Qmmunity: See You at the (Queer) Movies

PJ Raval (photo by Eric Tanner)

Queer cinema goes far beyond frequent program selections like But I’m a Cheerleader and To Wong Foo. Who knows this better than local filmmaker and UT professor PJ Raval, who this Friday hosts a showcase of his LGBTQ film students' work at micro-cinema Hyperreal Film Club.

Should Raval’s name strike the reader as familiar, it may be from his documentary work, which includes Who We Become, a Netflix-streaming and Ava DuVernay distro’d coming-of-age doc about three Filipino Texan women during the early COVID days, and investigative doc Call Her Ganda, which traverses the late Jennifer Laude’s story. As a longtime Austinite, Raval says his interest in the city came from its “DIY queer punk scene, which included filmmaking.” Raval argues ATX’s indie screen scene was born from a queer-saturated place, aka aGLIFF founder Scott Dinger’s former film sanctuary the Dobie Theater – the premiere venue of Richard Linklater’s Slacker. “Watching Teresa Taylor (aka Teresa Nervosa of the Butthole Surfers) on screen as the iconic Madonna pap smear pusher remains one of the queerest moments in Austin film for me,” Raval writes over email, “even though Slacker itself has never been considered a queer film per se.”

Raval isn’t ignorant of recent policy changes to UT-Austin as a result of state legislation, such as the 88th Lege’s Senate Bill 17, which banned basically all administrative instances of diversity, inclusion, and equity on public university campuses. Yet at the same time conservative lawmakers tried to stamp out DEI, Raval created his Queer Media Production course as pointed praxis for his belief in the queer community’s survival. “Queer identity is rooted in political resistance and living out one’s values,” he expresses. “For me, this also extends into being a filmmaker and film educator.”

In an effort to continue the DIY queer spirit which first attracted him to Austin, Raval's QMP course asks students to "make work thinking about queer pasts, the risk-taking present, and possible liberatory futures." Much like himself, Raval says, his students' work has "gravitated toward the DIY and punk roots of queer filmmaking, from Sadie Benning to Vaginal Creme Davis, with some sprinkles of John Waters, Gregg Araki, and Bruce LaBruce." Their preference for less high-budget productions keeps up pace with Austin's current queer filmmaking scene. In particular, Raval calls out Yen Tan, Hannah Varnell, and the This Is Not a Cult team behind Erica’s First Holy Shit! – as well as their predecessors, such as Raval's former collaborator CHRISTEENE (aka Paul Soileau). "I take pride knowing the work of my Queer Media Production students is a continuation of this rebellious lineage," says the filmmaker.

Friday’s showcase solidifies Raval’s course in that legacy. With the 18 short films spanning genres from sci-fi to documentaries, music videos to digital animation, Raval was most surprised by his class’ desire to subvert expectations. “You may think you know, but do you really know?” Raval explains. “Their work is largely experiential for a viewer and an artistic expression of their personal experience.” This thought process of film-as-experience maps onto the professor’s own feelings about his chosen media, which Raval believes is “one of the most powerful forms of storytelling.”

“For a captivated moment,” Raval says, “filmmakers have the opportunity to transport audiences, give glimpses into the life of someone else, and an opportunity to experience the world in its many triumphs and failures. These powerful moments create bonds of empathy for one another.”

Hill Country Ride for AIDS Opening Ceremony

Thursday 1, Tiny Minotaur Tavern

All biking babes participating in the HCRFA can swing by the tavern to pick up their info packets (both rider and volunteer ones) as well as enjoy ice cream, meet your fellow riders/volunteers, and get a fabo T-shirt. Plus, a ride day overview. 5pm.

The Last Party on Earth

Thursday 1, Oilcan’s

Riot Girl and Cupcake unite for a new world-ending shindig featuring drinks, dancing, and OCH Thursday stars Noodles, Mandy Quinn, Titty Androgynous, and Venus Rising. DJ Ruby Knight spins. 9pm.

Tongue in Cheek

Thursday 1, Swan Dive

You’ve got two more chances to see Ivy Le and her open-mic queer comedy night before the stage turns into a pumpkin – or something. Catch this penultimate show and make sure to swing by for the farewell performances on June 5. 8pm.

Sana Sana: Lost & Found

Thursday 1, Ani’s Day & Night

This month’s edition of the all-ages all-art open mic carries a more conceptual theme. Founder Kino Kino describes it thusly: “singing a song u thought u forgot ab, comedy set ab the time u got lost in the grocery store, doing a Spinel drag number, reading a poem ab loss.” DM Kino or host Greta Grip to sign up. 7:30pm.

Sir Rat Daddy’s Locker Room

Friday 2, the Austin Eagle

No invite needed to enter this palace of jockstraps, gym shorts, and more. Just bring your sexy self to the Eagle so you can take advantage of the free lockers. Maybe you’ll find a sweaty surprise in one... 10pm.

Willow Pill

Friday 2, ACL Live

Drag Race season 14 winner Willow Pill picks this W-Austin adjacent venue for her first solo tour. Expect to be regaled by “the true (mostly) story of her religious childhood up to her modern day stardom as a D-list celebrity.” 8pm.

Slide in the DMs

Saturday 3, Fallout Comedy

The hilarious Steph VF guest hosts the Angelina Martin-helmed comedy show all about “shooting your shot.” Improv lineup includes Arielle LaGuette, Mase Kerwick, Grace Pinegar, Malia Moss, Jess von Schramm, and Mickey May, with Tori Pool and Ivy Le performing stand-up. 10pm.

Rhythms of Unity

Saturday 3, Windsor Park Branch Library

Austin Public Library invites local queer South Asian dance group KhushATX for an afternoon of movement and learning. Can’t make this event? Another celebration hits on May 31 at Milwood Branch. 2pm.

Cinco de Mayo Sucia Showcase

Sunday 4, Cheer Up Charlies

Eva Inez reanimates Sucia from its Fourth Street grave and takes it to Red River with cast members Yvonne D’Amour and Veronica Valentine as well as several other Mexican American performers like Kylie Gorgeous Dlux, Harlott, Iggy Bank, and DJ Salem Purchase. 9pm.

Cinco de Mayo Party Barge

Sunday 4, Highland Lakes Marina

Local “adult volunteer cheerleading team” Cheer Austin host a seasonal set-sail featuring a nacho bar, games & prizes, music & dancing, and swimming over the four-hour cruise. All proceeds benefit Out Youth. 11am.

Role: Kawl

Tuesday 6, Tiny Minotaur Tavern

Gothess Jasmine’s competitive open mic and market treks to a new dimension as the show settles on Cesar Chavez’s most magical tavern. Previous show winner Marzetta Speaks features. 7pm.

Second Thursday Poetry ft. Lucy Griffith and Bree Bailey

Thursday 8, BookWoman

Hear new poetry from open-mic readers and published poets Bree Bailey (Wailing on Whisper Street) and Lucy Griffith (The Place the Spiders Waved). As usual, this Cindy Huyser-hosted verse varietal is a true hybrid, so check out ebookwoman dot com for the Zoom room. 7:15pm.