Local News

The Gay Agenda: September 2010

By Nancy Ford

Belles of the Balls. Most women prefer to rid their mugs of undue facial hair, but not the women of Houston Gendermyn. In fact, what their follicle-producing hormones don’t provide naturally, they place and paste themselves to effect all representations of male presentation—and it doesn’t stop with their hair. But the GMs are known for far more than their man-made parts. Our town’s original and certainly most prolific drag-king troupe exists “to deconstruct traditional notions of gender and sexuality,” according to the website. Further propelling the group’s quest to “reconstruct traditional notions of gender and sexuality worldwide,” this month the Gendermyn appropriately help close out Houston Fringe Festival’s final “anything goes” weekend. Sept. 10–11, 8 p.m. Frenetic Theater, 5102 Navigation Blvd. • houstonfringefestival.com • 832/426-4624.

The Power of Exercise. David Lewis, a personal trainer experienced in working with clients with HIV issues, offers Project Empower, an exercise program for people living with HIV. Tuesdays and Thursdays, noon. Houston GLBT Community Center, 3400 Montrose Blvd., Suite 207 • 713/524-3818 • houstonglbtcommunitycenter.org.

Clean Living. Stretch and Surrender AA, a yoga class of beginning and intermediate hatha yoga postures led by an instructor, combined with an open AA meeting, meets Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. Lambda Center, 1201 W. Clay St. • 713/739-7576.

Celebrate the Arts. The Bayou City Performing Arts’ Gay Men’s Chorus of Houston heads north to perform with the Houston Symphony, presenting a selection of show tunes (surprise!). Songs from Wicked, Mamma Mia!, The Lion King, and Rent are on the bill. Sept. 2, 8 p.m. Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands • woodlandscenter.org • 281/363-3300.

Rockin’ Ginger. Singer/songwriter and Houston Women’s Music Festival favorite Ginger Leigh, and John Pointer return to Houston prior to Leigh’s theatrical debut at Zach Scott Theatre in Austin’s autumn production of Rent. Sept. 4, 9 p.m. Continental Club, 3700 Main St. • gleigh.com.

Up Close and Personal. Acclaimed womyn’s musicians Lisa Ferraro and Erika Luckett perform in the intimate setting of a house concert. 3203 Rustling Moss Dr. Sept. 9, 6:30 p.m. Reservations: 713/502-9297.

Playwrights’ Landfall. The Great Storm, a series of short plays about Hurricane Ike, is presented by Thunderclap Productions (see page 94). Sept. 9–18, 8 p.m. Obsidian Art Space, 3522 White Oak Dr. • thunderclapproductions.com.

Rodeo Road Trip. Big D Rodeo, presented by Texas Gay Rodeo Association, features more than 150 contestants from around the country competing in 12 rodeo events, plus the Expo Rodeo Market, entertainment, music, and dancing. The weekend kicks off (get it?) Friday with a meet-and-greet reception followed by a Jackpot Barrel Race with $1,000 for the winner, and concludes Sunday evening with an awards ceremony. Sept. 10–12. Diamond W Arena, 8901 E. Highway 67 in Alvarado • tgra.org.

New Caucus on the Block. The recently convened Fort Bend LGBT Political Caucus meets for a membership event with special guest Annise D. Parker, mayor of Houston. Membership dues paid at the door, with inaugural host levels available ranging from $100 to $500. Sept. 12,
2 p.m. 8030 Agora Circle in Katy • [email protected].

A Stainless Dozen. The Misfits, one of Houston’s most enduring social, not-for-profit Levi/leather clubs, presents Steel, the group’s 12th annual ball, with DJ Mark D. Street-legal leather, Levi, and fetish attire is requested, but not required. The $15 minimum donation benefits Bering Omega’s adult care center and Montrose Counseling Center’s anti-violence program. Sept. 12, 5–9 p.m. Numbers, 300 Westheimer Rd. • misfitshouston.org.

Quilts, Queers, and Volunteers. Building Our Community from the Center, an open house honoring national LGBT Community Center Awareness Day, features volunteer recruitment and an opening-night reception for a quilt exhibition by Mike Kelley. Sept. 15, noon–8 p.m. Houston GLBT Community Center, 3400 Montrose Blvd., Suite 207 • 713/524-3818 • houstonglbtcommunitycenter.org.

Out Tales. Theatre New West presents When I Knew, a staged reading of excerpts from Robert Trachtenberg’s book of coming-out stories. The reading is part of Because We Are: LGBT Activism Through Art, an exhibition exploring LGBT issues and struggles, which runs through Sept. 19. Sept. 16, 7 p.m. Station Museum of Contemporary Art, 1502 Alabama St. • theatrenewwest.com • 713/522-2204.

It’s Not Surgery. Open Hearts, a support group for parents and friends of the LGBT community, meets Sept. 16, 7 p.m., and each subsequent third Thursday. St. Peters United Methodist Church, 20775 Kingsland Blvd. in Katy • stpeterskaty.org • 281/492-8031, ext. 314.

Enhance Your Life. Psychotherapist Denise O’Doherty, LPC, LMFT, LCDC, RN, presents Building Confidence and Self-esteem, exploring the concept of how you feel about yourself directly relates to the results you get in your life. Sept. 18. O’Doherty also presents Secrets of Finding and Maintaining a Long-term Relationship. Oct. 2. $42 per class. Both classes 10 a.m.–noon at Leisure Learning Annex, 2990 Richmond Ave., 6th floor. Registration: llu.com • 713/529-4414. Info: 713/524-9525.

Joyful Noises. Dr. Timothy Seelig directs the “Gay”ther Homecoming, modeled after the popular gospel musical family. This daylong concert in Dallas features LGBT Christian musicians from across the U.S. Presented by Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ and Art for Peace & Justice, benefiting the Interfaith Peace Chapel. Sept. 18, noon. Cathedral of Hope, 5910 Cedar Springs Rd., Dallas TX • h4pj.org.

Family Support. Clear Lake Area Same-Sex Led Families (CLASS) is a small group that gathers for support and socializing, and it’s expanding. Like-minded LGBTs, especially those interested in becoming parents, are invited to attened a planning party (and bring a snack). Sept. 18, 2 p.m. Bay Area Unitarian Universalist Church, 17503 El Camino Real. • [email protected]

For the Pets. Paige Lewis and Anton Shaw perform at Hearts & Paws, a fundraiser and silent auction benefiting Houston Hospice and Houston SPCA. Sept. 18, 6 p.m. Chances, 1100 Westheimer Rd. • getarmbruster.com.

Traveling Music. Sing for Hope: An Evening of Art Songs & Arias honors Mark W. Kline, M.D. The concert of opera and show tunes also offers a raffle for trips to Paris, France, and Santa Fe, New Mexico. Sept. 18, 8 p.m. Benefits Bering Omega Community Services. Wortham Theatre Center’s Cullen Theatre, 501 Texas Ave. • beringomega.org • 713/341-3763.

Big D Pride. With its theme, “One Heart, One World, One Pride,” the 27th annual Dallas Pride Parade rolls down Cedar Springs Road from Wycliff Avenue, and concludes with the Pride Festival at Lee Park, featuring vendor booths, live music performances, and more. Sept. 19, 2 p.m. dallasprideparade.com.

High Notes in the Heights. Still Misbehavin’, a fundraiser for Bayou City Performing Arts, features music by the Gay Men’s Chorus of Houston and
Women’s Chorus, silent and live auctions, hors d’oeuvres, and wine. Sept. 19, 6–9 p.m. Sycamore Heights Bed and Breakfast, 245 W. 18th St. • bayoucityperformingarts.com.

Planning Ahead
It’s a Secret, But Tell Everybody. Want to learn more about Montrose Counseling Center and how its programs improve the quality of life for Houston’s LGBT communities? The Secret’s Out, MCC’s annual informational dinner and program, is free for attendees (but the hat will be passed). Oct. 7. RSVP by Sept. 23. montrosecounselingcenter.com • 713/800-0872. n

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