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Author of Never a Girl, Always a Boy and subsequent co-playwright of its stage adaptation Jo Ivester hopes the play written alongside her son Jeremy serves to “contribute to the growing awareness of what it means to be Trans.” After an industry presentation in NYC with Tony-Award winning A Strange Loop producer JJ Maley directing, this personal transition story comes home for its world premiere at Ground Floor featuring director Lisa Scheps and performers Laura Leo Kelly, Kaden Ono, Molly Fonseca, Nathan Jerkins, Max Green, Chelsea Corwin, Trace Turner, and Jeremy.– James Scott

If only real life were like AMC drama Mad Men: the fashions, the interior design, the music, the misogyny … well, we can enjoy the aesthetic and leave behind the antiquated boys’ club mentality. This night presented by Wonderlust promises classy cocktails, a pro cigar-roller, stellar soul music from Brian Scartocci, and a glamorous Sixties chic ambience in new Sixth Street spot Marlow. Taking over for Edwin’s Sports Bar, the Waller Creek-adjacent lounge offers the sultry type of atmosphere you could picture Peggy and Don sparring in over a cocktail. Dust off your fitted suits, fedoras, and sheath dresses to act the part. – Kat McNevins

Though inaugural ATX Open singles champion Marta Kostyuk won’t return to defend her crown, some notable names have entered the field. Two-time major champion and former world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka (No. 27 in the WTA Tour rankings as of Feb. 19) looks set to play as the draw’s No. 1 seed but has since dropped from the tournament. 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens, 2022 Australian Open finalist Danielle Collins, and former Longhorn Peyton Stearns are some of the American women returning for the tournament’s second edition. Stearns won the 2022 NCAA Division I Women’s Singles Championship while attending UT-Austin and made the quarterfinals of last year’s ATX Open. Free entry to the event’s qualifying has “sold out” for both Feb. 24 and 25, but paid tickets are still on offer for the remaining days. – Derek Udensi

In 2006, artists Silky Shoemaker and Rayna Matthews constructed Camp Camp: a celebratory queer experimental performance space where, according to local workout queen/movie star Erica Nix, homespun hero Paul Soileau, aka Christeene, worked out his characters and Dynasty Handbag, the zany alter ego of performer Jibz Cameron, guested often. Resurrecting this fallen freakshow are queer champions Lynn Metcalf, Aira Juliet, and Nix, with a big ol’ performance night in MASS Gallery’s backyard. Theme’s Leap Year, because we’re all taking big-ass leaps, ain’t we? – James Scott

Three heavy-hitter comedy hosts unite for one night in an event that’ll blast big-sister vibes across Bat City. TikTok titan Ellen Go Acuario brings stories based around her life as a working mom and woman of color from her comic show Straight Outta Pacific Northwest. Meanwhile, local legends buff up the lineup: Ivy Le, host of queer comedy open-mic Tongue in Cheek and nature pod FOGO: Fear of Going Outside, and Lisa Smith, co-host of live-podcast Love Is Trash and “Matt Rife’s Manager,” at least in front-facing video form. – James Scott

Though her career began in Hollywood in the Sixties, Miss Nude Universe 1975 Tiffany Carter’s dazzle has never dimmed in her over 20 years as a burlesque icon. She’ll be bringing bling to Austin via our very own burlesque legends the Jigglewatts’ scarlet soiree, which will celebrate the leap year with glamour galore. Boggle your brain with the burly-q brilliance of Ruby Joule, Something Blue, Alexander the Great, and Selma Bawdy, but leave a little mental capacity available to enjoy special guests Roxy Castillo and Shi Feticcio. – James Scott

With new showcase Remixed & Reimagined, UT-Austin’s tastemaking student radio station celebrates Black History Month with four phenomenal local talents. Shapeshifting opener Alesia Lani swings between lo-fi vibrations and guitar-driven R&B with ease, while vocalist Égaux Sells’ heaven-sent soprano guides the meditative moods of jazz fusion group BluMoon. When not spinning records on KVRX under alias DJ BOOTYSHORTS, solo artist Vonne devises dreamy bedroom pop melodies that draw from jazz composition. Riding the high of recently released EP Enough, musical polymath Daniel Fears cites crooners Masego and Dijon as inspirations for his distinctive brand of contemporary R&B. – Genevieve Wood

You’re a busy guy; you don’t have time to read all of War and Peace. But you’re also ashamed that you’ve not dug into the hottest Russian novel of 1869! Hark: A solution awaits at the Zach Theatre production of Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812, Dave Malloy’s musical adaptation of a 70-page section of Tolstoy’s great tome. Described by the theatre as an “innovative electro-pop opera,” this two-hour-and-thirty-minute love triangle will be available as pay-what-you-will until Feb. 4. Heads-up to queers: Thursday, Feb. 1, is PRIDE night!– James Scott

Kicking off this new season of music-related movies from KOOP, Darkside Daddy and Ear Candy 2.0 host DJ Marc present this very special screening of Mel Stuart’s groundbreaking recording of the monumental Wattstax concert. Described at the time as a soulful expression of the Black experience, it’s not just a concert movie but a chronicle of Black life and culture in Los Angeles in 1972. Don’t forget that soundtrack, with the Staple Singers, Rufus Thomas, Albert King, and Black Moses himself, Isaac Hayes. – Richard Whittaker

There aren’t many films that killed a studio and a major musical pairing, but that’s the double infamy of Francis Ford Coppola’s troubled but entrancing 1982 musical. Not only did the runaway budget help take down his American Zoetrope shingle, but it also saw the dissolution of the creative relationship between soundtrack composer Tom Waits and his longtime producer Bones Howe. But oh, the cost was worth it for this wild fantasy telling of the tortured romance between too-contented Hank (Frederic Forrest) and yearning Frannie (Teri Garr) in a magical re-creation of Las Vegas. After a sumptuous restoration of his equally overlooked The Cotton Club, now Coppola has gone back to the original negatives for this 4K restoration and re-edit. – Richard Whittaker

Although giving blood is its own reward, and your donation will save a neighbor’s life, it sure doesn’t hurt to get something in return. And you know how they give you a cookie with some juice after you donate blood? Well this time, you can get a whole box. The Girl Scouts of Central Texas bring four fan faves to We Are Blood to reward donors with a sweet treat: Choose from Thin Mints, Caramel DeLites, Peanut Butter Patties, or Adventurefuls to replenish your nutrients after your contribution. (Those peanut butter ones are just packed with protein, and mint is a leafy green, right?) Schedule an appointment online or by calling 512/206-1266. – Kat McNevins