Friday, Nov. 26
The Queer Justice League hosts the second-annual “All I Want for Christmas is Equal Rights” rally near Lenox and Phipps malls on the busiest shopping day of the year. Attendees are encouraged to bring signs, sleigh bells and Santa hats. 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Peachtree and Lenox roads, Atlanta, www.queerjusticeleague.net.
Saturday, Nov. 27
Openly gay saxophonist extraordinaire Dave Koz brings his “Smooth Jazz Christmas” to the Cobb Energy Centre, joined by South African singer/guitarist Jonathan Butler, keyboardist Brian Culbertson and Dutch saxophone star Candy Dulfer. 8 – 10 p.m. at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30339, www.cobbenergycentre.com.
“Hinterland,” a new creation by gloATL, creates a “mosaic of sub-cultures” bringing together the creative team of “big,” and its star, Big Boi of Outkast for a light-based parade. 7-9 p.m. in downtown Atlanta, beginning at the Rialto Theatre and moving to Woodruff Park. www.gloatl.com.
DJs Vicki Powell and Brett Long spin at 10 p.m. at the Heretic, 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com.
Lesbian singer-songwriter Michelle Malone brings her soulful blend of guitar-driven blues and rock to two shows. 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. at Eddie’s Attic, 515-B North McDonough St., Decatur, GA 30030, www.eddiesattic.com.
Go back in time with Charlie Brown and other drag cabaret favorites for the Backstreet Reunion Party, a tribute to the heyday of Atlanta’s 24/7 gay club. Charlie Brown’s Cabaret at 9 p.m., Backstreet DJs Rob Reum and Bobb Copeland at 10 p.m. Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Rd., Atlanta, GA 30324, www.jungleclubatlanta.com.
Tuesday, Nov. 30
Don’t forget to vote in today’s runoff election, where races include the Georgia Supreme Court and state Court of Appeals. Polls open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Visit www.georgiaequality.org for the LGBT political group’s runoff endorsements.
First Metropolitan Community Church offers free classes through the Institute for Spiritual Growth; a donation is appreciated. Tuesdays, Nov. 9-30, is “Discover the Power for an Amazing Life” with Rev. Paul Graetz; 7-8 p.m. at First Metropolitan Community Church, 1379 Tullie Road, Atlanta, GA 30329. To enroll, email revtpaul@aol.com.
Wednesday, Dec. 1
World AIDS Day events in Atlanta include a rally for HIV funding at the Georgia Capitol, interfaith prayer breakfast, AIDS Memorial Quilt display and screening of the film “Sex in an Epidemic.”
Columbus, Ga., holds its second Annual World AIDS Day Banquet from 5:30-8 p.m. at CSU Cunningham Center Banquet Hall, 3100 Gentian Boulevard, Columbus, GA 31907, www.betterwayfoundation.com.
The gay Atlanta Executive Network enjoys theater night at Actor’s Express for “Every Christmas Story Ever Told.” 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. at Actor’s Express, 887 West Marietta St., Suite J-107, Atlanta, GA 30318, www.aen.org.
Thursday, Dec. 2
“For Real Colored Girls: Part Two of a Discussion About Black Women and Media Representation” builds from Tyler Perry’s film adaptation of Ntozake Shange’s choreopoem into a larger discussion. 7:30 p.m. at Charis, 1189 Euclid Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, www.chariscircle.org.
Thursday, Dec. 2- Sunday, Dec. 5
Midtown Pop-Up Shop, an artist market and holiday shopping experience, lines Peachtree Street with retailers, designers and artists. Thursday-Saturday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. 999 Peachtree St. www.midtownatl.com.
Friday, Dec. 3
The Holiday Ball by Good Friends for Good Causes is hosted by the Atlanta Women’s Business Network, celebrating the season for all members of LGBT Atlanta and their friends. Includes DJ Vicki Powell and piano performance by Penelope Williams, dancing, open bar, hors d’oeuvres and desserts, and prize drawings. Individual tickets are $85; sponsorships available; event benefits the Atlanta Lesbian Health Initiative and the Circle of Sisters. www.theatlantaholidayball.com.
“Stepping Out: Taking LGBTQQI Cultural Competency to the Next Level” offers training for helping LGBT people in domestic violence situtations. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. DeKalb Women’s Center at DeKalb Medical, 2701 N. Decatur Road, Decatur, GA 30033, www.united4safety.org.
The Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winning Broadway musical “Rent” is on stage at Fabrefaction Theatre, visit website for full schedule of performances. 8 p.m. at Fabrefaction Theatre Company, 999 Brady Ave. NW, Atlanta, GA 30318, www.fabrefaction.org.
Friday, Dec. 3 – Saturday, Dec. 4
Congregation Bet Haverim, Atlanta’s gay-founded reconstructionist synagogue, celebrates Hanukkah with a special Shabbat service on Friday at 7:30 p.m., including music from the CBH Chorus and the Decatur High School Chorus, followed by a festive party at 7 p.m. on Saturday with dancing, games, craft tables for the kids, “No Limit Texas Hold’em Dreidel” for older folks, and a dessert and latke potluck. Both events at CCUCC, 2676 Clairmont Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30329, www.congregationbethaverim.org.
OurSong, Atlanta’s gay and lesbian chorus, presents its reflective holiday show, “The World Sings: Songs of Hope and Wonder.” 8 p.m. both nights at Oakhurst Baptist Church, 222 East Lake Drive, Decatur, GA 30030, www.oursongatlanta.com.
Saturday, Dec. 4
MEGA Family Project, for LGBT parents and prospective parents, hosts its own Toy Drive & Holiday Party to help LGBT families provide gifts for their children. Party details TBA, visit www.megafamilyproject.org for details.
Savannah’s First City Network, the state’s oldest continuous gay group, holds its First Saturday social. 7:30 – 10:30 p.m. at private home, www.firstcitynetwork.net.
Unity Fellowship Church-Atlanta holds its “Unity Honors” Community Awards Dinner, 5-8 p.m. at Saint Mark United Methodist Church, 781 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30308, tickets 404-697-5369.
“WMCC Christmas Radio” is First MCC’s Silent Auction and Christmas Show, written and directed by Doug Gazlay. Shows at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. at First MCC, 1379 Tullie Road, Atlanta, GA 30329, www.firstmcc.com.
Gay Fathers Online hosts a Coming Out Seminar for married/divorcing men. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at 1141 Sheridan Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.gayfathersonline.com.
DJ Ted Eiel from Chicago spins for Bear Essentials at the Heretic, 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com.
The gay Atlanta Freedom Bands performs a “Hope for the Holidays” concert in partnership with Emory’s Hope Clinic and AID Atlanta’s Evolution Project. 8-10 p.m. at St. Paul United Methodist Church, 501 Grant St. SE, Atlanta, GA 30312, www.atlantafreedombands.com.
Chase Daniels and Barry Brandon host a benefit for Toy Party. Bring in a new unwrapped toy and get in free until 11 p.m. Bring in a toy after and get a free jello shot. 10 p.m. at My Sisters’ Room, 1271 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, www.mysistersroom.com.
Sunday, Dec. 5
Playground, the official Toy Party dance party, features DJ David Knapp and ‘90s t-dance and diva anthems. $10 admission benefits Toy Party. 8-11:30 p.m. at Opera, 1150 Crescent Ave., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.operatlanta.com.
Join the seventh annual Christmas Carol Sing Along at 5 p.m. in the sanctuary of Saint Mark United Methodist Church, 781 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30308, www.stmarkumc.org.
QuickSilver Gender-Free Country Dance welcomes LGBTQ and straight dancers, no experience or partner needed. 1:30 – 5 p.m. at Life Enrichment Center, 1340 McConnell Dr., Decatur, GA 30033, www.qcdancers.org.
The 2010 Toy Party, Atlanta’s premier holiday cocktail party and toy drive, brings together LGBT people and their allies to help provide holiday gifts for children in need. Sponsored by For the Kid in All of Us, admission is an unwrapped new toy or a gift card valued at $20 or more. All contributions will be donated to 20 non-profit agencies that serve Georgia’s children. 5:30 -9 p.m. at AmericasMart3, 250 Spring St., Atlanta, GA 30303, www.forthekid.org.
Monday, Dec. 6
PFLAG Atlanta holds its First Monday Support Meeting, for friends and families of LGBT people as well as LGBT who are coming out or already out. 7-9 p.m. at UUCA, 1911 Cliff Valley Way NE, Atlanta, GA 30329. www.pflagatl.org.
Tuesday, Dec. 7
Atlanta Executive Network and Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce member Louis Gary hosts this LGBT networking lunch on the first Tuesday of each month. 11:55 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Hudson Grille, Brookhaven Station, 4046 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, GA 30319, www.atlantagaychamber.org.
“Pine Cones and Holly Berries: A Christmas Cabaret” features Jane Burke, Amy Holloway, Larry Manning and Rusty Holloway. 7:30 p.m. in Wade Hall at Saint Mark United Methodist Church, 781 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30308, www.stmarkumc.org.
Gay Fathers of Atlanta holds a support meeting. 7:30 – 9 p.m. at Atlanta-Fulton County Public Library, 980 Ponce De Leon Ave., Atlanta, GA 30306,
www.gfoatlanta.org.
The Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce holds its 2010 Holiday Party, 6-9 p.m. at Hotel Palomar, 866 W. Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.atlantagaychamber.org.
MEGA Family Project provides information to LGBT prospective parents with its “Maybe Baby” seminar. 7-9 p.m. at the Rush Center, 1530 Dekalb Avenue, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 30307. www.megafamilyproject.org.
Wednesday, Dec. 8
“Hard Candy Christmas” Bingo with Bubba D. Licious and Nicole Paige Brooks bring a holiday Dolly Parton theme to the beloved bingo benefit for PALS, Pets are Loving Support, which helps people with HIV and other illnesses keep their pets. 6:30 – 10 p.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Rd., Atlanta, GA 30324, www.palsatlanta.org.
Antron-Reshaud Brown reads “Bohemian Rebel 3.” 7:30 p.m. at Outwrite Bookstore & Coffeehouse, 991 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.outwritebooks.com.
Thursday, Dec. 9
All are invited as Charis Books & More, one of the oldest feminist bookstores in the country, celebrates with its Holiday Party. Enjoy treats, complimentary gift wrapping, and a storewide 10 percent off sale. 5-9 p.m. at Charis, 1189 Euclid Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, www.chariscircle.org.
Thursday, Dec. 9 – Sunday, Dec. 12
The Design Is Show House benefits CHRIS Kids, with four luxury apartments that will be decorated as a “Gallery of Rooms” by twelve of Atlanta’s most talented interior designers. Includes special dessert tastings from Midtown’s favorite spots and unannounced visits by local performers throughout the weekend. 811 Piedmont Ave. NE Atlanta, GA 30308, www.designismagazine.com.
Friday, Dec. 10 – Saturday, Dec. 11
Gay comedian Leslie Jordan serves up the laughs with “Deck The Halls Y’all.” 8 p.m. at Buckhead Theatre, 3110 Roswell Road, Atlanta, GA 30305, www.thebuckheadtheatre.com.