Gay Place: Best Of-ing

Charlie's closes this Sunday.

Hey pals, Your Friendly Neighbor-hood Gay Place is also the Chronicle's "Best of Austin" editor, and we don't mind telling you that we are up to our earballs in best! Our BOA issue hits the stands two weeks after this puppy you are holding in your hands. Needless to say, this part of GP will be a li'l light in the loafers this week and the next. Please don't take it personally. And trust us, there is plenty going on in town to keep you plumped.

ON OUR GAYDAR

AIDS WALK KICK OFF PARTY Get a gander at the gams and the buns taking to the street for the AIDS Walk. Pack on some "protein" with free appetizers and beer. Thu., Sept. 29, 6-7:30pm. Whole Foods Plaza, 525 N. Lamar, 476-1206. Free before 11pm; $5 after. www.aidswalkaustin.org.

CHARLIE'S CLOSING Another Austin legend closes at the end of this weekend. Come show some drag-stoked, stripper-poked, steak-night-choked love while you can, babies. Now through Sun., Oct. 2. Charlie's Austin, 1301 Lavaca, 474-6481. www.charliesaustin.com.

GAGARAZZI Put on your Gaga face and take it all off for Equality Texas with the Jigglewatts, Dolls From the Crypt, Black Widow Burlesque, Austin City Showgirls, Oh Baby Burlesque, Stars & Garters, and more. Fri., Sept. 30, 9pm. The HighBall, 1142 S. Lamar, 383-8309. $7, $5 in costume. www.homespunhorror.com.

LIZZY CAROLOKE It's kinda like your own private, dimly lit karaoke, but with other people, who won't make fun of you. Swear. Seriously, it should be called Lizzy Cuddlyoke. Fridays, 8pm-12mid. Bernadette's, 2039 Airport. Free.

EAST SIDE PRINCESS PARTY Get up out the bed, put on your glass slipper, and don't eat that apple just yet. Heirs of all persuasions gather for Xander Harris and DJs Pasht, Pagame, John Gomi, Asil Bee, and La Mala Mota. Sat., Oct. 1, 10pm. Cheer Up Charlie's, 1104 E. Sixth, 431-2133. Free.

ALIEN SHE 5 Alien She-Js + guests = a cornucopia of alt/queer yum. First Saturday of the month, 10pm. Bernadette's, 2039 Airport. Free.

LAST DAY OF THE BEAST Beast Cuts and DJ BB all day. Sun., Oct. 2, 10am-6pm. Birds Barbershop, 1107 E. Sixth, 457-0400. www.birdsbarbershop.com.

EASTSIDE HOMO-HOUSE HOP Nothing with a license plate! Bike, walk, skateboard, Segway, or ride a rickshaw, unicorn, or your boyfriend's mustache: whatever. Just no cars! Bring your bathing suit (for the giant water slide) and zero shame. Sun., Oct. 2, 1-11pm. Eastside locales revealed to RSVPers. $8 via Paypal or pay Dave at Chain Drive on Friday or Saturday. [email protected].

PRIME TIMERS LIKE FINE WINE ¡Hola, Papi! Mature gay men meet monthly. 2pm. Meet at president's house: Check Web for details. Free. www.austinptww.org.

QUEER THEORY STUDY GROUP Coffee, tea, vegan cupcakes, and you – and a whole mouthful of ideas relating to queeritude. Recommended readings emailed in advance, so get on the list. Every other Sunday, 1pm. Location disclosed with RSVP. [email protected].

STAND UP! FIGHT BACK! Act up against the funding cuts to health services and Planned Parenthood. Dig how PP connects to LGBTQ struggle. Thu., Oct. 6, 7pm. 5604 Manor Rd., 391-2305. www.5604manor.org.

THE CREATURE SHOW If the creature-inspired art by Jen Rische, Laurel Barickman, SCAD, Analy Nakat, Cuppy Gee, and then some ain't enough for you, come as your own creature. Any dough raised goes to kids in Bastrop for Halloween fun! Thu., Oct. 6, 8-10:30pm. Wet Salon, 1109 S. Congress, 444-7375.

HO-RIZON

AIDS WALK AUSTIN 2011 Hey, y'all, AIDS Walk 2011 is coming. Assemble your team, your fundraising strategy, and, most importantly, your outfit! Register now. Sun., Oct. 16. 2pm. Austin City Hall, 301 W. Second, 452-WALK. $20 registration fee. www.aidswalkaustin.org.

BEARRACUDA If a DJ named Matt Consola comes all the way from San Francisco, does a bear sit in the woods? Or dance? Sat., Oct. 15, 9pm. ND at 501 Studios, 501 N. I-35, 485-3001. $10-15. www.bearracuda.com/Austin, www.bearups.com.

BELOW THE TOP: DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL The Central Texas Boys of Leather celebrate nine years of the boot-lickin' art of "Thank you, sir, may I please have another." Fri.-Sun., Oct. 7-9. Chain Drive, 504 Willow, 480-9017. $35. [email protected], www.ctbol.org.

CLUB KIDS Coco Coquette wraps itself in Nineties nostalgia all for OutYouth. More details next week! Sat., Oct. 8, 9pm-2am. ND at 501 Studios, 501 N. I-35, 485-3001.

GLBTQ FALL DANCE Wiggle, shimmy, and shake it with the Susan Arbuckle Band. Sat., Oct. 8, 7:30-11pm. Unity Church of the Hills, 9905 Anderson Mill, 335-4449. $15, $12 in advance. [email protected].

HIV/AIDS & AGING SYMPOSIUM Explore the affects on HIV/AIDS on an aging population. Fri., Nov. 4, 8am-2pm. Meals on Wheels and More, 3227 E. Fifth, 804-3682. www.hivandaging.wordpress.com.

OCTOTEA16 Just as the temperature is starting to get reasonable again, leave it to Octopus Club to crank it back up to triple digits. More details next week. Hosting opportunities still available. RSVP ASAP. Sat., Oct. 8, 5:30-10pm. Mexican American Cultural Center, 600 River. $40, pre-events; $50, online; $65, door; tickets also available at Tapelenders. www.octopusclub.org/octotea.