10 Free Things To Do During Montreal Pride Week 2014
Photo cred - Jason Pier
Pride has a lot more to offer than just a parade. A whole mess of sexy events are going on all week, starting today and ending on the last day of Pride on Sunday, August 17th, with many being totally free. You should be going to the parade regardless (all the details here) but there's a bunch of cool events you'll want to check out that won't even cost you a dime.
The not-so-broke folks us can check out the full listing of events at the Pride official website, which features some pretty sweet parties, most of them being pretty reasonable in terms of price. If you're like us and want to save all your money for drinks, then check out these 10 free events:
1. Literary Pride
Where: Stock Bar (map)
When: 7:30pm
What: Going on all throughout Pride week, Literary Pride is a discussion on aspects of LGBT writings, with this year's theme being "Sex gets me reading," a look into the inherent eroticism present in many queer literary works. Monday would be the best time to go, as the opening nights will feature reading from poets Jean-Paul Daoust and Nicole Brossard (in French).
2. Gaymer Zone
Where: Apollon (map)
When: Tuesday, August 12 @ 10pm
What: Get gay and geeky at Apollon, where all kinds of consoles (both old school and modern) will be set up to screens for folks to duke it out while enjoying music and free popcorn.
3. Raising of the Flag Ceremony
Where:Place Émilie-Gamelin (map)
When: Wednesday, August 13th @ 5:30pm
What: The iconic rainbow flag will be raised on Wednesday, which will also doubles as the official opening of the main Pride site and the free shows also going down at Place Émilie-Gamelin.
4. Dream Academy
Where: TD Stage at Place Émilie-Gamelin (map)
When: Wednesday, August 13th @ 7:30pm
What: Stick around after the flag is raised for the 7th Pride performance by Dream Academy, a showcase of Montreal's premiere drag queens. Expect a lot of sass and costume changes.
5. Asterisk BBQ
Where: Cocktail Area @ Place Émilie-Gamelin (map)
When: Thursday, August 14th @ 6pm
What: Young folks (14-25) across the sexual spectrum are invited for a barbecue filled with food and performances. RSVP'ing is necessary, and you can do so here.
6. Cocktail Ladies' Happy Hour
Where: Bar Le Cocktail (map)
When: Friday, August 15th @ 5pm
What: Here's one event just for all the prideful women. Ladie will get treated to spiked slush drinks, $2 shooters, DJ tunes, and a performance by Michel Dorion at 10:30pm.
7. Community Day
Where: St. Catherine, from St. Hubert to Papineau (map)
When: Saturday, August 15th from 11am to 5pm
What: All sorts of groups, organizations, and businesses will be setting up kiosks all along St. Cats, giving the entire Montreal community a chance to learn about new and different aspects of the LGBT community. Be sure to say hi to the DLP boys while you're there.
8. Olympic Tower Rainbow
Where: Olympic Tower (map)
When: Saturday August 16th @ 8pm
What: For one night only, the Olympic Tower will show its pride by illuminate itself with all the colours of the rainbow. Not exactly the most exciting of events, but be sure to cast your gaze towards the tower at some point in the evening, 'cuz this only happens once a year.
9. Pink Dot MTL
Where: TD Stage at Place Émilie-Gamelin (map)
When: saturday, August 15th @ 11:30pm
What: Kinda combined with Michel Dorion's show at 10:30pm, pink glow sticks will be handed out throughout the crowd so everyone can gather up and form a huge pink dot that will then be photographed from above.
10. Closing Show
Where: TD Stage at Place Émilie-Gamelin (map)
When: Sunday, August 17th @ 10pm
What: End Pride week off right: with an awesome and energetic dance party/performance. Scott Fordham will take the stage along with 20 dancers, a bunch surprise guests and glam-tastic drag queens, all rocking out to a mix musical genres.
For more on all things Montreal, follow Michael on Twitter @MDAlimonte
