I don’t often talk about my innermost thoughts and feelings in this column. That’s not because they’re too hot for the reading public to handle – although just wait until you hear how I feel about olives! I’m anti! – but more along the lines that my thoughts are rarely cut-and-dry gay stuff. It’s all tangential. Like, see, right now I’m thinking about how good Kenny Omega was at All In this past Sunday, which if you know anything about wrestling you’ll realize is a certified Bisexual Thought Pattern even if no closets have been officially opened in-ring. (Just tables that get bodily broken in twain right afterward.) It’s simply not very straight to be dwelling on Will Ospreay using the One-Winged Angel against Omega. But anyway: Just in case you wanted to know what lay beneath the pink goo in your humble columnist’s noggin, Reader. That’s the gist.
Onward to the updates! Stargazer Bar has opened a call for collaborators that extends through Sept. 9. They’re looking for DJs, curators, musicians, and collectives to help build out their schedule as the most “star”-studded Springdale coffee bar. Applying to this residency? The form requires answers about how often you’ll wanna host, what your style/POV might be, and details of your previous experience, among other Qs you’ll need to A. Best of luck to all y’all applying!
Hey! Did you know we’ve got a benefit drag gala coming up with very unconventional folks padding and powdering up? Unite the Fight Austin has returned for another competition where tons of local bigwigs put on wigs to see who will be the Unite the Fight champ. Teams of two have been prepping for months now, including the Little Gay Shop’s Justin Galicz with Urban Austin Reads’ Cutter W. González, nonbinary dance team Angie and Audrey, and KHUSH ATX’s Shri and Eman, among many others. Tickets are already on sale for the Sept. 12 gala, so snag yours soon to see these stars slay the competition.
Living with or impacted by HIV? Sexual health clinic ASHwell is now adding peer drop-in dates, aka evening fun away from the club. There’s Tuesdays at Project Transitions from 5 to 7pm, and Wednesday at ASHwell all throughout September. Learn about what each org has to offer and get into tie-dye, music, Jenga, movies, painting, bracelets, and video games with fellow community members. Yay!
Good Taste
Thursday 3, Saturn Cocktail Club
Want to sing with a star? Aira Juliet sets up karaoke shop at another spot every Thursday with this event for “well-dressed people with questionable song choices.” 10pm.
Queer Mic
Thursday 3, Originator Studios
Yuk it up with DEI Comedy and host Hya Zakite at this all-queer stand-up showcase. BYOB, aka bring your own belly laughs – and beer, if that’s interesting to you. 8pm.
Llorona’s Diner
Thursday 3, Lynny’s on 12th
Where can you find a pet psychic, spiritual cleansing, and the delicious fare of grilled cheese and Chex mix? Only at this fictional diner where the tissues keep flowing long after happy hour. 6pm.
Girls Just Wanna Have FUNdamental Human Rights
Friday 4, Eberly
Joy Resistance Network hosts this fundraiser for Jane’s Due Process featuring a vendor market, flash tats, voter registration, and much, much more. 6pm.
Panic! At the Disco Drag Tribute
Friday 4, Elysium
Brigitte Bandit continues the emo album salutes with this hot number, as performers dance to songs from A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out. Plus, Izzy Gazette offers a photo booth. 9:30pm.
Project X: An Enby Bash
Friday 4, Cheer Up Charlies
Nonbinary partygoers get this Labor Day weekend started with a big 2010s style brouhaha featuring beer pong, spin the bottle, and drag soundtracked by DJ Deadlao5. 9pm.
Beyonce B’Day 20th Anniversary
Friday 4, Oilcan’s
Buzz on over to this BeyHive for spins by DJs BabiDoll and Xoy all night long. 10pm.
Sana Sana: Cozy
Friday 4, Ani’s Day & Night
Get comfy at this all-ages open mic inspired by “cozy” video games hosted by Marylin Moonlight and featuring music, poetry, dancing, and more from local folks. 8pm.
Tim Curry Movie Night & Dolly All Day
Friday 4 – Saturday 5, Radio Coffee and Beer
Two nights to tribute two fallen icons: Friday, Radio screens Rocky Horror Picture Show and Clue, and Saturday offers 9 to 5 and Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Both screenings start at 7pm, but only the weekend watchers get a $1 of their frozen bevie donated to the Dollywood Foundation.
Horse Meat Disco
Friday 4, Kingdom Austin
Sweat ATX and Queen Butch partner up once more to make you wet for Labor Day weekend. Chow down on suspiciously equestrian beats all night – and well into the next day. 10pm.
Fresh Meat: A Student Showcase
Friday 4, Kick Butt Coffee
Ginger Snaps Burlesque shows off the talents of their up-and-coming class as well as former students for a truly tasty treat. 8pm.
A Radical Reading of Hadestown
Saturday 5, Monkeywrench Books
Theatre kids are basically 90% gay, so I feel comfortable recommending this lecture and watch party from leftist lit location Monkeywrench of this year’s hottest stage topic. Masks required, air purifiers on-site, and costumes encouraged. 5pm.
Slide in the DMs
Saturday 5, Fallout Theater
Happy birthday to this comedy showcase centered on the embarrassing moments in our online direct messages. Angelina Martin steers the cheers and is joined by improv icons, stand-up stars, and cameras doing a special taping! 10pm.
The Best Drag Show Ever
Saturday 5, Oilcan’s
Has there ever been a drag show so best? Maybe, but they don’t have the host with the most Ritzy Bitz, who presents you a night of dazzling queens, music by DJ Eriq Stylez, and much more. 9pm.
Ravefurrest
Saturday 5, Brushy Street Commons
Shine your coat, clean your ears, and get those paws ready for a night of dancing at this furry rave. Poster artist Jazz, aka Sparklefur, passed this January, so a portion of the night’s proceeds will be donated in their honor to the Trevor Project. 8pm.
Critter Tea Party
Saturday 5, OutWellness
Pup Rae along with the Boop Society of Central Texas host this chill hang with tea, a clothing swap, and community bonding with fellow critters, handlers, and allies. 3pm.
Big Tits, Bigger Dreams
Saturday 5, Oilcan’s
Brigitte Bandit hosts this non-competitive drag open mic that invites upcoming drag artists to hone their craft as well as get professional portrait and performance photography. 6pm.
Glitter & Gossip Social
Sunday 6, Ground Floor Theatre
Hosted by playwright Del Shores with Emerson Collins, star of Austin Rainbow Theatre’s latest production The Recipe Box, this is an intimate Southern brunch benefiting ART. Plus, Cheeki Khant and Juni Nguyen reprise their Hedwig performances, and drag from Ritzy Bitz, Nadine Hughes, Cupcake, and more take inspiration from Shores’ Sordid Lives. 1pm.
Yeehawties
Sunday 6, Austin Motel
Lasso yourself a good time with Neon Rainbows’ pool party du jour, featuring hosts Lawrie Bird, Harlot, and DJ Ed West in a farewell to summer. 2pm.
Dream Blunt Rotation: Indie Sleaze Edition
Sunday 6, the Glassmith
Time travel to the smoky decade of skinny jeans and indie music for this 2010s drag competition hosted by Slaylem with special guest judge Travisty. 8pm.
Ginger Snaps
Sunday 6, Cheer Up Charlies
Soft Focus returns with another screening series at Chups, this time focused on “Women Behaving Badly.” Things kick off with this Canadian gem where period pain is a real beast. 5:30pm.
Fourth Street Block Party
Sunday 6, Fourth Street
Pride In Black ATX invites everyone out to the streets for a bop soundtracked by Melissa Bellz. 4pm.
Queer Sex Ed
Sunday 6, OutWellness
What’s there to know about sex? Quite a lot, so join fellow curious sex-havers – and even inquisitive asexuals – for this informative and queer-focused workshop. 11:45am.
Remembering Dolly Party
Sunday 6, Wildflower Church
Honor the memory of Dolly Parton and remember the lessons she taught about kindness and acceptance in a service that includes a performance by Brigitte Bandit. 12pm.
Black Lesbian Journal Club
Sunday 6, Central Library Rooftop Garden
Inspired by a similar concept in Atlanta, this meetup is for Black queer creatives to write and discuss different journal prompts. Bring your own writing tools – pens, pencils, and a notebook – and your artistic spirit. 2pm.
Gold Rush Tea
Sunday 6, the Austin Eagle
Top Drawer Thrift partners with Austin Bear Weekend for a gold-plated competition that could win you a VIP ticket to next year’s ABW or a cash prize. Plus, NYC’s DJ Tony Ruiz spins. 4pm.
Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5
Monday 7, Sagebrush
Make this Labor Day a Labor Slay with this tribute to the late rhinestone queen. Brigitte Bandit hosts with line dance lessons from Country Fried Dance and spins by DJ Ed West. An ACL wristband raffle benefits Project Transitions. 7pm.
Strut
Monday 7, Lady Bird Lake
Take a walk with Local Queer ATX and OutWellness at this all-paces welcome stroll around one of Austin’s prettiest park landscapes. Suit up in sneakers and sunglasses with your water bottle of choice, and make sure to join the post-walk JuiceLand trip. 6:45pm.
Bey Day
Tuesday 8, Barbarella + Swan Dive
Tuezgayz gets a Beyoncé makeover in honor of the queen’s birthday with a drag show at 11pm from Diamond Dior Davenport. 10pm.
Queer Cuties Climb
Tuesday 8, Crux Climbing Center Central
This LGBTQ+ bouldering meet-up for members and their guests offers boulding thrills for the gays, theys, and climbing curious.
The Try Hard Mic
Tuesday 8, Barrett’s Too
Show off your tight five every second Tuesday at this open mic, hosted by those fun and funky folks of DEI Comedy. 7:30pm.
Trans River Day
Thursday 10, RSVP for location
Enjoy the river with other trans peeps and allies for the last TRD of the year (maybe). Bring a towel, snacks, and a friend. 6pm.
In the Calendar
Austin Rainbow Theatre Presents: The Recipe Box
Friday 4 – Saturday 19, Ground Floor Theatre
From the king of Southern queer comedy, Del Shores (Sordid Lives, Southern Baptist Sissies), comes a brand-new work featuring his signature sass and wit. Frequent collaborator Emerson Collins stars as math professor Rick, whose cheatin’ husband Joah (Chris Skinner) has just flown the coop, leaving his eccentric mama Lou Wanda (Cynthia Sanders) and Rick to form something of a found family. Shores himself directs this regional premiere and will also host the Sept. 6 Glitter Social, an intimate Southern-style brunch to benefit Austin Rainbow Theatre. Special evenings include a post-show discussion Sept. 10 and an ASL performance Sept. 11. – Kat McNevins
This article appears in September 4 • 2026.
