Qmmunity: Ding-Ding-Ding

A farewell to Pride Month and a hello to July. Austin continues to be hot, humid, and full of queer stuff, so your humble editor returns to my usual column mode. Thanks to everyone I interviewed for being delightful conversationalists even though our correspondence was me sending you emails. An email can be a conversation, right? 

But in more pressing news, auditions for Austin’s gender diverse drag troupe Boyz of Austin are open! Through July 4, aspiring Boyz can apply through the Google form in the troupe’s Instagram bio, with the caveat that only 10 performers will be chosen for the July 15 audition show. With the theme “Boyz of Anarchy,” the troupe encourages creativity among auditioners: “We invite your rage, your joy, your anger, your laughter, and whatever else you wish to bring to the stage for the theme and the show.” Check out @boyzofaustin for more details.

Austin’s gay voices are on the big-ish screen with recent Waco Independent Film Festival Best Texas Short nominee “This Is Texas.” From filmmakers John-Carlos Estrada and Zak Zeh’s film studio Arco Iris Creative House, this LGBTQ+ short follows our own Austin Gay Men’s Chorus in the lead-up to performing at GALA Choruses Festival. While this isn’t Estrada and Zeh’s first doc in the WIFF lineup – that honor belongs to 2024’s Barbette + Fontaine – their new short’s entry is, as their Instagram relates, “especially meaningful” as a sign that “communities across Texas continue to embrace, engage with, and support these stories.” Consider taking the day trip on July 18 to catch the short when it drops at Waco Civic Theatre, 12:30pm. 

Ding-ding-ding: That’s me ringing the alarm that OUTsider 2027 submissions have opened! Actually, they opened mid-June and I was off in interview-land – away from my alarm and unable to ring it. Better late than never! This year’s theme is “Dreaming US Into Being,” which focuses on “the power of queer and trans creatives who are inspired by – and who inspire – radical acts of worldbuilding.” That means applying artists’ work should consider, well, creation from far-out futures to simply livable queer communities. Drop your submissions into the internet box via outsiderfest.org/2027-theme anytime before July 20.

Indie and underground film distro Muscle Distribution may have its location as Brooklyn, N.Y., but once upon a time, founder Elizabeth Purchell was an Austinite. (And she technically still programs the nifty and niche series Queer Cinema: Lost and Found over at AFS.) Her company’s been slinging great restorations and first-time releases of queer films from all around the genre pool, from queer Brazilian soccer feature Onda Nova (1983) to Louise Weard’s viral trans anthology series Castration Movie. Now they’re asking all y’all cinephiles to help fund an underseen but important quadrant of 4K restorations from the Seventies and Eighties: Pumping Iron II: The Women, Sparkle’s Tavern, Screamplay, and Off the Wall. Their goal’s $60,000, and at time of writing, they’re halfway there with 30,937 buckaroonies. Learn more about Muscle, their goals, and how to contribute to their Kickstarter at muscle-distribution.com.

Vixen’s Danceteria Thursday 2, Volstead Lounge

Much to celebrate over on East Sixth, like the release of Madonna’s Confessions II and the Vixens of Volstead cast member Mars’ birthday. Activities include drag, a dance party with DJ Shelz, and drink specials all night. 9pm.

Will of the People: A Muse Tribute Show Thursday 2, Elysium

From the early Nineties to this year’s The Wow! Signal, this rock band gets the drag treatment from Jack the Stripper, Tangelo, Anarch Kye, Fairy Petite, Atlas Mars, Calor, and Karabiner. 9:30pm.

First Thursday Thursday 2, Top Drawer Thrift

Thirty-three thrifty years get topped off over at Top Drawer with cake, champers, and tons of cool finds for cool prices. 5:30pm.

ATX Vogue Nights Thursday 2, Swan Dive

The categories? Seven. The vibes? Heaven! House of Lepore’s Mother Natalie emcees this kiki with a cash prize runway. 10pm.

Body Mechanics: Sloppy Friday Friday 3, Vibe Haus

Get unclean with late-night vinyl spins from Dream Days, Orbis9, and Designer Beatnik. Drop in before 1am for $15; after that, it’s $20 entry. 11:30pm.

Gayer Than Show Tunes (Reprise) Friday 3 – Saturday 4, Austin Playhouse

Showtunes? Gay? As unbelievable as it sounds, your ErotiQueer BurlesQue has combined musical theatre tunes with queer burlesque shimmies for two Pride season showings. 8pm.

Bichotas Friday 3, Oilcan’s

Harlot hosts this Latin pop night with pop-up drag, a cash prize strip-off, and poppin’ tunes spun by DJ Lavender Thug. 9:30pm.

Misogynists Make Great Informants Friday 3, Once Over Coffee Bar

Read, reflect, and discuss how best to push back against anti-feminism within leftist spaces and beyond at this edition of Night School ATX. All feminists welcome. 6:30pm.

Where’s the Beach?  Saturday 4, Cheer Up Charlies

The true spirit of American excess returns for this Jersey Shore-inspired Fourth party with drag hosted by BeeBee Blvnt, spins by Scam Likely, hot dogs from Hot Dyke Stand, and much more. 9pm.

Super Gay Weiner Roast & Splish Splash Saturday 4, the Cavalier

Scissor Sisters ATX hosts a sapphic salute to summer fun with a slip & slide, ice baths, spins from DJ Dana Scully, and lotsa brunchie delights from Chef Kate Rousset. Noon. 

American Idiot: Full Album Tribute & Anti-4th of July Show Saturday 4, Elysium

Everything isn’t meant to be okay, but it’ll be pretty fun at this Green Day-inspired drag show hosted by Brigitte Bandit and Calor with performances by Aqua Marie Pardi, Hilda Dixon, Fairy Petite, and Schitzo the Clown. 11pm.

Rest of Austin Saturday 4, allgo

After a bustling Pride month, take a breather with allgo, Amazing Aeffects, Pride in Black ATX, and Queer Black Women Alliance Austin at this intentional rest day. Bring your own blanket, games, food, and sense of inner peace. 5pm.

Drag Brunch on SoCo Saturday 4, OvenBird

Malibu Imported, the Queen Diva, Dee Gee Rey, and Lady Grackle serve up drag brunch fun on the Fourth. 10:30am.

Big Tits Bigger Dreams Saturday 4, Oilcan’s

This recent Best of Austin®-winning amateur drag open mic returns to the OCH stage with host Brigitte Bandit and her guest co-host offering a place for beginner drag artists to perform and get pro pictures taken. 7pm.

Queer Sex Ed Sunday 5, OutWellness

Learn all about the birds, bees, and nonbinaries through inclusive and queer-centric education in a welcoming environment. 11:45am. 

Yeehawties: A Honky-Tonk Pool Party Sunday 5, Austin Motel

Beat the heat with Neon Rainbows at this wet and wild event. Hosted by Tequila Rose and May Magdalene with DJ sets by Ed West and guest Lavender Thug. New bombshell Buck Johnson also enters the villa. 2pm.

Nightmare Blunt Rotation Sunday 5, the Glassmith

Host Slaylem serves up a Summerween stoner party with free ‘za, drink specials, a costume contest, blood wrestling tournament, and plenty of drag to rise even the most zonk’d of spirits. 7pm.

every.Word Poetry’s Open Mic Monday 6, the Vortex

Celebrate two full years of lyrical passion with host Michael Hatcher and featured poet Jus’ Marvin. 8pm.

Bronco  Monday 6, Sagebrush

Line-dance with your lavender pals at this beginner session from Neon Rainbows and Country Fried Dance. 7pm.

Kiki + Karaoke Tuesday 7, Cheer Up Charlies

No Hamilton. Only one instance of “Valerie” by Amy Winehouse allowed. Songs over five minutes owe the room five bucks. These are the laws you must live under at Aira Juliet’s karaoke dictatorship happening every first and third Tuesday of the month. 9pm.

Chappell Roan vs. Young Miko Wednesday 8, Rain on 4th

BeeBee Blvnt and Karabiner bring Futch Fetish to Fourth for a girl-on-girl brawl between pop sensations with Damiana Divine and Whoopsie Daisy providing support. 9pm.

Divina Wednesday 8, Oilcan’s

Austin’s longest-running Latinx drag show uplifts local Latin drag talent along with pop stars and other icons from the culture. 10pm.

Red, White & Black Out Thursday 9, Triple Six Social

Baby Bats presents this anarchist open drag mic with Anarch Kye as co-host, music by Kuvu, a pop-up market, and on-site voter registration. 7pm.

Björksexual Thursday 9, Elysium

Have an Icelandic July with Shock Therapy’s tribute to Björk, hosted by Munster Mash with performers MK Ultra, Bubu, Ethel Institution, Jenna Talia, Tangelo, Sticky Gold, Betty Boof, Karabiner, and Louisianna Purchase. 9:30pm.

In the Calendar Knife+Heart Tuesday 7, Hyperreal Film Club

This French thriller set in the seedy gay-porn film scene of 1979 Paris owes a large debt to Dario Argento and Brian De Palma. Vanessa Paradis’ tragic producer/director Anne, having just been dumped by her editor Lois, is begging for her back as she recruits hot construction workers to star in her films. But things take a dark turn when one of her actors is murdered, and then another, and another… Here’s all the good ol’ sex and death of the Seventies wrapped in a 2018 sensibility, with a nostalgic M83 score to round it out. – Lina Fisher

Sleepaway Camp: The Midnight Mass Experience Tuesday 7, State Theatre

Yes, this problematic summer-camp horror flick’s not for everyone, but what’s no problem to recommend is this presentation of the picture from horror host Peaches Christ. A collab between Peaches, AGFA (American Genre Film Archive), and horror rag Fangoria, this screening brings all the Eighties frights and fun with an onstage discussion featuring Sleepaway’s star, Felissa Rose – aka the original Angela! Plus a camp-outfit contest – pack your short-shorts, sweetie – and drag. Eat sh*t and live, Reader. – James Scott

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