It’s June and time is ticking away on the Pride countdown, so if you haven’t sent me your Pride listings or Pride pictures, don’t wait another day longer. If you have anything associated with Pride — a party, AGM, march, dance, group, get together, anything at all — send it along to me at oitc.vancouver@dailyxtra.com.
Don’t be one of those people who remembers the day after your event!
Thursday, June 15
BC Disability Pride Celebration and March
Come participate and enjoy as the BC Disability Pride Celebration and March celebrates the full citizenship of Canadians of all abilities. Best of all, it has free pancakes and music; I never pass up anything free, as most of you can attest. All people are welcome and there will be ASL guides, quiet areas to relax, and the whole space is wheelchair-friendly. Call 604-777-9100 for more info.
10am–12:30pm. Richmond Cultural Centre, 7700 Minoru Gate marching to Brighouse Park, 7000 Minoru Blvd. This is a free event for all ages. whatsonqueerbc.com/#event|bc-disability-pride-celebration-and-march|60669
My Life Underwater
If you’re tired of DC superhero movies, don’t worry, this isn’t about Aquaman. It’s a book reading by amazing local author Alan D Stamp of his new book My Life Underwater. An uplifting tale about a young man from Port Arthur, Ontario who senses that his affinity for the water isn’t the only thing that makes him feel different. He investigates the emerging gay scene in 1970s Vancouver, meeting interesting character including a secret lover Pete. It has you hooked already, doesn’t it?
7:30–9pm. Little Sister’s, 1238 Davie St. Free event. facebook.com/events/1867309890185953/
Friday, June 16
Kink Fetish Night VI
I think this event has had so many homes there must be little pieces of fetish wear left all over the city. So why not bring it to one of the classiest bars in the village? For you diehard fetish fiends, all the goodies will be there: go-gos, dungeon space, BDSM, strict fetish attire, with their official DM, Miss Kendall, plus DJs Sivz and Patrick Kelly.
9pm–3am. XYYVR, 1216 Bute St. Tickets $18–$23 online at eventbrite.ca.
Faux Girls
When a show only happens once a month you tend to forget about it, but mark this one in your calendar for the third Friday of every month. See Empress 46 Jane Smokr — yes, believe it or not I am one of the few who spells her name right — and a gaggle of special guests each month. They’re such secret guests that even I don’t get to know who they are. Benefits DMS charities around town.
10pm. The Junction, 1138 Davie St. Cover $5. junctionpub.com/events/faux-girls-2017-06-16/.
Saturday, June 17
Car Free Day
Finally, a day when you can jaywalk everywhere on Denman and you don’t have to hide. Leave the car at home and come down to the tenth anniversary of the West End Car Free Day and congratulate to our newly elected (again) Spencer Chandra Herbert. There will be music stages and jam sessions, art being created live on the street, and plenty of places to grab a bite to eat or something to drink.
12–7pm. Denman St, Robson St to Davie St. facebook.com/carfreevancouver/.
Queer Arts Festival
The theme for this year’s festival is “UnSettled: Two-Spirit Curated Festival” and features events, artists, a curator panel, youth events, DJs and more. An annual artist-run professional multi-disciplinary summer festival with all events takes place at the Roundhouse. QAF harnesses the transformative power of the arts to inspire recognition, respect, and visibility of people who transgress gender and sexual norms. Tonight is the opening of Pride In Art and the gala opening reception, Art Party. The festival runs from 7pm tonight until Wednesday, June 28.
Full schedule of all events, tickets and times at queerartsfestival.com/. More information at facebook.com/qafvancouver/.
Pride Dance
Not just a dance but a Queer As Funk Pride dance. For those of you who know how hard it is to get tickets just to see this band in town, get the RV loaded up, pick up ten of your friends and head on over to the island. Nanaimo Pride goes out with a funk. Queer as Funk is also the sharpest-dressed suit-and-tie band in town. Between sets, their very own DJ will keep the party rocking into the wee hours of the morning.
8pm–1am. Beban Park Social Centre, 2300 Bowen Rd, Nanaimo. Tickets $25 online and more Info at facebook.com/events/1410838005644938.
Festival Of The Babes
I have alerted the liquor board, because tonight features two lesbian events and I want to make sure there’s enough tequila left for me. Festival of the Babes is an annual international women’s soccer tournament for queer women who play hard and party hard. The festival boasts up to 24 teams and hundreds of players. Tonight is the official kick off party and fundraiser featuring DJ Nancy Dru and DJ Because I Said So.
8pm. Ukrainian Hall, 805 East Pender St. Tickets $10 at brownpapertickets.com. More info at facebook.com/events/1913046072312640/.
Bears Night Out
Did you know that bears, much like this event, only come once a month — but it lasts 28 days? Probably not, but I’d like to find one who can make me do it. Hibernation is over, so all beefy bears, cuddly cubs, hairy hipsters, burly, fuzzy men and their friends are invited to frolic at this monthly party with DJ Del Stamp.
9pm. Pumpjack Pub, 1167 Davie St. $5 cover. pumpjackpub.com/.
Gear UP
Get on your best leather party gear and head to the baths for a night of hot sweaty fun. The best part is that if you wear the leather into the steam you probably don’t have to clean it for Pride. You’re encouraged to wear a harness or other fetish gear. Wear anything that makes you feel sexy and horny. The Vancouver Men in Leather dungeon is in room 102, the large sling room upstairs. Appropriate dungeon behaviour is required. If you are unsure, consult the Internet for BDSM play party etiquette.
9-11pm or later. Steamworks Bathhouse, 123 West Pender St. Weekend rates apply, but bring your VML membership card to get a six month membership to Steamworks for free and $10 off a locker or room rental. facebook.com/groups/vancouvermeninleather/.
Jane and the Generations
Ok, coronation is a few weeks back, so let’s see if Emperor Tommy D drops by XY’s new show wearing his crown. I swear I saw him wearing it to buy groceries at Independent. A new concept night of a talk and an interactive game show brings together a past empress of Vancouver and a new drag performer. Get to know two very different queens each month as host, Empress 46 Jane Smokr, dissects their atmospheres, trends and experiences in the scene through the generations. JATG features performances, audience participation segments and a whole lot of dirt. Tonight is Mr/Miss Cobalt runner up Dust and Empress 39 Raye Sunshine.
9:30pm. XYYVR, 1216 Bute St. Cover $5. facebook.com/DMSVancouver/.
Wild Fruit
The guys have parties like Fukr, Ruff, and Naked Heaven where we wander around in harnesses and jocks — but this party shows the Flygirls have great ideas too, with a shower stall and stripper pole. Tonight is Flygirl’s Wild Fruit party, where it’s time to get too sexy for your shirt. The 90s’ best, catchiest and most obnoxious are back. It’s the home of music that doesn’t take itself too seriously. A fun night of your secret guilty pleasures and sing-along wonders with DJ Nathalie Morel.
10pm–3am. The Odyssey Nightclub, 686 West Hastings St. Tickets $12 at flygirlproductions.com/.
Sunday, June 18
Sanctuary
I know it’s hard to believe, but Alma B Itches has children — drag children. I should have known; have you seen her birthing hips? Daughter Ilona is one of the stars of monthly drag shows “Lolipop” and “Launch Party.” She’s fierce and she is in the house so hide your men, mom and daughter. Come to where all you sinners can recover, repent, and rejoice in the Good Church of Drag.
11pm–2am. 1181, 1181 Davie St. No cover. facebook.com/events/173903089807981/.
Monday, June 19
MoMondays
If my liver and kidneys could handle it, I would rather have MoSaturdays, but I can’t be too picky. MoMondays is a monthly show featuring half a dozen people telling their personal story and sharing life lessons. Some are funny, some are thought-provoking, and all are inspiring. Get out of your routine and come meet some new, friendly people. It’s a great opportunity to socialize and interact in a fun, positive environment, even if you’re shy.
7–10pm. XYYVR, 1216 Bute St. Advance tickets $15 at facebook.com/pg/xyvancouver/events/ or $25 at the door.
Tuesday, June 20
Gay Speed Dating
Pride is coming, and if you don’t want to be one of the hordes of guys trying to pick up the same tourist, then get your BF early. Try this for a change, face to face, not face to screen, and get to meet 20 guys in one night. This event is aimed at single gay professionals of all ages. Just be yourself and when it’s over, you can send as many hand written messages as you want. It’s all down to the connections you make.
7pm. 1181, 1181 Davie St. Registration $20 and sign up at gayspeeddatingyvr.com/.
In Conversation: David Sedaris
I knew I should have kept journals and diaries as I grew up — it could have been a bestseller. Join humourist, radio contributor and New York Times bestselling author David Sedaris as he discusses one of the most anticipated books of 2017, Theft By Finding: Diaries (1977-2002). Sedaris’ humour is autobiographical and self-deprecating, and ranges from his family life to drug use, homosexuality and Greek heritage.
7–8pm. Indigo Granville, 2505 Granville St. No cover. facebook.com/pg/ChaptersIndigo/events/?ref=page_internal.
Men Seeking Men
I bought tickets thinking it was a speed dating night, but once again I didn’t read the fine print. I’m sure this will be more entertaining. MSM is a dance theatre piece inspired by transcripts of online conversations between men who seek other men. Indrit Kasapi has created a world of electronic beats where music is the omnipotent power, and through choreography, movement, and text, deconstructs online male personas and their personal exchanges with other men. Part of the Queer Arts Festival.
7pm. Roundhouse Community Arts Centre, 181 Roundhouse Mews. Tickets $27 at facebook.com/qafvancouver/. Show runs tonight and Wednesday, June 21 at 7pm.
Lips Inc Reunited
If you’ve never seen the black beauty of Vancouver, Willie Taylor, now is your chance. The old doll doesn’t come out much, but when she does the roof certainly does rise up. Reunited with Justine Tyme and Carlotta Gurl for one night only. Come for an amazing reunion with these queens, who used to pack the bars solid when they performed together at their legendary Lips Inc show.
7:30pm. The Junction, 1138 Davie St. Cover $8. facebook.com/junctionvan/.
Wed, June 21
Gay Bingo for Life
The most fun you can have with your balls outside your pants and your fist wrapped around a fresh wet dabber. Get in on the fun with a gaggle of tipsy, very handsy drag queens and a studly tattooed DJ or two. This weekly extravaganza is filled with brilliant prizes, cheap drinks and snappy queens — or is that snappy drinks and cheap queens? Plus, you can even reserve your table online by asking to be added to the guest list.
8—10:30pm. Celebrities, 1022 Davie St. A $10 donation to Friends For Life gets you in and your cards. celebritiesnightclub.com/events.
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