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Best Bets 8.6 – 8.20

Friday, Aug. 6

Cyndi Lauper joins forces with Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings and David Rhodes. Doors open at 7 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m. Chastain Park, 4469 Stella Drive, Atlanta, GA 30327, www.classicchastain.com. After the concert, join Chris Coleman Enterprises for an after party at Compound. No cover with wristband from concert. A portion of each ticket sold will go to Pets Are Loving Support. DJs Sean Mac and Mike Pope spin. 1008 Brady Ave., Atlanta, GA 30318, www.compoundatl.com, www.chriscolemanenterprises.com.

Singer-songwriter Nathan Beaver plays two shows at Eddie’s Attic to celebrate the release of his new CD “Universal You.” 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. at Eddie’s Attic, 515 N. McDonough St., Decatur, GA 30030. www.eddiesattic.com.

Friday, Aug. 6 – Sunday, Aug. 8

Enjoy Downtown Atlanta Restaurant Week through Aug. 8, where you can enjoy three-course meals for $25 or $35. Visit www.atlantadowntown.com for a list of participating restaurants.

“Cats,” including gay actor John Jacob Lee as Skimbleshanks, plays at the Fox Theatre through Aug. 8. Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.ticketmaster.com

Saturday, Aug. 7

The National Organization for Marriage — you know, the group that said a “gathering storm” was brewing because gay people who love each other want marriage rights— is coming to Atlanta to protest gay marriage. A counter protest is planned. The “Love + Commitment = Marriage” rally by Queer Justice League of Atlanta is set for 12:30 to 2 p.m. at Woodruff Park, followed by a “counter witness” and protest from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the front side of the state capitol. www.facebook.com/QJL.Atlanta.

The gay Atlanta Bucks hosts a Rugby 101 Mini-Camp to recruit for the fall season. 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Charles Allen entrance of Piedmont Park.
www.atlantabucksrugby.org

Sunday, Aug. 8

Looking for LGBT-inclusive worship services? Visit www.thegavoice.com and click “Community,” then “Organizations,” then search our list of Religious Organizations for the right faith community for you.

The Hotlanta River Expo was one of the world’s first gay circuit parties. Remember the glory days with Atlanta River Raft Race: Reunited, a benefit for Atlanta Cotillion, which raises funds for AID Atlanta. 10 a.m. at Powers Island in the Chattahoochee National Park. $60 reservation includes raft and safety gear; prizes for group with most creative raft. www.atlantacotillion.com/riverraft.

Join all of Atlanta’s International Gay Bowling Organization teams for a no-tap and fall bowling league sign-ups. 1-4 p.m. at Midtown Bowl, 1936 Piedmont Circle NE, Atlanta, GA 30324. http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=133121246725243.

The Atlanta Freedom Bands and Color Guard start their “Step off to Pride,” preparing for the marching season leading up to the October festival. Rehearsal from 6-8 p.m. at St. Paul United Methodist Church, 501 Grant St SE, Atlanta, GA 30312. www.atlantafreedombands.com.

Enjoy same-sex couples dance lessons with Toni Ralston, followed by a dance party with DJ. 6-8:45 p.m. at Mei Zhong Taiji Studio, 533-D West Howard St., Suite D, Decatur, GA 30030. www.meetup.com/lgbtfriends-174/.

Monday, Aug. 9

YouthPride, Atlanta’s center for LGBT young people, hosts free HIV testing, the Empowered Forum, and Trans & Friends discussion group tonight. All meet at the YouthPride center, 1017 Edgewood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307. For times and the full weekly schedule of discussion groups, drop-in hours and other events, visit www.youthpride.org.

It’s sushi with a side of sass every Monday as Nickiemoto’s hosts the family-friendly Dragamaki show with Bubba D. Licious, Alexandria Martin and Diamond Monroe. 8:30-10:30 p.m. at Nickiemoto’s, 990 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309.
Grant Harris signs “Under the Red Velvet Cover,” his memoir about childhood sexual abuse. 7:30 p.m. at Outwrite Bookstore & Coffeehouse, 991 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta GA 30309, www.outwritebooks.com.

Tuesday, Aug. 10

The Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce hosts one of its series of Business Builder lunches. 11:55 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Kirkwood Public House, 1963 Hosea Williams, Atlanta, GA 30317. Also check their website for upcoming lunches at SOHO in Vinings (Aug. 11), Cowtippers (Aug. 17) and Marlow’s in Northlake (Aug. 18). www.atlantagaychamber.org.

The Atlanta Dream takes on the Seattle Storm. 7 p.m. at Philips Arena, 1 Philips Drive, Atlanta, GA 30303, www.ticketmaster.com.

Wednesday, Aug. 11

The theme for this month’s PALS Bingo is “Red Hat Society,” so don yours and head out to Jungle for the popular monthly fundraiser for Pets Are Loving Support, which helps people with HIV and other serious health conditions care for their pets. 6:30-11 p.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324. www.palsatlanta.org.

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young play Philips Arena. 7:30 p.m. at 1 Philips Drive, Atlanta, GA 30303, www.ticketmaster.com.

Whoa, Nellie! Actress and activist Alison Arngrim reads from her memoir “Confessions of a Prairie Bitch: How I Survived Nellie Oleson and Learned to Love Being Hated,” about her experience playing the iconic brat on the “Little House on the Prairie” television series. 7:30-9 p.m. at Outwrite, 991 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30309. www.outwritebooks.com

Thursday, Aug. 12

Catch up with Carrie and the girls as “Sex & The City 2,” featuring out actress Cynthia Nixon as Miranda, shows on the big screen at the Fox Theatre. Film at 7:30 p.m., party before at 5:30 p.m. $30 party ticket includes film and a martini; $8 ticket for movie only. 60 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30308. www.ticketmaster.com.

Atlanta Queer Literary Festival Fundraiser is part music, part comedy and all very queer. Lineup includes KenJ, Lucas Mire, Bucky Motter, Andy Ditzler, Guyton Maurice, and the debut of Julia Carroll and Amy Lashley’s band, Without a Net. Comedians include Alyssa Barnett-Schott, Mindy Dawn Friedman, Sanders Hulsey and Vivian Alford. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at door. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., show starts at 7 p.m. Eddie’s Attic, 515 B North McDonough St., Decatur, GA 30030, www.eddiesattic.com, www.atlqueerlitfest.blogspot.com.

It’s the grand opening of Piedmont Park’s new dog park. Opening party is $5 per dog, with special packages for $10 and $50. Party is from 6-8 p.m. Online registration at www.piedmontpark.org.

Charis Circle presents author and professional organizer Judith Kolberg with tips on how to make your life less-cluttered and more organized. 7:30-9 p.m. at Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.chariscircle.org

Friday, Aug. 13

Fourth Tuesday, a networking and supportive social group for lesbian and bi women, hosts its monthly happy hour. 6-8 p.m. at Bellissima, 560 B Amsterdam Ave., Atlanta, GA 30306. www.fourthtuesday.org.

The Atlanta Dream takes on the New York Liberty. 7 p.m. at Philips Arena, 1 Philips Drive, Atlanta, GA 30303, www.ticketmaster.com

My Sisters’ Room hosts the Friday Night Beat Down, a competition between top female DJs. Tonight: DJ Annalyze vs. Beverly Skillz. Doors open at
10 p.m. 1271 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, www.mysistersroom.com.

Process Theatre presents “Shopping and F**king” by Mark Ravenhill, which opens today and runs through Sept. 4 at OnStage Atlanta, 2597 N. Decatur Rd. Atlanta, GA 30033, www.onstageatlanta.tix.com.

“Patrik Age 1.5,” about two gay men who adopt a child who doesn’t turn out to be quite what they expected, opens today at Landmark Midtown Art Cinema, 931 Monroe Dr., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.landmarktheatres.com.

Saturday, Aug. 14

DJ Tony Moran spins at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Rd., Atlanta, GA 30324, www.jungleclubatlanta.com.

Singer-songwriter Roseanne Cash, daughter of Johnny Cash, reads and signs her memoir “Composed,” and will also perform a few songs on a custom Martin D-41 guitar that will be auctioned at the event to benefit the Decatur Book Festival.  7-9 p.m. at Presser Hall at Agnes Scott College, 141 E College Ave., Decatur, GA 30030.

Experience the “alterna-grass” music of the five-person Roxie Watson band, which includes Beth Wheeler, Lenny Lasater, Linda Bolley, Sonia Tetlow and Becky Shaw – all veterans of Atlanta’s queer-inclusive acoustic music scene. 9:30 p.m. at Eddie’s Attic, 515 N McDonough St., Decatur, GA 30030. www.eddiesattic.com.

Erykah Badu performs at Chastain Park Amphitheatre. 8 p.m. at 4469 Stella Drive, Atlanta, GA 30327, www.ticketmaster.com.

Remember the Chamber? Mon Cherie’s Club Fetish has a second annual reunion with live fetish performances and DJ 313 at the Heretic, 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com.

“He/She & Me: A Love Story,” about a woman whose husband decides to transition to female, plays through Aug. 15 at the Academy Theatre, 119 Center St., Avondale Estates, GA 30002, www.brownpapertickets.com.

Perpetually on the D-List but tops on the gay-list, comedian Kathy Griffin brings her live show to the Fox Theatre. Shows at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. at the Fox, 660 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30308. www.ticketmaster.com.

Sunday, Aug. 15

Sunday means Papi’s Brunch at Las Maragaritas with DJ Karlitos. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Las Margaritas, 1842 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324.
www.lasmargaritasmidtown.com.

The gay National Flag Football League of Atlanta holds a beer bust to raise money for teams traveling to Arizona for the gay Super Bowl. 2-9 p.m. at FROGS Cantina, 31 Monroe Drive #A107, Atlanta, GA 30308, www.nffla.com.

Monday, Aug. 16

The “Superfraiche” pop concert series comes to Atlanta, with Dragonette, Shy Child and Barry Brandon performing at the Drunken Unicorn at MJQ Concourse. 9 p.m to 11:30 p.m. at 736 Ponce de Leon Ave., Atlanta, GA 30306. www.arjanwrites.com.

Tuesday, Aug. 17

Tuesday night is Gay Film Festival at the Heretic; call 404-325-3061 for tonight’s feature. 9:30 p.m. at 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com.

Wednesday, Aug. 18

The Atlanta Police Foundation holds Dine Out for a Safer Atlanta to benefit the reward fund for Crime Stoppers Atlanta. 5 p.m. to midnight at restaurants across the city, which will donate 10 percent of sales to CSA. For participating restaurants, visit www.atlantapolicefoundation.org.

Butch? Femme? What makes a man? The Gay Men’s Outreach Program at AID Atlanta holds a discussion of “The Butch Factor: Defining the Modern Gay Man.” 7 p.m. at AID Atlanta, 1605 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30309. www.aidatlanta.org.

Heart performs with Neko Case at 8 p.m. at Chastain Park, 4469 Stella Drive, Atlanta, GA 30327, www.ticketmaster.com.

Barry Brandon presents live music with Kyle Kirkland and Tim Essary. 7:30 p.m. at Outwrite Bookstore & Coffeehouse, 991 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta GA 30309, www.outwritebooks.com.

Dr. Mary Anne Bellinger, education coordinator for First Afrikan Church’s HIV/AIDS Initiative, discusses “Sex & Spirituality in the Christian Church” as part of the monthly Faiths & Feminisms discussion group. 7:30-9 p.m. at Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.chariscircle.org.

Thursday, Aug. 19

Cliterati’s open no-mic is hosted by the spoken word team of Karen G and Theresa Davis; this month’s featured guest is prize-winning poet Lacey Roop. 7:30-9 p.m. at Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.chariscircle.org.

MEGA Family Project holds “Coming Home,” its free monthly coming out support group for ages 18 and older. 7-8:30 p.m. at Phillip Rush Center, 1530 Dekalb Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307. www.megafamilyproject.org.

Friday, Aug. 20

The Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual gala Community Awards Dinner. Black-tie optional; tickets $99 or $130 for VIP. 6-9:30 p.m. at the W Midtown, 188 14th St., Atlanta, Georgia 30361. www.atlantagaychamber.org.

DJ Vicki Powell spins at My Sister’s Room, 1271 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316. www.mysistersroom.com.