By LGBT-friendly events in April 2019
Dear LGBTQ+ people,
The clichéd saying that time flies definitely holds true, with March fast coming to an end. April is almost upon us, and it brings with it a whole host of events that’ll keep you occupied during your free time.
Topping our list of 10 LGBT-related events in Asia that will take place in April 2019 is of course, Songkran and its bevy of parties that are set to spice up your month. But that’s not all April has to offer, with a movie screening and at least two pride parades waiting in store for you.
LGBT Events in Thailand
1. Songkran gCircuit Parties
Songkran is not merely Thailand’s New Year, doubling as the time of year when the annual “gay migration” takes place. The cause? gCircuit’s circuit parties, which will take place from 12-14 April this year. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect:
a. Opening Party
Opening the festivities on 12 April 2019 is the Opening Party, which comes with a Heaven on Earth theme. DJs Erick Ibiza, Isak Salazar, and Alex Acosta will be spinning celestial beats back to back, accompanied by the talents of DJs Taki and Louis T.
b. Main Party
Image adapted from: @gcircuit
Next on the lineup is the main highlight of the occasion: the Main Party, falling on 13 April 2019. Coming with a Clone World theme, be entertained by gogo dance performances, along with music provided by guest performer Nikki Valentine and DJs Alberto Ponzo, Rosabel, and Herric Pu.
c. Closing Party
To end off the festivities on 14 April 2019, we have the Closing Party. Promising to be a “wet” party, the Closing Party is appropriately themed Aquatica, where you can expect to be soaked as you rock out to the tunes of DJs Chu, Enrry Senna, and Mauro Mozart.
Tickets to the parties are cheaper if you buy them in advance online. They are sold in packages, with the one comprising the Opening, Main, Closing Party, and a Pool Party of your choosing starting from THB10,000 (~SGD429.06) onwards. Check out the advance ticket packages available here.
Dates: 12-14 April 2019
Time: 7PM till late
Venues: GMM Live House & Zen Event Gallery (Opening and Main Parties) | Centerpoint Studio (Closing Party)
Door Prices (per party): THB2,900 (~SGD124) (standard) | THB3,900 (~SGD166.76) (VIP)
Website: https://www.gcircuit.com/
2. Songkran gCircuit Pool Parties
Pool parties are also on the menu of gCircuit’s Songkran parties, with each of the two catering to different crowds: Bear and Boy. Here’s the lowdown on what to expect:
a. Bear Pool Party
Image credit: gCircuit
Taking place on 13 April 2019, the Bear Pool Party, aka Mega Wonder Pool, will come with gogo performances by six bear gogo dancers: Owen, Kai, Shigeru, Mamoru, Shin Kuma, and Course K.
Music is provided by DJs Javy and Sun J.
b. Boy Pool Party
Image credit: gCircuit
Hop into the Wonder Pool on 14 April 2019, where this year’s Boy Pool Party will happen. Enjoy gogo performances by Hyuga, Cavell, Ryan, Bagel, Baek, and Alex while being entertained by Pangina Heals and her signature brand of insult comedy.
As before, tickets to the parties are cheaper if you buy them in advance online. These are sold in packages, with the one comprising the Opening, Main, Closing Party, and a Pool Party of your choosing starting from THB10,000 (~SGD429.06) onwards. Check out the advance ticket packages available here.
Date: 13-14 April 2019
Time: 1PM-7PM
Venue: Royal Orchid Sheraton
Door Price (per party): THB2,900 (~SGD124)
Website: https://www.gcircuit.com/
3. Samui Songkran Pride Parade 2019
If you’re not attending gCircuit’s Bear Pool Party, head down to Koh Samui on your free Saturday, where you can check out Alpha Gay Resort & Spa’s second annual Songkran Pride Parade. Promising to be even bigger and better than its successful predecessor last year, this year’s pride parade will begin from 3PM and take you around Chaweng Beach Road.
As this event coincides with Songkran, be prepared to get wet as both locals and participants alike will be having water fights in the name of fun!
Note: Even if you aren’t planning on staying at Alpha Gay Resort & Spa or directly participating in the parade, don’t fret, as you’re still allowed to take part as an onlooker.
Date: 13 April 2019
Time: 10AM
Venue: Alpha Gay Resort & Spa
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/2196217990699533/
LGBT Events in Singapore
4. Bring Your Own Trunks
Singapore has its own spin on gCircuit’s pool parties with Bring Your Own Trunks. The name of the game says it all: Simply bring your own trunks and get ready to chill by the pool with your mates.
Music for this event will be provided by DJs Thomas Ou and I.M.X., and the fabulous Greg will also make his debut.
Entry tickets go for $15 each, inclusive of a house pour drink, beer, or soft drink. Alternatively, entry is free and you’ll also get a reserved table if you preorder any of their featured bottles and/or packages.
Date: 6 April 2019
Time: 4PM-10PM
Price: From $15
Venue: Bar Canary @ Grand Park Orchard
Website: https://byot2.peatix.com/
5. Boy Erased: Oogachaga Fundraising Movie
Oogachaga will be putting together a private, fundraising screening of Boy Erased, a film that touches on the heart-wrenching story of the son of Baptist parents who is forced to participate in a gay conversion ‘therapy’ program.
Tickets begin from $30, and the film will be screened in the Blue Room of The Projector. If you purchase a ticket that comes inclusive of drinks, note that doors will open at 7PM for drinks at The Intermission Bar.
Date: 2 April 2019
Time: 8PM-10PM
Price: From $30
Venue: The Projector
Website: https://ocboyerased.peatix.com/
6. Sylvia’s Last TOP UP Party
Before making your pilgrimage to the Land of Smiles for Songkran, pay a visit to FOC Sentosa, where Sylvia’s Last TOP UP Party will be conducted. This beach party will come with Songkran’s signature water fights, so come prepared with your own water gun for a shooting good time!
Entry to this beach party is FOC, and alcoholic drinks are available for purchase to further jazz things up for the occasion.
Date: 6 April 2019
Time: 5PM-11PM
Venue: FOC Sentosa
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/360170657906216/
7. Human Library x The T Project
The Human Library, in collaboration with The T Project, will be conducting discussion sessions that shed light on the array of stigmas and challenges faced by Singaporeans of all walks of life – this includes those undergone by LGBTQ+ folk.
The event will be held in 2 sessions, the first from 1PM-3:30PM and the second from 4PM-6:30PM. Each session comes accompanied with a book reading, which is expected to take up to 45 minutes.
Date: 27 April 2019
Time: 1PM-7PM
Venue: NVPC, Clarke Quay Central
Website: https://t-project-human-library.peatix.com/
8. The Crystal BALL
Designed as an all-inclusive event for all whose “lights are dimmed by society”, The Crystal BALL is a time for you to freely shine without fear of judgment! Come dressed in your best glitz, and be prepared to wow the judges with your style.
Below are the main categories for the ball:
- Old Way
- Vogue Femme
- American Runway
- European Runway
- Face
- Sex Siren
- Waacking
Each of these categories comes with a base pot of $25. Triumph in any of the categories, and you’ll get to walk away with their corresponding money pots.
Ball tickets go for $20, inclusive of entry to both the Crystal Ball and the Afterparty, alongside complimentary entry to participate in any 1 category of your choice.
Date: 27 April 2019
Time: 8PM-Late
Venue: The Projector
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/2254877191420681/
LGBT Events in Japan
9. Tokyo Rainbow Pride
Image credit: @tokyo.r.pride
Our very own pride celebration, Pink Dot, may still be a few months away, but you can still express your LGBTQ+ pride in Tokyo this month, as it will be celebrating its Rainbow Pride in Yoyogi Park.
Appropriately themed “I Have Pride”, this Rainbow Pride will also see Yoyogi park decked out with booths and exhibitors, forming one massive festival celebrating Japan’s strong solidarity with its LGBTQ+ community. For those of you on a budget, check out our guide to gay friendly hotels in Tokyo for under $200 a night here.
Date: 28-29 April 2019
Time: 11AM-8PM (28 April) | 11AM-6PM (29 April)
Venue: Yoyogi Park
Website: https://tokyorainbowpride.com
10. Tokyo Pride Beats 2019
Complementing Tokyo Rainbow Pride is Tokyo Pride Beats, which is basically a collection of seven gay dance parties that is annually conducted by VITA Tokyo and BUFF.
From tamer parties that last until 10PM like BUFF Pride Party to ones that run overnight like VITA Pride Party, there is something to keep all of you entertained during your stay here in Tokyo to take part in its pride celebrations.
Head over to their Facebook page here for more details on what each party has in store for you. For those of you on a budget, check out our guide to gay friendly hotels in Tokyo for under $200 a night here.
Date: 26-29 April 2019
Time: 6PM onwards
Venues: Vary in central Tokyo
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/301163020424500/
LGBT Events in Asia in April 2019
Whether you will be making the annual gay migration for Thailand’s Songkran or not, April looks set to be an activity-filled month, promising to keep you occupied in your free time.
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