June 25, 11AM—6PM, Grandview Park, 1657 Charles St. Vancouver
Kick-off Pride season with a chill afternoon of community, artisans and free entertainment. We’ll have giant Jenga, a parachute game for the kids, queer trivia, button making and a barbecue supporting our friends at SAIGE Community Food Bank. This event is made possible with funding from Presenting Sponsor TD.
Saige Community BBQ: Meat and vegetarian options are available
Payment options: Cash is recommended due to some vendors who are unable to accept Debit or Credit. Directions will be provided for those in need of an ATM at the event.
Terrain & Venue Information: Terrain at Grandview Park is not levelled ground. There are multiple cement paths that are somewhat uneven. Be aware of this when attending the event. Please do not block access routes, especially near the accessibility tent.
Shelter: 10×10 Tents will be provided in certain areas. There are trees around the concrete/gravel area which can also provide shade.
Washrooms: There are washrooms that unfortunately don’t have buttons to open the doors, don’t have change tables, and don’t have sharps boxes. These washrooms will be supplemented with accessible portable toilets.
Tables & Seating: In the concrete area nearest to Commercial Drive there are picnic tables and chairs provided by the park that are immovable. Multiple public benches are situated around the site with not too much room for a mobility device to fit next to it. There will be limited loose chair seating provided by Vancouver Pride Society found at the Accessibility tent.
First Aid: Ski Patrol will be responsible for First Aid for this event. All of the Vancouver Pride Society staff will have Naloxone training prior to the event. Only a few staff members are trained in First Aid.
Face covering policy: Masks are strongly encouraged for this event when not eating/drinking, especially around the accessible viewing zone. Masks can be provided for those who need them at our Vancouver Pride Society tent. Please respect other people’s space and boundaries at the event.
Harm Reduction: The staff of Vancouver Pride Society will work alongside the onsite First Aid team, Security and the volunteers to track and analyze any incidents at the event that may put any attendee, staff or performer at risk. Good Night Out Harm Reduction Volunteers will also be available on site. There will be a sharps box at the VPS tent.
Scent Reduction Policy: Please avoid wearing scents/perfumes for this event to respect those who are sensitive to scents or smells.
Service animals: Pets are permitted at the event site as long as they are leashed. Service animals are permitted at the event as well.
Sensory Sensitivities: Amplified sound will be used at this event for music and announcements. Earplugs will be provided at the Vancouver Pride Society tent. If you have any questions regarding sensory sensitivities during the event please go to the Accessibility tent to speak to a VPS representative.
Low Sensory Zone: A Low Sensory Zone will be provided for those who might want to cool off and relax from the festivities. There will be shade, tables and chairs, fidget toys, colouring materials and more.
Accessible Viewing Zone: Located under a 10×20 shade tent. There will also be a volunteer stationed at the accessible viewing zone if anyone needs assistance.
QueerProv is a queer (LGBTQ+) improv comedy show featuring some of Vancouver’s silliest, most diverse talents. With performers from the improv, standup, theatre, and drag communities, we bring the funny while seamlessly integrating queer characters and stories.
Romeo is a Filipino, Chinese, Spanish, Canadian Singer-Songwriter, Actor, Tattoo Artist, Transgender Advocate and Model from Vancouver, B.C. Growing up in a Filipino household he would watch and listen to his parents constantly sing and play guitar. To this day when he visits his parents he’ll often walk into them singing karaoke together! As a child he wanted to learn to play the guitar and sing. He often fantasized about transitioning into a man so he could serenade the ladies! He has since then transitioned into the man he wanted to be, and still honours his past experience living as a Female presenting Asian woman. He is very passionate when it comes to learning about and sharing his Asian and Filipino heritage. His love for his culture is expressed through Tattooing, Cooing, Singing (as a lot of Filipinos do), Acting, and Advocating for Asian & LGBTQ+ representation. Romeo strives to inspire LGBTQ+ and Asian youth by being a voice for the Transgender & POC community.
Karmella Barr Is Vancouver’s very own sweet chocolate treat. Karmella has had an interest in theatre and entertainment starting at a very young age. This love for entertainment and theatre has lead Karmella to the wonderful world of drag! Karmella has been doing drag in Vancouver for 7 years and counting. In their shows, they are seen as an incredibly personable queen known for the amazing balance of emotion and glamour that they brings to their performances. This amazing balance earned them the title of “Miss Congeniality” in 2016 and then eventually Miss Cobalt 6 in 2017.
Lola Lovegood is a vocal powerhouse with a sparkling personality. She is well-known around Vancouver as the owner of a successful karaoke company, Triumph Entertainment. Lola was one of the first featured artists on QUSIC in 2020. She has performed the anthem for the Canucks, the Warriors, and the Whitecaps. She also performed at Vancouver Pride 2021. In 2021, Lola began her journey as a recording artist. Her first single “Come Over” has already created a devoted fan base! For more of her music, keep your eyes on her Instagram.
Although new to Vancouver’s Drag scene, Aria is a long time performer who has toured Canada and appeared on stages in New York, Las Vegas, and London, UK. Bringing a background in burlesque and circus arts along with eye popping costumes and a huge personality, you are absolutely not ready for Aria Reddy!
Natasha Receno-Tal is a multi-disciplinary artist from Vancouver, BC. She studied Creative Writing at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, was crowned the Vancouver Poetry Slam Champion two years in a row and represented Vancouver at the Women of the World Poetry Slam in New York. She has performed across Canada and the United States, been a showcased artist at the SFU Launch Festival, Vancouver Fringe Festival, Richmond World Festival, and was featured on CBC news. Her favourite sport is devouring books in coffee shops & her favourite superpower is her Synesthesia. She is in an eternal relationship with gratitude and rebirth, and her art is an extension of this.
Sasha Mark (he/him/they/them) is a queer Cree-Métis stand up comedian, from Treaty 1 territory but is now residing in so called “Vancouver”. They have been featured At APTN’s “The Laughing Drum”, The Winnipeg Comedy Festival, and just taped a comedy documentary called Kill Joy which will be out on tv screens soo.
My name is Cru Alexander Timi. I’m originally from Nigeria. I came to Canada at a young age, i grew up in Winnipeg and now living in Vancouver chasing my dream as an actor, model, dancer and singer. My art is to celebrate being queer and i create music to inspire and to make people smile and laugh
Albion Top is a playful new drag artist and the most recently adopted member of the UBC Drag Team. They love to perform silly and upbeat songs and their main goal with their art is to make you smile. Albion is very energetic and will always be on top… of their game. They love to play with gender because they lost theirs on the bus.
Batty is here to big up da crowd dem, serving up a high energy number for ya head tops. Batty is Vancouver’s premier Jamaican-Brazilian, they are new to drag but ready to turn it out for all the Black Queer non-binary baddies at the function. So get those booty cheeks ready and make it clap for the nonbinary finery of it all BATTY B BANKS
Franz Seachel is a South-Asian settler residing on unceded Coast-Salish lands. She is a writer, organizer, workshop facilitator and multidisciplinary artist. She believes art makes living bearable and is doing her best to put more colour into the world. She means this both in the sense of brightening up the mundane with creation, as well as in her mission to uplift the truths of marginalized bodies. She is currently working on her first novel, in addition to other multidisciplinary art projects. Franz hopes you dream often; she hopes you find reasons to stay. You can follow her on Instagram, @franz_seachel.
We are Vancouver’s Rainbow Concert Band based in British Columbia, Canada. The Band was formed in 1990, shortly after Gay Games III. After seeing the spectacular Lesbian and Gay Band Association performance, it was only a matter of time before a group of local musicians took the first steps to organizing their own Gay and Lesbian Concert Band – the first, and still the only one of its kind in Canada!
We are a group dedicated to providing an outlet for Lesbian, Gay, Transgendered, Bisexual, Queer, Queer-friendly and Allied (LGBTQ2S+) people who are looking for a safe and supportive environment to practice and perform music.
We are, of course, always looking for new members so if you are an LGBTQ2S+ or Allied individual and you play a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument and can read music, we would love to hear from you. We welcome instrumentalists of all ages and abilities, no audition required.
Mwayi Mphande better known by their stage name Black Pace, is a passionate Malawian-African women’s rights campaigner, life skills coach, business student and celebrity Hip-hop artist. She was born and raised in Malawi, South Eastern Africa and currently resides on Bowen Island. Pace has already released a full album along with numerous singles and is soon to release another full album. Her music is an eclectic mix of hip hop, afro pop and the distinct sound of her native village. Inspired by underground hip hop, at the age of 13 she began composing music of her own. She crafted beats using percussive objects in her immediate surroundings including tables, spoons and sticks. Her lyrics reflected her day-to-day experience and the challenges of being a female hip hop artist in Malawi. For Pace, music began as a catalyst for self-expression and matured into a means of advocating for women and children’s rights. In 2017 she emerged as the first Malawian woman to record a hip-hop album entitled Nkazi Moto. The album is inspired by female Chief Kachinda Moto, internationally known for her fight against childhood marriage.
June 25, 11AM—6PM, Grandview Park, 1657 Charles St. Vancouver
Kick-off Pride season with a chill afternoon of community, artisans and free entertainment. We’ll have giant Jenga, a parachute game for the kids, queer trivia, button making and a barbecue supporting our friends at SAIGE Community Food Bank. This event is made possible with funding from Presenting Sponsor TD.
We recognize this event will be on the unceded lands of the Coast Salish, səl̓ilwətaɁɬ təməxʷ (Tsleil-Waututh), Skwxwú7mesh-ulh Temíx̱w (Squamish), S’ólh Téméxw (Stó:lō), Stz’uminus, šxʷməθkʷəy̓əmaɁɬ təməxʷ (Musqueam), and Hul’qumi’num Treaty Group peoples and are thankful to our hosts in their stewardship of the land for time immemorial.
Date: June 25th, 2022
Time: 11:00am-6:00pm PST
Location: Grandview Park @ 1657 Charles Street, Vancouver, BC.
Ticketing / Age Restriction: Free, all ages.
Public Transport: Yes there is public transport. Translink bus stops will not be obstructed by the event. Directions are provided below.
Southbound to Grandview Park
020 Downtown Bus – Get off at NB Commercial Dr @ Charles St – Walk 1 min
Northbound to Grandview Park
020 Victoria Bus – Get off at SB Commercial Dr @ William St – Walk 1 min
Street Closures: No street closures.
Parking: Parking will be restricted along Commercial Drive and Charles Street.
ASL Interpretation: Will be available near the stage.
Water Access: There are two water fountains on site. One is next to the washrooms and the other is beside the playground.
Food/Menu Options: Please consider those who may have severe food allergies when bringing snacks or beverages.
Tornado Potato
Aloha Poke
Saige Community BBQ: Meat and vegetarian options are available
Payment options: Cash is recommended due to some vendors who are unable to accept Debit or Credit. Directions will be provided for those in need of an ATM at the event.
Terrain & Venue Information: Terrain at Grandview Park is not levelled ground. There are multiple cement paths that are somewhat uneven. Be aware of this when attending the event. Please do not block access routes, especially near the accessibility tent.
Shelter: 10×10 Tents will be provided in certain areas. There are trees around the concrete/gravel area which can also provide shade.
Washrooms: There are washrooms that unfortunately don’t have buttons to open the doors, don’t have change tables, and don’t have sharps boxes. These washrooms will be supplemented with accessible portable toilets.
Tables & Seating: In the concrete area nearest to Commercial Drive there are picnic tables and chairs provided by the park that are immovable. Multiple public benches are situated around the site with not too much room for a mobility device to fit next to it. There will be limited loose chair seating provided by Vancouver Pride Society found at the Accessibility tent.
First Aid: Ski Patrol will be responsible for First Aid for this event. All of the Vancouver Pride Society staff will have Naloxone training prior to the event. Only a few staff members are trained in First Aid.
Face covering policy: Masks are strongly encouraged for this event when not eating/drinking, especially around the accessible viewing zone. Masks can be provided for those who need them at our Vancouver Pride Society tent. Please respect other people’s space and boundaries at the event.
Harm Reduction: The staff of Vancouver Pride Society will work alongside the onsite First Aid team, Security and the volunteers to track and analyze any incidents at the event that may put any attendee, staff or performer at risk. Good Night Out Harm Reduction Volunteers will also be available on site. There will be a sharps box at the VPS tent.
Scent Reduction Policy: Please avoid wearing scents/perfumes for this event to respect those who are sensitive to scents or smells.
Service animals: Pets are permitted at the event site as long as they are leashed. Service animals are permitted at the event as well.
Sensory Sensitivities: Amplified sound will be used at this event for music and announcements. Earplugs will be provided at the Vancouver Pride Society tent. If you have any questions regarding sensory sensitivities during the event please go to the Accessibility tent to speak to a VPS representative.
Low Sensory Zone: A Low Sensory Zone will be provided for those who might want to cool off and relax from the festivities. There will be shade, tables and chairs, fidget toys, colouring materials and more.
Accessible Viewing Zone: Located under a 10×20 shade tent. There will also be a volunteer stationed at the accessible viewing zone if anyone needs assistance.
Start your Pride season right with these activities at East Side Pride:
12:00 PM: Rainbow Concert Band
12:50 PM: Drag Story Time
1:00PM: QueerProv
1:30 PM: Bubbles
1:45 PM: Forbidden Walking Tours
On the Stage
QueerProv is a queer (LGBTQ+) improv comedy show featuring some of Vancouver’s silliest, most diverse talents. With performers from the improv, standup, theatre, and drag communities, we bring the funny while seamlessly integrating queer characters and stories.
Romeo is a Filipino, Chinese, Spanish, Canadian Singer-Songwriter, Actor, Tattoo Artist, Transgender Advocate and Model from Vancouver, B.C. Growing up in a Filipino household he would watch and listen to his parents constantly sing and play guitar. To this day when he visits his parents he’ll often walk into them singing karaoke together! As a child he wanted to learn to play the guitar and sing. He often fantasized about transitioning into a man so he could serenade the ladies! He has since then transitioned into the man he wanted to be, and still honours his past experience living as a Female presenting Asian woman. He is very passionate when it comes to learning about and sharing his Asian and Filipino heritage. His love for his culture is expressed through Tattooing, Cooing, Singing (as a lot of Filipinos do), Acting, and Advocating for Asian & LGBTQ+ representation. Romeo strives to inspire LGBTQ+ and Asian youth by being a voice for the Transgender & POC community.
Karmella Barr Is Vancouver’s very own sweet chocolate treat. Karmella has had an interest in theatre and entertainment starting at a very young age. This love for entertainment and theatre has lead Karmella to the wonderful world of drag! Karmella has been doing drag in Vancouver for 7 years and counting. In their shows, they are seen as an incredibly personable queen known for the amazing balance of emotion and glamour that they brings to their performances. This amazing balance earned them the title of “Miss Congeniality” in 2016 and then eventually Miss Cobalt 6 in 2017.
Lola Lovegood is a vocal powerhouse with a sparkling personality. She is well-known around Vancouver as the owner of a successful karaoke company, Triumph Entertainment. Lola was one of the first featured artists on QUSIC in 2020. She has performed the anthem for the Canucks, the Warriors, and the Whitecaps. She also performed at Vancouver Pride 2021. In 2021, Lola began her journey as a recording artist. Her first single “Come Over” has already created a devoted fan base! For more of her music, keep your eyes on her Instagram.
Although new to Vancouver’s Drag scene, Aria is a long time performer who has toured Canada and appeared on stages in New York, Las Vegas, and London, UK. Bringing a background in burlesque and circus arts along with eye popping costumes and a huge personality, you are absolutely not ready for Aria Reddy!
Natasha Receno-Tal is a multi-disciplinary artist from Vancouver, BC. She studied Creative Writing at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, was crowned the Vancouver Poetry Slam Champion two years in a row and represented Vancouver at the Women of the World Poetry Slam in New York. She has performed across Canada and the United States, been a showcased artist at the SFU Launch Festival, Vancouver Fringe Festival, Richmond World Festival, and was featured on CBC news. Her favourite sport is devouring books in coffee shops & her favourite superpower is her Synesthesia. She is in an eternal relationship with gratitude and rebirth, and her art is an extension of this.
Sasha Mark (he/him/they/them) is a queer Cree-Métis stand up comedian, from Treaty 1 territory but is now residing in so called “Vancouver”. They have been featured At APTN’s “The Laughing Drum”, The Winnipeg Comedy Festival, and just taped a comedy documentary called Kill Joy which will be out on tv screens soo.
My name is Cru Alexander Timi. I’m originally from Nigeria. I came to Canada at a young age, i grew up in Winnipeg and now living in Vancouver chasing my dream as an actor, model, dancer and singer. My art is to celebrate being queer and i create music to inspire and to make people smile and laugh
Albion Top is a playful new drag artist and the most recently adopted member of the UBC Drag Team. They love to perform silly and upbeat songs and their main goal with their art is to make you smile. Albion is very energetic and will always be on top… of their game. They love to play with gender because they lost theirs on the bus.
Batty is here to big up da crowd dem, serving up a high energy number for ya head tops. Batty is Vancouver’s premier Jamaican-Brazilian, they are new to drag but ready to turn it out for all the Black Queer non-binary baddies at the function. So get those booty cheeks ready and make it clap for the nonbinary finery of it all BATTY B BANKS
Franz Seachel is a South-Asian settler residing on unceded Coast-Salish lands. She is a writer, organizer, workshop facilitator and multidisciplinary artist. She believes art makes living bearable and is doing her best to put more colour into the world. She means this both in the sense of brightening up the mundane with creation, as well as in her mission to uplift the truths of marginalized bodies. She is currently working on her first novel, in addition to other multidisciplinary art projects. Franz hopes you dream often; she hopes you find reasons to stay. You can follow her on Instagram, @franz_seachel.
We are Vancouver’s Rainbow Concert Band based in British Columbia, Canada. The Band was formed in 1990, shortly after Gay Games III. After seeing the spectacular Lesbian and Gay Band Association performance, it was only a matter of time before a group of local musicians took the first steps to organizing their own Gay and Lesbian Concert Band – the first, and still the only one of its kind in Canada!
We are a group dedicated to providing an outlet for Lesbian, Gay, Transgendered, Bisexual, Queer, Queer-friendly and Allied (LGBTQ2S+) people who are looking for a safe and supportive environment to practice and perform music.
We are, of course, always looking for new members so if you are an LGBTQ2S+ or Allied individual and you play a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument and can read music, we would love to hear from you. We welcome instrumentalists of all ages and abilities, no audition required.
Mwayi Mphande better known by their stage name Black Pace, is a passionate Malawian-African women’s rights campaigner, life skills coach, business student and celebrity Hip-hop artist. She was born and raised in Malawi, South Eastern Africa and currently resides on Bowen Island. Pace has already released a full album along with numerous singles and is soon to release another full album. Her music is an eclectic mix of hip hop, afro pop and the distinct sound of her native village. Inspired by underground hip hop, at the age of 13 she began composing music of her own. She crafted beats using percussive objects in her immediate surroundings including tables, spoons and sticks. Her lyrics reflected her day-to-day experience and the challenges of being a female hip hop artist in Malawi. For Pace, music began as a catalyst for self-expression and matured into a means of advocating for women and children’s rights. In 2017 she emerged as the first Malawian woman to record a hip-hop album entitled Nkazi Moto. The album is inspired by female Chief Kachinda Moto, internationally known for her fight against childhood marriage.