Photo by Michael Hicks

Somewhere along the way, remembering America’s fallen soldiers became an excuse to take off work and party for three days, not that I’m complaining. Whether you’re taking this opportunity to bring up the topic of America’s gay men and women who have fought and died under the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy or just want to let down your hair and enjoy the beach or a barbecue, here’s a healthy dose of what’s going on in our neck of the woods.

Saturday

The Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival will be screening Dream Boy at Muvico Centro Ybor. The film is about the gravitational pull two boys hold for eachother in rural Louisiana in the mid 20th century. Muvico Centro Ybor, 1600 East 8th Avenue, Ybor, 7:30 p.m., $9.

Check out the sex-infused stylings of rock sextet Elysian Sex Drive and the melded world beats of HuDost at Skipper’s Smokehouse. Skipper’s Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road, 8 p.m. $10.

Discover some of alternative rock’s hottest new bands at 97X’s Memorial Day Backyard Barbecue. Artists include The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Mute Math, The Airborne Toxic Events, Iglu & Hartly, Not Tonight Josephine, Drew Street Mary, and Victims of Circumstance. Vinoy Park, 501 5th Street Northeast, St. Petersburg, noon, $10.

Sunday

Kevin Aviance will be performing his dance hits at the Memorial Day Royal Ball at the Honey Pot. DJ Lydia Prim will also be on hand, providing her own take on the hottest beats. The Honey Pot, 1507 East 7th Avenue, Ybor, 9 p.m., Cover is free before 10 p.m. and $5 after.