When Powell River Pride organizers were beginning to plan their week of events from Monday, August 1, through Sunday, August 7, one of the first ideas presented at an initial meeting was to hold a Pride-themed movie night.
“We talked to [Patricia Theatre owner] Ann Nelson, she was 100 per cent behind it and it just took off from there,” says organizer Kelly Belanger.
The Wednesday night event will feature the new-release film Viva, a coming-of-age story about a young Cuban hairdresser working at a Havana drag-show nightclub. The event will feature Townsite Brewing beer and a special new wine by 40 Knots Vineyard and Estate Winery, based in Comox.
“It’s a pink champagne for the LGBTQ community with an anti-bullying label they put on it, and it was released at Vancouver Pride,” says Belanger.
Belanger says the Patricia is one of his favourite places to go with his husband and the Old Courthouse Inn co-owner, JP Brosseau.
“We thought we would include something fun at the theatre where everyone can come and watch a nice movie with some wine and a good beer, and just gather together,” he says.
Viva was chosen at the suggestion of Nelson. Organizers began by looking at some classic films, but soon realized they could get a new release for the same price and Viva sparked their interest.
“We watched the previews and immediately said, ‘Let’s do that one!’ We thought Viva looked really good and the reviews from all of the film festivals were very positive,” says Belanger.
For Belanger, the film night is just one example of the importance of having inclusive events during Pride Week.
“We’ve been shoved in the closet all of these years and just in the last decade or so we’ve finally been accepted in the community and the world,” says Belanger, “and we want to include everyone in these events and say, ‘Hey, we’re normal, just like you.’”
The Pride-themed evening will begin with Pride at the Art Wall from 7-9 pm on Arbutus Street near the Old Courthouse. Everyone is invited to join the art-wall painting project before doors for the movie night open at 9:30 pm.
Powell River Pride film night
When: 9:30 pm, Wednesday, August 3
Where: Patricia Theatre
Price: $10
Info: facebook.com/prpride
