Gay Place

Every time yours truly has had the humbling opportunity to be on the front line of a crisis or to witness a community coming together, one consistent factor, we are chuffed to report, is the presence of teh ghey. Look, we know family when we see it, and there's no denying it, queers love to march, to volunteer time, and to donate money to causes – and not always LGBT ones. Seriously, back in 2005, when Katrina evacuees were sent to Austin and the city set up that temp crisis center at the Burger Center, some of the first in line to assist? Big ol' dykes and sweet, dandy men we see at every gay function in town – you know, the ones who'll foster a backyard full of daschunds when the rescue facility loses power, or the guys who pick up the tab when a local nonprofit is having mortgage issues, or the ones who walk or ride to boost AIDS services funding. Who is the first in line? While we aren't always on the same political or social page, the gays love to build community. And we know from loss. This week there is a Bastrop fire relief benefit and the launch of a national protest, Austin division: one at Wet Salon and one at City Hall, both on Thursday. And you know that sets our cockles alight.

ON OUR GAYDAR

OCCUPY AUSTIN In solidarity with Occupy Wall Street. The beginning is near. Thu., Oct. 6, 10am, occupation; 3pm, general assembly. City Hall, 301 W. Second. (Facebook: Occupy Austin).

SPRING AWAKENING WILDE PARTY Eight Tony awards and a rock score? You're invited to a special LGBT preshow reception, and you know you'll be in good company. Catered reception. Thu., Oct. 6, 6:45pm; show, 8pm. Zach Theatre, 1510 Toomey. 476-0541 x1. Single event or Wilde Party Season tickets available. www.zachtheatre.org.

STAND UP! FIGHT BACK! Speak up against the funding cuts to health services and Planned Parenthood. If you don't dig how PP connects to the LGBT struggle, this rallying session might just clarify. Thu., Oct. 6, 7pm. 5604 Manor Rd. 391-2305. www.5604manor.org.

THE CREATURE SHOW If the creature-inspired art by Jen Rische, Laurel Barickman, Matt Manchester, Analy Nakat, Cuppy Gee, et al. ain't enough for you, come as your own creature. Booze, food, and all the attendant art opening hoo-ha to boot. Dough raised goes to kids in Bastrop for Halloween fun! Thu., Oct. 6, 8-10:30pm. Wet Salon, 1109 S. Congress. 444-7375.

BELOW THE TOP: DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL The Central Texas Boys of Leather celebrate nine years of the boot-lickin' art of "Thank you, sir, may I please have another?" to benefit Project Transitions' Doug's House. Fri. Oct. 7, 9pm-12mid; Sat., Oct. 8, 12:30-4pm and 7:30pm-2am; and Sun. Oct. 9, 12:30-2pm. Chain Drive, 504 Willow. 480-9017. Event tickets, $10-25; weekend pass, $35. www.ctbol.org.

DREAMING IN COLOR/CLUB KIDS AFTERPARTY Coco Coquette wraps itself in Nineties nostalgia all for OY. Then stick around for more Nineties trance dance in your pants. Sat., Oct. 8, 9pm-2am. ND at 501 Studios, 501 N. I-35. 485-3001. www.ndvenue.com.

GLBTQ FALL DANCE Wiggle, shimmy, and shake it with the Susan Arbuckle Band. Sat., Oct. 8, 7:30-11pm. Unity Church of the Hills, 9905 Anderson Mill. 335-4449. $15, $12 in advance. rainbow ministryucoh@gmail.com.

OCTOTEA16 Just as the temperatures start to get reasonable again, leave it to the Octopus Club to crank them back up to triple digits. Yup. It's the hottest ticket of the season, with a lineup that sizzles: Courtney Sanchez, DJ Roland Belmares, MoTel Aviv, and that man among bears, Nakia. RSVP ASAP. Sat., Oct. 8, 5:30-10pm. Mexican American Cultural Center, 600 River. $40, pre-event; $50, online; $65, at door. Also available at TapeLenders. www.octopusclub.org/octotea.

LEZMINGLE SATURDAYS Our ol' pal YelleStud presents this new weekly LGBT hip-hop spot. This week, wear pink for breast cancer awareness and check out DJ Munk. Proceeds go to the Komen Foundation. Sat., Oct. 8, 10pm. Club Mexitas, 1107 N. I-35, 467-4444. $5. www.yellastud.com.

ALLGO MOVIE NIGHT Get to know ALLGO the pressure-free way. What a perfect first date: you, some snacks, new friends, and a good movie. Just don't try that yawn-and-arm trick. We're onto you. Second Tuesdays, 6:30pm. ALLGO, 701 Tillery. 472-2001. Free. www.allgo.org.

FOODIES HAPPINESS HOUR Brazilian + Kitty = Happiness. We'll leave that up to your predictable imaginations. Boys and girls, happy-houring together under one great, big Foodies rainbow umbrella. Joy! Second Tuesdays, 5:30-8pm. La Sombra Bar & Grill, 4800 Burnet Rd. 458-1100. beatsagogo@gmail.com, www.lasombra-austin.com.

PFLAG NORTH Meet and greet with fellow allies in the cause for love. Second Tuesdays, 6:45pm. Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Church, 3315 El Salido. Cedar Park, 512/302-3524. Free. pflagaustin@gmail.com, www.pflagaustin.org, www.straightforequality.org.

Ho-Rizon

PROTEUS AND BAREFOOT IN THE PARK If the names Herb, Brett Johnson, Joey Foley, or the Rev. Kathy Russell mean anything to you, you might be a club kid from the Nineties. Wander in a Nineties dance haze at Bob Wentz, then somehow make it alive to Karma to make it through the morning's light. Sat., Oct. 15, 1pm, Bob Wentz Park; 10pm, Karma. Karma Lounge, 119 W. Eighth. 469-0504. www.karma-austin.com.