Queen will make this a night to remember.
9pm–3am. XYYVR, 1216 Bute St. $15 before 10pm, $18 before 11pm, $20 after. facebook.com/events/1406655629346949/
Surprise Bitch
The last time someone said this to me I was looking up a hunky man’s kilt from the floor. The surprise was that the shy fellow was wearing boxers — a complete waste of effort. This night, however, is a function of the House of Bitches as they host their second pop-up event. With a list of bitches, also known as performers, from Surrey to the West End, there is bound to be something you like, or at least something to bitch about. Just be careful, since the head bitch is none other than Alma B Itches, and she will be more than happy to let you have it.
9:30pm–3am. The Junction, 1138 Davie St. Cover $5 at the door. facebook.com/events/1117522361693230/
Wet & Wild: Rubbout Meat & Greet
It all starts early this afternoon with the Rubbout Meat & Greet from 3–8pm. Pick up a weekend swag bag — no Gingerbear Todd I don’t mean you — put on wristbands and have a few loosening-up cocktails. Come back later for Shower Night and then the Rubber Dance Party. I love virgin shower night, and tonight there’s a virgin for us all to watch. Sometimes they are like deer in headlights, and sometimes things are so hard they rip through their shorts. Tonight is a special pre-Rubbout Wet & Wild, so don’t blow your load over the first showeree, or the second, or the third. There are two more nude studs from the Rubbout Crew to show off their meaty parts. Music is provided by that magical DJ who can make a dick disappear faster than your mother can unbutton her overalls, DJ Del Stamp.
10pm. Pumpjack Pub, 1167 Davie St. Cover $5. rubbout.com
Saturday, April 1
One Love Wedding Show
With three weddings under my belt, I think I’m a bit late for this show. But, for all you others that are hoping he or she will pop the question, maybe this will give a shove in the right direction. Plus, there’s even a chance to win your wedding. At One Love Wedding Experience, they don’t simply promote diversity, they celebrate it. People are people and love is love. They support same sex marriage and have collaborated with suppliers who support and mirror the same philosophy. Witness a live wedding ceremony, fashion show, prizes and even a DJ spin party.
11am–4pm. Roundhouse, 181 Roundhouse Mews. Tickets $20 each at oneloveweddingexperience.com/ and if you go early there may be a Groupon attached for 70 percent off.
Gear Swap
Funny story — and no it was not me — names shall be left out to protect the innocent, right James? I know a guy who went to last year’s Gear Swap for the first time and got so turned on by the used leather he spent $225, took it all home, and played alone with the leather so long he missed the Rubbout Party all together. Now that is dedication. Every year this gear swap just gets better and better. This year is no different. Bring your gear in the morning, sell it at the swap, and find some new gear you just must have. Intake is 11:00am until 1:00pm so bring your gear then if you want to sell it. Sales start at 1:00pm.
1–5pm. Pumpjack Pub, 1167 Davie St. Cover $2 but free for Saturday night ticket holders and wristbands. rubbout.com.
Drag Show at The Stage
Coronation may be gone for this year, stop cheering, but that Miz Adrien is still going strong in the burbs and is taking her show all the way to Mission, where men are men and queens get extremely lucky I hear. Tonight Join the Miz and her friends for a heart stopping show followed by dancing until late. Who knows, there may be a cowboy whose boots are going to be under your bed tonight. This is a bar show, so there’s room for everyone.
Doors 7pm, show 9pm followed by dancing. The Stage, 32998 1st Ave, Mission. Tickets $10 advance at thestageinmission.ca/ or $15 at door.
Trivia Night Fundraiser
I know you thought I was going to do all the listings and not have a Peach Cobblah moment, but not so fast. She never stops, and does she even sleep? Tonight she is quizmaster and co-host alongside Nicole Yeasting, but I bet Nicole won’t get to say a word with our old doll running the show. This is a fundraising night to benefit the Vancouver International Children’s Festival Hospital Program, an amazing outreach group that brings the festival to children receiving treatment or in care. Grab a team and prepare to answer questions about sports, music, logos, books, movies, and more. Prizes will be awarded to the top team. A raffle and silent auction will also be happening, as well as a cash bar and snacks for an excellent cause. If you can’t make the night, please feel free to donate at childrensfestival.ca.
7pm. Loungeworks Showroom, 130 West 4th Ave. Tickets $22 online facebook.com/events/1369541433067078/
Stand Up, Stand Out
Why stay at home and fall for your friends’ April Fools pranks all night? Get out and have fun at someone else’s expense, probably mine, at the April Fool’s Edition of Stand Up, Stand Out, a mix of local comedians hosting an LGBT open mic. Hosted by Steve Leets, Vancouver’s Funniest Amateur Comedian 2016, along with Fatima Dhowre and a dozen or so guest comics. There will also be ASL interpreters for the show.
8–10:30pm. XYYVR, 1216 Bute St. Tickets are available online at eventbrite.com or at the door, with a sliding scale of $10-$15. Contact the hosts for PWYC tickets or other accessibility info at facebook.com/events/1903235326564950/.
The Queen Of Ireland
One of the best drag names around, Panti Bliss, aka. Rory O’Neill, just happens to be an outrageous, scandalous, intelligent and eloquent queen in the best possible ways, and is regarded as one of the best in the world. Over the last few years, Rory has become a figurehead for LGBT rights in Ireland, and since the recent “Pantigate” scandal, his fight for equality and against homophobia has become recognised across the world. The Queen of Ireland is a documentary film that follows Rory’s journey from the small Mayo town of Ballinrobe to the world stage. There will a reception before the film.
9–11:30pm. Vancity Theatre, 1181 Seymour St. Tickets $10 advance at viff.org or $15 at door. facebook.com/events/784127868410666/.
Rubbout 26 Gear & Play Party
And so, it begins. If you hear squeaking around town, it’s just the latex covered thighs rubbing or the skin-tight leather pants being broken in as every leather, rubber and latex-loving man is out this weekend at the longest consecutively running men’s fetish event in North America. If leather and fetish are your thing and you can’t find it this weekend, you might be a closet straight. Tonight, go down underground to a party for all gear enthusiasts, leather, sports or whatever your fetish, with the rubber men from all over the world. If you have no gear, naked or a jock will be just fine, but no street clothes, please.
10pm–2am. Underground, 1022 Davie St. Tickets $45 at the door or included with Rubbout Wristband. If you still want to play and you’re not worn out, your wristband or ticket stub will get you into Steamworks after 1:30am. Full schedule of events at rubbout.com/.
Circo Disco
I have to admit I was excited because I thought this was a combination of circus and disco, kind of a Saturday Night Fever Cirque De Soleil. But I was wrong; it happens sometimes. This is an official fundraiser for the HIM Transitions program, a daring collaboration of cabaret troupe, nightlife character performance art, live performance, lip-sync performance, DJ music programming and drag, where costume and choreography meet uninhibited hedonism. The music will be a sensory journey of house and disco from around the world, including deep, vocal, progressive and tribal house brought to you by DJs Mike Cross and Idris Hudson. Geekenders performers will perform live numbers from their rendition of Rocky Horror Picture Show and a Stormtrooper Burlesque.
10pm–3am. The Odyssey, 686 W Hastings St. Admission is by donation to HIM and Geekenders. Suggested donation is $10, pay what you can. facebook.com/events/425314714479590/
Monday, April 3
Trans Supper Club
PACE Society, a Vancouver peer-driven organization that provides support to sex workers, will be launching the Trans Supper Club, a weekly meal program and drop-in service for transgender, two-spirit, and gender-diverse persons on the city’s Downtown Eastside. The program will be situated within PACE’s larger program of support services, which includes case management, peer counselling services, and transgender-specific programming. This new program will also operate in conjunction with PACE Society’s Gender Self-Determination Project, which assists trans people in the Greater Vancouver Area with legally changing their names and gender markers on government identification.
5-7pm. PACE Society, 148 W Hastings St. pace-society.org/
Flex Fit with HIM
OMG! Spring is here, so Pride is right around the corner. How many of you have even used that gym membership you signed up for Jan 2? This weekly group will transition you into it, combining muscle strengthening and stretching exercises such as push-ups, squats, yoga, basic Pilates, core exercises, and resistance band training. Bring a mat, towel and bottle of water because you will sweat. All levels are welcome, so drop by and drop the winter weight.
5:30–6:30pm. Scotiabank Dance Centre, 677 Davie St. Free class. checkhimout.ca.
Tuesday, April 4
Pleasuring Prostates: Live Demo
Now, I like my prostate as much as the next guy, but a live demo of one being rubbed is a little over the top even for me. I would almost go just to see who has the balls — well I guess those would be pushed aside — to lay back and get probed while a group looks on. This is an intriguing class for those who have never experienced the pleasure of a prostate massage. You will ejaculate like a 16-year-old, I promise. Take a chance, you may see me after all.
7:30pm. The Art Of Loving, 369 West Broadway St. Class $50 please register in advance at artofloving.ca.
Wednesday, April 5
Connect With Him: Surrey
Out in Surrey and finding it hard to meet guys as friends? The Health Initiative for Men (HIM) provides a wide variety of weekly activities, presentations and workshops for guys of all ages. Come on in and find out what events are happening each week.
7–8:30pm. HIM Surrey, 220-10362 King George Blvd, Surrey. Free group. checkhimout.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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