There are certain events that this seemingly unending pandemic can hijack and ruin completely – Calgary Pride will not be one of them. The 30th anniversary of Pride will be reimagined, sure, but the work and ingenuity that has been put into ensuring the week-long celebration reaches as many Calgarians in innovative, fun and educational ways has not. If anything, their efforts may have increased.
First and foremost, everything will be streamed on multiple platforms including YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Twitch. Additionally, an app created for Pride can be downloaded and will offer streaming services as well as a way to keep track of the many events and workshops going on over the August 28 to September 6 Pride week. The app also includes detailed info on artists and a calendar that can be personalized to your specific events.
One of the major initiatives associated with this year’s Pride week, and really an all-encompassing theme, is #OurPride. There will be multiple events that are “Pride-inspired creative gatherings and fundraisers aligning with the provincial and physical distancing recommendations.” #OurPride invites local businesses to show their support of the community through the initiative. Calgary Pride will provide media kits to participating #OurPride organizations, highlighting these community partners during the Pride Festival.
The Pride learning series, made up of more than 100 free workshops open to the public throughout the whole summer, show a concerted and robust approach to intersectionality by the Pride organizers. The sessions include LGBTQS+ basic understanding, racism in the queer community, Indigenous issues and decolonization and so many more.
The virtual “Parade Day” on Sunday September 6 will be a jam-packed event with amazing artists, drag performers and speakers. If there is one day to mark down on your self-curated calendars on the Pride app, it’s this one.
This year will be different for the city of Calgary and Pride week. But reimagined does not mean forgotten and the enormous amount of resiliency, acceptance and love that the city of Calgary and the Pride community have will show this Labour Day weekend.
Here are five ways to celebrate!
The Beltliner Presents Pride History Walk & Brunch – An #OURPRIDE Fundraiser
What better way to learn about our city’s history than to tour some of Calgary’s most significant LGBTQ+ spots and hear the amazing stories of the underground queer community.
Hosted by historian Kevin Allen who, for over 25 years, has been documenting queer people and events throughout Canada, the tour will visit spots where the LGBTQ community gathered, met-up, celebrated and protested. Before Pride became the annual celebration and event it is today, these are the places where people chose, and were allowed, to gather.
The event takes place Saturday August 29th and Sunday August 30th at 11 a.m. Tickets are $50 and include the walk plus brunch (including a cocktail) at The Beltliner. Tickets are available on Showpass. For more information, visit calgarygayhistory.ca or calgarypride.ca.
243 12 Ave. S.W., 587-955-1555, thebeltliner.com
Drinks, Queers, Drag and Queens – Saturday Pride at Ol’ B
Head down to one of Inglewood’s most popular breweries, Ol’ Beautiful, on Saturday, September 5th to celebrate Pride with a long list of performers.
Hosted by Anne Xiety and Valerie Hunt, the event includes drag performances from Dayna Hart, Felicia Bonee, Duke Carson, Anita Dee, Vanta Blaque, Dust, Mx Bukuru, No Name Brand and Avanna Kedavra.
The show starts at 10 p.m. Tickets are $40 to $60 and are available on Eventbrite.
P.S. The burlesque show on Friday, September 4th at Ol’ Beautiful will also be a must-see.
1103 12 St SE, Calgary, AB, 403-453-2739, olbeautiful.com
History is a Drag
Combine history and a drag show with this event. Hosted by Tom Miller and Tereasa Maillie, this show includes three drag performers re-interpreting Calgary’s history in their own way.
It is an online event and can be found on the Calgary pride website.
Rainbow Lion Pride at Dickens Pub
This more of a public notice that things will be going on at Dickens during Pride week. Hosted by Fake Mustache Drag King Troupe, there will be a handful of shows and events at Dickens from September 3 to 6, including the Cyber Stache: Kicking off Pride Live event on Thursday, September 3.
Check out the Rainbow Lion Pride Facebook page for a full listing of all the events.
Dickens Pub, 1000 9 Ave SW, Calgary, AB, 403-233-7550, dickenspub.ca
Trans and Non-Binary 101
This online event, as part of the Calgary Pride Learning series, is a fun and informational webinar looking at gender identities. These sessions work to educate and create a greater understanding of the LGBTQ community.
Hosted by Jame Demers, the session covers language, experience and tips for developing a more understanding of trans-identifying people. It will also touch on what ally-ship looks like in personal and professional realms. Participants will be left with tools on how to develop new relationships.
This session is open to anyone looking to gain a deeper understanding about the LGBTQ community or who are just beginning their learning journey.
The sessions run on September 2 at 6:00 p.m. and September 6 at 1:00 p.m. More information can be found at Calgary Pride.