Qmmunity: Net Nostalgia

Do you remember your first experience on the computer? I don’t, but I remember being excited by it. All sorts of possibilities lived inside the gray box that first lived in my dad’s office before ending up on my tweenage desktop. See, I grew up when the internet was a well-populated place – websites for every single business, brand, or blogger that you could visit and maybe sign the guest book of. Though I later traipsed my foolish young ass through sites that had Adult Material (aka fan fiction where Robin from Teen Titans kissed other boys), I still think my early online and electronic explorations had a specific gay flavor.

An example: Because internet speeds weren’t what they are now, I used to play a lot of CD-ROM games to pass the time. I specifically recall logging many hours in The Magic School Bus Explores the Solar System. Who was a more queer figure in the young mind than Ms. Frizzle? A childless older woman with a lizard and kooky fashion choices, she resembles almost every lesbian role model I’d later find in adulthood. Playing little math and science games via the CD-ROM helped me learn how to actually finish what I started – even if I never really became a pro gamer as a result.

Lately, I’ve been missing the fun that came from noodling around with the Magic School Bus crew sans Wi-Fi connection. Now, the internet acts as a shopping mall where you’re either selling or being sold to rather than the hobby hub I remember from my youth. That’s not to say there’s no places to have classic internet fun anymore, but they’re harder to find – which seems sort of bad when you consider that actual kids don’t have anywhere to be treated like children, not consumers. While conservative lawmakers – and, TBH, a lot of liberal ones, too – imagine a kid-friendly internet as one censored to all get-out, I personally think that’s less a solution than a punishment for anyone not deemed “acceptable” to the censor.

So what do we do with computer, now? I really dunno. But maybe a little nostalgia-driven action wouldn’t go unappreciated. Get yourself a copy of an older CD-ROM game or even an image editor (KidPix, anyone?) and try experimenting with it using your adult creative brain. Find the weird queer roots therein, disengaged from capitalist aims other than the integral human urge to have a really good time. Maybe if we remember what came before, we can imagine a better online future.

Queer Swim

Thursday 22, Barton Springs Pool

Join the first splash of this summer swimming series, where all LGBTQIA folks can mingle and have fun springside. Look for the Pride flag and light-up rainbow floatie to find the QS crew. 8pm.

Anybody but Tony

Thursday 22, Double Trouble

DEI Comedy continues to platform funny diverse comics in their monthly showcase, this week featuring Merit-Based Mic winners Rochelle McConico and Maria Geary as well as Moe Christine, Matt LaCour, Andrew Horneman, and Demi Chang. Holden hosts. 8pm.

Loser Lion Party Bus

Thursday 22 - Friday 23, Fallout Theatre

Described by its organizer Kym Priess as a "wild buffoon/clown rock n roll show," this staged shocker follows a Vegas wrestler turned party host going wild alongside his inflatable GF, Dolly. Tix are $15 online, and $20 at the door. Thu., 7pm; Fri., 8:30.

TribRelations House Party

Friday 23, RSVP for location and time

Kanesha Huey (aka the Black Bimbo) and JD von Dutch soft-launch their new party for Austin’s Black and brown sapphic community. Featuring drag, go-go dancers, DJs, and flash tats – plus cute prizes for their raffle and social bingo.

Wagon Wheel Watusi

Friday 23, Cheer Up Charlies

Brigitte Bandit hosts her fourth annual Cher-lebration for the artist’s 79th b-day, this time tributing the iconic air-rights drama Burlesque. Enjoy Cher-aoke, a Cher look-alike contest, a Cher drag show, and a special appearance by Cher look-alike second-place winner Mama Bandit. 10pm.

Dinner + Movie Tex-Mex Edition

Friday 23, Lynny’s

Collabing with Neighborhood Molino, Eastside eatery Lynny’s screens 1976 doc Chulas Fronteras by Les Blank while serving pre-ordered platters of tamales, enchilada pie, popcorn horchata, and more. Plus: live Tejano/Norteño vinyl DJ sets from the Chulita Vinyl Club. 7pm.

First Light

Saturday 24, Cheer Up Charlies

Hosted by Big Ceez (sorry for getting it wrong before!), this summer kickoff features a special guest DJ set by Whipp Appeal and invites attendees “a soft, warm, intentional way to step into the season.” Dress code is “sunset best,” so wear what gets you feeling groovy and golden. 7pm.

Mass Ambient

Friday 23, the Treehouse in Pease Park

MASS Gallery reignites their ambient music series with instrumental live sets by Hannah Spector, Veneer, and San Antonio’s Poem Zero (Justo Cisneros & Shea McGilvray). 6:45pm.

Lezzz B. Honest

Sunday 25, Ani’s Day and Night

Hosts Kino Kino and Venus Rising want you to know that “the B stands for brunch,” but it could also stand for “bursting” since this Sunday shindig’s splitting its sapphic seams with local lesbian drag artists. Plus, a DJ set by Sapphic Singles’ Areesha Singh. 12pm.

Taste & Tease

Sunday 25, Trap House Carribean

Enjoy soul food served family-style by Trap House Carribean while feasting your eyes on burlesque delights hosted by Lousianna Purchase. While food is included with your ticket price ($36.64-71.30), drinks are separate – with a two-drink minimum required. 8pm.

Queer Skate Park

Sunday 25, Mueller Skate Park

Wheel on over, skaters, as this social welcomes all those blading, boarding, or otherwise to take a spin and bring a snack. 7pm.

Disco Market

Sunday 25, the Iron Bear

Shop fierce and fab vendors from local artists to designer duds, all while enjoying pop-up drag hosted by DJ Mike and Chique Fil-Atio. Plus: beer busts all day. 1pm.

Haute Seat

Sunday 25, Cheer Up Charlies

Embry Officially’s monthly drag brunch and vendor market returns, this time featuring special guest Kendall Andrews alongside cast members Sir Beau Elliot and Harlot. Shop sweet vendors, sip the new Chups drinks menu, and shake your tail feathers to Lavender Thug’s DJ set. 1pm.

Bebesota Brunch: Hot Girl Summer

Sunday 25, Taquero Mucho Domain

Your best girls bring the heat at this summer kickoff brunch featuring Amber Nicole Davenport, Kyliegorgeous Dlux, Gem Doll Dlux, and host Beauty. 1pm.

Strut

Monday 26, Butler Hike & Bike Trail

Take a stroll around Lady Bird Lake with Local Queer ATX and OutWellness for this 3-mile walking group. Snag a JuiceLand sip afterward as a reward for the outdoor recreation. 6:45pm.

Adventure Time Drag Show

Thursday 29, Cheer Up Charlies

What time is it? Time to see a tribute drag show to one of the 2010s wackiest cartoons, with hosts Cassie Opeia and Greta Grip presiding over a packed lineup of adventurers, princesses, Ice Kings, and more. 9pm.

Middle School Dance Party: Mileypalooza

Thursday 29, Volstead Lounge

Revisit all the iconic Miley moments through this sonic journey spun by DJ Ed West. You’ll travel from Hannah Montana hits to her new release Something Beautiful, and even make a stop at her Black Mirror bop “On a Roll.” 9pm.