Gay Place

Meals on Wheels and More staff thrill the Mike's Place regulars with their version of MJ's "Thriller." (Photo by John Anderson)

WE'RE NOT GETTIN' ANY YOUNGER

If this bloody Halloween marathon taught us anything (other than that Austin has too much going on), it's that if the flesh-eating zombies don't get you, not pacing yourself will. There's nothing like an orgy of dangling body parts and blood-spattered everything to remind you that you're getting long in the tooth (and that zombies will eat anything). Aging, however, is not something we gheys embrace. OK, that's a broad stroke. Granted, planet LGBT is not much different from the rest of America in that regard, but we've nailed that whole youth/body obsession thing. So, certainly, the community has not outwardly embraced it (ask any old queen; you'll get a righteous earful). But as the boomers age into oblivion, we'll hear more and more about preparing for the other side. Inelegant segue alert: Dang, it makes us proud when disparate nonprofits find commonality and join forces for shared goals. This week, a subtle little notice about a health care symposium populates our listings, and we don't want it to slip under your radar. It presents a unique opportunity for cross-purposing and understanding. A most excellent who's who of powerhouse, benchmark groups: Project Transitions, Meals on Wheels and More, Austin Groups for the Elderly, and more combine powers to present the 2011 HIV/AIDS and Aging Symposium this Friday. It's targeted to caregivers on all sides of those concerned aisles but open to everyone. And we're pretty sure there won't be any zombies.

ON OUR GAYDAR

ESTHER'S BARAKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW Esther's Follies spoofs Obama and beyond with this tarty, cross-dressing send-up of everyone's fave midnight movie. A few lines from the script to stoke fires of antici ...:

You see – I'm building a man Sexy and bipartisan To win support from Maine to Wisconsin In case the bill stalls, he'll need some real balls! Hillary, can I borrow your brass ones? Through November: Thursdays, 8pm; Fridays & Saturdays, 8 & 10pm. Esther's Pool, 525 E. Sixth, 320-0553. $20-27. www.esthersfollies.com.

QUEER STATE(S) Last few days: Texas artists queer (as in, the verb) gender representations in performance and visual art. Not to be missed. Through Sat., Nov. 5. Visual Arts Center, 23rd and Trinity, 471-1108. Free. www.utvac.org/node/537.

HIV/AIDS AND AGING SYMPOSIUM Geared toward caregivers but open to all, this forum will explore the effects of HIV/AIDS on an aging population. Keynote speaker: Dr. James Masten, author of Aging With HIV: A Gay Man's Guide. Register online now. Fri., Nov. 4, 8am-2pm. Meals on Wheels and More, 3227 E. Fifth, 804-3682. $10, $5 more for social work CEUs. www.hivandaging.wordpress.com.

RHIZOME'S RISE! FROM THE DEAD New people, new energy, new location, new take on community activism. Son Armado, the Procbaborgany Collective, and Qaptivate entertain as you get to know the new crew. Fri., Nov. 4, 8pm. Orun Center of Cultural Arts, 1401-B Cedar, 294-7872. $7 sliding scale. www.rhizomecollective.org.

ALIEN SHE 666 Alien She-Js (James Blonde + Young Creature) x guest DJ Personal Best = a cornucopia of alt/queer yum, all wrapped up in a sweet li'l ribbon. Uh huh. First Saturdays, 10pm. Bernadette's, 2039 Airport. Free. www.bernadettesbar.com.

FIFTH STEEZ FOR THE LZ AND THE GZ Judy Arnold and God-Des & She headline this L Style G Style issue release/birthday bash touting cocktails "over-served" and Champagne "passed." Passed through whom, we do not know. Happy b-day, Ls and Gs. Sat., Nov. 5, 7pm. W Hotel, 200 Lavaca, 443-6677. $125, that's no typo. www.lstylegstyle.com.

RAINBOW WEDDING EXPO gathers more than 30 gay-friendly wedding venues, officiants, coordinators, cake decorators, DJs, etc. We do. We do. Sat., Nov. 5, 12:30-3:30pm. Renaissance Hotel, 9721 Arboretum Blvd., 866/251-1564. First 100 tickets are free. www.samelovesamerights.com.

ALLGO MOVIE NIGHT has moved to Monday to make way for D-Lo. This month's film: Passing for Almost Straight, a doc which wiggles into the lives of NYC-based professional male dancers. A discussion with filmmaker Mark Broomfield follows. Mon., Nov. 7, 6:30pm. ALLGO, 701 Tillery, 472-2001. Free. www.allgo.org.

STANDING ON CEREMONY Come be part of a nationwide premiere of eight short plays on gay marriage as concurrent productions across the country simultaneously explore this hot topic. Proceeds go to GetEqual TX. Mon., Nov. 7. Preshow mixer, 6:45pm; show, 8pm. Zach Theatre, 1510 Toomey, 476-0541. $20. www.zachtheatre.org.

D-LO'S BACK Get low (but not on the down low) with D-Lo for Trans Pride. This "queer Tamil Sri L.A.nkan-American, political theatre artist/writer, director, comedian, and music producer" is da shiznizzlepizz. Tue., Nov. 8, 6pm. UT Student Activity Center, 2201 Speedway, 232-0818. www.dlocokid.com, www.qpocatexas.com.

MAIL ART WITH DANDY Gay Place presents a craft night to A) make and send cards to incarcerated queers and folks living with HIV/AIDS, B) get crafty, and C) stick it to the man. Wed., Nov. 9, 7-10pm. Bernadette's, 2039 Airport. Free. www.bernadettesbar.com, www.facebook.com/dandyunicorn.

AN EVENING WITH JOMAMA JONES Witness this penetrating interview edition of Inside the Diva's Studio as Jomama reveals all about her singing and theatrical career. Wed., Nov. 9, 8pm. The Off Center, 2211-A Hidalgo, 476-7833. Free. www.allgo.org.

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