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The Gay Agenda – December 2009

The SIN dance party comes to Houston. World AIDS Day Luncheon. Community Gospel Church celebrates the season. Bethel Church UCC World AIDS Day bilingual service of remembrance. Unhinged yard-sale extravaganza. Bayou City Women’s Chorus … & more.

by Nancy Ford

Jamie Lauren (l, <em>Top Chef</e,>) and Elizabeth Keener (<em>The L Word</em>) are coming to Houston.“Women Who Long, Love, Lust. . . .” Circuit parties aren’t just for the guys anymore. This month, lesbians from all over Texas and beyond converge on Houston for the Bayou City’s first annual SIN dance party, benefiting AssistHers. More than 1,500 women piled into the Austin version of the party earlier this year; producers Regina Findlay and Julie Mabry hope for just as many attendees in Houston. The bait: Elizabeth Keener (The L Word’s “Dawn Denbo”) and her lover, Jamie Lauren, of Top Chef fame, are expected to attend, and DJ dirtyKurty spins for the event, which also features go-go dancers, Club Skirt’s Dinah Shore giveaways, VIP rooms, and other amenities. December 5, 9:30 p.m.–2:30 a.m. The Drake, 1902 Washington Ave. Tickets start at $20 presale; $27 at the door. The femme fun continues with the SIN Houston after party featuring comedian Dana Goldberg, a gay dating game, and hot-oil wrestling officiated by Keener and Lauren. December 6, 2–9 p.m. South Beach, 810 Pacific St. $5–$10. Details: sinpartyhouston.com.

Toys for Ailing Tots. Presented by AIDS Foundation Houston and sponsored by Apache Corporation, the 15th annual Red Ribbon Toy Drive accepts new, unwrapped toys appropriate for children between newborn and 12 years of age for children infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS. Toys may be dropped off through December 15 at nearly 30 designated locations, including the 611, Brazos River Bottom, Decades, EJ’s, George, Outpost, and Ripcord nightclubs. AIDShelp.org.

Chain of Memories. A Paper Chain of Remembrance decorates Montrose Counseling Center’s second-floor lobbies throughout December. Each year, the chain grows as people give tribute to those who have been affected by HIV/AIDS. All are welcomed to decorate a link with an inspiring message or in memory of someone we’ve lost to the disease. MCC’s HIV/AIDS Around the World display featuring pictures and stories of how HIV/AIDS has impacted nations around the world also decorates the second-floor lobbies through December. 401 Branard St. • montrosecounselingcenter.org.

World AIDS Day Luncheon. Recognizing the progress made in the battle against HIV/AIDS as well as how much still needs to be accomplished, AIDS Foundation Houston presents its 2009 World AIDS Day luncheon. This year’s event honors PWA Holiday Charities with AFH’s Shelby Hodge Vision Award, with Chevron Corporation being honored for its dedication and long-standing support of AFH. Presented by Chevron. December 1, 11:30 a.m. Benefits AIDS Foundation Houston. Four Seasons Houston, 1300 Lamar St. 713/623-6796, ext. 278 • aidshelp.org.

Reason for the Season. Community Gospel Church celebrates the Christmas season with a variety of special programs, including a revival with Doug Clanton from Phoenix, December 2–5, 7:30 p.m., and December 6, 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. The church celebrates the season musically with Christmas XALT followed by dessert reception on December 20, 6 p.m. The congregation closes out the year with Watchnight Service, December 31, 8 p.m. 608 Aurora St. • communitygospel.org.

En Espanol. Bethel Church UCC observes World AIDS Day with a bilingual service of remembrance. The service is being hosted in partnership with other local organizations, including League of United Latin American Citizens and the Houston GLBT Community Center. December 5, 6:30 p.m. 1107 Shepherd Dr. • bethelhouston.org • 713/861-6670.

Dramatic Bazaar. Clean out your closet and fill it back up again with great finds at the Come Unhinged yard-sale extravaganza. Benefits Unhinged Productions. December 5, 7 a.m.–2 p.m. 1400 W. 20th St. • comeunhinged.com.

Warbling Women. Bayou City Women’s Chorus presents Winterlight, featuring fun tunes like “Cold and Fugue Season” and “Winter Troika Ride.” December 5 and 8, 7:30 p.m. Unity Church, 2929 Unity Dr. • bayoucityperformingarts.org.

Bring Your Headshot, Résumé, and Enthusiasm. Unhinged Productions holds open auditions for two productions, The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told and Uncivil Unions. December 6, 1–4 p.m., with callbacks, December 7. Stages Repertory Theatre, 3201 Allen Parkway • comeunhinged.com • 832/250-7786.

Holiday Garland. Kindred Spirits Foundation presents The Judy Garland Christmas Special, an interactive screening of the original 1963 telecast comedically narrated by OutSmart’s Nancy Ford. Features a light buffet, holiday raffle, and music by special guests. December 6, 5–8 p.m. In-N-Out Nightclub, 1537 N. Shepherd Dr. $20. Benefits AssistHers, Bering Support Group, Houston Buyers Club, and Lesbian Health Initiative. Kindredspiritshouston.org.

Spiritual Remembrance. Resurrection MCC and its community partners present Community World AIDS Day Service, reflecting on how HIV and AIDS affect friends, family, community, and world. Presented by the Affirming Ministerial Alliance of Greater Houston. December 6, 6 p.m. Resurrection MCC, 2025 W. 11th St. • resurrectionmcc.org • 713/861-9149.

Assembling at The Ensemble. Gay & Lesbian Rainbow Pages partners with the Ensemble Theatre to celebrate the world premiere of Christmas with Great Aunt. Benefits Gay & Lesbian Rainbow Pages’ upcoming youth scholarship program. December 10, 6:30 p.m. 3535 Main St. • gayrainbowpages.com • 281/997-9778.

Out@TUTS. Mix and mingle with the cast and LGBT theater buffs after enjoying Theatre Under the Stars’ production of The Sound of Music. December 10. Artista Restaurant, 800 Bagby St. • tuts.com.

The Laramie Project. Terell Richardson directs the award-winning play regarding the hate-crime murder of Matthew Shepard. Presented by E Catter Productions. December 11–12, 7:30 p.m. $15–$20. Frenetic Theatre, 5102 Navigation Blvd. • 832/865-3413.

Luncheon and a Movie. As part of its Welcome M.A.T. (Movies and Things) program, Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church presents the poignant comedy Jeffrey starring Steven Weber, Patrick Stewart, and Nathan Lane, followed by a discussion of the issues in the film. The film is free, with lunch available at 12:30 p.m. for $6, or bring your lunch with you. December 13 (each second Sunday), 1 p.m. The January 10 film is The Celluloid Closet. Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church, 1900 Bering Dr. • emersonhouston.org.

To Your Masculine Health. Authors Dr. Michael Scally and Nelson Vergel present a lecture about men’s health issues, addressing hormone replacement therapy, sports nutrition, exercise, micronutrient supplementation, therapies to improve lean body composition and metabolism, sexual function, energy levels, mood, and general quality of life. Light snacks will be provided. December 15, 6 p.m. United Way, 50 Waugh Dr. Presented by Houston Buyers Club, LIVE Consortium, and the Program for Wellness Restoration. RSVP: [email protected].

A Different Kind of Holiday Pageant. Gay Men’s Chorus of Houston presents A Twisted Holiday, featuring recognizable holiday favorites, but with a twist. December 15, 7:30 p.m. Jones Hall, 615 Louisiana St. • bayoucityperformingarts.org.

On the Catwalk. Pink and Blue Ice Fashion Show benefits Pink Door breast cancer program and LIVE Consortium fighting HIV stigma. December 19, 8 p.m. M2M Style Lounge, 3407 Montrose Blvd. • m2mfashion.com.

Happy New Year. A2 40 Euphoria presents “the biggest GLBT New Year’s Eve celebration in League City” on the Royal Princess I and II yachts. Entertainment provided by saxophonist Edward Baker Jr., vocalist Kerrington, and DJ Pow, with a silent auction and many surprises. Discounted room rates available at South Shore Harbor Resort. December 31. Tickets start at $175. A2-40-euphoria.com • 832/876-6260.

Planning Ahead:
Up, Up, and Away. Former Fifth Dimension crooners Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. headline Cabaret for a Cure, this year honoring Jani Lopez of Shell Oil and Rini Mendenhall Sosa and Frank Sosa. Benefits Legacy Community Health Services. January 15, 6 p.m. Hilton Americas–Houston, 1600 Lamar St. • cabaretforacure.org.

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