Be sure to check the most up to date events listing for Pride 2009 at www.halifaxpride.ca. Here’s a sampling of what’s coming up for the rest of the week:
THURSDAY JULY 23, 2009
- timeout Lecture Series: School’s Out
Spring Garden Rd. Memorial Public Library
How is the struggle for diversity and equality playing out in
classrooms in Nova Scotia ? Gérard Cormier, Staff Officer for the Nova
Scotia Teachers’ Union , will bring us up to speed from the
perspective of teachers and their representatives.12:00 pm
- Reading Out Loud
Halifax North Library, 2285 Gottingen Street
Venus Envy and Halifax North Library are pleased to present this 8th annual Pride Week read-aloud event. You are sure to hear thoughtful, brash, painful, funny, titillating and honest passages from works of LGBT literature read by Haliqueers such as Stewart Legere, Ryan MacGrath and Randall Perry. Open books – open minds! 7:00 p.m. Free Admission
- Annapolis Valley Wine Tour
Sponsored by Ambassatours and Halifax Pride
This overnight trip through the gorgeous Annapolis Royal offers no limit of exciting things to savor and beautiful scenery as its compliment. Wet your palette with wines from Bear River, Grand Pre, and Sample Cheese from Fox Hill Cheese House. On Thursday evening enjoy a three course meal and luxurious accommodations at Digby Pines Resort. After a day of scenery and wine return on Friday with enough time to catch Under the Big Top Songwriters Circle. Visit www.ambassatours.com to make reservations.
- 3rd Annual Da Pride Café at MENZ BAR
MENZ BAR 2182 Gottingen Street, Halifax
Join DaPoPo Theatre to celebrate Pride with fabulous LGBT themed and authored performances. Choose from a menu of scenes, songs, monologues, poetry, improv, bedtime stories and much more. Arrive early for best seat selection. 7:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. Admission Free
- Tall Ship Silva Pride Boat Cruise
Silva is docked at Queen’s Wharf at the foot of Prince Street Halifax
Sail the Harbour blues in Queer style to the sounds of Bounce 101.3. Join Pride in their 3rd Annual boat cruise in the Halifax Harbour aboard the Tall Ship Silva. Call 429-9463 to reserve purchase your tickets. Admission: $15.00
- QUEER ACTS: Halifax Pride’s First Queer Theatre Festival: I Was Barbie
The Bus Stop Theatre, Gottingen Street Halifax
It’s opening night of Toronto Fashion Week and Barbie’s 50th birthday party. Find out what happened when transsexual celeb Nina Arsenault, someone known for having massive amounts of cosmetic surgery, got hired to represent a doll who’s accused of fucking up the body images of millions of little girls. I Was Barbie comes to Queer Acts after sold out performances and standing ovations at the We’re Funny That Way Comedy Festival and Buddies in Bad Times Theatre’s 2009 Pride Festival. Created and performed by Nina Arsenault. 8:30pm July 20, 10:30pm July 21 and 7:00pm July 23. $15 Regular, $10 Students, Seniors and Underwaged.
- QUEER ACTS: Halifax Pride’s First Queer Theatre Festival: Frankie
The Bus Stop Theatre, Gottingen Street Halifax
Frankie Productions presents Frankie, a one woman comedy/drama that takes us to Frankie’s class of ‘82 high school reunion where memories come flooding back as she recalls the trials, tribulations and triumphs of growing up gay in small town Nova Scotia. Written and performed by Mary Ellen MacLean. Directed and co-created by Mary-Colin Chisholm and Christian Murray. Lighting design by Leigh Ann Vardy. 8:30pm July 21-23. $20 Regular, $15 Students, Seniors and Underwaged.
THURSDAY BAR EVENTS
- Queer Specialz Galore!
MENZ BAR 2182 Gottingen Street Halifax
60oz pitcher of draught only $13.50, Tequila shots only $3.75, all shooters $2.50 and free hot dogs with drink purchase all night long!
- Pomo Homos at the CoHo
Sponsored by Venus Envy
The Company House 2202 Gottingen Street Halifax
A strap’em on, strap’em down fundraiser! TransAction Society of Nova Scotia is puttin’ on a fundraiser to buy chest binders and breast prosthesis for transgender people in Nova Scotia. Rae Spoon, Nolan Natasha, Pink Velvet Burlesque and other special guests. Tickets available at Venus Envy and Pretty things Boutique. 9:00 p.m. Admission: $10.00
- Five Minutes of Fame Hosted by Eureka Love
Reflections Cabaret 5184 Sackville Street Halifax
Come and compete for big $$$$ at the anything goes talent show. 11:00 p.m. Admission: $3.00
FRIDAY JULY 24, 2009
- timeout Lecture Series: Sex, Laws, and the Bedrooms of the Nation
Spring Garden Rd. Memorial Public Library
Has the state really removed itself from the bedrooms of the nation?
Kevin Kindred, lawyer and past-chair of NSRAP, reviews everything you
ever wanted to know about sex & the Criminal Code, but were afraid to
ask. 12:00 pm
FRIDAY YOUTH PROJECT EVENT
- Float Building at the Youth Project
Youth Project 2281 Brunswick Street Halifax
Come out, hang out and help us build our Youth Project float for the Pride Parade. This year’s theme? SUPERHEROES! This event is open to all youth under 25. 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Queen of the Vinyards
Sponsored by Ambassatours and Halifax Pride
Join Rouge on her journey to discover the wines of Nova Scotia. Rouge Fatale will take you to the Annapolis Valley where you will visit three of the provinces premiere wineries and enjoy a delicious lunch. This trip is complete with wine and Fox Hill Cheese tasting. All this and you will be back in Halifax in plenty of time to enjoy the Under the Big Top Songwriters Circle. Visit www.ambassatours.com to make reservations. Admission: $84.00
- Under the Big Top Songwriters Circle
Garrison Grounds under the Beer Tent
Ryan McGrath returns to produce some of the best local talent in the area. Why not start off your Pride weekend reconnecting with old friends in this intimate setting. 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Admission $5.00
- QUEER ACTS: Halifax Pride’s First Queer Theatre Festival: Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Paragon Theatre, Gottingen Street Halifax
TRRRASH presents the beloved glam rock musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch on the Paragon Theatre stage for one night only. With glamour and rock star elegance Hedwig will tell her story of growing up as a young boy in communist East Berlin. The show, written by John Cameron Mitchell, is often compared to the camp classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show, but Hedwig and the Angry Inch entirely holds its own as a show about one person’s quest for identity. Starring Ian Mullan and Krista Lane with music direction by Josh Kogon. Tickets can be purchased through trrrash.com, $23. 7:00pm.
FRIDAY BAR EVENTS
- Ria Mae and Margot with Natasha Peach
The Foggy Goggle 1667 Argyle Street Halifax
Everyone loves a good story. For Halifax-based Ria Mae, song writing is a vehicle to carry other people’s narratives. Instead of looking inward and focusing on her own experience in the world, she writes pop songs about those closest to her. Mae has a certain way about her, she’s a mixture of cocksure, rhetoric and charm.
- Out of Towners Party
MENZ BAR 2182 Gottingen Street HalifaxShow your colors! Wear the Pride shirt from your hometown. Happy Hour 3:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Admission after 10:00 p.m. $5.00
- Madison Violet
The Company House 2201 Gottingen Street Halifax
A very special Pride show, Brenley MacEchern and Lisa MacIssac will perform from their recently released CD, No Fool for Trying. Tickets available at The Company House. 8:00 p.m. Admission $15.00 in advance, $20.00 at the door.
- Pride Friday Night Special Guest DJ’s
Reflections Cabaret 5184 Sackville Street Halifax
Come dance the night away with Special Guest DJ’s.
SATURDAY JULY 25, 2009
- Venus Envy Annual Pride Day Sale!
1598 Barrington Street Halifax See all your friends and pick up anything rainbow and all toys at 20% off. Be one of the first 25 customers and get a free gift! 10:00 a.m.– 6:00 p.m.
- Interfaith Pride Service
Garrison Grounds Pride Festival Site 11AM
Sponsored by Safe Harbour Metropolitan Church and friends under the tent.
- 21st Annual Halifax Pride Parade
Marshalling begins at 12PM at Cornwallis and Upper Water Street
See Map Insert Parade begins at 1:30PM Sharp! Join Halifax Pride Festival as we take the Canada’s 4th largest Pride parade through the heart of the city. There expected to be over 125 entries this year.
- 21st Annual Pride Festival and Concert
Garrison Grounds Pride Festival Site 3PM – 8PM
This year’s post parade concert will feature a number of local artists, some familiar and some entirely unexpected! In addition, we’re delighted to host Ruby Jean and the Thoughtful Bees who will be opening for The Cliks and the Hidden Cameras.
Sponsor: Heritage Canada Building Communities through Arts and Heritage program and the Halifax Regional Municipality. Admission: Free
- 2nd Annual Community Fair
Garrison Grounds Pride Festival 3PM
Sponsored by Glo Promotions and Halifax Regional Municipality, this year’s Community Fair has something for everyone. From carnival games to celebrity dunk tank, inflatables to entertainment, there is something for the child in all of us. We are planning a second stage for the Community acts this year located within the fair grounds. Another new attraction is a Youth Dance Competition for ages 12-19 produced by Bounce 101.3. Free Admission
SATURDAY BAR EVENTS
- Celebrate Pride at the Coho
The Company House 2201 Gottingen Street Halifax
Happy Pride Day! Drink specials all day! 2:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.
- Girl-ish Productions presents WetSpot sponsored by Venus Envy
Niche Lounge, Barrington @ Spring Garden Halifax’s hottest Pride party five years and counting! DJ Motlette and DJ Ro
Special guest performances from Rae Spoon, Nolan Natasha, Mary Ellen MacLean and more! 9:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m. Limited number of tickets available at Venus Envy! $18.00
- Black and Blue Party
MENZ BAR 2182 Gottingen Street Halifax
2nd Annual All MENZ night sponsored by Moosehead Breweries Ltd. featuring DJ Sonny D. Best ASS Contest win $100 with Miss Rouge Fatal, Door Prizes, Bar Specials, Happy hour and free cover before 9:00 p.m. Admission $10.00 after 9:00 p.m.
- Pride Night with DJ Headphones
Reflections Cabaret 5184 Sackville Street Halifax
Come dance the night away at Halifax’s best dance bar and celebrate your Pride!
SUNDAY JULY 26, 2009
- Pride Family Picnic
Dartmouth Commons and Sportsplex 110 Wyse Road Dartmouth
Dartmouth Sportsplex, 12 Noon Proud Families Free Swim Dartmouth Common 1:00 p.m. All Ages Picnic with free food. Free Admission
- Koinonia Pride/Communion Service
Petrie’s Halifax Feast Dinner Theatre
(Corner entrance at Barrington & Salter Streets)
July 26th, 2009 12:30 p.m.
- East Coast Rainbow Softball Association
Dartmouth Common – West Field (Fields by the Family Picnic Event)
1:00 p.m. – ECRSA Softball game – VENUS ENVY vs. LED ROADWAY LIGHTING
2:30 p.m. – ECRSA Softball game – ROSIE’S RIVETERS vs. MENZ BAR
4:00 p.m. – ECRSA Softball game – LED ROADWAY LIGHTING vs. BIBBY’$ BIG $PENDER$ FREE Admission