Maclaren Art Centre hosts inaugural Pride Night
A centre for artistic creativity in Simcoe County is celebrating Pride Month like it never has before.
The Maclaren Art Centre in Barrie held its first-ever Pride Night on Thursday. While the centre frequently celebrates the LGBTQ2S+ community in various exhibits, this is the first time a drag show has been held in honour of Pride Month.
"What we're seeing tonight is a full cross-section of people here, all ages, and the whole vibe feels really different and uplifting and people just wanting to enjoy each other and have some fun," said Lisa Daniels, the art centre's executive director. "So I think it's for me really inspiring."
In addition to a drag show featuring various performers, the night also included various artisan vendors and service providers.
One of the performers said they have noticed increased support over recent years for Simcoe County's LGBTQ2S+ community.
"It's been incredible," said Enya Dreams. "Honestly [being] from Barrie originally, moving to Collingwood, and seeing the community grow so much and be so supported has been great."
Daniels says one of the overarching goals of the inaugural Pride Show is to create a safe space.
"[The Maclaren Art Centre is] the perfect spot. It's a place that brings people together," said Daniels. "It's a place where art is celebrated, and it's a place that is right downtown, and everybody should feel comfortable coming here and celebrating."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
opinion Tom Mulcair: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's train wreck of a final act
In his latest column for CTVNews.ca, former NDP leader and political analyst Tom Mulcair puts a spotlight on the 'spectacular failure' of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's final act on the political stage.
B.C. mayor gets calls from across Canada about 'crazy' plan to recruit doctors
A British Columbia community's "out-of-the-box" plan to ease its family doctor shortage by hiring physicians as city employees is sparking interest from across Canada, says Colwood Mayor Doug Kobayashi.
'There’s no support': Domestic abuse survivor shares difficulties leaving her relationship
An Edmonton woman who tried to flee an abusive relationship ended up back where she started in part due to a lack of shelter space.
opinion King Charles' Christmas: Who's in and who's out this year?
Christmas 2024 is set to be a Christmas like no other for the Royal Family, says royal commentator Afua Hagan. King Charles III has initiated the most important and significant transformation of royal Christmas celebrations in decades.
Baseball Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson dead at 65, reports say
Rickey Henderson, a Baseball Hall of Famer and Major League Baseball’s all-time stolen bases leader, is dead at 65, according to multiple reports.
Arizona third-grader saves choking friend
An Arizona third-grader is being recognized by his local fire department after saving a friend from choking.
Germans mourn the 5 killed and 200 injured in the apparent attack on a Christmas market
Germans on Saturday mourned the victims of an apparent attack in which authorities say a doctor drove into a busy outdoor Christmas market, killing five people, injuring 200 others and shaking the public’s sense of security at what would otherwise be a time of joy.
Blake Lively accuses 'It Ends With Us' director Justin Baldoni of harassment and smear campaign
Blake Lively has accused her 'It Ends With Us' director and co-star Justin Baldoni of sexual harassment on the set of the movie and a subsequent effort to “destroy' her reputation in a legal complaint.
Oysters distributed in B.C., Alberta, Ontario recalled for norovirus contamination
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a recall due to possible norovirus contamination of certain oysters distributed in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario.