Friday, July 6
DJ Lydia Prim starts an evening at Heretic featuring the famed Freemasons. 8 p.m. – 4 a.m. at the Heretic, 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324,
www.hereticatlanta.com, http://on.fb.me/McunbH
Wassup ‘N ATL hosts their upscale First Friday party with DJs Trouble and Angel X with MC Wild Thang on the mic. 10 p.m. – 3 a.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.wassupnatl.com
GA Voice celebrates the 2012 Best of Atlanta winners and nominees, plus our entire community, with our annual free party. Complimentary wine and liquor from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. and beats by DJs Vicki Powell and Mike Pope. Don’t forget the food from Feast Catering, Cafe Sunflower and Southern Sweets. Award presentation at 9 p.m. See you there! 6:30 – 10 p.m. at Altitude at the W Atlanta Midtown, 188 14th Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30361, http://on.fb.me/LFaLhT
Friday, July 6 – Monday, July 9
The Southern Bears presents the 2012 Atlanta Bear Fest, “Roman Holiday.” The four-day bear/admirer event includes pool parties, bar nights, vendors, concerts, bingo, movies, dinners and more. Most events held at the Courtyard Northlake Marriott, 4083 LaVista Road, Tucker, GA 30083, www.atlantabearfest.com
Saturday, July 7
In honor of Sister Ursula Polari’s 54th birthday, grab a Sunset Tea at Burkhart’s for the weekly summer Sunset Garden Event. A portion of the proceeds go to the Atlanta Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. 7 – 10 p.m. at Burkhart’s, 1492 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30309, http://on.fb.me/N1ztbw
Just $10 gets you a bottomless cup of beer at the For the Kid in All of Us Beer Bust. Expect a DJ and a few fun giveaways to help raise funds for the group’s signature summer event, Backpack in the Park, on July 28. 1 – 5 p.m. at Joe’s on Juniper, 1049 Juniper Street, Atlanta, GA 30309, http://on.fb.me/OQwtWO
Ladies, get your party going early on Saturday with one part comedy show and one part house party. Ladies at Play hosts LOL with comedy by Julie Osborne Entertainment and follows with house music by DJ Yusef. 6 – 10 p.m. at Aurum Lounge, 915 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.ladiesatplay.com, http://on.fb.me/LN4PGM
“Strapped & Dapper” is a workshop for Southern, masculine-identified people of color that covers sexual communication, sexual health, money, power and so much more. 7 – 9 p.m. at the Rush Center, 1530 Dekalb Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.thehealthinitiative.org, http://bit.ly/M6a7N5
Thought it will technically be Sunday morning at the members-only Xion when she takes the turntables, DJ Lydia Prim keeps the party going all night long. 3 a.m. at Xion, 2241 Faulkner Road, Atlanta GA, 30324, http://on.fb.me/Me5diq
Saturday, July 7 – Sunday, July 8
The Sandy Springs Artapalooza, a part of the gay owned and operated Atlanta Foundation for Public Spaces series of festivals, offers local arts and crafts from 150 painters, photographers, sculptors and more. Saturday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. at the former Target located at 174 Johnson Ferry Road, Sandy Springs, GA 30328, www.sandyspringsartapalooza.com
Sunday, July 8
Lunch, lounge and be lazy every Sunday afternoon at Silent Sundays at the W Midtown. Expect towel service, cocktail and lunch services and mellow music on the WET pool deck several floors up. 12 – 7 p.m. at the W Atlanta Midtown, 188 14th Street, Atlanta, GA 30361, http://on.fb.me/LoC2Wx
GA Voice’s best local DJ Vicki Powell hosts her monthly patio party at Church with special guest Stefan Kallweit. 7 p.m. – 12 a.m. at Sister Louisa’s Church, 466 Edgewood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30312, http://on.fb.me/KKKiP6
Monday, July 9
Writing With Intent is open to writers of fiction and creative non-fiction; group offers motivational exercises, constructive criticism and more to keep you on track. 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, www.charisbooksandmore.com
Contact the organizers in advance before joining the Domestic Violence Survivors Support group hosted by the Health Initiative every Monday. 7 – 8:30 p.m. at the Rush Center, 1530 Dekalb Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.thehealthinitive.org
Already excited about the Dyke March at Atlanta Pride this fall? Bring your feedback from 2011 and your ideas for 2012 to a Dyke March planning meeting from 7 – 8:30 p.m. at the Rush Center, 1530 Dekalb Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, http://on.fb.me/LLkK8P
Tuesday, July 10
Voted GA Voice Best Musician, Amber Taylor and her band the Sexual Side Effects open for Girl in a Coma, who are signed with Joan Jett, at the Earl. Taylor is the trans woman who fronts the band and Texas-based Girl in a Coma has two lesbians in the band — bassist Jenn Alva and drummer Phanie Diaz. 9 p.m., The Earl, 488 Flat Shoals Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316. www.badearl.com
Wednesday, July 11
The Atlanta Lesbian & Gay Chamber of Commerce hosts a Business Builder Lunch. 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Soho in Vinings, 300 Paces Ferry Road, Atlanta, GA 30339, www.atlantagaychamber.org
It’s Luau night for this month’s PALS Bingo, hosted by Bubba D. Licious and Brent Star. Doors at 6:30 p.m., program at 7:30 p.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.palsatlanta.org
Thursday, July 12
The Atlanta Steering Committee of the Human Rights Campaign hosts an evening in support of gay Ga. State House District 56 candidate Ken Britt. Suggested minimum donation of $25. 6 – 8 p.m. at 5 Seasons Brewing Company Westside, 1000 Marietta Street, Ste. 204, Atlanta, GA 30318, http://on.fb.me/KRjIVT
Help plan the Atlanta Trans March, part of Atlanta Pride in October. 7 – 8:30 p.m. at the Rush Center, 1530 Dekalb Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, http://on.fb.me/QWOnEu
“Beyond the Short Term: African-American Women Loving Women and Creating Strong Families” is a three-part book club on Mignon R. Moore’s book “Invisible Families: Gay Identities, Relationships, and Motherhood Among Black Women.” 7:30 – 9 p.m. at Charis Books and More, 1189 Euclid Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.charisbooksandmore.com
Dance/electronic legend Kaskade brings the big beats and club tracks to Atlanta for the “Freaks of Nature” tour. 8 p.m. at the Tabernacle, 152 Luckie St., Atlanta, GA 30303, www.tabernacleatl.com
The gay-owned Atlanta Foundation for Public Spaces hosts the Chastain Park Summer Movie series every Thursday in July. Tonight’s feature: “Mirror Mirror.” Sundown at the hilltop meadow just off Park Drive in Chastain Park, http://on.fb.me/LzOhjM
Atlantic Station’s Movies in Central Park offers a free, outdoor screening of “Grease.” Film starts at sundown in Atlantic Station, 1380 Atlantic Drive, Atlanta, GA 30363, www.atlanticstation.com, http://bit.ly/HQxNjT
Friday, July 13
Famously one of the biggest parties on the dive bar calendar, Mary’s hosts its annual Bastille Day Blow-Out. Expect a big crowd for French disco, French cocktails and “let them eat cake” realness. 9 p.m. – 3 a.m. at Mary’s, 1287 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, http://on.fb.me/MIV61S
Join the social networking ladies of Fourth Tuesday for their monthly lesbian happy hour, every second Friday. 6 – 9 p.m. at Mixx, 1492 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30324, www.theheathinitiative.org, http://bit.ly/N4t58F
Holy ‘90s explosion: Everclear, Sugar Ray, Gin Blossoms, Lit and Marcy Playground join forces for the Summerland Tour 2012. 7 p.m. at Chastain Park Amphitheater, 4469 Stella Drive, Atlanta, GA 30327, www.summerlandtour.net
Dunwoody’s Stage Door Players present Cole Porter’s musical “High Society,” the story of the Lord family as they plan the wedding of their daughter as ex-husbands, nosey reporters and all manor of chaos get in the way. Through Aug. 5. Thursday – Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2:30 p.m. at Stage Door Players, 5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Ste. D, Atlanta, GA 30338, www.stagedoorplayers.net
Famously one of the biggest parties on the dive bar calendar, Mary’s hosts its annual Bastille Day Blow-Out. Expect a big crowd for French disco, French cocktails and “let them eat cake” realness. 9 p.m. – 3 a.m. at Mary’s, 1287 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, http://on.fb.me/MIV61S
Saturday, July 14
DJ Escape takes over the turntables at Heretic, with a reduced cover before 11 p.m. 10 p.m. at Heretic, 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com
Frisky Monkey, with gay frontman Juan Cezar, joins gay singer/songwriter Guyton Maurice, Meredith MacDonald and Trey Hawkins for an evening of genre-bending music. 8 – 11 p.m. at Kavarna, 707 East Lake Drive, Decatur, GA 30030, http://on.fb.me/LDuX5a
MEGA Family hosts a “Maybe Baby” seminar for potential LGBT parents. Learn about the many options, costs involved, time frames to consider and how age or geography might factor into your decision. 9:30 – 11:45 a.m. at the Rush Center, 1530 Dekalb Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.megafamilyproject.org
Interested in helping improve the lives of homeless or at-risk LGBT youth in Atlanta? Joining Lost-n-Found’s volunteer training is a good start. Background checks will be required to complete the training class and work with the youth so download the forms, bring $10 and be ready to lend a hand. 2 – 6 p.m. at Positive Impact, 60 11th St., Atlanta, GA 30309, http://on.fb.me/KTylvo, www.lost-n-found.org
Atlanta’s Every Womyn hosts a Spoken Word/Open Mic Poetry Expressions fundraiser for LIft Up Atlanta, a volunteer organization to help the homeless. 7 p.m. at the LIttle 5 Points Community Center, 1083, Austin Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, http://on.fb.me/N4nUnX
Bedlam hosts its WackedOutBlackOut Part 4 Party, a clothing-negligible glow-in-the-dark party. Be prepared to get messy as DJ Shane V spins. 9 p.m. – 4 a.m. at XS Ultra Lounge, 708 Spring Street, Atlanta, GA 30338, http://on.fb.me/LEYFV3
Wassup N ATL presents “The Ultimate White Party,” for grown men who are “upscale, but not uptight.” Admission is free until 1 a.m. if you’re wearing white. 11 p.m. – 5 a.m. at the Georgia Freight Depot, 35 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Atlanta, GA 30312, www.wassupnatl.com
Sunday, July 15
PFLAG Atlanta hosts its monthly 3rd Sunday Meeting. 2:45 p.m. at the First Metropolitan Community Church, 1379 Tullie Road, Atlanta, GA 30329, www.pflagatl.org
Monday, July 16
“T&F Transitionz: a Project of the Feminist Outlawz” is an open forum to discuss gender and facilitating dialogue and activism around social issues led by feminists Buttonz and SJ. 7 – 9:30 p.m. at Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Ave NE, Atlanta, GA, 30307, www.charisbooksandmore.com
Tuesday, July 17
The Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce hosts a prix fixe Business Builder Luncheon. $20, cash only, RSVP to louis.a.gary@ampf.com. 11:55 a.m. at Hudson Grille, Brookhaven Station, 4046 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, GA 30319, www.atlantagaychamber.org
“Beyond the Short Term: African-American Women Loving Women and Creating Strong Families” is the second in a three-part book club on Mignon R. Moore’s book “Invisible Families: Gay Identities, Relationships, and Motherhood Among Black Women.” 7:30 – 9 p.m. at Charis Books and More, 1189 Euclid Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.charisbooksandmore.com
Wednesday, July 18
The Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce hosts a prix fixe Business Builder Luncheon. $20, cash only, RSVP to dr.olt@integratedchiropractic.com. 11:30 a.m. at Marlows at the Doubletree Hotel, 4156 La Vista Road, Tucker, GA 30084, www.atlantagaychamber.org
The Big Gay Game Show brings together Atlanta celebs and classic TV game shows for a night of fun and fundraising for Lost-n-Found, a service organization committed to Atlanta’s homeless LGBT youth. 7:30 – 10:30 p.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.lost-n-found.org
Thursday, July 19
Charis and Cliterati’s Open-No Mic features writer, performer, musical and educator Ryka Aoki alongside Karen G, Theresa Davis and members of the Art Amok Slam Team. 7:30 – 9 p.m. at Charis Books and More, 1189 Euclid Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.charisbooksandmore.com
Join infamous drag personality and GA Voice “Best of Atlanta” winner Ruby Redd for the truly Dirty Boy Bingo. 10 p.m. at Cockpit, 465 Boulevard, Atlanta, GA 30312, http://thecockpit-atlanta.blogspot.com
Atlantic Station’s Movies in Central Park offers a free, outdoor screening of “Forrest Gump.” Film starts at sundown in Atlantic Station, 1380 Atlantic Drive, Atlanta, GA 30363, www.atlanticstation.com, http://bit.ly/HQxNjT
The gay-owned Atlanta Foundation for Public Spaces hosts the Chastain Park Summer Movie series every Thursday in July. Tonight’s feature: “Letters to Juliet.” Sundown at the hilltop meadow just off Park Drive in Chastain Park, http://on.fb.me/LzOhjM
Friday, July 20
Neko Case and special guest Kelly Hogan play an intimate show for the Atlanta Botanical Garden’s Concerts in the Garden. 8 p.m. at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1345 Piedmont Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org