Friday, April 1
Queers and Beers: April Fools
So many activities are mucked up by the presence of straight people, with their hats, sports references and fondness for reruns of Everybody Loves Raymond. And according to Queering 613, a movement to create more safe spaces, that includes enjoying craft beer. So, a bunch of queer people take over a local brew pub for an evening of games, socializing, boozing and glitter trails. DJ Matt Tamblyn spins.
6pm. Mill Street Brew Pub, 555 Wellington St. For more info, visit Facebook.
Throb
There are a lot of good things you could say about this party. One, if you like guys, it has guys. Two, if you miss the rave scene of the 1990s, this is a dance party with a rave feel. Three, if you’re really crappy at doing laundry, you don’t need to wear a shirt to this. Brought to you by the creators of the party Sashay at Barrymore’s, this bash aimed at men includes music by DJ Ashley Gauthier.
11pm. 310 Dalhousie St. facebook.com/throb.club
Saturday, April 2
Final Call (Immediate Boarding)
This concert promises to be something like being stuck on a plane with a bunch of queers singing at you. So if that’s your thing, have at it. Tone Cluster, Ottawa’s queer choir, takes its audience on a musical tour of the world. Now in its 22nd season, the 350 voice choir puts on a concert that includes Montreal’s Ensemble Vocal Extravaganza, and Juno Award-winner Lynn Miles. Snacks are served during the flight.
8pm. Centretown United Church, 507 Bank St. tonecluster.ca
Friday, April 8
Girls Will Be Boys: Screening and Book Party
In the 1930 movie Morocco, there’s a scene in which a very dapperly dressed Marlene Dietrich — dapperly cross-dressed, that is — kisses a woman square on the mouth. Movies between 1908 and 1934 are littered with scenes like this, and Laura Horak details and analyzes them in her new book Girls Will Be Boys: Cross-Dressing Women, Lesbians and American Cinema. The book launch includes a series of silent movies with live musical accompaniment.
7pm. Club SAW, 67 Nicholas St. For more info, visit Facebook.
Wednesday, April 13
Day of Pink Gala
Each year, The Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity gives out awards to people who have, as its website says, “gone above and beyond in the fight against bullying and discrimination.” This year’s winners are Nance Lomax, Suzanne Poli, Kim Katrin Milan and Kalyani Pandya, and they receive their awards following a reception that highlights performance and art work by queer and trans people of colour. Semi-formal attire with splashes of pink is recommended.
6:30pm. Horticulture Building, 1525 Princess Patricia Way. ccgsd-ccdgs.org/day-of-pink-gala-2016
Thursday, April 14
Ottawa Q Ball 2016 Registration
With the tagline “Ottawa’s GLBT Softball League,” Ottawa Q Ball is a place where queers and their supporters can play the game in a friendly, social environment. Tonight is an opportunity for those interested in playing in the 2016 season to register. The season runs May–September, and folks play every Friday evening and the occasional Saturday. It will all take place at easy-to-reach downtown fields, and a highlight is always the annual Drag and Balls charity event.
7pm. The Royal Oak, 188 Bank St. ottawaqball.com
(For more event listings, visit dailyxtra.com/lgbt-events)
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