Chilliwack – Get ready to connect, and show your true colours with the Chilliwack Cultural Centre’s Queer Arts Festival! Bringing together community, the festival explodes with dazzling performances to local markets, meaningful conversations, spooky celebrations and a legendary Halloween film. Dedicated to uplifting LGBTQ2S+ voices, the Queer Arts Festival is a joyful celebration of diversity, inclusion and authenticity.
The festival kicks off on October 3 with Clay & Coffee, a social night for queer folk of all skill levels to connect and create decorated clay tiles. From 5:00 to 8:00 pm, join the Health Initiative for Men, HiM, at Harvest Café for an enjoyable evening of clay tile painting and carving, and delicious coffee.
Myth Valley Studio’s joins the festival this year with Shining with Colours, an exhibition running from October 21 to November 1. Hosted at Myth Valley’s own studio space, there will also be a Celebrate Love paint night on October 27 from 7:00 to 10:00 pm, and an Arts Wellness: Attract and release by MacKenzie Widdows where guests can use writing to reflect on what they want to welcome into their lives or leave behind on October 23, from 6:00 to 7:00 pm.
Drag in the Wack returns for an entertaining evening featuring an unforgettable lineup of drag queens and kings to The Centre. Join host Cale Tian as Wan-Ting Moi on October 23 with two performances: 6:30 pm and 9:00 pm. Expect big personalities, dazzling performances and plenty of reasons to cheer, as these performers take to the stage in bold costumes. Alongside these spectacular performances will be the Queer Night Market running from 7:30 to 9:30, where local artisans will be selling their hand-crafted pieces, which will be free to the public to explore.
The festival continues with opportunities to connect and share on October 27 with Spill the Tea Party, an open discussion panel bringing together creators and community voices for thoughtful conversation and connection. On October 28, the Queer Clothing Swap invites attendees to exchange gently used clothing with others, creating a fun and sustainable way to refresh your wardrobe while connecting with the community.
Things take a spooky and spectacular turn on October 30, when the beloved Art of Halloween returns to The Centre. Featuring cocktails, pizza, costumes and a comedic cabaret setting with the Valley Babes, this Halloween celebration promises an evening filled with laughs and creativity.
The Queer Arts Festival wraps up on October 31 with a chance to give yourself over to the time warp with a special showing of the legendary cult classic film Rocky Horror Picture Show. You are encouraged to come dressed in your best costume and celebrate Halloween with an afternoon screening of one of cinema’s most iconic and outrageous films.
After the film, you’re invited to Sonic Bark’s 4th annual Halloween party at Sidekick Brewing with Rocky’s Little Shop of Whores. Get ready for a night of monsters, mayhem, drag, music, and a little bit of botanical horror!
Whether you’re looking for a night of drag, a chance to discover local makers, an opportunity to connect through conversation, or simply an excuse to dress up and celebrate, the Queer Arts Festival has something for everyone.
The Queer Arts Festival is in partnership with: Health Initiative for Men, We Are Unbound, Myth Valley Studios, and Sonic Bark. The Queer Arts Festival is generously sponsored by: Julie-Anne’s Art & Custom Framing, Bear Image and Production, Thrive Collective, Good Creative, and Sidekick Brewing. Rocky Horror Picture Show is generously sponsored by: The Book Man, Molson Coors, Prime Signs, The Chilliwack Progress, the British Columbia Arts Council, bclive Performance Network, the City of Chilliwack, the Province of British Columbia, and the Department of Canadian Heritage,
