July 29, 2023 Pride edition - The (not so) Straight guide to Pride

TOGETHER WITH

What’s this? A Georgia Straight Gay email on a Tuesday?

We put together a special-edition P R I D E newsletter to showcase the collection of stories we’ve published about the events, art, and news for this year’s Pride celebration in Vancouver.

And what a celebration it’s looking to be! Festivities have already kicked off in earnest this past weekend with a number of events, and the the upcoming weekend will see the two-day VanPrideFest at Concord Pacific Place, and the annual parade on Sunday at noon.

But you’ll learn about all that and more by scrolling on down.

Happy Pride, Vancouver!

You might've missed:

• ‘We all uplift each other’: How Vancouver’s drag and burlesque scenes are coming together

• Rosette rebrands as Gastown’s only queer bar

• Drag legends Jinkx Monsoon and BenDeLaCreme are coming (back) to town

• How grassroots queer arts collectives spark community joy

• "People can feel at home here": queer-run businesses create safer spaces

• Happy Pride, Bimini's is a queer bar now

FEATURE

Enby 6 drag star Rogue on serving, strutting, and changing minds

Catching a drag artist during Pride season is like trapping a firefly in a jar.

There’s light, but they can’t stay long: onto the next show, the next brunch, the next crowd to entertain. Rogue, though, has somehow managed to find a happy balance. They’re busy, but not overwhelmed.

Find our interview with Rogue here.

SPONSORED BY VANCOUVER PRIDE SOCIETY

Reconnect at The Vancouver Pride Festival

Pride weekend is just around the corner! This year VanPrideFest will take over Concord Pacific Place on August 5 and 6 for a two-day free festival, featuring headlining acts Fefe Dobson, Coco & Breezy, Madison Rose and Prado Monroe, who will be joined by some of Vancouver’s top drag performers and DJs. The Bubly Davie St. Lounge will be open from August 3 to 6, bringing a hub of creativity and Pride celebrations to the heart of the West End. On August 6, the Vancouver Pride Parade will debut a new route, departing from the intersection of Denman St. and Davie.

Check out the full programming and get tickets on Vancouver Pride Society’s website!

ARTS

Theatre Under The Stars Pride Night is building a prom for everyone

“I don’t universally love all musicals,” laughs Anna Pontin. It might be a strange admission from the star of Theatre Under The Stars’ (TUTS) production of The Prom, but The Prom is a bit of a strange musical.

COMMENTARY

Myth-busting the origins of anti-trans hate in Canada

Pride feels different this year.

There are more events and shows and community than ever before. But it’s all backgrounded with the knowledge that anti-LGBTQ2S+ hate has been surging: in Canada, in the US, in the UK, and around the world.

Here’s a commentary piece by our associate editor V. S. Wells on myths surrounding the origins of trans hate.

ARTS

Art is a form of protest at the Dyke March

The first Pride was a riot. And although increasing social acceptance of queerness has allowed Pride to transform from riot to parade, until all LGBTQIA+ people can live openly, without fear, there is still a need for protest.

That’s where the Dyke March comes in.

COMMENTARY

There are no sidelines—we all play a role in 2SLGBTQ+ liberation

From the extremely violent laws being passed in Uganda and Florida, to the rise in anti-2SLGBTQ+ violence in Canada, 2SLGBTQ+ people’s lives are under increasing threat.

Stephanie Allen writes about why it is so important, and necessary, for cisgender heterosexual people to stand in solidarity as allies to the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

THE REST

Parq becomes a Pride hotspot

One of the flashiest buildings in the city, Parq Vancouver will serve as an official sponsor partner for this year’s Vancouver Pride Festival. Highlight events started on July 28 with the Third Annual Posh Ball on the complex’s 30,000 square-foot rooftop, and more events are planned for the coming days.

Check out our food notes roundup to find out more.

🗓 Events & things to do

Tuesday, August 1

• Fitness is Such a DRAG: Celebrate Vancouver Pride with a fitness fundraiser featuring performances by Canada’s Drag Race star Kendall Gender with Bibi SouPhresh, Tiffany Ann Co., and Venus. | Aug. 1 | 6:30 to 8:30pm | By donation | šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square

Wednesday, August 2

• Pride Fish and Sips: Guests will be immersed in a vibrant underwater world as they connect with 65,000 incredible animals after-hours and watch crab-ulous drag performances by Juice Boxx, Kendall Gender, and Synthia Kiss from Canada’s Drag Race. | Aug. 2 | 7 to 10pm | $65 | Vancouver Aquarium

• Spotlight Showdown PRIDE EDITION: It’s a fight club arena mixed with drag and burlesque. Featuring Hotsy Flashy, Jesse Creations, Angora Phobia, Kash, Cherri Satin, Hiightagion, and Dee Monstrative. | Aug. 2 | 8pm | $15 | The Show Cellar at Park Pub

Thursday, August 3

• The Really Gay History Tour: Drag kings, two spirit warriors, and queer church ministers—this walking tour is a celebration of the unsung heroes who forever changed the social fabric of our city. | Aug 3 to 7 | 10am | $29-$32 | Robert Lee YMCA

• Follow The Rainbow Brick Road - Pride in Gastown: Kick off Vancouver Pride weekend in true Gastown style: with live music, dancing, and all of the love. | Aug. 3 | 4 to 8pm | Free | Maple Tree Square Plaza

• Pride Week - Allyship Workshop: Engage in an allyship education presentation accompanied by interactive activities, light refreshments, and social connections through artistic expression. | Aug. 3 | 4:30 to 6pm | Free, registration required | Cambie Community Centre

• After Dark: Celebrating Pride: Celebrate Vancouver Pride with an lineup of performers, drag stars, and science communicators at Science World. | Aug. 3 | 7 to 11pm | $48 | Science World

• One Night Stand Up: Comedy lovers gather for Comedy Here Often?’s Pride show, hosted by Shanda Leer and featuring Savannah Erasmus, Cassidy Anhorn, DJ On, and Patti Asvard slinging their funny stuff. | Aug. 3 | 7 to 10pm | From $15 | Bubly Davie Street Lounge

Friday, August 4

• ENBY 6 and Virago Nation: Vancouver’s all non-binary drag house meets the city’s all-Indigenous queer burlesque collective for an afternoon and evening of queer, iconic, sexy performances. | Aug. 4 | 4 to 10pm | From $16.43 | Bubly Davie Street Lounge

• FakeKnot Arts Society: Catch a free dance performance by the FakeKnot Arts Society at Metropolis at Metrotown’s South Plaza. | Aug. 4 | 2pm and 3 pm | Free | Metrotown’s South Plaza

Saturday, August 5

• AfroQueer: This party for self-identifying queer Afrodiaspora will share art, music, dance, culture, and creativity, with all-Black DJs, dancers, vendors, security, and staff. | Aug. 5 | 5pm to midnight | $45 | Bubly Davie Street Lounge

• Drag Queen Karaoke: Celebrate the power of Pride by singing in the spotlight or taking in the tunes while enjoying light refreshments. | Aug. 5 | 3 to 5pm | Free, registration required | East Richmond Community Hall

• Euphoria Pride 2023: This Harbour Events Centre party will see performances by Anjunadeep artist Qrion, Sam Gee, Matt Suave, Spencer Huff, and Luca Fernandez, and will be hosted by Hazel. | Aug. 5 | 10pm to 3am | $42.89 | Harbour Event Centre

• VanPrideFest: For the first time, Pride is going to be a two-day affair. The stage at Concord Pacific Place will be buzzing both Saturday and Sunday, featuring performances from Fefe Dobson, Coco & Breezy, Madison Rose, and Prado Monroe on the main stage over the weekend. | August 5 and 6 | Free | Concord Pacific Place

Sunday, August 6

• 16 West Pride BLOCK PARTY: Join resident drag host Phyllis Hull to bring at 16 West’s very first Pride Block Party, featuring delicious food, thirst-quenching drinks, epic DJs, and quirky drag. | Aug. 6 | Noon to 5pm | $30 | 16 West, North Vancouver

• Queen Titans: Local drag icon Rogue hosts a slate of top-notch Vancouver performers, with artists including Bebo, Diamonté, Albion Top, Margaux Rita, Hazel, Batty Banks, and Atondra Deville taking to the stage. | Aug. 6 | From $16.43 | Bubly Davie Street Lounge

• Free To Be - Pride Celebration and Parade Viewing: Kick off the Parade route with hosts Nate Fadear and Ilona Verley (From season one of Canada’s Drag Race) with live parade commentary, drag queen performances, and a DJ party set by DJ ChoCha. | Aug. 6 | 11am to 7pm | $43.93 | Three Brits Public House

• Pride Pitstop at BC Place: Parade and festival-goers can enjoy the beer garden located at Gate E on the outer concourse of BC Place. There will be food trucks, drink service, photo opportunities, and live music featuring DJ O Show. | Aug. 6 | 11am to 7pm | Free | BC Place Gate E

Monday, August 7

• Kendall’s Pride Recovery Brunch: Recover from Pride celebrations with a bottomless brunch and a drag show featuring Fairmont Pride Ambassador Kendall Gender. | Aug. 7 | 10:30am to 1:30pm | $85 | ARC Restaurant, Fairmont Waterfront

Find more things to do around the city in our events listings.