As Winter
turns to Spring, Calgarians have a lot to celebrate, and this Easter long
weekend is no exception. Rather than biting the ear off of a chocolate bunny,
why not spend it with friends at Western Cup’s 30th Anniversary in
Calgary, presented by Apollo, Friends in Sports? That bunny will sure thank
you, and so will your waistline.
Odds are you have heard of Western Cup, if not
solely for the remarkable dance that they put on that weekend, but also the 500
plus participants in the athletic weekend. Western Cup is an annual multi-sport
tournament, celebration and fundraiser, and this year’s events are guaranteed
not to disappoint.
Western
Cup is the longest running annual LGBT event in North America, not bad for our
little city. With this in mind, as well as it being the 30th
Anniversary, the organizing team is planning on making it the largest Western
Cup since the first North American Outgames in 2007.
TJ
Fedyk, currently in his third year as Director of Western Cup is very excited
about this three-decade old event. "This year is going to be so hot, its XXX
rated," jokes Fedyk.
The
weekend holds many events that will pique even the most dedicated couch potato.
There will be five sports tournaments including bowling, curling, dodgeball
(yes, DODGEBALL!), squash and volleyball. There will be a Casino Night on
Friday, April 6th, and of course the dance on Saturday, April 7th, being held at the
LGBT friendly, Hotel Arts in the heart of Calgary.
Registration
for the weekend’s events is at a new venue, Vicious Circle on Thursday, April
5th. The folks at this establishment have also been fabulous allies to our
community.
The
Casino Night will be held at Hotel Arts from 8:30 – 11:30pm. Not only can you
try your luck and win some amazing prizes there is also some promised sexy
entertainment. "There will be some hot burlesque performers, and some fabulous
prizes you can win with all the money you make from your winnings," adds Fedyk.
The
Western Cup Dance features the beats of some of Calgary’s hottest DJ’s: DJ
Dopamine, Dexter D, and Jesse Rollin Dolan, and will feature some of the
hottest male and female go-go dancers Calgary has ever seen. And, what LGBT
event is complete without a performance by the always enigmatic and talented
April Storm? Tickets for this event are available at Priape mid-March, or
online at the Western Cup website. Fedyk urges people to get their tickets
early, as the event is "sure to be a sell-out."
Prices
for the event are varied, and there are some deals if you would like to buy in
bulk. All ticket information is listed on their website. There is also a deal
at Western Cup’s host hotel, Hotel Arts. One luxury room is only $89.00 + tax,
and all you need to do is give them a call, and let them know that you are
staying for Western Cup.
If
you are looking for a chance to help out with the event, there are plenty of
opportunities. "If you are looking to get involved with our weekend we are
still looking for volunteers. With whatever event you volunteer for, you will
get into it for free. All you need to do is to visit our website to sign up,"
adds TJ.
Apollo,
Friends in Sport was started in 1981 by a small group of individuals that decided to create
an athletic, social group for the queer community in Calgary. Each year Apollo
attracts up to 500 athletes from all over Canada to its events. This year’s
Western Cup has also attracted quite a few individuals from the US as well.