The Gay Agenda – March

Author, Author. Amber Benson is perhaps best known for her role as Tara, the young lesbian love interest of Willow Rosenberg (Alyson Hannigan) on the hit Fox television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. But she’s so much more. Actor, director, producer, screenwriter, and novelist are all appropriate inclusions for the accomplished woman’s business card. Benson swoops into Houston on the heels of her latest project, her book, Serpent’s Storm, on March 7, 6:30 p.m. Benson leads a bevy of authors discussing and autographing their books at Murder by the Book this month, including Patricia Briggs (River Marked) and Kim Harrison (Pale Demon) on March 5, 6 p.m.; Patrick Rothfuss (Wise Man’s Fear) on March 6, 2 p.m.; and Jacqueline Winspear (A Lesson in Secrets) on March 23, 6:30 p.m. Murder by the Book, 2342 Bissonnet • murder
books.com • 713/524-8597.

A Slapping Good Time. Mildred Pierce, starring Joan Crawford. Introduced by KUHT’s Ernie Manouse as his “favorite film.” March 1, 7 p.m. Museum of Fine Arts Houston’s Brown Auditorium Theater, 1001 Bissonnet St. • mfah.org • 713/639-7300.

Ain’t No Mountain High Enough. Diana Ross performs her greatest hits on the More Today than Yesterday Tour. March 1. Verizon Wireless Theatre. 800/745-3000.

Queer Coffee. Houston GLBT Community Center volunteers Chris Escalante and Kalvin Marshall host Center Coffee Hour, a casual drop-in time providing coffee, cookies, and light snacks. Donations welcomed. Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m. Houston GLBT Community Center, 1900 Kane St. • houstonglbtcommunitycenter.org • 713/524-3818.

ACTOUT, Alley Theatre’s social group for gay and lesbian theater fans and their friends, celebrates Osage County. This pre-curtain event is complimentary with your ticket to the Thursday, March 3, 7:30 p.m. performance of August: Osage County. March 3, 6 p.m. To purchase a ticket online (required for this event), use the promo code: ACTOUT. Purchase online at alleytheatre.org • 713/220-5700.

Shut Up and Listen. Singer/songwriter Ginger Leigh appears at Montrose’s acclaimed acoustic listening room with John Pointer. March 4, 8 p.m. Anderson Fair, 2007 Grant St. • andersonfair.com • 832/212-4057.

Yum-Oh! Oodles of Noodles, Bering Memorial United Methodist Church’s annual carb-loading eatfest, benefits Bering Support Network. March 5. 1440 Harold St. • beringumc.org.

Me Gotta Go Now, Aye-yi-yi-yi, I Said. Houston Council of Clubs presents Let Us Entertain You (LUEY) 38, a national gathering celebrating the leather, BDSM, bear, cowboy, transgender, and drag communities with bar events, brunches, and parties, culminating with the Sunday afternoon “Show of Shows.” March 10–13. • lueyweekend.com.

Sweetie Darling. The Diana Foundation’s 2011 gala, Absolutely Fabulous, features a “roaring” silent auction, cocktails, dinner, and dancing. Benefits HATCH, Gulf Coast Archives and Museum, and the Botts Collection. March 12, 7 p.m. $175+. Hilton Americas, 1600 Lamar St. • thedianafoundation.org • 713/203-6767.

Abstract Retrospective. Alden Hotel’s Emerging Houston Artist Series showcases a retrospective of the art of Crystal Murley. March 13, 5:30 p.m. Alden Houston, 1117 Prairie St. • crystalmurleyart.com • 832/200-8800.

Walk On. 22nd Annual AIDS Walk Houston that helps increase community awareness and educate Houstonians about HIV/AIDS. Presented by AIDS Foundation Houston and Marathon Oil Corporation. Benefits local AIDS service providers. March 13, 8 a.m. Sam Houston Park. Registration: aidshelp.org.

A 22-year Irish Tradition. Montrose Counseling Center’s annual St. Patrick’s Day fundraiser, Bringing in the Green, is graciously hosted by John Danielson and Dwane Todd. The annual event features a silent auction of luxury items, including a vacation package and tickets to the upcoming Cirque du Soleil’s OVO performance. One hundred percent of the funds raised benefit MCC’s direct client services. March 18, 5:30 p.m. 3618 Burlington St. RSVP: 713/800-0872 • montrosecounselingcenter.org.

Twofer. Montrose Softball League hosts the 2011 Houston Gay Sports Fest Weekend, featuring the Lone Star Classic Softball Tournament and Houston Hurricanes’ Bayou City Brawl II Flag Football Tournament with shared events, fields, and hotel. March 18, 8 p.m.: registration Beer Bust for Lone Star Classic and Bayou City Brawl participants. Sheraton Suites, 2400 W. Loop S. March 19, 8 a.m.: play begins. Houston Sportsplex, 12631 S. Main St. March 19, 9 p.m.: Houston Gay Sports Fest Fun Night. March 20: play, awards presentation, and cookout. lonestarclassichouston.com • ngffl.com.

Pos Productions. Positively Resilient Theatre Company presents its debut production, Positively Resilient, accounts of individuals living with HIV and AIDS. Pressley Giles directs. March 19, 7 p.m. Montrose Counseling Center, 401 Branard St. (first floor). Free admission. [email protected].

Grab a Basket. Bunnies on the Bayou precedes their infamous downtown Easter party with the Bunnies Bar Bash, featuring a raffle of more than a dozen decorated baskets appealing to various tastes, like the “Naughty Bunny,” “Sporty Bunny,” and “Tipsy Bunny” baskets filled with valuable merchandise donated by local merchants. Free admission and drink specials; OutSmart’s Nancy Ford emcees. March 20, 4–6 p.m. Guava Lamp, 570 Waugh Dr. • bunniesonthebayou.org.

15 Things for 15 Years. Houston GLBT Community Center celebrates the 15th anniversary of its founding with 15 Great Things to Do at the Center. March 20–27. Events also include a gala open house on March 23, 6 p.m., and a dinner-on-the-grounds picnic, March 27, noon. Houston GLBT Community Center, 1900 Kane St. • houstonglbtcommunitycenter.org • 713/524-3818.

The Power of Diversity. All the musical entities of Bayou City Performing Arts perform in Dim Sum and Then Some: A Foreign Affair, a “whirlwind tour to exotic destinations around the world.” Vocalists with Gay Men’s Chorus of Houston, Bayou City Women’s Chorus, Bayou City Chorale, and the United Nations Association International Chorus are joined by special guests for a hop-and-stop trek around the globe with music and dance. March 26, 7:30 p.m. Wortham Center’s Brown Theatre, 501 Texas Ave. • bayoucityperformingarts.com • 713/521-7464.

Don’t Ask, Do Sing. JD Doyle’s Queer Music Heritage show for March focuses on Gays in the Military: A Music History, spanning the 1930s through DADT. Airs on KPFT-FM 90.1’s Queer Voices on March 28, 9 p.m., and at queermusicheritage.us.

OUT@TUTS after Curtains. Enjoy a cabaret-style, post-show event at Artista Restaurant for TUTS’ LGBT friends. March 31. Hobby Center for Performing Arts, 800 Bagby St. • tuts.com • 713/558-8887. tuts.com/OUT

PLANNING AHEAD
Not Your Mama’s Golf Tournament. The women of Kindred Spirits Foundation present their 3rd Annual Charity Golf Tournament & Dinner, welcoming beginners and experienced golfers alike. The day’s play on 18 holes is followed by the traditional BBQ Awards Dinner with prizes awarded for first, second, and third places, longest drive with a twist and closest to the pin, the best decorated cart, a silent auction, and raffle. Register in teams of four for $400, or sign up individually for $100. Dinner-only tickets: $20. April 30, 1:30 p.m. (shotgun start), with golf-cart decorating contest at 10:30 a.m. Bear Creek Golf World’s Presidents Golf Course, 16001 Clay Rd. Benefits KSF’s women’s charities. Register: kindredspiritshouston.org.