Gay concert band turns 20

Vancouver's Rainbow Concert Band Canada's first

The gay band geek may be a marginal figure in the social hierarchy of some high schools, but after graduation many of these queer musicians become valued members of our community, instruments and all.
On Nov 28, Vancouver’s Rainbow Concert Band will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a special performance at the WISE Hall and a raucous Bohemian Rhapsody sing-along.

Established for the 1990 Gay Games in Vancouver, Canada’s first gay concert band is still going strong despite losing members, switching conductors and having to move its practice space from the West End to the Oakridge Seniors’ Centre.
Watch the musicians rehearse for the concert and recount the hardships and the triumphs of keeping the band together for two decades.

Keep Reading

The cast of Canada's Drag Race All Stars

‘Canada’s Drag Race All Stars’ finale recap: The first Canadian ‘All Stars’ champion is …

A Lip Sync Smackdown for the Crown delivers goops and gags before crowning one queen
Annie Jacobson (Ella Rubin), Maple (Mabel Strachan), Oona (Bo Bragason) and Ramona (Amélie Hoeferle) shout in a scene in Sterling Point.

Even in the idyllic queer world of ‘Sterling Point,’ whiteness is front and centre

The Muskoka-set series glosses over the racism of Canada’s cottage country
Cover of the book "Unsafe"

‘Unsafe’ challenges us to handle anti-trans backlash differently

S. Lamble’s debut argues that punishment makes anti-trans activists double down on their hate
Michael Urie

Michael Urie’s big moment

The iconic gay actor talks “Oh, Mary!,” “Shrinking”—and 20 years of “Ugly Betty”
Advertisement