Qmmunity: The L Stands for Lynchian

So, last Thursday one of Earth’s coolest left for the lodge – so to speak – and now we live in a David Lynch-less world. Didn’t know the man personally, obvi, but loved his work and his whole creative outlook. He knew what mattered, which was the work, and what was needed to accomplish what mattered, which was consistency. A guy doesn’t eat tuna fish, feta cheese, vinegar, tomatoes, and olive oil for years without reason. Why muddy your mind with what’s for dinner when you could be making fucking Inland Empire?

I’m stuck on that mindframe right now, considering what to do next as our federal government willfully disregards the dignity of millions. And make no mistake: If the executive orders sent out today don’t take aim at your community right now, there’s a clumsily written order coming your way soon. It can boggle the mind, really, what cruel static all the conservative rhetoric becomes. An electric storm cloud buzzing too loud for anyone to hear the screams; a purposeful sonic deluge to distract us from our fellow humans as much as hunger keeps one from making art.

How can we focus in such a cacophony? I suspect we’ll need to take the Lynch tactic: No more letting the unnecessary noise dictate our time. That noise includes but is not limited to: overcomplicated TikTok recipes; micro-trend fashion “must-haves”; meaningless pop-culture discourse, i.e., sex scenes in movies or whether Timmy C. works as Wonka; and any article insisting watching a TV show counts as praxis. I think, deep down, we all know what the right move is and we know the people we should listen to. Don’t lose energy over indecision.

Of course, to say this and not reference what kept Lynch in such high spirits despite stinking of tuna – I imagine because, as I said, didn’t know the guy personally – would be foolish. When I suggest we forgo all those choices, I’m not asking anyone to leave pleasure behind. “Every day,” said one Agent Dale Cooper, aka Lynch’s Peaksian mouthpiece, “once a day, give yourself a present.” These presents are what makes the work count, because without them, what’s the point? Fighting for queer rights doesn’t pan out if no one ever has some fucking fun.

These are the thoughts keeping me going through this current world’s mire: to pursue what must be done without needless distraction, and to keep myself versed in the joy that’s still around me. I hope those thoughts help you, too, and that you give yourself that present every day. Hot coffee; a new shirt; a dip in Barton Springs: You deserve those happinesses.

And to the incoming administration, cosmic clowns that they are: Fix your hearts or die.

Pride Sports Austin – Dodgeball Free Open Play

Thursday 23, Eastside Early College High School

Nobody can say I don’t offer at least one sporty event for y’all jocks! Austin’s own branch of gay athletics opens the courts for an everyone-invited open play night, so get on down there to dodge them balls!

The Front Market Spring Season Apps Open

Thursday 23, online

Are you a queer-owned business that loves to pop up at locally run markets? Would you also like to join the hundreds of cool booths that always line this creative org’s seasonal markets? Future Front TX opens their spring market applications this week, so drop your deets on over there. Best of luck to ya, babe!

Queer Fantasy Night

Friday 24, the Tiny Minotaur

Bring out the fae in yourself – or the ogre, the dwarf, the tall man, etc. – at this special LGBTQ-focused night at live-action fantasy roleplay tavern the Tiny Minotaur. Should weather remain chilly, this writer recommends the Minotaur’s hot bev menu for warming those gay hands.

Self-Care Kit Packing Party

Saturday 25, Monkeywrench Books

Local unhoused support org Queertopia asks y’all to help pack 32 self-care kits – skincare accessories, brushes, satin bonnets, dry shampoo, etc. – for recently rehoused community members. Can’t attend in-person? Donate self-care accoutrements from the list provided on Queertopia’s Insta.

Banned Books: A Conversation Between Kids and Authors

Saturday 25, Birdhouse Books and Gifts

Censorship sucks! But how do we combat it? Local middle-grade and young-adult authors K.A. Holt, Evan Griffith, and Adrianna Cuevas take questions from Austin kids in a discussion of what book bans mean and how we can fight them.

Femmes-N-Themmes

Sunday 26, Empire Control Room

Sonically sapphic as well as body-moving, the tunes spun by DJs Crescendoll, KShal, Bad Dad, and Leah Lane range from Eurodance to EDM, dance pop to midwave, whorecore to synth. Enjoy ’em along with your cock- or mocktail, and save a little love for on-site speed dating.

Craft + Chat: Queer South Asians

Sunday 26, Little Walnut Creek Branch Library

Who doesn’t love to yap while making art? Asian Family Support Services of Austin along with Khush ATX invite queer South Asian Austinites over to paint while talking about important biz such as “what’s important to us in the relationships we want to nurture – be it friends, partners, community, or family!”

Bronco Brunch

Sunday 26, Radio/East

Ignore last week’s info: This party was always meant to touch its cowboy boots down this Sunday when the weather’s a little less frigid. Country Fried Dance hosts line dance lessons alongside a sQUEER dance demo from Erica Nix. Tune provided by cowboy DJ Boi Orbison. In the downtime, grab a coffee & taco and peruse the vendor market.

Soft Serve ATX

Sunday 26, Cheer Up Charlies

Make your way to Gothess Jasmine and BabiBoi’s twice-monthly celebration of R&B, featuring drag and music to yearn to. This week they tribute English eccentric FKA twigs, whose 2024 album EUSEXUA is described by the artist as “a practice ... a state of being ... the pinnacle of human experience.”

Asexuality Up Close

Tuesday 28, Birdhouse Books and Gifts

Hosted by Mark Salinas, aka Ace, this presentation concerns the finer points of asexuality – the details many may not know and resources for those who want to learn even more. Salinas also promises trinket prizes that’ll, I imagine, bear that signature asexual purple, gray, white, and black.

Austin’s Got Talent: A Live Table Read

Wednesday 29, Austin Public

KB Brookins hosts this free event featuring scripts from Brookins, Maryan Nagy Captan, Jose Da Hype, and Tony Faia being performed live by local actors. Mingle with fellow film creatives, and enjoy what the event copy calls “tomorrow’s cinematic masterpieces.”

Local Queer Book Club: This Is How You Lose the Time War

Wednesday 29, Twin Oaks Branch Library

Did you remember to read this month’s book club pick? Well, if you didn’t, you’ve got like *checks calendar* seven days to finish this time-traveling epistolary novel. After all, important cultural commentator bigolas dickolas wolfwood demanded all “read this. DO NOT look up anything about it. just read it.” Do as the Trigun fan commands, dude.

Boyz of Austin: Wildcard

Wednesday 29, Elysium

The Boyz bring their gender-diverse drag into a chaotic realm where "anything goes" and I really mean anything: drag; burlesque; maybe even ... a lot of fun?