By Nitasha Volberg, Special to the Times Chronicle
Pride events might be more associated with the early summer months but the South Okanagan and Similkameen (SOS) Pride organization has made sure there are events available year-round to help educate as well as provide opportunities for safe and enjoyable expression.
This last Saturday (Jan. 27), SOS Pride hosted a glamorous night of fun and pride at the Venables Theatre in Oliver for their second annual Pride Winter Ball. While it was the first for Oliver, there will be more to come according to organizers.
The over 100 attendees dressed to impress in a variety of colourful and stunning outfits ranging from formal wear to bright neon clothing, and of course plenty of rainbows. And 2SLGBTQIA+ events aren’t a first for Venables Theatre as they have previously hosted “January’s a Drag! Show” earlier this month which included both an all-ages show and then later a 16+ recommendation for the full event.
From 7 p.m. onward the Pride Winter Ball saw an amazing turnout kicking off a night full of dancing to colourful lights and live mixed music by DJ Splendid Bastard accompanied by a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic refreshments from the cash/card bar.
Upstairs a full charcuterie spread by Oliver Eats offered an amazing variety of cheeses and spreads as well as a full vegan option.
Beside the buffet, there was seating available which offered a quieter option to watch the dance floor from. Dancing, chatting and connecting were visibly occurring from all sides of both rooms.
In one corner was a decorated rainbow photobooth which proved popular with guests taking fun photos all night assisted by Digital Maege Media whose talented photos were loved by all. Smiles and flourishing personalities kept the room lit up for hours as people danced and posed for colourful joyful memories.
Alongside Venables Theatre, SOS Pride partnered up with Top Cat Tours to accommodate a 24 person shuttle bus from Penticton, as well as personally organizing carpools from other areas.
Great care was put into making sure the event was accessible to everyone in the area, including the ticket fees which were waived upon request.
“It was no questions asked. We just put their name at the door,” says SOS Pride Treasurer and Communications Director Heather Adamson. “It was really important to us that this event was accessible for everybody.” Oliver’s Cactus Tree Inn also offered discounted rates after the ball.
Every 40 minutes during the event numbers were drawn for a variety of prizes sponsored or donated by: Snakebite Film Festival Penticton, Art Therapy Corp, Wild Daisy Yoga, Splendid
Bastard Beard Supply, Venables Theatre and Digital Maege Media, Giant’s Head Brewing, Frilly Lilly, Geek Easy and Beauty Boxy.
Prizes ranged from Pride-themed swag to wear to EventbTickets to keep the party going next week.
With an excellent turnout to start the year off SOS Pride is paving the way for a year of safe accessible events that empower those in our community. Homophobic and transphobic hate crimes have a devastating impact on 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and these events are a powerful message of love and acceptance.
SOS Pride’s website reads: “We believe 2SLGBTQIA+ people should feel safe, included and represented in the South Okanagan and Similkameen.”
