Every day I look at one of my three calendars - the ubiquitous Austin Events calendar, one with a different mushroom species for every month, and my planner that I've been cruelly under-filling - and feel that end-of-the-year fear. It's a common enough worry that strikes me: Have I made enough of my 2024? To actively combat the anxiety, I went back through the Qmmunity column archives: a whole year of work to be proud of. In 2024, I did interviews that showed myriad qmmunity facets, all of them more shining than the last. Here are, in no particular order, the top 10 interviews I did for the Qmmunity column.
10. "Andie Flores and Sam Mayer's 3 Scenes From Queer Utopia," Nov. 15
Notable quotable: "Asking whether or not art can save the world is asking the wrong question. If you accept that the answer is no, what do you make art about?" - Sam Mayer
9. "Queer Alt-Country Trio Next of Kin Debuts New Single," Sept. 27
Notable quotable: "One thing that ties cults together is a shared conviction, belief, idea, etc. ... Therefore, cult country, felt the best, most concise way to describe our sound and deep trust and respect for each other. We welcome everyone to join us in that feeling." - Next of Kin, collectively
8. "Two Drag Performers Talk Moving to Austin From San Marcos," Sept. 13
Notable quotable: "BIPOC are not treated very well in the spaces I've been in. And we have to work harder and be louder in order for us to be seen and heard, yet we still get ignored." - Sir Beau Elliot
7. "Poo Poo Platter Closes After 12 Years," July 26
Notable quotable: "Before we are all burnt out, let's stay flaming!" - Summer Clearance
6. "There Will Be Voguing," June 21
Notable quotable: "This is a love letter to our fight and an invitation to future generations. In our world [every] teardrop is followed by a laugh, every sweat drop is followed by a congratulation. Every loss is followed by an invitation to progress."- Manuel Frayre
5. "The Thrift Store We Adore," March 15
Notable quotable: "Our quirky and loving take on life in the face of such sorrow seemed to be something that our community longed for." - Top Drawer's Ben Zimmerman
4. "Ride 'Em Cowboy," May 3
Notable quotable: "It's camp. It's obscene. It's overtly stupid. ... What is particularly fun about a table read parody of an adult film is that the bar for acting is set really low. [So] we honestly just rounded up the most beautiful people in Austin we could find." - Bullride co-creator Sawyer Stoltz
3. "Be Fur Real," March 29
Notable quotable: "Being Texas handler, I don't describe it as well, my partner is a pup and I'm his handler. For me, Texas handler is, like, I handle the entire community. I'm very Mother, you know, I'm Auntie. I give such loving feminine energies." - 2023 Texas Handler Maxine LaQueene, aka Maxi Herndon
2. "Peace, Love, and the House of Juicy," Feb. 23
Notable quotable: "People want to be a part of something. But being a part of something doesn't mean that you get to come in, say that you're in a house, but then be gone for four or five months and not show up, not practice, not really push yourself. ... We'd rather have a few people who really take it seriously, really take the time to cultivate their talents and what they can bring to the table." - House of Juicy princess BabiBoi
1. "The Tea on Trivia," April 12
Notable quotable: "Queer trivia is really about getting out of the house during the week, shaking up your brain and maybe dancing to win a gift card to [the Little Gay Shop]. Maybe the trivia is the friends we made along the way? Is that how that saying goes?" - Aira Juliet
Friday 13, Cheer Up Charlies
In a post-Eras era, Local Queer ATX brings the Swiftie spirit to life with a costume contest, flash tats, and pop-up drag. All this, and $13! That's less than a last-minute concert ticket...
Friday 13-Sunday 15, the Austin Eagle
A weekend of free events - except for Sunday's victory drag brunch - surrounding Texas' inaugural Master/slave contest, where all those who love that power dynamic can engage in boot blacking, cigars, auctions, and much more.
Saturday 14, Coldtowne Theater
Don't come to this show if you're some kind of conservative snowflake: Hosts Christ Bryant and Evan Rabalais are "taking the Christ out of Christmas because our comedy show is too Woke."
Saturday 14, Cheer Up Charlies
Celebrating with a stacked cast of local latine drag artist, host Kino Kino invites y'all to a party featuring ribbons, cake, song, and a little sweetness within our rough reality.
Sunday 15, the Austin Eagle
Austin Pride teams up with her highness Kelly Kiline for a drag show featuring so much seasonal spirit you might just leave in a candy-cane coma. Bring a toy donation, too, to help kids in need.
Sunday 15, RSVP for location
ATX Chcolit LGBT throws their final event of the year, with a brunch buffet by Tooo Sauccy and mimosas for $25. Be there or be cursed to wait until 2025 for the next fun fete.
Sunday 15, RSVP for location
Stoner extraordinaire Lauren Wyatt hosts with Local Queer ATX a smoke sesh featuring pizza and meaningful pow-wows on cannabis community care.
Sunday 15, Pilates Apothecary
Local queer-owned wellness space Pilates Apothecary ferries you from the sweat-inducing stretches of pilates & yoga flow to a relaxing savasana, where you'll wear a face mask while in a resting post.
Sunday 15, Mueller Skate Park
Last of the year, this skate session invites queers and allies to get wheelin' around among friends. Plus: It's ugly sweater themed!
Sunday 15, 2919 Menchaca #210
Austin Women's Boxing Club and instructor Lu Villarreal invite those in the trans, intersex, nonbinary, and gender non-conforming communities to get the boxing basics in an affirming space.
Monday 16, Sagebrush
Getcha boots on, babe: Country Fried Dance and DJ Boi Orbison are back with another queer-centric line-dance lesson for a $10 cash cover.
Thursday 19, the Ballroom
Someone's been slaughtered at the shopping mall, and the only folks who can solve the mystery is your lovely local burly-q troupe the Jigglewatts. Snag a ticket early to get a good spot - although no promises you'll make it out alive...
Thursday 19, the Reverbery at Hilton Austin
Raise a glass with Equality Texas at this holly jolly happening. Maxine LaQueene hosts this party featuring a complimentary martini bar, face painting, a sexy Santa photo booth, and drag performances.