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Vancouver Gay Pride 2006: The parade and weekend festivities

Vancouver Gay Pride 2006: The parade and weekend festivities
by Albert Rodriguez - SGN A&E Writer Our coverage for Vancouver Gay Pride 2006 (August 4-6) winds down with details on the parade route and festivities to look forward to next weekend. On behalf of the Seattle Gay News, I hope you have a safe, memorable trip to Vancouver and meet new friends or love interests (you never know). Please check out our recommended hotels, bar-lounge and restaurant choices that were featured in previous issues. They're listed by name below, but you can find descriptions of each by going to www.sgn.org - July 14 and 21 issues. PARADE ROUTE There's a slight change in the Vancouver Gay Pride parade this year, with the starting point being Denman and Robson. Then, it will snake its way along Beach Avenue and come to a stop at Thurlow and Pacific. The parade runs from noon to 2pm. Everyone has their favorite place to watch the parade, which will include 135 floats, so arrive no later than 11am to start looking for sit-down spots. It's too early to predict the weather, so pack a lightweight coat and an umbrella just in case. The parade's grand marshal is Lesbian TV personality and former model Honey Labrador (Queer Eye for the Straight Girl). POST-PARADE FESTIVAL Following the two-hour parade, a festival at Sunset Beach takes place with informational booths, food vendors, local and regional entertainers, beer gardens, and a kids zone. Follow the crowd immediately after the parade and you'll find it. The festival runs from 2 to 6pm. Live performers include DJ Mayor Josh, dance troupe Ache Brazil, singer-songwriter Lauren Sullivan, drag king notables 3 Dollar Bill, klezmer music artist Geoff Berner and singer-pianist Matthew Presidente. PRIDE-RELATED EVENTS o Circuit O Dance Party (Friday) - Naked cage dancers, shower boys and live performers will get their groove on at Celebrities on Howe Street. Kickoff time is 10pm. o Geared Up Leather Party (Friday) - Give your tight pants, chaps and boots a workout at the Pumpjack Tavern on Davie Street for a leather ho-down, with prizes and lots of studly men. No cover. The debauchery begins at 9pm. o Vancouver Dyke March (Saturday) - Third annual Dyke March goes from noon to 6pm, with the starting point at McSpadden Park (Victoria Drive and McSpadden). o The Oasis Beer Garden w/ male underwear models (Saturday)- Gay restaurant and lounge will feature scantily clad models starting at 2pm, with proceeds from the beer garden benefiting Vancouver's LGTB Center. Look for the Denny's on Davie, and you're there. o Cruisey-T Pride Go Go Cruise (Sunday) - Sail up the Indian Arm along BC's West Coast with misbehaving partygoers. Cruise time is from 5-9pm, with boarding time at 4pm. It's highly recommended to buy advance tickets ($50, includes dinner) at www.cruiseyt.com. o Cruisey-T Jazz Cruise (Sunday) - Sail up the Indian Arm along BC's West Coast with local entertainers and jazz lovers. Cruise time is from 5:30-9:30pm, with boarding time at 4:30pm. It's highly recommended to buy advance tickets ($50, includes dinner) at www.cruiseyt.com. o Cruisy-T Pride Denim and Leather Cruise (Sunday) - Sail up the Indian Arm along BC's West Coast with the jeans and leather crowd. Cruise time is from 6-9pm, with boarding time at 5pm. It's highly recommended to buy advance tickets ($50, includes dinner) at www.cruiseyt.com. o Lady Bunny (Sunday) - Wigstock creator and longtime Gay favorite the Lady Bunny appears at Celebrities in a one-woman show at midnight. $10 cover. o Cirque de Sade (Sunday) - Erotica fans and fetish worshippers get plenty of eye-candy at the flesh-showy festival, happening at The Penthouse Nightclub on Seymour Street (how appropriate). Strict fetish dress code. Doors at 8pm. $12 cover. HOTELS Opus Hotel (www.opushotel.com) - Pricey-yet-fabulous and loved by A-list celebs. Sandman Suites (www.sandmanhotels.com) - Prime location to Gay bars and Pride events. Pacific Palisades (www.pacificpalisadeshotel.com) - Splashy, fun and has Pride packages. The Listel Hotel (www.thelistelhotel.com) - Artsy, traditional and near shops and bars. RESTAURANTS Bin 941 (941 Davie Street) - Tapas, impressive wine list, hip crowd, centrally located. Delilah's (1789 Comox Street) - Great martinis, fun ambiance, wonderful food. The Elbow Room (560 Davie Street) - Gay-owned, affordable, awesome breakfasts. Fish House (8901 Stanley Park Drive) - Seafood, terrific lookout spot, hidden locale. Sequoia Grill (Ferguson Point, Stanley Park) - Good brunches, scenic, outdoor patio. Sugar Daddy's (1262 Davie Street) - Big portions, reasonably priced, varied menu, Gay. COCKTAILS The Fountainhead Pub (1025 Davie Street) - Normal-types, lively, pool and darts. Gay. Georgia (1137 Hamilton Street) - Swanky, freshly made cocktails, trendy. Mixed-straight. The Oasis (1240 Thurlow Street) - Piano-martini bar, outdoor patio, cute boys. Gay. Odyssey (1025 Howe Street) - High energy, DJ dance music, hot men, cheap cover. Gay. Opus bar (322 Davie Street) - Sexy crowd, cool music, tasty cocktails. Straight-Gay friendly. TRANSPORTATION Amtrak (www.usarail.com) - Affordable, convenient, very scenic, no-hassle border crossing.