Best Bets 10.26 – 11.08

Friday, Oct. 26

Ghosts of Hollywood is the theme for this year’s Halloween costume celebration to benefit Jerusalem House, which provides homes for people impacted by HIV.  8 p.m. — midnight at Atlanta Marriott Marquis, 265 Peachtree Center Ave., Atlanta, GA 30303, www.jerusalemhouse.org/halloween

Carma Productions hosts the Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce for networking from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Senor Patron Mexican Restaurant, 860 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.atlantagaychamber.org

DJ 5 Hour Boner and DJ Sam Rothstein spin for Hallo-Weenie dance party and costume contest. 9 p.m. – 3 a.m. at Mary’s, 1287 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, www.marysatlanta.com

DJ Brett Long spins for the ‘90s dance party at the Atlanta Eagle, 306 Ponce De Leon Ave., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.atlantaeagle.com

You have three chances to win as Burkhart’s serves up Halloween costume contests tonight, Saturday night and Wednesday night. 1492 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.burkharts.com

Secretroom.net presents Halloween Dreams, featuring electrohouse, techno, a horror show, $1,000 costume contest and more, at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.jungleclubatlanta.com

Get into the spirit with Masquerade Ball, featuring mask and stripper pole contests at LeBuzz, 585 Franklin Road, Marietta, GA 30367, www.thenewlebuzz.com

Saturday, Oct. 27

Poetry Atlanta, Georgia Center for the Book and Poets & Writers present the 8th annual Voices Carry reading featuring Jericho Brown, Sandra Meek, Alice Lovelace and Cecilia Woloch; hosted by Collin Kelley. 3 p.m. at Decatur Library, 215 Sycamore Street, Decatur, GA 30030. http://poetryatlanta.blogspot.com/

It’s the Trick Your Treat Halloween Bash at 10 p.m. at Cockpit, 465 Boulevard SE, Atlanta, GA 30312

Celebrated gay humorist David Sedaris brings his sardonic wit to Atlanta Symphony Hall. 8 p.m. at 1280 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.atlantasymphony.org

DJ Pat Scott spins with a costume contest at 1 a.m. with the theme “A Night at the Movies” at Atlanta Eagle, 306 Ponce De Leon Ave., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.atlantaeagle.com

DJ Tina Vee spins and the Court of Kings perform for “Hella Gay Halloween,” including a costume contest at My Sister’s Room, 1271 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, www.mysistersroom.com

DJ Seth Cooper spins for the “Gods and Monsters” Halloween bash at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.jungleclubatlanta.com

Dress as your favorite celebrity (living or zombie) for Scary-Oke. 9 p.m. – 3 a.m. at Mary’s, 1287 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, www.marysatlanta.com

Bubba D. Licious hosts Night of the Dancing Dead with DJ Mike Pope at 10 p.m. and a costume contest at 1 a.m. at the Heretic, 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com

Mixx hosts a Happy Halloween dance at 1492-B Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.mixxatlanta.com

Traxx and Traxx Girls join forces for “Pitch Black 2012: A Night of Darkness,” an LGBT Halloween bash, including a costume contest. 18 and up. Doors open at 10 p.m. at XS Ultra Lounge, 708 Spring St., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.xcessultralounge.com

Enjoy a costume contest at midnight plus the Divas Cabaret at LeBuzz, 585 Franklin Road, Marietta, GA 30367, www.thenewlebuzz.com

It will technically be Sunday morning as Dave & Gerardo spin at 3 a.m. at private club Xion, 2241 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.cariocaproductions.com

Saturday, Oct. 27 – Sunday, Oct. 28

The Atlanta Harlequins Women’s Rugby Club hosts the 2012 USA Rugby Women’s Division 1 Elite 8 Playoffs, bringing the nation’s top eight teams to compete for one of two spots in the Nov. 10 national championship. Matches begin at 10 a.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. Sunday at Rhodes Jordan Park Field 3, 100 East Crogan St., Lawrenceville, GA 30046, www.atlantaharlequins.com

Sunday, Oct. 28

5Friends4Life presents the 10th annual Black Party, with the theme “Wicked.” Discounted admission if you bring a new toy for Toys for Tots. VIP at 5 p.m., party at 7 p.m. at Opera, 50 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.5friends4life.com

Lesbian-owned feminist bookstore Charis hosts “The Magic of Fairy Dust,” a Halloween Children’s story hour. 1 p.m. at Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Ave NE, Atlanta, GA, 30307, www.charisbooksandmore.com

Some $666 in cash and prizes is up for grabs in the Tricks or Treats costume contest; sign up by 6 p.m. for contest at 7 p.m. at Amsterdam Atlanta, 502-A Amsterdam Ave., Atlanta, GA 30306,www.amsterdamatlanta.com

Join DJs Stroker Ace and Business Casual for Twin Peaks Prom. Dress as your favorite Twin Peaks/Fire Walk With Me character or in prom attire. 8 p.m. to midnight at Sauced, 753 Edgewood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, http://on.fb.me/WE20hb

Regina Simms and Aqualencia Litre present “Witches & Bitches,” a scary Halloween show, at 9 p.m. at Friends Neighborhood Bar, 736 Ponce de Leon Ave., Atlanta, GA www.friendsonponce-at.com

Monday, Oct. 29

Susanna Hoffs of the Bangles plays at 8 p.m. at Eddie’s Attic, 515-B McDonough Road, Decatur, GA 30030, www.eddiesattic.com

Every Monday night, enjoy Stars of the Century at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324,www.jungleclubatlanta.com

Tuesday, Oct. 30

Tim Westover presents his “Auraria: A Georgia Ghost Novel” at 7:30 p.m. at Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Ave NE, Atlanta, GA, 30307,www.charisbooksandmore.com

The Halloween edition of Cockpit’s comedy series, held the last Tuesday of each month, is “Laugh Your Balls Off: Scream Queens of Comedy.” 8:30 p.m. at Cockpit, 465 Boulevard SE, Atlanta, GA 30312

Wednesday, Oct. 31

Enjoy food and drinks on the patio at 7 p.m., a costume contest at 7:45 p.m. and “Rocky Horror Picture Show” at 8 p.m., all to benefit the Atlanta Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence grant fund. Cowtippers Steaks & Spirits, 1600 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, Ga. 30324

Rapture Divine is special guest judge and performs tonight in Jungle’s “Dragnificent.” There’s $1,000 up for grabs at the end of the seven-week amateur competition. 10 p.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.jungleclubatlanta.com

The Revenge of Mary’s Goth Nite returns for Halloween, with “spooky” attire requested. 9 p.m. – 3 a.m. at Mary’s, 1287 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, www.marysatlanta.com

Get $1 off every drink if you wear your Halloween costume to the Atlanta Eagle, 306 Ponce De Leon Ave., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.atlantaeagle.com

Show off your costume with a contest at midnight at Friends Neighborhood Bar, 736 Ponce de Leon Ave., Atlanta, GA www.friendsonponce-at.com

DJ Birdman celebrates his birthday on Halloween night with “Evolution” at LeBuzz, 585 Franklin Road, Marietta, GA 30367, www.thenewlebuzz.com

Thursday, Nov. 1

SAGE Atlanta, a support and social group for LGBT elders, meets starting at 10 a.m. on Thursdays at the Philip Rush Center, 1530 Dekalb Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.sageatl.org

Amanda Kyle Williams, who got her start in lesbian fiction and found major success with her mainstream mystery series, brings her new novel, “A Stranger in the Room,” home to Atlanta’s feminist bookstore. 7:30 p.m. at Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Ave NE, Atlanta, GA, 30307, www.charisbooksandmore.com

Thursdays are 18-and-up College Night at My Sister’s Room, 1271 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, www.mysistersroom.com

Friday, Nov. 2

SAGE Atlanta, for LGBT elders, hosts chair yoga every Friday at 10:30 a.m. at the Philip Rush Center, 1530 Dekalb Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.sageatl.org

Buy your tickets to tonight’s show of Cirque du Soleil’s Totem directly through CHRIS Kids, so 100 percent goes to the agency that serves youth and families, including LGBT youth. 8-10 p.m. under the Big Top at Atlantic Station, 1380 Atlantic Drive, Atlanta, GA 30363, www.chriskids.org/annual-events

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

Friday, Nov. 2 – Sunday, Nov. 4

The Atlanta Rollergirls host “Grits and Glory,” the 2012 Women’s Flat Track Derby Association championships at the Georgia World Congress Center, 285 Andrew Young International Blvd., Atlanta, GA 30313, www.atlantarollergirls.com

Saturday, Nov. 3

The MEGA Family Project hosts its annual MEGA Family Conference, dubbed the largest gathering in the South for LGBT families. Expect a day of workshops, speakers, networking and fun for the whole family. 8:30 a.m – 5 p.m. at Saint Mark United Methodist Church, 781 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30308,www.megafamilyproject.org

Monica hosts a free march and rally to “Keep the Promise on AIDS in the South.” 1 p.m. at Centennial Park, www.keepthepromiseonaids.org

A new “coming out” support group for LGBT adults meets on Saturdays through Nov. 17; 4 p.m. at First MCC Community Center, 1379 Tullie Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30329. www.firstmcc.com

“We Have Not Been Moved: Celebrating Mandy Carter and Southerners on New Ground” celebrates these innovators in progressive activism. 7:30 p.m. at Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Ave NE, Atlanta, GA, 30307, www.charisbooksandmore.com

Celebrate the release of Kathy Griffin’s new DVD, “Red, White & Raw” at Blake’s on the Park, 227 10th St., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com

Saturday, Nov. 3 -Sunday, Nov. 4

The Chastain Park Arts Festival, a part of the gay owned and operated Atlanta Foundation for Public Spaces series of festivals, offers local arts and crafts in the largest public park in Fulton County. Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Chastain Park, 4469 Stella Drive, Atlanta, GA 30327

Sunday, Nov. 4

For the Foodie in All of Us is the chef series to raise funds for For the Kid in All of Us, which produces Toy Party and other events to benefit kids in need. Today, enjoy a culinary and cocktail demonstration from Chef Shane Devereaux and mixologist Justin Hadaway. Tickets are $50; event is from 3-5 p.m. at the Cook’s Warehouse, 1544 Piedmont Ave. #403R, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.forthekid.org

The Armorettes, Atlanta’s legendary fundraising drag troupe, takes over at 8 p.m. at at Burkhart’s, 1492 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.burkharts.com

Monday, Nov. 5

PFLAG Atlanta hosts its First Monday Support meeting for parents, friends and families of LGBT people. 7:30-9 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta, slightly beyond 1587 Northeast Expressway, Atlanta, GA 30329, www.pflagatl.org

Family Feud returns at 11:30 p.m. to Blake’s on the Park, 227 10th St., Atlanta, GA 30309,www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com

Tuesday, Nov. 6

It’s Election Day, so make sure your vote counts. 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. To find your polling location, visit https://mvp.sos.state.ga.us

Tuesdays, Thursdays and early Saturday, get your country on with 3-Legged Cowboy nights at the Heretic, 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com

Wednesday, Nov. 7

Pamela King Cable reads from “Televenge: A televangelist mystery.” 7:30 p.m. at Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Ave NE, Atlanta, GA, 30307, 
www.charisbooksandmore.com

Thursday, Nov. 8

Kelly Barth presents “My Almost Certainly Real Imaginary Jesus: A Memoir of Sexuality and Christianity.” 7:30 p.m. at Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Ave NE, Atlanta, GA, 30307, www.charisbooksandmore.com

Joshua Radin, who has performed on Ellen DeGeneres’ talk show and sang at her wedding, takes the stage with A Fine Frenzy at 8 p.m. at Buckhead Theatre, The Buckhead Theatre, 3110 Roswell Rd NW, Atlanta, Ga. 30305, www.ticketmaster.com