Days of Summer Calendar

JULY 23: Make a pit stop at Small Town Gay Bar, a doc exploring the highs and lows of opening a gay bar in a small, unwelcoming town in Mississippi. From executive producer Kevin Smith (that's right, the dude who brought you Clerks), the film is part of Logo's 'Real Momentum' series. (Airs at 5:00 p.m. EST.)

JULY 24: Hurrah! Our favorite indie dyke identical twin sisters (OK, so it's not a super-competitive market) have returned. Tegan and Sara's new album, The Con (Vapor), is a rollicking song cycle of short drum-and-bass arrangements, chock-full of ferocious hooks and bittersweet pop melodies that even the straights won't be able to resist. It's no wonder the White Stripes covered these babes.

JULY 25: If edgy lesbian rockers aren't your cuppa, then consider making the trek over to Germany for the Bayreuth Festival, a month-long opera extravaganza boasting numbers from 19th-century composer Richard Wagner, who initially conceived of and promoted the fest himself. The performances take place in the theater Festspielhaus, and Wagner fanatics often have to wait years for their pricey tickets. (This one may require a call to Mom and Dad.) Tix at WorldWideTicketing.com

JULY 26: If you've been crossing the sexual desert this summer, consider Simon Sheppard your oasis. The gay eroticist and sex-advice columnist recently took on the colossal responsibility of culling together 60 years worth of gay erotica for his book Homosex (Carroll & Graf)'and, no, it ain't just smut. Sheppard tosses in monumental moments of our queer past from a sexual standpoint, touching on '60s Berkeley and Vietnam, and even manages to squeeze in Indian tribes and gay vampires. Consider it one-handed reading for history buffs.

JULY 27: Surf over to CameOutMichigan.org for info on the 16th Annual GLBT Michigan Bike Tour, a three-day fund-raising excursion that includes an event-packed camping trip to Benzie County. Don't hesitate to break out the Spandex and nosh on the catered dinner treats. The kayaking, canoeing, and power-pedaling you'll be doing will more than make up for the empty calories consumed.

JULY 28: Didn't make it to Provincetown's fireworks and fabu festivities this past Independence Day? Don't fret, Cape Cod luvahs. The peaceful seaside resort kicks off its annual Family Week, promising plenty of grub (the clam chowder is a must) and a Broadway brunch, complete with Broadway performers. Hit up FamilyPride.org for the details.

JULY 29: Yeah, we know you're stoked about The Simpsons Movie (who the hell wouldn't be, considering it's taken only about 20 years to slap it on the big screen?), but we highly suggest avoiding the masses and checking out Homer, Bart, Mr. Burns, and his closet-case assistant, Smithers, on a more serene Sunday, just two days after its opening. After all, you've waited this long.