Gay Place: Thank You

for being a gay. Or an L or a B or a T or a Q or an A. Especially you As.

ON OUR GAYDAR

TRADITIONAL THANKSGIVING The tradition is that gay bars take care of their own. Partake in a delicious, free buffet dinner with "family." Thu., Nov. 28, 1pm. Bout Time II, 6607 N. I-35. Free.

HAPPY HOUR WITH MS. WRIGHT The legendary Ms. Wright on the black & whites is a great way to kick off your weekend. Thursdays and Fridays, 6-8pm. The Skylark Lounge, 2039 Airport, 512/730-0759. Free.

STEEL MAGNOLIAS Count on lots of "laughter through tears" and way more than "30 minutes of wonderful" at this Austin take on a Southern classic. Nov. 29-Dec. 22, Thu.-Sat., 8pm; Sundays, 5:30pm. City Theatre, 3823-D Airport, 512/524-2870. $15-20, front row $25. Thursday, all seats $10. [email protected], www.citytheatreaustin.org.

BLXPLTN Thanksgiving says, "You're welcome." Future Death and Slugbug open. Friday, Nov. 29, 9pm. Cheer Up Charlie's, 1104 E. Sixth. Free. www.facebook.com/blxpltn.

SISTER 7 Patrice and pals bust it on out. Sat., Nov. 30, 10pm. One-2-One Bar, 1509 S. Lamar. $12, $10 advance. www.facebook.com/pages/Sister-7.

FREE BURGERS Drink specials start at 2pm followed by free food at 4pm. Sundays, 4-6pm. Bout Time II, 6607 N. I-35. Free. www.bouttime2.com.

DJ PROTEGE'S FIRST AID Heal what ails ye and shake before serving. Sundays, 5-10pm. Rain on 4th, 217 W. Fourth. Free. www.rainon4th.com.

WORLD AIDS DAY Come join the Care Communities and the rest of our community for the annual Interfaith Service of Remembrance and Hope, an opportunity to reflect on how far we've come in this AIDS crisis, and how far we've yet to go. Sun., Dec. 1, 5pm. Trinity United Methodist Church, 4001 Speedway, 512/459-5835. Free. www.thecarecommunities.org.

SUNDAY CHURCH Althea Trix wants to get an AMEN. And some men. Burlesque, drag, and a champagne train. PREACH! Sundays, 6-9pm. Castro's Warehouse, 213 W. Fourth. Free.

FREE BUFFET It's about time someone served up some yummy free grub all week long to soak up all those drink specials. Mon.-Fri., 5-7pm. Bout Time II, 6607 N. I-35. Free.

BOUT TIME HAPPY HOUR That's seven happy hours if you're nasty... Mondays, 2-9pm. Bout Time II, 6607 N. I-35. www.bouttime2.com.

GEEKS WHO DRINK QUIZ GAME Be a geek. Be a bear! Buy a drink! Win cash prizes! Mondays, 8-10pm. The Iron Bear, 121 W. Eighth. www.theironbear.com.

I LOVE DICK Dick Nickson, of course. Who doesn't? Tuesdays, 10pm. Rain on 4th, 217 W. Fourth.

LISTEN TO OUTCAST! Tweak your knobs to 91.7FM: It's OutCast with Stephen Rice and pals. Tuesdays, 6-7pm. KOOP Radio 91.7FM. www.koop.org, www.outcastaustin.com.

CODA Codependent, gay, bi men meet. Tuesdays, 7pm. Trinity United Methodist Church, 4001 Speedway, 512/577-3454. By donation. www.codatexas.org.

BOUT TIME KARAOKE Erin O. will set you up. It's up to you to knock it out. Tuesdays, 9am. Bout Time II, 6607 N. I-35. www.bouttime2.com.

¡GAYTINO! Travel on this wild journey through decades of Mexi­can-American/Chicano history, and the gay experience, from a unique and very personal perspective. Wed., Dec. 4, 7pm. Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center, 600 River. Free. www.maccaustin.org.

QUEER RIDE Search Team ProHomo on Facebook for up-to-date details on meeting spots and stops of this weekly ride. Wednesdays, 7pm. Long Center for the Performing Arts, 701 W. Riverside, 512/457-5100. Free. www.facebook.com/AustinTPH.

NATIONAL KARAOKE LEAGUE Sing it, sang it, and swang it! Wednesdays, 8-10pm. Rain on 4th, 217 W. Fourth. Free.

ESOTERIC Not your typical gay bar beats. Each week explores alt-labels like Sub Pop, Touch & Go, etc. You know, shizzzz grizzled old punk daddies might luv. Yesssss. Wednesdays, 8pm-12mid. Chain Drive, 504 Willow.

BOUT TIME POOL TOURNEY Enjoy balls in dark little pockets, plus discounted Crown & Down. Thursdays, 9pm. Bout Time II, 6607 N. I-35. www.bouttime2.com.

RAINBOW NIGHT Keep the rainbow glow flowing in the town where the river runs cool and the trains toot on the regular. Drag show, special guests, DJs, drink specials, and happy, happy family. First Thursdays, 9:30pm. Fullmoon Saloon, 16480 N. Hwy. 123, San Marcos. www.facebook.com/rainbownight.

THIRST FURRSDAY Monthly array of performative oddities with your hosts, Attic Ted and DJ Stephy B. First Thursdays, 10pm. Chain Drive, 504 Willow.

HO-RIZON

GINGER LEIGH'S 'AMAZING' You can take that headline one of two ways: Ginger Leigh has a new album out, called Amazing, or you know, Ginger Leigh is amazing. Why not both? Check it out online. $10. www.cdbaby.com/cd/gingerleigh7.

SEX TOY RECYCLING Read the requirements to participate in Q Toys recycling program, and get a $5 certificate for your trouble. Q Toys, 6800 Burnet Rd., 512/772-1614. www.qtoysaustin.com.

THE GLENN EADDY TOY DRIVE C'mon you silly ol' bears (and otters and others), bring a stuffed fluff o' luv or some other new toy, gift card, or cash donation, and join Glenn in his annual drive to brighten the seasons of kids living with HIV/AIDS. Donations accepted through mid-December. The Iron Bear, 121 W. Eighth.