Qmmunity: Recouping From the Horrors

Girl: I’m in a bad mood. Texas House passed their dog-water ass House Bill 229, student loan debt threatens to wreck people’s wages, and I had to kill a roach in Qmmunity HQ (my room). Obviously the only way to un-bad my mood is to touch grass – or books, more like. My best defense against despair lately has been the written word: digging into analog entertainment rather than being ruled by da screen. Recent picks for me were Torrey Peters’ Stag Dance, a Pride and Prejudice re-read (did you know that’s, like, a good book?), and rare 1984 pre-JP dino-thriller Carnosaur.

How are you recouping from the horrors? Avoidance doesn’t work, and neither does YouTube binge-watches – I’ve tried both, and they only result in stomachaches and lost sleep. Maybe we all must start picking up more active amusements, whether that’s reading, dancing, or bebopping around town to various queer events. If only there were a weekly column that rounds up cool, fun LGBTQ+ events around Austin that’s also free to read... I’ll let you know if I find that. In the meantime, I guess enjoy Qmmunity as written by Best of Austin Columnist finalist James Scott.

Drag Queen Bingo on the Drag

Thursday 15, 1972 Pub

Vylette Ward hosts a bingo bop at Austin’s newest sports spot, complete with fabo prizes. 8pm.

Queer TV Theory 101 With ATX TV Festival

Thursday 15, the Highball

This month, QFT 101 goes episodic to celebrate their favorite queer-coded classics of the small screen. Four queer professors – including ATX TV co-founder Emily Gipson – present on the TV that made them the exemplary fruit they are today. 7:30pm.

Mochi Mochi

Thursday 15, the Highball

Hosts Tatiana Cholula, Leia Sakura Dior, and Louisianna Purchase celebrate the high art of anime at this drag show featuring cosplay, costume contests, and even special prizes. 10pm.

Dance Therapy

Thursday 15, Rain on 4th

Check in with your new party physician, Dr. Lavender Thug, because she’s prescribing a big ol’ dose of dancing your cares away every Thursday. 11pm.

Neon Rainbows’ Spring Formal

Friday 16, Sagebrush

Shine up your pearl snaps for this fancy occasion, featuring tunes by Kathryn Legendre, Emily Herring, Libby & the Loveless, and Rock Bottom String Band; s’Queer dancing taught by Erica Nix; and a raffle with prizes that include weekend one ACL wristbands. Tix are $20 for this 21-and-older dance. 7pm.

Queering the Kitchen: Smoothie Workshop

Friday 16, DAWA HQ

Refresh your blender skills at this allgo workshop, where you’ll “explore flavor combinations that can easily be replicated at home.” 6:30pm.

The Island of Misfit Poets: Queer Poetry Night

Friday 16, Birdhouse Books and Gifts

Local poet Marzetta features at this month’s open-mic poetry meetup, where you’ll enjoy “queer art, poetry, vulnerability, and love!” 6:30pm.

Early Morning Hike w/ QBWA

Sunday 18, Turkey Creek Trail

This week’s outdoorsy activity is a joint one with Pride in Black ATX, Latino Outdoors, and Indigenous Movement Crew popping up with Queer Black Women Alliance. Show up ready for a 2.7-mile dog-friendly hike. 9am.

The Dirty Bird Show

Sunday 18, the Austin Eagle

Malibu Imported hosts the drag show featuring special guests Solangel Vergara, Yvonna F Mei, and Targét; the Eagle provides the brunch buffet; and you bring your tips and applause. 1pm.

Bebesota: Baddies Brunch

Sunday 18, Taquero Mucho

Your best girls bring their “bad” selves out for this month’s drag show featuring Amber Nicole Davenport, Diamond Dior Davenport, Zimora Lee Evans, and host Beauty. 1pm.

Asian Pride Drag Show

Sunday 18, Cheer Up Charlies

Partnering up for this AANHPI Heritage Month celebration are Asian Family Support Services of Austin, Cheer Up Charlies, and Kind Clinic, who present drag from local queens Lotion, Petty Cakes, and Rachel Slur. 6pm.

Sapphic Singles

Sunday 18, Cabana Club

Meet the love of your lesbian life – or maybe a new BFF, who used to be the love of your other BFF’s lesbian life. Erin Camp and Areesha Singh host. 5pm.

Wet T-Slur Contest

Sunday 18, Cheer Up Charlies

Here's the rules for this competition: You gotta be trans and you gotta get wet. Soak yourself well enough and you'll earn a trophy, a Chups bar tab, and the respect of host p1nkstar - the best prize of all. Plus: The big water slide is back!4pm.

Love & War Grand Finale

Monday 19, Oilcan’s

Who will be the victor of this nine-week drag competition? Special guest judges Biqtch Puddin’ (Dragula season 2) and international drag producer Jenny Drechsler weigh in on this truly grande-sized finale. 9:30pm.

Queer Trivia: Back to Gaysics

Tuesday 20, Cheer Up Charlies

Back from a brief hiatus with a new venue, the Little Gay Shop and host Aira Juliet bring a sampling platter of previous QT themes for their return event. Check back for future trivia nights every third Tuesday. 7pm.

Naughty Little Cabaret

Wednesday 21, the Creek and the Cave

From the Windy City to ATX, Rob Racine brings a “high-voltage variety show” featuring local burlesque, drag, and more. 6pm.

Boyz of Austin: Thunderdome

Wednesday 21, Elysium

Austin's premier gender diverse drag troupe goes post-apocalyptic at their May show - with gladitorial combat and fake blood abounding. Birthday brawler Tangleo hosts. 10:30pm.

The 34th

Thursday 22, KMFA

Presented by aGLIFF, catch a doc screening on the 10th anniversary of Irish marriage equality. RSVP ahead of time to secure yer spot. 6:30pm.

Futch Fetish

Thursday 22, Cheer Up Charlies

An all-lesbian drag show presented by Haus of Biner, you’ll be hard pressed to find another collection of sapphic talent this deep outside of June. Beebee Blvnt and Karabiner host, with Ethel Institution, Hot Lunch, Impulse Purchase, Miss Steelya Girl, Sir Beauregard Elliot, Whoopsie Daisy, and DJ Killgxrl behind the decks. 9pm.

Unbury Your Gays

Thursdays-Saturdays through June 7, Hyde Park Theatre

Presented by Broad Theatre and written by Maxine Dillon, this time-traveling coming-of-age comedy traverses the pains and pleasures of girlhood, growing up, and staying gay to the grave. Kicks off on May 22. 8pm.