Gay Place: Drag Central

DRAG CENTRAL

Austin's queer culture capital is a freakin' 2015 gold dust rush, with new festivals popping up like so many drag queen 5 o'clock shadows. Add to the StarGayzer, OUTsider files: The first ever Austin International Drag Festival happens this weekend! Our drag goes international. And international drag comes to us. Monsieur Jamie Steward Bancroft has been working his taut li'l tuchus off to bring it all together. Just check that roster and all the ancillary events happening all weekend.

ON OUR GAYDAR

Goddess Prom Whoa. Wish we'd had a prom with Patrizi's, Sugar Mama's, and wearable flower art. Who knows, maybe you'll be crowned queen. Thu., April 30, 7pm. Butterfly Bar at the Vortex, 2307 Manor Rd. $25 donation. www.goddessprom.com.

Patrice Pike Take a hike; see the Pike. Thursdays, 8-10pm. Saxon Pub, 1320 S. Lamar. www.fb.com/patricepikeband.

Razor 5,000 Horrorchata and the Haus of Bushwig present this Brooklyn takeover. Thu., April 30, 8pm-2am. Cheer Up Charlies, 900 Red River. Free. www.bushwig.com.

HIV & AGING SYMPOSIUM CEUs available. Registration through website is required to attend. Fri., May 1, 8am-5pm. St. David's Episcopal Church, 301 E. Eighth. www.hivandaging.wordpress.com.

Austin International Drag Festival Three days of dolled-up diva-inity featuring some of the jiggliest names in the biz (Tammie Brown, Heklina, Lady Bunny, Simone Riviera, Landon Cider, Adore Delano, Jiggly Caliente, Althea Trix, Kelly Mantle, Miss Coco Peru, Poo Poo Platter Allstars, Delta Work, New Orleans Drag Workshop Allstars, Debbie Penetration, Sherry Vine, Eaton Johnson, Horrorchata, Cupcake, Charles Busch, Feast of Fun, Kai Lee Mykels, Courtney Act, Smalls McCoy, Buck Wylde, Kevin Aviance, AirWrecka Badunicorn, Holly Woodlawn, Arcie Cola, Jackie Beat, Kitty Buick, Pandora Boxx, boyMONROE, Paige Turner, Derrick Barry, Sylvia Divinorum, Vinsantos, Zane Zena, and so so many more) at an array of venues (CUC, V, ND, Elysium, Beerland, Red Eyed Fly, and Valhalla). Fri.-Sun., May 1-3. A variety of Downtown venues. $99-248. www.austindragfest.org.

Free HIV/STD Testing Keep it clean. We can't emphasize how much we want you in our lives – alive and safe. Know your status! Then plan accordingly ... and compassionately. Tuesdays, 1-4pm & 8-11pm & Fridays, 1-4pm. Midtowne Spa, 5815 Airport. www.midtowne.com.

Highland Fridays: Chad Michaels Do you believe in life after Chad? Does Cher? Or is that the other way around? Fri., May 1, 10pm-2am. Highland Lounge, 404 Colorado. Free. www.chadmichaels.com.

A Texas Tradition Rodeo Rustle up some fun. This year's Texas gay rodeo boasts Ty Herndon, Weldon Henson, Big City Outlaws, Time Machine Band, TGRA Royalty, and perhaps you? Fri.-Sun., May 1-3. Fair Park Coliseum, 1438 Coliseum Drive, Dallas. $20-150. www.tgra.org.

"Iconic Musicians/The Smiths & Friends" Photos by Stephen Wright. In addition to mopey Mo' and pals, there's more, including New Order, Madonna, Miles Davis, and then some. Show runs through May 23. Modern Rocks Gallery, Bldg. 3 #103. Free. www.modernrocksgallery.com.

Big Boi Yoga Hey, hey, Boo Boo, is your yogi a bear? Come Hatha flow with modifications for big bodies (big bois, ladybears, et al). Saturdays, 11am; Mondays, 7pm. The New Cycleast, 1619 E. Cesar Chavez. $10 class, $30 unltd. monthly. www.fb.com/groups/bigboiyoga.

PARTY! A Day Drag Showcase Day drinking (and other things) with a parade of over a dozen queens strutting their stuff. Sat., May 2, 9:30pm-2am. The North Door, 502 Brushy. www.austindragfest.org.

LezzDance at Maria's Julie Nolan and Kimmie K shall entertain the dollars right out of you (for a good cause, of course): to benefit Susan Arbuckle. Sat., May 2, 6pm. Maria's Taco Xpress, 2529 S. Lamar. $10. www.julienolen.com.

Summer Osborne & Sarah McCracken's Left Coast Tour of Epic Mind Blowing Awesomeness Two wild St. Lou babes: One folky, one smoky, both ready to singe your ear holes and heartstrings. Don't miss this. Go see Bear at the lair and tell 'em a unicorn sent ya. Sat., May 2, 7:30pm. Bear's Lair, 11505 Circle Bend, 512/997-9250. $15-35. www.reverbnation.com/sarahmccracken, www.reverbnation.com/summerosborne.

The Gender Book Signing & Reading Chat and mingle with the authors and get your copy signed while they're in town for the big drag fest. Sun., May 3, 3:30pm. BookWoman, 5501 N. Lamar. www.austindragfest.org, www.thegenderbook.com.

Lady Bunny's Disco Inferno Burn, baby, burn! La Bun is back in town! Sun., May 3, 5-10pm. Oilcan Harry's, 211 W. Fourth. Free. www.ladybunny.net.

Queerdalini Yoga for those who'd prefer to focus on chi rather than he or she. Mondays, 7:30pm. Soma Vida, 1210 Rosewood. $5+ donations encouraged. [email protected], www.fb.com/groups/qyogaaustin.

TuezGayz Dependably fruitastic: Austin's legendary weekly weekday gay night on Red River. Tuesdays, 9pm. Barbarella, 615 Red River. www.fb.com/barbarellaatx.

Maria's Big Boobie Bingo Bring your big ... BINGO daubers and raise some dough for Austin Pride with CupCake and Nadine Hughes. First Tuesdays, 7-10pm. Maria's Taco Xpress, 2529 S. Lamar. Free. www.fb.com/austinpride.

Cat Art What gaywad doesn't cotton to a feline-themed group art show? Especially when it benefits Shadow Cats? Meee-OW! Wed., May 6, 7-9pm. Counter Culture, 2337 E. Cesar Chavez. Free. www.shadowcats.net.

Package & Buzztime Trivia What's in your package? Surely nothing trivial? Fashion show, too, so flaunt it, Felicia. Thu., May 7, 7:30pm. Rain on 4th, 217 W. Fourth. Free. [email protected].