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Coleman’s Chris Coleman Enterprises has a slew of events beginning Thursday, May 26, and going through the weekend. The Boy Next Door fashion show will kick off the activities as part of the popular “Indulge Thursdays” at Whiskey Park at the W Midtown. Approximately 10 models will be present showing off swimwear/summer wear, according to David Boswell of Boy Next Door.
The “Drench” pool party will take place at the W Downtown on Saturday, May 28, before Coleman closes the weekend events May 29 with Sabbath Sundays at Opera during the day and then the new Club Q dance party at Quad, which he says is the only all-night dance event in town over the holiday weekend. DJ Dan De Leon from Los Angeles is the event’s special guest.
Gay agenda
Benefitting AID Atlanta and the Atlanta Cotillion is the new MAISON Atlanta presents Eggs-travaganza on Saturday, May 28, featuring DJ David Knapp and a silent auction.
A highlight of the event is a unique design competition, says Darrell Burke, event chair for Atlanta Cotillion X. More than 20 designers were given wooden eggs and asked to make designs from them. Judges will pick a grand winner that night. Some of this year’s debutantes for the upcoming Cotillion Ball will attend the event.
While the gay-themed play “Mr. Universe” officially begins previews earlier in the week at 7 Stages, its official opening night party is also Saturday, May 28. Live entertainment as well as a New Orleans style celebration is promised.
Local bars will be busy as well with weekend happenings. Many were still planning their Memorial Day itineraries at press time, but a long weekend always means special events.
One big event sure to draw crowds is Beach Blast on Saturday, May 28, at the Heretic. The bar promises to transform its new patio into a beach for a T-Dance that kicks off at 3 p.m. with DJ Mike Pope, a dunking booth, swim suit contest, cookout and more. DJ Alex Cohen spins at 9 p.m. The event benefits Joining Hearts, which supports housing for people with HIV.
To make sure gay Atlantans don’t forget the meaning behind the holiday, the Georgia chapter of American Veterans for Equal Rights, which advocates for LGBT people in the military, holds a flag ceremony on Monday, May 30, at the flagpole in front of Piedmont Park, by Willie’s Cantina.
Famous names
Big name guests will also be in town over the weekend. Broadway legend Patti Lupone performs at the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra May 27 – 28. The star of “Gypsy” and “Evita” will perform her revue “Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda,” which should attract gay men in droves.
Comedian Bill Maher, seen for the last seven years on HBO’s “Real Time,” performs at the Cobb Energy Centre on May 26. Maher has never been afraid of saying what he thinks so it will be interesting to hear him live. Although he is not gay, he has been long supportive of LGBT issues.
Zoo Atlanta’s Brew at the Zoo, set for May 28, will have wine and beer, live music from the Superions band and openly gay Fred Schneider of the B-52s acting as guest deejay.
Festivals and more
Other major events highlight the weekend and will surely draw LGBT attendees. The 23rd annual Decatur Arts Festival, a favorite tradition in the suburb known for its large population of lesbian and gay residents, gets underway with an ArtWalk on Friday evening, May 27. The festival continues on the Decatur Square Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Events include an artist market, food vendors, literary festival, comedy and musical performances. Doria Roberts, an Atlanta singer-songwriter who is gay, performs Sunday at 1 p.m.
One of the largest local free jazz festivals in the country, the Atlanta Jazz Festival, takes place over in Piedmont Park, also offering a full weekend of vendors, food and music — Saturday, May 28, through Monday, May 30.
Stone Mountain Park’s Lasershow Spectacular is also a popular Memorial Day weekend destination.
Top photo: Atlanta offers a full schedule of gay nightlife over Memorial Day weekend, while American Veterans for Equal Rights hosts an annual flag ceremony that Monday to honor LGBT and other veterans. (by Laura Douglas-Brown)