The Sac Queens Agenda Sep 24

Well, it's officially fall, which means sweater weather, and nobody said anything about covering up. The weather may be cooling down, but the event calendar has declined to follow suit. This weekend, Folsom Street Fair takes over San Francisco for anyone feeling adventurous. Closer to home, it's the final week of Sunset Sips in Downtown Sacramento before it wraps up for the year. Whether you opt for a civilized cocktail downtown or an eyeful (possibly a handful) at Folsom, Sac Queens hopes everyone gets out and enjoys something with friends.

Friendly PSA: the Halloween costume decision can no longer be put off. It's time to hit "place order" on that shopping cart and get those items on the way. And anyone hosting an upcoming event should be sure to check out this issue's Queer Business of the Week.

Last week, we asked you: What’s your Sunday after a big night out?

This week, we want to know:

September 24 – 30.

PrEP Navigation & Project Empowerment Listening Session
Thu, Sep 24, 9:30 to 11 AM, Zoom (Meeting ID 848 5960 0439, passcode 838077), free
The California Department of Public Health's Office of AIDS is planning the next funding round for its PrEP navigation and Project Empowerment programs and wants to hear what's working and what's missing. You don't need a state grant to join, and this is your chance to weigh in before the plan is final. Questions? Email Matthew Willis ([email protected]).

Coming Out Group
Thu, Sep 24, 6 to 7 PM, Sacramento LGBT Community Center (2031 K St), free, 18+
A weekly drop-in for anyone at any stage of coming out, with no registration and no sign-up sheet. Turn up once or turn up for a year, both are normal here. Read more

Youth Group
Thu, Sep 24, 6 to 7:30 PM, Sacramento LGBT Community Center (2031 K St), free, ages 13 to 17
The Center's weekly teen group, separate from Tuesday's room for young adults. Send it to the kid who has been waiting for somewhere to go on a Thursday. Read more

TransFemme & Non-Binary Support Group
Thu, Sep 24, 6 to 7:30 PM, Gender Health Center (3823 V St), free, 18+
Second and fourth Thursdays, with masks required and no registration to fill out. The counterpart to the TransMasc group that runs on the first and third. Read more

Parents Support Group
Thu, Sep 24, 6:15 to 7:30 PM, Sacramento LGBT Community Center (2031 K St), free
A weekly room for parents and caregivers of LGBTQ+ kids who are still working it out. Forward it to the one who keeps cornering you at family dinner. Read more

Karaoke Night at Teneral
Thu, Sep 24, 6:30 to 9:30 PM, Teneral Cellars (1050 20th St, Ste 110)
Karaoke returns to the queer- and women-owned wine lounge on the fourth Thursday. Three hours is long enough to work up to the song you actually came for. Read more

Drag Bingo with Apple Adams
Thu, Sep 24, 7 PM, arrive by 6:45, Tipsy Putt (630 K St #120), $5
Five dollars covers every round and extra cards run a dollar each, first come first served with no reservations. Get there at 6:45 to collect a drink, your cards and a dot marker before Apple starts calling. Read more

Latine Queer Group
Thu, Sep 24, 7 PM, Lavender Library (1414 21st St), free
Fourth Thursdays at the archive, built around presentation nights where members teach each other about where they come from. The table always has room for one more chair. Read more

Faces Thursday: Song and Dance
Thu, Sep 24, 9 PM to 1:30 AM, Faces (2000 K St)
The biggest floor in Lavender Heights splits the night between dancing and karaoke. Four and a half hours is plenty of runway to decide which song you want to do. Read more

SGMC Karaoke
Thu, Sep 24, 9:30 PM, Roscoe's upstairs (2007 K St)
The Sacramento Gay Men's Chorus goes upstairs for karaoke once rehearsal lets out. Trained voices on an open mic, and nobody is scoring yours against theirs. Read more

Thirsty Thursday
Thu, Sep 24, shows 11 PM and 12 AM, Badlands (2003 K St), free, 21+
Two pop-up drag shows an hour apart, with go-gos working the room in between. The cast and the theme rotate weekly, so the only reliable detail is that something happens at eleven. Read more

Dolly Day at 440 Castro
Fri, Sep 25, all day and night, 440 Castro (440 Castro St, San Francisco), 21+
Road trip: 440 Castro marks 9-2-5 with a day-long celebration of Dolly's life, DJs running her catalogue from open to close. She was a public supporter of the community who advocated for marriage equality and spoke up in defense of transgender people — the Castro will be doing this properly. Read more

Pickleball at Jonas Larkspur Park
Fri, Sep 25, 9 to 10:30 AM, Jonas Larkspur Park (1063 Jonas Ave)
Sacramento Gay Men's Events brings spare paddles and a quick lesson for anyone who has never held one. Food after for the people who earned it and the people who just showed up. Read more

Sabor y Cultura Night Market
Fri, Sep 25, 5 to 8 PM, Marsha P. Johnson Center South (7725 Stockton Blvd), free
The Center's youth program throws a bilingual night market for Hispanic Heritage Month and the LGBTQ+ Latinx community. Note the south Sacramento address, because this one is nowhere near K Street. Read more

Sac Gay Men's Book Club
Fri, Sep 25, 5:30 PM, private residence, address sent with your Meetup RSVP
The last Friday of the month, in somebody's living room, with the address released once you say you are coming. A book club where the hardest part is parking. Read more

Friday Happy Hour with Caloy
Fri, Sep 25, 6 to 8 PM, Faces (2000 K St)
Two hours at the front of the night before K Street gets loud about it. The correct first stop for anyone planning a second and a third. Read more

Fleetwood Macramé: A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac
Fri, Sep 25, 7 PM, Goldfield Trading Post (238 Vernon St, Roseville), ticketed, all ages
Not a queer show, but a room where every person knows every word to "Dreams" arrives there under its own power. The band named itself after a knotted wall hanging and then committed completely, which is the correct amount. Read more

Martini Crush Jazz Trio
Fri, Sep 25, 7–9 PM, Teneral Cellars (1050 20th St), no cover, 21+
The Martini Crush jazz trio returns to Teneral for their fourth run. Two hours, no cover, and an early enough finish to be the first stop of a Friday rather than the whole thing. Read more

Illusions: The Drag Queen Show
Fri, Sep 25 through Sun, Sep 27, Illusions (910 2nd St, Old Sacramento), ticketed, 21+
Old Sacramento's dedicated drag room runs the full weekend of celebrity impersonation. Despite the dinner-show branding it is drinks only, so eat somewhere first. Read more

Fridays Are a Drag
Fri, Sep 25, show 8 PM, Badlands (2003 K St), free, 21+
C-Yah Envy and LL Cool Gay host, with Aurora Lot Moore, Shayykinnet and Essence Monroe on the bill. Free entry, eight o'clock start. Read more

Levels
Fri, Sep 25, 9 PM–1:30 AM, Flamingo House (2315 K St), $10, 21+
Levels returns to Flamingo House for a night of 2010s festival EDM from Avicii, Calvin Harris, Tiësto, Skrillex, Swedish House Mafia and about thirty other names on the flyer, with Chango & Friends on the decks. If you spent any part of that decade waiting for the drop, this is a chance to do it again with better knees than you'll have next year. Tickets are on sale now. Read more

Badlands Fetish Night
Fri, Sep 25, 10 PM, Badlands (2003 K St), 21+
Go-go dancers in latex, leather and lace, on the Friday before Folsom weekend. If the thing has been in the back of the closet since last September, this is the night. Read more

Sacramento FrontRunners & FrontWalkers
Sat, Sep 26, 9 AM, Guy West Bridge (945 University Ave), free
The standing Saturday five-mile loop with coffee waiting at the end. This is a fourth Saturday, so the group brunch that follows the third one is not on. Read more

Brunchy Bites & Bottomless Mimosas
Sat, Sep 26, 10 AM–1 PM, Teneral Cellars (1050 20th St), 21+
Teneral runs Saturday brunch with bottomless mimosas and charcuterie boards from Grub 'n' Graze. Three hours, next door to LowBrau, and a civilized way to start a Saturday that may not stay civilized. Read more

Romanian Festival
Sat, Sep 26, 12–9 PM, Vernon Street Town Square, Roseville, free, all ages
Not a queer event, just a genuinely good one: nine hours of Romanian food, live music, folk dancing, cultural performances and artisan vendors, hosted by the Romanian Community Center of Sacramento. One of the West Coast's largest, free to get in, and twenty minutes up 80. Read more

Honey Pot
Sat, Sep 26, doors 6 PM, Badlands (2003 K St), $5 before 9 PM, 21+
Badlands' bear and leather night with DJ Mario, go-gos all evening and two dollars off cocktails for anyone in gear. The discount pays for itself by the second drink and rewards people who were dressing up regardless. Read more

#STFU! Drag Lip-Sync & Stand-Up
Sat, Sep 26, 9 PM, STAB! Comedy Theater (1710 Broadway), $10 in person or $5 virtual
lolgbt+ makes comics attempt a death drop and queens attempt a tight five, on the same bill. Watching both groups fail at the other one's job is the entire premise. Read more

Bear Claw
Sat, Sep 26, 9 PM, The Bolt (2560 Boxwood St), free, 21+
The monthly bear night, open to otters, cubs, bears and anyone who admires the category. The Bolt does not charge a cover on any night, which leaves the whole budget for the bartender. Read more

Gothlesque Cabaret: (SOLD OUT)
Sat, Sep 26, 9 to 11 PM, Radclyffe's (1330 H St, enter on 14th), 21+
Nevermore Gorelesque brings eleven performers and Rob Roberts hosting for two hours of burlesque and drag. Tickets are gone, so this is a head start on spooky season that you either already have or you do not. Read more

Accessible Yoga
Sun, Sep 27, 10:30 to 11:30 AM, Sacramento LGBT Community Center (2031 K St), free, all ages
A weekly class built to meet bodies where they actually are rather than where a video says they should be. One gentle hour before Sunday asks for anything else. Read more

Roscoe's Drag Brunch
Sun, Sep 27, 10:30 AM and 1:30 PM, Roscoe's upstairs (2007 K St), $12.50 ticketed
Two seatings upstairs, with bottomless mimosas at eighteen dollars alongside an entree and a two-hour limit somebody always tests. Book ahead through OpenTable rather than turning up hopeful. Read more

Hotties & Hops
Sun, Sep 27, 3 to 6 PM, At Ease Brewing (1825 I St), $10 suggested donation
A craft social for women, trans and nonbinary folks, where you bring your own project or borrow theirs. Three hours of quiet hands and loud opinions, beer optional. Read more

Teneral Tea Dance Sunday
Sun, Sep 27, 3–6 PM, Teneral Cellars (1050 20th St), no cover, 21+
DJ David Andersen runs a daytime dance party at Teneral, last Sunday of every month from here on. No tea despite the name, but there is wine, drawings and football on at the bar for anyone who came for the company rather than the dancing. All welcome. Read more

Romantasy Book Club with Paco: The Knave and the Moon
Sun, Sep 27, 4 to 5 PM, A Seat at the Table Books (9257 Laguna Springs Dr #130, Elk Grove)
Paco leads an hour on this month's pick out in Elk Grove. Sixty minutes to argue about whether the love interest deserved any of it. Read more

Country Line Dancing with Johnny
Sundays, 5–8 PM, Faces (2000 K St), free, 21+
Johnny runs line dancing every Sunday evening, all skill levels, free to get in. Three hours is long enough to learn something and short enough that you'll still be home at a reasonable hour. Read more

Badlands Sunday Showcase
Sun, Sep 27, 8 PM, Badlands (2003 K St)
The standing Sunday slot, same time every week with a rotating host and a fresh cast. The one night where the lineup is genuinely a surprise. Read more

Crystal Methyd
Sun, Sep 27, meet and greet 8 PM, show 9 PM, Faces (2000 K St), 21+
The All Stars 11 winner performs with Sasha Devaroe hosting, and the page warns tickets are limited. There are no refunds, so pick the outfit with conviction. Read more

Sacramento FrontRunners Monday Run/Walk
Mon, Sep 28, 6:30 PM, Sacramento Running Company (2673 21st St), free
Three miles around Curtis Park on a Monday evening, running or walking. The cheapest way to feel ahead of the week before it has properly started. Read more

Queer Yoga
Mon, Sep 28, 6:30 to 7:30 PM, Sacramento LGBT Community Center (2031 K St), free
Bring your own mat, block and water bottle, because the Center supplies the room and nothing else. The Monday class for people who would rather hold a pose than hold a conversation. Read more

Monday Drag Showcase
Mon, Sep 28, 9 PM, Badlands (2003 K St), free
The weekly showcase for performers still assembling an act, with a rotating host and thirty percent off cocktails. Tip like you are getting in early on something. Read more

Monday Night at Faces
Mondays, 9 PM–1:30 AM, Faces (2000 K St), free, 21+
DJ Vic handles the dance floor and KJ Jeo runs karaoke, so the same room covers both people who want to dance and people who have been waiting all week to sing. Admission is free and there are drink specials. Monday is the one night nobody expects anything from you, and Faces seems to have planned around that. Read more

HIV, Aging & Prevention Listening Session
Tue, Sep 29, 1:30 to 3 PM, Zoom (Meeting ID: 861 9360 5888 Passcode: 959339), free
The state's Office of AIDS is building a new program for Californians 50 and older, with prevention built in, and wants to hear from people living with HIV and people who are negative. If getting PrEP, care or a straight answer has gotten harder with age, tell them now while they're still planning.

Pickled Pink Beginners' Session
Tue, Sep 29, 4–6 PM, Southside Park, free, all ages
Pickled Pink is an LGBTQIA+ social group built around pickleball, and every Tuesday it runs a beginners' session. You don't need experience or equipment, and the group says it's fine to come just for the social part. Experienced players are welcome too, and are encouraged to help teach newcomers. Allies count as part of the plus, so you can bring the straight friend who keeps saying they'd like to try it. Read more

Men's Group
Tue, Sep 29, 6 to 7:30 PM, Sacramento LGBT Community Center (2031 K St), free, 18+
A weekly drop-in for LGBTQ+ men to talk through whatever the week handed them. No sign-up, and nobody in the room expects you to have it sorted. Read more

Youth Group (18 to 24)
Tue, Sep 29, 6 to 7:30 PM, Sacramento LGBT Community Center (2031 K St), free, ages 18 to 24
The Center's weekly group for young adults, the Tuesday counterpart to Thursday's teen room. Built for the years when a room like this does the most work. Read more

Maxx Drag
Tue, Sep 29, doors 7:30 PM, show 8 PM, Badlands (2003 K St), 21+
Season nine of the drag competition just launched, with Azutanah, Cyah Envy and Manni Peddi judging. It runs every Tuesday from here, so this is the cheap week to start following it. Read more

Show Tune Request Night
Tue, Sep 29, 9 PM, The Depot (2001 K St)
DJ Ryan takes requests, musicals only, and the policy is not open to appeal. Get yours in before somebody says Wicked again. Read more

Faces Karaoke Tuesday
Tue, Sep 29, 9 PM to 1:30 AM, Faces (2000 K St)
A full night of karaoke on the biggest stage on K Street. Four and a half hours is enough time to attempt the song, regret it, and attempt it again. Read more

Karaoke Night with Diana Hole
Tue, Sep 29, 9:30 PM, Badlands (2003 K St), free
Diana Hole hosts every Tuesday with two dollars off cocktails all night. It is half a block from the other karaoke night, so do both and blame K Street. Read more

Sunset Sips
Wed, Sep 30, 4 to 7 PM, 18 participating downtown bars, 21+
The final night of the season, with drinks at five, seven and nine dollars at spots including the Clayton Club Rooftop Lounge, the Ten Ten Room and Fanny Ann's Saloon. After tonight downtown goes back to charging whatever it likes. Read more

Sacramento FrontRunners Wednesday Run
Wed, Sep 30, 6:30 PM, McKinley Park (601 Alhambra Blvd), free
Back to the regular McKinley Park run, because Sep 30 is a fifth Wednesday. The fourth-Wednesday social hour was last week and this one is just the miles. Read more

Piano Bar & Karaoke
Wed, Sep 30, piano 6 to 9 PM, karaoke 9 PM to close, Roscoe's downstairs (2007 K St)
Live piano first and an open mic after, downstairs, every Wednesday. The only midweek night in town with a proper two-act structure. Read more

George Civeris
Wed, Sep 30, 7:30 PM, Punch Line Sacramento (2100 Arden Way), ticketed
The gay stand-up and podcast host brings a midweek set out to Arden Way. A Wednesday night show is a commitment, which is presumably the filter. Read more

The Trivia Show
Wed, Sep 30, 8 PM, The Depot (2001 K St), free
Just Josh hosts, teams cap at six, the top three take prizes and the drink specials rotate through the show. Build a team with one sports person, one Broadway person and one person who reads Wikipedia recreationally. Read more

Drag Queen Karaoke with Miss Lita Taylor
Wed, Sep 30, 8 PM, Bear & Crown (1022 2nd St, Old Sacramento)
On the last Wednesday of the month, Miss Lita Taylor turns an Old Sac British pub into a drag karaoke bar. Sing like the queen is judging, because she is. Read more

Latin Night: ¡Besos!
Wed, Sep 30, show 10 PM, Badlands (2003 K St), free, 21+
Roselia Valentine hosts with special guest Cattriona from La Más Draga, plus Sally Limón, Valentín Rowzay and Liz. Free entry, ten o'clock, midweek — bring your stamina. Read more

Paul A. Curtis has spent 35+ years doing community activism and nonprofit leadership in Sacramento, which is roughly 35 years longer than most people spend thinking about it. His areas of focus include HIV/AIDS awareness, LGBTQ rights, foster care, runaway and homeless youth, and mental health. That is five causes. Most of us struggle with one houseplant.

The Executive Era: In 2011, he moved from volunteering into management, serving as Executive Director of the California Coalition for Youth and later the California Coalition of Community Behavioral Health Agencies. He also sat on the board of the National Council for Behavioral Health. Regional work apparently wasn't filling his calendar.

The "Retirement": In 2021, he announced he was semi-retiring. His friends laughed. By 2022, he had joined the executive team at Sunburst Projects as Director of Community Engagement and Fund Development. The retirement is going about as expected.

The Advocate: Paul has lived openly as HIV+ since January 27, 1987. For nearly four decades, he has pushed Sacramento to overhaul and improve services for people living with or affected by HIV, and Sacramento has, for the most part, listened.

The Oversight: He recently finished a term as Chair of the Sacramento County Sheriff Community Review Commission and has stayed on as a member, because stepping down entirely would be out of character. He also chairs the Community Advisory Board for UC Davis Health and is active with the Stonewall Democratic Club of Greater Sacramento.

In his spare time, which we assume exists, he gardens, cooks, and entertains. In December, he decorates for Christmas at a level that may be visible from orbit. We have not confirmed this with NASA.

By day, Adam Mateo works full-time in the medical field. By night, he folds salami into roses. Everyone needs a hobby, and his happens to be a business.

In March 2025, Adam took what he learned from his years in the food industry and started The Board Babes, a mobile charcuterie bar and catering service. The premise: meat, cheese, fruit, and crackers, arranged so nicely you'll feel a little guilty eating them. You'll eat them anyway. That's the point.

The crew rolls up with a cart of fully customizable, personal-sized boards, or they'll cover an entire table in an elegant spread your guests will photograph before touching. Either way, your eyes and taste buds leave satisfied, and your cheese standards are permanently ruined.

www.theboardbabescatering.com / [email protected]

Movies Under the Stars
Thu, Oct 1 & Fri, Oct 2, 7 PM, Old Sacramento Waterfront, $10–$35, all ages
Not a queer show, but Practical Magic is close enough: the outdoor movie series at Old Sacramento State Historic Park opens with Jurassic Park on Thursday and Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as witch sisters on Friday, with sound through headphones. Seating runs from $10 for a spot on the lawn (bring a blanket) to $35 for a cozy seat with popcorn and a drink. Tickets are sold only through the official link. Read more

Drag Queen Bingo
Thu, Oct 1, doors 6 PM, games 7 to 9 PM, Mango's (1930 K St), $20 cash only
DoMe Moore calls eight games on first Thursdays, first come and first served. Cash only, so stop at an ATM before you get to K Street. Read more

Say YAS! A Drag Discussion Salon & Kiki
Fri, Oct 2, 10 PM, STAB! Comedy Theater (1710 Broadway), $10
A panel of Sacramento drag names talks shop on first Fridays. The conversation that normally only happens in a dressing room. Read more

Paleta
Fri, Oct 2, 10 PM, Faces (2000 K St), $10–$12.50, 21+
Lokera Latin Party brings Paleta to Faces for a night of reggaeton, Latin EDM and perreo, with Refresh as the special guest. The name means lollipop, and the flyer commits to the theme with inflatable pink letters, a lot of candy, and a reasonable expectation that people will stay on the dance floor until close. Tickets are on Eventbrite. Read more

Sacramento Pagan Pride
Sat–Sun, Oct 3–4, 10 AM–6 PM, with Saturday afterhours to 9 PM, VFW Hall (8990 Kruitof Way, Fair Oaks), free, all ages
Two days of vendors, music, food trucks, classes, seminars and raffle prizes, with fire dancing and a music show Saturday evening. Admission and parking are free, with donations going to the event's chosen charities Read more

Pride in the Park
Sat, Oct 3, 11 AM to 4 PM, Sam Brannan Park (806 Gray Ave, Yuba City), free, all ages
Tri-County Diversity's fifth annual Pride, with a main stage, a kids zone, food trucks and a raffle. Small-town Pride, and worth the drive for precisely that reason. Read more

BLUF SF Cuero: October Edition
Sat, Oct 3, 9 PM–midnight, The Bolt (2560 Boxwood St), free, 21+
BLUF SF's monthly leather night returns to The Bolt, with a bootblack on duty and a raffle auction benefiting the Lavender Library. BLUF gear is encouraged but not required, and everyone is welcome, so you can show up in full uniform or in whatever you own that is closest to leather. Three hours is exactly long enough to get your boots shined and lose the raffle for a good cause. Read more

Pink Party: Back to the '80s
Tue, Oct 6, shows at 10:30 PM & midnight, Faces (2000 K St), 21+
Nayelli San Román hosts a pink-themed '80s night at Faces, with two shows, the debut of Fernanda H., and DJ Kevin playing between sets. The dress code is whatever you'd have worn in the '80s, which for a lot of the crowd means their best guess and for some means a trip back to the closet. Pink is strongly encouraged. Tuesday is a strange night to time-travel, but the shoulder pads won't know the difference. Read more

"You Betta Work" Career Fair
Wed, Oct 7, 10 AM to 2 PM, Celebration Arts (2727 B St), free, all ages
The Center's career fair connects job seekers with employers who run affirming workplaces, at every stage and for allies too. Job search and professional development resources are on site, and you can register ahead or on the day. Read more

Legends and Villains Trivia Night
Thu, Oct 8, 6:30 PM, A Seat at the Table Books (9257 Laguna Springs Dr #130, Elk Grove), $5
Quizmaster Michelle runs Halloween-season trivia on legends and villains. Come alone or bring a team, costumes encouraged, and the café stays open till 7 for beer, wine, pizza and pastries. Five dollars, RSVP through the events tab on the bookstore's site. Read more

Big Gay Halloween
Thu, Oct 8 through Sun, Oct 25, Thu and Fri 8 PM, Sat 7:30 and 10 PM, Sun 7 PM, Great Star Theater (636 Jackson St, San Francisco), ticketed
Road trip: three weekends of acrobats, ghouls, drag royalty and dancers in North Beach. Saturdays run two shows, which is the detail that makes a whole weekend schedulable. Read more

K!NK or Treat
Thu, Oct 8, 7 PM, The Boardwalk (9426 Greenback Ln, Orangevale), ticketed
Plot Twist, Live! opens Halloween season with burlesque and variety out in Orangevale. Pick a driver who enjoys a costume, because it is a long way back. Read more

Jonathan Van Ness: Hot & Healed
Thu, Oct 8, doors 7 PM, show 8 PM, Channel 24 (1800 24th St), ticketed, 18+
Van Ness brings the Hot & Healed tour to Midtown. Channel 24 takes physical ID only, so the phone wallet will not get you through the door. Read more

Las Vegas Pride
Parade: Fri, Oct 9, Downtown Las Vegas; Festival: Sat, Oct 17, Desert Breeze Events Center
Road trip: Las Vegas Pride's theme this year is "Break the Cycle," with the slogan Rise, Resist, Rejoice. The parade runs downtown on Oct 9, and the festival is at Desert Breeze Events Center on Oct 17. That's eight days apart, so Sacramento visitors will need to pick one or plan a very long weekend. Either way it's a long drive or a short flight, and going to both means doing it twice or staying all week. Read more

Liquid Therapy
Fri, Oct 9, 5:30–7 PM, Badlands (2003 K St), 21+
Outword's happy hour is back at Badlands, where the draw is cocktails plus a prize drawing. The prizes include Broadway Sacramento ticket packs, two packs of premium tickets to the Sacramento Gay Men's Chorus holiday show Slay Bells & Sequins, and a pair of tickets to see Ricky Martin at Thunder Valley's The Venue on Nov 6. It lasts ninety minutes, so it's over in time for dinner. That's easier to plan around than you'd expect from something called therapy. Read more

Electric Feels
Fri, Oct 9, 8 PM, Ace of Spades (1417 R St), ticketed, 18+
An indie and electronic dance party, which in practice means Daft Punk into MGMT into Charli XCX. Wear shoes you are willing to jump in. Read more

Sacramento Turn Verein Oktoberfest
Fri, Oct 9, doors 6 PM; Sat, Oct 10, from 3 PM; both to 11:30 PM, Turner Hall (3349 J St), $25 advance / $30 door, $5 ages 6–12, under 6 free
Not a queer event, but lederhosen have always been doing something: the Turn Verein's 57th Oktoberfest, with the Gruber Family Band in the Main Hall, AKA Live upstairs in the Festhall, the Alpenmeisters in the Biergarten and Alpentänzer Schuhplattlers dancing. Three kitchens, three bars, and kegs shipped from Munich. Biergarten closes at 10. Read more

Gaymer Night
Fri, Oct 9, 9 PM–midnight, The Bolt (2560 Boxwood St), free, 21+
On the second Friday of every month, The Bolt puts video games up on its screens. The flyer shows a game controller surrounded by leather cuffs and a flogger, which accurately describes the crowd: people who are serious about gaming, in a bar where the décor has other interests. Bring your competitive streak and your good sportsmanship. Read more

Farmers Market at Teneral Cellars
Sat, Oct 10, 10 AM to 1 PM, Teneral Cellars (1050 20th St, Ste 110)
Redfin has a table at the farmers market with their Wine Wheel. Spin for a chance to win Teneral wine, bottomless mimosas or Pride swag, and Amanda and David will be there to answer questions about Redfin's money-saving programs for homebuyers and sellers. Read more

Coming Out Day Festival
Sat, Oct 10, 11 AM to 4 PM, Township 9 Park (611 Riverine Way), free, all ages
Local LGBTQ+ performers, vendors, a photobooth, a sound bath and resource tables out in the River District. A festival that is as much about the tables as the stage. Read more

Drink & Draw
Sat, Oct 10, 3 to 6 PM, The Bolt (2560 Boxwood St), $10 suggested donation, 21+
Lady Bones hosts, supplies are included and the proceeds go to a local charity. It skipped September, so the sketchbooks are well rested. Read more

Drag for Liberty
Sat, Oct 10, 2 to 5 PM, Davis, venue to be announced, Davis, tips encouraged
Davis Pride's family-friendly afternoon drag show, with the location still unconfirmed three weeks out. Watch davispride.org, or just plan to drive to Davis and find out. Read more

The Velvet Room: A Drag Cabaret & Dinner Show
Sat, Oct 10, seating 6:30 PM, show to 8:30 PM, Roscoe's upstairs (2007 K St), ticketed
Roscoe's monthly upstairs cabaret, second Saturday of every month. Dinner and a drag show in one sitting, booked through OpenTable rather than a ticket link. Read more

Folsom Family Pride Festival
Sun, Oct 11, 10 AM to 3 PM, Folsom City Lions Park (403 Stafford St, Folsom), free, all ages
Folsom's Pride lands on National Coming Out Day with music, speakers, vendors and an ASL interpreter for every act. A suburban Pride that actually plans for everyone in the park. Read more

Makeup & Mimosas
Sun, Oct 11, 12 PM, Punch Line Sacramento (2100 Arden Way), ticketed
Apple Adams and Suzette Veneti host the monthly second-Sunday drag brunch out on Arden Way. Two hosts who have never once let a room stay quiet. Read more

LLACE Game Day
Sun, Oct 11, 12 to 2 PM, Lavender Library (1414 21st St), free
Second Sundays, two hours of board games at the archive. Bring a game or trust that somebody else did. Read more

Glow Party
Sun, Oct 11, 9 PM, The Bolt (2560 Boxwood St), free, 21+
The Bolt turns on the blacklights for a Sunday glow party. Based on the flyer, neon body paint counts as an outfit, and the less fabric under the blacklight, the more there is to glow. There's work in the morning, so this is a good night to plan on staying out only a little too late. Read more

Banned Book Club
Mon, Oct 12, 7 to 8 PM, Lavender Library (1414 21st St), free
Second Mondays, reading the titles somebody somewhere tried to pull off a shelf. The most efficient hour of spite available in Midtown. Read more

Bi+Pan Sacramento
Wed, Oct 14, 7 PM, Lavender Library (1414 21st St), free
Second Wednesdays at the archive, for bi and pan people and anyone landing near there. A room where nobody asks you to pick. Read more

Library AF Book Group
Wed, Oct 14, 6:30 to 7:30 PM, Sacramento LGBT Community Center (2031 K St), free
Sacramento Public Library's queer YA group meets at the Center on second Wednesdays. October's book is Gods of Jade and Shadow. Read more

Blazin' Saddles with Diplo, Dustin Lynch and Wuki
Fri, Oct 16, 4 to 11 PM, 3001 Ramona Ave, ticketed
Sac State homecoming weekend, with country and dance music colliding entirely on purpose. Boots are the only defensible footwear. Read more

Sacramento Leather Invasion: Bar Crawl
Sat, Oct 17, from 7 PM, starting at The Mercantile Saloon (1928 L St)
Four bars for The Trevor Project: The Mercantile at seven, Badlands at eight, The Depot at nine and The Bolt at ten. Harness optional, pacing mandatory. Read more

Girls & Ghouls at Radclyffe's
Sun, Oct 18, 4:30–7:30 PM, Radclyffe's (1330 H St), [cover], [age]
Radclyffe's has an early-evening Halloween hang with paintable pumpkins, small craft kits while supplies last, and a costume contest at 7 PM. There's also a free clothing and costume swap, so bring the costume you swore you'd wear again and let someone else make that promise this year. Vendors will be announced later. Read more

Board Game Night
Wed, Oct 21, 5–7 PM, A Seat at the Table Books (9257 Laguna Springs Dr #130, Elk Grove),
A Seat at the Table Community Initiative hosts a board game night at its bookstore on the third Wednesday of every month. The café serves food and drinks, and more than a dozen people came to the last one, which in board game terms is enough people to have a real argument about the rules. It's free, but they ask you to RSVP. Read more

Club 55
Wed, Oct 21, 4 to 5:30 PM, Sacramento LGBT Community Center (2031 K St), free, seniors
The Center's monthly social for LGBTQ+ seniors is back on the calendar for Oct 21. Ninety minutes with people who remember when none of this made it onto a calendar. Read more

Boas & Bow Ties Gala
Thu, Oct 22, 6 to 9 PM, Hilton Arden West
The Rainbow Chamber's annual scholarship gala, this year honoring departing director Fred Palmer. Register now and learn where you are going later. Read more

Nevermore Gorelesque: Cabaret Macabre
Fri, Oct 23, 8:30 PM, Historic Colonial Theatre (3522 Stockton Blvd), ticketed, 21+
Burlesque, drag and horror on one bill with Rob Roberts hosting and a VIP meet and greet available. Fake blood is a genuine possibility, so dress accordingly. Read more

Rocky Horror with Amber's Sweets
Sat, Oct 24, VIP entry 7:45 PM, GA 8:15 PM, show 9 PM, Historic Colonial Theatre (3522 Stockton Blvd), $25.49 GA, $36.99 VIP
The first of two Amber's Sweets shadowcast nights this October. VIP gets a prop kit and an onstage photo with the cast. Read more

Two Dykes and a Mic: Soaking Wet Tour
Sat, Oct 24, 3 PM, Punch Line Sacramento (2100 Arden Way), ticketed
The lesbian comedy podcast brings its live tour to Arden Way. Meet-and-greet packages include a signed poster for a wall of your choosing. Read more

Q-Prom: Camp Heebie Jeebies
Sun, Oct 25, 6 to 9 PM, Ace of Spades (1417 R St), free, ages 13 to 20
A substance-free queer prom for teens who did not get one, or did not get a good one. Camp theme, free entry, and a second attempt at the dance. Read more

Hotties & Hops
Sun, Oct 25, 3 to 6 PM, At Ease Brewing (1825 I St), $10 suggested donation
The October edition of the monthly craft social for women, trans and nonbinary folks. Low-key by design, with all-gender restrooms and supplies to borrow. Read more

Orville Peck: Man Turned Mule Tour
Wed, Oct 28, doors 7 PM, show 8 PM, Channel 24 (1800 24th St), ticketed
The masked cowboy brings the Man Turned Mule tour to Midtown. Channel 24 takes physical ID only, so pack the real wallet along with the fringe. Read more

Last Stop: The Haunting of 28th Street
Fri, Oct 30, 5 to 9 PM, Blue Cue (1004 28th St), $25 to $50, 21+
Sigma Gamma Rho's alumnae chapter throws a Halloween scholarship fundraiser with a best costume contest. Your ticket carries into Blue Cue's own event straight after, so the night does not stop at nine. Read more

Vaquero Night: Día de los Muertos
Fri, Oct 30, 9 PM, The Bolt (2560 Boxwood St), free, 21+
The Bolt celebrates Día de los Muertos with a vaquero night: vendors, food, an outside bar pouring tequila, mezcal and Mexican beer, and a crowd in boots and sombreros. The flyer's motto is to honor the past, celebrate the present and dance till forever. The Bolt closes before forever, but the first two are well covered. Read more

OUT! at the Movies: Clue Halloween Potluck
Sat, Oct 31, 4 PM, Tri-County Diversity (201 D St Ste L, Marysville), free
The queer film night screens Clue as a Halloween potluck. Bring a dish and a theory about who did it. Read more

Bewitched: A Glowy Ghoulish Halloween Party
Sat, Oct 31, 6:30–9:30 PM, Teneral Cellars (1050 20th St), no cover, 21+
DJ David Andersen runs a blacklight Halloween dance party in Teneral's garden. Costume required, or at least strongly implied — and anything that glows will do more work than anything that doesn't. Free, and done by 9:30 if you've got somewhere else to be after. Read more

Icons of Horror
Sat, Oct 31, 7 PM–1 AM, Radclyffe's (1330 H St #110), free, 21+
Radclyffe's Halloween theme this year is Icons of Horror, with DJ Bishop Envy and a costume contest where only horror costumes count. The post tells you to get your best mask and body bag ready. That rules out the sexy-cat costume, but anyone who has been waiting all year to show off a slasher mask finally has a room full of people who will recognize it. Read more

Sat, Oct 31, 8 PM–midnight, The Bolt (2560 Boxwood St), free, 21+
The Bolt's Halloween kink show has a circus theme, with contests, raffles, games, shows, jello shots, popcorn and a spanking booth. The costume contest has Classic, Kinky and Couples categories, costs $10 per person to enter, and awards trophies. You have to register before 10 PM. There's also jack-o'-lantern judging, which is free to enter and awards ribbons, so the least-dressed person in the room can still go home with a prize if they carve well. Read more

Halloween at Faces
Sat, Oct 31, 8 PM–1:30 AM, Faces (2000 K St), 21+
Faces spreads Halloween across all three dance rooms, which gives you three separate places to discover your costume doesn't breathe. The $3,000 costume contest splits into Sexiest, Most Creative and Best Group, so the friend who keeps pitching a group costume finally has a financial argument. Tickets are on sale now, and with Halloween landing on a Saturday this year, buying at the door is a bold strategy. Read more

Rocky Horror Halloween with Amber's Sweets
Sat, Oct 31, doors 8:30 PM, show 9 to 11:30 PM, Historic Colonial Theatre (3522 Stockton Blvd), $26.99 GA, $41.99 VIP, 18+
The second shadowcast night, on the date the entire thing was built for. Free parking, no refunds, and fishnets strongly encouraged. Read more

Palm Springs Pride
Fri, Nov 6 through Sun, Nov 8, Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, free
Road trip: the fortieth Palm Springs Pride runs under the theme "Be Included," with the parade Sunday at 10 AM. It is a nine-hour drive, so this one is a flight or a genuine commitment. Read more

Kathy Griffin: New Face, New Tour
Sat, Nov 14, 7 PM, Crest Theatre (1013 K St), ticketed
Griffin brings the new tour to the Crest. Decades of well-documented grudges, delivered in person. Read more

Pour It Forward: A Blind Beer and Bourbon Tasting
Fri, Nov 20, 6 to 8 PM, private West Sacramento address sent with your confirmation, $50, 21+
Sunburst Projects' second annual blind tasting, where you pick six bourbons or six local beers alongside a welcome cocktail and charcuterie. Proceeds support local people and families affected by HIV and AIDS, which makes the drinking the point rather than the excuse. Read more

Transgender Day of Remembrance Candlelight Vigil
Sat, Nov 21, 6:30–9 PM, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral (2620 Capitol Ave), free, all ages
The annual community memorial for those killed because of their gender identity or expression, co-sponsored by PFLAG Sacramento, TransFamilies Sacramento and Trinity Cathedral. Guest speakers, open to people of all traditions, and streamed for anyone who can't attend in person. Read more

Run to Feed the Hungry with Team SFR
Thu, Nov 26, 10K at 8:15 AM, 5K at 9 AM, J St just west of Sacramento State
Sacramento FrontRunners & FrontWalkers are running Run to Feed the Hungry again this Thanksgiving morning, on a loop course through the tree-lined streets of East Sacramento. This year the team is opening its fundraiser to anyone who wants to join, with a goal of $1,000 for Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services. You can run with them, cheer from the sidelines, or donate from wherever you happen to be. Any of those counts as participating, and only one of them requires getting up early on a holiday. Read more

DOCO Makers Market
Sat, Dec 5, 11 AM–4 PM, Downtown Commons west plaza, free, all ages
Not a queer event, but supporting small makers over Amazon is a moral position: local artisans selling jewelry, candles, art, bath and body, flowers and plants across the west plaza, with DJ Valleyghoul on the decks while you browse. December date lands squarely in gift-buying season, which is either convenient or dangerous. Read more

Sacramento Gay Men's Chorus: Holiday Hits with a Splash of Sass
Sat, Dec 5, 2 PM and 7 PM, Sacramento Memorial Auditorium (1515 J St), ticketed
This year's edition is subtitled Slay Bells & Sequins, which tells you roughly where the sincerity ends. Buy through the box office at (916) 808-5181 to skip the fees. Read more

A Drag Queen Christmas
Wed, Dec 9, doors 6:30 PM, show 7:30 PM, Channel 24 (1800 24th St), ticketed, 18+
The touring Drag Race holiday show is on sale now. Buy today and let December you be pleasantly surprised. Read more

Sacramento Ballet: The Nutcracker
Tue, Dec 22, 2 PM, SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center (1301 L St), ticketed
Not a queer show, but men in tights and a Sugar Plum Fairy qualify on a technicality. Book downtown parking ahead for a December matinee. Read more

Sin City Classic
Thu, Jan 14–Mon, Jan 18, 2027, Las Vegas
Road trip, and a long way off: the Sin City Classic celebrates its 20th anniversary next year. It's billed as the largest LGBTQ+ sporting event in the world, and more than 10,000 athletes are expected for a weekend of competition and social events. The room block at this year's new host hotels is already open, and with 10,000 athletes looking for rooms, booking early isn't just being overly cautious. Read more

Dreams Come True: A Tribute to GLEE
Sacramento Lavender Chorus, ongoing fundraiser
The Lavender Chorus is raising three thousand dollars to license the music for its winter GLEE tribute. Sheet music, as it turns out, is not free. Read more

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