Go Off the Grid for Unofficial Queer Fun During SXSW
Austin offers tourists and locals alike queer parties outside the Festival mainframe
By James Scott, Fri., March 7, 2025
While recent years have brought the LGBTQ community into the official South by Southwest programming fold, the queer instinct is to go our own way – off the mainstream grid set out for us. Usually that vibe calls to mind Hackers (1995) in outfits and attitude, but this year I propose we disengage from all tech-y tidbits by going analog for our connections. That’s right, y’all: Real shows, real parties, no digi-dances or microchip dips. We’re not so much “hacking” the SXSW mainframe as busting out entirely. It’s real Neo and Trinity seeing the sun hours, okay? These events are no-badge-required, with a few freebies and several ticketed. Whether you want DJ beats, country twang, or looks served, Austin queers have got ya covered.
Girls Gays & Theys Queer Artist Showcase
Friday 7, 9pm, Cheer Up Charlies
Best feature of SXSW? All the out-of-state friends that come through! Returning for their annual pilgrimage, Los Angeles-based party Girls Gays & Theys throws a ground-shaking showcase featuring performances by Emski, Barb, and Arya, plus locally sourced star DJ BabiBoi behind the decks. Limited free RSVPs are available, but after they’re gone, you can snag either a presale $10 online ticket via girlsgaystheysla.com or drop $15 at the door.
Queerest Spring Break
Friday 7 - Saturday 8, Full Circle Bar
Go back to a time before anyone knew the term “cryptocurrency” – well, anyone cool that is – at this Nineties-inspired live music moment featuring a lineup curated by “booking for queers, by queers” group Queer Musicians ATX. Not only will you hear vibe-setter performances by FEA, Autumn Cymone, and J Graves, but local drag artists and underground DJs enhance the boot-stompin’ scenery. Individual day tickets run $10 each, with no refunds as weather will not stop this event.
Yeehaw for Abortion
Saturday 8, 3pm, Future Front House
Jane’s Due Process, which helps young people access critical reproductive resources, throws a repro-rodeo featuring a live DJ, free food, tons of resources & support, a youth advocate panel, and info on fighting legislative attacks on body autonomy. Queer Musicians ATX partners up with JDP to provide the tunes. RSVP for free through janesdueprocess.org.
The 24 Carrot Show
Saturday 8, 7:30pm, Cheer Up Charlies
Fou Fou Ha! Austin – the Lone Star branch of this boundary-breaking clown troupe – carries forth their carrot-centric religion into their unofficial SXSW debut. Join the ritual with drag hosts Lucy Lonestar and Baldie Loxx as your guides to the powerful playground of drag, burlesque, and interactive audience games the Fou Fou Has put on. Pre-sale tickets run 15 carrots – wait, sorry, I mean $15. Find ’em on Eventbrite via the foufouha.net.
Annual Family Dragtivity Day
Sunday 9, noon, Cheer Up Charlies
Yes, yes: There’s fun rainbow stuff for kids this weekend, too! Drag queen Brigitte Bandit hosts a day of all-ages activities including storytime, drag performances, vendor pop-ups, and more. A glance at the event partners Drag Story Hour, the Little Gay Shop, and venue Cheer Ups promises a high-quality queer time that guardians and kiddos are sure to enjoy. Snag your free RSVP via thelittlegayshop.com.
TX Queer Country Club House
Monday 10, 6pm, Cheer Up Charlies
For those just joining the ATX scene – or homebody locals not in the know – DJ Boi Orbison’s event org Neon Rainbows specializes in queer country fun. This unofficial SXSW show is no exception, with acts like Paisley Fields and LG & the Supersoaker Sisters boot-scootin’ their way through. RSVP for free at neonrainbowstx.com/tqcc and ride ’em, cowpoke!
Neko Rave
Tuesday 11, 5:30pm, Gnar Bar
Party person extraordinaire Universalmadnes, aka Haus of Madnes, aka Dani, invites all to join in a meow-trageous rave experience. Sets from anime spinners Whokilledxix and mall-emo styled Suicidal-Idol headline above tons of other talents, including local hero ScamLikely and drag host Xoy. On theme, $3 of every $20 presale or $25 day-of ticket goes to the Austin Pets Alive! animal shelter. Afterparty fun hits at second location Saturn featuring live performances from Austin faves Natalie Lepore, Vertarias, Boy Sim, and many more. Expect a $10-15 sliding-scale cover – and yes: These tickets also benefit APA!
The Bigger in Texas Ball
Thursday 13, 9pm, Cheer Up Charlies
Central Texas ballroom is bigger than ever, in part thanks to this event’s presenter House of Lepore. A great place to catch your first ball or your millionth, the Lepores pay tribute to Texan women with categories themed around icons like Selena, Beyoncé, Erykah Badu, and the Legendary Natalie Lepore – who’s also the night’s emcee. Cover charge is a $10 donation.
For more queer events around Austin, check out austinchronicle.com/qmmunity.
