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Sunday, Jul 06, 2008
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OUTBOUND: International grand marshals, Seattle Men's Chorus, Ginch Gonch models and gay party cruises, all part of Vancouver's big Pride weekend |
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| OUTBOUND: International grand marshals, Seattle Men's Chorus, Ginch Gonch models and gay party cruises, all part of Vancouver's big Pride weekend | ||
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Why aren't you going? That's the million-dollar question. With so many people expected to attend Vancouver's Gay Pride festivities this weekend, what you should be asking is how to get there at the last-minute. Try Amtrak (www.amtrak.com), they run both trains and buses up there. Try Craigslist or Gay.com for carpool possibilities. Or, try Flexcar. Here's a short list of must-do's in Vancouver over the weekend. See last week's Seattle Gay News (www.sgn.org, July 27 issue) for restaurant, hotel and nightlife recommendations. The parade starts on Denman Ave. and snakes along Beach and Pacific Aves. The free post-parade festival, with food and vendor booths, is at Sunset Beach. Have an awesome time and take an extra bottle of sun tan oil, if not for you then for the shirtless boys at the parade. 2007 Vancouver Pride Parade and Festival Grand Marshals: Tomasz Baczkowski, Mark Tewksbury, Heather Hendelson, Donna Wilson The Vancouver Pride Society went more international this year in their selection of parade grand marshals. Tomasz Baczkowski was the first of four marshals to arrive in Vancouver this week, and organizers had their fingers crossed up until he touched ground at the airport. Bacskowski, a known gay activist in his native Poland, faced the possibility of being detained or encountering passport issues en route to Vancouver, though he fortunately made it in safe and sound. "I am so pleased to be in a city that allows gays to be open and free of persecution," said Baczkowski, "I am absorbing this experience and hopefully my country will be like this in 10 or 15 years." Mark Tewksbury, another grand marshal, is a former Olympic champion who helped organize 2006's inaugural Out Games and has since dedicated himself to being an advocate for gay issues in Canada. He was to arrive from Montreal on Thursday. Heather Hendelson, co-chair of New York's Heritage Pride festivities, replaced Russian gay rights leader Dmitri Bartenev as a grand marshal after he was forced to stay home due to a medical emergency. Lastly, local community center headwoman Donna Wilson is also a grand marshal for this year's event. Seattle Men's Chorus Sunday, August 5 (10:30am) and Monday, August 6 (5:30pm) Christ Church Cathedral - 690 Burrard Street Vocal-ready and perhaps tanned, Seattle Men's Chorus heads north this weekend as a proud participant of 2007's Vancouver Pride excitement. On Sunday morning, the veteran chorus performs two songs during weekly services at Christ Church Cathedral. On Monday evening, SMC rolls out a more extensive show as part of "Festival Vancouver" with selections from their "American Masterpieces" production that premiered here in March. Tickets for the Monday, August 6 performance are priced at $19 and $24, and purchasable at www.ticketmaster.ca. Under the direction of Dennis Coleman, Seattle Men's Chorus is one of North America's largest and most respected singing ensembles. This is a prime opportunity to experience these talented men in action, out of town. "Cabana Daze" Pool Party with Ginch Gonch fashion show Sunday, August 5 (2pm) Pacific Palisades Hotel - 1277 Robson Street Bring your swim trunks for the obvious, a pool party at a posh hotel. Bring your camera for the obvious, very hot models working their goods on the runway. Bring your wallet for the obvious, admission is $25 to get your feet (uh, fins) in the door. Pacific Palisades, a bright and colorful two-tower property on Vancouver's busy Robson Street, is the place to be for some post-parade sin under the sun. Ginch Gonch, based in Vancouver, will supply boy toys for a fashion show that also features swimwear and undergarments by Andrew Christian and Top Drawer. Food and cocktails are provided, separately. Party time begins at 2pm and goes until 7pm, leaving your evening open for bar crawling, dancing, or other tasty possibilities. Prize drawings for American Airlines tickets and Kimpton Hotel guest stays complete the splashy affair at Pacific Palisades (cool hotel, I've stayed in their penthouse). Water pistols are permitted - just have good aim. Cruisey-T Pride Cruises (Leather and Denim, Go-Go, Recovery) Sunday, August 5 and Monday, August 6 - various sail times Harbour Cruises Marina By the time you read this, all three Pride-related cruises manhandled by Vancouver-based Cruisey-T will be sold out. But, a limited number of tickets will be available for each at the dock station, Harbour Cruises Marina. Each cruise enjoys its own particular theme, and each is self-explanatory. The "Recovery" outing is a day-after suggestion for anyone with additional energy on Monday. All cruises include dinner. A separate "Fireworks" cruise, scheduled for Saturday, August 4, is the best way for non-heteros to witness the grand finale of Vancouver's annual "Celebration of Light" festivities, also happening this weekend. DJs, beverages, and entertainment are booked for each cruise. Dress appropriately, and you might want to take a thin sweater or hoodie to block away windy chills. For more information, visit www.cruiseyt.com and click on "Pride Cruises". Other Pride parties and events A "Pride Youth Dance" is scheduled at the Holiday Inn (at Helmcken) for Sunday, August 5 at 9pm. Only those 18 and under will be admitted. Donations accepted at the door. "Naked Pride", for those clearly wanting to put it all out there, takes place on Sunday at Club 23 West (23 Cordova Street). An "undress code" will be in effect, so remember to trim the hedges. "Gray Pride" is, as you guessed, for community elders wanting to mingle over a barbeque on Sunday. Call (778) 235-3677 for information and reservations. For women, the Dyke March and Festival is slated for Saturday at McSpadden Park, beginning at 1pm and "Chicas: House of Hotties" is on Sunday at Romano's Macaroni Grill, starting at 3pm. |
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