Gay Place

Halloween is here and we're feeling extra queer. It's no lie – or surprise – that October 31 (and the weekend closest to) is Gay Place's most favorite holiday (besides Pride, obvi). In honor of our love for Halloween, ice cream, and all things Eighties, Gay Place will be kickin' it with the Chron's Food Editor Brandon Watson tomorrow to celebrate five years of great sweet treats from Lick Honest Ice Creams. We're getting all judgy over that costume contest, and Where the Girls Go is going to the ghouls tonight (shameless plug). As for the other Halloween tricks and treats (that don't involve yours truly), Bianca Del Rio (of RuPaul fame) says Not Today Satan with some serious sass. Meanwhile, Pleasure Escape goes darker than dark (both Friday). From the Big Gay Halloween Bash to GirlFriend DJing Balloween at Cheer Ups, this weekend is gonna be spooktacularly queer.

GAYDAR

Guerrilla Queer Bar: Where the Ghouls Go Halloween weekend starts with GQB! These queers are taking over Elysium's creepy haunts, and costumes are nearly required. Spooky playlist curated by DJ GirlFriend. Thu., Oct. 27, 7-11pm. Elysium, 705 Red River. Free. www.fb.com/wherethegirlsgoatx.

Brand New Key Halloween Time A costumed performance for the Halloween feels. Come dressed in yer Hallows' Eve best for the contest, stay for the tunes. Brian Burwa and Mare Kretschmar open and close for BNK. Fri., Oct. 28, 6-10pm. In.gredients, 2610 Manor Rd. Free. www.fb.com/events/1065934846825491.

Bianca Del Rio: Not Today Satan Everyone's fave mean queen lands in Austin for a night of dragtacular comedy. She zings to your zag. Fri., Oct. 28, 7pm. Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress, 512/472-5470. $37.50-90. www.thebiancadelrio.com.

¡Somos Mágicas! Mamis, Ang G., Chulita Vinyl Club, Vanessa LaBestia "¡Somos Mágicas! A magical musical evening con todos las brujas, santos, baile, tarot y mucho más!" Vendors, art, dancing, DJs. Fri., Oct. 28, 8pm. The Sahara Lounge, 1413 Webberville Rd., 512/927-0700. $8.

Helloween: Dance of the Dead! Austin's most terrifying have joined forces to create one hell of a Halloween party. They've got DJs Dren Pasht and Czech One with performances by burlesquers Ruby Lamb and Sabor Insanity. And drag yer hearts out to Louisianna Purchase, Zane Zena, and Honey St. Claire. Fri., Oct. 28, 9pm. Elysium, 705 Red River, $5 (21 and up), $7 (18-20). www.fb.com/bloodovertexasatx.

Lick’s Ladies of the 80’s Birthday Bash Lick celebrates five years of ice cream with this Ladies of the 80's party. GP's very own Sarah Marloff and Chron Food Editor Brandon Watson judge the costume contest. Funds go to Hill Country Ride for AIDS, and there's free scoops all night long.Fri., Oct. 28, 9pm. Spider House Ballroom, 2906 Fruth, $10. www.ilikelick.com.

Trillaween Dsko Get yer Halloween thrillz, chillz, and trillz right here. DJ Sarah Stylez makes a mean beat. Costumes, candy, oh my. Fri., Oct. 28, 9pm. Dozen Street, 1808 E. 12th. Free.

Pleasure Escape: Vol. 7: Halloween Edition Express yourself to the sounds of Malika, Deep Creep, Mary Magdalena, and more. This all souls/all genders party is BYOB and goes all night long. Prep wisely. Fri., Oct. 28, 9:30pm. Austin School of Film, 2200 Tillery, 512/236-8877. $15 ($10, advance). www.fb.com/events/1130944880330554.

Samhain: A Witches’ Gathering Get a little witchy with brews, beats (by DJ Lizzbeth), and a kooky costume contest for the weirdest looking witch. Altar donations to Santa Muerte welcome. Sat., Oct. 29, 7pm-12mid. Hard Luck Lounge, 3526 E. Seventh. www.austinwitchescircle.com.

Tricks R Treats Halloween Party Get ready for a bear-y Halloween. DJ Todd brings the bone-chilling beats, and best costume waltzes out with 100 cold hard dollars. Sat., Oct. 29, 9pm. The Iron Bear, 121 W. Eighth, Free.

The Big Gay Halloween Bash The LGBTQ 411 are bringing the biggest, gayest, Halloweeniest party to town and they want your costumed a$$ there. Houston's DJ TwerkSum1 offers up some special treats for your tricks. Sat., Oct. 29, 9:30pm. Spinners Live, 14106 N. I-35, $10. www.fb.com/teamtakeoverysb.

Boner Bizarre: An American Nightmare Forget American Horror Story; the performers of this Halloween-themed Boner Bizarre are using their horrific(ly cool) circus and sideshow acts to tell the terrifying tale of Americana history. Sat., Oct. 29, 10pm. Grizzly Hall, 2015 E. Riverside. $10-15. www.fb.com/bonerbizarre.

Balloween: Trappy Hour with DJ GirlFriend Basketball, hangover cures, and beats by GirlFriend = a needed lull in yer Halloween weekend. Sun., Oct. 30, 4-9pm. Cheer Up Charlies, 900 Red River, 512/431-2133. Free. www.cheerupcharlies.com.

Dark Moon Witches’ Market A night market for the enchanted, the mysterious, and All Hallows' Eve lover in all of us. Darkwave by DJ Lizzbeth, local witches' ware, and crafty cocktails. Sun., Oct. 30, 7pm-12mid. Drinks Lounge, 2001 E. Cesar Chavez, 512/524-0130. www.austinwitchescircle.com.

Tomboy Tuesday: Live Did you know Austin's the live music capital of the world? Get pumped; TBT is paying tribute to our live music ladies. Tue., Nov. 1, 8pm. Cheer Up Charlies, 900 Red River, 512/431-2133. www.fb.com/tomboytuesday.

Julie Nolan Catch the one and only Julie Nolan strumming and stomping. Tue., Nov. 1, 10pm. Halcyon, 218 W. Fourth, 512/472-9637. www.julienolen.com.

Q Core Group A place for queer men (18-29 years old) to come together, plan events, shoot the sh*t, and build community. All in the name of sexual health! Wednesdays, 7pm. The Q Austin, 2906 Medical Arts. www.theqaustin.org.

W I T C H W a V E City witches rejoice – the dark lord's dance party returns with your DJ Dren Pasht. Dancing magic. Wed., Nov. 2, 10pm. Elysium, 705 Red River, 512/478-8385. www.austinwitchescircle.com.

GAYLY AHEAD

ACC Queer Writing Class With Louisa Jackson Spaventa It's that time of year again – the one and only Louisa Jackson Spaventa is teaching her fabulous Honors English/Queer Writing Class. This only happens once a year and it's only open to 15, but you'll be wooed. Register now for the spring semester. ACC Rio Grande Campus, 1212 Rio Grande. www.austincc.edu/honors.

Transgender Day of Remembrance Take an evening to honor the trans and gender-nonconforming whose lives were cut too short by hate, including our own Monica Loera. Sun., Nov. 20. Austin City Hall Plaza, Cesar Chavez between Guadalupe and Lavaca, 512/974-2000. Free. [email protected], www.tdor.info,www.glaad.org/tdor.