Hot Sheet: Halloweenie Roast

10. MUSIC: Heart on My Sleeve,Mary Lambert
The unflinching, unfiltered singer-songwriter and poet from Seattle has released her debut album this week to the delight of LGBT fans who've been following her career since she broke onto the scene with guest vocals for Macklemore and Ryan Lewis's "Same Love." This summer The Advocate featured Lambert in its annual 40 Under 40 list when her refreshingly candid single "Secrets" was entering the queer consciousness in a profound way. "My goal is to bring a lot of these issues that so many people are already advocating for and talking about [into pop culture]," she told The Advocate. "Whether it's body dysmorphia or eating disorders or just coming out, or exactly being who you are. [Countering] all of the mean people in your head, telling you to shut up, and live apologetically." Mary Lambert's exceptional 11-song album, Heart on My Sleeve, is available now on iTunes. -- Scott Ragan

9. FILM: Birdman
After a summer bloated with superhero movies, Birdman -- a highly anticipated drama about the decline of an actor famous for such a role -- soars into theaters on welcome wings. Michael Keaton headlines as an aging star who is struggling to get his act together, attempting to revive his career and his relations with his family in the days leading up to the premiere of a Broadway production. Directed by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Birdman, which also features the talents of Edward Norton and Zach Galifianakis, is something of a modern Sunset Boulevard, a film unafraid to turn a critical eye on the ugliness of showbiz and what happens to an actor after the curtain has fallen. Moreover, the movie also features a lesbian character-- Keaton's daughter, who is played by Emma Stone. Birdman is out in theaters this weekend. Watch the trailer below. -- Daniel Reynolds

8. DANCE: Shaping Sound
Choreographer Travis Wall and his Shaping Sound troupe had a star-studded kickoff to their national tour last Sunday in Hollywood, with Lance Bass, Adam Shankman, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and Paula Abdul smiling among the audience. The crowd-pleasing modern dance performance not only interprets today's music but manages a new spin on a big band era and more. Wall first gained fame for inspiring his work on So You Think You Can Dance, and then on the reality show All the Right Moves we followed Wall and friends Nick Lazzarini and Teddy Forance as they founded the dance troupe. As with all things Travis Wall and Shaping Sound, the choreography is as innovative as it is emotional, and you'll either want to cry or cheer at the show's conclusion. The tour arrives in Austin today, then heads to Florida, Michigan, Maryland, Virginia, New York, and more. Check the schedule for dates and tickets. -- Lucas Grindley

7. EVENT: Lit Crawl L.A.: NoHo
Los Angeles may be most famous for swimming pools and movie stars, but the City of Angels has a thriving literary scene as well, which will be celebrated Wednesday at the second annual LitCrawl L.A.: NoHo. In the arts district of the city's North Hollywood neighborhood, restaurants, bars, theaters, galleries, and other venues will host readings, performances, and other events showcasing the best in literary talent from throughout Los Angeles County, with more than 170 writers are scheduled to appear. Notable LGBT content includes Queer as Art, a series of stories about discovering art in life and life in art, presented by QueerWise, a writing collective of LGBT people age 50 and over; Literary Cocktails, from by the mixed gay-straight and ethnically diverse Tertulia Literary Salon, promising "five-minute literary cocktails to shake or stir your world"; and The Queer Art of Collaboration, original collaborative work inspired by the city of Los Angeles, presented by the L.A. Word II. Get the full schedule here. -- Trudy Ring

6. BOOK: Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography
You are the star in the pages of Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography. An affectionate homage to the Choose Your Own Adventure book series, this one-of-a-kind memoir puts fans in the shoes of the out trailblazer and offers dozens of paths to choose from -- some of which lead to the NPH we know and love, while others end in a tragic demise those fans of the original book series will find familiar. With a celebration of childhood memories, world travels, and (of course) that gay thing, you can experience the adventures of NPH like never before. Begin the adventure with your own copy here. -- Jase Peeples

5. THEATER: Small Parts
There are no small parts, only small actors, goes the old adage -- and in this one-man show, Richard Tanner proves he's no small performer. The out Tanner, who has appeared in movies and TV shows including The West Wing, JAG, Monk, Star Trek: Enterprise, The Agency, and Pretty Little Liars, promises to chronicle "the ins and outs, highs and lows, and mind-boggling absurdities" of his 25-year acting career in this piece. It even comes with an endorsement from West Side Story Oscar-winner George Chakiris -- you can check that out on Tanner's website. The show was a hit at this summer's Hollywood Fringe Festival and is back for performances every Wednesday night through November 19 at the Lounge in Los Angeles. Get your tickets here and watch a trailer below. -- Trudy Ring

small PARTS Trailer from CJ on Vimeo.

4. TV: Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word
The hour-long documentary Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word, which premieres tonight at 7 Eastern, 6 Central on both MTV and Logo, follows the stories of seven transgender people between the ages of 12 and 24, speaking to issues that are both of universal interest to teenagers (like friendship, dealing with parents, sex, and life after high school) and unique to trans youth, such as disclosure of one's trans status while dating, facing an increased risk of homelessness or violence, and, in particular for trans women of color, being profiled by police. The film is the latest and one of the greatest examples of Cox's ability to amplify the experiences of others, speak effectively to her audience, and bring long-overdue conversations into the mainstream, particularly about racism and sexism. Read our recent interview with Cox and the documentary's cast here. -- Mitch Kellaway

3. EVENT: Fred and Jason's Halloweenie Los Angeles
Have an unforgettable night of frights and raise funds for the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles at the chorus's annual costume-required Halloweenie party October 25. Held at the Los Angeles Theatre, an ornate downtown movie palace, the party will include an open bar, top DJs, feverish dancing, private cabanas, and a chance to hobnob with celebs. Lance Bass will perform his single "Walking on Air" with Dave Aude, and other big names are expected to be in the crowd -- past attendees have included Adam Lambert, Amy Paffrath, Marissa Jaret Winokur, Rose McGowan, Neil Patrick Harris, and Drew Barrymore. Who knows who'll show up this year? Proceeds benefit the chorus's programmatic work, including its antibullying program for schools, its youth chorus, and the It Gets Better Tour, which takes a message of acceptance around the nation. The festivities start at 9 p.m., and you can reserve your tickets here. -- Trudy Ring

2. MUSIC: "Sweet Talker," Jessie J
Jessie J's bisexuality may or may not be just "a phase," but that shouldn't keep you from enjoying her phenomenal vocal range, which penetrates every catchy pop song she has released over the past few years. "Burnin' Up" is the blazing follow-up single to this summer's smash hit "Bang Bang," and the British hitmaker is keeping the energy high and the attitude sexy in the new video for "Burnin' Up" below. Jessie J's full album Sweet Talker is available now for download.-- Scott Ragan

1. FILM: Dear White People
Directed and written by gay filmmaker Justin Simien, Dear White People follows a group of African-American students, among them a gay student struggling with his identity played by Tyler James Williams (Everybody Hates Chris), as they navigate social life at a fictional predominantly white Ivy League college. This politically charged satire, which won the 2014 Sundance Film Festival's Special Jury Award for Breakthrough Talent, gives a much-needed microphone to the varying voices within black culture, which often clash on issues ranging from the controversial leadership election of a historically black dorm to an ill-advised Halloween party with the theme "Unleash Your Inner Negro." As A.O. Scott stated in his New York Times review, "Everyone should see this movie, and everyone will see it a little differently." Dear White People is out in limited release today. Watch the trailer below. -- Daniel Reynolds