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Gay Agenda – April

By Nancy Ford

Everything’s Bigger in Texas. Last year’s Bunnies on the Bayou, the annual Easter afternoon fundraising party, received recognition from the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s largest outdoor cocktail party. If that weren’t recommendation enough to attend, OutSmart readers frequently vote for it as Houston’s favorite fundraising event. On top of that, the event pulled in more than $60,000 for its multiple beneficiaries. Need more incentive? DJ Corey Craig and the Fly Boys Flag Troupe of Houston entertain. April 24, 1 p.m. Wortham Center’s Fish Plaza, 500 Texas Ave. • bunniesonthebayou.org.

Glitter On. Unity, the gay-straight alliance at the University of Houston-Clear Lake, hosts the Glitter Masquerade Ball, with Houston vocalists Freddy Cauley, Nina Lombardo, Brittni Jackson, and AJ Cabrera performing. April 1, 7 p.m. Benefits Houston chapters of GLSEN and PFLAG.UH-Clearlake, Atrium II, 2700 Bay Area Blvd. facebook.com/unityuhcl.

Life Recovery Workshops.
Life coach Karlos Albañil facilitates a series of workshops helping participants acquire skills to recover from life transitions including relationship breakup, job loss, death of a loved one, substance abuse, gender reorientation, HIV diagnosis, or other disruptive situations. Mondays, April 4–May 2, 7 p.m. Houston GLBT Community Center, 1900 Kane St. • houstonglbtcommunitycenter.org • 713/524-3818.

Kings and Queens. Professional and amateur drag performers alike are welcomed to perform at GLOBAL Drag Show, produced by University of Houston’s LGBT group. Benefits HATCH, a social and support group for GLBT youth in the Houston area. April 7, 8 p.m. Meteor Lounge, 2306 Genesee St. • uh.edu/global.

More Freddy. Houston vocalist Freddy Cauley opens for Chingo Bling and Roxxi Jane. April 8, 7 p.m. House of Blues’ Bronze Peacock, 1204 Caroline St. • houseofblues.com • 888/402-5837.

Rita Mae Reading. Author Rita Mae Brown reads from and signs her new Mrs. Murphy mystery, Hiss of Death. Her co-author, Sneaky Pie Brown, is not scheduled to appear with the lesbian legend. April 13, 6:30 p.m. Murder by the Book, 2342 Bissonnet St. • http://www.murderbooks.com/signings.php • 713/524/8597.

Funny Lady. Kathleen Madigan, one of the most enduring touring stand-up comics (and “the funniest woman on the planet,” according to Lewis Black), brings her acerbic wit to Houston’s House of Blues. April 15, 8 p.m. 1204 Caroline St. • houseofblues.com • 888/402-5837.

Art for Her. She Speaks, an all-female art event, features a new collection of paintings by Houston artist Anna Sprage with special guests Claire Richards and Kelley Devine and entertainment by singer/songwriter Wendy Colonna. April 16, 8 p.m. War’hous Visual Studios, 4715 Main St. • warhous.com

Power Brunch. A Victory Fund endorsement can result in financial assistance, technical assistance, and even staffing, for worthy LGBT political candidates. Houston Mayor Annise D. Parker, U.S. Representative David Cicilline (D-RI), and New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn discuss how the Victory Fund played an integral role in helping them win their respective campaigns at the organization’s 20th annual Champagne Brunch. April 17, 11 a.m. The Corinthian, 202 Fannin St. • victoryfund.org.

K T Tunstall, who contributed memorable tunes to Showtime’s now-defunct The L Word, brings “The Solo Show” to Houston to promote her third full-length album, Tiger Suit. April 21. House of Blues, 1204 Caroline St. • houseofblues.com • 888/402-5837.

Lone Star Volleyball Classic XXII Tournament offers a full weekend of entertainment, fun, and volleyball. Crowne Plaza Hotel (2712 Southwest Frwy.) provides lodging for out-of-ton ballers, but registration and closing parties take place at F Bar (202 Tuam St.). April 21–23. Willowbrook Sports Complex, 12539 Perry Rd. • lsva.org.

Opera Talk. If Figaro had been gay, do you think Wolfy Mozart would have made such a big deal out of his marriage? Discuss that and other possibilities at GLBT Out at the Opera, Houston Grand Opera’s reception for Patrick Carfizzi following his performance in The Marriage of Figaro. April 23. Houstongrandopera.org • 713/546-0289.

Order Up! Many of our city’s eateries swing open their doors once again for Dining Out for Life by generously donating a percentage of the day’s breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner tabs to support the programs of AIDS Foundation Houston. Dine out at participating restaurants and enter to win two round-trip tickets on Southwest Airlines. April 29. For participating restaurants, log on to aidshelp.org or diningoutforlife.com.

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 for winning teams, the best-decorated cart, plus a silent auction and raffle. Register in teams of four for $400, or sign up individually for $100. Dinner-only tickets: $20. Benefits KSF’s women’s charities. 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. • kindredspiritshouston.org.

Unity and Diversity. Performance artist MilDRED Gerstant is the keynote speaker for the Transgender Unity Banquet, presented by local transgender organizations. Benefits Peggy Rudd Transgender Scholarship Fund. April 30, 6:30 p.m. Sheraton Brookhollow Hotel, 300 N. Loop W. • htuc.org.

Feel the Love. Each year, Carl Han caps his longtime support of HATCH, Houston’s original organization supporting LGBT youth, with the Love Party. Expect delicious food, entertainment, fun, and (if we know Carl) a surprise or two. April 30, 7 p.m. F Bar, 202 Tuam St. • hatchyouth.org.

Bi Art. Texas Bi, a Celebration of Texas-based bisexual artists, is currently accepting submissions for an upcoming exhibition scheduled this month and in May at The Kenmore, within Box 13 ArtSpace, 6700 Harrisburg Blvd. • [email protected] • 713-582-1198.

PLANNING AHEAD
Ginger Grant hosts Derby Day 2011, the kick-off event preceding July’s annual Mint Julep Pageant, which features drag performances, a drag horse race, contests, and culminates with a screening of the Kentucky Derby. Benefits Legacy Community Health Services. May 7, 3 p.m. Brazos River Bottom, 2400 Brazos St. legacycommunityhealth.org.

Out on an Island. Entertainment icon and former OutSmart cover girl Shirley MacLaine discusses her gift for communication in “A Conversation with Shirley MacLaine.” May 1, 4 p.m. The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice St. thegrand.com • 409/765-1894.

Shakespeare in Drag. Cheryl Kaplan directs She Stoops to Comedy, a gender-bending treatment of the spirit of Shakespeare. April 8–25. Unhinged Productions at Freneticore Theater, 5102 Navigation Blvd. comeunhinged.com • 832/250-7786.


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