Calgary SSP gay life

[SignalHillHiker]

Aww, I wish I could tag along! We had our first St. John's Forum Meet last Friday. Four of us showed up - Ayeronaut, Copes, jeddy1989, and me. That's two straight guys (first two), and two gay guys.

We met at Underbelly, the basement of the Yellowbelly Brewery. It was packed, mostly university students. We had a blast. It was just like we were posting on the forum - everyone was exactly what I expected. Except better looking. And younger. I had a good... 7, I think... years on the next-youngest guy.

Copes had to bow out early but then the rest of us went to Club V. It was my first time there. Like a lot of bars in St. John's, it's not gay but about half the clientelle is. It was fun. Stayed there until we cabbed it home.

Anyhow, point is the forum meets are AWESOME. I hope you guys all have a great time!

[Chadillaccc]

Originally Posted by kw5150

Anywhere other than the back lot and Im in. This should be open to all guys not just gays. Lets do it on a friday afternoon on Stephen ave somewhere.

At first I thought when you said "anywhere other than back lot" I thought you meant it had to be Twisted. I almost barfed

Stephen Ave sounds good. Anyone ever been to the Unicorn? They do an amazing fried chicken and mashed potatoes! Yummmmm!

[YYCguys]

Originally Posted by kw5150

This should be open to all guys not just gays. Lets do it on a friday afternoon on Stephen ave somewhere.

Great! Too bad it wasn't summer already, so a patio could be used!

[YYCguys]

Originally Posted by SignalHillHiker

We met at Underbelly, the basement of the Yellowbelly Brewery. It was packed, mostly university students...

I had no idea that there was an additional club in that building! I have been to the Yellowbelly a few times before (gosh, it can be awfully cold there if one has to sit near the door) but had no clue about Underbelly! Where are the stairs to access it (ie: inside Yellowbelly or outside the building)?

[Surrealplaces]

I understand where you're coming from. I've know a couple of guys who are gay that have moved to Vancouver, for some of those reasons. Not because downtown Calgary is non vibrant, but because there is a larger gay population there.

As far as the comment about Calgary's downtown being dead, I'm not offended, but I disagree. I understand that it would seem dead compared to Toronto or Montreal, but that doesn't make it dead. It's all relative.

Look at it this way. A couple of years ago, I was in NYC for week, and then went straight to Montreal the week after. Montreal seemed like a joke and felt totally dead after being in New York. What would Montrealers think if people from New York said that Montreal's downtown was dead? See where I'm coming from?

Originally Posted by travis3000

It's extremely hard to explain and put into words but I've talked to other gays and they all seem to understand. Calgary, while very nice, does not have that heart beat. The downtown core is dead and non vibrant (sorry to offend but if you go live in Montreal or Toronto you will see what I mean). For that reason, that is why 80% of gays end up residing in cities like these. The more outdoor/adventurous type wind up in Vancouver. But I hope you guys can see where I'm coming from.

[shreddog]

Glad to see this thread has helped open some eyes.

BTW, whenever I talk with out of towners who like to sterotype Calgary wrt attittude towards GLBT using things like poor atttendance at pride parades and such, I always tell them about CIRC and AGRA - aka "the gay rodeo".

Not only has it been running longer then many mainstream pride parades/weeks in other cities (and out draws them) it is certainly one of the more inclusive GLBT events I have ever attended.

To me AGRA is always a great example of what Alberta is about:

Some people like horses and people of the same gender. So what?? Let's have a rodeo!

[shreddog]

And though this is a bit OT, I would like to respond to Travis regarding cultural pursuits in Calgary.

As Calgary is much smaller than TO, it will definitely have less selection wrt theatre, opera, ballet, etc, HOWEVER IMHO the quality of the offerings in Calgary is just as good as those found in Toronto.

I saw about 2 dozen professional plays in Calgary last year, plus about another 10 or so in London and Toronto. I can absolutely say theatre in Calgary can be just as professional, or "world class" as that found in London or Toronto. Yes on any given night I have way more options to see high theatre in London/Toronto, but honestly, I had enough trouble fitting in 2 dozen last year, I don't think I could actually see more!

I also have season's to the ballet (and have done so for many years). Within that community many still regard as the most innovative/acclaimed new production done by a Cdn company to be Alberta Ballet's Love Lies Bleeding - which I think was even a hit in TO.

Again, the quantity is definitely greater in TO, but when it comes to quality, one does not suffer in Calgary!

[kw5150]

Calgary's pride is awesome now. It has really changed in the last 2 years. Stephen ave is an awesome, urban pride venue. Breakfast on stephen prior to the parade is the best. It is usually a hot sunny day now too, which helps. Previously, pride was in june, which is a rainy month; which was an automatic fail. Just imagine a bunch of wet drag queens with running mascara and droopy hair, clouds and general shittyness.

Now pride is on a hot dry day (so far).

[Doug_Cgy]

Originally Posted by kw5150

Calgary's pride is awesome now. It has really changed in the last 2 years. Stephen ave is an awesome, urban pride venue. Breakfast on stephen prior to the parade is the best. It is usually a hot sunny day now too, which helps. Previously, pride was in june, which is a rainy month; which was an automatic fail. Just imagine a bunch of wet drag queens with running mascara and droopy hair, clouds and general shittyness.

Now pride is on a hot dry day (so far).

As someone who spent the last 4 years on the Pride Board, thank you for this comment. We worked so incredibly hard to bring it to the current level, and I couldn't be prouder of all we achieved. The year I started we had approx 4000in attendance. Last year, it was around 30,000. It was so amazing to see such a shift in such a short period of time. I'm now off the board, taking sometime to breathe, but I know the current board has some amazing things in store

I agree with you, the move to September was the best move ever made in regards to Pride Calgary.

[Chadillaccc]

Oh, I didn't know pride was in September. I thought August. Well in any case, I kind of regret not going to pride here in 2012. I'm a bit jaded from how awful pride Toronto is so I'm not really interested in pride anymore, but I'd imagine I could handle it here. Definitely need to do the rodeo this year!

[Govertical]

As a gay guy growing up here I must say our pride parade is quite fantastic, and I would've never thought there'd be any gay people into skyscrapers here too! I think the gay get together is a great idea!

[Wigs]

Originally Posted by Chadillaccc

At first I thought when you said "anywhere other than back lot" I thought you meant it had to be Twisted. I almost barfed

Stephen Ave sounds good. Anyone ever been to the Unicorn? They do an amazing fried chicken and mashed potatoes! Yummmmm!

glad to hear they have decent fried chicken, because their chicken wings are pathetic!
yes, I'll say it: Unicorn Pub has the tiniest excuse for wings in Calgary! lol

[Chadillaccc]

Originally Posted by Govertical

As a gay guy growing up here I must say our pride parade is quite fantastic, and I would've never thought there'd be any gay people into skyscrapers here too! I think the gay get together is a great idea!

I think the gay meet up was kiboshed in the last page. But I'd be down to help organize one as well. A friday eve at the back lot!

[Wigs]

Originally Posted by SignalHillHiker

Aww, I wish I could tag along! We had our first St. John's Forum Meet last Friday. Four of us showed up - Ayeronaut, Copes, jeddy1989, and me. That's two straight guys (first two), and two gay guys.

We met at Underbelly, the basement of the Yellowbelly Brewery. It was packed, mostly university students. We had a blast. It was just like we were posting on the forum - everyone was exactly what I expected. Except better looking. And younger. I had a good... 7, I think... years on the next-youngest guy.

Copes had to bow out early but then the rest of us went to Club V. It was my first time there. Like a lot of bars in St. John's, it's not gay but about half the clientelle is. It was fun. Stayed there until we cabbed it home.

Anyhow, point is the forum meets are AWESOME. I hope you guys all have a great time!

glad to hear you guys had fun!
I've met Ayeronaut a couple of times and he's one of the nicest guys around, as is Bigtime.
come to think of it, all of the brief encounters I've had with Calgarian SSP members have been good experiences. minor disagreements on the forum aside, we're just a good, friendly, down to earth bunch I guess.

[Big Sky]

I was going to respond to Travis' remarks, but after seeing some of his other posts about Calgary it's obvious he just doesn't like Calgary, so it seems kind of pointless.

Originally Posted by shreddog

And though this is a bit OT, I would like to respond to Travis regarding cultural pursuits in Calgary.

[Wigs]

Originally Posted by Big Sky

I was going to respond to Travis' remarks, but after seeing some of his other posts about Calgary it's obvious he just doesn't like Calgary, so it seems kind of pointless.

[YYCguys]

I'm quite a shy guy and not all that versed in all the industry speak that goes on here, but I have a hobbyest interest in the industry, and would be honoured to be included in and interact in a meet up, whether it be gay or SSP or or both!

[travis3000]

Truth be told, I do like Calgary. I wouldn't visit a spot 8 times if I hated it, even if my cousins do live there. I personally would not live there but that doesn't mean I'm anti-Calgary at all. I realize things are changing fast and Calgary is improving all the time. But you simply cannot compare certain things that many in here are convinced are equal to other larger cities in Canada.

I've been to the Calgary pride and while I was impressed, it does not compare to Montreal or Toronto's. Like your comparing the vibe of 30,000 people in Calgary's Pride to 500,000 in Montreal and 1,000,000+ in Toronto. This is simply due to population for the most part, and I fully understand that. Calgary's shopping is MUCH better than when I first went in 2003. Every year it's getting better and the Chinook Centre's expansion really helped things. But I do enjoy some high end brands that Calgary doesn't offer, and what it does offer the selection is extremely limited. It seems people in here are trying to convince themselves that a city of 1.2 million has better shopping than a city of almost 6 million. It simply isn't the case. I've been in every mall in Calgary and while I will be the first to tell you that things have gotten WAY better, especially in the last 3-5 years... it's still no comparison to Toronto, selection especially. When it comes to food, Montreal is incredible. I have a thing for French cooking. Go to your grocery store guys... you'll see tons of labels from Montreal steak spice, Montreal smoked meat, Montreal smoked cheese, Montreal this, Montreal that. You won't see anything with the Calgary name on it (not including Alberta AAA beef), not even Toronto that much. Food wise.... Montreal is where all the yummy stuff is. Toronto is getting better with it's food. All the immigrants are bringing world class cooking to the city whether it's awesome Chinese, sushi/Japanese, Korean, Jamaican, etc. My grandparents were in Calgary for 10 days over the holidays and they came back complaining they couldn't find one decent Chinese restaurant in Calgary. My cousins admit that Chinese food is hurting in Calgary, and despite doing their best to find a decent place, they were all disappointed. Popular Chinese restaurants (like The Mandarin or PF Changs) are non existent in Alberta but you can go to these places in Toronto.

I'm not trying to label Calgary as some hick place with nothing to do. I believe the opposite actually. It's a fun vibrant city with entrepreneurial spirit, wealth, and 90% of all the amenities you will ever need. Forget about the beaches, shopping, dining quality, and population. That's not 100% of what draws me to a city. It's about the feeling. Here's a great point. Last summer I spent a few days in Montreal, and Calgary. Neither were special holidays, just average weekends. I was downtown Montreal and was able to get on a bicycle (Bixie) from my hotel at 11pm and ride around with my friends around the city. We went from the old section across town, there were buildings all lit up and fountains with fire coming out of them, bike lanes everywhere. Streets were shut down all over the place with tens of thousands of people on the streets. Music was playing, you could hear it in the distance. We drove to the gay area and it was all decorated and humming. People were out on patios, clubs were going wild, etc. There was outdoor concerts at the Just For Laughs Festival, etc. We drove back to the St. Lawrence river and there were fireworks going off and literally over 250,000 people crowded around the Old Port watching. Ice cream shops were open, people were everywhere all dressed up. It was a true definition of a city that was alive. You could feel that pulse.

On the other hand, when I was in Calgary, while there were a few dozen people I counted walking around downtown... it just seemed so much more quiet. There were a few bars but most of them were country themed haha (not a fan), a few people out on patios, but nobody was really doing anything fun. The city just seemed so much more quiet and laid back. There weren't many bike lanes we could find downtown and we actually felt out of place. It wasn't fun. There was no spirit or urban vibe where you can get high off the feeling. Very hard to describe here. This isn't a bad thing, just highlighting a difference.

We went to see a play in Calgary, I never said you don't have plays! My cousins always go to see them. But when they come back to Ontario every Christmas the first thing they do is go downtown Toronto to see a play. And they tell me the reason why is because there are just much better selections that never make it out to Calgary (nor do they make it anywhere else in Canada).

[ZeDgE]

I can agree with a lot of what you are saying, Calgary is a smaller city.. of course. However, did you really just say "good Chinese food" and then name PF Changs? LOL! Why didn't they just go to Manchu Wok at the food court if they wanted western white washed Chinese food. Perhaps some Chicken balls and ginger beef...

There are plenty of 'real' and good Chinese restaurants in Calgary. Not to mention more Vietnamese places than carter has pills.

[shreddog]

Originally Posted by travis3000

... The Mandarin ...

Did you honestly say "Mandarin" as an example of Chinese food!!!!

Mandarin?

Mandarin!

The f'ng McMandarin (as most Torontonians call it)!!!!

For those in Calgary not familiar with this hallmark of Chinese cooking, think of Yangtzee at Deerfoot with less quality. IT'S AN F'NG BUFFET!!!!!

Sorry, but you lost all cred right there.

BTW, comparing Calgary on a regular night to Montreal during Juste Pour Rire is crazy. You said it was a regular weekend, but somehow Just Pour Rire was on as was the fireworks fetival?? Why don't you come during Stampede and actually compare apples to pommes??

And with the theatre, of course TO has more options and gets play that Calgary doesn't - IT'S A BIGGER MARKET!! But the plays Calgary does get are just as GOOD as anything in TO. BTW, London gets way more production than TO does as does NY. Though smaller - TO still offers good selections... just like Calgary. Again, I saw about 2 dozen top production plays in Calgary last year - perhaps your cousins need to get out a bit more???

As for shopping, of course Calgary will have less selection - IT'S F'NG 1/6 THE SIZE OF TORONTO!!!! That said, this Torontian born and bred goes to London at least once a year to shop since it is way ahead of anything available in TO. And I mean that - I can buy things in Calgay that I can find in Toronto, but there is SO MUCH I can get in London that I cannot find in Toronto.

Finally, if a city's culinary creds are based on what it is "known" for, I think Cowtown holds it own.

First off here is a whole line of food products from Loblaws - mainly sold in Ontario - that play up the Calgary motif ... (all photos from Loblaws website)




Then there is this ... which I will hazard a guess that more people had one of these today than an F'ng smoked meat sandwich!

Courtesy of wiki

Sorry for blowing a gasket, but this is just F'ng crazy!!