Gay Place: We're Expecting Guests

We're Expecting Guests: OK, Austin. Gird your flanks. The city of Austin estimates over 150,000 at this year's Pride Parade. Austin Pride kicks off its eight days of cray starting this weekend. Here's two weeks' worth of listings, opportunities to ride on floats, afterparties, and a wee preview of even more upcoming LGBTQIA events.

THIS WEEK'S GAYDAR

AIDS Walk Kickoff Party Live music, deliciousness from the hosts, and hotties with heart. Kickoff: Thu., Aug. 20, 6-8pm. AIDS Walk: Sun., Nov. 8. Easy Tiger, 709 E. Sixth. Free. www.aidswalkaustin.org.

Where the Girls Go ATX: Guerrilla Queer Bar They'rrrrre baaaaack! It's a qurrr grrrl takeover: all-gender-inclusive, anti-isms/ists, pro-makeout space is again a-happenin'. Wear red to ID your peeps and to offset all that blushing. Thu., Aug. 20, 6-9pm. Violet Crown, 1111 E. Sixth. Free. www.fb.com/wherethegirlsgoatx.

Forever Plaid Take a trip to doo-wop heaven. Thursdays-Sundays, through Aug. 29. Ground Floor Theatre, 979 Springdale. $25. www.austintheatreproject.org.

The Only Knowledge Worth Possessing Art smarties Sarah Bancroft and (the Gay Place's own) Andy Campbell curate the culmination of the six-month Crit Group program of the Contemporary Austin. Runs through Sun., Sept. 13. grayDUCK Gallery, 2213 E. Cesar Chavez. www.grayduckgallery.com.

Robin Hood: An Elegy Local force kt shorb directs this ensemble cast to days pre-hashtag as well as #blacklivesmatter with Black Robin Hood. Through Aug. 22. Thu.-Sun., 8pm. The Vortex, 2307 Manor Rd. $10-30. www.fb.com/genericensemblecompany.

Love! Valour! Compassion! LAST WEEK­END! Eight gay men, three summer holidays, one helluva playwright. Aug. 20-23. Thu.-Sat., 8pm; Sun., 5:30pm. City Theatre, 3823-D Airport. $10-25. www.citytheatreaustin.org.

Creative Creatures So much yes! Visual artists: ColorMe Roshi, Beth Consetta Rubel, Hakeem Adewumi, TAYM, and Candy Kuo; DJs and musicians: Blue Bear, the Manifest Electric, DJ Mahealani, and DJ Ang.G. A part of the big Bad Girl Confidence show, noon-2am. Fri., Aug. 21, 7-9pm. Spider House Ballroom, 2906 Fruth. Free; VIP, $10. www.badgirlconfidence.com.

PrEP Talk Party and talk with Eric Paul Leue (Mr. Los Angeles Leather 2014). Fri., Aug. 21, 8pm-12mid; Sat., Aug. 22, 11am-3pm. Rain on 4th, 217 W. Fourth. Free. www.fb.com/austinprepaccessproject.

DJ GirlFriend Ezra can stoke yo' flames, flamer. No need to investigate for arson. Yet. Fri., Aug. 21, 10pm-12mid. Firehouse Lounge, 605 Brazos. Free.

Miss Jackson If You're Yasssty Can Bulimianne Rhapsody, Zane Zena, Kitty Buick, and friends employ enough "Control" to channel la Janet? Fri., Aug. 21, 10pm-2am. Red Eyed Fly, 715 Red River. $5.

Nina Diaz at Bat Fest Plus, Cypress Hill, Men Without Hats, Alejandro Escovedo, and bats! Sat., Aug. 22, 4pm. Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge. $15. www.fb.com/ninadiazmusic.

Beargasm: GYM JOX DJs C-Rail and DJ Macky Ray invite you to show up in your sportiest tanks and sports shorts for some hot fun. Sat., Aug. 22, 9pm-2am. The Iron Bear, 121 W. Eighth. Free. www.theironbear.com.

Mad Decent Block Party 2015 Bro Safari, Cashmere Cat, DJ Mel, Jauz, Party Favor, and TJR. Sun., Aug. 23, 5pm. Stubb's, 801 Red River. $40. www.fb.com/maddecentblockparty.

TGQ Social – XVII TGQ as in transgender, gender queer. Sun., Aug. 23, 6-9pm. Butterfly Bar at the Vortex, 2307 Manor Rd. Free. www.fb.com/tgqsocial.

Nelly Nights Series Enjoy four courses by chef Josie Paredes. Limited seating! Sun., Aug. 23, 7pm. 34th Street Cafe, 1005 W. 34th. $75. www.fb.com/nellynights.

GSC Open House Get to know the crew and resources at UT's Gender & Sexuality Center. Tue., Aug. 25, 4-6pm. UT-GSC, SAC 2.112. Free. www.fb.com/utgsc.

Smashed at Stonewall Weekly Smash Bros. tourney. Bring your own controller (and they don't mean your bossy ex). Wednesdays, 6pm sign-up, 7pm brackets. Stonewall Warehouse, 141 E. Hopkins, San Marcos. $5.

Greetings from Queer Mountain Ep. 28: Almost Daniel Rugg Webb, Dana Sayre, M.K. Paulsen, Chitah Daniels Kennedy, and more. Wed., Aug. 26, 8pm. Cheer Up Charlies, 900 Red River. Free.

Hunger One-woman show written and performed by brilliant spoken-word artist Ebony Stewart, directed by Zell Miller III. Aug. 27–Sept. 5. Thu.-Sat., 8pm. The Vortex, 2307 Manor Rd. $10-30. www.vortexrep.org.

Rebecca Havemeyer & Sarah Sharp Tune and croon with two lovelies. Thu., Aug. 27, 9pm. Stay Gold, 1910 E. Cesar Chavez. Free. www.fb.com/sarahsharpatx.

NEXT WEEK'S GAYDAR

The New Now Girls With Flair present Kate "Shane" Moennig and Camila Grey, DJ's Goodboy Morgan and Bounce House, and more. Fri., Aug. 28, 7pm-2am. Cedar Street, 208 W. Fourth. $30. www.fb.com/girlswithflairofficial.

Hairspray Get ready to "Peyton Place After Midnight" with a crew of live queens from the Austin International Drag Fest. Fri., Aug. 28, 7:30-11pm. Blue Starlite Drive-In, 1901 E. 51st. $5. www.austindragfest.org.

Good Fridays Come fly away at Departure's very good Friday thang; 10% of sales goes to the Care Communities. Fri., Aug. 28, 8-11pm. The Departure Lounge, 311 W. Fifth #102. Free. www.thecarecommunities.org.

Sucia XXXL DJ Boyfriends, Ben Aqua (#FEELINGS), CJ Milli, Rabit, Supraman, Claudia de Chalon, House of Kenzo, hosted by Ursula, Jose Padilla, and Bobby Bearz. Fri., Aug. 28, 9pm-2am. New York, New York, 222 E. Sixth. Free. www.fb.com/suciafiesta.

SWITCH It's the official unofficial non-Pride event, featuring Mary Coronado, DJs Fine & Dandy (with Andy), Jenuine Cello, and hosted by Lady Grackle­breath. Fri., Aug. 28, 9pm-3am. V Nightclub, 409 Colorado. Free. www.fb.com/district512.

The Ivan Experience Host Ivan Davila presents Andres Villegas, Lesly Reynaga, DJs Dan Singh and Bertie Pearson, to benefit OutYouth. Fri., Aug. 28, 9pm-1am. Esquina Tango, 209 Pedernales. Free, $20 suggested donation. www.outyouth.org.

Motherz Presents: Pride3 DJs Nymble Digitz & Divorcée present underground rumble you can sink your ass cheeks in, featuring DJs Jason Jenkins, Marcus Lefty Shaw, Mary Magdalena, and RiCHARD.GEAR. Sat., Aug. 29, 5pm-2am. Fado, 214 W. Fourth. Free.

"Black Gold" Opening Reception ColorMe Roshi and Consetta Rubel artfully comment on oil and the impact on POC. Sat., Aug. 29, 6-10pm. African-American Cultural Heritage District, 1152 San Bernard. Free. www.fb.com/theconsettarubel, www.fb.com/ms.roshi.

ATX Women's Pride Party Susan Arbuckle headlines. Sat., Aug. 29, 9:30pm-12:30am. One-2-One Bar, 1509 S. Lamar. $10. www.fb.com/susanarbucklemusic.

Viva Ruiz Queer Up Charlies post-Pride aftershock with the one, the only Viva Ruiz. Plus House of Kenzo, Mount Gushmore, and some sexxeh locals. Sat., Aug. 29, 10pm. Cheer Up Charlies, 900 Red River. $5.

AUSTIN BABTIST WOMEN PRIDE CLOSER Closer? We mean closure. After a full week of hot young bods prancing around Downtown, come back to planet Earth for the 29th anniversary show of Austin's fave granny-pantied Bible biddies to benefit Texas Gay Rodeo Association. Sun., Aug. 30, 7pm. Oilcan Harry's, 211 W. Fourth, 512/320-8823. www.oilcanharrys.com.

SIDEBOOB SUNDAY: MERMAIDS & MIMOSAS It's another Pride rehab/recovery party, this time, up on the roof. Lunch, mimosa/bubble/Bloody Mary bar. VIP access available. Sun., Aug. 30, noon-5pm. RIO Nightclub + Dayclub, 601 Rio Grande, 512/436-8464. [email protected], www.plezzureisland.com, www.fb.com/thelesbutanteandtheboss.

OUTsider Member Pool Party A lovely cool-down after a week of mayhem. Join OUTsider, literally, as in, become a member, and make a splash, also literally, in a pool. Sun., Aug. 30, 4-8pm. Private residence. Contact for details. $25. www.outsiderfest.org.

Chicago CumbiaSazo Live in the ATX, direct from Xicagoland: Itzi Nallah with Tifflove and caliXta, plus locals. Wed., Sept. 2, 7pm-12mid. The Sahara Lounge, 1413 Webberville. $5. www.fb.com/cumbiasazo.

Gina Chavez at Unplugged at the Grove. Thu., Sept. 3, 8pm. Shady Grove, 1624 Barton Springs Rd. Free. www.ginachavez.com.

FLOAT, FLOAT ON

Lez & the Bo$$ Girl Pride ATX/Street Party One ticket gets you a T-shirt, free booze (WHAT?), access to the street party with DJ Diesel, and a prime position on the Lesbutante & the Bo$$ float featuring DJ Citizen Jane. Sat., Aug. 29, 5-11pm. 12th & San Jacinto. $20. www.fb.com/lesbutante.andtheboss, www.fb.com/girlprideatx.

HEAT Pride Float Wanna pose on Muscle Beach and float down Congress during the Pride Parade? Contact H.E.A.T. ASAP. Sat., Aug. 29, 6:30pm. Austin Pride Parade. www.fb.com/heatbootcamp.

GAY PLACE KREWE Dandy is looking for a few good unicorns. Are you willing to dress funky and get freaky? We are auditioning uniponies for parade frolic. Sat., Aug. 29, 6:30pm. Austin Pride Parade. 512/454-5765, x129. [email protected], austinchronicle.com/gay.

HO-RIZON

Splash Days Club all you like and go to the three nighttime parties, but the main event is at the lake, the weekend before Labor Day. Fri.-Sat., Sept. 4-6. Hippie Hollow, 7000 Comanche Trl. www.splashdays.com.

aGLIFF 28 Austin Gay & Lesbian International Film Fest is an LGBTQ family reunion in the dark: 70 films in four days. Check the link for the full lineup. Thu.-Sun., Sept. 10-13. Alamo South Lamar, 1120 S. Lamar. www.agliff.org.

SMTX Pride Parade, Festival & After­party Second annual coming together of San Marcos LGBTQIA and supporters. Sat., Sept. 12, Parade & Fest: 10am-10pm. Dunbar Rec Center, 801 W. MLK, off Hopkins, San Marcos. Afterparty: 10pm. Stonewall Ware­house, 141 E. Hopkins, San Marcos. www.fb.com/smtx.pride.

Bianca del Rio's Rolodex of Hate Bianca brings it back after kicking off Austin Pride 2015. Thu., Oct. 8, 8pm. Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress. www.fb.com/reylopezentertainment.

Stargayzer 2015 It's coming! Stay tuned. Thu.-Sat., Oct. 15-17. Location TBA. www.stargayzerfest.com.

OFFICIAL AUSTIN PRIDE

Austin Pride: Werk! Fashion Show This year, Pride's big kickoff moves to the Moody, with elbow room to accommodate over a dozen designers and entertainers, including local couturian Daniel Esquivel and a host of Project Runway fashionistas, plus Margaret Cho, and Bianca Del Rio. Sat., Aug. 22, 8pm. ACL Live at the Moody Theater, 310 W. Willie Nelson Blvd. $30-125. www.werkfashionshow.com.

Big Gay Pride Brunch Win VIP Pride passes at Sunday brunch with CupCake, Sabel Scities, and DJ Deftone. Sun., Aug. 23, 11am-3pm. Slate, 612 W. Sixth. www.fb.com/abcdeevents.

Another Night of Queer Art Special Pride exhibit by the Q Austin and Renaissance Cats Who Can't Even. Mon., Aug. 24, 6-10pm. The Q Austin, 2906 Medical Arts. Free. www.theqaustin.org.

Backdoor Drag Queen Bingo Last chance to FUNdraise for Pride. Tue., Aug. 25, 7pm. Speakeasy, 412 Congress. Free. www.fb.com/austinpride.

Pride Interfaith Service Faith leaders lead by example and put down all differences for one night to show solidarity for the often factious Ls, Gs, Bs, Ts, etc.s. Speakers Jayme Mathias, Carmarion Anderson, and Adama Brown shine the light. Thu., Aug. 27, 7pm. Unity Church, 9905 Anderson Mill. Free. www.austinpride.org.

Girl Pride ATX Lesbutante & the Bo$$ and Girls With Flair throw the official-Official for the ladies, the Official Austin Pride Women's Party featuring all the way from Miami-F-L-A, DJ Citizen Jane, plus celesbian Sandra Valls. Thu., Aug. 27, 9pm-2am. Highland Lounge, 404 Colorado. $20. www.welovesandra.com.

Disco Fever Slap on that Huk-A-Poo with the yachts and sunsets, some Sansabelt bell-bottoms, and your platform stacks ... or strip down to your booty shorts and get down to stay alive at this official Austin Pride men's party. Fri., Aug. 28, 9pm. Highland Lounge, 404 Colorado. Free. www.austinpride.org.

Pride Festival & Parade It's on. So many 'mos, so little time: the likes of Peaches (Huh? What? Right. Uhh.), Brooke Candy, Martha Wash, Exposé, Zebra Katz, and so many mo'. Then, after, it's time to drop the facade, disregard differences, and join in with, oh, about 150,000 – according to city of Austin's estimates – of your closest friends and celebrate our diversity and common cause. Join the parade! Are you rollin' or are you strollin'? Either way, get in your place amongst these proud, proud people. Damn right we're proud. Festival: Sat., Aug. 29, 11am-6pm. Fiesta Gardens, 2100 Jesse E. Segovia St. $17 GA, $125 all-access. Parade: 8pm. Downtown Austin, from the Capitol, down Congress, right on Fourth. Free. www.austinpride.org.