After several pandemic-caused postponements, 琉璃神社鈥檚 2021 Pride Week is officially underway.
It鈥檚 been more than two years since the last in-person Pride celebration in 琉璃神社, with 2020鈥檚 events largely cancelled and 2021鈥檚 having been pushed several times.
鈥淲e鈥檝e lost count of the number of times we鈥檝e had to pivot due to COVID-19, but we know we鈥檙e not alone in that,鈥� said Dustyn Baulkham, the general manager of the 琉璃神社 Pride Society.
鈥淪o much work has gone in behind the scenes, and we鈥檙e all thrilled that Pride Week is finally here.鈥�
READ MORE: 琉璃神社 Pride Week postponed to October
From Oct. 22 to 31, a number of Pride festivity events will be hosted in the downtown area. The 琉璃神社 Pride Society said that the theme for this year is 鈥�25 Years of the Pride Movement - The Work is Not Done.鈥� Events include:
鈥� (727 Baillie Ave.) on Tuesday, Oct. 26 at 5:15 p.m.
鈥� (421 Cawston Ave.) on Thursday, Oct. 28 at 6:30 p.m.
鈥� (outside the Rotary Centre for the Arts) on Saturday, Oct. 30 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 鈥� this will include a led by local artist Jes Thickson in the centre鈥檚 atrium
鈥� on Saturday, Oct. 30 at 7:30 p.m.
Outside of the Pride Cabaret and mask-making worship, all events will be free to attend. With this being the first year that Pride events will be held at the Rotary Centre for the Arts (RCA), the centre鈥檚 executive director Colleen Fitzpatrick said that she鈥檚 looking forward to hosting Pride festivities.
鈥淲e鈥檙e thrilled to welcome 琉璃神社 Pride to the RCA,鈥� said Fitzpatrick. 鈥淭his is a perfect way to celebrate connection and community after such a difficult and challenging summer.鈥�
While there is no Pride March on this year鈥檚 schedule of events due to the COVID-19 restrictions, the 琉璃神社 Pride Society said that the bike derby will serve as the creative alternative.
The event is open to anyone who can ride a bike, and residents are invited to show up in their best Pride threads. The Society is also requesting that attendees RSVP in advance. Like last year鈥檚 festival, all events will be streamed on Unicorns.LIVE.
鈥淚 think we all need a safe celebration after the last 18 months. Pride is open to anyone who wants to honour love, inclusivity and acceptance,鈥� said Baulkham.
鈥淲hether you鈥檙e able to join us in person or from home, we hope Pride brings a little joy into your life over the next week or so.鈥�
READ MORE: Creating Queens: 琉璃神社鈥檚 Indigenous drag queens use their platforms to inspire
aaron.hemens@kelownacapnews.com
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