Our ‘Best Bets’ for the weekend and beyond

Best Bets

Saturday, May 18

Dodgeball: A Tournament for a Cause benefits For the Kids in All of Us. 12 – 4 p.m. at the Decatur Rec Center, www.forthekid.org

The Atlanta Rollergirls host a home double bout beginning at 5 p.m. at the Yaarab Shrine Center, www.atlantarollergirls.com

Passion Pit, Ellie Goulding, Grouplove, Yeasayer, the Electric Sons and more are part of the entertainment of this year’s Party in the Park, 2 p.m. at Centennial Olympic Park, www.partyintheparkatlanta.com

Backstage at Mixx presents female illusionist Randy Roberts, known for dead-on impersonations of Cher, Bette Middler and more. 7 p.m. at Mixx, www.mixxatlanta.com

Out vocalist Guyton Maurice is joined by pianist David Reeb for a night of music at 7 p.m. at Café Vena in Vinings, 3300 Cobb Parkway, Suite 104, Atlanta, GA 30339

SAGE Atlanta, a group for LGBT elders, hosts at Lesbian 50+ potluck and social from 6-8 p.m. at the Rush Center, www.sageatl.org

Join comedian Anjelah Johnson, known for creating MAD TV’s Bon Qui Qui and her viral video “Nail Salon,” for a night of stand-up at 8 p.m. at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center, www.cobbenergycentre.org

DJ Eddie Diaz dips down from New York to spin for from 10 p.m. – 3 a.m. at the Heretic, www.hereticatlanta.com

Bedlam presents its lastest theme party, GenderBlenderSpender, where guests are encouraged to dress like the opposite gender. DJ Shane V spins. 10:30 p.m. at Jungle Atlanta, www.jungleatl.com

Sunday, May 19

The gay Hotlanta Softball League turns out to play every Sunday with games at various times. www.hotlantasoftball.org

AARP/Medicare options are the topics of SAGE Atlanta’s Sage Sunday Seminar, 1:30 – 3 p.m. at the Rush Center, www.sageatl.org

The Pet Cotillion event, a benefit for P.A.L.S. Atlanta, kicks off at 2 p.m. at Piedmont Bark, www.palsatlanta.com

Some 2.7 miles of Peachtree Street closes down for Atlanta Streets Alive, with no gasoline or engines allowed and human powered means of transportation encouraged, for a city street experience. Organized by Atlanta Bicycle Coalition, the event is from 2 – 6 p.m., www.atlantastreetsalive.com

PFLAG Atlanta hosts its Sunday meeting for parents, families and friends of LGBT people. 2:30 – 5 p.m. at Saint Mark United Methodist Church, www.pflagatl.org

GA Boy Productions presents a tea dance with DJ Dan de Leon from 7 p.m. – midnight at Jungle, www.jungleatl.com

Monday, May 20

Sara Bareilles, who’s just released ‘Brave,’ a single from her upcoming album (due out July 16), performs at 8 p.m. at Variety Playhouse, www.varietyplayhouse.com

Feminists Buttonz and SJ lead the T&F Transitionz: A Project for the Feminist Outlawz at 7 p.m. at Charis, www.charibooksandmore.com

Tuesday, May 21

Raging Burrito oin Decatur donates 10 percent of the evening’s proceeds to Charis Circle, 5 – 10 p.m., Raging Burrito, www.ragingburrito.com

Tuesdays, unwind with a sing-along with pianist David Reeb at 8 p.m. at Mixx, www.mixxatlanta.com

Every Tuesday, sing out at Mary-oke starting at 9 p.m. at Mary’s, www.marysatlanta.com

Wednesday, May 22

Ian Aber hosts the ABear Comedy show featuring LGBT and straight comics. 8 p.m. at Jungle, www.facebook.com/iaber

Thursday, May 23- Friday, May 24

“Rupaul’s Drag Race” all-start sensation Raven rocks the joint for a two night appearance, 11 p.m. tonight and Friday, May 24, at Burkhart’s,  www.burkharts.com

Thursday, May 23

SAGE Atlanta hosts its weekly meeting, with different events and guests each week, 11 a.m. at the Philip Rush Center, www.sageatl.org

The kickoff party for the Big Peach Hotlanta tournament is tonight, with DJ Joey S and a $10 beer bust, 6 – 9 p.m. at F.R.O.G.S, www.frogsmidtown.com

Feminist Women’s Health Center presents Telling Our Stories from 7 – 9 p.m. at the Center on Cliff Valley Way, www.feministcenter.org

Enjoy Country Music Night from 7 p.m. – 1 a.m at Woofs, www.woofsatlanta.com

UPCOMING  EVENTS

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

The Decatur Arts Festival takes to the Decatur Square on Saturday and Sunday for two days of art, music, theater, children’s activities and more. Musical performances include Shawn Mullins on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.  and Delta Moon on Sunday at 4 p.m. www.decaturartsfestival.com

The Atlanta Jazz Festival brings music, vendors and more to Piedmont Park from Saturday to Monday, including a performance at 7 p.m. Saturday by Meshell Ndegeocello, who is bi and known for her politically charged lyrics. www.atlantafestivals.com

Hosted by the gay Hotlanta Softball League, the Big Peach tournament brings dozens of teams from around the country to compete in three divisions, with plenty of social events as well. www.hslbigpeach.com

Friday, May 24

Michael Feinstein performs at 8 p.m. at the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, www.aso.org

Jen Foster performs at 8 p.m. at Eddie’s Attic, www.eddiesattic.com

Bwb appears with Chrisette Michele, who played Black Gay Pride in 2011, at 7:30 p.m. at Chastain, www.livenation.com

Saturday, May 25

Gay singer-songwriter Lucas Miré celebrates his CD release concert at 7 p.m. at Eddie’s Attic, www.eddiesattic.com

Sunday, May 26

Ladies at Play hosts a Memorial Day Weekend party at AJA beginning at 10 p.m., www.ladiesatplay.com

Wednesday, May 29

Feed your inner feminist! Dine out for Charis Circle from 5 – 10 p.m. at Wahoo Decatur, www.wahoogrilldecatur.com

Thursday, May 30

Gay humorist David Sedaris reads from his new book of essays, “Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls,” at 6 p.m. at the Barnes & Noble bookstore in Edgewood, located at 1217 Caroline St., www.davidsedarisbooks.com

Friday, May 31

Author and former Atlanta resident Yolo Akili reads from his new inspirational book “Dear Universe” at 7 p.m. at Charis Books & More, www.charisbooksandmore.com

 

Top photo: Publicity photo by Pieter M. Van Hattem