To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (dir: Beeban Kidron, 1995, cert 15) at Birmingham LGBT
Apart from possibly possessing the clunkiest film title ever conceived To Wong Foo, is actually a great fun road movie. Three New York drag queens played deliciously by Patrick Swayze, Wesley Snipes and John Leguizamo are off to Hollywood to take part in the “Miss Drag Queen of America Pageant” and of course get involved in several comedy scrapes. With more cameos than you could shake a padded bra at, our favourite being Quentin Crisp as a pageant judge, To Wong Fo is a scream.
Tue 21 Feb 7.30pm at Journey Film Club, Birmingham LGBT, 38/40 Hollway Circus, B1 1EQ www.journeyfilmclub.co.uk

Fat Penguin Comedy Club at The Patrick Kavanagh Bar
Legendary comedian Nick Doody has an incredible laughter pedigree and kudo’s to the Fat Penguins for getting a performer of his pedigree down at the PK. Doody was on the same bill as Bill Hicks back in the day and has written jokes for the likes of Joan Rivers, Lenny Henry and the great Dame Edna Everage. Any finalist of Channel 4’s ‘So You Think You’re Funny’ must be good. Ben Briggs and Thomas Rackham provide support and your host is Jay Handley.
Wed 22 Feb 8pm at The Patrick Kavanagh Bar 142 Trafalgar Road, Moseley, Birmingham B13 8BX thepatrickkavanaghbar.co.uk

Lichtenstein Exhibition Closing Party at Wolverhampton Art Gallery
In the sixties there was a seismic shift in how art was produced, perceived and distributed. At the heart of this new movement were legendary figures such as Andy Warhol and Jasper Johns, but possibly the most unique exponent of Pop Art was the inimitable New York boy Roy Lichtenstein. The gallery has had sixteen large scale Lichtenstein prints on display since October but the exhibition is coming to an end. The closing party will be great fun, with opportunities for pop art dress up/mash up, to get drawn Lichtenstein comic book style and why not have your hair and makeup done whilst you’re there? Groovy.
Wed 22 Feb 6.30pm Lichfield St, Wolverhampton WV1 1DU www.wolverhamptonart.org.uk

The Killing of Sister George (dir: Robert Aldrich, 1968, cert 18) at the mac + Q&A LGBT and SHOUT Festival
Beryl Reid has never been better than as the disintegrating June “George” Buckridge in Robert Aldrich’s dark adaptation of Frank Marcus’ stage play. The film sensationalised lesbianism and ignored any of the nuance present in the original play in which Reid also played the leading role. It is still a fascinating glimpse into contemporary attitudes towards lesbianism. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion and Q&A. “Mooo”.
Thu 23 Feb 7pm at mac, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham B12 9QH macbirmingham.co.uk

Mardi Gras Party with The Major Toms at The Prince of Wales
The deep south of the good old US of A comes to Moseley to celebrate one of the greatest parties on Earth, Mardi Gras. Did you know the British equivalent is pancake day? No really. Local legends The Major Toms will provide their usual slick rock history lesson to get even the most timid of toes tapping. DJ Dylan Gibbons will take the party grooves into the early hours and those wonderful purveyors of glorious street food Kebabylon will be serving up a delicious New Orleanian themed menu to soak up the rum. Fancy dress is essential though not compulsory. As they might say in Louisiana ‘pass a good time’ folks.
Fri 24 Feb 7pm at 118 Alcester Rd, Birmingham B13 8EE www.theprincemoseley.co.uk

Manos Pa’Arriba at The Dark Horse
You know what’s lacking in your lives during the dog end of this chilly winter? A bit of Latin pizazz. Let Birmingham’s own Cumbian maestro’s Manos Pa’ Arriba bring some South American flair into your lives. The six piece band make a gloriously infectious noise and like it or not you will be waving your manos in the air. DJ Mark Magoo will be filling the rest of the evening with big sunny rhythms.
Fri 24 Feb 7pm at The Dark Horse, 145 Alcester Rd, Birmingham B13 8JP www.darkhorsemoseley.co.uk

Esther Lawson in conversation at Waterstones
Esther Lawson’s debut book ‘Wogamatter’ is an autobiographical tale of growing up in a racist society and the impact such attitudes have on children forced to endure them. Told through the innocent and bewildered perspective of a child it adds a tough and disquieting piquancy to the travails of youth. Sad but empowering. Join Esther to discuss ‘Wogamatter’ and the experiences that led her to write it.
Sat 25 Feb 6.30pm at Waterstones, 24-26 High St, Birmingham B4 7SL www.waterstones.com