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Notice to readers

Just a heads up, I’ll be on vacation and won’t be writing an edition of The Hub next week. We will be back in your inbox on Tuesday, July 24.

I spent a sunny Sunday at the Nanaimo Pride Parade and Festival photographing the celebration of queer joy that is one of our city’s highlights of the summer. 

It was so lovely to see friends and meet new people at the event, which had a positive and relaxed vibe. 

There was a real family-friendly atmosphere to the event with a lot of parents with young children and a noticeable contingent of youth wearing various types of Pride flags. 

The vendors market at the festival has grown to so many booths that at times, it was hard to navigate through the crowds to see them all. 

The entertainment in the Lions Pavilion was rocking and a personal highlight was hearing the crowd sing along to a cover of Chappell Roan’s Pink Pony Club.

Pride celebrations continue this week with the Gabriola Pride Festival on Saturday (more on that below).

Happy Pride!

Mick Sweetman

Nanaimo Pride in photos

“Louder and prouder” Pride parade and festival takes over downtown Nanaimo

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Our annual Spring Member Drive is happening now through June 16 — a time when we invite readers who regularly read and appreciate this journalism service to pitch in and support it.

Twenty of you have recently signed up to be monthly supporters of The Discourse’s journalism, meaning we are now at 40 per cent of our goal! Several of you have also contributed with one-time support. Thank you!

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🎵 Celebrate Local Journalism  🎤

Join The Discourse’s local reporters and editors at Red Arrow Brewing in Duncan to celebrate eight years of community journalism on Vancouver Island.

Raise a glass to solutions focused community news and tell us what stories you want to see told.

Food and drinks will be available for purchase. All new monthly supporters of The Discourse’s online news will get a beer or non-alcoholic beverage on us!

This event is free, but financial support for The Discourse's independent news service is encouraged and appreciated.

Space is limited, so I encourage you to register! We hope to see you there.

Got the inside scoop of an event you think should be shared? 

Let us know by sending Mick an email.

🏳️‍🌈 Pride 🏳️‍🌈

2025 Pride guide for Cowichan, Nanaimo and the Comox Valley

Check out local Pride guide for events, plus resources and organizations for 2SLGBTQQIA+ and allies in Cowichan, Nanaimo and the Comox Valley.

Saturday, June 14, 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.: The Gabriola Pride Festival is an all-day jam-packed event featuring:

• 1 p.m.: Carol Thompson Gardner will be reading from her picture book Lilly Loves Beards for a  children’s story time. 

• 1:30 p.m.: Acoustic performances by Colleen Reid, The Pothole Stringband, The Crush and Rocapella. 

• 2:30 p.m.: A discussion on 2SLGBTQIA+ activism on Gabriola Island and a performance by Paul Gellman. 

• 3:10 p.m.: A comedy show with Scarlet Chen and performance by contemporary ballet dancer Liam Hurley. 

• 4 p.m.: More acoustic performances by Johnny Savage, Liz Wallinger, Meredith Coloma, Joy Potter, NEAVV, Shirely Whalen, Joanna Karczmark and Neil Osborne from 54-40. 

• 6:30 p.m.: The Pride dance with DJ Esmi Villa and DJ TIM G at Ravenskill Orchards.

Tuesday, June 17, 10 a.m.: School District 68 will hold a Youth Pride Parade from the Learning Alt Campus to Departure Bay Beach, followed by a BBQ, music, rock climbing and more. 

Saturday, June 21, 7:30 p.m.: 1970s Disco Celebrating Pride with DJ Joshua Holloway at Unity Vancouver Island. Wear your best 1970s chic for a chance to win prizes. A portion of proceeds goes to Reaching Out Assisting Refugees. 

Saturday, June 21, 8 p.m.: Hey Gaybies semi-annual newbies drag show at The Vault Cafe starring Olive Thistea, Boy Gorgeous, Olivia Leads and featuring Polly Amorous, Baby Blue, Crystal Couture, Nilla Milkshake, Caroline Reaper, Trix and Sir Loins. Tickets cost $20 to $30 sliding scale.

🔎 Watch for 🔎

Saturday, June 14, 8 p.m.: Hamilton cult hero B.A. Johnston will bring his chaotic energy to The Nanaimo Bar. Tickets cost $15.  

🎵 Listen 🎤

Wednesday, June 11, 6 p.m.: Alternative synth pop artist NEAVV will play at Departure Bay’s Kinsmen Park as part of the City of Nanaimo’s free Concerts in the Park series.

Thursday, June 12, 9 p.m.: Victoria’s Nevada Brown will play with Guelph’s Bird City and Nanimo’s Apples for a show of psych rock, post rock and melancholy tinged cosmic country at The Vault Cafe. Tickets cost $15. 

Friday, June 13, 9 p.m.: Juno-nominated blues and rock band The Harpoonist will play at The Vault Cafe. Tickets cost $25 in advance or $30 at the door.

Friday, June 13, 10 p.m.: Dallas Grey will combine music, gymnastics and dance at The Queen’s. Tickets cost $20.  

Saturday, June 14, 7 p.m.: Sounds of Summer Concert Series with Fergus O’Byrne and Jim Payne will play songs of the sea with Fiddelium at the Old City Arts Hub. Tickets cost $40. 

Saturday, June 14, 7 p.m.: Vancouver-based indie band Uncle Strut will bring their surf-infused indie pop to The Globe Live Studio with Cold Fame and The Shindigs. Tickets cost $20.

Saturday, June 14, 8 p.m.: The Helletones, HOG and Hit The Deck will play The Terminal. Tickets cost $10.

🎭 View 🖼️

Tuesday, June 10 to Thursday, June 12, 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.: Join Cinema Politica and Understory Films for the theatrical release of the feature documentary film Fairy Creek at Landmark Cinemas.

Friday, June 13, Noon: Take a lunchtime tour of the exhibit After Wrappers by artist-run flavour incubator Big Rock Candy Mountain at the Nanaimo Art Gallery. Tickets cost $5 or are free for members.

⛹️ Meet 🎲

Tuesday, June 10, 6:35 p.m: The Nanaimo Night Owls play the Victoria Harbourcats at Serauxmen Stadium. Tickets cost $10-25.

Wednesday, June 11, 6:35 p.m: The Nanaimo Night Owls play the Victoria Harbourcats at Serauxmen Stadium. Tickets cost $10-25.

Thursday, June 12, 6 p.m.: Learn a featured board game or choose from over 100 games at the Nanaimo Harbourfront library’s Tabletop Game Night. 

Friday, June 13, 6 p.m.: Try rowing for free on Long Lake with the Nanaimo Rowing Club in Loudon Park. 

Saturday, June 14, 8:30 a.m. to 2 pm: The South End Community Association has a jam-packed program of events at its South End Day in Deverill Square Park. A “famous former professional footballer” will join a squad of local kids to take on a team of local, provincial and federal politicians coached by Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog at 11:15 a.m.

Saturday, June 14, 10 a.m.: Do you have gardening questions? Then ask a Vancouver Island Master Gardener at The Gabriola library. 

Saturday, June 14, noon to 8 p.m.: The Strait Curbside Food Truck Festival is at the Nanaimo North Town Centre.

Saturday, June 14, 1 p.m.: Cool down this weekend with the Lions Free Swim at the Nanamio Aquatic Centre. 

Saturday, June 14, 5 p.m.: The Nanaimo Timbermen play the Langley Thunder at Frank Crane Arena. Tickets cost $15 or $110 for a season pass. 

Sunday, June 15, 1 p.m.: Explore patterns with oil pastels with Art Lab Sunday at the Nanaimo Art Gallery. Tickets cost $5 or are free for gallery members.

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