By Kendell Yan
A safe and inclusive oasis of body positivity has popped up in Vancouver’s club scene in the form of the city’s very first trans-centric club party, Coconutz and Bananas!
Coconutz and Bananas (C&B) premiered at the Odyssey in August 2017, and is on monthly for nights full of gogo dancers, DJs, drag, and performers, delivering trans and non-binary curated entertainment by and for the city’s LGBTQ2+ community. This intersectional event welcomes allies to the community and places an emphasis on safety by opting for the institution of the “oyster program”, a buddy system where sober individuals with first aid training are available throughout the night as stewards for support and safety moderation.
C&B performers | image by Veronica Bonderud
Created by Anasteja Layne (AKA That Siren Goddess), C&B seeks to close the gap of trans representation in the LGBTQ2+ nightlife community by celebrating trans lives and bodies through visibility in art and recreation. In partnership with DJ Kota Gallipeau (The Kota Moment), the evening bumps along to electro, house, reggaeton, and dancehall beats while fabulous gogos dance and drag things put on a show like you’ve never seen before.
This month the performer roster is stacked with gorgeous talent, including the Pearl Squad, Jackson, Stud-her, PURA VIDA, Sebastian, Jack, Anne Zyetty, Sahem, Femanadé, and Maiden China.
C&B performermance | image by Ray D McEachern
C&B has partnered with Saige Food Bank, a community organization that provides a safe space for trans, gender non-conforming, and queer individuals, as well as access to healthy foods, peer support, clothing, and other goods. Saige food bank is volunteer based, with 75% of their volunteers identifying as trans or gender queer.
The next date is September 22nd – come out and support a revolutionary and radical new club life in Vancouver where all bodies are celebrated, safe, and beautiful.
Presale tickets are available for $7 at coconutzandbananas.bpt.me and $12 at the door.
What: Coconutz and Bananas
When: Friday, September 22, and monthly. Doors at 10pm-3am
Where: The Odyssey Bar and Nightclub, 686 W Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC
Why: To support Vancouver’s first Trans club night, an inclusive safe space for trans, non-binary, gender bending folks to be visible.
Kendell Yan is a queer, second-generation POC who navigates the hyphen of mixed ethnicity LGBTQ2+ living in Vancouver. Kendell has a penchant for drag Queens and Kings that borders on obsession, and he favours events that encourage free expression, inclusivity, and love in all flavours.
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