by Christopher Cappiello

Thursday, april 17

too much heaven

After denying themselves carbs for weeks, thousands of boys hit the desert this weekend for White Party, a 24/7 extravaganza of pools, parties, pure-white outfits and impure thoughts. The centerpiece is Saturday night’s Boogie Fever at the Palm Springs Convention Center, celebrating 30 years of dance music. April 17-21. $50-110 individual events; $330 weekend pass. Wyndham Palm Springs (host hotel), 888 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs. www.jeffreysanker.com

the kids are alright

Tiger Heat prowls a few blocks east to its new home at Avalon. Same 18-and-over crowd, same pulsating pop party with DJ Ray Rhodes. Every Thursday, 9:30 p.m.-2 a.m. $5 before 10:30 p.m. Avalon, 1735 Vine St., Hlywd. www.clubtigerheat.com

5-minute freebies

Belly up to the bar at 9:15, 11:15 and 12:15 for five minutes of free drinks every Thursday at O-Bar’s Smack, the fastest open bar in the free world. Free. 9 p.m. O-Bar, 8279 Santa Monica Blvd., WeHo. www.tomwhitmanpresents.com

Can you feel the heat?

Ladies—in the mood for some Heat? Check out here lounge’s Thursday night party featuring loads of luscious lesbians and the illest mixes of your favorite hip-hop, Latin dance and reggaeton songs. here lounge, 696 Robertson Blvd., WeHo. www.herelounge.com

The Wetter the better

Get an eyeful at Thursday night’s Wet-and-Wild Shorts Contest. Winner takes home $100—and most likely a few phone numbers. Eagle L.A., 4219 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A. (323) 669-9472 or www.eaglela.com

the eagle has landed

Eagle L.A. celebrates its two-year anniversary with a host of fetish fun all weekend long. Tonight’s Anniversary and Pin Party kicks off the fun. Slip in Saturday for the Rub Out rubber gear party and if you miss those, you can still make the party by a hair by hitting Sunday’s Furry Sunday, an afternoon bash benefiting the Lazy Bear Fund. 9 p.m. Friday, Saturday; 3 p.m. Sunday. Eagle L.A., 4219 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A. www.eaglela.com

getting fresh

Jeffrey Sanker and Paul Nicholls freshen up the end of the week with Fresh Fridays at Eleven. DJ Morningstar spins tonight. 9 p.m. cocktails, 11 p.m. dancing. Eleven, 8811 Santa Monica Blvd., WeHo. www.jeffreysanker.com

out of the ashes

As part of a weekend-long festival commemorating the 50th anniversary of Ash Grove—the legendary Melrose Avenue folk music institution that burned down in 1973—UCLA hosts two concerts organized by the club’s founder, Ed Pearl. See the website for each night’s lineup, with Taj Mahal, Michelle Shocked, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott and Ry Cooder among those scheduled. April 18-19, 8 p.m. $28-56. Royce Hall, UCLA Campus. www.uclalive.org

Pull Over

You won’t find any 18-wheelers, blue-plate specials or squawking CB radios at this Truck Stop—just a bunch of hotties dancing on the bar to the tunes of DJ Herrick Hell. Every Friday. here lounge, 696 N. Robertson Blvd., WeHo. www.herelounge.com

game, set, match

The Center’s favorite audience-participation game show returns for a spring weekend of The MisMatch Game. Dennis “Gene Rayburn” Hensley hosts again, and the spirits of Richard Dawson, Brett Somers and Charles Nelson Reilly are conjured up by a panel of guest stars. April 18-20. $15. The Renberg Theatre, L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center’s Village at Ed Gould Plaza, 1125 N. McCadden Place, Hlywd. www.lagaycenter.org

the desert songs

Neil Patrick Harris hosts a special White Party edition of Upright Cabaret in the desert tonight. Harris joins Upright regulars for Life IS a Cabaret—poolside at the Viceroy—benefiting the Trevor Project. 8 p.m. four-course dinner; 9:30 p.m. show. $75-200. Viceroy Hotel, 415 S. Belardo Rd., Palm Springs. www.thetrevorproject.org

Saturday, april 19

come together

The City of West Hollywood invites you to an all-day event, Gay Men’s Forum: The Body and Soul of the Community, to examine where we are, where we’ve been and where we’re going as a community. Activists, artists, therapists and other community leaders participate in a range of panels exploring everything from psychology and creativity to sex and subcultures. RSVP through the website. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Fiesta Hall, Plummer Park, 7377 Santa Monica Blvd., WeHo. www.weho.org

eleven at 11

Cure your Saturday night fever at Discotheque, Eleven’s new weekly night of primo dance music from the disco era to today. DJ Paulo Ramirez picks the tunes starting at 11 p.m. 9 p.m. cocktails, 11 p.m. dancing. No cover. Eleven, 8811 Santa Monica Blvd., WeHo. www.eleven.la

Sunday, april 20

size does matter

Whoever said size doesn’t matter hasn’t been to here lounge on Sunday evenings for the big DJs, big drinks and big fun at Size. Doors open 4 p.m. every Sunday. Free. here lounge, 696 N. Robertson Blvd., WeHo. www.tomwhitman.com

no retablos here

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art takes on the sometimes unruly, sprawling world of post-Chicano art in Phantom Sightings, a major exhibition of mostly Los Angeles-based Mexican American artists. Julio Cesar Morales’ provocative drawings depicting border crossing options (shown here) are among the highlights of the 120-piece show. Through Sept. 1. Thursday-Tuesday. $12 (free after 5 p.m.). LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. www.lacma.org

Monday, april 21

on the right foot

Start your week right with a stop at Eagle LA’s Monday Mayhem. Miss Kim keeps her “malicious margaritas” flowing till 9 p.m., when former IN coverboy Marcus takes over the bar. Free pool and the usual Eagle madness is part of the fun. 4 p.m.-closing. Free. Eagle L.A., 4219 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A. www.eaglela.com

rising stars

88’s Cabaret devotes a special night to a band of rising stars ready to sing their hearts out to earn that record deal. Ryan Black typically gathers top-notch talent for his 88’s evenings, so expect plenty of vocal pyrotechnics and sit back and peg the next superstar. 8:30 p.m. show. $15 cover. Call (310) 360-7070 if you want dinner reservations. Republic Restaurant, 650 N. La Cienega Blvd., L.A.

Tuesday, april 22

meet a superdelegate

East/West Lounge and the Human Rights Campaign sponsor an evening with Christine Pelosi, author, activist and daughter of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. After a discussion of presidential politics, Pelosi signs copies of her book, Campaign Boot Camp: Basic Training for Future Leaders. 6:30-9 p.m. Free. East/West Lounge, 8851 Santa Monica Blvd., WeHo.

Wednesday, april 23

Go Metro

Get over the hump with Club Metro at Ultra Suede as DJ Ben drops the hottest hip-hop, reggaeton and R&B beats, and L.A.’s hottest go-go dancers shake their stuff. Free with guest list before 11 p.m. $7 otherwise. Ultra Suede, 661 N. Robertson Blvd., WeHo. (323) 769-6333

Sing Out, Louise

What better way to get over the mid-week hump than guzzling two-for-one drinks at Fiesta Cantina and captivating your friends with your own rockin’ renditions of old karaoke standards? Karaoke with Kenny, 10:30 p.m.-1:45 a.m. Fiesta Cantina, 8865 Santa Monica Blvd., WeHo. www.karaokewithkenny.com

Thursday, april 24

hot men from yemen

Club Nur, L.A.’s only weekly LGBT Middle Eastern club night, makes Thursday Arabian night at MJ’s. Indulge in Middle Eastern cocktails and a hookah bar. The diverse crowd includes Armenian, Arab, Persian, Israeli and Turkish boys. 9 p.m. $5 before 10:30 p.m.; $10 after. MJ’s, 2810 Hyperion Ave., Silver Lake. www.myspace.com/

clubnur

you can’t stop the beat

Join the one and only Jackie Beat as she hosts Thursday night karaoke at WeHo’s Hamburger Mary’s. $5 gets you a Texas maragarita or a martini. Refusing to sing gets you the wrath of Jackie. 8-11 p.m. No cover. Hamburger Mary’s, 8288 Santa Monica Blvd., WeHo. www.hamburgermarysweho.com

sophisticated ladies

Get your weekend started early with Platinum at East/West Lounge, a Sapphic soiree where L.A.’s chicest gals gather. Shannon Kampa hosts. East/West Lounge, 8851 Santa Monica Blvd., WeHo. www.eastwestlounge.com

Friday, april 25

COMPUTER composers

Feast your ears on the razor-sharp cutting edge of electronic and experimental music at CalArts’ annual CEAIT Fesival. This year’s lineup includes Jason Kahn’s and the Bay Area’s the Hub. Who knew laptops could be so expressive? April 25-26. $20, REDCAT, 631 West 2nd St. (inside the Disney Hall complex) L.A. www.redcat.org

Saturday, april 26

the writers strike

If it’s late April, it must be time for the sprawling Los Angeles Times Book Festival, taking up much of the UCLA campus this weekend. With dozens of exhibitors and more than 100 panels, there is truly something for every taste. Among those participating this year are Gore Vidal, Christopher Rice and the inimitable Julie Andrews. Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free (parking $8). UCLA campus. www.latimes.com/extras/festivalofbooks

fasten your seatbelts

There’s no telling where you’ll end up with here lounge’s new Saturday night event, Destination, presented by Paul Nicholls and Jeffrey Sanker. here lounge, 696 Robertson Blvd., WeHo. www.jeffreysanker.com

Bumpin’ the night

Tune in to Indie 103.1 FM at midnight for Neon Noise with DJ Paul V. His weekly radio show features all the dirty electro, indie rock remixes and mashups you can shake a stick at. It’s the next best thing to being at the club! www.myspace.com/smashmix

Sunday, april 27

gay man’s best friend

Looking for some furry loving, aside from a Friday night at Faultline? Head to North Hollywood Recreation Center today for a humungous Pet Adoption Festival, where more than 60 rescue groups have more than 1,000 animals looking for a good home. Can you say no to those puppy dog eyes? 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. North Hollywood Recreation Center, Magnolia Boulevard and Tujunga Avenue, NoHo. www.network.bestfriends.org/losangeles

at home at the end of the world

Journey into the dark, imaginative and deliciously skewed mind of author Alistair McCartney as he reads from his attention-grabbing novel, The End of the World Book. The Australian-born McCartney takes us, A-Z, through his encyclopedia of gay history and culture, complete with video projections. 6 p.m. $25 (includes copy of book). Highways Performance Space, 1651 18th St., Santa Monica. www.highwaysperformance.org

not any given sunday

… But two Sundays a month, David Cooley and Jeffrey Sanker bring their sabbath dance party to Area. Tonight’s party includes DJ Derek Monteiro. Doors open 8 p.m. $10 after 10 p.m. Area, 643 N. La Cienega Blvd., WeHo. www.jeffreysanker.com

knock down, drag out

Oasis Nightclub’s latest installment of Drag Idol brings us weekly battles featuring some of the Southland’s most determined drag queens. It all leads to the May 18 finals and $1,000 prize. 10 p.m. Free before 10 p.m. (21+); $5 18-20. Oasis, 1386 E. Foothill Blvd., Upland. www.oasis-nightclub.com

far east on the east side

Following the Leftover Sundays beer bust, MJ’s gives us MasterBasian, an Asian-themed night from the folks who brought us Buddha Lounge. DJ Mike Bryant spins as Asian go-go boys strut their stuff for the mixed crowd. 9 p.m. MJ’s, 2810 Hyperion Ave., Silver Lake. www.mjsbar.com

Monday, april 28

Mondays are a Drag

Drop in to here lounge for Here’s Jackie!, the Monday night show featuring that sharp-tongued chanteuse Jackie Beat, who will have you rolling with her sassy shenanigans. Tonight, Jackie welcomes DJ Paul V. who will keep the party bumping. here lounge, 696 N. Robertson Blvd., WeHo. www.herelounge.com

tuesday, april 29

lacma’s broad shoulders

The Los Angeles County Art Museum gets serious about contemporary art with the new Broad Contemporary Art Museum. Funded by a $50 million gift from local collector Eli Broad, the three-story cube on Wilshire boasts an all-star cast of contemporary art and not a single square foot devoted to offices or storage. Thursday-Tuesday. $12 (free after 5 p.m.). 5905 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. www.lacma.org