Vancouver, October 23, 2010

What better than a full moon on a late October Saturday, to kick off one of the most celebrated weeks of the year here in Vancouver! A great way to get into the swing of things, is a visit to one of the local businesses supporting "OUT! and about", which will donate a portion of their proceeds on October 23 to "Out in Schools", to further their efforts to reach BC's LGBTQ youth in rural areas, to let them know they are not alone. This is also a good way to follow up on the Spirit Day candle light vigil held earlier this week, or the proclamation taking place at City Hall this evening at 5:30 PM, declaring October 23 to be a "Day Against Hate Crime" in the City of Vancouver.

Another highlight of note for anyone visiting Vancouver today who missed their chance to see the Olympic cauldron lit during the Vancouver Olympics, or if you live here and would like to relive the experience, the cauldron was lit yesterday evening and will remain lit throughout October 23, to commemorate the dedication of Jack Poole Plaze (where the cauldron sits) in honour of Jack Poole, the Chairman of the Vancouver Organizing Committee, who passed on just a couple of months before the start of the games.

On a lighter note, the party scene is heating up all over town, with everything from UFC on the big screens in Davie Village, a Thickset event for the bear community, a Full Moon Party, and a full calendar of Halloween events to check out. As always, we continue to add details and updates as we get them, so be sure to check back with us while finalizing your plans: http://www.gayvan.com/whats-on2/lgbt-special-events.html .

This is also the start of what is now becoming unofficially known as Halloweek across the land, where there are extensive lineups of events celebrating our ghoulish sides as we lead up to Halloween on October 31. To name a few, Numbers Cabaret in Vancouver has Halloweek festivities kicking off October 26, and Toronto's Church Wellesley Village has a full lineup of events starting on October 24: http://www.churchwellesleyvillage.ca/events.php?id=40 .

Happy Halloween!