ST. JOHN’S PRIDE 2014 SCHEDULE RUNDOWN

By Lauren Power

The organizers of St. John’s Pride this year are promising fun, education, and a few historic firsts. We’ve got the scoop on what’s on the go for all eight days of Pride.

MONDAY, JULY 14, 2014

Day One starts with the ceremonial flag-raising at St. John’s City Hall (10AM), Confederation Building (noon), Memorial University’s Arts & Administration Building (2PM), and the Town Hall of Logy Bay/Outer Cove/Middle Cove (2PM).

In the evening, there’s an open forum on the LBGT community’s relationship with faith and spirituality called ‘OUT’ in Faith:A Discussion on LBGTQ+ People and Spirituality (7PM, Rocket Bakery, 272 Water Street). Rev. Robert Cooke, local author Trudy Morgan-Cole, and other spiritual leaders will speak, and then guide attendees in discussions on their relationship with religion, faith, and spirituality.

TUESDAY, JULY 15, 2014

After supper, it’s theannual bonfire at Middle Cove Beach. Buses are leaving Bitters Pub (Feild Hall at Memorial University, 216 Prince Philip Drive) at 7:00PM & 8:00PM, and returning at 11:30PM. Sunset that day is at 8:26PM, so find your firewood before it gets dark.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2014

Midweek from 11AM to 4PM, it’s the Pride Unconference at Eastern Edge Gallery (72 Harbour Drive). An unconference is an informal, participant-driven opportunity for discussion, networking, and community building. The agenda for the day is not set until the participants arrive in the morning, when everyone is given the opportunity to sign up for a twenty-minute time slot on a first-come, first-serve basis. Attendees can use their slot to start a discussion, give a presentation, teach a skill, hold a workshop, or anything else, as long as it somehow relates to the topics of sexuality and gender identity. Queer history, gender diversity, polyamory, kink … it’s all up for discussion.

At 4:00PM, there’s Coffee With Cops, the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary’s LBGTQ recruitment drive. The location is currently TBA, so check stjohnspride.ca for details.

You can round out Day Three on the best little deck on George Street, at the Bud Light deck party at Turkey Joe’s (11PM, 19+). Downstairs, it’s open mic karaoke.

THURSDAY, JULY 17, 2014

Pride isn’t just parade floats and drink specials. There’s learning! At Panel Day (noon-4:30PM, Memorial University, Arts & Administration) there will be two sets of sessions, for a total of four panels at this event.

The early sessions will feature the topics of Families (including adoption, fostering, IVF/IUI, and surrogacy, and queer parenting) and In(di)visibility (discussion of bisexuals, the youth homeless population, and other underrepresented populations).

The later sessions will feature Aging (focusing on issues relevant to older members of the LBGTQ community) and Trans Health (featuring discussions healthcare issues relevant to the trans community in Newfoundland and Labrador).

Can’t make it? The sessions will be recorded by folklorist Daze Jeffries and made available at Memorial’s folklore & language archive.

Then at 7PM, it’s The Queer Monologues at the LSPU Hall’s RCA Theatre, produced by For the Love of Learning.

FRIDAY, JULY 18, 2014

Kick off your Friday with the Pride Brunch at Rocket Bakery’s Orbit Room (272 Water Street).

From 7:00PM to 9:00PM, it’s Free Youth Bowlingat St. Pat’s Bowling Alley. Hey, free pizza!

For mature audiences, there’s Comedy Night at Uptown Bar & Grill (193 Kenmount Road), featuring comedians Richard Ryder & Trevor Boris.

Late night, it’s More Than Queens: Alternative Drag Night (19+) at Distortion on George Street, a night of “debauchery and risqué fun” hosted by Drag Idol Runner Up Doctor Androbox and Ivanna Lée. The show kicks off at 11PM with live music from The Sauce (Colleen Power, Liz Solo, Mike Kean). Then, at midnight, it’s an assuredly saucy performance by members of the Island Belles Burlesque troupe. At 1AM, it’s time to nominate your friends to stomp it out on the runway in whatever gendered garb you like. Pride board of directors member Taylor Stocks says, “We wanted to have a competition without anyone actually competing, so we are inviting people to nominate their decked-out friends to get up on stage, show everyone their outfit, after which we will draw out of the hat who will win St. John’s Pride Prize Packs.”

Alternative dance music all night, provided by DJs Adrian and Cara (19+, $10 cover).

SATURDAY, JULY 19, 2014

How do you want to spend your Saturday? At 1:00PM, there’s the Trans Picnic at Harbourside Park. Free vegan and gluten-free eats provided! Alternately, you can work your calves on the hike of Sugarloaf Path with Nathalie Brunet. Hikers and walkers are asked to muster at the Dog Park near Quidi Vidi Lake at noon, departing no later than 1PM. Organizers say to wear proper footgear (boots).

SUNDAY, JULY 20, 2014

Sunday is family fun day, starting at 1PM when the Official St. John’s Pride Parade leaves City Hall in St. John’s. And a historic first for the parade: floats!

When the parade pulls to a stop, it’s Pride On The Lake at Quidi Vidi Lake. Vendors, live entertainment, and family fun from 2:00PM to 6:00PM. “I’m absolutely pumped to spin at this year’s Pride on the Lake!” says Bryan Oliver.“I’ll be bringing some new funky tunes, and some classic funky tunes for everyone to get their groove on!” Along with Oliver, attendees can enjoy the sounds of The Duds, Whiskey Fire, and City on the Coast.

MONDAY, JULY 21, 2014

And what would Pride be without a gala? For tickets to the Closing Gala & Ceremonies (6PM) at the Bella Vista, go to www.stjohnspride.ca.

Full schedule at www.stjohnspride.ca and @StJohnsPrideNL