LGBT Atlanta Best Bets for Aug. 5 – Aug. 18

Friday, August 5

Join Fiona Zedde and Charis Books in celebration of Zede’s new novel, “Rise of the Rain Queen,” a novel of queerness, love and the Orishas on the African continent, 7:30 – 9 p.m., www.charisbooksandmore.com

Hear the great Chaka Khan belt out “I Feel For You” and “Ain’t Nobody” tonight at 8 p.m. at the Cobb Energy Centre, www.cobbenergycentre.com

Out director Brian Clowdus presents a terrific version of the musical “Miss Saigon” tonight at Serenbe Playhouse at 8 p.m., running through August 7. Yes, a live helicopter lands every night! www.serenbeplayhouse.com

Saturday, August 6

Come find your daddy at the DILF night at Woofs Atlanta, www.woofsatlanta.com

DJ Hifi Sean from London spins for a night of cubs, grizzlies and otters – Bearracuda at the Heretic, 9 p.m. – 3 a.m., www.hereticatlanta.com

You know you want to check it out – come out for Lube Wrestling at the Atlanta Eagle from 10 p.m. – 2 a.m., www.atlantaeagle.com

Sunday, August 7

Alex Cohen spins at 3 a.m. at Xion Atlanta, www.facebook.com/events/1695378840731005/

Stage Door Players is mounting a version of “Kiss Me, Kate,” featuring a celebrated score by Cole Porter, closing today at 2:30 p.m., www.stagedoorplayers.net

Come enjoy Cher, Whitney, Beyoncé, Madonna, Lady Gaga and many more for with Dinner with the Divas, Lips Atlanta, www.atldragshow.com

Monday, August 8

Catch “Absolutely Fabulous” today in area theaters, if you haven’t seen it already, www.foxsearchlight.com/absolutelyfabulous/

Tuesday, August 9

Out actor Anthony Rapp is part of the cast of the Tony-nominated musical “If/Then,” opening at the Fox Theatre tonight at 7:30 p.m. and running through August 14, www.foxtheatre.org

Angelica D’Paige hosts the rowdy, crowd-pleasing Drageoke event tonight beginning at 10:30 p.m. at Burkhart’s, www.burkharts.com

Wednesday, August 10

Join Regina for Hump Night fun at 8 p.m., Friends on Ponce, www.friendsonponce-atl.com/

Voyeur Wednesday is tonight at Blake’s with gorgeous go-go boys, hosted by Kyra Mora. The action starts at 10 p.m., www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com

Thursday, August 11

Do you want to make a difference in the lives of homeless or at-risk LGBTQ youth in Atlanta? Lost-n-Found Youth needs your help! Join them today to learn about the organization, its youth and volunteer opportunities, Lost-n-Found Youth. 2585 Chantilly Dr NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30324

Georgia Voice, the Alliance Theatre, Broadway Across America and Out On Film present a free conversation with actor Anthony Rapp, discussing his current “If/Then,” “Rent” and more, 12 p.m. today at the Alliance Hertz Stage, 1280 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30309

Thursday nights are Trivia Thursday and Game Night at My Sister’s Room, with darts, billiards, prizes, bingo, giveaways, $2 tacos, drink specials and much more, www.mysistersroom.com

The Pretty Girl Hideout Thursdays is tonight, hosted by Mook Dahost, Soul Bar at Pal’s Lounge, 254 Auburn Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30303, www.traxxgirls.com

Friday, August 12 – Sunday, August 14

Timberfell Lounge and Campground hosts the ninth annual Trailer Trash/Sordid Lives weekend, embracing the “inner trash” of the rural South, www.timberfell.com

Friday, August 12

Don’t miss the Skin event tonight at Tripps, from 4:30 p.m. – 2 a.m., 1931 Piedmont Circle NE, Atlanta, GA 30324

Atlanta Pride presents the Stride into Pride event at Six Flags today, beginning at 10 a.m. and lasting until midnight. Enjoy a day of fun by watching live show entertainment, eating tasty snacks and riding some of your favorite thrilling coasters! Once you have sufficiently screamed your heart out, then get ready for an exclusive party at 7 p.m., www.sixflags.com/overgeorgia/special-events/stride-into-pride

DJ Tommy spins at 9 p.m. at BJ Roosters, 2043 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324

Saturday, August 13

Join the LGBT Institute for an afternoon of conversation, networking, and insights as they further develop the community research initiative and review questions for their 14 state Southern Survey! Everyone is welcome to attend, regardless of whether you have attended our previous meetings in February or May. Registration begins at 1:45 p.m. and the event will begin at Georgia State University Student Center West in Rooms 460/462. 2- 4 p.m., www.facebook.com/events/257370287979261

Actor’s Express’s version of Stephen Sondheim’s “Company,” directed by Freddie Ashley with a cast including Libby Whittemore, has a performance tonight at 8 p.m., through September 4, www.actorsexpress.com

Be prepared to ogle. It’s Jocks in Jerseys night at Woofs Atlanta, www.woofsatlanta.com

The Southern Bears host their monthly meeting and bar night tonight at the Atlanta Eagle, 9 p.m. – 3 a.m., www.atlantaeagle.com

Sunday, August 14 – Tuesday, August 16

Out Front Theatre Company, Atlanta’s LGBTQIA theater company, announces auditions for the Georgia premiere of the smash Broadway musical “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert: The Musical,” 7 p.m. each night, Out Front Theatre Company, 999 Brady Ave. NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30318

Sunday, August 14

For those who have been waiting for news on fall softball as part of the Decatur Women’s Sports League, the wait is over. Registration is now up on www.dwsl.biz. Dates are Sept 9th – Nov 4th, with play on Friday nights 7 -10 p.m. It is an 8 week season, and the early bird pricing is $70 through today.

Enjoy free pool at Bulldogs, 893 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30309

Wild Cherry Sucret hosts the new Cherry Bomb event with Bubba D. Licious, Alissah Brooks, Destiny Brooks and Shavonna Brooks at Jungle, with doors opening at 7 p.m., www.jungleatl.com

Monday, August 15

Trans and Friends is a youth focused group for trans people, people questioning their own gender, and aspiring allies. Charis provides a facilitated space to discuss gender, relevant resources and activism around social issues. Whether silently or aloud, please come ready to consider your own gender in a transient world. This is a project of the Feminist Outlawz and is co-sponsored by Charis Circle’s Strong Families, Whole Children, 7 – 8:30 p.m., www.charisbooksandmore.com

Tuesday, August 16 and Wednesday, August 17

Charis welcomes Robert J. Patterson, Soyica Colbert and Aida Levy-Hussen for a two night event at Charis and the newly renovated Auburn Research Library. They are the co-editors of the book “The Psychic Hold of Slavery: Legacies in American Expressive Culture,” which asks the questions: What would it mean to get over slavery? Is such a thing possible, or even desirable? Should we perceive the psychic hold of slavery as a set of mental manacles that hold us back from imagining a post-racist America? Featuring original essays from an array of established and emerging scholars in the field of African-American studies, the books offer a nuanced dialogue
upon these questions. Tuesday night’s event takes place at 7:30 p.m. at Charis Books (1189 Euclid Ave. NE) and the suggested donation is $5. Wednesday night’s event takes place at 7 p.m. at the Auburn Ave. Research Library (101 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30303) and there is no suggested donation.

Tuesday, August 16

J’s Lounge is the home for Rainbow Tuesdays, with Dymond Onasis and Nicole Paige Brooks leading the fun and DJ Destin providing house music, 1995 Windy Hill Road #1, Smyrna, GA 30080

Wear your poker face to Poker Night this evening at Joe’s on Juniper, from 8 – 11 p.m., www.joesonjuniper.com

Hosted by the Hideaway Atlanta, Ruby Redd’s Birdcage Bingo features drag performances by your favorite entertainers. All proceeds benefit Atlanta charities. 8:30 – 10:30 p.m., www.atlantahideaway.com

Thursday, August 18

SAGE Atlanta’s social hour begins at 10 a.m., followed by a program/meeting at 11 a.m., Phillip Rush Center Annex, www.rushcenteratl.org

The Atlanta Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (AGLCC) presents its Better Business Luncheon today at Henry’s Atlanta from 11:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. Hosted by Chip Ivie and Chris Torrens on the third Thursday of each month, the lunch is $20 (cash only) preset menu. Open floor seating limited to 14 respondents. www.henrysatl.com/

Mark your calendars for a night of networking not to be missed. Join MAAP (Metro Atlanta Association of Professionals) tonight for an evening of new connections. Bring a friend, meet and get to know business professionals in the area, and expand your professional network. Open networking begins at 6 p.m. and the event lasts until 8 p.m., TEN Atlanta, 990 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309

Charis and Cliterati pair up to present an inviting and fierce open mic and reading series on the third Thursday of every month. August’s featured performers are award-wining queer Asian-American poets, Kit Yan and Jess X, on their Queer Heartache Summer. Chen will read from her “Sing Me a Time Machine” and Yan will read from her “Queer Heartache.” 7:30 – 9 p.m., www.charisbooksandmore.com

The Alliance Theatre opens the highly anticipated musical “The Prom,” about a high school student who wants to bring her girlfriend to the prom with her – and all hell breaks loose. 7:30 p.m., through September 25, www.alliancetheatre.org

UPCOMING

Saturday, August 20

Come enjoy Dinner with Bears at the Colonnade, 7 – 10 p.m., www.facebook.com/events/262077540828770/

Living Room, Inc. presents the fundraiser Taste of Atlanta 2016, an evening of food, wine and fun, and a silent auction tonight from 7 – 10 p.m., honoring Joining Hearts’ Wes Berry, The Mary Gay House, 716 W Trinity Pl, Decatur, Georgia 30030

Sunday, August 21

The PFLAG support groups for parents and families of LGBTQ people meets at the Spirituality Living Center of Atlanta today from 2:30 – 4 p.m., 1730 Northeast Expressway NE Atlanta, GA 30329

Friday, August 26

The ensemble comedy “The Intervention,” directed by Clea Duvall and starring Duvall and Natasha Lyonne as lovers, opens in metro area theaters today. It premiered at Sundance and won a special acting award for Melanie Lynskey.