Friday, Mar 1

Entertainer of the Year

I know most of my friends think I deserve this award but alas they are wrong. Five of Vancouver’s most incredible performers vie for the title of Entertainer of the Year as we near former winner Maiden China’s step-down. Performances by South East, Madam Lola, Vixen Vo Flex, Rogue and Jo Duree. Who will be the next star, come and show your support for your fave. All proceeds will be going to the DMS charities selected by the 47th Reign.

8pm. The Junction, 1138 Davie St. Cover $5. Entertainer of the year.

Saturday, Mar 2

Queers & Beers and :: ManUp ::

They’re BAAAAAAAACK with all the chill vibes and fun times for their first event of 2019! AND by popular demand Queers & Beers are EXPANDING THE MENU! This edition of Queers & Beers will not only feature the best craft beers in town, but also serving up lots of local ciders, wine, cocktails, and a well takeover by Odd Society spirits. Then! after dark sashay on into the sweetest, cutest, amateur queer drag party in town, Man Up’s Amateur Hour!

5:00 pm. The Warehouse Eastside Studio. 550 Malkin Avenue. Cover $12 door (sliding scale and Early Bird tickets available). Queers & Beers & Man Up Amateur Hour.

Sunday, Mar 3

Commercial Drag 48: Toenys

Dust and her crew never seem to tire of coming up with the best themes every week. Tonight it is Broadway! They say the neon lights are bright on Broadway, well penny our stage lights are also very bright so we thought we would give you a show that will snatch your whole soul. Lots of step ball changes, tons of duets and unlimited horny virginal teenage fantasies. Please welcome the dancing queen Mila Dramatic (Ted Littlemore) and the Theatre wiz Dank Sinatra (Elizabeth Holliday) along with Dust Hosting and Molly Poppinz (Ricky Eldridge) on DJ!

8pm. The London Pub, 700 Main St. Cover $5. Commercial Drag

 

Tuesday, Mar 5

The Vancouver International Women in Film Festival

The 14th annual Vancouver International Women in Film Festival (#VIWFF) celebrates the best of cinema created by women. Running from March 5 to 10, VIWFF is pleased to be screening 49 films from 19 different countries around the world including 18 local filmmakers! As well as film screenings, the festival offers a variety of ancillary programming including film panels, special guests, artist talks, workshops, pitch sessions, receptions, an awards gala and more. Full schedule and times online.

Vancity Theatre, 1181 Seymour St. International Women In Film Festival

 

Improvise with HIM

Looking to improve your skills or just gain confidence: shy is only sexy for so long. Improvise with HIM is a supportive workshop environment to explore spontaneity, creativity, communication and confidence. You don’t have to be an actor to be spontaneous! Come out and PLAY, IMPROVISE, CONNECT, CREATE, EXPERIENCE, and EXPRESS in these empowering group improvisation exercises and explorations led by an expert actor and coach.

7pm. St Paul’s Anglican Church, 1130 Jervis St. Improvise With HIM

 

Poly Queer Love Ballad

After the workshop version played to sold out houses at the Vancouver Fringe Festival, Poly Queer Love Ballad returns to Vancouver for its World Premiere! Poly Queer Love Ballad is an intimate, edgy new musical merging slam poetry with catchy pop-folk tunes. Nina, a polyamorous bisexual poet, meets Gabbie, a monogamous lesbian songwriter, at Cafe Deux Soleil. With two microphones, a loop pedal, and array of instruments, they struggle to reconcile their fierce mutual attraction with their opposing perspectives on love. Co-produced by Queer Arts Festival and presented by the Frank Theatre and Zee Zee Theatre

8pm. SUM Gallery, 425—268 Keefer St. Tickets, $2, and more info at Poly Queer Love Ballad

 

Wednesday, Mar 6

Community Of Storytelling On The Drive

Remember when your grandparents used to make you sit through all those stories of the past, well now you can do the same with your friends. Hosted by Award Winning storyteller Jo Dworschak (Best known for Story Story Lie and Coop Radio's Out and About in Canada). Hear tales told by the cities best as well as the city’s newest storytellers at a lovely cafe with an irresistible vibe that will make you proud to be a part of this community. Would you like to share a story? Email Jo at storystoryshows@gmail.com.

7pm. The Drive Coffee Bar, 1670 Commercial Dr. Entrance by donation. Storytelling On The Drive

 

The Larry & Pum Pum Show

A night that’ll promise you…some fun fresh comedy with a side of steaming hot drag that will make you “upchuck the boogie”! A night unlike any other! We’re combining your high school improv favourites, with some high caliber (sort of) drag! With coronation just around the corner, we decided to put our heads together and think: what do we do well, and how the heck can we capitalize on it for charity!

8:30—10pm. 1181, 1181 Davie St. Cover $5, it’s for charity after all. The Larry & Pum Pum Show

 

Encore: Vancouver's Musical Theatre Sing-Along 

”Encore!” (formerly known as “Keys” ) is thrilled to be re-launching at Vancouver's legendary Pumpjack, yes you read that correctly! Join for Vancouver's only musical theatre sing-along and piano bar night in a new home, featuring Kerry O'Donovan and Sean Allen every Wednesday. I can see Pub favorite Gary leaning on the piano singing My Way as we speak.

9pm. Pumpjack Pub, 1167 Davie St. No cover. Encore

 

Thursday, Mar 7

Turn It Up and Disrupt

A festival celebrating gender equity + creative mobilization + the art of positive change. This International Women’s Day, take part in an exciting festival that will inspire, educate and mobilize our community to creatively tackle gender-based inequities, and bring about positive change. Explore creative expression through three dynamic days of intersectional feminist discussions, performances, workshops and art exhibits. Check online for schedule of events, venues on UBC campus  and to purchase tickets, $10--$25. Turn It Up And Disrupt

 

Cabaret

As I tell my friend Syd: what good is sitting alone in your room, come lose your games of pool. (Are you singing it in your head now?) This is a monthly cabaret to showcase your talents whether it is acting, singing, juggling, dancing, whatever. If you want to perform they want to see it. Rules are 4 minute maximum performance, one performance per person each 30 minute block. Brought to you by the UBC Musical Theatre Troupe.

6—8pm. Room 107, Leon & Thea Koerner University Centre, 6133 Crescent Rd, UBC. Cabaret

 

The Real Gays of Vancouver Screening Party.

After watching the preview this should be called The Real Gays of Vancouver “Screaming” party because they are. I think the most masculine people on the show are the women and that is a compliment. Spray tans and hair gel, oh my. Come on down, you do not want to watch this alone do you? It is even hosted by the Real Gays of Vancouver: not sure what that means the rest of us are.

7:30—9:30pm. The Junction, 1138 Davie St. $15 at door. Real Gays Of Vancouver

 

AMS Events Presents: Drag 101

Hide your boys, even though they are in university…Carlotta and Peach Cobblah are back on campus. Drag 101 is here, queer, and ready to get weird, even weirder than last year. Beat your mug, cinch your waist and stomp on down to the Pit on March 7th for a captivating drag experience, and a night you won't want to forget! Carlotta has been missing her frat boy fix and is ready to take on all cummers. Peach has lost the baby weight and ready to climb back on the stage.

8:30pm. Pit Pub, located in The Nest, 6133 University Blvd, UBC. Cover $5. Drag 101

 

The Darlings

Used as an affectionate address to a beloved person, Darling is a term used widely throughout popular art history to describe a societal wonder. Featuring four non-binary performers as they join each other to explore the format associated with drag and the subculture attached to it, this is the reclamation of the word Darling. The worlds of conceptual theatre and modern drag come together in this immersive performance art experience. Performances by Rose Butch, Maiden China, Continental Breakfast, PM and music by Kasey Riot.

10pm—12:30am. Vancouver Art & Leisure, 101 West 6th Ave. Tickets $15, and more info at The Darlings

 

 

Friday, Mar 8

VIWFF 2019 Presents: The Feminist

International Women’s Day on March 8th includes two FREE screenings, the Canadian Premiere of The Feminist (Sweden) and She Is The Ocean (Russia). Gudrun Schyman has been one of the most influential Swedish politicians of the past decades. From humble beginnings in a blue-collar family grappling with her father’s alcoholism she rose to lead the Leftist party to record election results but then was publicly shamed for her own struggles with addiction. Overcoming her demons, she found Europe’s first feminist party and has remained fiercely, unapologetically feminist, constantly working to raise the bar for equality in Sweden and internationally. *Tickets are free, but booking ahead is recommended. Seats are not guaranteed and will be allotted to ticket-holders on a first-come, first served basis.

3:30pm. Vancity Theatre, 1181 Seymour St. Register for tickets online at The Feminist

 

Growing Room Feminist Literary Festival Opening Night

Growing Room is an annual literary festival, a celebration of diverse Canadian writers and artists which takes place every March and starts this year on International Women’s Day. Over 100 authors and panelists take part in a nine day festival Mar 8 - 17. Presented by Room Magazine. Opening NIght Virago Nation, an all Indigenous burlesque troupe, will be performing to DJ Kookum’s original blend of EDM trap, hip hop, and bass music.

6:30 pm. Fox Cabaret. 2321 Main St. Tickets $15. Growing Room

Liquid Courage with Lipstick Jungle

Lipstick Jungle presents Liquid Courage. Let’s get Social ladies! Cocktails, mingle, dance with DJ Carolina Campos.

8:00 pm. 1181 Davie Street. No Cover. Lipstick Jungle.

Lioness:  Kasey Riot, Nostalgix & Aspen King

Most active through twilight, the lioness leads the hunt. Venerated by the Ancient Egyptians as deities for their strength, power, and intensity, they communicate through a range of behaviours, with highly developed expression. With a range of sound, their resonations vary in pitch and emotion. Alongside a pride of ferocious talent, ZillaLive presents an evening of untamed house and techno.

11:59pm—late. 333, 333 Clark Dr. Tickets $15 before 1am, $20 after. Lioness

Late Night Snack

Come one come all, and see a brand new tasty cast; LNS is back again! We promise it’ll be one that will fill you up, not make you sick, and leave you feeling satiated! Lick them fingers clean, and take a big bite out of an amazing night! The cast is hot, delicious and ready to serve you everything you’ve wanted in a drag show & more! Mark your calendars chicken strips, and make sure to come on down to Save On Meats HUNGRY! Let’s EAT!

9pm—1am. Save On Meats, 43 West Hastings St. $10 at door. Late Night Snack 

Saturday, Mar 9

Eastside Flea Spring Market

One of the best cruising areas on a weekend. Lots of daddy’s and curious  guys wandering around checking out the bargains and walking their dogs. Tons of local vendors, rotating food trucks, drink specials, pinball, and the cosiest community vibes.

11am—5pm. Eastside Flea, 550 Malkin Ave. $3 admission. Eastside Flea

 

Ball Fever 2019

Usually Ball Fever means my friend Selma (not her real name) is heading to the local black out night for a steam. I’m sure she would run into an Empress or two there as well. Ball Fever is a long standing community tradition, started by Empress 6, Bill Harvey, in 1988. Held every year on voting day, our Emperor/Empress/Emprex elects get the opportunity to introduce themselves to the voting public and promote their cause leading up to the voting. Tonight is hosted by Peeka Boo Northe and Kitty.

4—7pm. 1181, 1181 Davie St. Ball Fever 2019

 

The Dirty Betty Show! - Womyn's Day Edition

How could we let Women’s Day go by without a bit of Dirty Betty. Celebrate Womyn's Day in style, with the hottest femme cast in Vancouver! The Dirty Betties deliver frisky, no filter comedy, bring your favourite babes and celebrate with the Betties. Featuring Vancouver's hottest comedians, improvisers, dancers and drag performers. This is one sassy night out you won't want to miss!

7—10:30pm. Fox Cabaret, 2321 Main St. Advance tickets $15, and more info at Dirty Betty

 

Queens Care 11th Anniversary

Expect an evening of glamour, impersonation and comedy celebrating Vancouver’s premiere drag entertainers. For over a decade, Vancouver’s drag queens have donated their time and talents for Queens Care, a show created by MC, Joan-E, to raise funds for community-building organizations that support the LGBTQ+ community in the Lower Mainland. Thanks to their generosity, over $25,000 has been donated to organizations including A Loving Spoonful, Out in Schools, The Vancouver Friends for Life Society, and the SPCA. The event is held in memory of Diana Rose, a treasured Vancouver entertainer who lost her life to cancer, and DJ Jules – who for years provided music for this event, who passed after a courageous battle with liver disease.

7—10pm. The Junction, 1138 Davie St. Tickets $20 and more info at Queens Care 11

 

Spring Forward Surrey Pride Party

A Spring Pride Dance and show. This will feature live music by Short Notice Band and a drag show hosted by Don Crowe (Myria) and Morgan Lisa Montory EPAMA Entertainer of the Year 2019 with some of your favourites that will also be featured at the Festival. Also featuring guest live performer Wen Warn . Special Freddie Mercury performance by Jason Bradstock and John Simpson aka Heather Boa.

8pm. White Horse Lounge, 12411 King George Blvd, Surrey. Tickets $15 advance online or $25 at door.  Surrey Pride Party

  

Lick Club

The Hindenburg may have gone down in flames but after 6 months the Lick crew is back and in a new home. Two bars, rad dance floor, free pool, lots of chill space and outdoor smoking hangout is even better than before.  A mash up of Queer Qlub jams, hip hop, mashups, 90s and house music with live dance performances and gogos.

9:30pm. The Clubhouse, 238 East 1st Ave. Cover $12. Lick

 

Bye Felicia: She’s Back

As you can probably figure out, I hear this a lot. The perfect dismissal, "Bye Felicia!" is a goodbye given to any unwanted, irritating, or disliked person, place or thing. Can you say Dance Party as DJ G-Luve brings it along with performances by Berlin, Continental Breakfast and PM.

10:30pm—3am. The Biltmore Cabaret, 2755 Prince Edward St. Cover $10 before midnight, $12 after. Bye Felicia

 

Sunday, Mar 10

Funny Feminists

Punch up at the patriarchy with an afternoon of witty poetry and prose featuring some of the most incisive and hilarious writers in the country—Ivan Coyote, Lucas Crawford, Molly Cross-Blanchard, Jo Dworkshack, Eden Robinson, Hana Shafi, and Lindsay Wong. Hosted by Samantha Nock (host of the podcast Heavy Content).

1:30—3:30pm. Red Gate Review Stage, 1601 Johnston St. Suggested donation $12. Funny Feminists

New Section: Sometimes there are events that are so popular they sell out weeks before you may even hear about them. If there is an event like that which gives back to a good cause then I will be posting one of them here so you have a chance to get your tickets before they are gone.

Score 20: Vancouver's Only Gay Skating Party

Saturday, Mar 23.

Where else can you get your drink made by a cute hockey jock in just that, a jockstrap? Great music, a fun atmosphere, a bunch of hockey players and a friendly crowd makes this one of the most anticipated parties of the year. You can bring your own skates, or borrow our free rentals. If you don't want to skate, join the crowd on the dance floor, or socialize in the lobby bar. And don't forget to say hello to our handsome jock-strap clad bartenders! This year the Score party will be the official Saturday night party for the Vancouver Gay Volleyball Association's Annual Miss Vicki Tournament. Partial proceeds benefit the McLaren Housing Society which provides safe, secure and affordable housing and support services for families and individuals living with HIV/AIDS.

8pm—1am. West End Community Centre, 870 Denman St. Early Bird tickets $20 until Mar 1 at Score 20 or $25 after Mar 1.