Thursday, June 25
Stonewall Remembered
I wasn’t old enough to know what Stonewall was all about when it first took place, but I learned. For those of you who have no idea of what Stonewall or the Compton Cafeteria Riots did for us, you should learn too. And for those of you who know but have forgotten, shame on you. Tonight we can all revisit those years and support the Rhinestone Phoenix Charity Foundation at the same time. Bring your friends, remember the Stonewall Riots and view a special screening of Compton’s Cafeteria Riots of 1966. These riots were actually the first rebellion of GLBTQ people and began the fight against homophobia. 7:30-10:30pm. The Junction, 1138 Davie St. $5 donation at door. junctionpub.com
XYYVR
I have checked out Jenn Mickey’s Facebook page so many times that my partner thinks I’ve switched teams! Every time I walk by the closed-for-renos gates at 1216 Bute St I hope they’ll suddenly fly open for me. But the wait is finally over. Tonight is the grand opening of a newly revamped space in Davie Village. Featuring performances by Jane Smoker, Jaylene Tyme, Raye Sunshine and Valynne Vile with DJs Landon James and Zach Shore. And you just know Ryan Steele will be flexing behind the bar. 7pm. XYYVR, 1216 Bute St. Tickets $10 at eventbrite.com. For more info check their Facebook page.
Friday, June 26
Timberline Two Step and Line Dancing
I have my own version of the two-step when I am at PJs — it’s how I get away from that too-drunk guy that always seems to think I am his long-lost lay. Tonight pull on your shit-kicking boots, get out the skin-tight jeans, find your best plaid shirt and scoop up a dollar-store cowboy hat and come get your Hoedown. Dance lesson at 8pm and no need for a partner. PumpJack Pub, 1167 Davie St. timberlinedance.org
Saturday, June 27
East Side Pride
Wandering around a park in East Van is something I would have done in my youth, at night, after copious amounts of alcohol or other things, looking for whatever fun I could find. But celebrating East Side Pride is the best reason to visit a park during the day. Drop by for an afternoon of performances, games, food, local bands, fashion shows and, of course, the East Side’s best drag performers. There is also a market where you can see the work of local artists and learn about community groups and services. This is a sober event. 11am-6pm. Grandview Park, 1657 Charles St at Commercial Dr. vancouverpride.ca/
Queer X Queer: 100% Queer Content
Figures someone would take the name of my autobiography! Man Up is back with its East Side Pride after-party. Performances by Ponyboy, Rose Butch, Leaping Thespians and many more, plus DJs Miss M and Bey. “So what happens when you give a gaggle of drag things the parameters of strictly queer content?” asks the write-up on their Facebook page. “What is queer to the power of queer?” Find out tonight. 9pm. The Cobalt, 917 Main St. Cover $8 before 10pm, $13 after.
Sunday, June 28
Surrey Pride Festival
’Tis the season and Pride just keeps coming. Finally a big enough area where Barb Snelgrove can let loose — a whole park for her to MC the festival! Featuring performances by The Rainbow Concert Band, Squares Across The Border, Motley Cougars, Opera for Heathens and many more. 12-5pm. Holland Park, 13428 Old Yale Rd, Surrey. surreypride.ca
Tuesday, June 30
enSoul
If you are one of the multitudes of onlookers, like myself, who will make any detour to see the hunky, half-naked Mr Cox bartending nightly, then here is one more excuse for you to visit. Join DJs Mr Cox, Qwest and G-Luve as they back up DJ Deko-ze at this pre-Canada Day party in the Village’s recently reopened hotspot. 9pm-2am. XYYVR, 1216 Bute St. Tickets: Early Bird $12, Advance $15 at eventbrite.com. For more info check out their Facebook page.
Wednesday, July 1
Canada Day Cruise
CruiseyT is back and I am still trying to find my beach body. I know it’s under here somewhere, but I guess that’s what cocktails are for. Tonight sail around Vancouver on the best party boat around and see an amazing fireworks show exploding above your head. Enjoy DJs Zach Shore and Mattilda Ho, with performances by Raye Sunshine and Jane Smoker. Hotties Dan Bevan and Mateo McIntyre will heat up the dancefloor. Boarding 7pm. Cruise 7:30-11:30pm. MV Brittania, 501 Denman St. Tickets $25 at cruiseyt.com
Red, White, Tight And Bright
I thought this was one of those spanking parties I keep getting invites for. But this is Matt Troy’s one-night, all-out, multi-room Canada Day rave that promises to liberate the dance floor. Featuring air-conditioned specially-curated rooms, custom-installations, art shows, and some surprises. 10pm. Vancouver Art And Leisure, 1965 Main St, back entrance. Tickets $15 at the door, $20 after midnight, based on capacity. Check out their Facebook page for more info.
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