Capital Pride announced the second annual WinterPride festival today. Taking place February 4-9 during Winterlude, the National Capital Region will be dazzled by festive winter activities, performances, and much more! Building on the success of last years’ inaugural event, this years’ WinterPride aims to provide spaces for all members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community and allies to celebrate and advocate.
“We have a great lineup for everyone to enjoy for this year’s WinterPride — with a focus toward family and youth! I am excited and I cannot wait to see everyone enjoying themselves.”
Osmel Guerra Maynes, Capital Pride Executive Director
To kick off the festivities Capital Pride will be welcoming speaker jaye simpson, an Oji-Cree non-binary trans woman writer whose roots hail from Sapotaweyak Cree Nation, Treaty 4. They currently ruminate, reside and resist on the unceded territory of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh nations, colonially known as Vancouver. They have survived institutions such as the Ministry of Child and Family Development and Metis Family Services. jaye will also be joined by other local two spirit writers to share their experiences at the National Arts Centre.
The week will also be full of rhythm thanks to artists like Kimberly Sunstrum, DJ Sandy Duperval, and in partnership with the CAP City Ballroom Alliance — a program lead by the AIDS Committee of Ottawa (ACO) voguing royalty, Twysted Miyake-Mugler.
Families and local youth can enjoy the Youth Arts Showcase and Reception, featuring art and drag performances from local 2SLGBTQ+ youth, as well as a clothing swap, at the Ottawa Arts Gallery. Capital Pride is also proud to support the Ontario LGBT Youthline’s Community Launch happening during WinterPride, followed by an afternoon of crafting and button-making. Brand new outdoor activities will also take place, including Drag on Ice – a partnered event with the Bank Street BIA. The week will conclude with a march, or a skate, down the Rideau Canal on February 9th.
Stay up-to-date on all the exciting WinterPride programming by visiting the Capital Pride Facebook page or capitalpride.ca. Event details will be announced in the coming days.
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