Happy 420 weekend and a merry Earth Day to all – which better be everyone on this planet – who celebrate. Whether you’re partaking of the devil’s lettuce or helping plant some actual lettuce, there’s a crisp spring breeze calling outside. Soak it up!
And yet, my indoor-kid ass cannot help but have only movie-related business to address in this week’s column. Sorry! As much as I’ve been making myself leave the apartment and see beyond my phone screen, there’s few places I adore more than a chilly cinema seat. Oh, and if I’ve had a little nibble of a certain substance during the pre-show? What bliss!
You won’t need any herbal enhancements to enjoy the queer film selections coming up at next week’s Indie Meme Film Fest, though. Celebrating South Asian film with a focus on the diaspora for their 35th year, the fest offers three solid queer pictures on its schedule. Short romance “Jasmine That Blooms in Autumn” gets its Texas premiere on Sunday, April 26, and follows two women in an elder care facility who fall in love. Also having its Lone Star launch (Wednesday, April 22, ahead of opening night movie Vimukt) is short “Hills Don’t Dance Alone,” in which a teen bullied for cross-dressing during a dance performance finds support from the school’s vice principal. SXSW special jury prize winner Fucktoys returns to Texas screens on Saturday, April 25, with writer/director/actor Annapurna Sriram spilling on her surreal sex-worker comedy feature in a live Q&A. Nab individual tickets to screenings if you’re interested, or grab a badge and enjoy Indie Meme’s full fest lineup.
If you liked the first film back in 2006, you’re probably keeping tabs on The Devil Wears Prada sequel. Perhaps you’ve already heard, then, that queer film fest aGLIFF and the Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce have partnered on a runway-inspired red-carpet screening of TDWP 2. There’ll be a “Red Carpet” experience, photo moments, a student designer showcase, and curated goodie bags along with plenty of fun from hosts Nadine Hughes and Mars. Grab your tix for the advance screening on Thursday, April 30, for $25 on the austinlgbtchamber.com event page.
Okay: This item is not, strictly speaking, queer. But I do know quite a few of you have a short flick in the can that’s perfect for the Gallery ATX Film Fest’s upcoming Nostalgia theme. The women-led nonprofit is asking for short films that “explore memory, identity, and the moments that stay with us – whether real, rewritten, or imagined” in narrative, documentary, experimental, and hybrid formats. Three submissions max, and your due date’s this Sunday, April 19. Selected shorts will screen at Hyperreal Film Club on May 3, with a chance to win audience choice awards as well as local-business-provided prizes. Submit via the Google form linked in their Insta bio (@thegalleryatx).
Stay safe, stay silly, and make sure to check the dosage before ingesting any special treats this weekend.
Queer Film Theory: Sci-Fi/Action
Thursday 16, the Highball
Four queer “professors” school y’all with gay takes on science-fiction media, now including video games, TV, and much more. 7:30pm.
Mochi Mochi: Cyber
Thursday 16, the Highball
Two sci-fi shows for the price of one (which is free, as neither show has a cover). Following Queer Film Theory is Austin’s premier monthly cosplay drag show, this week centered on cyberpunk aesthetics. Special guests are Salem Purchase and Calor. 9:30pm.
Outer Heaven Disco Club
Friday 17, Brushy Street Commons
Back from their brick-and-mortar grave, the spinners of Outer Heaven land on Brushy Street for an all-night party. 10pm.
The Austin Trans Pink Pages #2 Release Party
Friday 17, LauLau
Didn’t grab the latest edition of this trans-friendly resource guide at last month’s TDOV picnic? Gender Unbound throws a party where you can pick up your copy – as well as a tasty treat from LauLau. 7pm.
Munch
Saturday 18, the Iron Bear
Take a bite of the peach at this big beats & big cheeks party hosted by Bad Dad with spins by DJ Mike ATX. 10pm.
Futch Fetish: Stoned Tops
Saturday 18, Cheer Up Charlies
Light up with your hosts BeeBee Blvnt and Karabiner for this sapphic show you gotta THC. Performers include Hot Lunch, Flex Brojas, Venus Rising, Kino Kino, Whoopsie Daisy, Ethel Institution, Robert Rainbow, and Justin Eater – plus DJ Xoy and a special 420 drink menu. 9pm.
Vertarias + Peter: Hitched
Saturday 18, Community Garden
Congratulate the wedded couple at this afterparty reception featuring performances by Bobby Pudrido, Sir Beau Elliot, Arbys, Oh!V, She23, and Majesty of Divinity. 8pm.
Pigs in Wigs
Saturday 18, RSVP for location
Drag queen Xtra and Round Rock Pride want YOU to help the porcine cuties at Central Texas Pig Rescue. Sign up via their Eventbrite page, and use the code XTRAFRIENDS for free tix. 10am.
The Creatives Brunch
Saturday 18, RSRV
Pride in Black ATX partners with Kind Clinic for a meeting of the queer Austin artist minds filled with networking and nosh. 3pm.
Riles in Retrograde
Saturday 18, Rain on 4th
Riles is going tits OFF with this top-surgery fundraiser. Cupcake and RIOTGIRL host a night filled with zodiac-themed performances as well as a silent auction, all aimed at assisting “your favorite bouncer’s favorite bouncer.” 7pm.
Leander & Cedar Park Pride Fest
Saturday 18, Lakeline Park (Cedar Park)
Join nonprofits Leander Pride and Cedar Park Pride for this rainbow of fun featuring performances by Mama Duke, Parker Woodland, Mock Lobster, Austin Gay Men’s Chorus, DJ Tony Castro, and Magician Peter the Adequate. Sierra Mykels emcees the afternoon activities. 2pm.
Confessions of a Congressman
Sunday 19, AFS Cinema
Queer Cinema: Lost & Found showcases a Spanish flick that’s been unavailable in the U.S. for ages. One of the first openly gay movies made post-dictatorship, the story follows a con artist who falls for his Marxist mark despite being hired by fascists to take the politician down. 3:30pm.
Pots and Plants Market
Sunday 19, Broad Studios Makers
The Little Gay Shop, Redeemer Small Batch, Plant Society, and venue BSM throw an Earth Day and 4/20 combo market with plenty of plants, pots, and infused items on offer. 11am.
Daddy’s Boy
Sunday 19, Fallout Theater
From the Iowan mind of comic/writer/improviser Kat Ellison Williams comes a stand-up special focused on life’s essential elements: “Basketball. Fistfights. Canadian public broadcasting. Evangelism. Britney Spears. Dick surgery.” 7 & 8:30pm.
Lesbian Wedding
Sunday 19, Sahara Lounge
A special Fusebox edition of this sapphic party features performances by Mama Duke, BRUCE, Travis Randy Travis, Star Anise, San Cha, LIZN’BOW as Niña, and DJ sets by Jen DM (L.A.), Riobamba, p1nkstar, and Sport Model. Plus, resource tabling, plus-size clothing swap Masc Fatties, host Nikki DaVaughn, and – as always – cake & queso. 3pm.
Sapphic Singles
Sunday 19, Ani’s Day & Night
Find your special someone at this social meet-up hosted by Erin and Areesha. 5pm.
Dab Girls Only
Monday 20, Swan Dive
Get somber and a li’l California sober at this 420 edition of Austin’s saddest drag show. Performances include Tatiana Cholula, Noodles, Harlot, Lavender Thug, and hosts Ruby Knight and Louisianna Purchase. 8pm.
High Horse
Monday 20, Sagebrush
Ride in for a real smoke show with performances by Brigitte Bandit and Travis Randy Travis added into the usual spins by DJ Ed West and line dance lessons by Country Fried Dance. 7pm.
Girls, Gays & Theys Open Mic
Monday 20, the Vortex
From every.Word Poetry and partner Pride in Black ATX comes a queer-centric open-mic stage, hosted by Tender René. Sign up online via their Eventbrite to perform either poetry or music. 8pm.
Best of Drag ATX Pageant
Tuesday 21, Oilcan’s
Alexander the Great’s new drag pageant kicks off this Tuesday with a chance to win the title of Austin’s Best Drag. Come cheer on your fave, peep the stacked judges table (Brigitte Bandit, Selma Bawdy, Ritzy Bitz, King of Drag’s Buck Wylde, and a secret special guest), and enjoy all the drag-tacular fun. 9pm.
Queer Trivia: Early 2000s
Tuesday 21, Cheer Up Charlies
Aira Juliet and the Little Gay Shop challenge your knowledge of the Aughts at this trivia showdown, so power up your CHI flat iron and feed your Nintendog. 7:30pm.
No Straight Answers Panel
Tuesday 21, Triple Six Social
Join San Marcos Queer Council, the Bobcat Pride Scholarship Fund, PFLAG San Marcos, and Triple Six and ask a panel of five queer experts any LGBTQ queries you’ve been sittin’ on. Recommended for allies who have questions they’ve been too embarrassed to ask. 6pm.
Boyz of Austin: Religious Trauma Edition
Wednesday 22, Elysium
Gender-diverse drag troupe the Boyz invite you to the altar of religious trauma, where queer communion comes in the form of holy performances. 10:30pm.
OUT in Nature: Earth Day
Wednesday 22, Violet Crown Trail/Barton Creek Greenbelt
Join Round Rock Pride, Austin Pride, Stonewall Equality Employee Network of the City of Austin, and Outdoors ATX for a greenbelt cleanup and hike hosted by drag artist Xtra. City of Austin provides snacks, and RR Pride’s got gloves. 10am.
Denim Prom
Thursday 23, Elysium
Neon Rainbows slides into a pair of mean jeans with this promenade featuring line dance by Country Fried Dance, a Denim Darlin’ royalty contest by Butch Prom, buzzcuts from Andi’s Fade Society, a queer/sapphic vendor market, and spins by DJ Ed West. Damiana Divine hosts. 8pm.
Queer Show
Thursday 23, Hotel Vegas
A ThursGAY takeover from Queer Musicians + Technicolor Records has Hotel Vegas filled with performances by KindKeith, EddieAngel, Majesty of Divinity, Sir Beau Elliot, Phoenix, and host Dante Picante. Plus vintage wares on da patio. 9pm.
the body becomes the site
Through May 4, Bolm Arts
Opening April 16 is a multimedia exploration of identity play from artists Angel Avila, Dust Bunny, Frank La’Mour, Good Lucifer, Liz Dexia, and Rosalind Hussell. Check ’em out tonight or at the April 23 microcinema activation where short doc “Divina: The Docushort” from Devin Alejandro-Wilder screens.
In the Calendar
Bloodthirsty: A Vampire Cabaret
Friday 17 – Saturday 18, Sterling Stage Austin
If something with a “literal bloodbath” immediately piques your interest, then have we got the event for you. Vampires and cabaret are a match made in heave… er, hell. Haus of Brimstone, no longer content to simply provide devilish apparel to make inner demons outwardly obvious, has channeled their occult commitment to elevating the delights of the (undead) flesh via drag, burlesque, and pole dance with alternating performances each night. – Cat McCarrey
Salooniverse: A Space Western Odyssey
Saturday 18, Sky Candy
Spray paint that 10-gallon chrome and head to the Springdale General spaceport for a cosmic burlesque bop. A collab between Bay area troupe DAM Circus and our hometown sweeties Ginger Snaps Burlesque, this show centers space-age body shaking from performers across the nation. That includes live music by Monterey’s Razzvio and South Cali’s PLASTY, as well as drag, comedy, variety acts, and more. What a way to blast off! – James Scott
Bottoms
Monday 20, Hyperreal Film Club
If you love Gen Z comedy, a sharp sapphic storyline, and the chaos of Booksmart meets Blockers, Bottoms is the film for you. Director Emma Seligman rejoins actress, comedian, and screenwriter Rachel Sennott for this offbeat sex comedy about two lesbian best friends (Sennott and co-star Ayo Edebiri) who form a school fight club in an attempt to impress and seduce their cheerleader crushes. Carabiner Club brings the 2023 film back to the medium screen – with a few twists. The 7:30pm showing will include a live intermission drag performance by Karabiner, post-show self-defense demo by Queer MMA, and music by DJ Kshal. Tickets include automatic 4/20 raffle entry with prizes by queer-owned smoke shops and chain mail artists. Didn’t win? Stop by Serpent Tattoo on your way out for Bottoms-themed flash offerings. In other words, expect chaos and community. – Rachel N. Madison
This article appears in April 17 • 2026.
