VanPrideFest marks the return of in-person summer festivals

Vancouver Pride Society is excited to announce its full schedule for the 2021 #ChooseYourPride celebrations. While acknowledging that Pride doesn’t look the same for all community members, the organization is hosting more than 60 events including in-person and digital experiences taking place July 3–August 3, 2021. As one of the first in-person Summer festivals since COVID started in 2020, Vancouver Pride Society will bring the pandemic-friendly VanPrideFest to Jonathan Rogers Park in Mount Pleasant from July 30–August 1, 2021. The series of free open-air programming with community partners offers ten different time slots dedicated to the specificities of the local 2SLGBTQAI+ community.

The event is free but registration is required so organizers are able to comply with all provincial health orders. “It was important to us to create celebrations that everybody can participate in, and although we have had to make the incredibly heartbreaking decision not to go ahead with our iconic Parade, we are excited to launch our hybrid season of festivities including our digital Decentralized Parade,” says Andrea Arnot, Executive Director of Vancouver Pride. “We are hoping that our Pride Lounges, VanPrideFest, and Pride Art Walk, combined with 21 digital events such as our VanPride Classroom Series, and Pride Summer Series, amongst others will offer something for everyone.”

For the first time this year, organizers are bringing a series of COVID-safe Pride Lounges to Vancouver Downtown, which will pop across from Jim Deva Plaza, Stanley Park Brewpub, and šxʷƛ̓ ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square at the Vancouver Art Gallery. Attendees will be able to book a time slot for up to six people within their bubble in advance and enjoy drinks under the summer sky with lounge-style entertainment.

Due to provincial COVID-19 Public Health Orders, Vancouver Pride has had to cancel its in-person Pride Parade extravaganza, which usually draws people from all over the country. Instead, the organization will be hosting a digital Decentralized Pride Parade Broadcast on August 1, 2021, encouraging viewers to celebrate with individual gatherings to take up space all around the city and connect with their communities. Whether that be having a picnic in the park, dressing up in Pride gear, having lunch on a patio, or marching with their loved ones down the street, this celebration is about being loud and proud taking over the city for the day. The broadcast will include pre-recorded videos from Vancouver Pride’s community partners and live reporters in multiple locations. In addition participants who post about their individual celebrations, using #VanPride will have the chance to be featured in Vancouver Pride’s Decentralized Parade and win prizes.

VANCOUVER PRIDE SOCIETY IS EXCITED TO BRING QUEER CELEBRATIONS TO VANCOUVER

Pride Summer Series: Online July 16 + 23, 2021 starting at 6 PM PST
In Partnership with Fido and Hubcast

Vancouver Pride Society is excited to present the Pride Summer Series of online concerts in partnership with Fido and Hubcast, July 16 and 23, 2021. The concerts will include performances by Romeo Ryu Reyes, Parlour Panther, Old Soul Rebel, Strange Breed, The Pack A.D., and Matthew Presidente. Tune in live to test your knowledge with Pride Trivia and for your chance to win awesome prize packages. This event is an opportunity for you to gather your bubble besties in your living room, backyard, or at your favourite beach and join Vancouver Pride virtually for the first event of the summer!

Pride Art Walk: Various Locations, July 19–August 3, 2021
Curated by Vancouver Mural Fest, sponsored by Microsoft

Queer public art is coming to Vancouver from July 19–August 3, 2021. To offer a COVID- friendly way to celebrate Pride this year, Vancouver Pride has commissioned multiple art installations and murals across Vancouver Downtown and the West End. Dress up in your Pride gear with your bubble buddies and hit the streets to discover local artists.

VanPride Classroom: Online, July 19–28, 2021, at various times
Sponsored by UFCW Locals 1518 + 247, and BC Hydro Pride Network

As part of Vancouver Pride Society’s programming, the staff team have researched and hired facilitators and experts to deliver five Pride Intensives discussing different topics during the month of July. Due to the nature of the workshops and in order to encourage participation and active dialogue, each session has a maximum attendee number of 100 people.

Drag Story Time: Online, starting July 20, at 10 AM PST

Join drag artists Mina Mercury and Justin Abit, in two distinct segments as they share fabulous picture books that centre queer families. For the second year in a row, Vancouver Pride Society collaborated with local drag artists to create family-friendly Drag Story Times presented by Fido, Winners, HomeSense, and Marshalls. Extra special this year are two Miss Persona episodes which will be available during Pride Week only!

Pride Lounges: Various Locations, July 23–25 and July 30–August 1, 2021, various time slots available
Sponsored by Stoli, Vizzy, Stanley Park Brewpub, and Bud Light

From July 23–25 and July 30–August 1, 2021, three pop-up style COVID-friendly Pride Lounges will come to Vancouver. Book a two hour time slot for a group of up to six people, have a couple drinks under the summer sky, and enjoy some lounge style entertainment including drag performers. Vizzy Pride Lounge will be located at šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ  Square at the Vancouver Art Gallery, Stoli Pride Lounge at Jim Deva Plaza in Davie Village, and the third Pride Lounge will be at Stanley Park Brewpub. Tickets are required and the event is 19+.

Drag Deliveries: Online July 26–30, 2021 starting at 4 PM PST daily
In partnership with TUCK Entertainment and Evo Car Share

Drag Deliveries returns for a week of drag mayhem on the streets of Vancouver in collaboration with TUCK Entertainment. Follow the livestream as the drag road crew give away swag and pop Pride trivia questions to innocent bystanders between 4–5 PM PST daily during Pride Week, July 26–30, 2021. Find the Vancouver Pride crew at a new location each day including Commercial Drive, Main Street, Yaletown, Davie Village, and šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square.

LGBTQAI2S+ International Human Rights Panel: Online, July 27, at 6 PM
Presented with Dignity Network Canada, Lawson Lundell, and PayByPhone

Vancouver Pride Society is honoured to present its second online LGBTQAI2S+ International Human Rights Panel in partnership with Dignity Network Canada. This event will feature international panelists speaking about queer and trans global human rights.

Queer History Panel: Online July 29, 2021, at 7 PM PST
Sponsored by Clio, Technical Safety BC, and Amazon

Vancouver Pride is excited to present the second iteration of Queer History Panel. Join local activists Chrissy Taylor, Al / Chad / Shelley, DJ T, Fatima Jaffer, Travis Angus AKA Desree Niis Miou, moderated by VPS Co-Chair and Executive Director for Options for Sexual Health, Michelle Fortin on July 29, 2021 at 7 PM PST for a pre-recorded discussion of Queer History rooted in what’s colonially known as Vancouver. Panelists share some of their earliest Pride memories and how Pride has evolved over the years.

VanPrideFest: Jonathan Rogers Park, July 30–August 1, 2021, various time slots available
Presented by TD

Vancouver Pride Society is excited to bring VanPrideFest to Jonathan Rogers Park, July 30–August 1, 2021. VanPrideFest is a series of free open-air programming with  community partners. The ten different time slots are dedicated to the specificities of the local LGBTQAI2S+ community. Whether you are looking for drag, yoga, music, or to have a family friendly picnic with live entertainment in the park, VanPrideFest has it all. The event will have strict COVID-19 protocols and safety plans in place in accordance with all provincial health regulations. Free registration for the event will open on June 28, 2021. VanPrideFest is presented by TD.

Symphonic Pride: Online, July 30, 2021, 7 PM PST
Presented by Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and Vancouver Pride Society Sponsored by TD

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and Vancouver Pride Society are excited to announce its second virtual Syphonic Pride, July 30, 2021. The digital edition celebrates diverse queer stories told through live and filmed spoken word and dance, featuring prominent queer members of the Vancouver community and special musical guests. Stories of celebration, history, struggle, pride—representing the broad range of queer experience and a diverse lineup of contributors. In tandem we will tell the stories of pioneering queer classical composers of the past and today, with a focus on symphonic music written by exclusively queer composers, featuring the full VSO as well as solo performances.

Musical selections by Tchaikovsky, Smyth, Higdon, Sharman, Schubert, Corigliano and Copland.

POSH BALL 2021 – Online Kiki Ball: Online July 31, 2021 starting at 6 PM PST
Presented by Van Vogue Jam sponsored by Lululemon

Van Vogue Jam presents the second annual collaboration with Vancouver Pride Society: The POSH BALL – Online Kiki Ball. Tune in live by donation from the comfort of your home on July 31, 2021 at 6 PM PST.
The online event will feature international judges, major effects, and cash prizes. This event is sponsored by Lululemon and 50% of all donations will be donated to QCHAT. Register at 2021poshball.eventbrite.ca

Decentralized Pride Parade: Online August 1, 2021 starting at 12 PM PST

Vancouver Pride Society presents this year’s Decentralized Pride Parade, August 1, 2021 at 12 PM PST. Tune in from a park, your favourite patio, backyard, or from wherever you are or choose to celebrate Pride from. Rally your bubble to snap a Pride-parade-worthy pic or video and upload it to Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter using #VanPride for your chance to be featured live in the parade broadcast. View the free parade live for your chance to win amazing prizes, participate in Pride trivia, and to celebrate with fellow queers or show your support as an ally. Wherever you are, Vancouver Pride wants to celebrate with you and bring the community together.

To learn more about this year’s Pride celebrations, purchase tickets, register for events, or check out the Vancouver Pride Merchandise store, download the Vancouver Pride App available on iOS and Android or visit vancouverpride.ca. Tickets and registration will open on June 28 at 10 AM PST. Organizers ask folks who do not have a ticket not to attend the in-person events requiring registration in order to comply with all COVID-19 regulations and ensure the safety of all. To stay in the know about Pride events, follow the Vancouver Pride Society on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. For accessibility information, please visit vancouverpride.ca/accessibility.

EVENT INFORMATION
Dates: July 3–August 3, 2021
Tickets and registration: Ranging from $0–$10 available starting June 28, 2021 at 10 AM PST at vancouverpride.ca/tickets
Location: Various locations across Vancouver and online at vancouverpride.ca/live
Website: vancouverpride.ca