the queering the burbs spring 2024 preview.

Your guide to all things LGBTQ+ in upcoming music, movies, and local events.

Photo: yue su/Unsplash

Queering the Burbs is a regularly-published distillation of pop culture, politics and queerness written by Joe Erbentraut. If you like what you see, please consider subscribing (it’s free!), liking or sharing this piece.

The weather here in the Midwest has been deeply strange for weeks, with the temperature hitting historic highs on multiple days. I’ve already personally made one trip to my creepy basement in light of a tornado warning. These things really aren’t supposed to happen in February, but that’s just how the climate change cookie crumbles.

If there’s one positive side to this advent of Freak Spring—besides the sunshine, I suppose—it’s that Real Spring isn’t too far behind. Soon, we’ll be dining and drinking on patios again, and enjoying sunlight well past work hours. Real Spring, too, will bring a spate of new movies, music, TV shows, and events of the queer and queer-adjacent variety. Given the positive response to my fall preview and to celebrate the return of Kristen Stewart to cinema tomorrow, I thought it was time to round up some of the gay stuff I’m most excited for in the months ahead. 

Without further ado, I present to you the official Queering the Burbs spring 2024 preview edition. Don’t forget to stop and smell the tulips, or whatever.

 MOVIES

• Love Lies Bleeding (March 8, in wide release): We’re kicking things off with an A24 romantic thriller starring Kristen Stewart, Katy O’Brien, and Jena Malone. In it, Stewart plays a reclusive gym manager named Lou who falls deep for an aspiring bodybuilder named Jackie played by O’Brien in a love that sparks violence. The movie is directed by Rose Glass of Saint Maud fame.

• Irish Wish (March 15, Netflix): It’s about time we got another Lindsay Lohan movie — and this time LiLo is heading to the Emerald Isle. This movie shares a director with Lohan’s last cinematic offering—Falling for Christmas—so I have a good feeling about this.

• Problemista (March 22, in wide release): Julio Torres plays a struggling toy designer in this A24 film also featuring Tilda Swinton, Greta Lee, RZA, and Isabella Rossellini. Need I say more?

• Femme (April 5, in wide release): Finally, it sounds like queer people are getting a decent revenge thriller. This British film stars Nathan Stewart-Jarrett and George MacKay, and it’s already been getting a lot of buzz.

• Abigail (April 19, in wide release): Remember how M3gan became an unexpected queer icon/killing machine last year? It looks like we might have a repeat with Abigail, a 12-year-old would-be kidnapping victim who gives her captors much more than they bargained for in this reimagined take on Dracula’s Daughter.

• Challengers (April 26, in wide release): Director Luca Guadagnino (Call Me by Your Name, Bones and All) is back with a bisexual tennis tale led by Zendaya, Mike Faist, and Josh O’Connor. 

 SERIES

• Palm Royale (March 20, Apple TV+): I’m going to admit something here. I have no idea what this show is really about beyond that it’s set in Palm Beach, Florida, but I will absolutely be watching thanks to this stacked cast: Kristen Wiig, Ricky Martin, Laura Dern, Allison Janney, Leslie Bibb, and Carol Burnett. Now I just have a few weeks to figure out how to watch Apple TV+.

• Top Chef (March 20, Bravo): Season 21 of one of my favorite reality shows of all time is entering a new, Padma Lakshmi-free era and it’s getting things going with a season set in Wisconsin. I’m excited to see how the cuisine of my homeland is portrayed, and to see what new host Kristen Kish brings to the table.

• Mary & George (April 5, Starz): Julianne Moore and Nicholas Galitzine star in this British historical mini-series showcasing the story of the scheming Countess of Buckingham and her son’s affair with King James VI. Now I just have a few weeks to figure out how to watch Starz.

• We’re Here (April 26, Max): Given all the drama surrounding Queer Eye of late, you might be looking for a guaranteed gay tearjerker to stream. Look no further than this show, which is back for its fourth season of spreading the art of drag throughout small-town America. Sasha Velour, Priyanka, and Jaida Essence Hall host. 

• Hacks (May 2, Max): Season 3 of this breakout hit is finally almost back, and Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder will both be back leading a cast of standout supporting stars including Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Meg Stalter, and Paul Downs.

• Interview with the Vampire (May 12, AMC): If you enjoyed the original film adaptation of Anne Rice’s iconic vampire novel but wished it was gayer, this series is the answer for you. Now kicking off its second season, this show is a feast for the eyes and the (dark) soul. If you missed the first season, you have just enough time now for a leisurely catchup. 

MUSIC

 This spring will be a prolific time for the girls and gays in music. With new, country-field music coming from Queen Bey herself, as well as new music by stoner ally icon Kacey Musgraves, and the first album from Gossip in 12 years, music-loving queers will be well fed this spring.

Of these, I’m particularly excited for the new album from psychedelic retro garage rockers Shannon & the Clams. Vocalist Shannon Shaw is an absolute powerhouse, and if you’re a fan of Hunx and His Punx, you’ll recognize Shaw’s playful growl immediately. This album is coming on the heels of a tremendous personal loss of Shaw’s, so it’s bound to be a deeply heartfelt one. Don’t sleep on this!

• Kacey Musgraves - Deeper Well (March 15)

• Gossip - Real Power (March 22)

• Empress Of - For Your Consideration (March 22)

• Beyoncé - Act 2 (March 29)

• Cakes da Killa - Black Sheep (March 29)

• girl in red - I’m Doing It Again Baby! (April 12)

• DEHD - Poetry (May 10)

• Shannon and the Clams - The Moon Is in the Wrong Place (May 10)

• Bright Light Bright Light - Enjoy Youth (May 17)

• La Luz - News of the Universe (May 24)

 EVENTS

• Glitter & Doom Film Screening (March 15 @ Emagine Batavia): This brand new indie queer film has it all, and it’s screening in the Tri-Cities, where the filmmaker, Tom Gustafson, grew up. The movie is a romcom set to the music of the Indigo Girls featuring a number of queer icons including Lea DeLaria, Tig Notaro, Peppermint, and the Indigo Girls among the cast. 

• Queer Pop-Up & Spring Art Show (March 16 @ DeKalb Tattoo Company): This event will feature LGBTQ+ themed flash tattoo designs, tarot readings from Annie Hex, a pop-up of free gender-affirming clothing from Out of the Closet Charity, and an art show in the tattoo shop’s Vagabond Art Gallery. 

• Drag Me to Brunch (March 23, April 13, April 20, April 27, & May 18 @ El Jefe, Aurora): What has typically been a monthly drag brunch offering at this Aurora restaurant is offering a number of additional shows this spring, including three tributes to the iconic Selena in April, and a a special Barbie-themed brunch in May. 

• Trans-farm-ation (March 30 @ Ramshackle Farm, Harvard): The second annual Trans-farm-ation festival will feature music from queer and trans artists including Rat Bath, Killing Pixies, Tail Light Rebellion, and more, plus art from Peter Thaddeus, a performance by Annie Hex, and more. All proceeds from the event benefit a gender-affirming mutual aid fund, and you can read more about the event here. Doors open at noon, music starts at 1 p.m.

• Cheers, Queers! (April 1 @ Geneva Winery): Belong: Fox Valley hosts this gathering for LGBTQ+ folks and allies the first Monday of every month at a rotating roster of area drinking establishments. You can follow Belong to stay up to date on this and future events.

• Teen Queer Prom (April 21 in Batavia): The third annual Teen Queer Prom for area 13- to 19-year-olds will be held at an undisclosed location in Batavia again this spring. Tickets are free and registration information will be shared by Belong: Fox Valley closer to the event.