Going All the Way
2023-08-05 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Edmonton) | The Lantern Community Church, 1401 10 ave se, Calgary, Alberta, T2G 0X1, Canada
Going All the Way is a 1-hour theatre performance that follows best friends Avery and Beatrice (played by Ty Wesley and Loreto Espinoza, respectively). They have spent their whole university degree creating off-the-wall performances, but their final project is outside everyone’s comfort zone: teaching sex-ed to middle schoolers through puppetry. The show takes a turn for the bizarre when years of resentment and confusion bubble up, leaving the two of them hashing out their issues with sex, love, and identity in front of an increasingly restless audience.
This provocative, original work premiered last November in Victoria, BC and is created and directed by Hannah Mariko Bell and written by Sophie Underwood and Kiley Verbowski. The vibrant and unforgettable world of Going All the Way is realized through the work of SKAM’s creative team and crew, including Stage Manager Megan Farrel. The puppets featured in the play were designed by Hannah Mariko Bell, with Puppet and other Props Construction by Christian Tervo, assisted by Sasha Lazin and Faith Robinson. The complete design team includes Lynnéa Chan (Costume Design), Miriam Dumitra (Lighting Design & Sound Design), and Logan Swain (Set Design).

Calgary Pride x FORIEGNERZ - WORK 2023 Pride Gala
2023-08-17 18:00 - 22:00 | Fairmont Palliser, Calgary, 133 9 Avenue Southwest, Calgary, AB, T2P 2M3, Canada
We’re excited to announce WORK, a Fashion Show & Runway installation by FOREIGNERZ, exclusive to our 2023 Calgary Pride Sponsorship Gala taking place on August 17 at the Fairmont Palliser.
WORK invites the viewer to consider the currency of our time and think deeply about what it actually means to work. What does it mean to survive in a post-pandemic era, where the politics of aesthetics and desire drive us. In 2023 we are hustlers, movers, shakers, and people who are asked to take on multiple identities to simply exist. With WORK, FOREIGNERZ brings together the roots of Pride, visibility, survival, power, and the ability to create a new future through honest and jubilant relationships to our body, with urgent questions about the politics of labor, a culture of optimization, and human value.
WORK is the second Runway show from the house of FOREIGNERZ with Creative Direction from @jaesterling. WORK will be a multidisciplinary fashion installation that brings together emerging talent from Alberta in the fashion, music, and art space.
As this show is a part of our annual Sponsorship Gala, this event will have a limited quantity of tickets available to the public.
We cannot wait to present FOREIGNERZ vision, and we’ll remind you that for this event, fits ARE required.

Queer Cult Favorite Celebration - The Rocky Horror Picture Show
2023-08-27 18:00 - 21:00 | Calgary Central Library, 800 3 St SE, Calgary, AB, T2G 0E7, Canada
Experience the iconic “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” like never before at the Calgary Central Library on August 27, 2023! Step into a world where queerness, liberation, and self-expression reign supreme as we celebrate this beloved movie that holds a special place in the hearts of the queer community.
Join us for a night of joyous revelry as we pay tribute to the film’s profound impact on LGBTQ+ culture. The Rocky Horror Picture Show has been hailed as an empowering beacon for the queer community, embracing non-conformity and inspiring individuals to embrace their authentic selves unapologetically.
Delve into the extravagant world of Dr. Frank-N-Furter and the Time Warp with like-minded individuals who cherish this movie for its bold embrace of gender fluidity and acceptance. Through its celebration of diverse identities, the breaking of societal norms, and the exploration of sexual liberation, this film has become a symbol of inclusivity and acceptance.
As we gather to watch this queer cult classic, we celebrate its role in fostering a sense of belonging and kinship among queer individuals. Come and be a part of this powerful cinematic experience that has united the queer community for decades.
Doors open at 6:00pm , and the screening starts at 7:30. Admission is free, but limited seating is available. Reserve your spot now and join us in celebrating the timeless magic of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.”
Let’s come together for an unforgettable night of queer pride, laughter, and camaraderie in the spirit of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show!”
https://calgarylibrary.ca/about-the-library/membership-agreement

5th Annual Citywide Pride Interfaith Gathering
2023-08-27 19:00 - 20:30 | Beth Tzedec Congregation, 1325 Glenmore Trail SW, Calgary, Alberta, T2V 4Y8, Canada
5th Annual Citywide Pride Interfaith Gathering
Sunday, August 27, 7pm
Affirming Connections and Calgary’s Network of Affirming Faith Communities are proudly presenting the 5th annual Citywide Pride Gathering!
Join us for interfaith reflections, celebrations of queer identities, with storytelling and music from Emmet Michael!
Hosted in person at the beautiful Beth Tzedec Congregation in Calgary and streamed live online for anyone to join us.
Learn more here:
https://affirmingconnections.com/what-were-up-to
More about our special guest musician:
https://emmetmichaelmusic.com/home

TD Inglewood/Ramsay Pride Patio Party: 5th Year Anniversary
2023-08-28 18:00 - 22:00 | Ol’ Beautiful Brewing Co., 1103 12 Street Southeast Calgary,, Calgary, Alberta, AB T2G 3H7, Canada
TD Inglewood/ Ramsay Presents our annual fundraising Pride Patio Party! Come join us at Ol’ Beautiful Brewery Co. on August 28th to celebrate pride and support 2SLGBTQIA+ refugees with the End of the Rainbow Foundation and Centre for Newcomers. End of the Rainbow has been supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ refugees for 5 years but there is still more work to do. Get your ticket today to support 2SLGBTQIA+ refugees today!
This year we have 3 new beer stations and an extended patio for you to enjoy, along with the returning Balloon Gift Card Sale and Silent Auction! Watch for our announcement of a raffle. Our partners have incredible gifts to offer and we hope that you can join us for a night of Pride and Celebration of the incredible community here in Calgary!
$30 admission / person gets you a free beer and a buffet style dinner (Pre-registration required) Donations beyond this amount are charitable.
Thank you to TD Bank for making this event possible and for your continued support. Thank you too to the fine Calgary restaurants who are donating food for all attendees.
Your donations are greatly appreciated! We suggest a minimum $50. All funds will support the Calgary Rainbow Railroad Station, aiding 2SLGBTQIA+ refugees in Calgary. Click Here to Donate: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=J4ABB2EAAMYRQ
If you have questions, email events@endoftherainbow.ca.
A Special thank you to Ol’ Beautiful Brewery Co., Righteous Gelato, and John McNeill at Bamber Realty Ltd, Century 21.
If you wish to Volunteer with the End of the Railroad Foundation, visit: https://endoftherainbow.ca/volunteer/ For more information, please visit our website: https://endoftherainbow.ca/ Charitable Registration Number: 100731660 RR 0001
Please do not bring any animals to the event as it gets very crowed, and animals can become overwhelmed. We want to keep everyone safe. A ticket purchase is required to receive a free beer and buffet dinner. This applies to one person per ticket.

Pride at the Backlot
2023-08-29 - 2023-09-04 | The Backlot, 209, 10th Avenue SW, Calgary, AB, T2R 0A4, Canada
The Backlot celebrates 35 years of Pride in Calgary!
ALL BACKLOT PRIDE EVENTS HAVE FREE COVER
29 Aug: The Backlot Experience Pride Addition
Doors 9pm, Show 10pm-1:30am
Join Natasha Brite for our open stage talent night! Drag! Comedy! Burlesque! You do it, come and show it off! All performers Welcome!
30 Aug: Pride & Poetry
Queer History Talk 6pm , Free Verse Slam Poetry Pride Edition 7-10pm
Brush up on Calgary’s Queer History with a talk from Kevin Allen from Calgary Gay History, then stick around for Free Verse Calgary’s inaugural Backlot event with open mic poetry hosted by Tee Dyer.
31 Aug: Queeraoke – 9pm-2am
Let the divas sing, darling! Join the Backlots marvellous karaoke host Kat to sing all your favourites and play Belt That Tune! to enter to win prizes throughout the night!
1 Sept: Community BBQ & Glow Up
BBQ 6-9pm , Glow Up+Jury Duty 9pm
Get the last burgers of the season from Chef E 46 Denis Storm as we kick off Pride Weekend with our Community Charity BBQ! Then, get ready to turn a look and slay at the Glow Up costume ball and Jury Duty Drag show hosted by Empress 47 DW Meadows and Emperor 47 Sister Jac’o’licious Storm Boink. Contest categories are Pearly Whites, Neon Dream-on, and Raver Realness. Prizes will be awarded in each category and for over all Best in Show.
2 Sept: Bawdy Bar
Underwear and Fetish Party 10pm-3am
Get your blood pumping as Dj MzTzA turns up the heat all night long at our Underwear and Fetish party! Dress on up or striped on down in this fetish, leather, and kink friendly event, so long as all the junk is wrapped up. Coat Check will be available during this event.
3 Sept: Pride Patio Party
Drag and Dancing 2pm-3am
The biggest day of all! Make your way to Backlot after the parade to enjoy community, craziness, drag, and dancing! Our patio show kicks of with Amy Heff playing live at 2pm, from 3pm-7pm enjoy local drag and performers and take part in our Wet Tops/Btms Contest (weather permitting) Then starting at 7pm we have Dj Kid V and Dj jhnnai back to back till 3. The Imperial Sovereign Court of the Chinook Arch will be on hand with 50/50 tickets and silent auction items up for grabs with all proceeds going to support the charities of Reign 47.

TD Block Party
2023-08-29 18:00 - 22:00 | Containr Site in Sunnyside, 1010 2 ave nw, Calgary, AB, Canada
Join us for the 5th Annual Pride Block Party, proudly brought to you by TD. Mark your calendars for August 29th as we gather at the vibrant Container Site: 1020 2nd Avenue NW, ready to celebrate love and diversity.
Get ready to groove to the beats of Kue Varo and The Only Hopes. Experience the dazzling allure of a Drag Show and the electrifying tunes curated by Roofeo in a thrilling DJ set.
Indulge your taste buds at our array of food trucks, grab a beer at the beer gardens to sip on your favorite beverages, marvel at circus performances that will leave you in awe, and bounce around on giant inflatables that promise endless fun.
This event is open and welcoming to all ages – and admission is free!

Line Dance Workshop
2023-08-29 19:00 - 20:00 | Sunalta Community Association, 1627 10 Ave SW, Calgary, Alberta, T3C 0J7, Canada
CALLING ALL TWO FOOTERS!
Come on out for a LGBTQ+ and Allies (13+) event to boot scoot your pride boogie for a free beginner line dance workshop to a variety of music genres.
Your instructor has 32 years of experience with 2 world titles and multiple first place competition wins, so he’ll get ya move’n and grove’n as we all fun our way together on the dance floor! This is a solo-friendly event so bring just yourself or come with friends!
– American Sign Language Interpreter provided
This event is respectfully taking place on the ancestral home, culture and or teaching of the Treaty 7 signatories which includes Siksika, Piikan, Kainai, Îethka, Stoney Nakoda Nation consisting of the Chiniki Bears Paw, Good Stoney Bands and Tsuut’ina Nation. As well as the Métis people of Alberta Region 3 who call Treaty 7 their home.
PARKING: There is free parking in a small lot on the east side of the Sunalta Community Hall, free street parking in the surrounding streets/aves and parking behind the Sunalta train station (Impark lot #454 $5 max) which is across the road.

Through the Multiverse: Queer Media Today - A lecture by Amy Villarejo
2023-08-29 19:00 - 21:00 | Calgary Central Library, 800 3 St SE, Calgary, AB, T2G 0E7, Canada
While queer narratives and characters appear (ubiquitous) across media and platforms, what kinds of stories claim our attention and interest? What priorities emerge as queer and trans lives are imperiled by assaults by the rabid right? This is less an attempt to survey the field than to take a few inspiring examples by queer and trans makers and submit them for our collective scrutiny and enjoyment.
Amy Villarejo joined UCLA’s Department of Film, Television, and Digital Media in 2020. Her research focuses on queer cinema and media, critical theory, and television; most recently, she has published the 3rd edition of Film Studies: The Basics (Routledge, 2021) and the Oxford Handbook of Queer Cinema (with Ron Gregg, Oxford UP, 2021).

Queer Tech
2023-08-31 17:00 - 20:00 | Calgary Central Library, 800 3 St SE, Calgary, AB, T2G 0E7, Canada
Prepare to spark your pride, Calgary! Join QueerTech on August 31 to celebrate the end of this spectacular pride season at the colorful InceptionU Design Space, situated at the 3rd Floor of the Central Library in downtown – 800 3 St SE. They’re offering you an evening of nonstop fun, laughing, and fantastic connections from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm.
They’re cranking up the volume on queering the tech ecosystem, and none of this would be possible without the kind support of their host sponsor, InceptionU. They’re optimum party starters, providing continuous support to the unwavering QT community.
So mark your calendars, grab your brightest outfits, and bring your A-game because they’re about to create memories that will last a lifetime. Let’s make this pride season finale an absolute blast!

Trivia Night at Lougheed House: Pride Edition
2023-08-31 19:00 - 20:30 | Lougheed House, 707 13th Avenue, Calgary, Alberta, T2R 0K8, Canada
Join us for an adults-only game night with our resident quizmaster.
*Update*: This trivia night will feature a special theme for Calgary Pride! Grab your squirrel friends to test your knowledge on all things 2SLGBTQIA+ pop culture, history, and more.
Drinks from Last Best Brewing & Distilling and snacks available for purchase.
Doors open at 7:00pm to explore the museum, trivia starts at 7:15pm
Recommended teams of 4-5 people for 3 rounds of trivia
Winning team receives a gift card to Last Best!

Enter the Drag Dragon Calgary Premiere
2023-09-01 - 2023-09-08 | Cineplex Odeon Eau Claire Market Cinemas, Eau Claire Market, 200 Barclay Parade SW #200, Calgary, Alberta, T2P 4R5, Canada
Hello,
I’m writing you from Ottawa – earlier in the year I released my 8th feature film – a Drag-fu, action, comedy, horror, musical entitled “Enter the Drag Dragon”. The film had its world premiere at the Mayfair Theatre in Ottawa, where we had line ups around the block and many sell outs. Cineplex is now releasing the film Nation wide throughout the Summer to coincide with Pride festivities in each city across the country. “Enter the Drag Dragon” will be having a week-long Cineplex premiere engagement in Calgary during the week of Friday, September 1st till Thursday, September 7th at Cineplex Odeon Eau Claire Market Cinemas (Eau Claire Market, 200 Barclay Parade SW #200, Calgary, AB T2P 4R5) to coincide with Calgary Pride.
https://www.cineplex.com/theatre/cineplex-cinemas-park-lane
I am hoping to promote our upcoming week long engagement with Cineplex during some CalgaryPride events. Would that be possible? What is the best way to announce and/or promote our screenings to your guests attending the Calgary Pride Festival?
Here is a short synopsis for the film:
From the people who brought you “Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter” – get ready to go on a Drag-Fu odyssey, filled with face-crunching action, corset-busting comedy, gut-munching horror, and soul-touching musical numbers! You’ve never experienced anything like Enter the Drag Dragon! This blast of true of independent cinema will leave you wobbly in your heels as you try to recover from the non-stop thrill ride of adventure, laughs, screams, and romance.
Please check out our trailer (I attached a poster):

The film is a bit of a media-darling – here is some press we got here in Canada:
The film got an amazing review on CBC by Tom McSorley:
https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-100-ottawa-morning/clip/15962388-film-review-enter-drag-dragon?fbclid=IwAR0jAhPFlKrDR7164d3B9vhvtUHaAwWWv_6n4fy8nZe5EgXNbEmy2j_3rq8
Richard Crouse liked the film:
https://www.ctvnews.ca/entertainment/movie-reviews-creed-iii-is-knockout-climax-to-a-sometimes-formulaic-but-heartfelt-story-1.6295990?fbclid=IwAR3IsStjFSpUTQeq7tFOBR30JGVY2eXXYPsnADg-hWeEEPLPZqwITsiM-NE
CBC Radio – “All in the Day with Alan Neal”:
https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-92-all-in-a-day/clip/15962863-enter-the-drag-dragon-lee-demarbres-camp-extravaganza?fbclid=IwAR2o3WyIWgdY5GB5Q-zEMPloe_OlOt3UUYxFocSsO80r6anCrdqIedco2ZA
Wylie Writes:
Enter the Drag Dragon

The Buzz Mag:
Enter The Drag Dragon – Ottawa based detective agency filled with outrageous sexcapades, martial arts, gore, and random gags

Original Cin:
https://www.original-cin.ca/posts/2023/3/3/enter-the-drag-dragon-lowering-the-bar-for-fun-zombie-fights-and-dildo-nunchucks?fbclid=IwAR3TquU04k-NqB4T_M_qhvBxecrQM6_ru654OHQLqgf4W6tcLN15r4r5c7w
What She Said Talk:
A Girl Finds Hope, Two Women Tempt Fate and the Rest is a Drag!

Additionally – “Enter the Drag Dragon” is now a 8 time award winning film:
Winner: Best Feature Film – Horror Underground Film & Screenplay Festival, 2023
Winner: Best Action/Adventure – Hollywood Blood Horror Festival, 2023
Winner: Best Director – Hollywood Blood Horror Festival, 2023
Winner: Best Duo (Sam Kellerman & Jade London) – Hollywood Blood Horror Festival, 2023
Winner: Best Horror/Comdey Feature Film – Venus Brightest Star International Film Festival 2023
Winner: Best Supporting Actor (Mrs. Rayna Farr-Dutchin) – Venus Brightest Star International Film Festival 2023
Winner: Audience Favourite Feature – Gateway Film Fest 2023, North Bay, Ontario
Winner: Best Costume Design – Gateway Film Fest 2023, North Bay, Ontario
Please let me know what you think and thank you for your time!

Queerly Disabled with Queers, Questions and Queens
2023-09-01 13:30 - 15:30 | The Alex Community Food Centre, 4920 17 Avenue Southeast, Calgary, Alberta, T2A 0V4, Canada
Join us for an exciting and inclusive event that celebrates the vibrant queer and disabled community! On Fri Sep 01 2023, starting at 13:30:00 GMT-0600 (Mountain Daylight Time), we invite you to gather at 4920 17 Avenue Southeast, Calgary, AB T2A 0V4 for an unforgettable experience.
Our event, Queerly Disabled with Queers, Questions and Queens, aims to foster a safe and supportive space where everyone can come together to share their stories, ask questions, and celebrate our unique identities. This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, make new friends, and learn from our incredible lineup of speakers and performers.
Throughout the day, you’ll have the chance to engage in thought-provoking discussions, attend informative talks, and witness mesmerizing performances by talented drag queens. Whether you identify as queer, disabled, or an ally, this event is for you! Together, we can challenge stereotypes, break down barriers, and celebrate the diverse experiences that make our community so beautiful.
Make sure to mark your calendars for Friday, September 1st, 2023 and join us at The Alex Community Food Centre located at 4920, 17 Avenue Southeast, Calgary, AB T2A 0V4 for a day filled with love, acceptance, and empowerment. Let’s come together and show the world the strength and resilience of the queer and disabled community!

Pride & Glide
2023-09-01 18:00 - 22:00 | Olympic Oval, 2500 University Dr. NW, Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada
The Olympic Oval is hosting its 3rd annual Calgary Pride skating event—Pride & Glide. Show your PRIDE and skate on The Fastest (and most Fabulous) Ice in the World™ on the Olympic Oval’s 400m ice. Special guest @dj_phnm cranking will be on-site cranking out the best PRIDE anthems and tunes to celebrate #PrideYYC.
This is a non-alcoholic event.
The Olympic Oval is a 2SLGBTQ+ safe space.

WERK NSFW
2023-09-01 21:00 | The Palace Theatre, 219-8 ave SW, Calgary, AB, T2P 1B7, Canada
WERK is back HOTTER, BIGGER, FASTER, LONGER, & THICKER with the return of NSFW, brought to you by our wonderful friends Freddie! This time, we’re taking over The Palace Theatre in an abstract, rough and fetish sorta way, all in the name of @CALGARYPRIDE. 🌈⛓💋
We’re excited to present an international lineup of DJs, with music by:
Josh Harrison from across the pond London UK
Boyyyish hailing from New York City
Calgary’s BabyGirl!
BONUS?! Take in spicy performances by Venus, The Girlfriend Experience and WERK’s sickening roster of pole dancers. If you’ve had the PLEASURE of attending a Not Safe For WERK party, you’ll know this is one you won’t want to miss. Come out, celebrate Calgary Pride, sexual freedom and showcase what’s in your tickle trunk! *Leather is optional but recommended* I can see you getting excited

NSFW at The Palace Theatre
2023-09-01 21:00 - 2023-09-02 02:00 | The Palace Theatre, 219-8 ave SW, Calgary, AB, T2P 1B7, Canada
WERK presents their BIGGEST NSFW Party event yet — NOT SAFE FOR WERK! Hosted by Venus of Vancouver, the event will feature international DJs Josh Harrison of London UK, BOYYYish of New York, and BabyGirl of Toronto, as well as Vancouver sensation The Girlfriend experience. NSFW will keep party-goers dancing all night long with go-go dancing performances.

Pride Hike With Potluck Mountain Meadow Picnic Lunch Hosted By Apollo Outdoor Pursuits
2023-09-02 08:00 - 16:00 | Kananaskis Country
RSVP REQUIRED: Please email ApolloOutdoorPursuits@gmail.com to RSVP
Wear and show your pride colours!!
HIKING TIME: Approx. 2.0 hours round trip (approx. 45-60 minutes of hiking each way plus approx 1.5 hours potluck picnic lunch and breaks)
DIFFICULTY: EASY Yes this trail is “easy” in that the distance is short and the elevation gain is modest. However, its still a hike and you will be walking uphill for the entire distance. Rest assured we see children and seniors on this trail regularly so it is very doable for anyone who does not have mobility issues. Beginners are most WELCOME on this hike! If you are not sure please email Todd to discuss
TRAIL DESCRIPTION: This is an EASY SHORT uphill hike to a mountain meadow where we will have a good ole fashioned PRIDE POTLUCK PICNIC in one of the most scenic locations in Kananaskis country! Please bring one item in your backpack to share with the group, it can be anything (ex fruit, chocolate, cheese, candy, jerky, snacks, homemade baking, chips, beverages, salad, etc). Make sure that everything you bring for the picnic (blanket or towel or jacket or similar to sit on, food, drink, etc) can fit into your backpack (don’t plan on carrying additional handbags, etc). Although it’s a short hike it’s still a good 30-45 min walk in and it is uphill.
Anytime of year just driving to the trailhead is marvelously scenic. Because it begins so high this trail rockets you into the alpine much faster than most. After a very brief ascent through the forest, the trail enters a cirque and contours meadow slopes below the soaring peaks. The meadow is a wildflower haven that contrasts sharply with the surrounding austere scree and talus. If we are lucky we may see marmots, pikas, and the elusive white-tailed ptarmigan.
DOGS: ok but caution on this trail due to elevation gain. If your dog is used to this degree of activity they are welcome. No exceptions dogs must be leashed at all times…make sure its physically appropriate to bring fido along – we have had a dog paw injury and exceeded the physical limits of another dog on previous hikes.
TRAIL NAME AND TRAIL HEAD DIRECTIONS WILL BE EMAILED TO PARTICIPANTS WHO RSVP
QUESTIONS AND INFORMATION: Please email ApolloOutdoorPursuits@gmail.com

Pride Patio Party
2023-09-02 11:00 - 17:00 | Cold Garden, 1100 11 St SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2G 4T3, Canada
Happy Pride! Cold Garden is hosting their second annual Pride Patio Party to celebrate Calgary Pride!
With Nada Nuff as the host, and drag stars DogiiChow, Shane Onyou, and Tana Nuff performing, it’s sure to be a party to remember!
Featuring street brass band Delirium on the tunes to keep the groove going, sponsored by our homies uCalgary Alumni!
The best part of the event? Raising money for Calgary Pride and Skipping Stone through sales of Taste the Rainbow Pineapple Passionfruit & Skittles Lager, Cold Garden’s Calgary Pride Beer! Every can counts!

Pride Drag Brunch at National 17th
2023-09-02 12:00 - 17:00 | National on 17th, 550 17 Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta, T2S 0B1, Canada
WERK’s iconic Pride Drag Brunch reaches new heights as it heads home to where it all started, National 17th! Hosted by Farrah Nuff with Jack Fowle on decks, this 18+ Drag Brunch will feature Queens of Canada’s Drag Race, a stacked lineup of local and national performers, and of course, a spread of delicious brunch food and drinks.

Program Pride Relaunch Party
2023-09-02 19:30 - 21:30 | Rising Tides Taproom, 4545 Bowness Road Northwest, Calgary, AB, T3B0A9, Canada
Program Pride, Alberta’s first and, so far, only LGBT television program is GOING INTERNATIONAL. Well, all episodes from this groundbreaking 90’s talkshow are going “live” on YouTube. Join the old cast and crew on September 2 at 7:30 pm, at Rising Tides Taproom, 4545 Bowness Rd NW

Love is Love Mile
2023-09-03 10:00 - 11:00 | Fort Calgary, 750 9 Ave SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2G 5E1, Canada
Run Calgary is teaming up again with Calgary Pride to deliver a safe, welcoming and event experience before the Pride Parade on September 3, 2023. Celebrate Calgary Pride Week by running or walking the Calgary Pride Parade Route in reverse on Sunday, September 3. Then join the parade and head towards the Pride Festival on Prince’s Island Park!
All participants will receive the new 2023 Love is Love unisex singlet, finisher medal, and bib. After your race, participants can enjoy a sweet treat, hydration and post-race massage (all included!). Be sure to snap a photo at our photo wall before joining the parade!

BABYLON at Sweet Loretta
2023-09-03 21:00 - 2023-09-04 02:00 | Sweet Loretta, 715 11 Ave SW, Calgary, Alberta, T2R 0E3, Canada
WERK presents their inaugural Pride event at Calgary’s hottest new bar, Sweet Loretta! The event will feature DJ Ruby Fox hailing from NYC, as well as Calgary’s own DJs Hannah and SoniDef. Attendees will enjoy performances by local Drag sensations Stephanie Prince and Nearah Nuff, alongside Vancouver’s Venus, The Girlfriend Experience and Hazel. This night promises to drip with debauchery & decadence!

Wordfest presents Bionic Women Online Writing Workshop with Casey Plett
2023-09-16 10:00 - 11:30 | Online, 12 Constance Street, London, E16 2DQ
Wordfest presents Bionic Women
Online Writing Workshop with Casey Plett
Opening The Door Versus Keeping It Shut
A 90-minute online workshop, led by award-winning author Casey Plett
“Write with the door closed, re-write with the door open” is a famous quote from Stephen King’s On Writing who in turn got the lesson from an editor. King said you should begin your story with the intent of it being just for you, and then open it up for others to criticize. Was he right? When do you open the door? When do you keep it shut? For how long? How do you balance the humility of seeking criticism if it conflicts with what’s exciting you? We will discuss the freedom of privacy and the nourishment of community, and how these twin phenomena can balance, oppose, and synchronize.
The 90-minute online workshop, led by award-winning author Casey Plett, begins at 10 AM MT on ZOOM and you will be emailed everything you need to access after you sign up.
This rare opportunity to work with Plett is part of Wordfest’s Bionic Women Writers Experience, which encourages authors who identify anywhere on the gender spectrum to embrace feminist attributes to become better at their craft.
Thanks to the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, we are able to offer this experience to anyone in any geographic location who would like to participate. Closed-captioning is included and a recording of the session will also be made available to registrants. Please contact boxoffice@wordfest.com if you are experiencing obstacles to participation.
About Casey Plett
Casey Plett is the author of A Dream of a Woman, Little Fish, and A Safe Girl to Love; the co-editor of Meanwhile, Elsewhere: Science Fiction and Fantasy From Transgender Writers; and the Publisher at LittlePuss Press. She has written for The New York Times, The Guardian, The Globe and Mail, McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, the Winnipeg Free Press, and other publications. A winner of the Amazon First Novel Award, the Firecracker Award for Fiction, and two-time winner of the Lambda Literary Award, her work has also been longlisted for the Scotiabank Giller Prize. Plett is a former bookseller and book publicist and currently teaches creative writing. While she has lived many places throughout the United States and Canada, she will forever call the prairies home, specifically Winnipeg and Southern Manitoba, Treaty 1 Territory and the homeland of the Métis Nation. Find her on Instagram @plettsky.
About A Safe Girl to Love
A new edition of two-time Lambda Literary Award–winner Casey Plett’s acclaimed debut short story collection.
By the author of Little Fish and A Dream of a Woman, eleven unique short stories feature young trans women stumbling through loss, sex, harassment, and love, in settings ranging from a rural Mennonite town to a hipster gay bar in Brooklyn. These stories, shiny with whisky and prairie sunsets, rattling subways and neglected cats, show that growing up as a trans girl can be charming, funny, frustrating, or sad, but never predictable.
A Safe Girl to Love, winner of the Lambda Literary Award for transgender fiction, was first published in 2014. Now back in print after a long absence, this new edition includes an afterword by the author that reflects on trans writing and representation in our current political climate.
About Wordfest:
Wordfest is an entrepreneurial non-profit founded in 1996, located in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies in Mohkinstsis, Calgary, Alberta, Treaty 7 territory. Celebrating its 28th year, Wordfest connects audiences with life-changing experiences and ideas at the Imaginairium Festival each fall, at in-person events throughout the year, and virtually via Imagine On Air. The Wordfest Youth program supports teen literacy, by giving students in Grades 7-12 unique interactive experiences with the world’s leading authors.

Canmore Pride Run & Brunch
2023-09-24 10:00 - 12:30 | 906 Bow Valley Trail, Canmore, 4C 906 Bow Valley Trail, Canmore, AB, T1W 1N6, Canada
Don’t fret – it’s not really all ‘Up Hill’
SkiUphill – RunUphill, a diverse and inclusive organization owned by a local same sex couple, will be hosting an epic morning of fun, fitness, and pride followed by brunch at Chez Francois Restaurant. Follow the group on a pre-planned running route starting at 10am followed by Brunch at Chez Francois at 11:30am. This was a successful event RUN last year (pun intended) with approximately 40 running participants and 60-70 attending brunch afterwards.
Lace up your running shoes and get ready to conquer the trails of Canmore with a scenic run alongside like-minded folks. Afterward, treat yourself with a delicious brunch at at Chez Francois Restaurant that will leave you satisfied because you deserve it! Whether you’re a seasoned runner or just looking to meet up with old and new friends, this in-person event is perfect for everyone. So grab your friends, family, or even your furry companions and let’s make memories together. Don’t miss out on this exciting adventure! Register now and get ready to run, eat, and have a blast!
Meet SkiUphill – RunUphill and the proud crew at the Pride Crosswalk near Rotary Friendship Park/Town Hall at 10:00am join in. Following the run, brunch will be served at Chez Francois (1716 Bow Valley Trail) at 11:30am.
If you can’t make the run, all are welcome to join for brunch!

Culturefest 2023
2023-10-01 12:00 - 18:00 | Genesis Centre Feature Gymnasium & Event Centre, 7555 Falconridge Boulevard NE, Calgary, Calgary, T3J 0C9
This event anticipates attracting a lot of participants and businesses, Organizations (profit and non-profit) out of 150,000 South Asians along with various Canadian Communities.
Your Business / Non-Profit will get good exposure at this Free Entry Event. We hope you will join us for an evening of great food and good fun. There will be a lot of give away prizes worth thousands of dollars.

Culturefest 2023, Free Family Event
2023-10-01 12:00 - 18:00 | Genesis Centre Feature Gymnasium & Event Centre, 7555 Falconridge Boulevard NE, Calgary, Calgary, T3J 0C9
We are excited to celebrate the vibrant multicultural fabric of Calgary with you on October 1, 2023 from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Genesis Community Wellness Centre.
CultureFest is a free event that features music, dance, food, and cultural performances from around the world. It is a great opportunity to learn about and celebrate the diversity of Calgary.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at 403-400-0203 (Rajesh Angral). You can also visit our website at https://culturefest.ca/ for more information.

Calgary Pride: A Catalyst for Social Change
2023-10-24 18:00 - 19:30 | Calgary Central Library, 800 3 St SE, Calgary, AB, T2G 0E7, Canada
Mark your calendars, invite your friends, and be part of this transformative event at the Central Library. Let’s celebrate the power of diversity and unity that Calgary Pride represents!
Calgary Pride has come a long way since its inception, and this event will take you on a captivating journey through its past and present, while also touching on the future. Our host, Kevin Allen, a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and an influential figure in our community, will lead discussions with panelists who have been integral to the growth of Calgary Pride.
We will begin by revisiting the humble beginnings of Calgary Pride, tracing its roots back to the early activists who paved the way for the LGBTQ+ community. Discover how their courage and resilience have shaped the movement we know today. Personal anecdotes, historical footage, and interviews will bring to life the struggles and triumphs of those who fought for equality.
Learn about the impactful initiatives and events organized by Calgary Pride that continue to make a difference in the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals. Our panelists will share their experiences and discuss the ongoing challenges and opportunities for the LGBTQ+ community in Calgary. Looking ahead, we will explore the exciting prospects for Calgary Pride as it continues to evolve.
Join us in envisioning a more inclusive and accepting Calgary, where the legacy of Calgary Pride is felt by all. Panelists will offer insights into the strategies and goals of Calgary Pride as they work towards a future where everyone can live authentically.
This event is not only an opportunity to learn about the history and future of Calgary Pride but also a chance to connect with fellow community members, engage in meaningful conversations, and celebrate the progress we’ve made while acknowledging the work that lies ahead. Don’t miss this thought-provoking evening that honors the past, celebrates the present, and embraces the future of Calgary Pride as a catalyst for social change in our city.
Together, we can continue to move forward to become a more inclusive and equitable Calgary for all.

Liminal Landing: A Gathering for 2STQBIPOC+
2023-10-29 14:00 - 17:00 | CommunityWise Resource Centre, 223 12th Avenue SW, Calgary, AB, T2R 0G9, Canada
What Is Liminal Landing?
First, Liminal Landing and The Place are located on Treaty 7 territory, home of the Kainai, Piikani, Siksika, Tsuut’ina, Îyârhe Nakoda, and Métis Nation. What does that mean? It means we work towards the centre and honour the experience and knowledge of those who are Land Protectors and identify ways to uphold their position in so-called Canada.
When the opportunity at CommunityWise Resource Centre came up to activate the space for the 2STQBIPOC community, the notion of developing a series of gatherings came up. Liminal Landing is an opportunity for those who identify as part of the community to retreat together and build stronger relations that are focused on issues that centre our experience.
My [Tyson] queer identity can often feel uncertain, ambiguous a relentless place of transition(s). It has felt like a liminal space – unknown. Gratefully I’ve landed on optimism, hope and a sense of liberation in the community. Liminal Landing is a space on your journey, no matter where you’re whether it’s the in-between, at your destination or just beginning, the ‘landing’ is a moment to stop, reflect and build community.
With our time together, you can drop in be part of the conversation, create, play and learn.
What is ‘The Place’?
The Place is an accessible, free, and collaboratively shared space within CommunityWise. It is QTBIPOC-led. Liminal Landing is one of many opportunities to connect the community at the place. To activate your own idea or learn more here.
Facilitators
Priscilla Cherry (Elle/She/Her)
Trinidadian-Canadian, Priscilla Cherry, is a free-spirited storyteller as well as a peer support specialist with a passion for people and creative collaborations with equally uplifting energies. Recognizing a representation gap in media and the mental health sector, Priscilla applies her lived experience navigating mental health concerns and combines it with her love for play, creativity and emotional and spiritual healing. Priscilla is a programmer with CJSW 90.9 FM and CKUA 93.7 FM, the in-game host for Calgary Surge Basketball, and a lead organizer and board member at large with TEDxYYC. Most recently, Priscilla launched her childhood dream of having a live interactive talk show and in April 2023, The Oratory was born. Priscilla firmly believes in the art of hosting; the power of sharing our lived experiences and personal narratives; and that everyone has something to share that someone else could learn from, relate to or at the very least be curious about.
Tyson Bankert (He/Him)
Tyson is a community developer; his personal slogan is to edify others, befriend the lonely and promote justice! Tyson is grateful to have his vocation match his values and able to bring people together through the art of facilitation. Tyson has had the delight of being part of several community initiatives on Treaty 7. A self-proclaimed troublemaker, his intention is to build communities to share power and make change. embedding the tenants of communities of care with a bit of play as resistance. Tyson co-leads the network Community Development Learning Initiative and Founder of Recess Calgary.
Come Gather!
Note: This is a co-created space and below are general ideas for the upcoming gatherings. Everyone is welcome this includes chosen allies.
October 15th (2pm – 5pm) Topic: Belonging
Let’s create the space together! Why ‘The Place’, how has a sense of belonging impacted us and what’s possible!
October 29th (2pm – 5pm) Topic: Relationships
Details coming
November 26th (2pm – 5pm) Topic: Pleasure
Pleasure can be sex, play, creativity, or relaxation in all of its forms it can be difficult to identify, achieve and familiarise ourselves with the act of what brings us pleasure.
December 31st – (2pm – 5pm) Topic: Queer Futurism
Let’s ring in the New Year (georgiran calendar) and explore queer futurism and the excitement and solidarity required for the future.
Is Queerness the future? I think it’s worth exploring the possibilities! Whether it’s the current understanding of bodies, gender, ways of creating family, or technology! Let’s be curious! What Is Liminal Landing?

Cabaret Calgary Presents: Chandelier Club
2023-11-03 21:00 - 23:00 | The Attic Bar & Stage, 1413 9 Avenue Southeast, Calgary, Alberta, T2G 0T4
Welcome to The Chandelier Club! Nestled inside Inglewoods intimate cocktail lounge, The Attic, where effortlessly glamorous artists entertain in this classic long-form burlesque performance.
Once a month, four performers will weave through the audience as they thrill, delight, and intoxicate the senses.
Indulge in $10 prohibition-themed classic cocktails, paired with stone-fired pizzas, and legendary classic burlesque!

Hadestown - Calgary
2023-11-21 - 2023-11-27 | Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, 1415 14th Avenue NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 1M4, Canada
COME SEE HOW THE WORLD COULD BE.
Welcome to HADESTOWN, where a song can change your fate. Winner of eight 2019 Tony® Awards, this acclaimed new musical by celebrated singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell and innovative director Rachel Chavkin (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812) is a love story for today… and always.
Intertwining two mythic tales — that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone — HADESTOWN is a haunting and hopeful theatrical experience that grabs you and never lets go.
