Events

Pride Week is Almost Here! Here are 9 Ways to Celebrate

By Sam Nar /

Pride celebrations that go beyond the Parade.

While Vancouver’s Pride Parade is always a blast, there are a lot of other ways to mark the occasion and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community in the days surrounding it. Here’s a round-up of all the best events in the city happening late July through early August that keep the Pride vibes going.https://www.instagram.com/p/BknVcEXllK2/?taken-by=vancouverpride

1. Pride Sports Day

The annual five to 10-km Pride Run and Walk, sponsored by the Vancouver Frontrunners, brings together members and allies of the LGBTQ2+ community and celebrates a day of games, sports, performances, food trucks, a beer garden, and vendor village, complete with live music. Money raised from the run and walk will be donated to community beneficiaries like Out in Schools and the LOUD Foundation scholarships.When: July 22 at 11 a.m.Where: Second Beach—Stanley Park Dr., Vancouver, B.C.https://www.instagram.com/p/BilhXTbhSaF/?taken-by=thegmtim

2. Quests & Queers

If you’re a gaymer looking for a fun and exciting adventure filled with nerdy-themed cocktails, Storm Crow Alehouse is the place to be. Featuring the greatest combination of letters since D&D (Dungeons & Dragons), Q&Q (Quest & Queers) is a night of board and card games referencing everything from fantasy to science fiction and comic books to horror for the LGBTQ2+ community.When: July 24 at 7 p.m.Where: Storm Crow Alehouse—1619 West Broadway, Vancouver, B.C. (Photo Credit: Vancouver Pride Society)

3. No Gold Star

If it hasn’t hit you yet, brace yourself: midlife crises are a real thing and no one knows it better than Alison Lynne Ward. Her autobiographical one-woman monologue, No Gold Star reveals a blunt look at the relatable, awkward and hilarious journey of being a late-blooming lesbian at 35.When: July 26 at 7:30 p.m.Where: XY Vancouver—1181 Davie St., Vancouver, B.C. (Photo Credit: Inheritance of Shame)

4. The Inheritance of Shame – Memoir Reading and Discussion

Listen to local author, Peter Gajdics, recount the six years he spent in gay-conversion therapy, discuss the trauma and oppression he experienced, and how he found self-acceptance through resilience from his powerful, award-winning memoir, The Inheritance of Shame.When: July 26 at 7 p.m.Where: Little Sister’s Book & Art Emporium—1238 Davie St., Vancouver, B.C. (Photo Credit: SMC Communications, ARC Restaurant)

5. Grab a colourful cocktail

Get into the spirit of Pride with these time-limited, light and fruity sippers from local favourites: ARC Restaurant, Cafe Medina, Juke Fried Chicken, The Salted Vine, Wildebeest, and Tacofino. Partial proceeds earned from the bevies will be donated to various charities so feel free to drink up. (Photo Credit: EventBrite)

6. Lady in Red Pride Ball

Kendall Gender, winner of Vancouver’s Next Drag Superstar in 2017, will be leading the inaugural event with a larger-than-life performance in collaboration with The Brat Pack, followed by Ballet BC’s choreography and local country singer, Patrick Masse. The showcase, meant to celebrate pride and raise money for Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation, will also feature a live DJ and alcoholic beverages to keep the party going into the night.When: July 27 at 7 p.m.Where: Fairmont Hotel Vancouverhttps://www.instagram.com/p/BhcbeyRhTbe/?hl=en&taken-by=kimchi_chic

7. Pride At Parq

Hosted by the stars of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Kim Chi and Pearl, the celebration urges pride-goers to whip out their flashiest outfits and partake in snacking on Pride-inspired cake and cocktails, watching performances by Brat Pack and DJ Dickey Doo, and admiring art installations by renowned artist Tom Pollock.When: August 3 to August 4Where: 39 Smithe St., Vancouver, B.C. (Photo Credit: Vancouver Pride Society)

8. Burnaby Pride

The first-ever LGBT Pride event in the neighbourhood will include a barbecue by Burnaby firefighters, interactive booths from local organizations, music, face painting, games and more.When: August 11 at 12 p.m.Where: Jubilee Avenue between Imperial Street and Nelson Avenuehttps://www.instagram.com/p/Bkf9aZlAJ3F/?taken-by=celebrities_van

9. Celebrities Underground

With its distinctive neon-lit decor, there’s no place more fitting for celebrating Pride Week than Celebrities Nightclub. Party hard and in style with the musical talents of Skylar Love (Lick) and Krista M (Downtown).When: August 3 at 10 p.m.Where: Celebrities Nightclub—1022 Davie Street, Vancouver, British Columbia