THE LIFE This is the last weekend to catch local photog Jo Ann Santangelo‘s most poignant and penetrating exhibition, “Walking the Block: Chris­to­pher Street.” The show was launched the first weekend of June and has run through LGBT Pride Month here in Austin. But Santangelo has been getting around. This past week, another show of hers opened. This one in Portland at the Q Center, Little Beirut’s LGBTQ community hub. The exhibit in Portland is “Proud To Serve: A Portrait of LGBT Veterans.” We’re happy to see Jo Ann getting her work shown and encourage, prod, and downright insist you catch her Christopher Street ode at B. Hollyman Gallery while it’s still here. (See Thursday, 6/30.)

FURWORKS Well, there’s the damn fire ban, so no explosions in the Austin sky this July 4. No jockeying for a spot on Sahm Hill. However, the burly boys over at the Chain Drive are putting some new tread on some traditional tires with the launch of Leather & Liberty Weekend, three days of red, black, and blue and plenty of Betsy Ross assless chaps, we bet. Full leather gear is encouraged. What the hell. Do it. The hot temps will just make you creak all the louder. We remember when the Chain used to do leather and/or Levi’s check, so the least you can do is don a li’l skin. (See Friday.)

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This article appears in July 1 • 2011.

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