Gay Place: Remember

Worldwide, an estimated 34 million people are living with HIV. Since the days of the first detected cases back in 1981, political opportunists have used fear of the epidemic to marginalize those affected directly, and queer folk in general. World AIDS Day is way more than a red ribbon. It's time to reflect on our priorities, our love for our fellow humans, and how best to thwart the hate still lobbed by the unevolved, the cruel, the coldhearted, and the politically motivated. This is the time to forgive, but to never forget. This is the time to offer comfort and love to those who live and give care in this crisis. World AIDS Day will be served up good and proper this year in Austin. Join in. And this Wednesday, Dec. 7, join us at Bernadette's for the last arts & crafts night with your favorite unicorns, as Mail Art With Dandy provides the craft crappe and you provide the love to create one-of-a-kind holiday greetings for folks with HIV/AIDS.

ON OUR GAYDAR

ALL-DAY WORLD AIDS DAY Come visit more than 30 community group booths, AIDS Quilt sections, a photo show, and more – a local commemoration of all who have passed, suffered, survived, and thrived. Thu., Dec. 1, 8:30am-6pm. For the City Center, 500 E. St. Johns, 961-5587. www.austinhiv.com/free-hiv-ceu.

WORLD AIDS DAY PROVIDER EDUCATION DAY This gathering – nay, this citywide collaboration – brings together Central Texas' top HIV/AIDS care providers, strategists, feelers, and thinkers, and is open to the public. (Plenty of seating; registration for CEUs is full, but get on the waiting list.) Free. Thu., Dec. 1, 8:30am-6pm. For the City Center, 500 E. St. Johns, 961-5587. www.austinhiv.com/free-hiv-ceu.

COUNTRY DANCIN' MOVIE SHOOT Oh, you've always had a queer spot for The Best Little Whorehouse, haven't you? While this isn't exactly that, it's close, and close by in beautiful Bastrop! Erica Nix (of Workout! With Erica Nix fame) seeks dancers for a new vid. Come to the Dec. 1 practice or practice online (see websites). Thu., Dec. 1, 4:30pm, practice: Upstart Upstart Media Arts Center, 1800 Linda St., Bastrop, 512/321-2496. Shoot: Sun., Dec. 4, 2-5pm, The Book Basket, 913 Main St., Bastrop, 512/332-0777. whosthatjess@gmail.com, www.youtube/i5y0qb3jPSQ, www.upstartbastrop.com, www.workoutwithericanix.com.

EIGHTIES BREAKFAST FOR DINNER Come early for cartoons, the perfect lead-in to Ally Sheedy's dandruff snowstorm. (Yes, the night's movie is The Breakfast Club.) Thu., Dec. 1, 6-10pm. The Q, 3408 West, 420-8557. Free. www.qboyz.org, www.facebook.com/theqaustin.

INTERFAITH SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE & HOPE Let your love ring out on the AIDS Bell banner and gather in reflection for World AIDS Day. Thu., Dec. 1, 7-9pm. St. David's Episcopal Church, 301 E. Eighth, 610-3500. Free.

MEG BARNHOUSE reads and sings from her repertoire, including her latest, Broken Buddha. Thu., Dec. 1, 7pm. BookWoman, 5501 N. Lamar Ste. 105-A, 472-2785. Free. www.megbarnhouse.com.

RECEPTION: AUSTIN FACES AIDS Food by Frank, plus wine and nonalcoholic drinks kick off Jo Ann Santangelo's new portrait show of people living with HIV/AIDS (through December, across the street at Falcon 5). Fri., Dec. 2, 6-8pm. Progress Coffee, 500 San Marcos St., 493-0963. Free. www.joannsantangelo.com, www.asaustin.org/austinfacesaids.

LIZZY CAROLOKE Hey. Don't forget to tip your KJ. And definitely tip your "Best of Austin"-winning proprietress of Austin's "Best Dive Bar Without a Sign" – which now has a sign. D'oh! Fridays, 8pm-12mid. Bernadette's, 2039 Airport. Free.

HOLIDAY SWINGIN' Polish up your Oscars and hoof it on down to the red carpet: HS is going vintage Hollywood. Contest for best-dressed movie stars, plus Sentimental Journey, Tapestry Dance, the Studebakers, Luna Tart, Best Best Best Friends, and belly dancer Michelle Manx. Come vamp it up at Project Transitions' big fundraising gala. Sat., Dec. 3. Dell Jewish Community Center, 7300 Hart, 454-8646. www.projecttransitions.org.

BLUE SANTA PARTY Help Dino and crew pull together some treats and trinkets for the wee ones. Sat., Dec. 3, 8pm. Lipstick24, 606 E. Seventh, 474-2950.

ALIEN SHE 7 Alien She-Js (James Blonde + Young Creature) x guest DJs Fine & Dandy (with the Gay Place's Kate & Andy) = a cornucopia of alt/queer yum. First Saturday of the month, 10pm. Bernadette's, 2039 Airport. Free.

DIRTY, FILTHY SATURDAY Supastar DJ Filthy Rich spins gobs of gay gold. Just gobs of it. Saturdays, 10pm. Rain on 4th, 217 W. Fourth, 494-1150.

SUNDAY FUNDAY A mere $5 gets you a heaping helping of beef or poultry. A paltry $3 earns a yummy hot dog or burger, plus all the fixings and drink specials all eve. Rusty's, 405 E. Seventh, 482-9002.

SF'S RIND Experimental magic one-woman San Francisco band Rind (formerly Mayor Daley and RRind) luvs up on A-town with equally magical locals Yellow Fever and Hatchet Wound. Mon., Dec. 5, 9pm. Hotel Vegas, 1500 E. Sixth, 589-1411. $5 donation.

TUEZGAYZ Still the king (queen) of 'em all, y'all. Your weekend just started a li'l earlier. Tuesdays, 10pm. Barbarella, 615 Red River, 476-7766. www.barbarellaaustin.com, www.theglitoris.tumblr.com.

last MAIL ART WITH DANDY Gay Place presents this last craft night to make and send cards to incarcerated queers and folks living with HIV/AIDS. Wed., Dec. 7, 7-10pm. Bernadette's, 2039 Airport. www.bernadettesbar.com, www.facebook.com/dandyunicorn.

HO-RIZON

ABC VAGINA SUPPLY INDIEGOGO CAMPAIGN LAUNCH This soon-to-be-online endeavor – "from menses to menopause and everything in between (your legs)" – is haunching with a launching featuring supersexy performance goodness by the likes of Raven, Frannie Brown, Kitty Buick, Sassy D Lure, and Ruby Lamb. Stay tuned. Sat., Dec. 10, 8pm-2am. Cheer Up Charlie's, 1104 E. Sixth, 431-2133. info@abcvaginasupply.com.

BEARRACUDA NEW YEAR'S EVE Ooooh, call it a New Bear's Eve! Details a-comin'. Watch this space! Sat., Dec. 31, 8pm. ND at 501 Studios, 501 N. I-35, 485-3011. $15. www.bearracuda.com.