Tag Archives: Club Carousel

Reflections on Lois’s 90th!

Posted on May 14, 2026 by Kevin Allen | Leave a comment

{This photo essay is by Marlene Patricia, a photographer and friend of the History Project. Thanks, Marlene, for these words and images! – Kevin}

When Calgary’s LGBTQ icon, Lois Szabo, celebrated her 90th birthday, the vibe of Club Carousel was felt throughout the evening. Partiers enjoyed a sharing community atmosphere, entertainment, dancing, and great food, all without the fear of being raided by the cops.

The venue was bursting with over 200 of Lois’ people, including her children, grandchildren, older sister Ina, longtime friends, and community members from the Rainbow Elders, to the Women in the Wind Motorcycle Club that Lois rode with.

After an endless buffet supper organized by her daughter Karen, tributes were made by Kevin Allen, Lois’ sister, Ina, and Donna from the Rainbow Elders. Folks were treated with performances by Drag Royalty, choirs and singers, all expertly emceed by the pink-tuxedoed James Demers.

After singing Happy Birthday to Lois, 90 candles were blown out, and the cakes were cut. Chairs were cleared away and then the DJs spun a variety of classic Gay bar tunes that had youth, and the young at heart, smiling and grooving like the good old days. Even Lois got up to sway for a bit. A slideshow rotated photos of Lois’ life throughout the dance. A great time was had by all!

Donations and proceeds from the bar were donated to Camp Fyrefly and Stepping Stones.

Enjoy these photos from the event.

—Marlene

The lovely bartenders dressed in Circa 1936 outfits

Lois’ sister Ina, who turned 93 a few days earlier

Two of Lois’ grandchildren, Christy and Sean welcomed the guests

Lois’ friends – they sure put on a hilarious skit

The candles are lit – Happy Birthday Lois!

YYCGayHistory has a stamp!

Posted on May 29, 2025 by Kevin Allen | 2 comments

Today, Canada Post launched its Places of Pride stamp series—and Calgary has been included!

The first stamp in the series features Club Carousel. Canada Post created a video, featuring founder Lois Szabo, to tell the story of Calgary’s groundbreaking gay club. Next week, they will install stamp art across the facade of Home & Away, a restaurant and bar at 1207 1 St. SW that occupies the original location of Club Carousel.

*2025 Places of Pride: Club Carousel – Official First Day Cover*

The second stamp in the series features Montreal’s Truxx, also with a video and a mural in Montreal’s Gay Village.

The third stamp features Hanlan’s Point Beach. A billboard featuring the stamp illustration will be installed at Toronto’s famous Church and Wellesley intersection.

The fourth and final stamp in the series features the 3rd North American Native Gay & Lesbian Gathering. A mural will be installed at the Museum of Human Rights in Winnipeg.

*Canada Post’s Places of Pride Stamp Series*

The stamp issue is designed by Kelly Small of Intents & Purposes Inc., illustrated by Tim Singleton, and printed by Colour Innovations. It includes a booklet of eight Permanent™ domestic rate stamps and four Official First Day Covers.

The stamps and collectibles will be available at canadapost.ca and at select postal outlets across Canada beginning on May 30.

#OurPastMatters!

{KA}

2 Comments

Posted in Gay history, Press Release

Tagged 3rd North American Native Gay & Lesbian Gathering, bisexual, Canada Post, Club Carousel, gay, Hanlan's Point Beach, lesbian, Lois Szabo, queer, transgender, Truxx, Two-Spirit

Edmonton Queer History Collection

Posted on May 23, 2024 by Kevin Allen | 1 comment

The Calgary Gay History Project recently contributed historic gay media to our colleagues in Edmonton for digitization. Heroically, they have already digitized hundreds of magazines! You can find the collection: here.

Most of this online collection focuses on Edmonton, but several publications have a provincial reach. We contributed issues of Modern Pink, Alberta Gay and Lesbian Press (AGLP), and Outlooks Magazine, which were all published in Calgary but distributed province-wide.

*Outlooks Magazine, September 1998 Issue with GLCSA’s OK Campaign*

The close connection between our two cities is long-standing. Importantly, this collection includes several Club 70 Newsletters. Club 70 was the sister organization to Calgary’s Club Carousel, and the Club 70 Newsletter was similar in format and style to Carousel Capers. In their newsletters, one can read about the camaraderie between the Clubs.

For example, on July 29, 1972, Club 70 hosted their “Klondike-Calgary Night” after a blanket invite was sent to the members of Club Carousel.

*Club 70 Newsletter with Calgary Invite!*

This digital archive has been spearheaded by the Edmonton Queer History Project, an innovative university-community project designed to help celebrate the people, places, and moments that have helped to build Edmonton’s 2SLGBTQ+ community.

{KA}