Community Articles (listed by posting date)
General News · 21st July 2025
Connie Quayle
Cortes Island PRIDE is almost here
Pride is more than just a celebration of diversity in our community. It’s a chance to come out and see what that diversity looks like, to support your 2SLGBTQ+ friends and allies. And, importantly, it’s also an experience of decolonization during which we can unpack the assumptions regarding what love should look like, what we were trained to believe in public institutions and in colonial social frameworks. It’s a place to celebrate your own fabulous nature and shake off the shackles of how you were told that you should be, and allow yourself to be how you actually are. To shine, because you deserve to let yourself shine! You really do.
This year we bring you two evenings of fun on July 25th and July 26th
Friday July 25th - Trivia Dinner, doors at 5:30
Free Community Dinner at the Gorge Hall with trivia questions and exciting prizes donated by a variety of Island businesses from books to bodywork and more. Test out your knowledge of the curious and the queer, eat a delicious meal in community and walk away a little richer. Dinner attire welcomed - a chance to break out those outfits in the back of your closet.
(family friendly event)
Saturday July 26th - Dance n Drag, doors at 7:30 and going until midnight. Gorge Hall, $20 at the door
Drag performers and DJs, a selection of local talent and guest performers to enliven the fantastical within us.
7:30, DJ ConnieQ opens the evening with music to get you dancing and prancing, celebrating who you are. An evening of celebratory music and grindy beats for the early evening dancers.
9:15, The first drag performances of the evening presented to you by Jenny Magenta and Sylvester Stalletto. (expect some fun adult content)
And onwards until midnight with drag acts, ConnieQ and DJ Spruce Lee bringing the vibe high and the fab flowing
Performer Spotlights
Sylvester Stalleto
Sylvester Stalletto packs quite the punch and is ready to wow the people of Cortes! While flaunting his heavy hitting tricks, commanding stage presence, and Latinx roots, the South American Sensation steals your heart but you'll thank him for it. Gender-bending, boobless and bearded, this Trans Non-Binary Drag King has dominated the West Coast of Canada and built a name for himself as a stellar performer, charming host and hard working producer in just 3 years of his career. Please welcome The Chilean Stallion, Sylvester Stalletto!
Jenny Magenta
Jenny Magenta is coming out of retirement to join us aaaaand….Kenny Magenta will be there too! As a lifelong performing artist with over 40 years of experience, awards, accolades and ridiculous art - they are a proud member of the disability & LGBTQIA community and are thrilled to be part of Cortes Pride. Let’s make history!! Mags will blow your socks off and make you laugh all at once.
ConnieQ
ConnieQ is a long time dancer and performer who weaves rich tapestries of music bringing together queer anthems, flowing chants, grindy bass, high vibe edm, world beats and more. As unbound by the boxes of genre as she is by gender, Connie honours the transformative power of movement for celebration, connection, joy and playful fun. She’ll get you dancing guaranteed.
DJ Spruce Lee
Born out of old growth protests and fueled by fierce compassion and community, Spruce Lee brings you a refreshing fusion of ecstatic dance and bassy beats. DJ Spruce Lee takes inspiration from the richness and diversity of nature and people. He takes dancers on a signature ecstatic dance wave, and through a wide range of genres through skilfully orchestrated twists and turns that mirror the novel and unpredictable journey of life. His eclectic sets light up all dance floors, tastes and tempos, from ceremonial to sexy, and soulful to slayin'!
Pride is more than just a celebration of diversity in our community. It’s a chance to come out and see what that diversity looks like, to support your 2SLGBTQ+ friends and allies. And, importantly, it’s also an experience of decolonization during which we can unpack the assumptions regarding what love should look like, what we were trained to believe in public institutions and in colonial social frameworks. It’s a place to celebrate your own fabulous nature and shake off the shackles of how you were told that you should be, and allow yourself to be how you actually are. To shine, because you deserve to let yourself shine! You really do.
This year we bring you two evenings of fun on July 25th and July 26th
Friday July 25th - Trivia Dinner, doors at 5:30
Free Community Dinner at the Gorge Hall with trivia questions and exciting prizes donated by a variety of Island businesses from books to bodywork and more. Test out your knowledge of the curious and the queer, eat a delicious meal in community and walk away a little richer. Dinner attire welcomed - a chance to break out those outfits in the back of your closet.
(family friendly event)
Saturday July 26th - Dance n Drag, doors at 7:30 and going until midnight. Gorge Hall, $20 at the door
Drag performers and DJs, a selection of local talent and guest performers to enliven the fantastical within us.
7:30, DJ ConnieQ opens the evening with music to get you dancing and prancing, celebrating who you are. An evening of celebratory music and grindy beats for the early evening dancers.
9:15, The first drag performances of the evening presented to you by Jenny Magenta and Sylvester Stalletto. (expect some fun adult content)
And onwards until midnight with drag acts, ConnieQ and DJ Spruce Lee bringing the vibe high and the fab flowing
Performer Spotlights
Sylvester Stalleto
Sylvester Stalletto packs quite the punch and is ready to wow the people of Cortes! While flaunting his heavy hitting tricks, commanding stage presence, and Latinx roots, the South American Sensation steals your heart but you'll thank him for it. Gender-bending, boobless and bearded, this Trans Non-Binary Drag King has dominated the West Coast of Canada and built a name for himself as a stellar performer, charming host and hard working producer in just 3 years of his career. Please welcome The Chilean Stallion, Sylvester Stalletto!
Jenny Magenta
Jenny Magenta is coming out of retirement to join us aaaaand….Kenny Magenta will be there too! As a lifelong performing artist with over 40 years of experience, awards, accolades and ridiculous art - they are a proud member of the disability & LGBTQIA community and are thrilled to be part of Cortes Pride. Let’s make history!! Mags will blow your socks off and make you laugh all at once.
ConnieQ
ConnieQ is a long time dancer and performer who weaves rich tapestries of music bringing together queer anthems, flowing chants, grindy bass, high vibe edm, world beats and more. As unbound by the boxes of genre as she is by gender, Connie honours the transformative power of movement for celebration, connection, joy and playful fun. She’ll get you dancing guaranteed.
DJ Spruce Lee
Born out of old growth protests and fueled by fierce compassion and community, Spruce Lee brings you a refreshing fusion of ecstatic dance and bassy beats. DJ Spruce Lee takes inspiration from the richness and diversity of nature and people. He takes dancers on a signature ecstatic dance wave, and through a wide range of genres through skilfully orchestrated twists and turns that mirror the novel and unpredictable journey of life. His eclectic sets light up all dance floors, tastes and tempos, from ceremonial to sexy, and soulful to slayin'!