(As if this weekend’s Rubbout events weren’t hot enough, model Daniel Stilla is also making his debut in the shower at Pumpjack on Friday, April 1./Rick Day photo/Courtesy of Daniel Stilla)
Thursday, March 31
Lights Out
This is my perfect go-to night when I want to remain anonymous and mysterious. It’s the infamous weekly event where the lights (and the men and the manager) go down, and all the meat goes into overdrive. It’s even timed well for the after-work crowd, so you can leave your tie on.
4pm–4am. Steamworks Baths, 123 W Pender St. Rates start at $14. steamworksbaths.com
Rubbout 25: Elemental
This is it! It’s finally here: all those days of looking at the rubber in your closet and fantasizing about this weekend. Rubbout starts tonight and runs to Sunday April 3, so you’re going to need a Del Stamp-sized box of 100mg Viagra to get you through.
Thursday, March 31: Elemental Circus. Celebrate Vancouver’s fetish community at this “Under the Big Top”–themed night. 9:30pm–late. Pumpjack Pub, 1167 Davie St. $10 entry, included in Weekend Pass.
Friday, April 1: Greet The Meat. Pick up registration packages from the Vancouver Men In Leather. 6–8pm. Pumpjack Pub, 1167 Davie St. Free event.
Friday April 1: Elemental Dance Party. The main dance party for the weekend. 9:30pm–1:30am. Gorg-O-Mish, 695 Smithe St. $20 tickets at Little Sister’s, 1238 Davie St or at rubbout.com. Included in the Weekend Pass. No entry after midnight.
Friday, April 1: Elemental After-Party. Everything you couldn’t do everywhere else, you can do here. 11:30pm–6am. Steamworks Baths, 123 W Pender St. Weekend Pass holders get in for free, ticket holders will get a reduced rate with card given at Gorg-O-Mish, otherwise rates start at $16.
Saturday, April 2: Rain City Rubberman Brunch. Yes, you need food. 11am–1pm. Let’s see how many are doing the walk of shame in last night’s rubber. Moxie’s Bar & Grill, 1160 Davie St.
Saturday, April 2: Rubbout Gear Swap and Demos. You can never have enough gear. Get it here for a fraction of the price. 1–5pm. Pumpjack Pub, 1167 Davie St. No charge.
Saturday, April 2: Puppybowl III hosted by VAN-PAH. Come cheer on the pups and rub some bellies. 2–5pm. Pumpjack Pub, 1167 Davie St. No charge.
Saturday, April 2: Rubbout Main Play Party. Check out this fun, intense and sexy party with toys in a large play area. 9:30pm–2:30am. Club 8×6, 1775 Haro St. Door $25, included in the Weekend Pass.
Sunday, April 3: Black, Yellow, Red Play Party. If I have to explain this to you then you should probably stay home. 5–9pm. Steamworks Baths, 123 West Pender St. Included in the Weekend Pass, otherwise $16 weekend rates apply.
For full event schedule and info at rubbout.com
1181 End Of An Era
This is your last chance to get Cocky with Mr Dreaddy, before one of our fixture DJs leaves town to start French immersion in Montreal. (Kind of like an 1181 Dreaddy gangbang, so to speak. Not that he’ll complain.) Tonight, Dreaddy is joined by DJ Patrick Kelly, so there will be lots of time to mix and mingle, and I’m sure a few cocktails will be involved. Don’t forget to bring a donair.
10pm. 1181, 1181 Davie St. No cover. facebook.com/DJAdamDreaddy
Friday, April 1
Strip Roulette
I’m going to need about half the supply of HIM’s condom cabinet and a Red Bull IV drip by the time this weekend is over! Seems like all of this weekend’s events are boner material, and it’s only Friday. Tonight, the Gay Agenda returns and it’s filthier than ever, with lots of nudity. Hot amateur strippers perform strip-appropriate songs. “Some will flirt, some will go full monty, but guaranteed you’ll sweat your ass off and hide your bonerz on the dance floor,” organizers promise. Seeing “Girth Kwake” is worth the price of admission alone.
10:30pm. The Cobalt. 917 Main St. $9 cover. facebook.com/events/443294419199563/
Femme-Stravaganza
Vancouver’s Femme City Choir is an all-genders, queer and trans celebration of femme-fabulous singing. To hear their voices so crisp and vibrant you’d think you were listening to the Vienna Boys Choir before their balls dropped. But make no mistake, this is an evening of pure enjoyment. Performing tonight and Saturday, April 2.
8pm. York Theatre, 639 Commercial Dr. Tickets $25 at thecultch.com/events/the-3rd-annual-femme-stravaganza/
Wet & Wild
I swear I’m going to die before Saturday. As if there weren’t enough hot men in town this weekend, Pumpjack and Steamworks are bringing in three of the sexiest, hottest, bodies around. And one of them, Daniel Stilla, is making his debut; I swear he’s mine! If you can watch this shower show and still have dry shorts, you need help with your plumbing. Top it off with DJ Mumbles and my weekend is complete.
10pm. Pumpjack Pub, 1167 Davie St. $5 cover. facebook.com/thepumpjackpub/
Saturday, April 2
Dagger Editions
Dagger Editions is a new imprint of Caitlin Press dedicated to publishing fiction, non-fiction and poetry by and about queer women. Tonight is a book launch of its first two titles, Oscar Of Between: A Memoir Of Identity & Ideas by Betsy Warland, and Flight Instructions For The Commitment Impaired by Nicola Harwood. Authors Jane Eaton Hamilton, Ali Blythe and Shelagh Plunkett will also read.
7pm. Lost + Found Café, 33 W Hastings St. Free admission but please register at eventbrite.ca/. More info at caitlin-press.com/dagger-editions-launches-april-2-2016
April Queer Swarm
For those not into the Rubbout scene but who still want to have some fun, this is an all-queer, all-bodies, all-genders soiree where you can get your kink, play and party fix. Come try out things, play a bit or just sex it up in welcoming space. All they ask is no hemp rope due to allergies, and no perfumes, colognes or hairsprays.
4pm. Maritime Labour Centre, 1880 Triumph St. $10 entry or pay what you can. facebook.com/Queer-Swarm-Vancouver-1572996742967046/?fref=nf
Wax On, Wax Off
No matter how many times I look at this event, I hear the clap on, clap off music and picture someone pulling the waxed strip off someone’s balls. Yes, my mind goes to weird places sometimes. This is a workshop about the basics of wax play, covering safety, proper materials and the fun to be had applying, removing and layering it on a willing body.
6–7:30pm. Maritime Labour Centre, 1880 Triumph St. Donations welcome for entry. metrovancouverkink.com/happening/wax-on-wax-off/
April Dungeon Party
Once you’ve swarmed and had wax poured on and removed from parts of your body, what more do you need? A dungeon party! MVK presents a night of fun, socializing and all the hot scenes you can imagine joining. This is a welcoming place for everyone, from newbies to seasoned players. If you are new, no worries, there will be a greeter to answer all your questions.
8pm–1am. Maritime Labour Centre, 1880 Triumph St. $20 entrance, $15 for MVK members. metrovancouverkink.com/happening/april-dungeon-party/
Sunday, April 3
Mr/Miss Cobalt Drag Competition
This could be Ryan Steele’s year to win! Have you seen his Ryvainka? She is a natural for this title — or maybe Donald Trump’s new wife. Tonight launches this year’s competition for the coveted Mr/Miss Cobalt title. Hosted by Peach Cobblah, with judges Isolde N Barron and last year’s winner Rose Butch, the road to the finale Friday, April 22 will be paved with broken hearts, dreams and probably a few passed out queens along the way. Preliminaries tonight and Tuesday, April 10; semi-finals on Tuesday, April 17.
8pm. The Cobalt, 917 Main St. Cover $7 and includes a voting ballot. facebook.com/events/1554964838135156/
Monday, April 4
Condom Packing Party
After the weekend I expect to have, I think I’ll be expected to help replenish HIM’s condom supplies. But I’m going to need help. The first and third Monday of the month, join the condom packers and cram, stuff and pack condoms plus lube into tight little parcels. You know the ones; they conveniently fit into even the tightest articles of clothing to keep you safe. Plus, after you’re done, you get a great meal from one of the contributing restaurants in the Village. And there’s always the chance you could test drive a few types of condoms with a fellow volunteer.
6–9pm. Health Initiative for Men office, suite 310, 1033 Davie St. checkhimout.ca/events
Tuesday, April 5
Telling It Bent
Want to learn to write like me? No? Then, sign up for this class. This is a drop-in writing workshop, presented by the frank theatre company, for queer, transgender, two-spirit and questioning youth between ages 14 and 25. A safe, encouraging space to meet others like yourself and learn to express and imagine together.
6:30–8:30pm. Resource Room, Broadway Youth Resource Centre, 2455 Fraser St. Free service. For info email admin@thefranktheatre.com. thefranktheatre.com
Wednesday, April 6
Vancouver Frontrunners
Your friends won’t tell you, so it’s up to me. Christmas, New Year’s and Easter have taken their toll and the back 40 is starting to spread and sag a bit. Pride is just around the corner and that thong is just not going to look as pretty unless you start now to firm it up. Frontrunners, Vancouver’s LGBT running and walking group, is your saviour as every Wednesday night they host a group run, your choice of 9km or 6.12km, clockwise around False Creek. They meet at the Roundhouse where there are showers and lockers to use.
6:30pm. The Roundhouse Community Centre, 181 Roundhouse Mews. Free event. vancouverfrontrunners.org/run-with-vfr/wednesday-run/
(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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