Dude, I can’t believe that French lady sang her bad song rather than mention trans people at the Oscars. I know there’s far worse offenses happening to my community right now, but god: Emilia Pérez, good riddance from the cultural consciousness. Now I don’t have to think about a movie I never saw or its lead actress’ bad posts ever again.
In other news, South by Southwest is on the way and all y’all longtime Austinites know that means finding at least one free or badge-not-required event to attend before avoiding Downtown all week. Weird to consider myself a “long” time Austin resident, just because I’ve lived here for eight years – okay, maybe a better adjective would be “medium” time ATX-er. Whatever. I’ve been here for enough time! That’s why the unofficial queer SXSW recos I give are pretty good, so you ought to flip on over to this week’s supplemental South By issue to find my Qmmunity recs. (Or you can click the link in the Qmmunity Insta caption once I post this column online, winky winky).
A few events didn’t announce until after my copy deadline, though, so here’s a good mix of both unofficial Fest-adjacent flings as well as good ol’ local queer fun. See ya out there!
B-Sides at Brew and Brew
Thursday 6, Brew and Brew
Catch a little sun and sweet tunes at this hang-out featuring Queer Vinyl Collective DJs Dana Scully and Luca behind the decks.
Monét X Change
Thursday 6 & Friday 7, Cap City Comedy
Double-crown winning Drag Race star and the X Change Rate host Monét X Change brings her comedy tour to Bat City for three shows over two nights – all making for one fabulous time.
Derek Kopswa
Thursday 6, Saturday 8
Local comic Derek Kopswa keeps up his 10 year pace of queer humor with this headlining set in Cap City’s Red Room, featuring his takes on “Gaming, Queerness, Health, and Marriage through a unique, unhinged perspective.”
Let’s Friend’em: Queer Speed Friending
Friday 7, OutWellness
From speed social folks Friend’em comes an experience tailored for the LGBTQ community, which they say will “blast your wig into the next galaxy.” Okay, Katy Perry!
The Mayhem Ball
Friday 7, Highland Lounge
Celebrate Gaga’s seventh album with a listening party that features Mama Monster themed cocktails, drag, and a costume contest that’ll earn the winner a $150 bar tab. Plus: Colleen DeForrest hosts Highland’s first Real DragQueens of Austin show.
Privy Privy
Friday 7 – Saturday 15, 2511 E. Sixth
Self-titled the Official Glory Hole of the SXSW Unofficials, this immersive art installation created by Donna Oblongata and Patrick Costello invites Austin into an alternate-universe nightclub, where original mixtapes from Seventies, Eighties, and Nineties gay New York play and glory holes feature human hands holding ice-cream cones. Do you dare to take a lick?
Pink Privilege
Saturday 8, Neon Grotto
Okay, okay: So I’ve got one official South By party on here, but when the House of Lepore hosts a rooftop hip-hop showcase, I gotta let you know! Live performances from queer rappers, a vendor market, and a twerk contest with a $100 prize, all thrown in collaboration with Austin’s “LGBTQ HIP HOP HEADQUARTERS” Pink Elephant Radio. Snag your presale tix for $10.
Mayhem
Saturday 8, Cheer Up Charlies
Hosted by Lilith Azazel and Iggy Bank, you’ll feel beat below your feet at this album listening party. Featuring drag by Yvonne D’Amour, Venus Rising, Tangelo, Ryan, Harlot, Amy H. Graves, and Leia Sakura Dior as well as spins by Orya. Paws up, little monsters!
Dykes Who Hike
Saturday 8, the Eco (Really Small Museum)
A posi South By byproduct is all the new out-of-town friends who come, including across-the-pond group Dykes Who Hike. They’re bringing their LGBTQ+ relaxed hike to ye olde Lady Bird Lake, transferring the outdoorsy vibe from the UK to ATX.
Rugby 101
Saturday 8, RSVP for location
Partnering with queer rugby team Round Rock Rage + Ruckus, Local Queer ATX invites all those curious about the sport to learn the basics. Once you’ve learned, get ready to see those moves in action as Rage takes on the Bay Area Rugby Club in a match. Cost is a suggested $15 donation, which goes toward the Boots, Binders & Bras fundraiser.
No Sleep No Hunger
Monday 10, Hole in the Wall
Three years running, Jocelyn Simone’s unofficial SXSW showcase stuffs two stages full of queer and women-fronted bands for the low price of free. However, you oughta drop a donation since they’ll be providing non-stop tunes to make your Monday a little more magic. Plus: a Sapphic Singles pop-up.
Indulge One Year Anniversary
Monday 10, Neon Grotto
DJ collective Indulge celebrates their first anniversary with a heart-pounding night featuring sets from Xoy, SuperMcN4sty, Lidia Beats, DragonnnQueen, and last week’s column star Lavender Thug. Get your tix early for $5 or pay $10 at the door.
Dollmation Presents Studio SXSW
Tuesday 11, Roma
One night only, experience a glam, glitz, and a good time with Amber Nicole Davenport, Aries Fatale, Luiz Fatale, Monica Monae Davenport, Tiffany Epiphany, Simone Jewel Riviera, Vylette Ward, and Maxine LaQueene.
Tales of the Stiletto Coast
Wednesday 12, Vigilante Gastropub & Games
Need another D in your D&D entertainment-sphere? Why not add drag with returning Stiletto Coast cast Tangelo, Pumpkin, and Gemma Nye along with trusty DM Gray? This time they’re searching out the pirate lord during an unseasonable sharknado with special guests Atlas Mars and Cassie Opia. GA tix run $16, but you can sit front row for $22.
OUTlaw Pride
Wednesday 12, Dainty Dillo
Julie Nolen turns up the accoustic heat for this unoffical South By showcase. Come see tunes by Nolen, Jaime Wyatt, She Returns From War, Paisley Fields, Bobby Dove, Steph Cash, Emily Frembgen, and Tami Hart – all sans cover or badges.
Working Families Party Presents Politics House
Wednesday 12, Cheer Up Charlies
Back once more for their third SXSW, Working Families Party pulls together a hot lineup with Billy Woods, PIERI, SunnithaRapper, Magna Carta, and headliner Big Freedia. Plus Brigitte Bandit hosts drag, and Turito spins a sweet DJ set.
Queermad 2025
Thursday 13, Nomad Bar
Presented by fellow lineup members the Side Saddles, this mini music fest features tunes from across the sonic spectrum like Vestite, Blair Baldwin, Provoked Emotions, Connor McGee, Snailmate, Snack Supper, Wild Heaven, Tiny Specks, and Grotesques.
This article appears in March 7 • 2025.
