Gay Place: Packin'
Gay Place lays out a week as packed as a drag queen's lingerie
By Kate X Messer, Fri., Sept. 20, 2013
Dang, y'all. Pride is over. When do we get back to a normal week? Not this week, apparently. This one is packed to the gills with a RuPauler, some softballers, some Stonewallers, some Toastmastin', Nakia's blues thang, rainbows of neon, and more.
ON OUR GAYDAR
BEDFEST Bless me, BedPost, for I have sinned! It's a celebration of all things sexy and the third anniversary of BedPost Confessions. Thursday is a torrent of smart, sexy stories; Friday is a sneak 2013 Polari peek and the best of Cinekink; and Saturday is poetry night. Thu.-Sat., Sept. 19-21, 8pm. $10 per show; $25, advance. www.bedpostconfessions.com.
AGLCC HAPPY HOUR Nosh and mingle with Austin's swingin' gay chamber. Third Thursdays, 5:30-8pm. Work It Personal Training, 7817 Rockwood. Free. president@aglcc.org, www.aglcc.org/calendar.
HAPPY HOUR WITH MS. WRIGHT The legendary and most adorable Margaret Wright on the black & whites is a great way to head into the weekend. Thursdays and Fridays, 6-8pm. The Skylark Lounge, 2039 Airport. Free.
TEMPTATION THURSDAYS Hip-hop, R&B, and house in the house, all for we LGBT. Thursdays, 9pm. Quantum Lounge, 305 W. Fifth. Free (Ages 18-21, $10).
IT GETS BETTER: THE STORIES, THE SONGS Los Angeles' Speak Theater Arts, the Gay Men's Chorus of L.A., and the It Gets Better Project spend a week in ATX prepping this show with local groups. Sounds great and can only be better. Fri., Sept. 20, 8pm. The Long Center, 701 W. Riverside. $10. www.thelongcenter.org.
FRIDAY NIGHT BEARS A-tisket, a-tasket, check out that bear basket. Big burly bear night with cheap quaff. Fridays, 9pm-2am. The Iron Bear, 121 W. Eighth. Free. www.theironbear.com.
LOCALMOTIVE Keep your motivation local! Join in this celebration of all things Eastside: artists, bands, booze, DJs, food, fun! Eastsiiiiiieeeeeede! Sat., Sept. 21, 8pm. Pine Street Station, 1101 E. Fifth. $10. www.facebook.com/TigonProductions.
POLARI FESTIVAL LAUNCH AGLIFF, rebranded last year under the moniker of the word for dishy faggoty British slang, is ramping up for 2013. Come join DJ JJ Booya and Little Stolen Moments for the launch party at CUC and save the date for the fest, a month later. "Don't just sit there," they say, and then give us every reason to sit there. Rapt. Launch: Sat., Sept. 21, 7pm. Cheer Up Charlie's, 1104 E. Sixth. Free launch party; fest price info online. Festival: Oct. 16-20. www.polarifest.com.
SOFTBALL AUSTIN DRAFT DAY/TRYOUTS Big balls are soft. Women's division at 10am, and open division at noon! All skill and cuteness levels encouraged. Sun., Sept. 22, 10am. Monroe E. "Lefty" Krieg Softball Complex, 515 S. Pleasant Valley. Free. membership@softballaustin.org, www.softballaustin.org.
ALASKA OF RUPAUL'S DRAG RACE You know how we roll in the ATX. Don't let her hang out too much with our Austin crew, or this RuPaul season 5 finalist might end up some Baked Alaska. Sun., Sept. 22. Castro's Warehouse, 213 W. Fourth. Free.
AGLCC TOASTMASTERS Our local gay chamber of commerce is home to one of the country's fastest growing LGBT Toastmaster groups. Come fine-tune your public speaking and communication skills. Second and fourth Mondays, 5:45pm. Ballet Austin, 501 W. Third. www.aglcc.org/toastmasters.
STONEWALL AUSTIN COMING OUT SOCIAL It's never too early to campaign or to meet your potential political reps of the rainbow stripe. Candidates, policy wonks, and gossip gurls will be out in force. Mon., Sept. 23. Brass House, 115-B San Jacinto. Free. www.stonewallaustin.org.
BOOKWOMAN BOOK GROUP This month: Orange Is the New Black: My Year In a Women's Prison by Piper Kerman. Fourth Tuesdays, 7pm. BookWoman, 5501 N. Lamar Ste. 105-A. Free. www.ebookwoman.com.
CODA Codependent, gay, bi men meet. Tuesdays, 7pm. Trinity United Methodist Church, 4001 Speedway. By donation. www.codatexas.org.
NAKIA: DREAM BIG TOUR The bear went over the mountain! The bear went over the mountain! The star of NBC's The Voice, Austin's beloved blue-crooning bear went over the Holy Mountain to sing what he could sing! If this grizzly shows up in your dreams, you know it's gonna be big. Why wait for the lights to go out, when you can see him a few of times right here in Austin on his Dream Big Tour? This week, Holy Mountain, and next week (Sat., Sept. 28), our famous furry freak headlines the Pecan Street Festival, whut-whut, so, you'd better get your nuts in order. Your pecans, Stan. Chillax. Tue., Sept. 24, 9pm. Holy Mountain, 617 E. Seventh. www.nakia.net.
THE DREAM OF THE RED CHAMBER Atash brings their worldly wisdom and beats to create the far-away vibe of this benefit for Waterloo Counseling Center hosted by the Austin Influential Group. Think: time and globe travel without the one-bag limit or opium dens sans the hard stuff. Wed., Sept. 25, 9pm-12mid. Swan Dive, 615 Red River. $45 or $60/couple; $35-50, advanced. www.facebook.com/AustinInfluentialGroup, www.waterloocounseling.org.
SHITTY KITTY BIG BALL BINGO Ms. Rebecca Havemeyer will have you scrambling for letters, numbers, and ya diaper. Drink cheap, win big. Last Wednesdays of the month, 9:30pm. Rain on 4th, 217 W. Fourth.
NEON RAINBOWS Just a few years ripe of rhinestones, it's neon Nineties country, y'all. Wed., Sept. 25, 10pm-2am. Cheer Up Charlie's, 1104 E. Sixth.
SPOUSES/PARTNERS OF F-M/M-F The little-told tale of transition is that of the loyal partner or spouse. Or of the new one, navigating territories uncharted by not only their loved ones, but by themselves. This support group is just that – a map to love. Any spouses/partners who would like to join, email for details. Weekly meetings (usually at 7:30pm). North Austin. Free. db87725@gmail.com.
The Gay Place loves you; keep those cards and letters comin’.
