Brock Laborde, a producer and judge for the touring championship series, as well as a producer for the soon-to-be-released Air Sex: The Movie, compares the competitions to karaoke. “It’s sex-positive, so everyone is welcome to come. Some people have been practicing a routine for months; some people show up to the venue, get a few drinks in them, get encouraged and come up to the stage,” Laborde said.

Contestants select a stage name and a song, then show the audience the best air sex they can muster. Don’t worry, though — Laborde and his colleagues call it “cleanly raunchy.” “There’s no nudity — it all stays very positive. This is not a creepy sex show,” Laborde said.

A panel of five judges, usually including local celebrities, comedians and porn stars, critiques the contestants and selects about three to move on to a final round. These finalists will perform air sex to a mystery song, and then the crowd chooses the winner.

The contestants compete not only for the glory of being Houston’s crowned champion of air sex, but also for a free trip to the national Air Sex Championships later this year. Sometimes local sponsors, such as sex shops or the hosting venue, also provide prizes for finalists and winners, and the Air Sex organization often supplies contestants with T-shirts and more.

“There’s a curiosity factor to Air Sex. It’s the same thing that draws people to actual sex — even if you’ve done it once or many times, you’re still wondering what else there is to see and do with it,” Laborde said. Altogether, it should prove a lighthearted evening for contestants and audience members alike. The producer agrees. “Air sex is a good way to get everyone together to celebrate a silly thing.”

8 p.m. March 29. Fitzgerald’s, 2706 White Oak. For information, visit fitzlivemusic.com. $8 to $10.
Sun., March 29, 8 p.m., 2015