Cover art for Allison Ponthier’s EP release ‘Breaking the Fourth Wall’ which premiered in May. Queer Music News is a smattering of what’s going on in music by LGBTQ artists and the artists we love. Here’s a wrap-up of music we’ve received in recent days for your new music Monday. Kehlani drops video for “After Hours” Lesbian singer-songwriter Kehlani has unveiled the official music video for her summer anthem, “After Hours,” premiering today on YouTube . The new visual, shot at the Fontainebleau in Las Vegas and directed by Amber Park, includes a special appearance by Cordel “Scatt ..read more

Molly Cook, Texas’ first openly-LGBTQ state senator Texas now has its first openly LGBTQ state senator, thanks to Molly Cook’s victory Saturday in a special election to fill the seat left empty when John Whitmire stepped down from the Senate after winning last year’s Houston mayoral election. Cook, a registered nurse with a master’s degree in public health policy from Johns Hopkins University, has earned the seat through the end of the year with her 57 percent-to-43 percent win in Saturday’s special election.  She now faces Jarvis Johnson, a Democratic state representative, in a Democra ..read more

Oak Lawn Band performed on Cedar Springs Road and will present a concert at SMU. Oak Lawn Band will present “Escapades with John Williams,” featuring some of the most popular movie scores by the composer. Tickets for the May 18 concert at 4 p.m. At SMU’s Caruth Auditorium are available on Eventbrite. Among Williams the scores that will be performed are music from Star Wars, Jaws, The Cowboys and more. “This is a concert that has something for everyone” said Oak Lawn Band Artistic Director Marc Dunbar. “Not only do we have some of the best-known music from our favorite movies, but music that ..read more

Emmy Award-winning journalist, medical doctor and professor Dr. Seema Yasmin’s The ABCs of Queer History (Workman Kids; Hardcover; $18.99) takes readers ages 5 and up beyond simple ABC words to explore what it means to be accepting, brave, compassionate and inclusive. The picture book introduces a different kind of ABCs—not just words like apple, ball or cat, but rather what it means to be diverse, to be equitable, and to be inclusive. The book was released on April 30 and was illustrated by Lucy Kirk. The ABC’s of Queer History celebrates both joyful and challenging moments in queer history ..read more

Foodie Fridays is serving up the dish on restaurant and food news, trends, events and specials. Postino debuts new handcrafted cocktails Postino WineCafé is introducing seven handcrafted cocktails to its menu for the first time ever. What? In addition to crafting more than 50 traditional bar cocktails, Postino will offer new seven signatures: an Espresso Martini, Aperol Spritz, Negroni, Prickly Pear Mezcal Margarita, Smoked Old Fashioned, Sure Shot, and Tré Cucumber (vodka, limoncello, cucumber and honey) to pair with Postino’s iconic Bruschetta, salads, paninis and more. Throughout the ..read more

Dallas Animal Services is among the more than 410 shelters in 43 states participating in the Bissell Pet Foundation’s “Empty the Shelters” reduced-fee adoption event through May 15, DAS officials have announced. The adoption package includes spay/neuter services, age-appropriate vaccinations, microchipping, a custom ID tag, a voucher for a free post-adoption health exam with VCA Animal Hospitals, a free week of virtual 1-on-1 dog training with GoodPup and more. Adoptions at DAS “are not just a chance to bring a loving pet into your home; they’re an opportunity to ..read more

American Cancer Society encourages regular screenings, good healthcare for the LGBTQ community DAVID TAFFET | Senior Staff Writer taffet@dallasvoice.com CBS Texas Chief Meteorologist Scott Padgett will emcee Come Out Against Cancer, an event featuring Dallas Wings forward Emma Cannon with music from Los Angeles DJ Roland Belmares, happening May 10 from 7-10 p.m. at the Lorenzo Hotel. Scott Padgett The American Cancer Society put the event together to address the importance of cancer screenings in the LGBTQ community in North Texas. Early detection can save lives when it comes to fighting can ..read more

A bird’s eye view of Margarita Island Reserve Riviera Maya (Photo courtesy of Jenny Block) Jimmy Buffet-themed Margaritaville Island Reserve shines a whole new light on all-inclusive resorts JENNY BLOCK | Postcards from Jenny When I’m wrong about something, I am the first one to admit it. And Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Maya — celebrating its one-year anniversary on June 1 — has given me a new view on some old ideas. The first of those old ideas was that I’m a not a fan of Jimmy Buffet. Well, I thought I wasn’t. I’ve long found the lyrics of his most popular songs kind of tacky, and ..read more

Camp John Waters at Club Getaway (Photo courtesy of Steven Lindsey) Tap into your inner child at adult summer camps across the U.S. STEVEN LINDSEY | Contributing writer Each year since 2019, I’ve shared a tiny cabin with my husband and two other gay men, put on matching animal onesies for breakfast in the dining tent, then headed down to the lake for a little canoeing, water skiing or sex doll mud wrestling. These represent a small — and tame — sampling of the daily activities at the annual Camp John Waters at Club Getaway in Kent, Conn. It’s a special weekend of camaraderie with fans of ..read more

A scene from the 22nd annual Girls in Wonderland weekend (Photo courtesy of Pandora Events) 23rd ‘Girls in Wonderland’ weekend is all about the fun — with activism and charity added in, too MELISSA WHITLER | NBCU Fellow Melissa@DallasVoice.com If you’re looking for an exciting way to kick off Pride Month, Girls in Wonderland has got you covered. The music festival, taking place in Orlando, Fla., May 30-June 3, is celebrating its 23rd year. The weekend-long festival will feature live music, dance and pool parties and a comedy show. DJs include Pat Pat, Zehno, Citizen Jane and Dlux, and there wi ..read more