Gay Place

WELCOME TO OUR STORIES

This SXSW, many chapters were added to the LGBTQ litany of survival, thriving, and making waves. From tales of struggles with identity to out-and-powerful testimonials to how far we've come, we're still here, still queer, and a lot of folks who used to scratch their heads (or do things way worse) have not just gotten used to us, but have begun to step beyond tolerance into the warm embrace of human acceptance. We're not the only ones who've grown.

Each week, in The Austin Chronicle, "The Gay Place" keeps tabs and does its best to highlight the best of LGBTQ happenings in Central Texas. SXSW's programming has always been akin, but in recent years, has blown up like a house on fire. We try our best to keep up. We like to think that you hear us out in the ether and in turn feel heard.

By the way, if you enjoy our attempts, please feel free to keep following us from home. We love that. And we love you! See you at GayBiGayGay? Write to us (we love that, too!) gayplace@austinchronicle.com. Follow our antics all year long at austinchronicle.com/gay.

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Many thanks to Neha Aziz, Blake McCoy, and Carmen Rising for invaluable SXSW assistance.

TODAY ON OUR GAYDAR

TherepuBliqfest LGBT live music, including Phil Dutra, Skye Strickler, and more. Thu.-Sat., March 19-21. Oilcan Harry's, 211 W. Fourth. Free. www.oilcanharrys.com.

y'all or nothing The Carry Nation, Big Dipper, Normaling, Francine Thirteen, Christeene, Biz Vicious, and more. Ursula and Merci Killingspree host. Thu.-Fri., March 19-20. Rain on 4th, 217 W. Fourth. www.rainon4th.com.

AGLCC March Happy Hour Enjoy a respite on the lush grounds of the Ren at their treehouse-themed Knotty Deck and bar. 6:30-8:30pm. Renaissance Austin Hotel, 9721 Arboretum Blvd., 512/343-2626. Free. www.aglcc.org.

SPECIAL CHOREOGRAPHED STRIPPER CIRCUS Go ahead. Step right up, and hum "I'm in Love With a Stripper" all the way home. 10pm-3am. Oilcan Harry's, 211 W. Fourth. www.oilcanharrys.com.

TODAY IN SXSW FILM

THE DAMNED: Don't You Wish That We Were Dead Documentary about UK punk daddies. 11am. Stateside at the Paramount, 719 Congress.

Mavis! The modern resurgence of the first lady of gospel-soaked soul. She'll take you there. 11am. Vimeo Theater, Austin Convention Center, 201 Trinity.

TheORY OF OBSCURITY: A FILM About the RESIDENTS Over 40 years of giant eyeballs. 4:45pm. Stateside Theatre, 719 Congress.

TODAY IN SXSW MUSIC

TOTAL UNICORN Mythical Austin hot-horned and high-stepping multimedia extravaganza. 12mid. Red Eyed Fly Inside, 715 Red River. www.totalunicorn.wordpress.com.

The Ting Tings You'll know you're in the right club when they totally kill with "Wrong Club" from their new Super Critical. 2pm. Radio Day Stage Austin Convention Center. 531 E. Fourth (Ballroom D). www.thetingtings.com.

TOVE LO Swedish dance pop's queen of the clouds. 12:45am. The Belmont, 305 W. Sixth. Sat., March 21, 11:50pm-12:15am. Austin Music Hall, 208 Nueces. www.tove-lo.com.

TIARA THOMAS Her quiet storm's more like a baby hurricane. Time TBA. The Majestic, 419-B E. Sixth. Fri., March 20, 11:40pm. Highland, 404 Colorado. www.tiarathomasmusic.com.

The Zombies Lost count of how many drag kings do routines to "Time of the Season"? That's what you get when you ask a young lady who her daddy is. 7pm. Stubb's, 801 Red River. www.thezombies.net.

NUNS Guitar wall awash with delicate pop sensibilities. 8-8:40pm. 720 Club Patio, 720 Red River (Eighth St. Entrance). www.nunsnun.com.

Marina & the Diamonds Crazy Diamonds shine on. 8:45pm. YouTube at Coppertank, 504 Trinity. www.marinaandthediamonds.com.

STRANGER CAT Cat Martino's familiar vocals (Sufjan Stevens, Shins, Sharon Van Etten) come out of the shadows and stand on their own. 9:40-10:10pm. 405 Club, 405 E. Seventh. www.strangercat.com.

BØRNS That's some pretty tenor. 10pm. Clive Bar, 609 Davis. www.listentoborns.com.

DESSA Elegant spit. 10:05pm. Karma Lounge, 105 E. Fifth. www.doomtree.net/dessa.

THE POP GROUP Mouthful of rocks that smart queers were weaned on back in the day. 10:45pm. Hotel Vegas Patio, 1500 E. Sixth. Fri., March 20, 11pm. Maggie Mae's Rooftop, 323 E. Sixth. www.thepopgroup.net.

HAILEY TUCK Don't let the devastating good looks and Flapper chirp fool you. Austin chanteuse by way of gay Paree, Hailey Tuck will cut you in all the right places. 11-11:40pm. Elephant Room, 315 Congress. www.haileytuckmusic.com.

Gang of Four Agit-guitar pop propster Andy Gill + at least 3. 11:30pm. Hotel Vegas Patio, 1500 E. Sixth. www.gangoffour.co.uk.

Courtney Barnett Big-juevo'd Aussie rock guitar pounder fills the hole left by PJ, Patti, and the other Courtney. 12mid. Cedar Street Courtyard, 208 W. Fourth. www.courtneybarnett.com.au.

Odesza Pretty Lights tour opener opens up to Austin. 12mid. Ironwood Hall, 505 E. Seventh. www.odesza.com.

Wheelchair Sports Camp This Denver jazz-hop noise-funk combo's activism contextualizes their name, so no call outs, OK? 12:35-1am. Soho Lounge, 217 E. Sixth. www.wheelchairsportscamp.co.

QT Bubbly cheer pop that goes down like a 45 at 78. 1-1:10am. Empire Garage, 604 E. Seventh. www.drinkqt.com.

SOPHIE Saccharine vocals on an industrial edge tearing up UK dance floors. 1:15-1:50am. Empire Garage, 604 E. Seventh. www.msmsmsm.com.

Surfer Blood Lilting swirls of shark teeth and salt-water hemoglobin dripping from the wettest Fender Jaguars this side of Singer Island. 1am. 405 Club, 405 E. Seventh. Sat., March 21, 11-11:40pm. Parish, 214C E. Sixth. www.surferblood.com.

OFF THE GRID

Girls Rock SX Day Party Fri., March 20, 11am-10pm. Cherrywood Coffeehouse, 1400 E. 38½. Free. www.fb.com/girlsrockaustin.

Future Sonidos Fri., March 20, 2-7pm. Treasure City Thrift, 2142 E. Seventh, 512/524-2820. Free. www.fb.com/treasurecitythrift.

SOUTH FRY SOUTH FRIENDY'S Fri.-Sat., March 20-21, 3pm. Chain Drive, 84 East Ave.

PEREZ HILTON'S ONE NIGHT IN AUSTIN Sat., March 21, 5pm. Austin Music Hall, 208 Nueces. $23.67 and up. www.perezhilton.com.

Austin PRIDE Showcase Sat., March 21, 6pm. Rain on 4th, 217 W. Fourth. Free. www.austinpride.org.

Milonga Queer in Austin Fri., March 20, 9:15pm-1am. Go Dance, 2525 W. Anderson #530. $10. www.danielaarcuri4tango.com/queer-tango.

GayBiGayGay 2015 Austin's annual Ghey Fambly Reunion. See you cher, cher. Sun., March 22, noon-12mid. 1405 Webberville, next to the Sahara Lounge. Free and open to the public. All ages. www.gaybigaygay.com.

Love. on the Rooftop Sun., March 22, noon-10pm. 219 West, 612 W. Sixth. $10 donation. www.fb.com/love.austintexas.

Ruby Rose Jailhouse Jamboree Sun., March 22, noon-12mid. The Nook Amphitheater, 309 E. Sixth. www.girlswithflair.com.

Sucia X Shock Value Sun., March 22, 8pm. Rain on 4th, 217 W. Fourth. Free.