Thursday, July 21
TD Vancouver Pride Premiere
This is the first year that TD Bank will be partnering with the Pride Society, so get ready for a night of dancing, partying, maybe a few drag celebrities dropping by – and you get to help Orlando at the same time. All proceeds from tonight will be donated to the OneOrlando fund providing assistance for the LBGT survivors of Pulse Nightclub.
8:30pm–3am. Celebrities, 1022 Davie St. Tickets $5 at eventbrite.ca. More info at facebook.com/events/297234220615948/
Friday, July 22
Spirit Pride
SpiritPride is a three-day conference (Friday to Sunday) that welcomes the LGBT community, allies, friends and family, and members of churches and faith groups seeking to be affirming and inclusive.
St Andrew’s-Wesley United Church, 1012 Nelson St. Single session $30, full conference $90. Times, info and registration at spiritpride.org.
Divas Pride Edition
Granted we see the queens performing all year long, but there is just something special about Pride performances. Everything is just a step up, everyone’s head is held a little higher, even Carlotta wears panties for the cartwheels, and they are clean! Tonight Sienna Blaze brings her monthly show with guests Carlotta Gurl and entertainer of the year Gia Metric. Come get in the Pride spirit.
9:30pm–3am. The Junction, 1138 Davie St. Cover $5. facebook.com/events/499317306933146/
Saturday, July 23
An Evening In Damascus
I’ll take a glimpse of a foreign land, even if it’s just for a few hours. Tonight experience the beauty of Syria while at a tranquil, serene oasis in the heart of Vancouver. Hosted by Danny Ramadan, a proud gay Syrian and grand marshal of our Pride parade, this fundraiser will help sponsor a Syrian lesbian couple to come to Canada.
7pm–11pm. Dr Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, 578 Carrall St. Tickets $20–50 at eventbrite.ca. More info at facebook.com/events/1431252810221960/
Sanctuary
As part of Spirit Pride, Sanctuary is a benefit concert for the survivors of the Pulse Nightclub tragedy and international LGBT refugees. A night of community, inspirational music and messages of hope and love, something we all need, no matter what the reason. Featuring Marcus Mosley, Yvette Flunder and the Universal Gospel Choir, it should be a night to remember.
7pm. St Andrew’s-Wesley United Church, 1022 Nelson St. Entrance by donation. spiritpride.org/concert/
Hard Candy
I love to suck, whether it is hard, soft, chewy, nutty or covered in chocolate. Although I am thinking this night of Hard Candy may be something entirely different. Tonight is the first instalment of Coco and Ilona’s new monthly show, which will feature a new theme and a guest performer every month. Tonight it’s Eva Scarlett. Let them show you how to suck the right way.
9pm–3am. The Odyssey, 686 West Hastings St. Cover $5. facebook.com/events/1804288246524251/
Christmas In July
Come to the place where elves are in tube tops, Santa is in a speedo, and the bar is filled with packages just waiting to be unzipped. No, it’s not Pumpjack’s bear shower night, it’s Absolulty Dragulous’s summer tribute to Christmas. Every number and every outfit will make you think you are sweating at the North Pole, as Carlotta Gurl, Summer Clearance and Joan-E take you to where all the white stuff is free.
9:30pm–3am. The Junction, 1138 Davie St. Cover $7. junctionpub.com/events/christmas-in-july/
Sunday, July 24
Pride Run/Walk & Picnic At The Beach
It’s a wise decision to hold this event a week before Pride. With all the Pride parties and after-parties at Steamworks I can barely stand to pull on a pair of shorts, let alone walk upright. Kick off Pride week with a 5.5km walk or run along the seawall. Children and families are welcome to participate, and the popular disco water stations will be back — and they’re almost as much fun as the run itself!
9am–5pm. Sunset Beach, 1204 Beach Ave.
Register, $40 per person, at The Running Room, 679 Denman St on Thursday, July 21, from 5:30–9pm or between 7:30–8:30am at Sunset Beach the morning of the race. facebook.com/events/1167100016656297/
PJ Famous Sunday Kegger
This is the best place to be seen and groped on a Sunday, as Pumpjack starts its Pride festivities. Other clubs may promise you the world, but Pumpjack will get you laid and what better Pride gift is there? They have even dusted off the old gal, brought her out of retirement, given her a shot or two and propped her up in the booth, so welcome back to DJ Robin Graves, who will get you moving in the afternoon. And later join DJ Del Stamp, who will take you to “church” and have you kneeling at the altar praying to the snake god all night, open wide.
1pm–3am, patio closes at 10pm. Pumpjack Pub, 1167 Davie St. No cover. pumpjackpub.com
Queers & Beers
My entire two weeks of Pride events should have these words as my motto. This second Pride edition for this regular group promises to be a sun-soaked, full-blown craft beer tasting party with 24 craft beers are on tap. (Last year I made it through a total of five!) The parking lot patio will be transformed into a tropical paradise and DJ BEY will spin.
5–10pm. The Cobalt, 917 Main St. Entrance $5–10. facebook.com/events/263296987362448
Monday, July 25
Pride Proclamation
The concrete is set, the rainbow crosswalks are back, Phil Moon has his patio back, and all is right with the Village. Today the official Pride week launch will take place at the new jewel of the Davie Village, Jim Deva Plaza. We all get so caught up in the events of Pride, the parties, the tourists, the sex, that we forget there are still people who are lonely, shy, or afraid to come out. Hopefully this plaza will be a place that they can come, get involved and just be with others; Jim Deva would want that. Join Joan-E and Mayor Gregor Robertson along with Pride Society president Alan Jernigan and vice president Charmaine de Silva for the city’s proclamation.
11:30am. Corner of Davie and Bute Street. facebook.com/events/460610067469490/
Vision: Proud
How many other cities can say they have a mayor-DJ? I guess it could be worse; he could have a shower show at Odyssey! Mayor Gregor Robertson and the Vision team say they want to celebrate all of the progress made together in the fight for full equality and inclusion, and continue to work toward ending homophobia and transphobia in all of their forms.
6:30pm. XY, 1216 Bute St. Tickets $10 at votevision.ca/proud2016. More info at facebook.com/events/504851063043388/
Tuesday, July 26
Battle Of the Bulge
Best bulge contest: these are stretch marks not laugh lines — I was a judge before, you know. It’s time to put your money where your balls are. If Del Stamp is the judge, I’m telling you now there is no taste-test part of the contest; he is lying. You could win $200 for first place and bragging rights for a year.
1pm–3am, patio closes at 10pm. Contest 8pm. Pumpjack Pub, 1167 Davie St. No cover. pumpjackpub.com
Wednesday, July 27
UltraQueer Summer Bash
Sounds like a makeup commercial (maybe its Maybelline, maybe it’s Ultraqueer) where Peach Cobblah could be the spokesperson. This summer bash is a dance party for all queer folks and allies, where beachwear and insanity are highly encouraged. DJs Teen Spirit and Nikki Nevver spin mixes for all ears. Free pool all night, so Carlotta can finally drink for free, that gurl wields a mean cue.
9pm–1am. The Astoria, 769 East Hastings St. Cover $7 at door. facebook.com/events/813463268785198/
Pride Cabaret Impersonation Drag Show
You can’t get tired of Pride drag shows just yet, there are only 211 to go before Pride is over. Stick aroud after bingo for tonight’s Las Vegas-style production, featuring drag performances of Amy Winehouse, Celine Dion, and more.
10:30pm–3am. Celebrities, 1022 Davie St. No cover (yes, you read that right!). facebook.com/events/291651554506876/
XY Wednesdays
With everything going on for Pride sometimes it’s nice to get away for a quiet drink with hot staff in a comfortable, classy atmosphere and just relax. Here is your chance to sit back and sing along with some showtunes, or just listen to the live piano.
8pm–2am. XYYVR, 1216 Bute St. No cover. facebook.com/events/1576265619342275/
Why you can trust Xtra
