By Kendell Yan
Halloween may fall on a Wednesday this year but that midweek slump means nothing to the witches, gargoyles, and ghouls that haunt the queer nightlife in Vancouver. The week is jam-packed, so dust off that ghastly white sheet and pop in a few fangs – we’ll let you know where to get your tricks and treats on this week-long spook-a-thon!
October 19
Twisted, Apocalypse
XY Nightclub | 1216 Bute street, Vancouver BC
9:30PM – 2:30AM
From the minds of two of Vancouver’s most talented professional drag makeup artists Adam Zapple and Lea Vendetta, Twisted is a high concept horror drag show featuring alternative acts and performances inspired by various themes. For this rendition of Twisted, the cast takes on the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, featuring Molly Poppinz and St. Jude, and Vixen Von Flex.
October 20
Hustlaween
The Emerald Supper Club | 555 Gore, Vancouver BC
10:00PM – 2:00AM
The much beloved East Van homo-hiphop throwdown gets spooky. Sway to beats by DJ Jef Leppard and DJ T, hosted by Peach Cobblah & Vee with performances by reigning Miss Cobalt Karmella Bar, dance diva extraordinaire Mary-Kol Whip and an appearance by Flygirl.
Freaq
The Vancouver Arts and Leisure Lab | 101 W 6th ave, Vancouver BC
11:00PM – 4:00AM
A new “freaqy” underground hedonistic rave presented by Alma B*tches and VAL, featuring DJs Pandemonium, Applecat, and BPmackie. Let your inner freaq loose and witness kooky out-of-this-world performances by South East, Daddy, Dylan Kaiser & Rogue, Maiden China, Madam Lola, Dee Blew, Samantha Mack, and Scum Kitty.
October 25
The Darlings
The Vancouver Arts and Leisure Lab | 101 W 6th ave, Vancouver BC
10:30PM – 12:00AM
The worlds of conceptual theatre and modern drag come together in this immersive performance art experience. Performances by MX Cobalt All Star and Entertainer of the year Maiden China, MX Cobalt 2005 Rose Butch, Imperial Crown Princet PM and Emprex of the Dogwood Monarchist Society Continental Breakfast. Music by DJ regularfantasy.
October 26
Storytelling with Drag Queens: Halloween Edition
Cafe Deux Soleils | 2096 Commercial Drive, Vancouver BC
9:00 – 11:30PM
Based on NYC’s Famous Drag Queen Story Hour at the Brooklyn Public Library and the San Francisco Library, but with a twist: this one’s for adults. Featuring the fabulous Tara B, Dank Sinatra, Mx. Fortunate, Candie and spooky friends.
REDRUM
The Woods | 7 W 2nd Ave, Vancouver BC
9:00PM – 2:00AM
A horrorific drag show that doesn’t hold back, hosted by two of East Van’s most shocking and loveably terrifying drag creatures, the Slime Siblings Tommi Horror and BamBam. Performances by Alma B*tches, Maiden China, Molly Poppinz, Rogue, Xana X Meadows, Anne Xiety, S-Stud Her, Awesome Bitch, Ryan Goshling, Zit Poppins, Mercury Divine, and Arrhythmio.
Late Night Snack
Save On Meats | 43 W Hastings St, Vancouver BC
9:00 – 11:30PM
Trick or Treat Ooga Booga b*tches! You’re not ready for the cavities that are coming your way! Get ready for mouth watering drag performances as well as many food & drink specials. Come hungry, leave entertained. Hosted by P.M. and Continental Breakfast, with performances by Gia Metric, Rich Elle, Madam Lola, Rogue, Daphne Doogood, and Amy Grindhouse. Merchandise available by Dalco and B.
October 27
ManUp: Funhouse!
Eastside Studios | 550 Malkin Ave, Vancouver BC
9:00PM – 2:00AM
Running for 10+ years, this big drag party features kings, queens, things, and everything in between. A devilish drag cast transforms into genderbent beasts ready to blow your brains, and then eat them. Featuring performances by Rose Butch, PM, Owen, Vixen Von Flex, S-Stud Her, Grimm, Anne Xiety, Pablo Honey, Scout Supernova, Ginger Femmecat, Draco Muff-boi, and Mercury Divine, hosted by Ponyboy with DJs Softieshan and Body Party.
Backdoor
The Vancouver Arts and Leisure Lab | 101 W 6th ave, Vancouver BC
9:00PM – late
Art installations and spaces that will keep you gagging all night long, with international DJs Sappho (Portland) Kevin O’Connor (San Fransisco) RegularFantasy (Vancouver). Performances by Shay Dior, Maiden China, Mary-Kol Whip, Valak, Nikita and more. There’s a costume contest (of course) with judges, Continental Breakfast, PM, Rogue, and Madame Lola.
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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