The leaves are blazing orange and yellow, there's a chill in the air, no doubt about it, to quote the best TV show of the year: Winter is coming. But over in Vancouver it's nowhere near hibernation time – not before the 1st annual Wild Weekend at least! From October 20-23, Canada's most liveable city will play host to over a dozen events celebrating fur, embracing fun, all the while raising money and awareness for Camp Moomba, a charity/summer camp for children 6-17 that are impacted by HIV/AIDS.
Consider yourself a bear? More of an otter? Hungry like a wolf? Or any other masucline animal in the gay kingdom? (Squirrel!) There are over a dozen events all under $20 and most free – although donations encouraged, of course – put on by various promoters scattered around town, from literary readings to beer busts, karaoke, and mondo parties including:
Thursday, October 20th, 2011
Hard Candy @ Celebrities, 9pm-3am — Pre-party
Bear Junk @ Oasis, 10pm-2am — featuring Bearotic Dancers
Friday, October 21st, 2011
Meat @ 1181, 5-9pm — Meet 'n' greet
Shirtlifter @ Little Sister's, 7pm — Literary reading with Steve MacIsaac
Bearracuda @ Club 560, 9pm-3am — Official opening party, $10 advance (Bearracuda.com, Priape) or $15 at door
Saturday, October 22nd, 2011
"Yogi" Bear @ Scotia Dance Centre, 11am-12pm — Bear Yoga, suggested $10 donation
Beef @ multiple restaurants TBA— Brunch
Camp Poke-A-Bear @ Steamworks, 1-6pm — Play Party
Bear Bust @ Pumpjack, 3-7pm — Beer bust
Cub-a-licious @ Celebrities, 9pm-3am — Dance Party, $10 advance (Priape, Little Sister's, CelebritiesNightClub.com), more at the door
Bearskin @ Numbers, 9-11pm — Leather/Bear Party, $5 at door
Sunday, October 23rd, 2011
Gingerbear's Brunch @ Moxie's, 11am-3pm — Benefit Brunch for Camp Moomba
Social Sunday: Fuzzy Edition @ Oasis, 3-7pm — Beer bust
Bearaoke @ Numbers, 8:30-11:30pm — Karaoke night
If you're looking to stay near the action smack in the heart of the David Street Gay Village – and raise money for charity – queen and king suites available at Sandman Suites on Davie from $109 to $139 per night, plus tax. Each room features balconies, city or ocean views, full kitchen, en-suite washer/dryer, and high-speed Internet. Contact the hotel directly at 604-681-7283 and quote group #188941 to get rates. For each room booked, the hotel will donate a portion of the rate to Camp Mooba.
For updated info on the events visit VancouversWild.com. For general travel info check out our Vancouver Travel Guide, and to get the best prices on airfare and more, use our Travel Search price comparison tool.
