A rose is a rose, and a weekend is a weekend. Unless it’s the first weekend of QFest. The festival ramps up the LGBT in the HOU with screenings and performances that bolster this already epic Gay Agenda social calendar.
Friday, July 25
“Club King” (top photo) continues the annual QFest LGBT film festival. Legendary gay party promoter Mario Diaz is the subject as his dazzling parties and frank persona light up this documentary. The screening is free @ F Bar, 8 p.m. Stick around for FxPerience with Joe Ross and the F Men to get you hot and bothered, 10 p.m. Also look for QFest screenings “Out in the Night” (Museum of African American Culture, 7 p.m.), “Lilting” (MFAH, 7:30 p.m.) and “Voyage of the Rock Aliens” (Alamo Drafthouse, 9:45 p.m.)
Grand Masters Ball. The gay brothers of Theta Chi Psi celebrate LGBT diversity and unity of Greek-lettered organizations. Formal dining with a cash bar, guest speakers, entertainment and awards @ Montrose Counseling Center, 7:30 p.m.
“Equus.” You won’t get to see Harry Potter naked like they did on Broadway, but the nudity and the intensity are real as this exploration of modern society unfolds @ Frenetic Theatre, 8 p.m. Runs through Aug. 2
“Defy Gravity: A Stephen Schwartz Songbook” (top photo) re-imagines classics by the “Wicked” and “Enchanted” composer for a whole new bag. Theater queens will flock, and you should too, to this show from Standing Room Only Productions @ Obsidian Art Space, 8 p.m. Runs Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m., through Aug. 2.
“Fallen Angels” puts all of Noel Coward’s closeted angst, dry wit, drama-queen alcoholism and giggly man-hungriness on stage in the form of two women whose ex lover returns when their husbands are out. When the cat’s away @ Main Street Theater, 8 p.m. Runs through Aug. 3
Selfies Millennial Friday puts dance in your pants with DJ Eddie E and special [email protected] South Beach, 10 p.m.
Beats, beers and boys puts the party in your pocket and the gay in your Friday @ Bayou City Bar & Grill, all day.
Lounge it! Karaoke, drag and you know what’s up @ Guava Lamp, 9 p.m.
Boys to Men. You know you love it @ JR’s and Mining Company’s Cockfight.
Dance Your Ass Off and get moving on the floor @ Blur, 10 p.m.
Shower Boys never let you down @ Meteor, 10 p.m.
Saturday, July 26
QFest continues with “Queer Nation Houston” (Montrose Center, 1 p.m.), “Of Girls and Horses” (MFAH, 2:30 p.m.), “India Blues” (middle photo, MFAH, 4:30 p.m.) “Sweetest Tabboos” (Aurora, 7 p.m.) and “One Story of Love and Equality” (MFAH, 7 p.m.)
HERO Petition Working Group. Help protect the city's new equal rights ordinance as HopeActionChange reviews the anti-gay petitions challenging it. Petition-checking training appreciated and also provided to new people @ Resurrection MCC, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Houston’s Best Dance Party. You know what’s up, and you know where it’s at. Get in on it @ South Beach, 9 p.m.
Lounge it! One, two, you know what to do @ Guava Lamp, 9 p.m.
Party time. Excellent. Slip into something that will warm your gay heart @ Bayou City Bar & Grill, all day.
Dance it out. Saturday night beats for your nerves and a midnight performance showcase @ F Bar, 9 p.m.
DJ beats get you moving on the dance floor @ Blur, 10 p.m.
Drag never really ends when it’s cheap drinks and Showgurlz @ TC’s Showbar, 11 p.m.
Scruffy Saturday. Cruise on over with DJ beats and hot male dancers @ Mining Company, 9 p.m.
Fruit loop. No weekend is complete without a stop in for a few laps around the loop and a drink or five while eyeing the go-go boys @ JR’s, all day.
Shower Boys get you all wet @ Meteor, 10 p.m.
Sunday, July 27
QFest continues with “In These Boxes” (bottom photo, a live performance by actor-director Dudley Saunders @ 14 Pews, 3 p.m.), “Let the Record Show” (14 Pews, 5 p.m.), “Orlando” flashback (MFAH, 5 p.m.), “You and the Night” (MFAH, 7 p.m. and “Come On, Scumbags!” (Brasil, 8:30 p.m.)
Sunday Funday parties hard until you absolutely have to go home and start your workweek @ Bayou City Bar & Grill, 12 noon.
Sunday Funday Karaoke with a host that’s as entertaining as the singers @ Guava Lamp, 10 p.m. Lounge doors for day drinking at 4 p.m.
Sunday Funday Drag Show with Kofi and the girls and all of Houston’s ready-to-party gay boys @ JR’s, all day.
Hot Mess Sunday with Deejay Pollo and Ricky Lee and Houston’s hottest Spanish-English video remix set @ Blur, 10:30 p.m.
Men At Work Sunday with trash disco by DJ Danny G and drink specials @ Mining Company, all day.
Retox Sunday with F Divas shuts down the weekend. These queens know what you need, and you’re going to get it @ F Bar, 6 p.m.