Qmmunity: The Optimist Weighs In

Staying positive these days is like being an 84-year-old Al Pacino trying to read names at the Oscars – a struggle!

By James Scott, Fri., April 4, 2025

Feeling so Normal and Fine (photo by Tara Winstead via Pexels)

I am feeling so normal lately. Life is the most normal it has ever been. Every day I wake up, look at my phone, and see several social media posts about how I and everyone around me is about to be put in a blender. This is such a normal occurrence.

Just kidding: Obviously what’s going on in our country is a catastrophe, the likes of which only the most pessimistic among us could’ve predicted. I am, unfortunately, an optimist and a stupid one at that. I continue to believe love wins. If I stopped believing that, well. I guess I wouldn’t be that good at my job anymore, ya know! My work is platforming queer events – and community events overall – and if I didn’t believe there was worth in being alongside your fellow humans having a good time, I wouldn’t blast y’all with an events newsletter where I make an Al Pacino joke in the subject line.

(Okay: This is just between me and you, queer Chronicle reader. I sort of think Pacino was right that he didn’t need to read the other Best Picture names? Like, we’ve been seeing clips and hearing their titles all night. I just want to hear who won. And you know what? His eyes DID see Oppenheimer. He was right! Let Grandpa say the winning movie and go back to bed.)

LOOK. LISTEN. The truth is I’m scared every day and not just for myself. I’m scared for my friends. For people I don’t know who’re in situations they can’t escape. And I feel as many do that I’m just one person with little impact on country-wide politics – so at times, it’s easier to sink into helplessness. But you know where you can have a lot of impact? In your immediate community. When you go to drag shows and tip the performers, that’s a positive impact. Buying a cup of coffee from local brewers who use local bean roasters? That’s another impact you made. Even being a good freakin’ customer who treats retail workers like fellow humans has an impact! Lending your words, body, and spirit to causes right where you live doesn’t have the flash of a national campaign, but it keeps the horrors from swallowing you. That’s gotta count for something, right?

Queer Trivia

Thursday 3, Wanderlust Wine Shady

Hosts the Little Gay Shop and Aira Juliet celebrate three years of iconic questions, answers, and lip-sync battles for Queer Trivia’s anniversary/last show at Wanderlust. There’ll be cake, extra prizes, and – no duh – a pop-up by the Q Austin. 7:30pm.

Pride Sports Austin: Free Dodgeball Open Play

Thursday 3, Eastside Early College High School

What more do you need to know that’s not in the event title? All jocks and aspiring athletes report to Pride Sports Austin to get slammed by one of them big red balls. No pre-reg needed: Just you and your basketball shorts. 7pm.

“Identity Exchange”

Friday 4, Upfront Gallery

Here’s a show featuring works by intergenerational trans Texan artists, each one influenced by pre-show discussions “on their identity, what it means to be true to yourself, and what trans people living in Texas today need.” Opening night promises drinks, snacks, activities, and a performance by show artist Sir Beauregard Elliot. 6pm.

House Play

Friday 4 & Saturday 5, Pearl Street Co-op

Popping up in a West Campus pocket park is avant-garde theatre the Broccoli Project’s newest stagecraft, which performer Grant Gilker describes as “about queer zoning, housing families, a ballet of beavers and much more.” Check out their self-constructed house at sunset this Friday (7:52pm) and Saturday (7:53) to see it rise and fall. Bring your own chair and sense of wonder.

Queer the Skies

Saturday 5, Zilker Park

Occupy ATX Kite Fest with your friends Local Queer ATX, who’re hosting a meetup during this annual Zilker day out. You’re advised to bring sunscreen, a picnic basket, snacks & drinks, and a kite. 10am.

Pour Decisions

Saturday 5, Captain Quackenbush’s Soundspace

Spring into your sensual era for Frisky Business Burlesque’s new immersive show featuring narrative-driven entertainment inspired by Greek god of indulgence Dionysus. Lineup includes Amelie Ahmose, Brandy Knight, Stella Belle, Jack Rabid, Ryder Strong, and narrator Hips McCoy. Two showings – 7:30 and 9pm – means two chances for you to go bacchanal-mode.

OutYouth 35th Birthday Party

Saturday 5, OutYouth South Center

Austin’s long-running LGBTQIA youth support org celebrates over 30 years of making a difference. They promise that “Treats, fun, and community awaits!” 12pm.

Selena Fest

Saturday 5, Cheer Up Charlies

NYC-based event organizer Horrorchata deals out a double-city celebration of Selena Quintanilla – one in da Big Apple and one here in Bat City. Texas’ party for the Queen of Tejano features performances by Venus Rising, Bobby Pudrido, Ryan, and Banshee Rose with p1nkstar, Turito, and Horrorchata in the DJ booth. 10pm.

Brewskies & Baddies

Saturday 5, the Austin Beer Garden Brewery

Lotta lasts this week: The baddies over on Oltorf throw a blowout drag brunch this Saturday before taking an extended break. So if you’ve been wanting to see host Tara Cotta and cast Yvonne D’Amour, Venus Rising, and this week’s special guest Brooklin Mars on the stage – now’s the time. Plus: DJ Lavender Thug playing the bye-bye baddies beats. 2pm.

Solar Powered Book Tour

Sunday 6, Birdhouse Books & Gifts

SATX author Gume Laurel III surfs down to Burnet Road to discuss his newest novel Solar Punks, a February 2025 release about a tropical island in the future featuring renewable energy and a stranger washed up on the shore. 1pm.

Spring Picnic and Skate Session

Sunday 6, Branch Park Pavilion

Queer Skate Austin celebrates our recent spate of good weather with a social sesh. Plenty of good flatground for beginners, says QSA, “and you’re always welcome to just come and socialize!” Snacks and drinks provided, and if rain comes, revise your calendar to meet on April 13. 6pm.

Friends of Dorothy Out Youth Benefit Brunch

Sunday 6, Hotel Vegas

The Vixens of Volstead overtake the Vegas patio for Out Youth’s 35th anniversary. To fundraise for the org’s Hill Country Ride for AIDS team – called All Ride All Ride All Ride, in honor of ATX’s minister of culture – they’ll be performing and raffling off prizes with DJ sets blasting from Ed West (brunch-side) and Lavender Thug (post-brunch). Plus: Eats by El Borracho Tacos and shopping by Vibe City Markets. 12noon.

Tha’ Spot

Sunday 6, Rain on 4th

Diamond Dior Davenport’s weekly R&B and hip-hop showcase hits a full year of producing queer POC performances on the Rain stage. To celebrate, she’s invited the legendary Ms. Girl6 and Amber Nicole Davenport – and also offers a mini-ball featuring two categories: sex siren and shake that ass.

Sir Rat Kink Bingo

Sunday 6, the Austin Eagle

Win fabo prizes from Slut Monkey, Sir Rat, Viking Jewelry, and Miss Barclay Candles at this naughty bingo night hosted by Daddy Randy, Simone Riviera, and Hexa Dulce.

Big Gay Art Fair

Sunday 6, the Little Gay Shop

Shop 20 different queer artists’ wares at this TLGS-curated market like Blue Mantis Print, Paw and Plumage, and many more. Pet friendly, free, and outdoors: a great springtime shopping experience, I’d say! 12noon.

Trans Advocacy Day

Monday 7, RSVP for location & time

Transgender Education Network of Texas, aka TENT, host their rescheduled advocacy affair. Day starts with a little training on “safety and security, how to tell your story, and how to navigate the Capitol.” Lunch is provided, and then you’ll transition to that big building on Congress to meet with legislators and make your voice heard! Reach out to TENT if you need transportation assistance.

Idol Worship: An Evening with Mink Stole & Peaches Christ

Monday 7, the Highball

Austin gets blessed by two high priestesses of schlock and awe: actress Mink Stole and filmmaker/drag star Peaches Christ. This “intimate, revelatory, and heartfelt cabaret show” promises storytelling, clips, and a live song that’ll delight all y’all deviants out there. 8pm.

Greetings From Queer Mountain

Wednesday 9, Cheer Up Charlies

Ellie DeCaprio hosts this queer storytelling show, with this month’s theme being in-character storytelling. Hope no-one goes too method... 8pm.

CanDeStroy Movement Presents Dear Diary

Thursday 10, Kick Butt Coffee

Get in touch with your fee-fees at this burlesque show that’s all about baring your soul through storytelling. Host CanDeStroy assembles an emotional lineup including performances from Val Royalle, Copper Penny, Jojo Jezebel, Amelie Ahmose, Phoenyx Fyre, Open Carrie, Venus Fur, Rose Goldfish, and Rebel Raspberry. 7:45pm.

Queer Film Theory: Alter Egos

Thursday 10, the Highball

Who doesn’t love a movie about a guy pretending to be another guy? QFT 101 presents four queer film “professors” ready to school you on films that made them as fruity as they are today. Show starts at 7:30pm, but stick around ’til 10 for a totally kawaii edition of...

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