(Catch the final five performances of Iona Whipp, seen here winning Vancouver’s Next Drag Superstar in 2012, at XY Legends, starting Sunday, May 8, 2016./Daily Xtra video team)
Thursday, May 5
Rainbow Soup Social
I snack too much while I prepare food so I might not a good fit for this program, but here is your chance to meet awesome people, have fun, feel good about yourself and help out others. Every week the Health Initiative for Men (HIM) brings people together to create soups for queer people and their allies. First aid training and Food Safe are assets but not necessary.
5–7pm. Gordon Neighbourhood House, 1019 Broughton St. Email register@checkhimout.ca to register. checkhimout.ca/
OURO Collective Presents PACE/Kaleido
For those of us who need to add a bit of culture to our week, I have been told this group is awesome. And you get to see two separate presentations: PACE, choreographed by the OURO Collective, and the debut presentation of Kaleido, choreographed by Tentacle Tribe and performed by the OURO Collective, with Antonio Somera and many others. Show runs until Sunday, May 8.
7:30–10:30pm, May 5–7; 1:30pm, May 8. Studio 1398, 1398 Cartwright St, Granville Island. Tickets $22 online, $25 at door. facebook.com/events/849642701824996/
Friday, May 6
Shipyards Night Market
Mixing alcohol and water tends to go badly for me, as I usually fall into a pool or off a dock. So the idea of a night market with 35 food trucks, vendors, artisan crafts, music, live entertainment, hundreds of North Shore men and a beer garden at the shipyards might require a lifejacket. But I’m still not missing this weekly event. Every Friday night, jump on the Seabus and head to the best bit of fun within stumbling distance home.
5–10pm. Shipbuilder’s Square, 138 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver. Admission is free. northshoregreenmarkets.com/shipyards.html
Hustla Gay Agenda
When I say Peach Cobblah is bringing you the triple Ds, I don’t mean she finally got that long-awaited boob job. I mean dancing, drag and dicks! She has combined the bodies of Gay Agenda with the drag and dancing of Hustla to bring you a night that’s over the top. Join Peach as she introduces cuties who drop their gear with a smile, interspersed with your favourite Cobalt queens, like Jane Smoker and Girth Kwake. This is just a summer warm-up, folks.
9pm–2am. The Cobalt, 917 Main St. Cover TBA. facebook.com/events/1400605703572245/
Barely Legal
Now that got your attention. But get your mind out of the gutter (even though the hilarious Darcy Michael is part of this show). Barely Legal is a secret underground stand-up show, featuring the best comics around the city. Tonight features Darcy Michael, Colin Sharp, Jane Stanton, Ivan Decker and more. Want to know the secret location? Message the group on Facebook to find out. Don’t you feel special now?
8:30–11:30pm. Secret location around town. $5 cover. facebook.com/events/1126415470754648/
Cubshack: Homecoming
I have abstained from any kind of sexual arousal all week so that I can do as many cubs as possible tonight. Cubshack is back and even DJ Karsten Sollors is coming back to town from Chicago to get you in the groove. Berlin and Josh Daurie will be checking you for Spring Fever. Rub sticks with cubs, bears and daddies to start a few fires and hopefully there will be a hose or two to wet you down.
10:30pm. XYYVR, 1216 Bute St. Cover $12 but $2 off for leather or fetish. facebook.com/events/1544395832529311/
Saturday, May 7
12th Annual World Naked Gardening Day
I really don’t want to be naked and gardening anywhere near Del Stamp or Kevin Moroso because the minute you bend over to dig a hole, seed’s bound to get planted in your butt. Honestly, though, this is truly a thing, so drop your gear, get out the hoe, spread some manure and plant to your heart’s content. I just know I am going to see that zinc sunscreen on more than just noses. jobbiecrew.com/world-naked-gardening-day/
Blue Herron Lawn Bowling Open House
For us older gays that want to do a sport but not get sweaty (and instead look like we just stepped off an afternoon on a cruise ship), lawn bowling is the answer. More and more gay boys are getting involved; where else can you find a distinguished daddy? Come down to the open house today, check things out and register for the league. Complimentary lessons start Monday, May 9, and the regular league begins Thursday, May 19.
11am-3pm. Stanley Park lawn Bowling Club, 2099 Beach Ave. facebook.com/blueheronlawnbowling/?fref=ts
Van-Pah
Spring is in the air and the horny pups are back. For those of us who love getting our butt sniffed and legs humped for hours, it’s a good thing. This monthly mosh is a time for pups and handlers to get together and socialize, have fun and play. Come down and watch the pups romp around, play with toys and have a blast. Puppy gear is admired but never required.
2–4pm. Pumpjack Pub, 1167 Davie St. No cover. vanpah.com
VRM Spring Thing
I’m still curious about the vacuum bed I saw at Rubbout. Encased in latex, air sucked out so you can’t move and then people play and stroke whatever part of you they want. In case you didn’t get your fill, or get filled enough, at Rubbout, Vancouver RubberMen are bringing back the possibilities with their Spring Thing. Reid Dalgleish is bringing not only the Vac-bed but the Vac-tower as well, and there may be electricity to try out too. Newbies and seasoned veterans alike, there will be something for everyone to try or even just to watch.
2–5pm. Pumpjack Pub, 1167 Davie St. No cover. sites.google.com/site/yvrrubbermen/events
Hanky Code/Underwear Party
Is it an Underwear Party? Is it a Hanky Party? It’s both! A combined party that pleases everyone. Hot men, bears and cubs, all in their underwear and with as many coloured hankies as they can handle. What are your colours? Can you guess mine? Better carry a hanky code list with you or you could be in trouble.
9pm. Pumpjack Pub, 1167 Davie St. Cover $5. pumpjackpub.com
Sunday, May 8
XY Legends
What’s happening, Vancouver? Is our talent leaving for greener pastures? First Karsten Sollors went to Chicago, then Adam Dreaddy to Montreal, now Iona Whipp and her sexy husband Alex Whipp-Beast are off to Saskatoon. Okay, Saskatoon is a bit of a stretch in terms of greener pastures, but you get the point. Fortunately you can still see Iona with Jaylene Tyme for the next five weeks, and maybe catch her Liza Minnelli or Velma Kelly, one last time. This show will go on without her but it will be a few lights dimmer until her return.
8pm. XYYVR, 1216 Bute St. Cover $5. facebook.com/events/1162055010524928/
Monday, May 9
Get Stumped
All fetish jokes aside, tonight is a quiz show where they test your knowledge on such things as name that tune, movie clips, general knowledge, and so on. Enter a team of five or just join by yourself and get placed on a team. Who will be the Ultimate Grand Superior Trivia Master?
7:30–10:30pm. The Junction, 1138 Davie St. facebook.com/junctionvan/photos/a.327101557349045.78739.111718238887379/1134840973241762/?type=3&theater
Wednesday, May 11
Giving Good Head
I offered to be the guinea pig for this seminar but alas they didn’t need me. I do know a number of guys I would encourage to sign up for this workshop and luckily they all read this column. Learn to blow more than your guy`s mind with easy techniques to make him moan and hopefully get his eyes to roll back in his head. You will see some DVDs of famous blowjob artists at work and pick up some new techniques.
7:30–9:30pm. The Art Of Loving, 369 W Broadway. Session $35 and register online or call 604-742-9988. artofloving.ca/seminars/seminar—topics/giving—good—head
Reverb: A Queer Reading Series
Reading poetry has never been my strong point, but listening to heartfelt poetry is a whole different story. Tonight, celebrate the launch of Vivek Shraya’s poetry debut of Even This Page is White.
7–10pm. Gallery Gachet, 88 E Cordova St. No one turned away for lack of funds. facebook.com/events/1307130095969223/
(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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