Rhinestone cowboys and cowgirls of all ages are invited to swing their partners round and round at the New West Pride Hoedown.
The Century House Seniors Gay Straight Alliance is hosting the annual event on Wednesday, Aug. 9 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. The free event features square dancing, two-step and line dancing.
“People can have fun with it,” said Rob Hughes, chair of the Century House Gay Straight Alliance. “They can wear colourful combinations of pride and cowboy, that type of thing. I’ve got a rainbow Stetson that I put on. People can get in touch with their inner Rhinestone cowboy or cowgirl.”
You don’t know how to dance? Not to worry, as there will demonstrations and folks willing to show you how it’s done.
“The callers are the people that lead us through the dance steps. We certainly rely on them to make the event a success. They are good at getting everyone involved and making it easy. You don’t need any experience at all to have fun at this event,” Hughes said. “They teach us as we go along. I have two left feet – if can do it, anybody can do it.”
Normally held during Pride Week in New West, this year’s event is taking place a week earlier than the festival.
“We booked the callers right after last’s year’s Pride Hoedown. It turns out that the New West Pride this year is a week later than what we expected,” Hughes said. “It’s basically a pre-pride event in a sense.”
Anne Uebelacker and Darlene Currie are the callers at the third annual New West Pride Hoedown. Along with dancing, the event includes free refreshments and a 50/50 draw that’s raising funds for the New West Pride Society.
“We encourage everybody to come check out the event,” Hughes said. “It’s something where you can have a lot of fun.”
The New West Pride Hoedown is an all-ages event.
“Although it is hosted by a seniors group, it’s something that anyone who is old enough to walk can participate in,” Hughes said. “It’s from eight to 80 – maybe even younger or older.”
Century House is located at 620 Eighth St. For more information, call 604-519-1066
The Century House Seniors Gay Straight Alliance continues to make a difference in people’s lives.
When founded in 2012, the Century House Seniors Gay Straight Alliance was the first group of its kind to be based out of a seniors recreation centre.
“We have monthly meetings during the year. We try and do educational programs on LGBTQ seniors issues. We bring in guest speakers and films,” said Rob Hughes, the group’s chair. “We are also trying to work on doing some more outreach and resources that could be used for care facilities in New Westminster so any LGBTQ residents would be able to use those.”
The Century House Gay Straight Alliance is an important social outlet for many of its members, says Hughes.
“It gives a sense of community for many of our members,” he said.
Hughes said a gay/straight alliance is a model that’s been successful in schools, but also works well in a seniors centre like Century House.
“About half of our members identify as LGBTQ,” he said. “About another half are straight allies. They have family or friends that are LGBTQ and they want to support them or just educate themselves more about the issues.”
