Check out our Best Bets for the weekend and beyond

FRIDAY, SEPT. 19

Garth Brooks makes one of seven appearances at Philips Arena along with Trisha Yearwood over the next week, 6:30 and 10:30 p.m. tonight, www.philipsarena.com

The Third Friday Film Series presents the Oscar-nominated “Dirty Wars,” which follows investigative reporter Jeremy Scahil into the hidden world of America’s covert wars, from Afghanistan to Yemen, Somalia and beyond. 7 p.m., First Existential Congregation, www.firstexistentialist.org

Film Love presents Cinema 16, May 1950, revisiting a radical midcentury American film society, curated by Andy Ditzler, 7 p.m., Atlanta Contempo- rary Art Center, www.thecontemporary.org

Edie Cheezburger and her usual assortment of special guests present “The Other Show” drag event weekly at Jungle, with a first-ever dating auction to raise money for Atlanta Pride, 9:30 p.m., www.jungleatl.com

Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls with special guest Sean Rowe performs at Red Clay Theatre, 8 p.m., www.eddieowenpresents.com

Saturday, Sept. 20

Financial Advisor Douglas Roberts presents a Preventing Identity Theft seminar this morning at 11 a.m., Phillip Rush Center, www.rushcenteratl.com

The fifth annual South Georgia Pride Festival is back at John W. Saunders Park in Valdosta, Ga. Live music and entertainment and a vendor market make up the annual fest. Noon to 7 p.m., www.southgapride.com

Stop by Charis for a special meet and greet and book signing with local author Sophia Moon, whose “Journey to the Land of Angels” tells the poignant and sometimes tragic true story of a young woman, newly graduated from college, who moves to a city three thousand miles away, to find out who she is, 1 – 2 p.m., Charis Books, www.charisbooksandmore.com

Songwriter Susan Werner, fresh off her work on “Bull Durham,” plays Eddie’s Attic at 7 p.m., www.eddiesattic.com

“You in danger, girl!” Oscar winner Whoopi Goldberg brings her stand-up to the Cobb Energy Centre, 8 p.m., www.cobbenergycentre.org

Come have a drink and a great time at MSR’s Stride Into Pride Night, 8 – 11 p.m., My Sister’s Room, www.mysistersroom.com

Glenn Phillips Band and Anne-Marie Perry rock out with Cindy Wilson of The B52s, 8 p.m., Red Clay Theatre, www.eddieowenpresents.com

Journey back to Paris, circa 1870, and enjoy the “Music of the Night” as part of the Red Dress Party hosted by the Atlanta chapter of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. This masquerade benefits Positive Impact/Mister Center. The music that evening will be compliments of Novice Guard Stitch Le Boom Boom (aka DJ Freeballin’), entertainment will include the fantastic Norwood, and moody atmosphere compliments of All About Props. Admission is $10 wearing red and $15 without.9 p.m. – 1 a.m., Amsterdam Atlanta, www.amsterdamatlanta.com

Synergy with Monica Van Pelt promises lots of rowdy fun, 11 p.m., Burkhart’s, www.burkharts.com

Sunday, Sept. 21

Chris Isaak brings his mellow sounds to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, 7:30 p.m., www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org

Monday, Sept. 22

The Stars of the Century drag show is every Monday at Jungle, 10 p.m., http://tinyurl.com/matzdvf

Tuesday, Sept. 23

Out On Film hosts a pre-festival screening of the documentary “The Dog” – about the real life figure behind the film “Dog Day Afternoon” – at 7 p.m. at the Phillip Rush Center, www.outonfilm.org

“Dancing Queen,” “The Winner Takes it All” and more beloved pop songs are part of the Broadway Series national tour of “Mamma Mia!” 7:30 p.m., Fox Theatre, www.foxtheatre.org

Wednesday, Sept. 24

Get your bingo on tonight at Joe’s on Juniper at 8 p.m., www.joesonjuniper.com

Thursday, Sept. 25

Community activist Samia Abdullah and Charis invite all people from Metro Atlanta Muslim American communities and interested allies to join in a public reading and discussion led by Dr. Abdullahi A. An-Naim about his book “What is an American Muslim?” This is a Charis Circle From Margin to Center Literary Event. The suggested donation is $5, but no one will be turned away, 7:30 – 9 p.m., Charis Books, www.charisbooksandmore.com

Decadence: A Night of Drinking and Debauchery is every Thursday starting at 10 p.m., hosted by Adam Bland and Ashley Mitchell with beats by DJ Daryl Cox. A wet underwear contest begins at 11 p.m., with a cash prize and dancers galore, TEN Atlanta, www.tenatlanta.com

UPCOMING

Friday, Sept. 26

The highly-awaited “Lasso of Truth,” about the origin of Wonder Woman, opens tonight courtesy of Synchronicity Theatre, 8 p.m., www.synchrotheatre.com

Saturday, Sept. 27

The NOH8 Open Photo Shoot and Open House presented by HRC begins at noon at Jungle. Wear white. Solo photos are $40 and group shots are $25 per person, 12 – 3 p.m., www.jungleatl.com

The East Atlanta Strut Parade features celebrities, floats, kids, motorcycles, scooters, classic cars, marching bands, senior citizens and campy drag queens. This year’s theme is Drag On and Strut Your Stuff! The parade is sponsored by Mary’s and Pocket Rocket Guide, with the Atlanta Talons serving up jello shots following the parade behind Mary’s. 2 p.m., Glenwood and Flat Shoals, Atlanta, 30316

Thursday, Oct. 2

The 27th annual Out On Film annual LGBT film festival opens at the Midtown Art Cinema, 7:15 p.m., www.outonfilm.org

Friday, Oct. 3

The new Cirque du Soleil show, Amaluna, opens tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Fox Theatre, www.foxtheatre.org

Friday, Oct. 10

The Aquarium Party kicks off Atlanta Pride weekend, 7 p.m., www.atlantapride.org

Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 11 – 12

Atlanta Pride returns to Piedmont Park, www.atlantapride.org