Friday, May 15 – May 17
MAYhem is an explosive program that presents the future directions of dance propelled by the talents and artistic vision of Atlanta Ballet. Performances are at 8 p.m. on May 15 and 16; and 2 p.m. on May 16 and 17, Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, www.cobbenergycentre.com
Friday, May 15
For more than 12 years, Andy Ditzler has regularly presented Film Love, an ongoing curatorial project dedicated to cinematic works from all eras of motion picture history, particularly those works which are rarely seen and are not easily available on video. This unique event combines a screening of films with a close look at the Film Love series and its history, as well as the process of curating cinema. Tonight Film Love and Atlanta Contemporary Art Center present: Curation and Cinema, 7 p.m., www.thecontemporary.org
Edie Cheezburger presents “The Other Show,” the most unique drag show in Atlanta. Admission is $5, Jungle, 10 p.m., www.jungleatl.com
Saturday, May 16-Sunday, May 17
Action Cycling Atlanta presents the annual AIDS Vaccine 200 (AV200), a two-day cycling event to raise funds for Atlanta AIDS service organizations, www.av200.org
Saturday, May 16
Tiny Doors ATL and Urban Photo Walkers are teaming up to walk to each of the four Tiny Doors located in the city. All photographers are welcome, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., meet at Inman Park Pet Works, www.facebook.com/tinydoorsatl
The Atlanta Bucks rugby team dons appropriate attire for the Purple Dress Run, 1 p.m., Mixx Atlanta, www.mixxatlanta.com
The Miss HSL is a benefit for Hotlanta Softball, hosted by Chad Prosser, with beats by DJ Marc J. Cubs. $10 entry, all tips benefitting AID Atlanta and Lost-n-Found Youth, 6 p.m, Jungle, www.jungleatl.com
Lost-n-Found Youth’s Casino Party fundraiser provides guilt-free gaming and prizes and auctions, live performances, and free drinks and a buffet of culinary delights. A $10 donation grants access to food catered by more than five Atlanta restaurants; free drinks; live music by Atlanta’s Next Legend winner Norwood, a performances by a daredevil fire breather, and a DJ playing music to boost your mood. From 7 – 10 p.m., Lost-n-Found Youth, www.facebook.com/LostNFoundYouth
Freddie Ashley, artistic director of Actor’s Express, returns to the stage to star in “The Whale,” about an overweight, dying gay man trying to reconcile with his daughter, 8 p.m., with a run through June 14, Actor’s Express, www.actorsexpress.com
Los Angeles DJ Paulo spins at the Heretic and makes the crowd dance to celebrate the birthday of Heretic General Manager Alan Collins, 10 p.m. – 3 a.m., www.hereticatlanta.com
DJ Cazwell brings high-energy to the Wacked Out Black Out event at Jungle, www.jungleatl.com
HBO premieres the long-awaited film “Bessie,” directed by lesbian Dee Rees and starring Queen Latifah as bisexual legendary blues singer Bessie Smith, at 8 p.m., www.hbo.com
Sunday, May 17
Wake up and make joyful noise with the Sisters of Sequin at Gospel Brunch with performers Bubba D. Licious and Justice Counce, 12:30 p.m. followed by a 1:30 p.m. show, Lips Atlanta, www.lipsatl.com
The Young Democrats of Georgia—Stonewall Caucus and the Democratic Party of Georgia LGBT Caucus will hold an afternoon of activism and community in honor of International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, 1 p.m. in Piedmont Park, www.facebook.com/YDGStonewall
Thinking of starting a family or adding a new member? The Maybe Baby workshop is designed to help people thinking about starting or growing their family, from 2 – 4 p.m., Feminist Women’s Health Center, 1530 DeKalb Ave. NE, Suite A., Atlanta, GA 30307. Registration is free but space is limited so sign up at: action.familyequality.org/site/Calendar?id=103742&view=Detail
Join GLAAD Atlanta at Henry’s Midtown for the Annual Spring Patio Party. A $10 donation gets you a free beverage from Ketel One Vodka. Entertainment from DJ Tora Torres. All proceeds from event will benefit GLAAD Atlanta’s work, 3 – 7 p.m., www.henrysatl.com
Bless Yer Heart: An All Day ParTEA is a fundraiser for the upcoming Southern Fried Queer Pride fest. Hosted by Koochie Koochie Ku and beats by King Atlas, there will be a wagon-load of sissyfied shenanigans to unload! Pre-sale tickets are $10, but no one will be turned away, 3 p.m.—midnight, My Sister’s Room, www.facebook.com/sfqpride with tickets for sale at http://sfqp.ticketleap.com/blessyerheart/
The May Atlanta Radical Faerie and Queer Geek Picnic/Potluck is today at Connally Nature Park, 3 – 7 p.m., 2277 Mulberry Street, East Point, GA 30344
The Health Initiative’s annual Garden Party returns with food, drinks, dancing, and the presentation of the Healing Angel Awards to Paul Plate, retiring executive director of Positive Impact, and the Equality Clinic of Augusta, 4 – 7 p.m., Phillip Rush Center, thehealthinitiative.org/spotlight/garden-party
Oscars hosts Sunday Funday Beer Bust for the Hotlanta Softball League, 4 – 8 p.m., www.oscarsatlanta.com
Regina Simms emcees the New Faces event with singers, dancers, musicians, drag kings and queens and more, 9 p.m., Friends on Ponce, www.friendsonponce-atl.com
Monday, May 18
Monday Mingle at Blake’s is an opportunity to network, with a free buffet and prizes, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com
Trans and Friends: a Project of the Feminist Outlawz is a youth focused group for trans people, people questioning their own gender, and aspiring allies. This event is co-sponsored by Charis Circle’s Strong Families, Whole Children Program. There is no suggested donation. 7 – 8:30 p.m., Charis Books, www.charisbooksandmore.com
Tuesday, May 19
Get ready for your Tina Turner moment – Angelica D’Paige hosts Drageoke, 10:30 p.m., Burkhart’s, www.burkharts.com
Wednesday, May 20
BJ Roosters’ new Amateur Night is every Wednesday night at 9 p.m. with a $100 cash prize, 2043 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324
Ruby Redd’s Birdcage Bingo starts at 8:30 p.m., with $3 well drinks all night, The Hideaway, www.atlantahideaway.com
Voyeur Wednesdays with Blake’s hot go-go guys starts at 10 p.m., www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com
Thursday, May 21
The Atlanta Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce holds its Business Builder Luncheon on the third Thursday of each month at 11:45 a.m. with a $20 cash preset menu, Henry’s Midtown, www.henrysatl.com
Come and find out more about the Georgia LGBTQ Archives Project and connect with professionals at MAAP’s Third Thursday Networking at Mixx Atlanta, 6 – 8:30 p.m., www.mixxatlanta.com
The 30th annual Atlanta Big Peach Softball Tournament weekend kicks off at F.R.O.G.S. today with a $10 beer bust and DJ, 6-8 p.m., www.facebook.com/hslbigpeach
Charis and Cliterati pair up to present an inviting and fierce open mic & reading series on the third Thursday of every month. Hosted by the anarchic spoken word team of Karen G and Theresa Davis, members of the Art Amok Slam Team, this series cultivates the voices of authors, novices and an assortment of poets, songstresses and storytellers. May’s featured performer is Akhaji Zakiya, the author of “Inside Her,” said to be a cross between Alison Bechdel’s “Dykes to Watch Out For” and Audre Lorde’s “Zami: A New Spelling of My Name.” The suggested donation is $5, from 7:30 – 9 p.m., Charis Books, www.charisbooksandmore.com
Write Club Atlanta and Listen Up Audiobooks celebrate the release of the new audiobook “Funny Story: The Incomplete Works of Topher Payne” by award-winning playwright and author Topher Payne. A cast of Atlanta actors, including Payne, will entertain with live readings from the book, from 9-10:30 p.m., at Highland Ballroom, admission is $5, www.facebook.com/ListenUpAudiobooks
Phoenix spearheads Dance Floor Divas starting at 11:30 p.m. at Burkharts, www.burkharts.com
Friday, May 22
My Sister’s Room hosts Traxx Girls and Blue Diamond Ent. Ladies Lounge 2.0 with a dance party and shows until 3 a.m., www.mysistersroom.com
Registration for the 30th annual Big Peach Softball Tournament is from 5-10 p.m. on the 27th floor of the W Hotel and includes a 80s party featuring Ruby Redd and DJ Neon the Glowgobear, www.facebook.com/hslbigpeach
Topher Payne and DeWayne Morgan star in Charles Busch’s “Die! Mommie! Die!” at Onstage Atlanta, showtime at 8 p.m. and running through Saturday, May 23, www.onstageatlanta.com
Join B.I.G. Productions for the third annual Bear Invasion Memorial Weekend Kickoff. DJ Sean Mac spins. Doors open at 9 p.m. and there’s no cover before 10 p.m. (and with Big Peach Softball credentials) and a $10 one after, Heretic, www.hereticatlanta.com
Saturday, May 23
Tournament plan begins today in the Big Peach Softball Tournament and continues through Sunday, www.facebook.com/hslbigpeach
Out musician Lucas Mire performs at Eddie’s Attic, with special guests The Good Graces, 8 p.m., www.eddiesattic.com
It’s two parties in one. DJ Rob Reum spins inside while DY Daryl Cox turns up the music outside at TEN Atlanta, tenatlanta.com
Divas Monica Van Pelt and Shawnna Brooks present Synergy, 11 p.m. at Burkhart’s, www.burkharts.com
Sunday, May 24
Alex Acosta spins for the late night revelers at Xion, 3 a.m., www.cariocaproductions.com
Sinners Sundays offers friendly company and $2 Budweisers, 4 p.m. – midnight, Atlanta Eagle, www.facebook.com/atlantaeagle
DJ Caprice works the crowd at Bulldogs, 893 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30308, www.facebook.com/bulldogsbaratlanta
Monday, May 25
Since Mondays tend to drag on anyway, why not make the most of it? MAX’s Wine Dive, the Midtown restaurant and wine bar known for pairing casual fare with fine wines, has teamed up with Atlanta’s best drag queens for “Monday’s a Drag” – a viewing party from 6 – 10 p.m. each Monday featuring a classic drag movie or TV show. MAX’s is offering campy drinks and food specials. Who doesn’t enjoy a $5 glass of wine or an $8 Mixed Berry Sangria? Ten percent of all food and drink sales from each week’s event will be donated to Lost-n-Found Youth. Tonight’s movies are “Some Like It Hot” and “Venus Boyz, www.maxswinedive.com/atlanta-12th-street/.
Writing With Intent is a monthly writing class led by Charis Circle Executive Director Elizabeth Anderson. The focus shifts from month to month but the specific goal is to provide artistic accountability in a busy world and offer some academic insight outside the academy. The suggested donation is $10, from 6:30 – 8 p.m., Charis Books, www.charisbooksandmore.com
Tuesday, May 26
Angelica D’Paige is the emcee for Drageoke at Burkhart’s at 10:30 p.m., www.burkharts.com
Wednesday, May 27
Black Gay Genius: Answering Joseph Beam’s Call was born out of a series of conversations, panel discussions, debates, and dinners with friends, colleagues and comrades over the years, assessing the impact and legacy of Joseph Beam and the writers of the In the Life generation. Come learn more from writers included in this anthology that aims to bring the dazzling history of the black gay arts movement of the 1980s front and center to contemporary black gay life. Black Gay Genius consists of writers, scholars, and activists responding to In the Life and the influence of Joseph Beam. The suggested donation is $5, from 7:30 – 9 p.m., Charis Books, www.charisbooksandmore.com
My Sister’s Room presents karaoke night with no cover and $5 Smirnoff drinks, $5.99 wing baskets and $2 tacos, 8 p.m., www.mysistersroon.com
Thursday, May 28
SAGE Atlanta hosts a social hour with games at 10 a.m. and a general meeting/potluck luncheon at 11 a.m., Phillip Rush Center Annex, www.rushcenteratl.com
Faces Lounge in Marietta’s new All Star Cabaret is every Thursday at 10:30 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. with the likes of Heather Daniels and Coco Chanelle, 138 Powers Ferry Road, Marietta, GA 30060
UPCOMING
Friday, May 29 – Sunday, May 31
The Atlanta Opera presents “Three Decembers” at the Alliance Theatre, with music by Jake Heggie, libretto by Gene Scheer and based on an original play by Terrence McNally, 8 p.m. May 29 and 30 and 6 p.m. May 31, www.atlantaopera.org
Friday, May 29
The Queer Love Tour, a grassroots, radical love movement centered around the intimate sharing of stories as black, queer/lesbian identified artists creating space and building community through music and art, comes to Charis Books & More from 8-10 p.m., suggested donation is $10 and goes to the artists on the tour. No one will be turned away, www.charisbooksandmore.com
Saturday, May 30
Lisa Lampanelli, known as Comedy’s Lovable Queen of Mean, cracks jokes at 8 p.m. at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, www.cobbenergycentre.com
Join Atlanta Pride for Sips-N-Strokes Family Paint, a morning of family-friendly painting and giveaways. Bring snacks and drinks of your choice. Please register by contacting Sips-N-Strokes directly at 404/901-1099. Cost: $35.00/person, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., 3019 North Druid Hills Rd, Atlanta, GA 30329
Thursday, June 4
Newly married Barry Manilow returns to town, this time to perform at the Arena at the Gwinnett Center, 7:30 p.m., http://www.gwinnettcenter.com
Friday, June 5
Oink Oink, y’all. Your favorite little piggies are back to bring you another hot and sweaty night of dancing and drag as Legendary Children hosts Hogtied ft. Nark (Bottom Forty/Seattle). Dust off those dog masks and get ready to celebrate ATL nightlife in style. Featuring Nark, Vicki Powell, King Atlas, Violet Violet Chachki
Brigitte Bidet
Cayenne Rouge
Ella /saurus/ REX
Hydrangea Heath
Kryean Kally
Lavonia Elberton
Modest Volgare
This is a Legendary Children party, so you better turn a look! Bondage + Leather + Latex + Fucking Sexy looks are strongly encouraged.
$5 Early Bird or with your Other Show wristband
$10 after 10pmChachki, Brigitte Bidet, Cayenne Rouge, Ella/saurus/REX, Hydrangea Heath, Kryean Kally, Lavonia Elberton
and Modest Volgare. Bondage, leather and latex are strongly encouraged. $5 early bird and $10 after 10 p.m., 9 p.m. – 3 a.m., Heretic, www.hereticatlanta.com
Saturday, June 6
Join Atlanta Pride for the Sylvia Rivera Day of Service. Rivera was an American bisexual transgender activist and trans woman who was a founding member of both the Gay Liberation Front and the Gay Activists Alliance and helped found Street Transgender Action Revolutionaries (STAR), a group dedicated to helping homeless young street drag queens and trans women, with her friend Marsha P. Johnson. Atlanta Pride will host a day of service for Lost-N-Found Youth Atlanta thrift store in Sylvia’s honor. 1 – 4 p.m. To participate, please email laura@atlantapride.org for location details.
Tuesday, June 9
As part of Stonewall Month activities, Out On Film and Atlanta Pride host a free screening of the acclaimed, Golden Globe nominated “Pride,” 7:30 p.m., Midtown Art Cinema, www.outonfilm.org