As I had hoped, those who were able to tote around cameras during Pride Week, have been busy posting videos and photos to YouTube and Facebook. Here are some videos of Nina Flowers at Rapture on Sunday...

(Thanks to Anna for photo)

...though before we go on, I would like to say this. Big Roger's parties were competing against TFD Productions Rapture parties once again this year. In the battle of the Vancouver party producers, here's what went down:

• This year, Big Rogers cancelled his Sunday party.
  
• This year, TFD Productions' Rapture Sunday sold out.

On to the videos:

I'm not going to lie. On Saturday morning, I was actually wondering if I was going to make it through this weekend in one piece. Last year, I had to skip Rapture because I was too exhausted to go. This year, I dug deep and hit 6 of the 8 Pride picks I made in the Xtra West Pride Guide. For most of it, I was wearing underwear and swimwear (or less)...which means I didn't have a camera available for photos. If friends donate, I will post Pride shots here this week. If you have any you'd like to send, send them to vancouvergayblog@gmail.com.

I don't want to go on and on about every event I covered, but want to tell you this: there are some incredibly talented people in this city and some excellent music filling our clubs and night spaces.

From stripping for Odyssey's Shower Power (I donated my time to the Heath Initiative for Men) to marching in the parade for Jagermeister to hosting the incredibly successful Rapture parties and everything in between, I can tell you that I have had the Pride of all Prides this year and have a better understanding of what that means for me. For some people, Pride is a political statement about their sexuality. For me, it's about celebrating who you are with community and your friends. Hallmark moment. Sure. But I really do mean that. There is no other time of year where I feel so visible and so part of something so much bigger than myself.

Music-wise, I also think I have a better understanding of house music. Although I was getting body painted in the basement of Celebrities on Sunday during DJ Bertossi's set, his set was so good I could hardly stand still and recommend you check him out next time he's headlining a big event.

Having popped my circuit cherry this summer in Toronto, I will say this: you haven't lived until you experienced a large-scale, full-produciton Pride circuit party. You wonder if the $90 ticket price is worth it? It totally is.

My friend Tommy D and his partner Anna T Fabulous from the Flame and the Dame exceeded my expecations from what I saw in Toronto. The Rapture parties on Saturday and Sunday were incredible. The performace by Kamalektra transcended drag. It was visual and aural art. I have never seen anything like it in my life. I lifted this photo from her myspace page and although it didn't even come close to what I saw Saturday, it will give you an idea of what sort of costume she's capable of preparing:

If you were at the sold out party on Sunday, you will know why circuit house is made for people who truly love to dance. Tony Moran layed down a dark, punchy set. And the performances by Nina Flowers were terrifying. 

At some point during the weekend, I heard a remix of this song and loved it. Already looking forward to next year...

Nothing says Pride like street party shenanigans. If you're looking for something to do tonight, this should be it:

Here's my write up from the Pride Guide. See you there!

Davie Street Pride Party

Anything goes on Davie Street. Locals know this. International visitors see it all summer long. This year, the same philosophy will rule the annual the Davie Street Party, which is taking place on Pride Friday (July 31). Gates open at 7pm and Davie will be closed from Bute to Burrard until midnight.

This street party is the David Hasselhoff of street parties: drunken, hairy, yet strangely majestic in all it’s trashy-trashed glory.

Remember: nothing says “nice to meet you” like putting your face in a stranger’s groin, so make sure to take your turn on the giant Twister board.

This year also features an expanded DJ line-up for a beat pumpin’, feet stompin’ good time. Don’t miss DJ Betty Ford, who is a good friend of electro-smut princess Peaches. Her set will break your ears and then break your heart. DJ G-love, DJ Dickey Doo and DJ Popmachine will round out a great roster.

You should also make sure to check out live performances by the always-smoldering Destineak, as well as by Vancouver’s own pop starlets Armstrong Jr. and Peter Breeze.

For a $7 unlimited re-entry cover fee, you can beer garden hop at your own leisure before ending up at one of Davie Street’s many bars or circuit parties. Don’t miss out on this one.

Are you ready for the heatwave, Vancouver? I am. And for the record, I would like it to get just a little bit hotter. Just putting it out there.

It's Humpday...so get out there and make it happen. I'd like to point out that the Pulse beer garden on Davie between Bute and Thurlow is now open from noon until the club closes. I'd also promised you a link to Xtra West's Pride Guide online. Click here for all your event questions.

Other nighttime activity you may want to consider:

Celebration of Light: It's Great Britain's turn to take the sky. Their theme (Parasols over the Pacific) sounds gay enough for me. English Bay and Kits Beach still remain the best viewpoints. For more info, click here.

Celebrities Nightclub: Before there was Ru Paul, there was New York City's LADY BUNNY! She is headlining a wild night of sexual celebration with PRIAPE fetish show by Velvet Steel & performance by Int’l Porn Superstar Ryan Raz. Check out more info on Facebook by visiting here.

Now on to some blog things...I heard this track at Pulse last Saturday and DIED! I'm not sure if this was the remix, but damn right it sounds good. The original track is Roeyksopp featuring Robin. This remix is by Jean Elan.

Today marks the official start of Pride Week here in Vancouver. The countdown is on. If you haven't got one already, get your hands on Xtra West's Pride Guide. I'm currently finding the online web domain for the guide and will include it in tomorrow's posting. There's a section outlining my top 8 picks for Pride...so if you're at a loss of what to do over the next week, it will give you some ideas.

Fireworks on Saturday. WOW! South Africa really upped the ante in my mind. I managed to video the closing finale. Those mid-sky white ones at the very end...I've never seen anything like them before. I have to say: with the lightning going off in the backgroud, that was a once-in-a-lifetime fireworks show. Incredible. Hope you didn't miss out.

seanhorlor is 1% HeteroHow hetero are you? How hetero is Martha Stewart? Try out any Twitter name and get the real picture. Are we really the words we use? Hope to see you at Stockholm Pride!