The Gay Place

ARTNESS Between FronteraFest, UT's VAC, and Wardenclyffe Gallery, we might as well call this week's column The Art Place. With unicorns.

ON OUR GAYDAR

ASK THE PSYCHOPOMP Wendy Vastine invites you to roll the dice and get advice ... or a song, or a peek into whatever it is you seek about life, love, death ... Frontera, baby. Fringey! Thu., Jan. 31, 8pm. Salvage Vanguard Theater, 2803 Manor Rd., 474-7886. $16. secure.buyplaytix.com.

VISUAL ARTS CENTER OPENING RECEPTION It's a launch of five shows and a chance to rub up against some foine fine artists. Reception usually means grub. Fri., Feb. 1, 6-8pm. Visual Arts Center, 23rd and Trinity. Free. www.facebook.com/utvisualartscenter.

MARGARET WRIGHT Come see why they named the stage in her honor. Alternating Fridays, 7-9pm. Rusty's, 405 E. Seventh, 482-9002. Free.

NITA LOU BRYANT An evening with the singer-songwriter at our feminist hot-spot. Fri., Feb. 1, 7-9pm. BookWoman, 5501 N. Lamar Ste. 105-A, 472-2785. Free. www.ebookwoman.com.

OPENING RECEPTION FOR OPTICAL ORGY Billed as "A Visceral Celebration of Uncertainty," this thing has one thing certain going for it: Jenna Lynne Foster's visceral art is worth celebrating. Seriously. Check it online. So good. Fri., Feb. 1, 8pm-12mid. Wardenclyffe Gallery, 1101 Springdale, 524-0196. Free. www.jennalynnefoster.com.

FEMME MAFIA A new crew has taken on the mantle of this regular gathering of La Femme Nostra. First Fridays, 9-11pm, self-ID femme time; after 11pm, admirers and friends may join. Spider House Patio Bar & Cafe, 2908 Fruth, 480-9562.

SOFTBALL RECRUITMENT Time to pick sides for Spring 2013. Sat., Feb. 2. www.softballaustin.org.

GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER Guess you'd better choose which one of the myriad dinners hosted at private homes and venues you are going to hit up before the big dessert reception at Nest. Benefiting the great work of Project Transitions. Sat., Feb. 2, 7pm. Nest, 1009 W. Sixth, 454-8646. $100. www.guesswhos.org.

ALIEN SHE LIVES It's a riot, grrrls and bois and boys and whomevers, featuring queercore et al. at the mitts of the shesters, DJs Young Creature and James Blonde and guests. Yes! Sat., Feb. 2, 9pm-1am. Bernadette's, 2039 Airport Blvd. Free.

GOD-DES & SHE PARTY It's time for a G&S CD release of The United States of God-des & She. Check their latest, "God, I Know You Love Me." Sat., Feb. 2, 9pm. Holy Mountain, 617 E. Seventh, 391-1943. $7 presale, $10 at the door, 18+. www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/204187.

MOM JEANS Cheap Curls and Too Heavy Boxes fill the bill (and prolly the jeans, too). Sat., Feb. 2, 9pm. Cheer Up Charlie's, 1104 E. Sixth, 431-2133. Free.

AUSTIN GEAR NIGHT Cruise the rough trade. First Saturdays, 10pm-2am. Chain Drive, 504 Willow, 480-9017. $3. facebook.com/chaindriveatx.

FREE BURGERS Drink specials start at noon. Free food in the afternoon. Sundays, 4-6pm. 'Bout Time II, 6607 N. I-35. Free. www.bouttime2.com.

SUPERBOWL TAILGATE PARTY Food, folks, and fun at Score's third anniversary. Sun., Feb. 3, 4-10pm. Oilcan Harry's, 211 W. Fourth, 320-8823. Free. www.oilcanharrys.com.

BIG SCREEN SUPERBOWL And we mean big screen. Buy up entails a reserved seat and house-made, endless pork-rib dinner, complete with roasted corn, potato salad, and two Shiner Bocks. Sun., Feb. 3, 5pm. The North Door, 50 Brushy, 485-3001. Free entry; $25 buy up. www.facebook.com/ndvenue.

GRRLZ WILL BE BOIZ Meet the GWBB crew here once a month. First Sundays, 5-7pm. Rusty's, 405 E. Seventh, 482-9002. Free. www.grrlzwillbeboiz.com.

AGLCC NETWORKING LUNCHEON Rub elbows with LGBTQ business owners and friendly folks united in the cause of economic equality. Tue., Feb. 5, 11:30am-1pm. The Westin, 11301 Domain Dr., 832-4197. $15, members; $20, future members. www.aglcc.org.

LUSHE Cheap drinks and hot lady 'tenders by the eyeful. Not just for lushes, lady. First Tuesdays, 9pm. Rain on 4th, 217 W. Fourth, 494-1150. www.rainon4th.com.

ELECTRIC/INDIEPOP NIGHT Go underneath to feel the tunes that go pop. Wednesdays, 9pm. Basement, 422 Congress. www.facebook.com/BasementAustin.

OCCUPY AUSTIN OCCUQUEERS MEETING Take up your rightful place in the political pantheon. Every other Wednesday, 5-6:30pm. The Q, 3408 West, 420-8557. Free.

QUEER RIDE Search Team ProHomo on Facebook for up-to-date details on meeting spots and stops of this weekly ride. Wednesdays, 7pm. Texas State Capitol, 1100 Congress, 305-8400. Free. www.facebook.com/AustinTPH.

LIZZY CAROLOKE Fancy! Wednesdays, 8pm-12mid. Bernadette's, 2039 Airport Blvd. Free.

EMPANADA: A LESBIANA STORY EN PROBADITAS Book(woman) reading and signing with San Antonio-based writer/artist Anel I. Flores. Thu., Feb. 7, 7-8:45pm. BookWoman, 5501 N. Lamar Ste. 105-A, 472-2785. Free. www.ebookwoman.com.

FOURPLAY AND AFTERPARTY A four-way sex romp through the playgrounds of your mind. Or someone's. Thu., Feb. 7, 8pm. Screening: Alamo Drafthouse Village, 2700 W. Anderson, 459-7090; Afterparty: Cheer Up Charlie's, 1104 E. Sixth, 431-2133. Adults only, $10 AFS members/$15 general. www.austinfilm.org/film-fourplay-film.

BEYONCE VS RIHANNA Special edition lady party with DJ S.I.R. And, ahem. No contest. Sorry. Thu., Feb. 7, 10pm-2am. Cheer Up Charlie's, 1104 E. Sixth, 431-2133. www.sirwithlove.tumblr.com.

HO-RIZON

HRC GALA Watch this space for upcoming details on this annual glitzy affair. Sat., Feb. 9. Four Seasons Hotel, 98 San Jacinto, 478-4500. $300. www.boxofficetickets.com.