Gay Vancouver, April 2011

With spring in full swing in the Vancouver region and beautiful weather forecast for the days ahead, we expect to see folks out and about as we haven't seen this year so far. Great time to dust off the bike, freshen up the wardrobe, play in the garden, or just get out there.

Lots of events of interest on the calendar as Vancouver gears up to celebrate our 125th Anniversary on April 6, with parties galore and a big splash at Jack Poole Plaza. Things kick off with a Vancouver AM breakfast at the stylish Vancouver Convention Centre next door, then street hockey tournaments at the Plaza, live bands, Aboriginal community ceremonies, Vancouver Bach Choir performance, mmHop dancers, Japanese Taiko drumming West Coast style, speech by Mayor Robertson, lighting of the Olympic Cauldron, multi-media video and light art installation spectacular by Phillip Geist and more. Official ceremonies begin at 6:00 PM: http://www.celebratevancouver125.ca/

Vancouver's Cherry Blossom Festival is also in full bloom, as we celebrate the over 37,000 cherry trees originally given to Vancouver as a gift from Japan back in the 1930's, adding colourful pinks and startling whites to our streets all over town; check out how to participate: http://www.vcbf.ca/ . And to show ways to support our friends in Japan as they face a challenging time, we have posted links on our website: https://www.gayvan.com/japanese/japan-relief.html .

Here in Davie Village, Rubbout is celebrating their 20th Anniversary, kicking off with a gear swap meet at PumpJack on Saturday, April 2nd at noon, and with a full lineup of events planned at various venues for the following weekend.

The Fountainhead Pub has just re-opened this week after a brief closure for renos. Great time to get down there to check it out and to grab a spot on one of the best patios in town as we enjoy the sunshine.

Carlotta Gurl celebrates her birthday on Saturday with a big birthday show at her new weekly Absolutly Drag-u-lous show at The Junction, with special guest performers and her own live GaGa impersonation...she's on the right track baby!

Ryan Steele has a new "Oh F***It's M**day show at Oasis Ultra Lounge on Mondays, there's free Latin dance lessons at Fiesta Night at Celebrities, $3 drinks and a live act "4U" at Numbers and Wired Wednesdays continue at 1181 Tight Lounge.

Taste of Pride is a special event offering signature tastes from the El Barrio, Cupcakes, Milestones, Moxies, The Fountainhead Pub, Vera's Burger Shack, Oasis, and The Boathouse, hosted by Barb Snelgrove and David C. Jones at the CBC Broadcast Centre on April 7th, and the BC Persons With AIDS Society (BCPWA) presents SILVER GALA, Saturday, April 9th at Terminal City Club.

Later this month, Gay Top Model is hosting this years Finale at the fab River Rock Casino Resort on April 23, Flygirl Productions is kicking off their 10th Anniversary Weekend with Hershe bar on Thursday April 21 at the Red Room, with the Closing Party at Canvas Lounge on the 24th, and Lipstick Jungle is teaming up with Crema Productions to share the love for "one hoppin' party" on Easter Sunday, April 24th at 560.

All the above and direct links to bar, pub and club websites are available at: https://www.gayvan.com/whats-on2/lgbt-special-events.html and http://www.gayvan.com/whats-on2/bars-a-pubs.html .

The team at Gayvan.com is also happy to announce that our 2011 Gay Friendly Vancouver In Town Guide is off the press and in circulation about town and beyond. Pick up copies of the print edition locally at Little Sister's Bookstore and participating bars and clubs in Davie Village, major downtown hotel concierge desks, or the Tourism Visitor Centre at 200 Burrard St. You can also browse our digital edition in low or high resolution via the opening page of our website http://www.gayvan.com/ , or click this link to see the high-rez version: https://www.gayvan.com/InTown/Basic/Default.html .

Happy Spring!