Out in Vancouver, Nov 9-16 with Tom Coleman
Photo by Marko Pekić on Unsplash
Call the hotline! What could be more enticing? Lots to see and do this week in Vancouver - galas and plays and cabarets. See you there!
Friday, Nov 9
Hotline
Remember all those nights you spent on a chat line waiting for someone to answer your ad, before there were computers? Now you can call a line anytime today just to find out where the secret location to the party is. Tonight featuring Kasey Riot, Xtine, Gissala and more to keep your night moving and the dance floor hopping.
12am. Call 604-367-1794 day-of for secret Vancouver location. Ooooh I love a mystery. Hotline
The Rainbow Roundtable
This is a weekly discussion, speaker, and activity group which provides a place for persons 55+ to share stories, wisdom and their experiences with the challenges with aging in the LGBTQ2S community. Tonight the topic is Mental Health & Emotional Wealth with apeakers Deborah English MA, RCC & Claire Benson-Mendl BA, RRP, CVP and will cover practical information like how to identify depression vs sadness, and ways to support people experiencing it as well as “The Body Compass” an intuitive process of bypassing the litany of shoulds that guide our decisions and subconsciously weigh us down. Refreshments provided
6:30 - 9:00 pm. $5 Drop-in fee payable at the front desk. Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre - Mezzanine Room. Rainbow Roundtable
Saturday, Nov 10
Get Happy #3
Most people need a vape or a toke for this but for the rest of us music is our therapy. Late night with Nancy Dru with support from Kasha T and Society.
11pm—5am. 333 Clark Dr. $10 before midnight. Get Happy
Sunday, Nov 11
Commercial Drag 36: Gasp!
Ever wanted to see a drag show that will make you squeal like a little piggy with excitement? They are pulling out all the stops for this one. She has been shocking audiences with her glamour and outrageousness in this community for decades; excited to welcome Imelda Mae Santos to the Commercial Drag stage. Joining her is the queen of gasp Anne Xiety, a dozen other queens and hosted by the ever talented Dust for a full night of dinner and drag.
8pm—12am. The London Pub, 700 Main St. Cover $5. Gasp!
Blue Ball
HIM is 10 years old! From beginnings in 2008, HIM has engaged with our community to deliver innovative programs that fulfill our mission of “strengthening the health and well-being of gay men.” HIM’s inaugural Blue Ball will be an exciting, fun-filled evening headlined by the talented and fan-favourite drag performer from RuPaul’s Drag Race, Jujubee, with additional performances by Vancouver’s First Lady of Glam, Symone Says, dance tunes from the past decade to today with DJ Gingerbear spinning, silent auction and prizes! Come dressed up in your best blues, drag, or better yet, blue drag.
9pm—2am. The Blackbird Public House, 905 Dunsmuir St. Tickets $25 online and $30 at door. Blue Ball
Babes On Babes
I know, it does sound like a porn movie, but I assure you this is way more fun for the ladies. A live Hip Hop/ Soul Showcase featuring Tonye as the live showcase and DeeJay Annalyze, Softieshan, Skylar Love, a karaoke room and a chill out room to fulfil the rest of your needs.
9pm—2am. Fortune Sound Club, 147 East Pender St. Cover $15. Babes On Babes
Tuesday, Nov 13
Slacks
Vancouver's favourite live sitcom is back with 3 new episodes! Join Jackie, Taylor and their friends as they navigate life, love and other stupidities from their East Van apartment. Written and directed by Jacqueline Korb. Starring Jacqueline Korb, Taylor Stutchbury, Leigh Burrows and Alison Lynne Ward. With special guest, Kiri McGuire. I can highly recommend this as a great date night option.
7:30pm. Havana Vancouver, 1212 Commercial Dr. Tickets $21 and more info at Slacks
Maestro
A mixed bag of improvisors all vying to be the last improviser standing! Keith Johnstone's Maestro Improv is an elimination improv format that brings 12 improvisors together on stage to compete for the coveted Maestro title. Directors set the players up in scenes and YOU the audience score each scene, and ultimately decide who will walk away being this month's Maestro champion! Join them at 6:15PM for their pre-show workshop. Six performers FROM the workshop will be selected to play in the show, you could be a star!
8—10pm. XYYVR, 1216 Bute St. Tickets $11 and more info at Maestro
Wednesday, Nov 14
Throw Me A Bone
A series of talks held by Health Initiative for Men (HIM) and Vancouver Men in Leather (VML) to further the understanding and exploration of Fetish and Kink for Gay and Bisexual Men who have sex with Men. Tonight features the ins and outs, no pun intended, of puppy play. Because pup play is accessible and fun, it’s become an entry point into kink for a lot of young queer people. Our sexuality is an experiment and you should always try new ways of playtime.
7:30—9:30pm. Pumpjack Pub, 1167 Davie St. No cover. Pumpjack Pub
Thursday, Nov 15
Red Ribbon Gala
And of course no listing would be complete without the amazing talents of Conni Smudge as she MC’s AIDS Vancouver’s 35th Anniversary Celebration, the Red Ribbon Gala. You can expect a jam-packed evening of live entertainment and delicious food, all in support of Canada’s first AIDS Service Organization. Also featuring Patrick Masse, Luisa Marshall, Bill Pantazis and artist Yared Nigussu. Rumour has it the Vancouver Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence will be making an appearance as well. A full night of extraordinary talent not to be missed.
6:30—1am. Imperial Vancouver, 319 Main St. Tickets $120 and info at Red Ribbon Gala
East Side Culture Crawl
Perfect venue to find all your Christmas gifts and have an awesome time doing it. Vancouver's beloved four-day visual arts, design and crafts festival extends an invitation to discover 500+ artist studios in 80 buildings throughout Vancouver's Eastside. The 22nd annual Crawl will welcome more than 35,000 visitors to intimately experience this vibrant and inspiring neighbourhood – the most densely populated community of artists across Canada.
Tonight & Friday 5—10pm, Sat & Sun 11am—6pm. For complete list of spots and vendors go to www.culturecrawl.ca
Hir: A Trans, Non-Binary and Two Spirit Cabaret
During Transgender Awareness Week, Pi Theatre is producing a cabaret featuring dance, live music, short films, drag, poetry and more, all by Trans, non-binary and Two Spirit artists. Curated by Gavin K Somers, this event showcases bold Trans artistry from across Metro Vancouver. Featuring performances by: Molly Billows, Wyatt Riot + Brettley Mason, Teddy Lake, Gender Spice + Bam Bam, Tommi Horror, Rojina Farrokhnejad, MeganG, Tyler Jacobs, My Chemical Bromance, Raven Salander, Jackson Tse, Boy Troye, Charlie Cook, Satanix, Mx Bukuru and more!
7:30—9:30pm. The Junction, 1138 Davie St. No cover. Hir
Tuck It
If you were wondering what ever happened to the gals of season 1 then here is your chance to find out. Six amateur drag queens competed in a series of point-based challenges awarded by local & guest judges. Did they find the spotlight? Did they wash up after their Season 1 fame? Rumour says rehab wasn't out of the game. Platinum Pulse Productions presents an encore show featuring Jade (Miss Platinum 2018), Donna Telmi, Ginger Snatch & Tundra Tyes!
10pm—2am. Are you MIA, 350 Water St. Tickets free with RSVP at Tuck It
Friday, Nov 16
Lights Of Hope
I know Remembrance Day just passed so I am safe to post some Christmas Cheer. Experience the 2018 Lights of Hope community celebration at St. Paul’s Hospital in downtown Vancouver with thousands of others. See the light display switch on for the first time in 2018 and enjoy the fireworks as they light up the sky above St. Paul’s! Guests can visit on-site food trucks and sip on hot chocolate while listening to some of Vancouver’s best choirs at this free, family-friendly event celebrating Lights of Hope.
6—8pm. St Paul’s Hospital, 1081 Burrard St. Lights Of Hope
What’s Your Story?
If you feel disconnected as we all rely too much on our cell phones then this is a night for you. This social event is about is putting away the cell phones, disconnecting from the hustle and taking a moment to be with yourself and others. The Voice Story crew will start the night by introducing you to the art of conversation, teaching you key concepts and providing you to some tools. Next we will invite you to participate in our safe, friendly, empowered space where you can practice with others that want to connect as well.
7—9pm. XYYVR, 1216 Bute St. Cover $10, includes first beverage. What's Your Story?
TOM COLEMAN
New job, new great site but same old me. I will try to continue to keep you updated, entertained and hopefully not tell too many secrets about any of you. I attempt to cover the top dozen, or couple of dozen, events that not only interest me but a wide variety of others.
Please feel free to send me any listings you would like posted but they must be LGBTQ+ themed, whether it is a meeting, art show, event party, seminar, restaurant opening or anything else. tomsnewlistings@outlook.com TOM