Gay Place: You're Just A Babe

Political party, birthday party, art party, dance party ... Sort out your invitations, uniponies, this week's a non-stop party

By Kate X Messer, Fri., April 5, 2013

Happy birthday, Cheer Up Charlie

From your front porch to your parachute, you are a most darling and essential part of any Austin queer week, CUC: Here's to many more. (See Friday.)

ON OUR GAYDAR

LOG CABIN REPUBLICANS LOBBY DAY AND HAPPY HOUR RECEPTION First come out for Lobby Day. If these guys can't knock some sense into the Texas Lege, who can? Then enjoy a reception on the Mayor's Balcony. April 4-6. Texas State Capitol and Austin City Hall, 301 W. Second. $35-110 individual events; package deals available. www.texas.logcabin.org.

AN OBVIOUSLY FOGGOT Transphobia and homophobia in a gay bar? Whut? This workshopped twee bit of original theatre should set the record (not) straight. Thu.-Sat., April 4-6 & 11-13, 9pm. Basement, 422 Congress. $10. www.poisonappleinitiative.com.

DJ I WANNA BE HER Deep cuts, from slow grooves to bodacious beats. Anything to make you sweat. Thursdays, 9:30pm-1:30am. W Hotel, 200 Lavaca.

STOP HITTING YOURSELF There is much to say about this 1930s Hollywood hullabaloo, but we'll leave it at this: Paul Soileau is queen. Thu.-Sun., April 4-21, 8pm. The Off Center, 2211-A Hidalgo, 476-7833. $5-25.

TEXAS HOLD 'EM TOURNEY Wild West presents pots you can P in. P as in Poker, silly. Thursdays, 7:30pm. Oilcan Harry's, 211 W. Fourth, 320-8823. www.facebook.com/wildwestcasinogames/events.

LADY PARTY: JUSTIN Vs. USHER S.I.R. and zir throwdowns. Next they'll be making you choose between sex tapes and homeless wedding congratulaters. Thu., April 4, 10pm. Cheer Up Charlie's, 1104 E. Sixth. www.girlfriendatx.com.

EQUALITY FORWARD SUMMIT Three days to revel in an indigo wash of the Texas rainbow. Barney Frank, among other notables, will be all up in Austin's business for this meet-up of Texas' LGBTQ Dems. Fri.-Sun., April 5-7. Hilton Austin Airport, 9515 New Airport Dr., 385-6767. $20-100, individual events, days, etc; $250-2,500, VIP/sponsor package. www.texasstonewalldemocrats.org.

STONEWALL DEMS WELCOME TO AUSTIN HAPPY HOUR Join Austin Stonewall Dems in welcoming Equality Forward Summit attendees from all over the state. Cash bar and free antojitos – and big-hearted Texas hotties as blue as the Texas sky. Fri., April 5, 6-8pm. El Sol y la Luna, 600 E. Sixth, 444-7770. www.texasstonewalldemocrats.org.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHEER UP CHARLIE'S! Happy launch into your fourth year as an Austin club game changer, you beloved hub for hipsteers and queers. DJ set by Flying Turns, cakewalk, and "fogged machine." OK! Fri., April 5, 8pm. Cheer Up Charlie's, 1104 E. Sixth. www.facebook.com/cheerupcharlies.

BODY ROCK! We hope the shivering timbers of the Sahara can hold up against the mad thump of Head Body Rockers, Riders Against the Storm, DJ Chorizo Funk, and DJ Orión. Fri., April 5, 10pm. Sahara Lounge, 1413 Webberville Rd., 927-0700. $4. www.saharalounge.com.

LOG CABIN REPUBLICANS OF TEXAS CONFERENCE DINNER Listen to conference keynoter, Jerry Katlin. Hilton Garden Inn, 500 N. I-35. $65. www.texas.logcabin.org.

LOG CABIN FAREWELL BRUNCH Meet and munch with LCR Texas peeps. RSVPs are encouraged. Sat., April 6, 10am-2pm. El Sol y la Luna, 600 E. Sixth, 428-5475. Free to RSVP; order and pay as you normally would. president@logcabinaustin.us, www.texas.logcabin.org.

COURT LURIE: NEXUS Brain, meet modern world. Modern world, meet brain. Be gentle. Court's solo exhibit might just be a little bit like that. Sat., April 6, 6-9pm. Russell Collection Fine Art Gallery, 1137 W. Sixth, 478-4440. www.courtlurie.com.

MARCUS Y LOS MUERTOS Marcus Sanchez visual art series, "Loteria da los Muertos," "Matadores," and the new "Pin-Ups Muertos" will be on display though April. Come rattle some bones and open this party. Sat., April 6, 6-10pm. Rio Rita, 1308 E. Sixth, 524-0384. Free. www.marcuscruzart.blogspot.com.

'THE BOYS OF LEATHER' SCREENING This week's Gear Night features a film with the filmmaker in attendance. Sat., April 6, 9pm. Chain Drive,504 Willow, 480-9017. Free.

QPOCA'S MASQUEERADE Come as you aren't or really, really are to this second chance prom. Sat., April 6, 10pm. UT Student Activity Center, 2201 Speedway, 232-0818. Free 17+. qpocatexas@gmail.com.

EQUALITY FORWARD SUMMIT: AN EVENING WITH BARNEY FRANK "A Frank Take on the Road Ahead." Sat., April 6, 7pm meet-and-greet; 7:30pm presentation. Hilton Austin Airport, 9515 New Airport Dr., 385-6767. $20-100 basic, VIP, or package deals. www.txdemocrats.org/issues/lgbt.

EQUALITY FORWARD BRUNCH & AWARDS CEREMONY Hang out with a buncha blue dogs and listen to the guest speaker, the Hon. Mary Gonzalez, our first out female Texas House Rep. Sun., April 7, 9:45am. Hilton Austin Airport, 9515 New Airport Dr. Part of package deals. www.texasstonewalldemocrats.org.

CRAWFISH BROIL LUAU DJBJ spins while you fill your mug with suds and bugs. Aaaaiiii! Sun., April 7, 3-8pm. Stompin Grounds Bar & Grill, 9112 Anderson Mill, 258-3663.

DEPECHE MODE TRIBUTE NIGHT Faaaaaaaaaaaggy. VJs Shame:Les and Argo black it up. Wed., April 10, 9:30pm. Elysium, 705 Red River, 478-2979. Free.