Qmmunity: Lavender Thug Talks Returning to Event Organizing

In May 2022, I interviewed event programmer and DJ Lavender Thug about her then-show Cuchi Cuchi. Her community-creating skills went beyond that event, putting together collab smoke-show Girl Bluntz with Turito and linking up with the Indulge collective of fellow queer DJs and tastemakers. After a needed pause, Lavender throws her big return right as we enter March.

“I never want to stop community organizing,” says Lavender Thug of the work she’s been at since she was 18, “but growing is learning when to put your health and well-being at the top of your priorities list.” Going too hard led to burnout, she says, and that’s a danger most queer people find themselves nearing all the time. Protecting one’s peace is important, and Lavender hopes other overloaded LGBTQ folks learn to step back. “The thing you are too nervous to leave will be there when you get back,” she says – a truth she’s realizing herself.

The House, her new-to-Austin show, pops up at Cheer Up Charlies this Saturday, March 1, with much to recommend it. A lineup of hot live music from Lucia Beyond, Nervous, and Evita comes alongside drag performances by Lucy Lonestar, Leia Sakura Dior, Jack the Stripper, and Monica Monae Davenport – as well as DJ sets, dancing, and chances to buy cool local art. Produced under her open org the House of Thug, Lavender hopes to convey through this show a sense of “a traveling home and safe space.”

“When you see H.O.T., I want people to know they can come 'Home’ and be free around like minded, POC queer people, and have an amazing time no matter where or when,” Lavender writes in our email interview. “That is 'THE HOUSE,’ it’s a come home to mama moment. [It’s] a mother’s embrace when you’re feeling down and out.”

First created in 2018 after Lavender’s HIV diagnosis, she constructed the event in El Paso where care “is far and few and the Stigma is horrifying.” At the time, her mission with the House events were twofold: a good time and a good reminder to the community. “My pride and joy was being able to get on that mic and talk to a bunch of young people and remind them to get tested,” she recalls, “to let them know they weren’t alone, to give them the resources and make sure they were able to get tested AT 'THE HOUSE.’” This dual-purpose party now debuts in Austin thanks to a partnership with sexual health clinic Vivent Health, who’ll provide STI/HIV testing to attendees.

Whether someone comes for the performers or to take their first HIV test, Lavender will have accomplished what she’s set out to do: make a space of connection. That means unlikely matchups as much as it does seeing old faithful friends. “My goal with creating community has always been to get unlikely people in the same space,” she says. “You know the band and I know the drag queen and now we are in the same space and talking to each other ... boom! new friends!”

“It’s not a new idea to put live music, art, and drag in the same space, but Lavender Thug does it differently,” adds the organizer, “because I make it a non stop show, full of silliness and joy and love.”

Texass

Thursday 27, ColdTowne Theater

Laugh yourself over the rainbow at this queer comedy show, hosted by Chris Bryant and featuring sets by Alexandra Sleeping, Peter Angelo, Ky Krebs, Moe Christine, Sarah Spear, and Nick Bermea.

Queerly Beloved: The Love Edition

Thursday 27, AFS Cinema

In addition to a screening of 2008 romance Noah’s Arc: Jumping the Broom, Pride in Black ATX puts on a dinner catered by Mashae’s Catering as well as a panel on “real relationships.” Make sure to RSVP!

Yay Gay! Bookmark Crafting Party

Thursday 27, Birdhouse Books and Gifts

Part of their queer crafting series, Birdhouse invites LGBTQ Austinites to make a YAY Gay bookmark under instruction from a local artist.

Gagged: the Austin Eagle Drag Show

Thursday 27, the Austin Eagle

Get down and dirty with ya girls Pam Dulce, Target Queen, and Malibu Imported at our Central Texas Eagle outpost.

Queer Trivia: All About Aira

Thursday 27, Wanderlust Wine Shady

Tonight’s trivia hosted by the Little Gay Shop and Aira Juliet focuses on all our fabulous co-host Aira’s favorite things, which includes Jeff Goldblum, Shrek 2, Megan Thee Stallion, and many many more things you’ll have to show knowledge on to win.

Say That: A Conversation Series

Friday 28, KMFA Studios

Sexual health clinic ASHwell covers racism, femmephobia, and body shaming in queer dating at a Leap Day edition of their convo series, with Kevin Trinh and BJ Burgess contributing to the panel moderated by Jeremy A Teel. Plus, free food, a wine bar, and transport assistance available upon DM request.

Brewskies & Broadway

Saturday 1, the Austin Beer Garden Brewing Co.

Tara Cotta hosts a show-stopping edition of this monthly brunch series, where she and cast members Yvonne D’Amour and Venus Rising tread the boards beside special guests Sir Beau Elliot, Iggy Bank, and Midnight Luann.

Tea at the End of the Rainbow

Saturday 1, Austin Garden & Studio

Sip tea among friends at this Kind Clinic-presented party with music, dance, and a vendor market filled by trinkets and more.

The Vixens of Volstead: Mardi Gras

Sunday 2, Hotel Vegas

Throw it up and down for Fat ... Sunday? Eh: better early than late! The Vixens bring French Quarter realness to East Sixth with drag, bops by DJ Ed West, and a market curated by Vibe City Markets.

Brewhouse Drag Brunch Benefit & Market: Disney Style

Sunday 2, Vacancy Brewing

House of Mouse comes to Texas via this Solovino-hosted drag brunch, co-presented by the Emo Alien. There’ll be classic Disney songs, fabo drag, a vendor market, raffle, and tarot reader. Raffle tix benefit Trans Texas, and snagging a pizza slice from Good Vibrations Pizza Co. benefits your hungry stomach.

Loteria Brunch with Santina

Sunday 2, Cheer Up Charlies

Back once more, drag queen Santina throws her Best of Austin-winning loteria night at Chups with special guests Yvonna F. Mei, Dante, and Brigitte Bandit. DJ Hierba Malita soundtracks the gameplay as well as a vendor market. Entry is donation-based.

LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission Town Hall

Monday 3, City of Austin Development Services Department Building

Raise your voice at this meeting of Austin’s LGBTQ commission to serve civic c*nt. Also, local nonprofit QWELL presents their plan for a community center.

First Aid for Basic Protest Preparedness

Wednesday 6, OutWellness

Local Queer ATX pairs with Street Medics Austin to prep queer Austinites for protest situations where first-aid is needed. For a $20 donation, y’all can learn hands-on skills in hands-only CPR, pepper spray treatment, and bleeding control.