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Hello to all the queer people reading this column – and also to the straight and cisgender people who want to be kept abreast of the community business. Would that I had some great updates to inform you on, but I’m just keeping my head above water at the moment.
Instead, why don’t you take my sincere wish for you and yours to have a spring refresh. And what better way to refresh the spring than hopping on a summer camp application? Yes, those outdoorsy folks of Local Queer ATX are taking over the Camp Moody site out in Buda for, a three-day experience from May 23-25. There’ll be bonfires, talent shows, drag, dance parties, and more – all under that big beautiful Texas sky. Registration runs until April 23 with tiered tickets allowing for everyone to join no matter their financials. Each ticket includes a camping spot, commemorative T-shirt, and five delicious camp meals. This year started rocky and, I’ll admit, has only become more unstable as the large cruel machine of power destroys everything in its path. But hope springs eternal, even when the actual springs appear to be struggling to produce their usual flow. What’s any of this even worth if we don’t keep trying for a better tomorrow, ya know? Here’s to trying again, over and over.Kick off spring break with the Aughts vibes served up by House of Lepore’s monthly kiki. Mother Natalie Lepore emcees while Babidoll helms the DJ booth. Check out the categories at centraltxkikiscene on Insta.This week’s after-hours shopping spree gets a hot boost thanks to several leftover items from the 2 Hot 4 Top Drawer Auction last month. Plus, sips, treats, and the usual great finds.Frisky Business Burlesque travels to fantastical new places with their improv game show, Blushin’ Roulette. First half offers prepared acts, while the second offers the stage up to fate. Performers include Amelie Ahmose, Titty Androgynous, Stella Belle, CanDeStroy, and host Hips McCoy.Join host Smokey Zbornak and special guest Duchess Deville for a special screening of this Nineties girl best friends satire. Arrive early for the pre-show!Take part in collaborative textile and paper marbling under the watchful eyes of artists Erin Miller and Adéọlá Ọlágúnjú. Part of MASS’ currently running exhibition, “Ecstatic.”Where can you find Latin pop spun by Lavender Thug as well as a $150 strip-off prize contest hosted by Harlot? That’s Bichota, baby!Return to the warm embrace of 2000s tunes with host Whoopsie Daisy and her cast including Tigris, Yu Phoric, Atlas Mars, Justin Eater, Neura Toxin, Lash the Stampede, Anita Chiquitas, and DJ Kshal.Our local chapter of PFLAG invites one and all to this springtime potluck, so bring your “yummiest, go-to-est, most impressive dessert to share.”Travel to the bizarre realm with vinyl sets by DJ Protection and Rowena Jean as well as sets by Metallix, Big Ace, and closer Ak-4ya.Join local food and weight-inclusive TLB Nutrition Therapy for this family-friendly meetup where you’ll make sandwiches for ATX Free Fridges. Plus, a partner workout by OutWellness and raffle prizes.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.Hot box with the Bat during this drag show tribute to DC heroes and villains. Featuring Calor, Franky L’Amour, Perra Normal, Phoenix, Hya Zakite, and host Slaylem Cholula Cuntress.Make this your most sinful Easter yet with devilishly great burlesque, drag, and aerial performers like Alexander the Great, Ashley Lynn, Flex Fatale, Autumn O’Beals, the Chrome Cabaret, Disco Lemonade, Hibiscus Bloom, Ruby Lamb, Lilith Azazel, Sarah Sonatina, and Violet Menace.He isn’t the only thing that’ll be risen tonight, as DJs kiwi and FVLL3N 3GO resurrect house, techno, disco, and club banger tunes at this basement show.It’s a boot-scootin’ birthday for this beginner line dance night, so celebrate all the hip thrusts, claps, and accidental flat tires given to the person dancing in front of you with Neon Rainbows and Country Fried Dance.Lady Grackle hosts the seventh edition of this drag competition with contestants vying for the winner’s bounty: a cash prize and weekly show.Find productive discussions on building queer unity and community organization with fellow Austinites at this sober space. DM the linqupatx Insta for the meeting room number.See Oilcan’s stage taken over by the spirits of Latina legends like Gloria Estefan and Paulina Rubio – courtesy of host Tatiana Cholula and local Latinx drag talent.Aira Juliet hosts this weekly karaoke with strict rules, such as one Chappell Roan song per hour, all Adele selectors must commit, and only one person may pick “Valerie” by Amy Winehouse.Austin Gay Men’s Chorus leads several workshops on trans-centric vocal pedagogy as well as “how to cultivate welcoming choral and vocal spaces for transgender singers.” has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.James Scott is a writer who has lived in Austin since 2017. He covers queer events, news, and anything pertaining to Austin's LGBTQ community. Catch his work writing film essays for Hyperreal Film Club, performing in Queer Film Theory 101 at Barrel O' Fun, or on his social media platforms: @thejokesboy on Twitter and Bluesky or @ghostofelectricity on Instagram.
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