Ottawa is set to celebrate eight days of Capital Pride with the added impetus provided by Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson who emerged from the closet on Saturday in a poignant opinion article published in the Ottawa Citizen. The mayor said in his op-ed that he decided to end his silence on his sexuality because it was time. His decision will be a powerful statement during several events including the flag-raising at Ottawa City Hall and the annual parade.
This year’s Pride is marking the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots sparked by a police raid in New York City in 1969.
Some 80 events are scheduled including the aforementioned parade and flag-raising(s), films, workshops, drag shows, concerts and a block party. Many of the events are organized by community groups.
There are 15 Signature events. These include:
Aug. 18
Drag brunch
Museum of Nature, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Tickets: $45
Family picnic
Hintonburg Park, 2 to 5 p.m.
Free
Aug. 19
Pride flag raising
Gatineau city hall (10 a.m.)
Ottawa City Hall (noon)
Free
Clothing swap (25 and under)
Alt Hotel from 4 to 8 p.m. Free
Aug. 20
Capital Pride Speaker Series, with Tiq Milan
NAC 4th Stage, 6:30 p.m. Free
Human rights vigil
NAC 4th Stage, 8 p.m. Free
Aug. 21
TD block party
Aberdeen Square, Lansdowne Park, 6-9 p.m. Free
Youth art showcase
Ottawa Art Gallery, 5 – 8 p.m. Free
Aug. 22
Capital Pride pageant
Delta City Centre Hotel, 7:30-10 p.m. (doors: 6:45)
Tickets: $27.50
Aug. 23
Pride prom
Sandy Hill Community Centre, 7:30-11:30 p.m. Free
Nature Nocturne: Bursting with Pride
Museum of Nature, 8 p.m. — midnight
Tickets: $25
Aug. 24
Rogers Street Festival
Bank Street from Gladstone to Somerset, Somerset from Bank to O’Connor, 12-8 p.m.
Free
TD Main stage
340 Somerset St. (2-11 p.m.) including:
T-Dance with DJ Kitty Funk (2-5 p.m.);
Drag show extravaganza (5 to 7:30 p.m.) with Aquaria, Priyanka, Kiki Coe, Jade London, Adrianna Exposée, Kimmy Dymond, Devona Coe, Vaselina Thorne, Oceane Aqua-Black, Harley Queene, Jasmine Dymond, Shea D. Lady, Aimee Yonce Shennel, Markida Brown, Savannah Couture, Icesis Couture, Misty Mac and Vera Drag;
Evening lineup: DJ Sandy Duperval (7:30 p.m.), Siena Liggins (9:15 p.m.), Allie X (10 p.m.
Aug. 25
Rogers Street Festival
Bank Street from Gladstone to Somerset, Somerset from Bank to O’Connor, 12-8 p.m.
Free
Capital Pride parade starts at 1:30 p.m. at Bank Street and Gladstone Avenue. Free
Family pride
Dundonald Park, 2-6 p.m. Free
TD Main stage
340 Somerset St. (2-10 p.m.) starting with rIVerse at 3:30 p.m., Rae Spoon (4:10), Wannabe (5 p.m.), Shawnee (6 p.m.), Michelle Treacy (7 p.m.) DJ Miss M (7:30 p.m.) Ria Mae (9 p.m.)
For more information about events and tickets: capitalpride.ca
