(HoneyPot Productions presents Bawdyhaus, a celebration of all men’s bodies of all shapes and sizes, on Saturday, March 26, 2016./Jackson Photografix)
Thursday, March 24
Heroes & Villains
Just because I’m way too old to hang around Comic Con without getting arrested is no reason I can’t drool over a night full of super tight heroes and villains costumes. Can you picture Riley Cox or Ryan Steele in a teeny, tiny, bulging Superman costume? I can! Show your true colours tonight, costumes are highly encouraged. Starring Miss Comic Con herself, Raye Sunshine, along with Glitteris and DJ Dom Top. Whoever has the best look will be walking away with tickets to Batman v Superman. It’s on!
9pm–2am. XYXVR, 1216 Bute St. Cover $5. facebook.com/events/1526540170974406/
Hotbox
And by Hotbox I mean DJ Adam Dreaddy, who is about to depart for snowier patches in Montreal. If you haven’t bagged him already, buy now, this could be your last chance. (Tip: he is a pushover for donair!) Tonight is his legacy to us: a debut of a monthly event to express that fierce side of your gay self. Hosted by the mesmerizing Berlin, with DJs Mr Cox and Quest.
10pm–3am. Bar None, 1222 Hamilton St. Tickets $25-30 at Stratosphere Salon, 1259 Granville St, and at door. facebook.com/events/1532787160370979/
Hershe Bar
It’s not a long weekend without a night for the ladies, and knowing these ladies there should be a hangover Easter Brunch attached. DJs Ricki Rocket and Miss M will make you sweat with everything from old school to Top 40. Looking for a bit of love? Check out the ones wearing the singles bracelets.
10pm–2am. Red Room Ultra Bar, 398 Richards St. Tickets $15 at Little Sister’s, 1238 Davie St, or at flygirlproductions.com
Friday, March 25
Timberline Dance
Ready for some do-si-do, or some square or line dancing? First you have to learn some country-western lingo so you won’t get into trouble like me. Phrases like “a lick and a promise,” “balled up” and, my personal favourite, “bang the devil around the stump” may not mean what you think, even though you are at the Pumpjack. Just smile, nod and tap your toe. No partner required and there is even a free dance lesson right at the start, so even I looked good. It’s easy, it’s fun and if you are lucky some other guy will bang the devil around your stump.
7pm. Pumpjack Pub, 1167 Davie St. No cover. pumpjackpub.com
Ruff Fifth Anniversary
Ruff, abused and violated is exactly how I felt after this party’s fourth anniversary — so best night ever! Parts of me hurt that I didn’t know anything could fit in, so this year has a lot to live up to. But with studly DJs Gingerbear Todd, Del Stamp and Bret Law (SEA) it sounds promising. Throw in the candidates for Mr Ruff 2016 and I could go home with a trifecta. Stick around after the anniversary party for the after-party right around the corner at Steamworks Baths. I suggest you do a bit of stretching first, and no, I don’t mean your limbs.
8pm–3am. The Pint, 455 Abbott St. Tickets $15/$20 at Top Drawers, 809 Davie St, or online at mnevents.ca. More info at facebook.com/events/240661926273965/
PCAN: Naked White Party
The only question about a naked white party at Easter is where do you hide the chocolate eggs? Wherever it is, I will find out, so better make sure there are a few in there. The Pacific Canadian Association of Nudists hosts some of the best parties in town; I never have to worry about what outfit to wear and I never clash. Party with a great group of gay and bisexual men of all ages, sizes, body types and looks. Socializing in the nude is relaxing and calming — after the first five terrifying minutes when you think you have to clutch your wallet between your cheeks. Everyone is nervous at first so bite the bullet, take a chance and enjoy yourself.
8pm–2am. Club 8×6, 1775 Haro St. Cover $10 members, $15 guests. p-can.org/
Man Up
It’s been eight years since its launch and tonight is a celebration of Man Up’s history, its countless performers and supporters. Some of these kings have been putting on goatees and mustaches longer than my dates have been shaving. Man Up has come a long way since its Lick Club days in Gastown. Join Ponyboy, Rose Butch, Jenny Magenta and many others as they say thanks from the bottom of their drawers.
Doors 9pm, show 11pm. The Cobalt, 917 Main St. Tickets $15 advance at Little Sister’s, 1238 Davie St, or $16 at door. facebook.com/manupvancouver/?fref=nf
Saturday, March 26
Coronation 45: All Things that Sparkle
With 45 years of memories, this night will be entertaining and very long. I made a mistake at Coronation 43 and didn’t pace myself. I didn’t realize that I would be there drinking for three hours before anything happened and I accidently stood on the train of a very bitchy drag queen’s gown. She will remain nameless, but you would have thought I’d just stood on her baby. Give the ladies some room and all will be well. The performances are always dazzling, the outfits mesmerizing and during the introductions and speeches there is plenty of time for the bar.
Doors 5pm. Coronation 6pm. Performance Works, 1218 Cartwright St, Granville Island. Tickets $55 at Little Sister’s, 1238 Davie St. facebook.com/events/1627263984213811/
Sex & Shine Latex Play Party
Sex, latex, shiny and slippery: you can’t really go wrong with all that in one night. This is PLUR’s fist strict dress code party. A night of sexual kinkiness, slippery debauchery and mind races, with rope and suspension rides, a dungeon area, DJs, performances and all the skin you can handle.
9pm–5am. Club 8×6, 1775 Haro St. Tickets $25 and strict dress code at plurproductions.ca/
Pump
The one place in town where you can grab as many baskets as you want for Easter and nobody stops you, though the eggs are a bit hairy and firm. The best ones are on the nubile bartenders; catch one if you can, they are quick. Tonight is leather night, so dress code is in effect after 9pm. Go-go men, DJ Dannathor and the best dance floor in the village.
9pm–3am. Pumpjack Pub, 1167 Davie St. $5 cover after 9pm, no cover if in leather gear. pumpjackpub.com
Bawdyhaus
The name alone caught my eye, as it sounds dirty, kinky and downward dog kind of sexy. When I found out it was the return of HoneyPot Productions, I was sold. Organizers promise a return to the raw entertainment of the city’s leather bar past, a meeting place to cruise, drink, dance and socialize in an atmosphere without judgment. Gingerbear Todd invites you to celebrate that gay men have different bodies that are beautiful in different ways. Dress up or dress down to show off what god gave you and enjoy the night. No photography is allowed.
9pm–3am. Hindenburg, 23 West Cordova St. Tickets $15 at Top Drawers, 809 Davie St, and online at facebook.com/events/172954986427300/
Sunday, March 27
Sunday Service
What would Easter Sunday be without falling to your knees and worshipping all that is put before you? This is a new type of weekly religion where you can worship to your heart’s content, over and over again. No small talk, no awkward silence, just look around the room, find what interests you and drop to your knees, all while working to the beats of DJ Zarfan.
4–8pm. Steamworks Baths, 123 West Pender St. $12, locker rentals. steamworksbaths.com/vancouver/events/
Overture: A Fetish Odyssey
Who would have guessed that Easter is all about sex, men, parties and fetish? Silver Lodge brings you a night of kink, music, dancing, performances and art. If goth, industrial, deathrock, metal and synth are your taste then this is for you, but fear not they have a little bit of everything for the rest of us. There is a strict fetish dress code listed on the page so please check it to make sure you’re not turned away.
8pm. The Lux Lounge, 1180 Howe St. Cover $10 before 10pm, $15 after. facebook.com/events/1569883796671345/
Bunny Boy Party
If you haven’t had your fill for Easter yet, this is the last hurrah and the final night for Adam Dreaddy (I promise) before he skips town. If all the other parties are ending and you’re still looking at your left hand like it’s prom night, here’s your chance for romance. DJs Adam Dreaddy and Mattilda Ho will have you sweating your sack till breakfast at Denny’s. Remember this party starts at 2am on Monday morning (that’s after the bars close Sunday night for those who are a bit time challenged).
2–8am. Gorg-O-Mish, 695 Smithe St. Cover TBA on facebook.com/events/807008082776983/
Update: Cover has now been set at $30.
Tuesday, March 29
The Laramie Project
If you only see one play this year I highly recommend this one. When Matthew Shepard was beaten and left to die in 1998 outside of Laramie, Wyoming, the horror of the event woke the world to the homophobia that existed even in small, supposedly friendly towns. The writers of this play went to interview the town’s inhabitants to try to understand the tragic events. They turned the interviews of the townsfolk into The Laramie Project. Play runs until Sunday, April 3.
7:30pm every night until Sunday, April 3, with matinees at 2pm Saturday and Sunday. Studio 1398, 1398 Cartwright St, Granville Island. Tickets $20 students, $30 adults at brownpaperticket.com. More info at facebook.com/events/1629165344013955
Wednesday, March 30
Positive Outcomes: A Community Dialogue Around HIV And The Law
Everyone has different views on this contentious topic and you should get informed and involved. Canada’s criminal law has been used to prosecute people living with HIV. The criminalization of HIV non-disclosure has been justified as a tool to stop HIV transmission, but does it work? Organizers encourage people still learning about this topic to attend. They say their aim is to make this event a place where everyone can ask questions and learn more. Sponsored by SFSS and YouthCO, with speakers Dr Hedy Fry, Micheal Vonn and Sandy Lambert.
6pm. Room 1420-1430, SFU Harbour Centre, 515 W Hastings St. Free event. More info at facebook.com/events/193789770985116
(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.)
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