(There are many great Halloween parties this year, says Tom Coleman, who loves a good masked ball but is not pictured above — or is he? Scroll down to see Tom’s 2015 Halloween picks, and click on our events tab for more./Jupiterimages/PHOTOS.com/Thinkstock)
Thursday, Oct 29
Financial Planning Workshop
If many of you are, like me, on your way to getting as old as dirt and spent most of your paycheques growing up at the Gandydancer, Shaggy Horse or the original Celebrities, then this may be the seminar for you. Investment and wealth protection specialists from Vancity Credit Union’s West End branch are hosting a workshop specifically for LGBT seniors. It’s never too late to learn to help yourself. The workshop will take place at Gordon Neighbourhood House, 1019 Broughton St, on Tuesday, Nov 17, from 2–5pm but you must pre-register early by email to generations@qmunity.ca to get a spot. qmunity.ca
Cock
This award-winning play by Mike Bartlett sounds like an early scene from my life. Man has boyfriend, accidently falls in love with a woman, both are ready to fight for him and will wait for him to make up his mind. How will it end? We all know how it ended for me. But this may have a surprise ending, you never know. Play runs until Sunday, Nov 8, Tuesday through Saturday at 8pm. Matinees Saturday and Sunday at 2pm. Performance Works, 1218 Cartwright St, Granville Island. Tickets $15–30 at https://tickets.artspoints.com. More info at rumble.org.
Friday, Oct 30
Backdoor Halloween
Costume parties with masks are the stuff of wet dreams. Skimpy, tight costumes plus hidden faces bring to mind countless sexcapades where nobody knows who you are. What better place to have this much fun than at a 10,000 square foot gay warehouse party? Four massive rooms, a giant patio, cruising areas and lots of sinful spaces to release your inhibitions. DJs Adam Dreaddy, Karsten Sollors, Kasey Riot, Gingerbear Todd, Zarfan, Chris Camplin and Teen Spirit will provide the beats. Hosts Berlin, Jane Smoker, Katy Hairy and Ann More will do the rest. 10pm. Vancouver Art & Leisure, 1965 Main St. Tickets $25 at ticketzone.com. Info at facebook.com/events/446769245527242/
Saturday, Oct 31
Queer as Funk: Fear of Funk II
I personally love this band. Their concerts explode with high-energy dance music that gets even my two left feet moving as if I’m Ginger Rogers in a big, chiffon dress. Seriously, this band’s repertoire goes from beloved funk and Motown classics to Amy Winehouse and Justin Timberlake — and they do it dressed to the nines every time. Doors 7pm, show 8pm sharp. Fortune Sound Club, 147 E Pender St. Tickets $20 advance at Highlife Records, 1317 Commercial Dr or $30 at door. facebook.com/events/1697956817093788/
Phallus in Wonderland
Come see what I stick down the rabbit hole! With so much happening — including body painting by Luisa Tolhuizen — this party is bound to be fun. First painted bulls-eye ass I see is going to be my cue for a bit of target practice! Alice will be there getting messy, and steer clear of the Red Queen — she might be getting even messier. DJs Dennis Kindel and Shelly will spin all night and there will be prizes for best costumes. 8pm–3am. Numbers, 1042 Davie St. Cover TBA. numbers.ca
Touch of Evil & Hard Boiled
I’m going to need a few doses of Viagra for this one, plus a case of Red Bull, a B12 shot, a fanny pack of condoms, a vat of lube and a dick splint afterwards! Two Noir fetish parties, one venue, from dusk till dawn: a Halloween double feature. First off is Touch of Evil, from 9pm–2am, followed by Hard Boiled, from 3–7am. Both parties have dungeon space, a dance cage, hidden spaces and hot sweaty bodies, but only Touch of Evil is licensed. But Hard Boiled is Noir’s first Sex-On-Premises permitted event. Costume or fetish attire mandatory at both parties. No admission to Hard Boiled after 4am. Club 8×6, 1775 Haro St. Tickets $25 for each event or $40 for a double-feature ticket. Advance tickets at Deadly Couture, 317 Cambie St or at noirvancouver.com
Sunday, Nov 1
Camp
Janice Ungaro. Hearing that name takes me back to the first comedy festival I ever attended, in the late 1980s in Vancouver. Yes, even then I headed in from the burbs many a night to get laid, as I was fresh meat to the Vancouver crowd. In later years I’d listen to Janice on my daily drive to work on her morning radio show, which kept me in stitches the entire ride. Now, after all these years, she is back on Vancouver radio every Sunday night with Cory Ashworth on Roundhouse Radio 98.3’s new gay show, CAMP! Check it out. 7-9pm. roundhouseradio.com
Monday, Nov 2
Packing Party
I know what it’s like to try to shove something thick and wide into a tight, little package! The guys at the Health Initiative for Men need some help preparing those little packages of condoms and lube that we all grab at the bars — grab for free, I might add. Christmas is coming and the demand is high. Nobody wants a New Year’s STI, so join other volunteers tonight for a fun night of packing and meeting new people. 6–9pm. HIM office, 310-1033 Davie St. checkhimout.ca
Tuesday, Nov 3
Shame Spiral
Finally, I can get me some Peach Cobblah! Not as tasty as what my mom used to make, but a hell of a lot fruitier. After what seemed like an eternity away, Peach Cobblah is back at 1181 with a vengeance. Drag, perverse games and true shame spiral stories, where drag queens admit to the horrendous and usually painfully funny decisions they have made on their way to the top (or to get a top). With DJ Karsten Sollors and a plethora of guests, you will truly be entertained. 8–11pm. 1181, 1181 Davie St. No cover. facebook.com/events/441411922692635/
(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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