| VANCOUVER WELCOMES YOU |
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Welcome to Tourism Vancouver's new biannual newsletter, specifically written to spread the word about what's new in Gay-Fabulous Vancouver. We hope you enjoy the updates on events, accommodation, restaurants and personalities. Check out the gay-friendly section of Tourism Vancouver's website and our listings of TAG-approved hotels. Hope to see you in Vancouver soon!
www.tourismvancouver.com
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| PRIDE WEEK 2008 - CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF THE RAINBOW |
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July 26 to August 3
Pride Parade: August 3, 12:00pm to 2:00pm
Vancouver's Pride began as a small march 30 years ago. It has grown into an internationally recognized parade and festival that attracted more than 380,000 people last year, making it the largest, and one of the most loved, parades in Vancouver. Pride Week is a time for diversity and has been fully embraced by the wider Vancouver community. This year's theme is "Celebrating 30 Years of the Rainbow", and features parties, dances and T-cruises. The Pride Parade and following Pride Festival at Sunset Beach are the culmination of two months of Pride activities (more details below).
www.vancouverpride.ca
www.gayvan.com
July 19 - Gay Day at Playland
Ride the roller coasters, eat mini doughnuts, and enjoy live entertainment, plus a private beer garden, at this good old-fashioned gay carnival.
Details: 10:00am to 8:00pm at the Pacific National Exhibition grounds. Buy your discounted, all-inclusive event and ride pass at Little Sisters bookstore or the Pride office.
July 26 - Picnic in the Park
Bring the kids, family, friends and dogs to this weekend picnic in Stanley Park, complete with potato-sack-hop, tug-o-war, high-heel shoe toss and drag races. Live entertainment, a beer garden, and plenty of food make this event a Pride favourite.
Details: 11:00am to 7:00pm, Stanley Park's Brockton Oval.
July 27 - Dine with Pride
This intimate, upscale fundraising dinner features fine dining, a silent auction, awards for outstanding community members, and acclaimed comedian Suzanne Westenhoefer.
Details: 6:00pm to 10:00pm at the Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Downtown. Tickets are limited and cost $80 each or $750 for a table of 10 (tickets available through the Pride office).
July 31 - Pride Movie Night
This movie night presents early screenings of GLBT films presented in conjunction with the Queer Film Festival. It's a great night to watch a movie with the community and snack on popcorn.
Details: 7:00pm to 10:00pm at the Vancity Theatre.
August 1 - Davie Street Dance Party
This outdoor dance party (Koodo's Big Night Out) will include multiple stages, artisans, vendors, dancing, licensed areas with DJs, and a 19-years and under youth area.
Details: 7:00pm to 12:00am on Davie Street between Burrard and Bute Streets.
August 2 - Terry Wallace Memorial Breakfast
This pancake breakfast honours and celebrates Terry Wallace, one of the founders of Vancouver Pride. Local choirs and live music will complete this year's Pride breakfast tradition.
Details: Davie Street (at Bute Street) - breakfast by donation.
August 3 - Pride Parade
The 2008 parade takes place August 3 from 12:00pm to 2:00pm with live music and beer garden continuing until 6:00pm at Sunset Beach.
Details: The parade goes down Denman Street between Robson and Davie Streets.
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| VANCOUVER PRIDE PACKAGES TO STAY AND PLAY |
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Come celebrate Pride Week in Vancouver and take advantage of one of the city’s great accommodation and activity packages. The Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Downtown (www.vancouvermarriott.com) is the official host hotel of the Pride 2008 Grand Marshalls, but a number of other hotels are getting into the spirit. You can also visit www.tourismvancouver.com and click on the "gay-friendly Vancouver" drop down tab to see a list of TAG-approved hotels.
- "Swing through Town" Pole Dance Package at Sandman Suites
The Sandman Suites on Davie Street, in the heart of the West End, is proud to offer a "Swing through Town" package this summer. Groups of four to 10 can sign up for a swingin' weekend that includes one night in a one-bedroom suite (maximum four people), private Jack and/or Jill pole dancing lessons at a nearby dance studio, and VIP passes to Celebrities Night Club (just downstairs from the studio). Learn some moves during class then strut your stuff on the dance floor below!
Details: Package is available from June 1 to September 30, and is priced from $150 per person (based on quadruple occupancy in a suite). Price includes a private class for four people (per person price will be reduced for a larger group). Additional room nights are available for $50 per person (based on quadruple occupancy). Package is subject to availability and advance booking is required.
www.sandmansuites.com
- Beer, Nachos, Beads and Patio Viewing at the Coast Plaza Hotel
No hotel offers better viewing of the Vancouver Pride Parade than the Coast Plaza. Located in the heart of Davie Village, the Coast Plaza's rooftop veranda overlooks the Denman Street parade and pride festivities. The Coast Plaza's exclusive Pride Package includes one night's accommodation, welcome beer and nachos upon arrival, plus beads, a rainbow flag and a Pride program waiting for you in your room.
Details: The package costs $249 per night (minimum stay of two nights, based on availability) and is available from July 25 to August 4.
www.coasthotels.com
- A Package Fit for "Queens and Kings" at the Metropolitan Hotel
Stay three, five, seven or 10 nights at the luxurious Metropolitan Hotel in downtown Vancouver with a package created for Pride festival-goers to indulge. During Vancouver Pride, enjoy a luxury room, a "Queens and Kings" martini welcome reception at Diva restaurant, a daily recuperation breakfast, one transportation voucher to/from the West End, plus a festival gift basket (including a six-pack of Red Bull, sunscreen, Pride flags, and more). Staying five or more nights? It gets even better with stylish Jaguar drops-offs (call to book) and guest list privileges at select nightclubs on August 2.
Details: Available July 25 to August 3. Rate is $380 per night, double occupancy (or $190 per night for single occupancy).
www.metropolitan.com
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| LESBIANS LOVE VANCOUVER |
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Vancouver was ranked the top international leisure travel destination among lesbians according to Community Marketing Inc.'s 2008 survey of GLBT travelers. The city was voted tops in all lesbian segments (GenY, Boomer and Senior), except for GenX lesbians, who put Vancouver in second place. Overall, Vancouver was ranked the fourth most popular destination among all GLBT travellers surveyed. When in Vancouver, lesbians gravitate towards the laid-back and eclectic Commercial Drive area (known locally as "The Drive"). This funky, East Side neighbourhood is packed with great, reasonably-priced ethnic restaurants, cafés, shops and services.
www.thedrive.ca
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| OUT ON SCREEN VANCOUVER QUEER FILM FESTIVAL |
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August 14-24
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Vancouver Queer Film & Video Festival! The festival showcases over 200 films from local and international filmmakers. After the screenings, galas and parties, rub shoulders with Vancouver's most gifted queer artists. The festival is a great chance to celebrate some of the edgiest, funniest, most informative and unique cinema the world has to offer.
www.outonscreen.com
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| TOURISM VANCOUVER ROLLS OUT THE PINK CARPET FOR GLBT VISITORS |
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Tourism Vancouver, along with the City of Vancouver, partner hotels, restaurants and attractions, has been batting its eyelashes at the GLBT travel community for many years. A few exciting new developments in our marketing plans this year are worth sharing. Tourism Vancouver has launched a fresh GLBT consumer marketing campaign that includes new images of same sex couples enjoying Vancouver and up-to-date shots from Pride 2007.
www.tourismvancouver.com
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| VANCOUVER TO HOST INTERPRIDE 2008 CONFERENCE |
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October 23 to 26
Vancouver is thrilled to be the host city for Interpride 2008 - the annual get-together of GLBT event organizers from around the world. The event will be held at the Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Downtown. Any organization that produces GLBT events for their community is welcome to attend. InterPride 2008 will act as a source of education and a stepping-stone to elevating community interaction for Pride events. The conference includes city tours, networking, a host of high profile speakers and some guaranteed great discussion.
www.interpride08.com
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| CMI'S CONFERENCE ON GAY AND LESBIAN TRAVEL IN VANCOUVER |
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October 5 to 9
GLBT market research firm, Community Marketing Inc., will hold their 9th annual Conference on Gay and Lesbian Travel this October at Vancouver's Sheraton Wall Centre. This education and networking event for government tourism offices, convention and visitor bureaus, destination management companies, accommodations, meeting planners and suppliers, will bring together colleagues from Australia to Fort Lauderdale. The conference will discuss sales and marketing opportunities in GLBT independent travel, meetings and events. |
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| VANCOUVER VOWS: WOO YOU, WOW YOU, WED YOU |
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Since July 8, 2003, when the Province of British Columbia announced the legalization of same-sex marriage, hundreds of couples from around the world have come to Vancouver to legally exchange vows. Ceremonies have varied from intimate gatherings, to seaside and garden services, through to full blown large-scale events with all the trimmings. GLBT-specific wedding resources, such as wedding planners and venues, can be found on Gayvan.com.
www.gayvan.com
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| WE'VE COME A LONG WAY BABY |
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Take a look back at Vancouver's queer history.
- 1964 The Association for Social Knowledge is the first gay group founded in British Columbia
- 1967 Justice Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau declares, "There is no place for the state in the bedrooms of the Nation..."
- 1969 Canada decriminalizes homosexuality and the first lesbian collective in Canada is established in Vancouver
- 1971 The Gay Alliance towards Equality is founded in Vancouver
- 1973 First Vancouver Pride festival is organized
- 1977 The BC Gay & Lesbian Archives begins
- 1979 First Vancouver Dyke March and first Gay & Lesbian Community Centre opens
- 1982 The Gay Rights Union is founded at the University of British Columbia
- 1985 Angles Newspaper founded in Vancouver
- 1987 First Vancouver city councilor comes out publicly
- 1990 Gay Games & Cultural Festival takes place in Vancouver
- 1992 First openly gay person is ordained by the United Church in Canada
- 1997 Queer Film Festival launches
- 1997 Vancouver's police chief is the first in Canada to march in a Pride Parade
- 2000 First North American Bisexual Conference held in Vancouver
- 2003 British Columbia legalizes same sex marriage
- 2004 IGLTA conference held in Vancouver
- 2005 Current VPS Pride President first to marry in Canada after federal legislation changes constitution
www.vancouverpride.ca
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| VANCOUVER CHARACTER PROFILE |
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Paul Sontz, manager, Tickets Tonight - Vancouver's Community Box Office
"I can't believe I didn't know this existed!" These are words that Paul Sontz hears a lot when Vancouver residents discover Tickets Tonight - Vancouver's community box office that sells same-day, half-price tickets to select Vancouver events. "Tickets Tonight is the Vancouver equivalent of London's Leicester Square," continues Paul, "but it's also Vancouver's best kept secret." Originally from Edmonton, Paul has become somewhat of a Vancouver culture expert in his six years managing Tickets Tonight. Paul discusses arts in Vancouver, the city's best events, and what to do when you need a break from Pride festivities.
1) What are this summer's hottest tickets?
I predict the most in-demand tickets in Vancouver this summer will be Jesus Christ Superstar at Theatre Under the Stars, Twelfth Night at Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival and the Arts Club production of The Producers. But there's a lot more great stuff going on. The Vancouver Folk Music Festival is celebrating its 31st year on Jericho Beach (July 18 to 20), The Vancouver International Jazz Festival is headlining Herbie Hancock and Pink Martini (June 20 to 29) and Spamalot is coming to Vancouver in July. And on top of all that we've got Madonna, Celine Dion and Janet Jackson, all coming in the fall! It's shaping up to be a great year.
2) What other events do you recommend if you need a break during Pride Week?
If you're in Vancouver for Pride you absolutely can't miss the end of the HSBC Celebration of Light - Vancouver's annual fireworks competition that takes place over four nights in English Bay (July 23, 28, 30 and August 2). Also, if you need a break from the excitement, noise and sun of Pride, you could relax during a matinee performance of the Arts Club's Back Kitchen Release Party or an evening performance of the Vancouver Theatresports League on Granville Island.
3) What does Vancouver have to offer film buffs?
Vancouver is a real film city. We're known as Hollywood North because of all the filming that takes place here, and people love going out to the movies. We've got a Latin American Film Festival (September 4 to 14), a Documentary Film Festival (May 27 to June 1), a Queer Film & Video Festival (August 14 to 24), Amnesty International Film Festival (dates TBD, autumn), and of course, the Vancouver International Film Festival (September 25 to October 10).
4) What events will make visitors feel like locals?
There's was great new music festival launched in 2006 called "Music on Main". It includes concerts at Heritage Hall on Main Street as well as "One Night Stand" performances featuring the music of one composer. We've got some wonderful choral groups as well, including some gay choirs like the Vancouver Men's Chorus. I also love the Dance Centre's Discover Dance $10 lunch-time performances, the last Thursday of each month (October to May) featuring dancers from all over the world. In addition, local theatres like the Firehall Arts Centre and Touchstone Theatre (which mounts exclusively Canadian content) produce challenging works. I also love the magical outdoor works of Boca Del Lupo which blends acrobatics and music with theatre.
5) What's coming up on Vancouver's cultural horizon?
One of the most exciting things happening in the lead up to Vancouver hosting the 2010 Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games is the Cultural Olympiad. The Cultural Olympiad is a series of three festivals that include contemporary, classical and Aboriginal music, theatre, dance, media, literary, visual, interdisciplinary, culinary and street art. The Cultural Olympiad kicked off in February 2008 and will continue with the 2009 celebration (February 1 to March 21), and the Olympic and Paralympic Arts Festival in 2010 (January 22 to March 21).
www.vancouver2010.com
Tickets Tonight sells same-day, half price tickets to select performances at 200 Burrard Street (in the Tourism Vancouver info centre) as well as providing access to all Ticketmaster inventory. A secondary location at the Vancouver Art Gallery (Robson Street side) sells regular price tickets and all Ticketmaster inventory. For more information on Tickets Tonight or Paul Sontz, visit www.ticketstonight.ca.
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