While the internationally recognized Pride Month may be long in the past, Calgary’s celebrations stay in full swing all the way up until the city’s Pride Parade. While crappy weather may have forced us to have our parade at a weird time, it does have a perk — more time for killer pride events!
ROOTED IN THE ROCKIES: BLACK QUEER GAME NIGHT
Over at the Centre for Newcomers, play games and make some new friends with the Rooted in the Rockies game night on August 17. It’s a great event for the black queer community to come together in a low stakes social event that’s all about fun and welcoming one another. “You’re not having to hold your guard up or wonder ‘Is this space for me?’ It is by you, for you, and we need you,” said Daphne Dike-Hart, president and CEO of Black Pride YYC. Come and play games, or just come for socialization. You can reserve a spot over an eventbrite.com. Tickets are completely free.
August 17, 4 to 7 p.m. at Centre for Newcomers, Northgate Village Shopping Centre, 565 36 St. N.E.
RANG DE SOUTH ASIAN QUEER PARTY
Not everyone is going to feel represented at a pride event, even among queer friends. South Asian queer folks have a fun event to check out on August 23 at the Rated Ultra Lounge, just around the back of Fortuna’s Row. A stacked lineup of DJs keeps the party going from 9 p.m. to midnight, and drag superstar Dayna Hart will serve looks on stage. Tickets are $33.28, available on eventbrite.com.
August 23, 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. at Rated Ultra Lounge, 314 3 St. S.E.
PRIDE OPEN MIC COMEDY
From Calgary’s staple Laugh Loft and Calgary Pride comes a Pride open mic comedy night at The Attic. Take your tight five to the stage for an audience of accepting folks and enjoy the company of laugh-out-loud host Karla Marx. Open mic spots are limited — you’ll want to make sure you’re there by 7 p.m. so you don’t miss the chance to perform. Turn your friends into comedy guinea pigs and start testing out those jokes. Read more details on The Attic’s Instagram page.
August 24. Sign up starts at 7 p.m., show starts at 7:30 at The Attic, 1413 9 Ave. S.E.
WE SAY GAY: QUEER KID LIT LECTURE
An erudite spin on the usual pride activities, head to Central Library on August 27 for the University of Calgary humanities department’s 7th Annual 2SLGBTQIA+ lecture. This year’s topic is the banning of books that discuss queer issues from K to 12 schools, a trend ongoing in the U.S. and Canada. The lecture is led by Dr. Kenneth Kidd, PhD, a UCalgary instructor in the Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies department. It’s completely free to attend, but you’ll want to reserve your spot with tickets from eventbrite.com.
August 27, 7 to 9 p.m. at Central Library, 800 3 St. S.E.
CALGARY PRIDE BAR CRAWL
Get yourself in the pride mood with a night of hard partying and even harder drinks. Calgary Pride Bar Crawl hits four iconic downtown spots — Hitman’s Bar, Home and Away YYC, Commonwealth Bar & Stage, and Blondies Cabaret — with no additional cover, just the cost of your ticket. Live DJs will be serving up all your favourite pop, hip hop and house tracks to get your body moving at each of the venues. Check in starts at 8 p.m., so you’ve got plenty of time to get your pre-game on beforehand. Early Bird tickets are available before August 21 for $15 on eventbrite.com.
August 30, 8 p.m. at Hitman’s Bar in Cowboys Casino, 421 12 Ave. S.E.
PRIDE BRUNCH
If your idea of the perfect pride features a little less booze and a lot more food, then the Centre for Sexuality’s pride brunch is the place you’ll wanna be. This annual event raises funds for Camp fYrefly, a camp for 2SLGBTQIA+t youth in Southern Alberta. Drag performers keep you entertained as you enjoy your delicious eats. Get your tickets from showpass.com. Single tickets available for $75.
August 30, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency, 700 Centre St. S.E.
