Calgary
Credit: Calgary Pride
Calgary Pride has announced the lineup for the 2021 festival. In addition to free drive-in movies announced in June, the festival now includes a talk with Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil.
Manvendra Singh Gohil is from the erstwhile princely state of Rajpipla, Gujarat, India and the world’s first openly gay Prince. The virtual talk with Hasina Juma on August 31 will cover his experiences about navigating his own conflicting identities. Prince Manvendra co-founded an organization called Lakshya Trust, the first one of its kind in Gujarat State for LGBT empowerment.
Calgary Pride will also be holding an online panel on August 26th, “Intersections of Faith & Identity Panel” to discuss “the best practices from 2SLGBTQ+ people who openly practice their religion, and how faith communities and religious institutions can create safe, welcoming environments for their 2SLGBTQ+ followers.”
In-person events include free drive-in events at B!G ART Drive-in at TELUS Spark. Tickets are required and they will go on sale starting August 16 at 10:00 a.m. MDT.
Events include:
- Wednesday, September 1: Calgary Underground Film Festival with Fake Mustache Drag. Movies: Heathers & The Rocky Horror Picture Show
- Thursday, September 2: Theatre Calgary! First, Sissy Fit Pride: Re-cast & Theatre Calgary Singers for Pride.
- Friday, September 3: Calgary Pride and Calgary Folk Music Festival collide to bring you three enticing, diverse musical artists live. B!G PRIDE late show will featuring some of the very best drag Calgary has to offer.
- Saturday, September 4 – Daytime Show: Family Day, featuring a variety of musical and drag acts, live magic show and circus extravaganza. Fun for the whole family. Even grandma!
- Saturday, September 4 – Nighttime Show (18+): Le Cirque de la Nuit and Calgary Pride presents Beyond Burlesque
- Sunday, September 5 B!G PRIDE, A drive-in extravaganza featuring all of your favourite local performers AND a virtual Parade.
On a side note, India does not recognize kingdoms within its national borders and the countless places ruled by local kings and queens joined the country when India gained independence from Britain. Indian princely order was abolished in 1971.
