LGBT Atlanta Best Bets Sept. 3 – Sept. 17

Friday, September 4–Monday, September 7

ATTA, Atlanta’s LGBT tennis league, hosts the Peach International Tennis Tournament this weekend at various venues, www.atta.org

The biggest event of its kind in the world, Atlanta Black Gay Pride revs up today for nearly a week of festivities and events, www.inthelifeatlanta.com

Dragon*Con is a giant popular-culture convention for science fiction, fantasy, gaming, art, comics, music and film, with panels, contests, vendors, a  banquet, and a world famous parade down Peachtree Street, www.dragoncon.org

Friday, September 4–Sunday, September 6

The Decatur Book Festival kicks off today with keynote speaker Erica Jong, followed by authors and readings all weekend, www.decaturbookfestival.com

Friday, September 4

The Lesbians 50+ Potluck Social is tonight. Please bring a prepared dish to share and a beverage for yourself. Plates, utensils and ice provided. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and dinner is at 6:30. Phillip Rush Center, www.rushcenteratl.org

Cece Peniston sings “Finally” and more at Center Stage, with special guests Sybil and Robin S., 8 p.m., www.centerstage-atlanta.com

“Driving Miss Daisy” runs at Onstage Atlanta with an out director, Cathe Hall Payne, and a largely gay cast, at 8 p.m. through September 5, www.onstageatlanta.com

Saturday, September 5

Anthony Wayne stars in the acclaimed “Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical,” with actress Sheryl Lee Ralph, one of the creators. 7 p.m., Variety Playhouse, www.variety-playhouse.com

Atlanta Eagle hosts Talons Bar Night with DJ Marc J Cubs, 10 p.m.–3 a.m., www.atlantaeagle.com

DJ Super Blue spins at Bulldogs, 893 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, Ga., 30308, www.facebook.com/bulldogsbaratlanta.com

In honor of Dragon*Con, the cast of “GurlFrandz” will be channeling their Inner Demons, Intergalactic Divas, My Little Bronys, Queens of Outer Space, 8-Bit Video Game Heroes and any other sci-fi matters they can pull out of thin air tonight at Mary’s Atlanta. The night also features performances by Lavonia Elberton, Ella/saurus/REX, Brigitte Rackliffe, Chelsea Daggers, Biqtch Pudding and Hydrangea Heath, 10 p.m.–3 a.m., www.marysatlanta.com

Sunday, September 6

DJ Mike Pope spins for the late night crowd, 3 a.m., Xion Atlanta, www.xionatlanta.com

Newnan Theatre Company has just opened “The Wizard of Oz,” with 3 p.m. performances today through September 13, www.newnantheatre.org

The Washington Mystics visit the Atlanta Dream this afternoon at 3 p.m., Philips Arena., www.philipsarena.com

With artists and entertainers in Piedmont Park all day today, the Pure Heat Community Festival is a don’t miss event, culminating at 7 p.m. in a Stronger Than AIDS PSA With “Real Housewives of Atlanta” and “Noah’s Arc” cast members, pureheatcommunityfestival.com

Monday, September 7–Sunday, September 13

Athens Pride begins today with activities all week, including a drag search competition, a film festival, gay trivia, a wig-out dance party, a pride church service and the festival itself on Sunday, www.athenspride.org

Monday, September 7

Trans and Friends is a youth focused group for trans people, people questioning their gender, and aspiring allies. Charis Circle provides a facilitated space to discuss gender, relevant resources and activism around social issues. Whether silently or aloud, please come ready to consider your own gender in a transient world. This is a project of the Feminist Outlawz and is co-sponsored by Charis Circle’s Strong Families, Whole Children. Donations are accepted. 7–8:30 p.m., www.charisbooksandmore.com

The PFLAG Atlanta support group meets tonight from 7:30–9 p.m. at the Unitarian-Universalist Congregation of Atlanta, www.uuca.org

Tuesday, September 8–Saturday, September 12

Savannah Pride kicks off tonight with events through the weekend, including the Thursday night White Party, savannahpride.com

Tuesday, September 8

Aces high! Tuesday night is poker night at The Model T beginning at 7 p.m., www.modeltatlanta.com

An all-star Atlanta cast including Tess Malis Kincaid as Nurse Ratched headlines the Alliance Theatre’s version of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” with 7:30 performances tonight through September 20, www.alliancetheatre.com

The all-new Latino Tuesday kicks off with DJ Karlito, Blake’s, www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com

Wednesday, September 9

The Icarus Project Atlanta is a local support network and media project by and for people who experience the world in ways that are often diagnosed as mental illness. This group seeks to advance social justice by fostering mutual aid practices that reconnect healing and collective liberation. This evening is sponsored by Charis Circle’s Urban Sustainability and Wellness Program with a suggested donation of $5. 7–8:30 p.m., www.charisbooksandmore.com

Nicole Paige Brooks, Mychelle LaCroix DuPree and Mo'Dest Volgare host Wild Out Wednesdays at Felix’s, www.felixsatlanta.com

Thursday, September 10

SAGE Atlanta hosts a social hour and games at 10 a.m. and then a general meeting at 11 a.m., Phillip Rush Center Annex, www.rushcenteratl.org

Come out to the lesbian-owned Twisted Soul for Food Fighters Thursday. Every Thursday enjoy $5 drink specials and complimentary hors d’oeuvres at the bar, www.twistedsoulkitchenandbar.com

Atlanta Pride Committee hosts a Borders & Bridges: Race Caucuses event at the Phillip Rush Center Annex, 7–9 p.m., www.atlantapride.org

Atlanta Eagle hosts Blackout night, 7 p.m.–2 a.m., www.atlantaeagle.com

The Hideaway hosts Ian Aber for Hot Mic comedy nights, 10 p.m., www.atlantahideaway.com

Friday, September 11

Shake to your favorite old school dance tunes at the new My Sister's Room (MSR) location in Midtown at Disco Night with the Women's Outdoor Network (WON Atlanta). 7 p.m., www.mysistersroom.com

The Sinister Wisdom Issue 98: Landykes of the South, featuring memoirs, interviews, essays and artifacts from the Southern Lesbian Feminist Activist Herstory Project, will have a release party tonight from 7:30–9 p.m. at Charis Books and More, www.charisooksandmore.com

Ignite is a Ready for Hope party to benefit AID Atlanta, with DJs Shane Stiel and Seth Breezy, 9 p.m.–3 a.m., Heretic, www.hereticatlanta.com

Celeste Holmes hosts Boys of BJ’s tonight at 9 p.m. at BJ Roosters, 2043 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, Ga. 30324

Edie Cheezburger presents “The Other Show,” the most unique drag show in Atlanta. Admission is $5, Jungle, 10 p.m., www.jungleatl.com

Saturday, September 12

Xion is the home for Heat, the Ready 4 Hope after party from 3–7 a.m. with DJ Robert Ansley, www.xionatlanta.com

Multiplatinum recording artist—and hunk—Josh Groban continues his national tour in support of his new album “Stages,” 8 p.m., Cobb Energy Centre, www.cobbenergycentre.com

Roland Belmares is the special guest for the Ready 4 Hope Red Party with a performance by Phoenix, 10:30 p.m.–3 a.m., Jungle, www.jungleatl.com

It’s two parties in one. DJ Rob Reum spins inside while DJ Daryl Cox turns up the music outside at TEN Atlanta, www.tenatlanta.com

Sunday, September 13

Wake up and make a joyful noise with the Sisters of Sequin at Gospel Brunch, including performers Bubba D. Licious and Justice Counce, 12:30 p.m. followed by a 1:30 p.m. show, Lips Atlanta, www.lipsatl.com

The Ready 4 Hope weekend party comes to an end with Hydrate, powered by Scruff w/ DJ Dee Martello aka Twisted Dee, 6–11 p.m., Park Tavern in Piedmont Park, 500 10th St NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30309

Regina Simms emcees the New Faces event with singers, dancers, musicians, drag kings and queens and more, 9 p.m., Friends on Ponce, www.friendsonponce-atl.com

Brigitte Bidet presents Tossed Salad at 10:00 p.m., Burkhart’s, www.burkharts.com
 
Monday, September 14

They’ve been doing it for 15 years and have never been better. The Stars of the Century hit the stage at Jungle Atlanta for an unforgettable show led by emcees Miss Sophia and Joe Jackson. Featuring performances by Necole Luv Dupree, Archie Bonet, Stasha Sanchez, Raquel Lord, Damoni Hall Dickerson, Trinity Bonet and more, 11 p.m., www.jungleatl.com

Tuesday, September 15

Tuesdays are Latin Industry Nights as well as Papi’s Tuesdays with $2 tacos and $3 tequila shots at Las Margaritas, lasmargaritasmidtown.com

Wednesday, September 16

Ruby Redd’s Birdcage Bingo starts at 8:30 p.m., with $3 well drinks all night, then Tyler King hosts Beauty and the Beat karaoke at 11 p.m., The Hideaway, www.atlantahideaway.com

Enjoy games with hairy men at Woofs Game Night, 8 p.m., www.woofsatlanta.com

It’s Amateur Night every Wednesday at 9 p.m. at BJ Roosters, 2043 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, Ga. 30324

Thursday, September 17

Charis and Cliterati pair up to present an inviting and fierce open mic and reading series on the third Tuesday of every month. This month’s featured performer is poet Alice Teeter. Suggested donation is $5. 7:30–9 p.m., www.charisbooksandmore.com

Faces Lounge in Marietta’s new All Star Cabaret is every Thursday at 10:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. with the likes of Heather Daniels and Coco Chanelle, 138 Powers Ferry Road, Marietta, Ga. 30060

UPCOMING

Friday, September 18

Lily Tomlin is generating Oscar buzz for her role as a lesbian grandmother in the new film, “Grandma,” opening today in TBD Atlanta cinemas.

The Atlanta Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (AGLCC) hosts its annual Community Dinner/Awards, hosted by Scott Turner Schofield, 7 p.m., Fox Theatre, www.atlantagaychamber.org

Onstage Atlanta and Process Theatre present the drama “Looking for Normal,” about a church-going couple whose lives change when the husband reveals he is transgender. 8 p.m. tonight, through October 10, www.onstageatlanta.com

Tony and Emmy winner Kristin Chenoweth performs tonight at the Cobb Energy Center, 8 p.m., www.cobbenergycenter.com

Legendary Children are back to close out the summer and the end of the world officially with Nuclear Meltdown, an a-pop-olaptyic beach party. It’s hosted by the winner of “Rupaul’s Drag Race” Season Seven, Violet Chachki. Noise Pollution is provided by DJ Robert Ansley and DJ King Atlas, with lifeguards Dax ExclamationPoint from Savannah, Biqtch Puddin, Evah Destruction, Arrianna Paris and  Mo'Dest Volgare, 9 p.m.–3 a.m., Heretic. www.hereticatlanta.com

Saturday, September 19

More than 30 artists from around the U.S. and abroad have created works of art in clay for the upcoming exhibit titled "Taboo: Sexuality and Identity in Ceramics," the purpose of which is to provoke thought and stimulate conversation "while demonstrating the ability of ceramic art to have a relevant voice in the social and political discussions of our time"; Signature Gallery, www.thesignatureshop.com