Come what May, this month's first week is blooming with intriguing arts and nightlife events.

As a child in the 1970s, Billy Porter fantasized about growing up to become "the male Whitney Houston." He'll dip back into that oft-deferred dream later this week in both San Jose and San Francisco concerts.

Due to overwhelming demand, organizers of the upcoming memorial for drag icon Heklina have announced that San Francisco's Castro Street will be closed Tuesday, May 23, and the service projected onto screens outside so that more people can watch it.

Despite a few recent closures, local bars and nightclubs are thriving. Each week, scroll through our bar, nightclub and arts listings. We guarantee you'll find something to suit your desires, from a wild club night to a meditative museum exhibit.

The longest-running LGBTQ bar in the United States is under new queer ownership. Patty Nishimura Dingle took over Oakland's White Horse Bar from longtime gay owner, and patrons young and old are enjoying it.

Detour Dance's "We Build Houses Here," the ambitiously multivalent castaway extravaganza, premieres at Oasis with an ambitious immersive setting.

Singing about LGBT and Q love, musicians in folk, pop, rock and jazz Y La Bamba, Caroline Rose, Black Belt Eagle Scout, Eric Reed, Mathew V and Pigeon Pit should be on your new playlist.

We've got fresh events in theater, music, dance, art and nightlife, eight days a week. So let's get Going Out.

With insight and his unique perspectives on politics, Black life and family, award-winning gay comic Sampson McCormick will have you laughing at truths laid bare. He'll perform April 29 at the Oakland LGBTQ Community Center with Dhaya Lakshminarayanan.

Along with his stand-up act, Zach Zimmerman's just published book of essays "Is It Hot in Here? Or Am I Suffering for all Eternity for the Sins I Committed on Earth?" will be on sale at his show at the Swedish American Hall.

Local arts and nightlife events are in full spring swing this week, as shown by our expanding listings in Going Out.

Queer women have a new watering hole, Mother Bar in the Mission District, thanks to Malia Spanyol. Queer women and their friends of all ages are responding, Spanyol is thrilled.

A breakout glam rock cabaret star; a character actress who plays a whole cast of characters; Broadway's standby success story of the year; and a show tune interpreter like you've never heard before.

Spring has sprung, and so has a florid array of nightlife and arts events. Plan your blossoming schedule with our weekly Going Out listings.