Schema Magazine

This Week in Vancouver | The Proud Edition

Why the \"Proud\" Edition you may ask? Because this week Vancouver is bursting with pride, of both the capital P and lowercase variety. \n\nFirst up: Pride Week! Though most of the country (and the world) celebrated Gay, Lesbian, Transgendered, and Queer Pride Month back in June, Vancouver's annual end-of-July Pride bonanza is well-timed this year, as it comes hot on the sparkly stiletto heels of a landmark decision by our neighbours to the southeast to license same-sex marriages. This week we get our chance to share in New York's celebration of equality and to celebrate the strength of our own LGBTQ community. And to get decked out head to toe in rainbows, of course! It is also the week to be proud of Vancouver's Japanese heritage at the 35th annual Powell Street Festival. And, as always, there are some cool concerts, and a wacky fundraiser for the Vancouver Asian Film Festival. \n\n

2nd GLISA North America Outgames Vancouver 2011\nMonday, July 25th to Sunday, July 31st\nVarious times and locations\n\nThe Outgames are a chance to showcase the skill and achievements of LGBTQ athletes of all levels from all over North America, and to hear some wonderful and inspiring speakers from the LGBTQ community. They are also, naturally, a chance to party. Kick off Pride week right with the Outgames' opening night party at Five Sixty and follow up with a midweek showcase, again at Five Sixty, and a wrap-up bash at the Plaza of Nations. \n\n

Queer Arts Festival\nTuesday, July 26th to Saturday, August 13th, various times\nRoundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre\n\nA series of sinful portraits by a lesbian photographer at odds with her Catholic faith. A one-man show about the experience of being black and gay with a title you could not utter in polite company. A Men's choir performance being billed as \"karaoke with glitter.\" Angelina L. Cantada's \"The 7 Deadly Sins\" series, part of the Games People Play art display, nggrfg, directed by the late Denis Simpson, and the Big Gay Sing courtesy of the Vancouver Men's Chorus are just some of the amazing events on offer this year. Karaoke with glitter!\n\n

Tanya Tagaq\nWednesday, July 27th, 7:00 pm\nVancouver Art Gallery\n\nWhat could be a more fitting venue than the VAG's current exhibit of Surrealist art for the surreal vocals of world-renowned throat singer Tanya Tagaq? Don't let her sweet demeanour fool you -- Tanya's sound is raw and terrifyingly beautiful. Here's a quick intro if you've never heard throat singing before, but be warned, this is not music for the faint-hearted!\n\n

Distant Worlds: Music From Final Fantasy\nWednesday, July 27th, 8:00 pm\nOrpheum Theatre\n\nOk, geeks, gamers, nerds, and fan-boys/girls, this one is for you: The music of Final Fantasy, played by live orchestra, with HD scenes and screen shots from Final Fantasies I through XIV projected on a giant screen. My work here is done. Stop salivating on your keyboard and go get yourself some tickets.\n\n

Mind Your Bid-ness Living and Silent Auction Party\nThursday, July 28th, 8:00 pm\nBiltmore Cabaret\n\nSchema is all geared up for this ingenious and sure-to-be hilarious fundraiser event. Don't forget, you still have until midnight on July 26th to enter our giveaway and score free tickets to the mayhem!\n\n

35th Annual Powell Street Festival\nSaturday, July 30th and Sunday, July 31st, 2011, 11:30am - 7:00pm\nVarious locations\n\nIf you find yourself strolling down Powell Street this weekend, keep an eye out for the Schema team. We will surely be out in full force, chowing down on yakisoba, listening to the musical stylings of Goh Nakamura, Nikasaya, and many more, maybe even throwing down in the Sumo tournament! Ok, we might need a whole lot of sake to steel our nerves for that last one. \n\n

8th Annual Vancouver Dyke March\nSaturday, July 30th, 11:30 am\nMcSpadden Park\n\nVancouver's 8th Annual Dyke March promises to be a rousing event full of proud out women and allies, music and dancing, and even a contingent of Dykes on Bikes leading the way! \n\n

Vancouver Pride Parade and Festival\nSunday, July 31st (Festival starts Monday, July 25th)\nVarious times and locations \n\nRainbows, glitter, mardi gras beads and high heels. Need I say more? Come out (literally or metaphorically!) and share your pride as a member or an ally of Vancouver's gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, and queer community.