TEXAS RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL

Ever since we first tripped across the Texas Renaissance Festival grounds as high schoolers, we have suspected that a goodly number of the costumed characters were full- or part-time queers. After all, just think of all that showmanship (and womanship), the certain je ne sais quoi abounding, and all those men in hose. Check out your own gaydar and the more than 3,000 performers—including Manny Gutierrez (right) and his partner, Bill—on weekends through November 16. Any powers of observation have to work outside the urban jungle. The festival is located near Plantersville about 50 miles north of Houston.

Photographed in the festival King’s Arms Feast Hall by Todd Rainer

HALLOWEEN MAGIC

Shana Ross (l) and Greg Stephens star in Aquanet, The Montrose Hairspray, the 15th edition of the rollicking Halloween Magic musical. As always, the show uses a popular Broadway hit or movie—this year it’s the Tony-winning musical—as a springboard for show tunes, jokes on public figures, and general high jinks. Performances on October 18 and 19 take place at the Edwin Hornberger Conference Center (tickets: 713/226-2342). Proceeds benefit seven HIV/AIDS service organizations, including the Assistance Fund. Since 1988, Halloween Magic has raised more than $800,000 for local AIDS charities.
Photograph by Jann Whaley

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