SCENE AUGUST 2025

CALGARY’S GUIDE TO GOING OUT

FREE • AUGUST 2025 • ISSUE #58

THE SCENE'S GUIDE TO VOGUE BUMP '25 APOLLO SOFTBALL THE ATTIC BAR & STAGE CRAWLSPACE GALLERY

Pride IN BLOOM CALGARY PRIDE BLOSSOMS IN TRYING TIMES THINGS TO DO PLACES TO GO MUSIC AND GIGS ARTS SPORTS

CONTENTS

Cover Photo: Benjamin Laird

august

Publisher Käthe Lemon klemon@redpointmedia.ca Editor Nathan Iles niles@redpointmedia.ca

cartoon & cereal party 10am - nOon free

Editorial Intern Catrina Bowles cbowles@redpointmedia.ca Founding Editor Mike Bell

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partI 4 charlI ruby swaN presEnts: charlI xcx birthdAy party

Designer Kris Twyman

8pm $15 all ages

Print/Digital Production Manager Mike Matovich

CONTRIBUTORS

taNgo 2 echo festIval 10am - 4pm free all ages

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Evelina Pak, Cam Hayden, Marcus Ogden, Benjamin Heisler, Jess Arcand, Will Fisher, Alicia L’Archevêque, Matthew Johnson Client Support Coordinator Alice Meilleur Senior Account Executive Jocelyn Erhardt

night 7 congRess after dArk: rope 7pm $10 18+

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megAn kelly + kearstIn pfeifer 8pm $5 all ages

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soLarIs + acido cafe 8PM $10 all ages

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acoustIc jam + open mIc 7pm free all ages

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conscious trAnsformatIon 7pm pwyc all welcome

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stephen “kinger” king 8pm $10 all ages

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dRawn to dAnger book launch 2pm $25 all ages

Account Executives Nadine Benoit, Vicki Braaten Administrative and HR Manager Tara Brand

CEO and co-owner Roger Jewett President and co-owner Käthe Lemon Design Director Steve Collins

14 BUMP ‘25

support of the Government of Alberta and the Government of Canada

What if the Beltline Urban Murals Project wasn’t just a festival, but a place?

PHOTO: JEVAN BAILEY

We acknowledge the traditional territories and the value of the traditional and current oral practices of the Blackfoot Confederacy, the Tsuut’ina, the Iyarhe Nakoda Nations, the Otipemisiwak Métis Government of Alberta (Districts 5 and 6), and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.

CALGARY PRIDE 2025 A “community garden” of 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations are in focus for this year’s Pride celebrations.

4 ACT 1, SCENE 1 What to do, see, and hear this month across the city.

8 ARTS SCENE The basement of a condemned building in Inglewood is home to a new public art gallery.

dice dynaSty d&D DrAg

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XXX

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dRipping creatIvity podcaSt 7pm all ages

We gratefully acknowledge the financial

16 THE SCENE’S GUIDE TO VOGUE Rooted in Black and Latinx queer resistance, ballroom culture is a haven for those who live outside the binary.

18 FEATURE Calgary may not have a geographical gaybourhood, but a network of pop-up events and queer-friendly spaces creates community across the city.

SeaSon 2 epIsode 6

5pm $10 16+

The Scene is a member of the Alberta Magazine Publishers’ Association and abides by its professional standards.

102 20 congRess after dArk:7pmbdsm $10 18+

redpointmedia.ca 1721 29 Avenue SW, Suite 375, Calgary, AB, T2T 6T7

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Published 12 times a year by Redpoint Media Group. © 2025 by Redpoint Media Group.

No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher.

Late Night LaShes & LobotomIes feat. the haus of vendetta

8pm $15 18+

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hymmmelodies 8pm $10 all ages

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emblEmatIcs + elysE szaBo 8pm $10 all ages

Meet the Calgary Apollo Softball Association (CASA), an independent, community-led, queer baseball team.

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dAvid p smIth 7pm $15 all ages

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acoustIc jam + open mIc 7pm free all ages

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comrAde yulIa borscht + dAni phaNtom

21 VENUE Formerly known as Lolita’s Lounge, The Attic Bar & Stage carries on a legacy of queer performance on the Music Mile.

22 Cam Hayden

2 star experIence 8pm $10 18+

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dRag is for all ages 2pm $10 all welcome

goodnight girl + dAryl dee & the chickadees 8pm $5 all Ages

congResscoffeeshop.com/events thescenecalgary.com | 08 | 2025

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ACT 1 SCENE 1

What to do in August

BY CATRINA BOWLES

GOURMET EATS, SPORTY FESTIVALS, KNIGHTS IN SHINING ARMOUR AND MORE

Dragonboat Race & Festival

Globalfest PHOTO: HEATHER STEYN

TASTE OF CALGARY Get your taste buds ready for a culinary adventure at Taste of Calgary, which runs until August 4. From 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the Lot 6 event site by the Louise Bridge, culinary vendors are offering up tasty treats to try. The festival is free to attend, so soak in the musical entertainment free of charge. You just need to pay for your tasting tickets. Each ticket costs a dollar, with most tastes costing between 2 and 7 tickets. Buy tasting tickets at tasteofcalgary.com. Minimum purchase is 25 tickets.

TOUR DE BOWNESS Whether or not you’re a cycling fanatic, the 22nd annual Tour de Bowness Race and Festival on August 4 is a party you don’t want to miss. The cyclists kick off the race at 9 a.m., and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bowness Road erupts with live music and over 100 food trucks and market vendors. Check out mainstreetbowness.com for more information on this free fest.

THE GRAND CLASSIC SUMMER FILM SERIES This summer, the GRAND theatre invites folks to “cool off with culture” with their summer film series. Each Friday of August, head over to the theatre at 5:30 for a classic flick costing just $15. The lineup starts with love-it-or-hateit movie musical Grease on August 8, John

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Hughes staple Pretty in Pink on August 15, the film version of Buffy the Vampire Slayer that inspired the show on August 22, and Scream — the genesis of lazy Halloween costumes everywhere — on August 29. Snag tickets over at thegrandyyc.com. Use coupon code SUMMER15 for 15 per cent off ticket price.

SINOPEC DRAGON BOAT RACE AND FESTIVAL It’s the 33rd year of the Calgary Dragon Boat Society’s cultural celebration of the ancient Chinese tradition of dragon boat racing. On the weekend of August 8 to 10, join in the festivities at North Glenmore Park. Cheer on over 1,850 paddlers racing for the win. Go ahead and splurge at the food trucks or marketplace, because admission to the race and festival is entirely free. Head over to calgarydragonboatsociety.com for more event details.

ALBERTA ON THE PLATE Buying local is at the forefront of everyone’s minds this past year, and this food festival, running August 8 to 17, holds that concept close to its heart. Alberta on the Plate tasks participating restaurants with creating multi-course, fixed menus that highlight local producers. Fine dining with a fixed menu makes the costs way less daunting, or keep it casual with a local favourite.

Be sure to check out albertaontheplate.com for a

PHOTO: JULIE VINCENT

full list of participating restaurants.

GLOBALFEST

From August 14 to 23, the skies over Elliston Park erupt in colour, set to the music of countries around the world. This year’s GlobalFest theme is “Panasia,” so depending on the night, you’ll see shows inspired by Malaysian, Chinese, and Filipino culture. Along with the fireworks shows, over two dozen food vendors are on site with international eats to keep you going throughout the evening. GlobalFest opens up at 6 p.m., leaving you plenty of time to see everything the festival grounds have to offer before the fireworks show kicks off at 9:15 p.m. Tickets are available over on globalfest.ca. Single-day tickets are $25, or grab a full five-day pass for $100.

WILD AFTER HOURS: DRAG DINNER Animals aren’t the only wild thing at the Calgary Zoo on August 22 at 6 p.m.. Drag queen Nada Nuff hosts this extravagant drag show, accompanied by fellow performers Farrah Nuff, Tangerine Dream, Shane Onyou, and Ella Lamoureaux.

Along with the show, guests can enjoy delicious eats from a buffet created by the zoo’s team of professional chefs. Tickets to the drag dinner also grant you full access to the zoo starting at 1 p.m. If you’re a fan of the zoo’s Wild After Hours events, buy tickets for more than one experience

in a bundle and save 15 per cent. Sashay your way to calgaryzoo.com to grab your tickets.

MEDIEVAL FAIRE AND ARTISAN MARKET Embark on a quest to find the Medieval Faire and Artisan Market in Strathmore, just an hour’s drive outside Calgary, from August 22 to 24. Don your gowns and wizard robes and explore the wares of merchants, take in a jousting tournament, or snack on some suitably historic grub at the sixth year of this mystic fair. Hark ye, and attend to calgarymedievalfaire.com to get your tickets, $12 online or $14 at the gate.

THEATRE CALGARY’S MADE IN ITALY The theatre drought of the summer is finally coming to a close with Theatre Calgary’s Made In Italy beginning its run on August 26. This show marks the first time Theatre Calgary has ever remounted a production with absolutely no changes made from its previous run — that’s how much audiences loved it the first time. This one-man show is filled with laughs and centers on the themes of family, tradition, and food.

As part of Theatre Calgary’s “Theatre for All” initiative, orchestra seat tickets start at $49. Buy tickets early, because the return of this show is highly anticipated. Snag tickets at theatrecalgary. com before they’re gone.

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ACT 1 SCENE 1

Onstage in August

BY NATHAN ILES

NOISE PUNK, PUNJABI MUSIC, HOUSE GROOVES, AND LEGENDS OF THE PAST STORM CALGARY’S STAGES

BAY CITY ROLLERS

BUG SWALLOW W/ PURLICUE, VELVET WORMS, SUB // CELL, BOOSH, AND MORE

Rock out on Tsuut’ina land with Scotland’s finest pop-rock band. And try not to forget the words to “Saturday Night” when the whole room sings along. August 6, 6:30 p.m. at the Grey Eagle Event Centre, 3777 Grey Eagle Dr., greyeagleresortandcasino.ca.

Get ready for two floors of swampy garage rock, whirling psych punk, and a lot of noise at Casa BBQ — live, loud, and affordable. August 16, 8 p.m. at the Palomino, 109 7 Ave. S.W., thepalomino.ca.

RIPCORDZ W/ CITIZEN RAGE & TIPLESS

CREED W/ BIG WRECK AND MAMMOTH

The “Ready... Set... Punk!” tour lands in the prairies, featuring Canadian punk icons Ripcordz and local support from some Calgary Beer Core legends. August 8, 8 p.m. Dickens, 1000 9 Ave. S.W., dickensyyc.com.

Celebrate the return of butt rock with none other than Creed, the finest purveyors of hot dog grilling anthems and karaoke-ready ballads. Try not to sing along to “Higher.” August 20, 7 p.m. at the Saddledome, 555 Saddledome Rise S.E., scotiabanksaddledome.com.

CHARLIE CUNNINGHAM This British indie songwriter is making his way to Calgary in support of his latest album In Light, a dreamy change-of-pace record that also features Leo Abrahams (Brian Eno, ANOHNI) on guitar.

August 12, 8 p.m. at Commonwealth, 731 10 Ave. S.W., commonwealthbar.ca.

CALEB HART W/ SONIC ALLEY With members hailing from Canada, Venezuela, Trinidad-Tobago and Jamaica, Caleb Hart and his new collaborative project Sonic Alley bring a multicultural fusion of R&B, Latin, and reggae to Calgary’s warm (non-existent) shores.

August 13, 7 p.m. at Tropical, 1011 1 St. S.W., tropicalyyc.ca.

THE DARCYS Presented by X92.9, this is a unique opportunity to catch this alt-rock duo in a small club rather than a huge room. Don’t miss out! August 14, 8 p.m. at Modern Love, 613 11 Ave. S.W., x929.ca.

COUNTRY THUNDER ALBERTA Think you’re done stampedin’? Think again. A white-hot lineup of country is taking over The Confluence this August, with headliners like Cody Johnson rocking alongside locals like Amy Hef. August 15 to 17 at The Confluence, 750 9 Ave. S.E., countrythunder.com.

GAMMER An icon of UK hardcore dance music, Gammer is bringing the trap heat to Stephen Avenue.

Don’t forget water, dancing shoes, and earplugs!

August 22, 9 p.m. at The Palace, 219 8 Ave. S.W., thepalacetheatre.ca.

BAM! CAMP CALGARY SHOWCASE For over a decade, BAM (Building Allied Music, formerly Girls Rock Camp Calgary) has been creating an inclusive space for cis/trans girls and non-binary youth to pick up instruments and create music. Hear the fruits of their labour!

August 23, 2 p.m. at the Ship & Anchor, 534 17 Ave. S.W., shipandanchor.com.

WHAT THE FUNK? W/ WES PLEASE House music, funky grooves, and pictures of Bret Hart everywhere — This show is one for the books. Use the code OUTLIT25 on Eventbrite for a discount on tickets. August 23, 10 p.m. at Hitman’s Bar, 421 12 Ave. S.E., hitmansbar.com.

DEFTONES W/ PHANTOGRAM AND THE BARBARIANS OF CALIFORNIA Nu metal lives on, and Deftones are still going 37 years and 10 albums later. Catch a piece of

Wilco PHOTO: AKASH WADHWANI

alt-rock history at the ‘Dome. August 25, 7 p.m. at the Saddledome, 555 Saddledome Rise S.E., scotiabanksaddledome.com.

AN AUGUST EVENING WITH WILCO Presented by Tooth Blackner and our friends over at the Calgary Folk Music Festival, Wilco brings their iconic brand of rootsy indie rock to the Blue Sky City. August 29, 8 p.m. at the Jubilee, 1415 14 Ave. NW, jubileeauditorium.com.

AVERSIONS W/ FULFILMENT AND SOFT PET

The Darcys

This is a loud one over on the west side of downtown, with noise punk from Vancouver, local heaviness, and the fresh stylings of brand new local band Soft Pet. August 30, 8 p.m. at Loophole Coffee Bar, 750 10 St. S.W., loophole-coffee-bar.com.

PHOTO: JOÉL VERGES

NIRVAIR PANNU With authentic lyricism and a magnetic stage presence, Nirvair Pannu is one of the most vital voices in modern Punjabi music. Catch the “Prime Tour 2025” at the Jack! September 5, 8 p.m. at the Jack Singer, 205 8 Ave. S.E., artscommons.ca.

Charlie Cunningham PHOTO: MAXIMILIAN KOENIG

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Culture Entertainment Seeing is believing

ARTS SCENE

CRAWLSPACE GALLERY A HIDDEN BASEMENT ART GALLERY RUN

BY YOUNG ARTISTS

BY BENJAMIN HEISLER

C

rawlspace is Inglewood’s newest public art gallery located in the basement of a condemned building. What began as a pop-up funded by the Calgary Arts Development Association has evolved into a place where emerging artists exhibit, develop, and share in community.

The public is invited to locate the secretive en-

trance and ring the doorbell for entrance during available hours.

“We are so lucky, in Inglewood we get random people, and people think it’s fun! They are like, ‘Oh my god I get to ring a doorbell, and someone comes to get me’, it’s like a little speak-easy,” say co-directors May Jones and Nicole Miller.

Day to day, Crawlspace can be a reclusive art experience, but during opening events, the gallery transforms into a crowded destination.

“Most of our receptions we get a good turn out. I like to think it’s really chill — every reception feels like a party,” says Miller.

Crawlspace was founded by nine 2024 Alberta University of the Arts graduates. The location was originally scheduled to be demolished.

“It was on Kijiji and had been vacant for three months… It was a really amazing space, but the last people had left in a hurry, so there was a lot of debris,” says Miller.

So far, the building hasn’t been demolished, and the founders have transformed the project into a sustaining gallery and studio collective.

Crawlspace’s development has been a story of resourcefulness. Gallery materials have been salvaged, donated, and acquired on a thrifty budget.

Nicole Miller

May Jones

Jones highlights challenges faced by emerging artists to find space to exhibit their work.

“I understand how hard it is to get a show as an emerging artist, so enabling that is a number one goal.”

Jones emphasises that “a big part of the space is learning,” reflecting that the process has been inspiring. She jokes honestly, “I’m happy with my time at AUArts, and I am very pro art school, but starting this space, I learned so much more than I ever did during my degree.”

Jones continues in sharing gratitude for the

support they have received from local institutions and individuals.

“It wasn’t until we started doing the space, we started learning how important what we are doing really is … and I feel like I’m still understanding how important it is.”

Find the right door and go check out Not To Do, featuring the work of Zoë Wallace. The opening event is on August 16, starting at 7 p.m.

Crawlspace is open Fridays 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. 1336 9 Ave. S.E., crawlspacegallery.ca.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2025 JACK SINGER CONCERT HALL, WERKLUND CENTRE

S P EC I A L P R ES EN TAT I O N

LEA SALONGA: STAGE, SCREEN & EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN Tickets available now

salonga.werklundcentre.ca supporting sponsors

public sector support

Artist, program, and date subject to change.

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COVER

Pride Blooms

PHOTO: XX PHOTO: MICHAELA NEUMAN

CALGARY’S QUEER COMMUNITY BLOSSOMS DESPITE POLITICAL STRESSORS

BY CATRINA BOWLES

A

dandelion forcing its way through a crack in the pavement, blossoming against all odds, in a world that desires to crush it down.

To Taylor Sanford, Calgary Pride’s sponsorship and fund development manager, that is the metaphorical vision behind Calgary Pride’s 2025 theme, “Bursting into Bloom.”

“The idea of strength and growing in places where you can thrive and live authentically, even if it’s difficult conditions,” said Sanford.

“For the 2SLGBTQI+ communities, it reflects joy, resistance, and coming into this year in full

thescenecalgary.com | 08 | 2025

colour as yourself.”

Calgary Pride’s announcement of the festival and parade describes the focus of this year being on the “community garden” of 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations. This includes artists, healthcare workers, business-owners, and lawmakers, who are all united under the idea of helping people learn and grow.

It sounds picturesque — utopian, even. But at its core, the sentiment is more grounded in current reality. “[It’s about] really trying to support local this year,” said Sanford. “Bringing in more local artists … and recognizing the large suite of both members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community, as well as allies — teachers, doctors — who are dealing

with the results of legislation [and] decisions by the current government.”

The Education Amendment Act, passed in late 2024, makes it a requirement for teachers in Alberta to obtain parental permission to refer to a student under the age of 16 by a name other than their legal name, and to use pronouns that do not match a student’s sex assigned at birth.

For students over 16, parental permission is not required, but parents must be notified.

Another bill, the Fairness and Safety in Sports Act, requires schools and sports organizations in Alberta to create and enforce policies that limit “eligibility for female-only divisions to assigned female at birth athletes.”

Both acts will go into effect in late 2025.

Along with what’s happening in government here at home, Sanford also said that politics in the U.S. have been causing anxiety among the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

“We’ve had a long season, to put it mildly, of heaviness,” said Sanford. “Everything from political backlash to financial strain from Pride organizations across Canada and the U.S. and probably beyond. We wanted something really bold and life-affirming.”

MAKING THE PARADE A StatsCan report from last year shows that younger 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals have a higher rate of disability compared to non-2SLGBTQIA+ folks in their age range. They also tend to have

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more severe and co-occurring disabilities.

With this in mind, making the parade and festival accessible is at the forefront for Calgary Pride. Beyond ensuring accommodations for those with physical disabilities, Calgary Pride also considers those with neurodivergence or financial barriers. “[That’s] part of the reason why the festival itself is always free to attend,” said Sanford.

Accessibility is also among the considerations when applying to the City for permits and arranging for road closures. Event organizers must work with the Parks Department and The City of Calgary events team to ensure safety and security at the events.

There’s also the distinctly un-sexy job of dealing with basics like porta-potties.

The fun comes with arranging for the mainstage performances on the festival grounds, which is organized by a team of volunteers on Calgary Pride’s arts and entertainment committee. In the past, the roster of mainstage performers has featured drag artists from Canada’s Drag Race.

Coming on the heels of the Stampede season, securing the necessary volunteers to keep Pride running smoothly can be a challenge. Volunteer

PHOTO: MICHAEL GRONDIN

registrations tends to be low during the early planning stages, though according to Sanford, registration this year has been uncharacteristically low.

“We have heard that volunteer recruitment for nonprofits across the board has been harder,” said Sanford. “Folks are burnt out. Folks are nervous to come out to big events.”

Those interested in volunteering should apply at calgarypride.ca/applications-volunteer.

Beyond the challenges of arranging event permits and securing volunteers, at the end of the day, there’s one major factor in making Pride happen: money.

Last June, Toronto Pride faced a $900,000 funding shortfall after major sponsors, including Google, Nissan, Home Depot, and Clorox, withdrew their support for the parade.

“That has been a challenge for us as well,”

Pride Year Round

The Attic

QUEER CALGARY

THE ATTIC

Whether you’re sporty, nerdy, or crafty, Queer Calgary has a meetup for you. Every Monday at 7 p.m., check out the arts and crafts night over at Bell’s Cafe. Every Thursday, Queer Calgary takes over the top floor of The Sentry Box for an evening of board games, starting at 6 p.m.

Twice a month, tie up your skates and roll around at House of Skate for queer roller skating. Be sure to follow Queer Calgary’s event calendar for more events at queercalgary.ngo/ event-calendar.

If there’s one bar in town that’s an absolute treasure-trove for queer-friendly entertainment, it’s The Attic. There’s always an event around the corner, whether it’s the comedy open mic Laugh Loft held every Sunday at 7:30 p.m., hosted by the inimitable drag queen Karla Marx, or the recurring classic Carly’s Angels drag show.

Between the regularly scheduled entertainment, extra events are always popping up, like drag and burlesque brunches. Check out our full profile of The Attic on page 21!

said Sanford. “This is why it’s really the time for allies and businesses who align themselves with the values of equity, diversity, inclusion [to] come to the fore.”

Despite working with less money, Sanford says Calgary Pride isn’t pulling back on any planned events this year. At least, not now. “[It] could be more of a challenge going into the future,” they said. “We’re going to be putting

PRIME TIMERS For the older men around town, Prime Timers is the place to be. Prime Timers holds several weekly activities for mature gay and bisexual men to chat and socialize, starting on Mondays at 5 p.m. with dinner and billiards at Mr. Schnapp’s Pub & Grill.. On Tuesdays starting at 6 p.m., gear up for a few rounds of lawn bowling over at Calgary Lawn Bowling Club. And for a great start to the weekend, hit the Saturday morning coffee social at Good Earth coffeehouse at 10:30 a.m. They also host events on the holidays so no one has to spend them alone. Prime Timers has an annual $30 membership fee.

For membership and more event information, visit chapters.theprimetimersww.com.

PHOTO: MICHAEL KIM

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“FOR THE 2SLGBTQI+ COMMUNITIES, IT REFLECTS JOY, RESISTANCE, AND COMING INTO THIS YEAR IN FULL COLOUR AS YOURSELF.” TAYLOR SANFORD, CALGARY PRIDE’S SPONSORSHIP AND FUND DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

OUTSIDE THE PARADE PHOTO: KELLY HOFER

out the call to bring in more support, because it’s a trend that we’re seeing.”

PREP FOR PRIDE While Calgary Pride has tried to account for the worst of the city’s weather by holding the parade at the end of summer, you can never really know what’s going to happen at an outdoor event in Calgary.

“Bring a sun hat. Bring a water bottle, some sunscreen,” says Sanford. An emergency poncho and an umbrella will also go a long way, just in case the weather decides to go the opposite direction.

Before Pride, be sure to plan what kind of experience you want.

August 31, the day of the parade, is an all-ages event where the whole family can come along and enjoy the spectacle and the festival that follows.

If you want your pride to be a little spicier, then August 30 is the day you’ll want to show up. This early celebration is adults-only, when drag performers take over the festival grounds, and market vendors sell their most salacious goods.

No matter how you Pride, there’s something to make you feel seen.

Calgary Pride takes place on August 30 and 31 at Prince’s Island Park. The parade marches down 9th Avenue on the 31. For more information, check out calgarypride.ca.

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While the internationally recognized Pride Month may be long in the past, Calgary’s celebrations stay in full swing all the way up until the city’s Pride Parade. While crappy weather may have forced us to have our parade at a weird time, it does have a perk — more time for killer pride events!

ROOTED IN THE ROCKIES: BLACK QUEER GAME NIGHT Over at the Centre for Newcomers, play games and make some new friends with the Rooted in the Rockies game night on August 17. It’s a great event for the black queer community to come together in a low stakes social event that’s all about fun and welcoming one another.

“You’re not having to hold your guard up or wonder ‘Is this space for me?’ It is by you, for you, and we need you,” said Daphne Dike-Hart, president and CEO of Black Pride YYC. Come and play games, or just come for socialization. You can reserve a spot over an eventbrite.com. Tickets are completely free.

August 17, 4 to 7 p.m. at Centre for Newcomers, Northgate Village Shopping Centre, 565 36 St. N.E.

RANG DE SOUTH ASIAN QUEER PARTY Not everyone is going to feel represented at a pride event, even among queer friends. South Asian queer folks have a fun event to check out

on August 23 at the Rated Ultra Lounge, just around the back of Fortuna’s Row. A stacked lineup of DJs keeps the party going from 9 p.m. to midnight, and drag superstar Dayna Hart will serve looks on stage.

August 23, 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. at Rated Ultra Lounge, 314 3 St. S.E.

PRIDE OPEN MIC COMEDY From Calgary’s staple Laugh Loft and Calgary Pride comes a Pride open mic comedy night at The Attic. Take your tight five to the stage for an audience of accepting folks and enjoy the company of laugh-out-loud host Karla Marx. Open mic spots are limited — you’ll want to make sure you’re there by 7 p.m. so you don’t miss the chance to perform. Turn your friends into comedy guinea pigs and start testing out those jokes.

August 24. Sign up starts at 7 p.m., show starts at 7:30 at The Attic, 1413 9 Ave. S.E.

WE SAY GAY: QUEER KID LIT LECTURE An erudite spin on the usual pride activities, head to Central Library on August 27 for the University of Calgary humanities department’s 7th Annual 2SLGBTQIA+ lecture. This year’s topic is the banning of books that discuss queer issues from K to 12 schools, a trend ongoing in the U.S. and Canada. The lecture is led by Dr. Kenneth Kidd, PhD, a UCalgary instructor in the Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies department.

It’s completely free to attend, but you’ll want to reserve your spot with tickets from eventbrite.com. August 27, 7 to 9 p.m. at Central Library, 800 3 St. S.E.

CALGARY PRIDE BAR CRAWL Get yourself in the pride mood with a night of hard partying and even harder drinks. Calgary Pride Bar Crawl hits four iconic downtown spots — Hitman’s Bar, Home and Away YYC, Commonwealth Bar & Stage, and Blondies Cabaret — with no additional cover, just the cost of your ticket. Live DJs will be serving up all your favourite pop, hip hop and house tracks to get your body moving at each of the venues.

Check in starts at 8 p.m., so you’ve got plenty of time to get your pre-game on beforehand.

Early Bird tickets are available before August 21 for $15 on eventbrite.com. August 30 at 8 p.m. at Hitman’s Bar in Cowboys Casino, 421 12 Ave. S.E.

PRIDE BRUNCH If your idea of the perfect pride features a little less booze and a lot more food, then the Centre for Sexuality’s pride brunch is the place you’ll wanna be. This annual event raises funds for Camp fYrefly, a camp for 2SLGBTQIA+t youth in Southern Alberta. Drag performers keep you entertained as you enjoy your delicious eats.

August 30, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency, 700 Centre St. S.E.

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COVER

SHOP WITH PRIDE THIS PRIDE, COME AND VISIT ALL THE GREAT QUEER-INCLUSIVE BUSINESSES IN CALGARY

BY MATTHEW JOHNSON

W

ith Pride in Calgary just around the corner, now more than ever there is an opportunity to explore queer-inclusive businesses that welcome everyone in Calgary.

SOCIAL CUT & SHAVE Whether you need a new style for the summer or just want to look good and feel good, Social Cut & Shave provides a positive experience for everyone in Calgary. It has become a staple of the Beltline community after being open for nearly a decade.

“We want to focus on making people feel good, and we want to focus on making everyone feel included,” said Ed Perez, one of the founders of the Calgary shop.

Social Cut & Shave is one of the few barbershops in the city that offers gender-neutral pricing on their appointments.

“We just wanted a space where we can do good work, and everyone leaves happier than when they came in,” said Perez.

This is a go-to spot for anyone wanting a new haircut this summer.

OWL’S NEST BOOKS If you’re looking for a new book to capture your interest and a new community of like-minded readers, Owl’s Nest Books is for you.

Owl’s Nest Books hosts the QUEEReads YYC Book Club that meets every second Monday of the month.

“We get to have this fantastic group, picking some amazing books that we get to recommend to all of Calgary on their behalf, and we get to help promote their book club and bring their community together,” said Ryan Smith, co-owner of Owl’s Nest Books.

There is no membership fee to join the book

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Hemlock Tattoo PHOTO: JUDE BROCKE

club, and drop-ins are more than welcome. It is a great way to connect with fellow readers and enjoy a story together in the Nest.

Members do get 10 per cent off of titles the group is reading together.

“Everyone is always welcome,” said Smith.

“We love to try and match a book to everyone based on what they’re looking for.”

When picking up a new read, Owl’s Nest Books is a great place to check out.

RISING TIDES TAPROOM + VAMOS TACOS Rising Tides is a perfect inclusive place to grab some chips and dip — the pico de gallo is killer — with its “Let’s Go Lager!”

With a purchase of the lager, you receive a $1 token. Slide it onto the bar to donate to the charity of your choice on the “giving wall.”

The bar also accepts nominations for charities to include on the giving wall on its website.

Rising Tides is a proudly queer-inclusive taproom here in the Calgary, stating on its website that it is “a community where you actively shape the changing landscape of Calgary’s queer presence as well as connect with other 2SLGBTQIA+ folks from across the city.”

Owl’s Nest Books PHOTO: JENNIFER FEDOROWICH

Civic Tavern hosts great events — its Drag H20 Patio Party is fun for everyone — that raise money for the Skipping Stone Foundation.

With 100 per cent local tap options and fresh pizza, there is something for everyone on a good night out with friends.

Keep an eye out on social media for Civic’s events during Pride in Calgary.

CIVIC TAVERN

HEMLOCK TATTOO STUDIO

If you prefer a pub setting, Civic Tavern is for you.

Built in 1911, it is one of the oldest buildings in Calgary, with a storied past as the Hop In Brew for over 24 years.

Wanting to celebrate Pride with some fresh ink?

Hemlock Tattoo Studio is a great place to go to this summer.

When creating Hemlock Tattoo Studio back in 2020, the founders set out to make a trauma- in-

formed and consent-driven practice.

“The first thing we did was sit down and we discussed what our shared values were, and one of the main things was for it to be an inclusive space for folks,” says Janeen Scott, one of the studio’s founders and co-owners.

In setting out to create this inclusive space, the founders of the studio began taking workshops on queer and trans-inclusivity in the workplace.

“It feels every day like we’re contributing to the community and participating in the community, which is really important to us,” says Scott.

If you’re looking for a welcoming, positive space for your next tattoo, Hemlock is the place to be.

thescenecalgary.com | 08 | 2025

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BUMP '25

Muralist Kat Simmers

B BUMP

BY MARCUS OGDEN

IS A PLACE CALGARY’S URBAN ART FESTIVAL PRIORITIZES COMMUNITY

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eyond its set of ambitious mural projects and public events, this year’s BUMP Festival centres around a question: “What if BUMP wasn’t just a festival, but a place?”

“I think if BUMP were a place, it would be a place where people knew each other in a more intense and immediate way,” says Priya Ramesh, BUMP creative director. “I think it would be a place where people play together, and it would be a place where people are activated politically.”

BUMP, short for the Beltline Urban Murals Project, started in 2017 as a civic beautification project for Calgary’s core downtown area. It’s responsible for landmark murals across the city, such as the large Pride mural painted last year by local artist Kat Simmers, located on the Blake, Cassels, and Graydon law firm on 2 Street S.W. Now in its ninth year, BUMP has expanded in scope and ambition. The team behind the festival view it as a fertile ground for furthering the local cultural dialogue, by activating otherwise mundane spaces and bringing in

PHOTO: JEVAN BAILEY

new artistic perspectives.

“I think there’s a version of BUMP where we focus on the murals, and … it’s just the visual,” says Chloe Chan, BUMP marketing coordinator. “In reality, we’re hosting events that are really connecting people and culture. It’s about people in the city and how we move, how we know each other, how we play.”

This year’s festival features nine new muralists — a blend of local, national, and international talents. Moroccan artist Ayoub “NORMAL” Abid, is known for his vivid and geometric compositions of the human form. On the national side, Toronto muralist Megan Oldhue returns to the festival with well-earned clout in the mural community from her grand realist pieces.

“We’ve brought artists that go on to become really big,” says Ramesh. “The artists are bold, but know who they are with their artistic style.”

The prelude to this year’s BUMP is its urban art conference, themed “Monuments & Memory.” The conference’s panels and workshops explore the ways public art plays a role in cultural city building.

“Let’s get you guys in a room, let’s say some crazy

thescenecalgary.com | 08 | 2025

“We’ve brought artists that go on to become really big. The artists are bold, but know who they are with their artistic style.”

PRIYA RAMESH, BUMP CREATIVE DIRECTOR

shit in here that another organization might not be able to facilitate, but we can, because we can kind of do whatever we want,” says Ramesh.

This is the second time the festival has run this conference, and this year it will be held at Contemporary Calgary on August 5 and 6. The conference is free as part of BUMP’s commitment to making important conversations accessible.

“Typically a conference of this scale with these types of speakers and thinkers, you’re paying $500 plus to be able to access it. We’ve kept it completely free,” says Ramesh.

BUMP’s official kick-off is its tried-and-true graffiti jam and block party. This event includes live graffiti writing, breakdancing competitions, DJs, rap battles, and much more. This year it’s held in Crescent Heights.

“BUMP started out as the Beltline Urban Mural Project, but [now] is reaching throughout the city,” says Chan.

Closing the festival this year is the outdoor “Crashout” party. Focusing on different aspects of street culture, boasting skateboarding, punk music, and an all-night rave, it promises to end

the festival with a bang. Crashout takes place in a parking lot just two blocks up from the beloved Red Mile of 17th Ave. S.W. “I think we’ve really hit our stride in the kind of conversation we’re trying to have with the public,” says Ramesh. “I think how boldly we can speak to the public has expanded. We’re a bigger festival, we’re a braver festival, and we’re a more interesting festival.”

While this year the festival asks, “What if BUMP were a place?”, in many ways, we already live in the social space it’s trying to imagine — it just takes a bit of art to realize it.

“I’m really stuck on the name ‘BUMP,’” says Chan. “My favourite part of Calgary is when it’s really busy out and you bump into the acquaintances, the best friends, the random people you know. Constantly having those little interactions with your community … like, ‘Hey, I haven’t seen you in forever. Let’s go for lunch later.

I’m so glad we bumped into each other.’ That’s my version of BUMP as a place, just people being together.”

BUMP takes place August 1 to 18. Find out more about BUMP at yycbump.ca.

Meeting Space, a mural by Wenting Li and Michelle Ku

Matthew Springer

BIG MURAL FOR A BIG LOCAL

W

hile BUMP boasts a healthy offering of national and international artists, the festival’s most admirable quality is the opportunities it gives local artists.

BUMP has featured local stars such as Josee La Guita and Kat Simmers. The festival also fosters opportunities for upand-coming local artists through its Road Works program, which creates smaller scale art work on concrete traffic barriers.

This year, multidisciplinary artist and musician Matthew Springer graduates from Road Works into his largest mural yet.

“I feel very honoured and very thankful for this opportunity. It’s not easy to get into BUMP,” says Springer. “I’m very excited to take it to this next level.”

If you’re out at shows often, you’ve likely seen Springer playing in one of his many music projects. You’ve also likely seen his vibrant and eclectic art style adorning posters in venues or out on the streets. Springer’s art is surrealist and pop-y — it defies conventions and embraces a zany maximalism.

“It’s a really good challenge. There’s a lot of technical aspects to mural painting that really push you as an artist, and I appreciate being challenged,” says Springer. “I feel like the intention of it is to bring people together and to take notice of aspects of our city we

PHOTO: TYRELL BONNICK

wouldn’t notice otherwise.”

While Springer draws some of his inspiration from nature and his experiences, his main source is his lifelong passion for music. He uses his art to visualize the feelings songs give him. The tone of what he’s listening to bleeds into his work.

“I can listen to a song that makes me think of a certain colour or a place, and then I’ll really listen to those sounds and notes and see how it translates to my hand,” says Springer. “If I want to make something really bubbly or yellow and sunshiny, I’ll listen to more upbeat music. If I want to make something that’s darker or weirder, I’ll listen to stranger or harsher music.”

Springer’s piece for BUMP reflects on his experiences watching his friends and fellow creatives play at local venues. He keeps a visual journal where he illustrates standout moments, vibes, and feelings from the shows he attends.

“I came home from those shows and did some fun drawings to harness the energy of fun and music and community,” says Springer. “I tried to incorporate those aspects into my mural, because that’s what I want people to feel when they look at it. Try to make it welcoming and fun, bubbly, like it’s a good place to be.”

PHOTO: JEVAN BAILEY

thescenecalgary.com | 08 | 2025

15

DANCE SCENE

The Scene’s Guide to Vogue CALGARY MAY BE BETTER KNOWN FOR ITS BOOTS THAN ITS BALLROOMS, BUT A NEW GENERATION IS VOGUING ITS WAY ONTO THE SCENE

BY JESS ARCAND

U

nder the shimmer of disco balls and the defiant stomp of heels, a new generation of ballroom artists are voguing their way into Calgary. Rooted in Black and Latinx queer resistance, ballroom culture has long been a haven for those who live boldly outside the binary.

“Creating a ballroom in your city is innately creating a space,” says legendary Mother of the House of PinkLady, SlimThick. “Somewhere for these kids to expose their talent, somewhere for them to just be themselves because half the time, these kids can’t be themselves.”

Ballroom is more than dance. It’s fashion, protest, and identity. It’s building safety in places where queer and trans people, especially 2SLGBTQIA+ BIPOC individuals, have historically been excluded. And while the city may be better known for its boots than its ballrooms, Calgary’s vogue scene is blossoming with weekly practices, rotating kiki balls, and chosen families.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF VOGUE Ballroom culture emerged in Harlem in the 1960s. Trans and queer, Black and Latinx folks, excluded from mainstream pageants, began organizing underground balls to showcase talent, affirm identity, and build family.

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Houses, led by crowned “mothers” and “fathers,” offered structure for young people facing adversity.

Vogue, the dance form that defines ballroom, evolved from the pose-heavy fashion magazine spreads it’s named after. Over time, it developed distinct styles: Old Way, emphasizing angular precision and posing; New Way, with contortion and elasticity; and Vogue Femme, a fluid, dramatic form popular today.

The kiki scene came later, around 2004 in New York, as a space for younger and newer participants to train before entering the “mainstream” ballroom scene.

“The kiki scene is like college football or a kitten heel,” says SlimThick. “The mainstream scene is the NFL. That’s a six-inch pump. She’s grown.”

The culture broke into the mainstream in the ‘90s via Madonna’s “Vogue” and the acclaimed documentary Paris is Burning, which celebrated its 35th anniversary last year with a Calgary screening hosted by BUMP Festival.

While pop culture borrowed its glitter, ballroom’s roots remain deeply political: a response to exclusion and a reclamation of space.

Today, ballroom scenes exist globally, from New York to Berlin to Tokyo, and Calgary is staking its claim.

House of Gvasalia crowning at the ‘24 Kiki Ball, BUMP Festival.

PHOTO: MICHAELA NEUMAN

CUE THE MUSIC, HIT THE DROP Catfish is a staple DJ in Calgary’s music and dance scenes. He has played for Vogue YYC, launched the street dance series Soul Circus, and is part of hip hop artist Tea Fannie’s collective.

As a DJ, Catfish carefully curates tracks

to suit each category. “Runway is minimal.

Performance needs high energy. Sex Siren has a whole vibe. It is seductive and powerful.

I’ll also use remixes that blend top 40 samples that will resonate.”

He emphasizes etiquette, too. “Respect is everything. Don’t interrupt the floor. Don’t talk over judges. Don’t assume you know more than the community you’re entering.”

thescenecalgary.com | 08 | 2025

CJSW August Charts

WHO’S WALKING CALGARY’S RUNWAY? HOUSE OF GVASALIA Gvasalia began in Vancouver under the legendary mother Posh Gvasalia and now has chapters in Calgary and Edmonton. The Calgary scene was sparked by Mother Katria Gvasalia and Princess Sen Gvasalia, who learned from Posh and returned to Calgary to build locally. They co-founded Vogue YYC, Calgary’s main drop-in ballroom sessions.

Vogue YYC’s weekly drop-in sessions rotate through numerous categories and styles, open to all, with a focus on education and respect.

“We’re guests in this culture,” says Sen. “We prioritize history first and we want this to be here for the people who need it most.”

Prince AB Gvasalia, one of the chapter’s standout competitors, agrees.

“Being in ballroom gave me a space where both my queerness and ethnicity could exist and be affirmed,” he says.

HOUSE OF PINKLADY With roots in Toronto, the international House of PinkLady was the first house to expand into Canada from New York. It has chapters in Montreal, Calgary, Vancouver, and beyond.

“I was a part of the inception of the kiki scene in Canada with the House of PinkLady,” says SlimThick. “PinkLady also started the Toronto Kiki Ball Alliance [TKBA] with the Legendary Houses of Twysted and Vixen. They went to New York to walk a ball by the founders of my kiki house and offered to bring a chapter back to Toronto. We were the first international chapter before Europe.”

“The Calgary chapter was built from scratch by one of my kids, Arson PinkLady,” says SlimThick.

“He said, ‘There’s no way I’m from Calgary and my house isn’t here.’”

HOUSE OF GALORE Founded in Calgary, the House of Galore holds the distinction of being the city’s first homegrown house.

“We started Galore beCardiGalore cause there was only one house here and the scene was still small,” says Father Cardi Galore. “Having more houses brings

healthy competition and helps the scene grow.”

“We joke that we’re the Banjee House of Galore,” Cardi laughs. “We’re polished, but we’re also not afraid to get gritty … We’re not just about performance. We give people rides, places to stay, whatever they need. I treat my role as father seriously. [Genuine community], it goes beyond the ballroom.”

WALK THE WALK Not in a house yet? Walk as a 007.

“We call folks who aren’t in a house yet ‘free agents, 007,’” says Cardi. “You don’t have to be in a house right away to be a part of the community.

Come to practice. Learn the culture. Walk a few balls as a 007. If it’s right, you’ll get picked up.”

Want to duckwalk or serve face? Attend Vogue YYC’s weekly drop-ins at Decidedly Jazz Danceworks. Classes rotate through categories, with open sessions to vibe, learn, or walk.

“We want to make sure people are learning the culture, not just the moves,” says Sen. “That means understanding where this comes from and who it’s for.”

Ballroom is built on sweat, joy, and radical care within marginalized communities. It’s in the lineage: how each category, pose, and chant carries a history of survival and celebration.

But care also looks like protection and action.

As SlimThick explains, white allies have a responsibility in ballroom spaces, especially when safety is threatened.

“When police show up at our events, we need white allies to be the first to ask, ‘Why are you here?’” she says. “It shouldn’t always be us QTBIPOC folks putting ourselves at risk. If you want to be in our spaces, your allyship has to extend to protecting the people these spaces are for.”

With Pride approaching, there’s no better time to witness this culture in action. Support a ball.

Learn your history. Bring a few dollars for the prize fund. And when the MC calls out “Category is…,” don’t just watch. Cheer. Clap. Dip. And maybe, just maybe, walk.

Vogue YYC hosts outdoor sessions every Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m. for the rest of the summer.

Follow @vogueyyc on Instagram for location updates. Outside of summer, visit Decidedly Jazz Danceworks at 111 12 Ave. S.E. for drop-ins.

Direct from your radio pals at 90.9 FM, here is a snapshot of the current artists & albums topping the charts at CJSW. Tune in, turn it up and enjoy.

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Various Artists** - Calgary Calling (Sketchy Records) The Dust Collectors** - Cold Feet (Self-Released) Temps** - Wayside EP (Self-Released) mcklusky - the world is still here and so are we (Ipecac) Hermitess** - Death & The Fool (Self-Released) Brian Eno & Beatie Wolfe - Luminal and Lateral (Verve Records) 7. U.S. Girls* - Scratch It (Royal Mountain Records / 4AD) 8. Miranda Martini** - The Historian (Self-Released) 9. Dial Up** - Ball Pit (Self-Released) 10. M(h)aol - Something Soft (Merge) 11. Fulfilment** - Husky House (Revolution Winter) 12. Eye of Newt** - Work Perks (Self-Released) 13. Rube & Rake* - Good Time After Bad (LHM) 14. Meadowsweet** - The Sound of Coming Home (SelfReleased) 15. Various Artists** - Volume 8 - Music for Reminiscing (Oscill8 records) 16. They Say Stories** - Daydreams Will Do (Self-Released) 17. Hangman Pencil Co.** - the kids from the powerlines (Self-Released) 18. Wyzaker** - HYPNIC JERK! (City of Fire) 19. Goddess - Goddess (Bella Union) 20. Model/Actriz - Pirouette (True Panther / Dirty Hit) 21. Femi Kuti - Journey Through Life (Partisan Records) 22. Artificial Go - Musical Chairs (Feel It Records) 23. The Misery Mountain Boys* - Somebody Stole My Peaches (Self-Released) 24. Cassie Anne MacDonald & Maggie Jane MacDonald* Gold And Coal (Self-Released) 25. TVOD - Party Time (Mothland) 26. The Folk Implosion - Dare to Be Surprised (Joyful Noise Recordings) 27. Sunalta** - Bridge (Self-Released) 28. SamWoy* - Even Sad Boys Like To Have Fun (Hidden Ship) 29. Heavyweights Brass Band* - Knockout (Heavyweights Brass Band Productions) 30. Rebecca Foon & Aliayta Foon-Dancoes* - Reverie (Constellation) ** Local * Canadian

PHOTO: BENJAMIN SAN MARTIN

thescenecalgary.com | 08 | 2025

17

FEATURE

Where’s the Gaybourhood?

FROM AN UNOFFICIAL CLUSTERING ALONG THE BELTLINE TO POP-UP GATHERINGS IN BORROWED VENUES, CALGARY’S GAYBOURHOOD HAS ALWAYS FOUND WAYS TO EXIST EVEN IF YOU CAN’T PUT IT ON A MAP

A

BY ALICIA L’ARCHEVÊQUE cross North America, gaybourhoods are vital sanctuaries for queer life, providing centers of political activism and a high density of safe spaces for 2SLGBTQIA+ folks. In cities like Toronto and Vancouver, Church-Wellesley and Davie Village stand as both historical landmarks and permanent hubs for queer establishments and businesses.

probably from 4th Avenue, up to about 8th or 10th Street, straight up through 17th Avenue, and as far east as Macleod Trail,” says Lois Szabo, one of the founders of Calgary’s first members-only gay bar, Club Carousel. The club opened its doors in the Beltline in 1970 and became one of the most essential gay spaces in Calgary’s history.

In 2021, the City of Calgary renamed a park “Lois Szabo Commons,” located at 936 16 Ave. S.W. The One Voice Chorus requested its Beltline placement because of the area’s historical significance to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

queerness isn’t spatially concentrated will take the form of episodic, event-based occasions of gathering and fellowship,” says Dr. Amin Ghaziani, professor of sociology and the Canada research chair in urban sexualities.

“There is a real lack of physical queer spaces in today’s Calgary, and I think there are a lot of queer people who are missing it,” Allen says.

“However, there are pop-up queer spaces in Calgary that are amazing.”

Besides the two gay bars — Twisted Element and the Texas Lounge — much of Calgary’s queer scene takes shape through events like Queer

tions in Calgary with a permanent office, Black Pride YYC has struggled to adapt to rent increases while prioritizing accessible spaces. President and CEO Daphne Dike-Hart often hosts pop-up events at secondary locations, like the upcoming Black Pride Festival at the Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Association on August 9.

“We’re still here,” says Bellamy Van Aalst, cofounder of Lavender Club YYC, “We may not have many permanent spaces, but we’re still gonna be here at least a few times a month.”

Event-based gatherings may not offer the rootedness afforded by geographically clustered

THE BELTLINE, FOR SURE, WAS A VERY GAY NEIGHBORHOOD, PARTICULARLY IN THE ‘70S, ‘80S AND ‘90S. KEVIN ALLEN, AUTHOR & HISTORIAN Lavendaer Club special movie screening

Calgary never formally delineated an urban gay district in the same way Vancouver or Toronto did. But did one exist unofficially? And where’s the “gaybourhood” today?

Kevin Allen, author of Our Past Matters: Stories of Gay Calgary and Calgary Gay History Project historian, points to the Beltline as once having an informal clustering of now-closed gay bars, coffee shops and bookstores.

“It might not have been as densely concentrated as, say, the West End in Vancouver, or Church-Wellesley in Toronto. But the Beltline, for sure, was a very gay neighborhood, particularly in the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s,” says Allen.

“If there was a gay community at all, it was

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Masc Off, a Generic Lesbian Party event

Pansy Club party

PHOTO COURTESY: LAVENDER CLUB YYC

PHOTO: BLUEJ

PHOTO: CAERULEAN CITY

Looking at Allen’s Stories of Gay Calgary, it’s clear that our queer spaces were once geographically close to one another. The Old Y and Club Carousel were within a few doors of each other on 12th Avenue. Three blocks down, the Gay Liberation Front held meetings in rundown apartments on 1st Street and 15th Avenue. Across Central Memorial Park, The Parkside Continental bar operated from 1973 to 1986, located at 13th Avenue and 4th Street.

On the other side of what Allen calls the “golden age of gay bars,” most of the Beltline’s queer spaces have dissipated, and finding community looks different.

“Creating spaces of belonging in a city where

Calgary’s weekly arts and crafts nights and the Fairy Tales Queer Art & Film Festival.

Pansy Club has become a popular organization for pop-up queer events in Calgary, featuring a range of activities including open mics and dance parties. The co-op hopes to settle into a day-and-night permanent space, relying for now on queer-friendly establishments such as Bell’s Cafe or Loophole.

“I was kind of tired of complaining that there was nothing to do,” says Marcello Kiglics, the founder and organizer of Generic Lesbian Party, “If I can’t see it somewhere in the community, I might as well do something about it.”

Despite being one of the few queer organiza-

gay spaces, but they can offer a similar reprieve.

“Pop-up parties and events will still have a concentration of queer people, of queer culture, and of queer energy. What happens in those moments when we come together does not evaporate after the moment ends, ” says Dr. Ghaziani.

Today, Calgary’s “gaybourhood” is at once modest and sprawling. Online engagement paves its roads, and its street markings depend on word of mouth and social media algorithms. Its “houses” are ephemeral — materializing sporadically in borrowed venues. Such a gaybourhood is one where, in Ghaziani’s words, “Moments, rather than spaces, are concentrated.”

thescenecalgary.com | 08 | 2025

SEE WHAT’S ON Abbas Akhavan. Study for a Garden (detail), 2017.

SPORTS SCENE

I

n 2018, Logan Chinski found a gap in Calgary’s sports scene — there was no softball league for 2SLGBTQIA+ folks.

Although Apollo, Friends in Sport, had operated weekly drop-in slo-pitch for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community from 1992 to 2015, by the time Chinski moved to the city, it had disbanded.

Chinski had played three seasons in the Vancouver’s 2SLGBTQIA+ league. He made friendships and connections in the community and wanted to bring that experience to Calgary.

Chinski — along with co-founders Troy Gibson and Tom Sloan — created the Calgary Apollo Softball Association (CASA) in 2018.

They began with eight teams and an eightweek summer season.

“We’re a 2SLGBTQI+ league, and we know not everyone has had a very positive experience in sports,” says Chinski. “The focus is on fun, safety, inclusivity, and the social atmosphere.”

Now, the league boasts 16 teams and lasts 16 weeks, with expansion coming next season.

“Our registration filled up in seven minutes this year,” says Chinski. “That’s how much people want to play in this league. Next year, we’re planning on going to 18 teams, at least.”

Over 300 players take part in CASA, many of whom have been with the program since it began. The league is all about making lifelong friendships through softball.

For many people, especially those new to sport, joining a league can be intimidating. CASA knows this and does all it can to make sure everyone feels secure.

“Anyone with any kind of background or skill level is welcome to join,” says Chinski. “We really try to ensure folks feel physically and psychologically safe.”

One way CASA fosters its sense of community is through the buddy system. When registering, players can “buddy up” and ensure they get to play with a partner they already know. No one is left alone, which makes socializing and dealing with the fear that comes with sport so much easier.

To guarantee their community grows, teams are formed through a draft. Team captains select players or duos one by one, turn by turn, until everyone is selected. Through this system, players can meet new people every single year, even

20

PHOTO: MATT DANIELS

Calgary Apollo Softball Association MEET THE CITY’S ONE-OF-A-KIND QUEER SOFTBALL LEAGUE

BY WILL FISHER

if they’ve been in the league since 2018.

“We mix up teams every season, so you may play with a number of different folks year after year,” says Chinski. “That’s how we start to build those connections within the community. That helps us be more inclusive.”

But for people to keep coming back, the league also has to be fun — and it is. CASA wants every Wednesday game day to be a blast.

“Wednesdays are pretty vibrant,” says Chinski. “I’ve heard people say, ‘These are my favourite days of every week,’ and they look forward to the league every year.”

Each game day has two 90-minute games back-to-back on each field. Players come not only to play, but to watch other games either before or after their own. The community is so tight-knit each game has its own cheering section full of

other players from the league. The post-game is worth looking forward to as well.

“We really promote going to our sponsor bars and restaurants after the game to socialize further,” says Chinski. “The atmosphere is amazing.

Lots of laughter, lots of jokes, lots of people connecting with other teams they played against.”

“This is that cross-socialization that we have, where you have connections and friendships from years past that help build even stronger relationships now.”

CASA also works in the community by running social events for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

Pride Slam, on the Saturday of Pride weekend, is a chance for anyone and everyone to play some softball and have fun. But the biggest and brightest event is MX CASA, a drag event at one of CASA’s sponsor bars, Twisted Element.

“Most teams will have a volunteer performer who’s never done drag before who gets up on stage and performs,” says Chinski. “They go head-to-head to raise money for charity. This year we raised $17,000 for the Stonewall Recovery Centre.”

From the diamond to drag events, CASA creates a nondiscriminatory space for players. In the sports scene, which hasn’t traditionally been inclusive, the community has its place in the Calgary Apollo Softball Association.

“The whole reason this exists is to support the community,” says Chinski. “Whatever you’re going through, this is a safe space for folks to meet people and be your authentic self.”

For information about events, sponsorships and how to get involved, visit casaleague.ca or @casa_squad on Instagram.

thescenecalgary.com | 08 | 2025

VENUE

INSIDE THE ATTIC C A L G A R Y ’ S H O M E F O R Q U E E R J OY

BY EVELINA PAK

I

n celebration of Calgary’s Pride Month, we spotlight a space that embodies queer performance and community in Calgary.

Formerly known as Lolita’s Lounge, The Attic Bar & Stage carries on a legacy of queer performance.

“Our vision with The Attic was to create an inclusive, vibrant home for queer art and live performance in all its forms,” says manager and owner Laine Fedrau.

Today, The Attic is home to Calgary’s longest-running drag show, Carly’s Angels, which has been performing since 2000.

“We’ve been there for so long and seen so many people come through those doors,” says Craig Taylor — who performs as Carly York Jones — host of Carly’s Angels. “From what I hear in reviews, we’ve become an institution in Calgary for a great drag show that has been around for a very long time.”

The Attic blends eclectic programming with high-quality food and cocktails. Come for a plantbased meal and stay for a drag show, a jazz trio, or a burlesque performance. It’s neither a bar, nor a theatre, nor a traditional music venue — it’s all of the above.

More than the events, it’s the values and vibe that set The Attic apart.

“We look for artists who are not only incredibly talented, but who share our commitment to inclusivity, community, and supporting local,” says Fedrau.

That means spotlighting voices that don’t always get the mic: queer artists, femmes, BIPOC performers, emerging acts. “We ask: Does this bring people joy? Does this create a connection?

If yes, we’re in.”

“When you can make somebody laugh, they will remember you,” Taylor says. “It is my job on that stage to take people out of their minds for at least two hours — out of their own lives, out of whatever issues or trouble — and help them have a great time with us at the show.”

Located above Vegan Street in Inglewood, The Attic lives up to its name. To get there, you walk through a patio shaded by trees, then climb a

thescenecalgary.com | 08 | 2025

“WE ASK: DOES THIS BRING PEOPLE JOY? DOES THIS CREATE A CONNECTION? IF YES, WE’RE IN.” OWNER LAINE FEDRAU

wooden staircase. The atmosphere shifts from light and botanical to dim, intimate, and full of anticipation.

During the show, the crowd cheers, the dancers radiate confidence. The space feels friendly, playful, and safe.

“We train our team to be affirming, aware, and responsive,” says Fedrau. “We monitor crowd energy and step in when necessary.

But more than anything, we cultivate a culture — one where kindness, respect, and authenticity are expected.”

Performing for over 25 years, Taylor has noticed a positive shift toward greater acceptance and representation. Shows like RuPaul’s Drag Race have helped bring drag into the mainstream. He also believes the visibility of older queens has made it easier for younger performers to come out and express themselves confidently.

Still, that doesn’t come without resistance.

The venue still faces a backlash from homophobic individuals and groups both online or in person. “We face it head-on by continuing to show up, stay visible, and create space for joy and resistance,” says Fedrau.

The Attic supports local 2SLGBTQIA+ initiatives such as Calgary Outlink, The Alice Sanctuary — a queer-run animal rescue — and

Bea Lissima, Burlesque Show at The Attic PHOTO: MICHAEL KIM

Skipping Stone. At the same time, it relies on support itself.

“This work doesn’t survive without the people who believe in it and who invest in it, emotionally and financially,” says Fedrau.

“To have safe spaces like this is very important, and it’s been so wonderful to have such amazing allies in the community that are

providing them as well,” says Taylor. “Respect welcomes respect, and we hope that when people join us, they are open-minded and openhearted.”

For Fedrau, The Attic is deeply personal. “After a long day, you can come in, breathe out, and be fed — not just physically, but emotionally. It’s the type of space I always wished existed.”

QUICK FACTS Vibe: Theatrical, cozy, and welcoming. “Think New York speakeasy meets old-world glam,” says Fedrau.

First-time recs: Grab a truffle mushroom pizza, sip a “Flowers in the Attic” cocktail, and catch a Chandelier Club burlesque show.

Atmosphere: Full tables and clinking glasses, laughter echoing up the stairwell, performers shining in their element. Unapologetic

applause after a bold number. Gender fluidity is expressed freely.

Getting there: Street parking in Inglewood can be tricky.

Your best bet: arrive after 6 p.m. for free parking and grab happy hour drinks before 7.

For 8 p.m. shows, come by 6:30 for food. If you’re dining only, try 5 p.m. Don’t miss the hidden patio — Inglewood’s best-kept secret.

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