Fall Guide: Can't-Miss LGBTQ Events

As the saying goes, Pride is all year long — and with a full slate of autumn offerings, Nashville’s LGBTQ events calendar certainly doesn’t end in June. Whether you’re looking to learn something new or just get out of the house, this fall’s options range from film screenings to a 5K run and a “creepy, horny and empowered” immersive theater experience, à la the New York Macbeth revamp Sleep No More.

Oct. 6: The Jackie Shane Archive

Vanderbilt Special Collections Library

Among the most notable of this season’s queer events is the opening to the public of Vanderbilt University’s Jackie Shane archives. Shane, a groundbreaking Black trans soul singer, was born in Nashville and began her career in the Jefferson Street music scene. She returned to the city from her adopted home of Canada after rejecting the confines of the music industry, and recent years have seen steps to uplift her story and celebrate her legacy. Presented by Vanderbilt Special Collections, MashUp and Nashville Black Pride, the October reception will feature nonalcoholic beverages and light snacks. It’s free and open to the public, though RSVPs are encouraged. Stay tuned for more Scene coverage of the archives.

Local venues are also offering recurring fall programming throughout the season.

Alternating weekends through Oct. 18: Gay Farmers Market at Music City PReP Clinic 

Oct. 23 & Nov. 20: Laughs at Lipstick Comedy Nights at The Lipstick Lounge

Through Jan. 31: Benjy Russell: Dreamscapes at The Untitled Nashville Hotel

Weekly: College Night Wednesdays at Play Dance Bar: Students get in free with a valid college ID until 10 p.m.

More upcoming LGBTQ events:

SEPT. 24 Queer Men’s Book Club: Dancer From the Dance, 7 p.m. at Frankie J’s

SEPT. 26 34th Nashville AIDS Walk & 5K Run, 7:30 a.m. at Neuhoff District

SEPT. 26 Trans Jam Bender, an all-ages, LGBTQ-only “transgender musical jam session,” 2 p.m. at Drkmttr Collective

SEPT. 28 9 to 5 film screenings, 3:40, 8 and 8:30 p.m. at the Belcourt

SEPT. 29 Tacos & Trusts: An estate planning information session presented by Rainbow Collective 615 and Memento Law. Free registration and tacos, with micheladas and nonalcoholic drink options available. 5:30 p.m. at 1903 Old Hickory Blvd.

SEPT. 30 Indigo Girls and Linda Perry (check out my interview with Indigo Girls in this week’s music section!), 7 p.m. at the Ryman

OCT. 3 Queer Dance Party: RBQDP at Rosemary & Beauty Queen

OCT. 4 Novelette Book Club: Stitched: A Novel (purchase a copy of the book to join), 6 p.m. at Novelette Books

OCT. 6 Sappho Book Club: The Starving Saints, 7:30 p.m. at Frankie J’s

OCT. 11 Nashville Public Library Queer Book Club: Muñeca, 10 a.m. at Chapstick (RSVP via email to megan.adoviaso-jones@nashville.gov)

OCT. 17-18 The Pride of Homecoming: An LGBTQ TSU homecoming celebration, 10 p.m. at Timeless Events Center

OCT. 17 T. Minton author discussion: The Belcourt Theatre: Nashville’s Oldest Neighborhood Cinema at the Southern Festival of Books, 1 p.m. at the Tennessee State Museum’s Duck Room

OCT. 18 Silas House author discussion: The Tulip Poplars in conversation with Kevin Wilson at the Southern Festival of Books, 12:30 p.m. at the Cumberland Tent

OCT. 21 Aaron Lee Tasjan album release show with Madeline Kelson, 8 p.m. at The Basement East

OCT. 22 Queer Men’s Book Club Read+Watch (open to all): It Came From the Closet and Sleepaway Camp, 7 p.m. at Frankie J’s

OCT. 22 Mickey Sunshine, Quinn Hills & Salt Water Baby, 8 p.m. at The East Room

OCT. 23 Guerrilla Toss, 8 p.m. at Drkmttr Collective

OCT. 29-NOV. 1 The Rocky Horror Picture Show shadowcasts, Oct. 29 at 10 p.m. (sold out), Oct. 30 at 11:59 p.m. (sold out), Oct. 31 at 11:59 p.m. & Nov. 1 at 10 p.m. at the Belcourt

OCT. 30 COVEN Haunt and Nocturnal Femme Concert, an immersive haunted house, live music and performance art experience. Proceeds support the American Red Cross, The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and Healthy and Free Tennessee. 8:30 p.m. at The Mil at Cannery Hall.

OCT. 31 Queer Dance Party: Boo!DP at Brooklyn Bowl

NOV. 7 HoliGAY Market, a holiday market with LGBTQ and ally vendors, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at 1903 Old Hickory Blvd.

NOV. 7 People’s Pride 615 Picnic, 11 a.m. in East Nashville, RSVP online for address

NOV. 8 Dan Deacon with Terror Pigeon, 8 p.m. at The Basement East

NOV. 19 Joy Oladokun, 7:30 p.m. at the Ryman

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