Friday, January 8
It’s not too late to see the annual electrical extravaganza, “Garden Lights,” at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, which features spectacular light displays throughout the complex. New features this year include the massive Tunnel of Light, along with favorites such as the Orchestral Orbs, Glittering Galaxy, Radiant Rainforest and Model Trains that continue to make the exhibition a must-see holiday tradition. Running through January 9 and open nightly from 5–10 p.m., atlantabg.org
Wussy Mag and Creative Loafing present Powder Room, a Queer Dance Party, hosted by Zaida J., Melissa Coffey, Pity Soiree and Minks, with music by Vicki Powell, Electrobixx and Ree de La Vega, 10 p.m.–3 a.m., Heretic Atlanta, www.hereticatlanta.com
Destiny Brooks and Shavonna B. Brooks emcee the rowdy Femme Fatale event tonight beginning at 11 p.m., Burkhart’s, www.burkharts.com
Saturday, January 9
Join Bendito and Cousin Oliver for a special backspin to the days of disco at Mary’s Atlanta. The club is resurrecting both Furry Disco Balls and big stacks of vinyl from Backstreet’s disco heyday. All vinyl, all day, with cheap drink specials and snacks, 2–8 p.m., www.facebook.com/events/795293333927194
Two step and line dance your boots off—it’s Country Night at the Heretic tonight beginning at 8 p.m., www.hereticatlanta.com
Cindel is the special guest for the Winter Wonderland event at Jungle, www.jungleatl.com
Sunday, January 10
Scorpio spins at Xion Atlanta this morning beginning at 3 a.m., www.facebook.com/events/525850130921685
David Crowe directs the farce “Charley’s Aunt” at Georgia Ensemble Theatre with a 2:30 p.m. show today, running through January 24, www.get.org
A number of LGBT films and television shows hope to score tonight at the Golden Globe Awards, NBC, 8 p.m.
The new season of New Faces kicks off tonight at Friends on Ponce, hosted by Regina Simms, 9 p.m., www.friendsonponce-atl.com
Monday, January 11
Eddie Redmayne stars in the lauded “The Danish Girl,” dealing with Lili Elbe’s groundbreaking journey as a transgender pioneer, in area theaters.
Join KJ Rosemarie tonight for karaoke at Faces Lounge in Marietta, 7–11 p.m., faceslounge.com
The venerable Stars of the Century take the stage for one of Atlanta’s longest-running and most respected drag shows. Doors open at 10:30 p.m. and the performance starts at 11:30, Jungle, www.jungleatl.com
Tuesday, January 12
From the creators of “South Park” comes the Tony-winning, gay-themed musical “The Book of Mormon,” which returns to ATL for a two-week run through January 24, with a 7:30 p.m. show tonight, Fox Theatre, www.foxtheatre.org
Would you like to watch the State of the Union Address but don’t have a space, community, or group of people to watch it with? Would you like to meet other feminists, enjoy delicious food and drinks, and talk electoral politics? Join Charis and GA WAND for a relaxed social evening at Madre + Mason (560 Dutch Valley Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30324). This is a free event, but please plan to eat and drink. The watch party begins at 8 p.m. and the address begins at 9.
Need some OTP fun? J’s Lounge is the home for Rainbow Tuesdays, with Dymond Onasis and Nicole Paige Brooks leading the fun and DJ Destin providing house music, 1995 Windy Hill Road #1, Smyrna, GA 30080
Wednesday, January 13
A new PFLAG support group with a focus on supporting families of South Asian origin with LGBTQ children meets tonight from 6–7:30 p.m. at the Buckhead Library, 269 Buckhead Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30305
Wednesday is Piano Night at the smoke-free Mixx Atlanta, 7 p.m., www.mixxatlanta.com
Play trivia and more at Game Night at Woofs Atlanta, 8 p.m., www.woofsatlanta.com
Thursday, January 14
Written by out Atlanta playwright Margaret Edson, the acclaimed drama “Wit” is being staged by Aurora Theatre, opening today with an 8 p.m. performance and running through February 7, www.auroratheatre.com
Charis Books sponsors “The Personal is Still Political: Feminist Vent” tonight. Building on the activist tradition of consciousness-raising groups, each week Charis Books invites folks to come talk about issues in their personal lives or in society as a whole that they are trying to process or deconstruct. Then they talk about how intersectional feminism can be a tool to help solve those issues. People of all genders, levels of political experience, and education are welcome. 7:30–9 p.m., www.charisbooksandmore.com
The Pretty Girl Hideout Thursdays is tonight, hosted by Mook Dahost, Soul Bar at Pal’s Lounge, 254 Auburn Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30303, www.traxxgirls.com
Friday, January 15
All new at the Heretic is Miss Lauren’s Blackjack, 9 p.m. tonight, www.hereticatlanta.com
The Mr. and Ms. Eagle Bar Night is tonight beginning at 10 p.m., Atlanta Eagle, www.atlantaeagle.com
Saturday, January 16
Enjoy one of Amsterdam Atlanta’s 30 new beers this afternoon, www.amsterdamatlanta.com
Edie Cheezburger and special guest DJs spark Glitter Bomb at 11 p.m., Blake’s, www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com
Sunday, January 17
The PFLAG Atlanta support group meets today from 2:30–4 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta, www.uuca.org
Come play pool for free and hang out at Bulldogs, open from 4 p.m.–3 a.m. today, 893 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA, 30308
Monday, January 18
Presented by Atlanta Pride, the 2016 Bayard Rustin/Audre Lorde Breakfast is today. It’s one of the area’s major MLK Day events. The 15th annual event honors the lives of the late Rustin and Lourde and the ongoing work of black leaders and others committed to social change, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., The Loudermilk Center, 40 Courtland Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30303
Trans and Friends is a youth-focused group for trans people, people questioning their own gender, and aspiring allies. Charis Books offers a facilitated space to discuss gender, relevant resources, and activism around social issues. This is a project of the Feminist Outlawz. 7–8:30 p.m., www.charisbooksandmore.com
Tuesday, January 19
Art It Out Therapy Center is now offering an Expressive Art Therapy Group for LGBTQ Teens on Tuesdays. Through art, the group will explore self-identity, coping with stress, intimate and parental relationships, and coming out. 7 p.m., 255 Village Parkway (in Paper Mill Village), Suite 580, Marietta, GA 30067
Chad hosts Show Tune Tuesdays at Oscars Atlanta, 8 p.m., www.oscarsatlanta.com
Two dollar tapas and tacos are on tap tonight at Las Margaritas with guest DJ Karlitos, DJ Emerick and DJ Spence, lasmargaritasmidtown.com
Singer Dessy Di Lauro is performing at Vinyl where they will be giving away a pair of tickets to see Madonna the next evening at Philips Arena, 8:30 p.m., www.dessydilauro.com
Also, another fun tidbit– Dessy will be giving away a pair of FREE TICKETS to see Madonna at the Philips Arena on Jan 20 the night of her show.
Wednesday, January 20
SM 101 is tonight with a topic to be discussed, 8–10 p.m., Atlanta Eagle, www.atlantaeagle.com
Ruby Redd’s Birdcage Bingo features $3 well drinks, no cover, drag performances and lots of fun, with proceeds benefiting Atlanta area charities, 8:30 p.m., The Hideaway, www.atlantahideaway.com
Church Organ Karaoke featuring T.T. Mahony is tonight at 10 p.m. at Sister Louisa’s Church of the Living Room & Ping Pong Emporium, 10 p.m. www.sisterlouisaschurch.com
Thursday, January 21
SAGE Atlanta hosts its weekly potluck and social, with table tennis, cards, coffee and conversation, 10 a.m., Rush Center Annex, www.rushcenteratl.org
The Atlanta Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (AGLCC) presents its Business Builder’s Lunch today. Hosted by Dustin Drabot and Diane Conklin on the third Thursday of each month, it begins at 11:45 a.m. and features a $20 (cash only) preset menu. Open floor seating limited to 14 respondents. Henry’s Midtown, www.henrysatl.com
Mark your calendars for the first MAAP (Metro Atlanta Association of Professionals) event of 2016 at TEN Atlanta. The event begins at 6 p.m. with light bites and progresses to open and structured networking with fellow LGBT professionals, www.tenatlanta.com
My Sister’s Room hosts Beer Pony Game Night every Thursday with food and drink specials, www.mysistersroom.com
Brent Star is the host for Twisted Thursdays at Las Margaritas, lasmargaritasmidtown.com
Dining With the Divas, hosted by Savannah Leigh, features the best in female impersonations, Lips Atlanta, www.lipsatl.com
UPCOMING
Saturday, January 23
Actor’s Express opens the musical “Sweeney Todd,” with Kevin Harry as the murderous lead character, directed by Freddie Ashley, 8 p.m., www.actors-express.com
The Atlanta Eagle hosts a Cancer Benefit for adult performer Scott Spears, with raffles and music by DJ Diablo Rojo, 10 p.m.–3 a.m., www.atlantaeagle.com
Tuesday, January 26
The International Human Trafficking Institute and the LGBT Institute, both programs of The National Center for Civil and Human Rights, Inc., present a night of panelists discussing the intersection of human trafficking and the LGBT community. Some estimates have put the number of LGBT youth forced into homelessness by their families at over 25 percent. On the streets these young people face a significant chance of becoming victims of human trafficking. Once trafficked, they could face beatings, mutilations, brandings, rapes, and other abuses. 7 p.m., Center for Civil and Human Rights, www.civilandhumanrights.org
It’s the biggest film festival in the city—the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival kicks off tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Cobb Energy Centre, 7:30 p.m., www.ajff.org
Friday, January 29
Grammy Award winners Macklemore & Ryan Lewis visit the Fox Theatre tonight, 8 p.m., www.foxtheatre.org
Come get your VIP card at BJ Roosters while supplies last. VIP card holders get free entry to the club on cover charge nights (Friday and Saturday). Stay for a drink or two, a bite to eat, and some hot eye candy on the bar. 9 p.m., BJ Roosters, 2043 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324