10 LGBTQ events in Vancouver to check out in May

Vancouver features great LGBTQ events all year, but things pick up steam in the summertime as the city heats up and hurtles toward Pride season. Film festivals, music, and drag queens clawing for consideration in the upcoming celebrations – May’s queer events bring the sizzle before things really kick off this summer.

Annual Mr/Miss Cobalt Competition

Local drag queens and kings take to the Cobalt to battle it out over 3 weekly shows for the title of Mr/Miss Cobalt, the must-have title in East Van’s quirky queer performance scene.

• When: May 10 and 17 at 9 p.m.
• Where: The Cobalt – 917 Main Street, Vancouver
• More Info: Facebook Event

Book Launch: My Body is Yours

Michael V. Smith presents the local launch of his “scalding, sassy” memoir with giveaways, drag, comedy and special guest authors Colin Thomas, Daniel Zomparelli and Trish Kelly.

• When: May 14 at 7 p.m.
• Where: Pat’s Pub – 403 East Hastings, Vancouver
• More Info: Arsenal Pulp Press

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Bearracuda

The popular gay party for “bears” and those who appreciate them returns to Club 560 with international DJs, gogo boys and partygoers from all over the map.

• When: May 17 at 9 p.m.
• Where: Club 560 – 560 Seymour Street, Vancouver
• More Info: Bearracuda

Popsicle Stand – Lesbian Night Club

A new May long weekend event for women at Lux Lounge (1180 Howe St) with DJ Lisa Delux.

• When: May 17 at 9 p.m.
• Where: 1180 Howe Street, Vancouver
• More Info: Facebook Event

Hershe Bar

International DJ Rachel Sehl joins local favourite Kasey Riot for this popular recurring, lesbian-oriented party over May long weekend at the Red Room.

• When: May 17 at 10 p.m.
• Where: Red Room – 398 Richards Street, Vancouver
• More Info: FlyGirl Events

Kids in the Hall

The acclaimed Canadian TV comedy troupe featuring Bruce McCulloch, Dave Foley, Kevin McDonald, Mark McKinney and Scott Thompson stop for a show at Vancouver’s Queen Elizabeth Theatre on their new tour, and they are “dry cleaning their cabbage heads and girdles.”

• When: May 20 at 8 p.m.
• Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre
• More Info: Ticketmaster

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Lady Gaga & Tony Bennett at the Vancouver Jazz Festival

The always gay-friendly Gaga and her new favourite duet partner, legendary crooner Tony Bennett, perform cuts from their album Cheek to Cheek.

• When: May 25 at 7 p.m.
• Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre
• More Info: Vancouver at Gaycities.com

3rd Annual Pride Legacy Awards

Celebrate Vancouver’s LGBTQ community leaders, featuring an art show, appetizers and a prize draw at the Roundhouse Community Centre. Winners are chosen by a committee of community organization representatives from public nominations.

• When: May 28 at 5:30 p.m.
• Where: Roundhouse Community Centre
• More Info: Pride Legacy Awards

The Rainbow Concert Band: A Rainbow of Dance Music

Canada’s oldest LGBTQ concert band presents samba, mambo, hustle and a mixture of old and new music, some performed with dancers, and others with a dance floor for spectators to boogie.

• When: May 30 at 7:30 p.m.
• Where: The Cultch – 1895 Venables Street, Vancouver
• More Info: The Cultch Website

Queer Films at DOXA

This year’s DOXA documentary film festival in Vancouver (running until May 10) features several LGBTQ films:

• Tab Hunter Confidential examines the private life of secretly gay, all-American 1950s heartthrob Tab Hunter. (May 9)
• She’s Beautiful When She’s Angry features archival footage of women’s liberation demonstrations from 1966 to 1971, highlighting the involvement of middle-class queer and black women in the movement. (May 5)
• The Ceremony documents the ritualistic BDSM encounters organized by 84-year-old “modern-day Marquis de Sade” Catherine Robbe-Grillet at her French Chateau. (May 7 & 8)
• Stories of Our Lives collects tales of gay and lesbian people in Kenya, where speaking the truth can cost lives and anonymity is the only barrier. (May 9)
• Madame Phung’s Last Journey follows a transgender performance troupe leader through Vietnam, revealing insights about life for trans and gay people in the country. (May 10)

Find DOXA details at their website.