It was 2008 when Edmonton’s Aaron Granley and Daren Kavich hosted their first bear event at the now defunct Boots bar in the city. Fast forward 9 years, and the Fellowship of Alberta Bears is now a full non-profit organization promoting multiple events each year in Calgary and Edmonton. FAB has participated in multiple prides around the province, hosts 2 major events each year, has donated $30,000 to charity, and boasts hundreds of members. It’s an amazing growth from that first event.

"I don’t think we ever considered what we were building when we started.  If you had told me at that first BEEF bear bash that we would be a not-for-profit community group with over 400 members throwing events every few weeks, I don’t think either Daren or I would have believed you," Granley told GayCalgary. "This all grew so organically.   We always wanted to do things differently than bear groups had been handled historically and it is so great to see people buy into those values right from the start.  For me the most rewarding thing is seeing first-hand how we have made a difference in people’s lives through the community and events, we have been so lucky that we have been able to do something that seems to resonate with so many people over the years."

Part of that growth has been in Calgary, where Darin Ouchar spearheaded expanding the organization locally as FAB’s southern representative. Ouchar was recently elected Vice President of FAB.

"To this day I’m still amazed on how much we have grown this in the last 12 months, having close to 25 Calgary events from May 2016 to May 2017. Support has always been great from my board members in Edmonton to MemBEARs here in Calgary always willing to lend support to me when needed. Now that we have a new board with myself, 2 Calgary representatives, a MemBEAR at Large and our own Sugar Bear (Treasurer). This makes me very excited for 2017."

GayCalgary spoke with Granley, now president of FAB, and Ouchar in advance of this weekend’s Bearacchus event in Calgary. Both shared some of their favourite FAB moments.

"I would have to say my favourite events are the Table Tops & Bottoms Games Nights at PIP’s. I have met so many awesome people by hosting these events and feel this event really started the growth in Calgary. Walking into a room full of smiling friendly faces every month has really drove me to hosting more FAB events in Calgary," said Ouchar. For Granley it’s the impact on people that stands out.

"After running so many events throughout the years I find it is less the parties that stick out for me and more the personal experiences of the people going to them.  Hearing from first timers who never thought they would be welcomed at a gay event until they took a chance and came to one of ours or seeing people march in the parade with us for the first time.  Those are the things that stick with me and keep me going."

FAB’s Bearacchus weekend takes place May 19th – 21st. It’s a massive undertaking of 2 party events, a Sunday brunch, and new this year a tour of Toolshed brewery.

"This FAB’s first time running a full weekend of events in Calgary so there is a lot of pressure to get things right.  These full weekend bear runs take an enormous amount of work. We have a new team of board members based in Calgary running this one so I am excited to see a new take on things and on how the community will respond to it.   We rely on events like this to fund our activities and raise money to support our charities so there is the financial component there as well," Granley explained.

"For me this will be one of the biggest challenges I’ve had to undertake since working with FAB. Planning a 3-day weekend is proven to be a lot of work but I have had great support from the board and Aaron," added Ouchar. "I've been up for the challenge and learn as I go! Bearacchus has huge importance to our community and organization. We get to work closely with our community partners such as Calgary Outlink, HIV Community Link and other LGBT groups. This year as part of the Sip N Sing we have the addition of the Calgary Men’s Chorus and our wonderful host Smother Theresa."

2017 marks the 5th Bearacchus weekend. Previously it was co-promoted with ARGRA. The folding of that organization as well as the closing of The Blind Monk (the original venue of the Sip n’ Sing and brunch) lead to FAB having to take on more and try new things.

"It’s unfortunate that ARGRA is now gone but we will be filling this void the best we can. With losing the Blind Monk and not being able to use (previous hosts) Jamie and Pierre this year we had had to make many changes behind the scenes. We have had wonderful assistance from others in the community to help assist to finding a new venue and a quick process on how to keep the Sip N Sing theme but add a fun twist" Ouchar said. "This past month has been full of challenges but in the end, we’re so happy from what we have learned and it’s lead to a fresh take! Working with Craft on our Sip N Sing and our Sunday Bear Brunch will mean a different venue and different options including an impressive beer selection. Craft is also in a great location being 4 blocks from the 4th St West C-Train station meaning you can leave the car at home! Craft beers are very huge right now and Toolshed is a great little local brewery in town that is also part LGBT owned. It really was a no brainer for us at FAB to set something up with them. We will be serving Toolshed beer at Bearacchus and the tour is selling well."

Board members have attended other bear events in North America such as Seattle XL, Texas Bear Round-Up and Beef Dip in Puerto Vallarta. Granley explained how this gives the team new ideas for FAB’s events.

"We always try and see what works at those events and what doesn’t.  Dirty Bear Bingo, one of our Great Canadian Bear weekend events, is something a board member did at TBRU. We took the concept and put our own spin on it.  One of the things we always take away from these other bear runs is that we are really lucky to have the community we do here in Alberta.  We have heard so many times from guys how amazed they are at how friendly our events are compared to what they have back home.  That tells me we are doing something right here and that we have something really special."

Bearacchus also launches the Love Your FAB Body campaign. FAB members will be touring events with banners for selfies, there is a Facebook frame that says "I Am FAB" and the hashtag #iamfab. This is the brainchild of Granley, who explained the campaign.

"FAB came out of this urge to create a safe place where people who didn’t see themselves reflected in mainstream gay society.  Personally, I always used to feel jealous of those guys who could go to gay bar and dance around shirtless with no second thoughts.  Our events started because we wanted to create this place where you could dance shirtless if you wanted and not only feel welcome but feel good about yourself while doing it.   Acceptance and body positivity have been baked into our mission statement and values from day one.  Last year an Edmonton Journal reporter called our members on our pride float corpulent.  Here you had a float full of guys who were all ages, shapes and sizes who were brave enough to march in front of few thousand people and the only word she could come up with was a fancy word for fat.  That pissed me and a bunch of our members off.  I think most people don’t consider the harm and difficulty this kind of dismissive language causes for people who are struggling with body image issues.  That newspaper article made me realize that FAB is in the perfect position to start the discussion on body positivity.  Inclusivity, body image and self-esteem are huge issues right now for the queer community.  What we are doing with the Love Your FAB Body Campaign is to say it doesn’t matter what you look like, how you present yourself, or what your chosen label is; What matters is finding a way to love your body the way it is and finding ways to support each other on that journey to self-acceptance."

After Bearacchus wraps up, FAB has many events on the horizon. A BBQ during Edmonton Pride, monthly events, August’s Great Canadian Bear Weekend in Edmonton, and Calgary Pride events. Ouchar is excited to see Calgary continue to grow.

"With the addition of new Board Members in Calgary 2017 is going to be our best year yet! We are already in the process to planning out great events for the coming months including a Stampede weekend and a great Pride weekend in the works along our many monthly events. We can't wait to share them all with you!"

"The biggest thing to expect is a bunch of guys coming out to have a good time.  That is what keeps people coming back to our events year after year," added Granley. "FAB has grown so much in the last 4 years we are hoping to extend that growth out into rural areas and smaller centres and spread our message of inclusivity and acceptance.   We will be marching in pride parades across Alberta this year promoting our Love Your FAB Body Campaign, passing out #iamfab stickers and bear hugs!"

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Contributor Jason Clevett |

Locale Calgary | Edmonton |

Topic Bears | Community | Fellowship of Alberta Bears |