Thursday, June 2
Project Empty Bowl
The first Project Empty Bowl I went to many years ago was with a group that had the brilliant idea that we should create our own bowls for the dinner we were going to attend. While my bowl was very tastefully decorated, it couldn’t hold its contents without tilting over. These days the bowls are provided, so all you have to do is enjoy the evening and help A Loving Spoonful raise funds to help provide free meals and nutritional counselling to people fighting HIV/AIDS.
6:30pm. Coast Coal Harbour Hotel, 1180 West Hastings St. Tickets $100 at alovingspoonful.org
Friday, June 3
Elpidio Trading Sample Sale
I, like most of our readers, may not have a banging body like Riley Cox, Dan Bevan or Ryan Steele but I have discovered where they and a lot more guys get all those topnotch clothes at a fraction of the price. This sale of clothes, swimsuits and shoes from Sweden and Denmark will have more gays from the West End than a shower night at the Pumpjack. I also hear the hot guys strip right in the aisle to try things on. Just saying!
Today, 12pm–8pm; Saturday, June 4, 12pm–8pm; and Sunday, June 5, 12pm–4pm. Elpidio Apparel Trading, 727 East Hastings St. facebook.com/events/1609960302652589/
Explicit Content
The title alone promises a tantalizing experience, but with hosts Berlin and Dan Bevan, aka Strongjaws, manning the mic, I know the night is going to be filled with nudity, wardrobe malfunctions, skin and sex. Throw in DJ Ryan Kenney for the beats, go-go dancers and surprise performances and we will never leave.
10pm–2am. XYYVR, 1216 Bute St. Cover $10. facebook.com/events/1721151204807268/
Ossuary
If I knew about this kind of event when I was younger, I would probably be covered head to toe in tattoos. Feast your eyes on the works of Ciara Havishya, Zox Svetorovich and many others all displayed as art in a gallery, not just pictures in a book. See the styles that intrigue you, meet the artists and even arrange for private work to be done.
8pm. The Fall Tattooing & Artists Gallery, 644 Seymour St. facebook.com/events/233382800360047/
Rae Spoon
In 2012 Rae Spoon and Ivan Coyote collaborated on Gender Failure, a show in which both artists performed music and spoken word pieces about their experiences fitting into, or not fitting into, the gender binary. Tonight Spoon showcases 10 new songs from their eighth solo album, Armour. Toronto-based electronic duo LAL and chamber pop group ESL join them at one of East Van’s iconic performance and community spaces.
8pm. The Wise Hall, 1882 Adanac St. Tickets $20 at brownpapertickets.com.
facebook.com/events/252837701716902
Saturday, June 4
Vancouver Facial Hair Competition
Not a bear, hipster or hirsute man left in the West End this afternoon because this event is a thing, trust me. There are many categories to enter including under six-inch, six-12 inch, over 12-inch (you do know I’m talking about beards, right?), partial, moustache, goatee and so on. If you have facial hair, you can find a group. Bonus: there’s a freestyle event for you to go wild with product and creativity. Just don’t add any live animals to your beard. PETA may be around.
5pm. The Lamplighter House, 92 Water St. Free.
facebook.com/events/927662993980504/permalink/1046091682137634/
29th Miss WESA Pageant
Sometimes they are pretty, sometimes they aren’t, sometimes it is downright scary, but it is always fun. Come behold West End Softball Association members do drag and vie for the title of Miss Wesa 2016. This year one of the old girls, Miss Selma Bush, aka Sydney Malcolm, comes out of retirement to be a guest judge. Remember they get prettier after every drink.
Doors 7pm, show 8pm. Celebrities, 1022 Davie St. Tickets $20 at Top Drawers, 809 Davie St or at the door. facebook.com/events/615339525300646/
XY Studio
As a kid, I used to sneak out of bed to watch the Carol Burnett Show, which for the era was apparently too risqué for our house. One night I actually understood a joke, laughed, and got caught. Fast forward, and I can now sit back, have a drink and catch the same genre of comedy as Shanda Leer brings her ’70s-style variety show to the Village, complete with live interviews with guests and old-fashioned drag numbers.
8pm. XYYVR, 1216 Bute St. Cover $5 also gives entrance to ONYX which follows at 10pm. More info at facebook.com/events/862247997228475/
CabarGay
Takes a lot to get me to Victoria for an overnighter (especially when there is not a trick involved) but the fifth annual CabarGay fundraiser is worth the trip. House of Gabor is at the helm of this entertainment fundraiser, an evening of song, dance, comedy and drag. TV star Dan Payne is guest host of this event that features burlesque with Tyler Bourbon, Gotta Getta Gimmick, New Kings on the Block, stand-up comedy and more.
8pm–11pm. The Belfry Theatre, 1291 Gladstone Ave, Victoria. Tickets $20 advance at belfry.bc.ca or $30 at door. facebook.com/events/497988220405796/permalink/498669300337688/
Sunday, June 5
Legends Calendar Contest
I must be a legend myself since I remember the original Legendary Ladies Calendar of 2007. Now nearly 10 years on, the Empress that made it all happen is doing an encore. Jaylene Tyme has eight calendar spots to fill. Tonight, the top 13 performing contestants will be chosen to move onto the second night, taking place Sunday, June 12. The grand finale will be held Sunday, June 26, when the calendar photos will be unveiled.
8pm. XYYVR, 1216 Bute St. Entrance by donation. facebook.com/events/1009570075757776/
Monday, June 6
Pre-Pride Condom Packing
With Pride only two months away, the guys at the Health Initiative for Men (HIM) need all the help they can get to fill their condom travel packs before the onslaught of partygoers comes to town. Make sure you have your protection for the times you may need it. A post-Pride STD is not the best souvenir to remind you of your conquests. Plus this is a great way to give back and meet great new friends at the same time.
6pm–9pm. HIM Office, 1033 Davie St. checkhimout.ca/
Tuesday, June 7
Queerwritica
No matter your level of experience on or off the page and no matter the genre, if you are writing about or want to write about sex, your hosts at the Queer Arts Festival want you. This is a creative writing space for adults of all genders, orientations and relationships found under the queer umbrella. They meet the first Tuesday of each month free of charge.
7:30pm–9:30pm. Roundhouse Community Centre, 181 Roundhouse Mews. Free. facebook.com/events/1667959116801333/
Wednesday, June 8
LOUD Awards
Hard to believe it’s been a year already since the last awards. This time there are a record 10 recipients who will be awarded scholarships by the LOUD Foundation. Come meet the youth and hear their stories about their contributions to community. Caryl Dolinko hosts.
6pm–9pm. Telus Garden, 510 West Georgia St. Tickets $65-79 at eventbrite.ca More info at facebook.com/events/246362742390412/
Getting Rough Group
And finally an event that’s right up my alley. If you are experienced in rough body play, come and share your knowledge and passion with the group. If you are new and curious about performing or experiencing rough body play, come get some pointers and basic skills with people who know what they are doing. If you want to practise on floor work, please bring your own mats — unless of course you enjoy a hard surface.
6:30pm–8:30pm. Wise Hall, 1882 Adanac St. Donations welcome. Email questions to contact@metrovancouverkink.com More info at metrovancouverkink.com/happenings/2016-06/
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
Editor’s note June 2, 2016: An event called June Moon, previously scheduled for June 4, was cancelled by the organizer and therefore removed from this week’s list.
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