Welcome to The Hub Nanaimo, your weekly insider guide to the best of community arts and culture. Did a friend forward this email to you? Subscribe to this newsletter.

This week, I am bringing you a story about Nanaimo’s small but vibrant drag scene. 

While Nanaimo may not have as many drag performers and events as large cities like Vancouver, it makes up for it with the diversity as drag nights here regularly feature what one source called “kings and things” as well as drag queens. 

You can read more about Nanaimo’s drag scene below, along with all of our regular entertainment listings. 

Thank you for reading,

Mick Sweetman

Nanaimo’s drag scene ‘is life saving’

'Drag shows and Pride are such a bastion of hope, community, solidarity and joy.’

🖊️ What you said ⌨️

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“The rating is for the interesting articles and announcements, thanks. I wish I lived in Nanaimo again.”

— From our newsletter survey.

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🔎 Watch for 🔍

Wednesday, June 3, 6 p.m.: Shel Prince will play a free country and folk show at Mansfield Park as part of the City of Nanaimo’s Concerts in The Park series. 

🎵 Listen 🎤

Thursday, May 28 

• 9:30 p.m.: Josh Carter at The Nanaimo Bar. Tickets cost $10.
  

Friday, May 29 

• 7 p.m.: Steve Taddy will bring his "Dark Jokes for Nice Folks" stand-up comedy show to The Green Olive. Tickets cost $22.

• 8 p.m.: Dawson Gray will play at The Queen's. Tickets cost $25.

• 9:30 p.m.: The Dextones will play at The Nanaimo Bar. Tickets cost $10.
  

Saturday, May 30 

• 6 p.m.: All ages Yegg Album Release with The Hallowed Catharsis, Cryptic Enslavement and Gorilla Flip at The Globe Live Studio. Tickets cost $15.

• 7 p.m.: Heart and Hilarity, a fundraiser for Island Queers and Allies Who Care featuring heartfelt moments with Dennis Hawkins-Bogle's The Blue Taffeta Party Dress, and side-splitting comedy by Patti Savard at Brechin United Church. Tickets cost $30.09.

• 7 p.m.: Homeward Bound will play at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church. Tickets cost $20 to $30.

• 7 p.m.: Bandeira Parker and Shel Prince will play a benefit concert for the Surfrider Foundation Canada at Pacific Gardens Cohousing Community. Tickets cost $10.

• 8 p.m.: The Shindigs and The Moonsnakes will play at The Terminal. Tickets cost $20.

• 9:30 p.m.: Beth Sherlock and Moon Riot will play at The Queen's. Tickets cost $22.63.

• 9:30 p.m.: DJ FJ will be spinning at The Nanaimo Bar. Tickets cost $10.
  

Sunday, May 31 

• 4 p.m.: All-ages punk matinee with The Grinning Barretts, Ten Days Late, Creatures of Autumn and End of Thread at The Globe Live Studio. Tickets cost $15.

• 7 p.m.: Ray Materick at Simon-Holt Restaurant. Tickets cost $25 to $30.
  

Tuesday, June 2 

• 5:30 p.m.: Bob Log III at The Globe Live Studio. Tickets cost $20.
  

Wednesday, June 3 

• 6 p.m.: Shel Prince will play a free show at Mansfield Park as part of the City of Nanaimo’s Concerts in The Park series. 
  

🎭 View 🖼️

Friday, May 29 

• Noon: Lunchtime Tour of ‘An Animated Assembly’ at Nanaimo Art Gallery. Tickets cost $5/ or are free for gallery members.
  

Saturday, May 30 

• 6 p.m.: Tempo Dance Academy at The Port Theatre. Tickets cost $38.
  

Sunday, May 31 

• Noon: Kirkwood Dance Year End 2026 at The Port Theatre. Tickets cost $35.
  

⛹️ Meet 🎲

Saturday, May 30 

• 10 a.m.: 16th Annual Paper Shredding and Bottle Drive at Nanaimo North Town Centre. $15 per banker’s box.

• 11 a.m.: Africa Day at Beban Park Social Centre. Tickets are sold out.

• 10 a.m.: Invasive Plant Drop Zone at Bowen Park (off Wall Street). 

• 1 p.m.: Repair Cafe at St. Andrew's United Church. Admission by donation. 

• 2 p.m.: Roy Innes will discuss his newly published book, The False Creek Murder, at the Gabriola Island Library.
  

Sunday, May 31 

• 1:30 p.m.: Book Launch with Patrick Aleck at the Harbourfront Library. 

• 2:30 p.m.: Shut Up & Write: Nanaimo at the Harbourfront Library. 
  

Monday, June 1 

• 2:30 p.m.: Builders' Club at Wellington Library. 
  

Tuesday, June 2 

• 10 a.m.: Knitting Group at Nanaimo North Library. 
  

Wednesday, June 3 

• 3 p.m.: Nanaimo Farmers' Market - Island Roots at Beban Park. 
  

• 6 p.m.: Read, Reflect, Write - a Poetry Workshop with Nanaimo Poet Laureate Neil Surkan Nanaimo North Library.
  

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