Best Best: 04.12.13 – 04.26.13

Taylor Swift

Friday, April 12 – Saturday, April 14

Mixfest, billed as the first international LGBT film and arts festival for people of color, begins Friday with the world premiere of “The DL Chronicles … Returns” and continues through Sunday with a full schedule of screenings and special events. Multiple venues. www.mixfestatl.com

Friday, April 12 – Sunday, April 14

Atlanta Leather Pride brings demos, a brunch, the Mr. and Ms. Atlanta Eagle pageants and more to the Atlanta Eagle, which celebrates its 26th anniversary. www.atlantaleatherpride.com, www.atlantaeagle.com

Friday, April 12

The Decatur Women’s League continues its spring softball season, with games at various times on Friday nights at Kelley C. Cofer Park, www.decaturwomensports.com

“Equus,” the provocative play about a young man’s equine obsession, continues through April 21 at Actor’s Express, www.actorsexpress.com

Lesbian social network Fourth Tuesday hosts its monthly Happy Hour from 6 – 8 p.m. at Mixx, www.mixxatlanta.com

Kitty LeClaw hosts the For the Kid Margarita Madness, with drink and food specials, raffle prizes and a live DJ, from 6 – 10 p.m. at Ten Atlanta, www.TenAtlanta.com

The bearish app Scruff hosts its Invades party, with founder Johnny Scruff, from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. at Heretic Atlanta, www.hereticatlanta.com

Angelica D’Paige hosts the Fab Five revue at 11 p.m. on Friday’s at Burkhart’s, www.burkharts.com

Saturday, April 13

The wild Great Urban Race begins with packet pickups at 11 a.m. at Sidebar and the race from noon to 5 p.m., with all sorts of local dares and scavenger hunt-like requests. www.greaturbanrace.com/event2013_atlanta.php

Help make a difference for homeless or at-risk LGBTQ youth in Atlanta by attending the Lost N Found orientation and finding out how to help. 2 – 5 p.m. at the Philip Rush Center, www.rushcenteratl.org

Openly gay performer Levi Kreis brings his “Flying Solo Tour” to town, 7 – 8:30 p.m., Spiritual Living Center of Atlanta, www.slc-atlanta.org

The Honey Badgers softball team hosts its spring beer bust from 3 – 7 p.m. at Diesel Bar, www.dieselatlanta.com

Big band swing classics from Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller and Benny Goodman will be all the rage as part of the Atlanta Freedom Bands and Metro Gnomes Spring Swing fundraiser. 7:30 – 10 p.m., First Existentialist Congregation, www.firstexistentialist.org, www.atlantafreedombands.com

with The Atlanta Ballet presents a special niteOUT for LGBT audiences with the eagerly awaited “Carmina Burana,” with a discounted rate. 8 p.m. at Atlanta Ballet, www.atlantaballet.com

“We Are Winning, Don’t Forget” by Jean-Gabriel Periot screens as part of Film Love, with the director in appearance. 8 p.m. at Poem88, www.poem88.net, www.frequentsmallmeals.com/film_love.htm

The Caroline Aiken Band, with special guest Brian Ashley Jones, performs at 8 p.m. at Red Clay Theatre, www.eddieowenpresents.com

Special performances by the Court of Kings, Daysha Moore, Drake Daniels and other guests are part of the annual Mr. and Miss Kingdom Come Pageant at 9 p.m. at My Sister’s Room,www.mysistersroom.com

The 24th annual Boybutante Ball “Boybutante does Broadway” sees your fave Athens and Atlanta drag queens to raise money to help people with HIV. 9 p.m. at the 40 Watt Club in Athens. www.boybutante.org

Boogie all night at the Atl 25 & Up Dress to Impress All-Ladies party, with special guest DJ Thrice. 11 p.m. – 3 a.m., Club Couture, www.coutureplay.com

The Play Day Party by Ladies At Play, doors open at 6 p.m., Aurum Lounge, www.ladiesatplay.com

Saturday, April 13 – Sunday, April 14

The 2013 Festival on Ponce, an Atlanta arts and crafts festival, runs 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.  Saturday and 11 a.m.- 6 p.m. Sunday, Olmsted Linear Park, www.festivalonponce.com

Sunday, April 14

SAGE Atlanta, a group for LGBT seniors, offers a workshop on Medicare and consumer fraud. 1:30 – 3 p.m., Philip Rush Center, www.sageatl.org

Hotlanta’s Atlanta Titans host a “Party on the Patio” beer bust, 4 – 8 p.m. at Joe’s on Juniper, www.hotlantasoftball.org

DJ Vicki Powell returns for Sunday Service at Sister Louisa’s Church of the Living Room and Ping Pong Emporium, www.sisterlouisaschurch.com

Nykieria Chaney is the headliner of the spoken word/live music show Brown Sugar Vibe – the “Poetic Justice” version, sponsored by She Speaks! Inc. 7 p.m. at Kat’s Café, www.katscafeatlanta.com

The Georgia Renaissance Festival continues through June 2, www.garenfest.com

The Change of Seasons spring tea dance with DJ Mike Pope and Vicki Powell benefits Joining Hearts, which helps with housing for people impacted by HIV. 4 – 9 p.m., Loews Atlanta Hotel, www.joininghearts.org

Monday, April 15

Join the Health Initiative and SAGE Atlanta, a group for LGBT seniors, for Chair Yoga every Monday through May 6. 10 a.m. at the Rush Center. www.sageatl.org

Angelica D’Paige hosts Blue Monday Karaoke at 11:30 p.m. at Burkhart’s, www.burkharts.com

Tuesday, April 16

Play “Let’s Make a Deal” at 6 p.m. at Friends on Ponce, www.friendsonponce-atl.com

Local writer Sheri Joseph talks about her new book “Where You Can Find Me,” 7:15 p.m. at the Decatur Public Library Auditorium, www.georgiacenterforthebook.org

Georgia Tech Glee Club and Agnes Scott Glee Club hold a smackdown at 8 p.m. at Eddie’s Attic, www.eddiesattic.com

Big Table Big Screen Tuesdays continues, with classic movies on the big screen. 8 p.m at 10th and Piedmont, www.10thandPiedmont.com

Tuesdays, Thursdays and early Saturdays are Three Legged Cowboy country nights at the Heretic, www.hereticatlanta.com

Wednesday, April 17

Local versions of “Family Feud,” “The Match Game” and more are part of The Big Gay Game Show, a monthly fundraiser for Lost-N-Found Youth. 7:30 – 10 p.m., Jungle, www.jungleatl.com

The Body Heat Femme Porn Tour brings together queer erotic writers, with special guest Adriana Chiknas. 8 p.m. at Charis Books, www.charisbooksandmore.com

“What’s done in the dark stays in the dark” is the motto for the Glow Skates party, 9 p.m. at Metro Skates, http://on.fb.me/YH6ww2

Thursday, April 18 – Friday, April 19

If you can handle the throngs of her young fans, catch your favorite guilty pleasure, Taylor Swift, as she brings her “Red” tour for two nights at Philips Arena with opener Ed Sheeran. www.ticketmaster.com

Thursday, April 18

The gay Atlanta Executive Network presents its Spring Fling from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. at the Renaissance Atlanta Midtown, www.aen.org

HRC’s keynote speaker for its May dinner will be unveiled at the Atlanta HRC Dinner pre-reception. 7 – 9 p.m., STK Atlanta, www.stkhouse.com

Enjoy the Thursty Thursdays with Boydonna Variety Show at 8 p.m., My Sister’s Room, www.mysistersroom.com

The Hannah Thomas Band, led by out singer Hannah Thomas, performs with special guests Don Dixon and Marti Jones at 8 p.m. at Red Clay Theatre, www.eddieowenpresents.com

Friday, April 19 – Sunday, April 21

Spring means it’s time for the Dogwood Festival, now in its 77th year and featuring live entertainment, a Saturday night concert and a juried Artist Market, Piedmont Park, www.dogwood.org

Friday, April 19 – Saturday, April 20

Expect showtunes galore as the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus pays tribute to composer Stephen Schwartz of “Wicked” and “Godspell” fame at “No Rest for the Wicked: The Music of Stephen Schwartz,”  8 p.m.  April 19 and 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. April 20th, 14th Street Playhouse. www.agmchorus.org

Friday, April 19

Power2Endure’s “Big Spring Wingding Thing” is an evening of fun, music, fundraising and HIV testing with Destiny Brooks and more. 6 p.m. – 2 a.m. at LeBuzz, www.thenewlebuzz.com

Charlie Harding and DJ Diablo Rojo host Shoot It, a new men’s event, with a Best Guns and Best Buns contest, celebrating the Cockpit’s second anniversary. 10 p.m. – 2:30 am at Cockpit, http://thecockpit-atlanta.blogspot.com/

Frisky Monkey performs at 500 Songs for Kids, featuring more than a 1,000 musicians over a five weekend period, benefiting Songs for Kids Foundation. 7 p.m. at Smith’s Olde Bar, www.smithsoldebar.com

Edie Cheezburger presents The Other Show on Fridays. Doors open at 8:30 p.m., show at 9:30 p.m. at Jungle, www.jungleclubatlanta.com

DJ Lydia Prim spins for FUR Friday nights at the Heretic, www.hereticatlanta.com

Legendary drag performer Charlie Brown hosts Charlie’s Angels. 11 p.m. Fridays at Blake’s on the Park, www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com

Saturday, April 20

This year’s Midtown Tour of Homes, titled “Lifestyle in the Town within the City,” focuses on the eclectic simplicity, comfort and diversity found within the range of community that defines Midtown. 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., various area homes, www.midtowntourofhomes.com

Los Angeles DJ Chris Cox spins at 10 p.m. at Heretic, www.hereticatlanta.com

Leading With Love, the state PFLAG Conference, gathers LGBT allies from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta, www.pflagatl.org

The Atlanta Queer Literary Festival hosts a community reading featuring more than 30 local LGBTQ writers and poets. 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. at the Decatur Library, www.atlqueerlitfest.com

The Atlanta Rollergirls hosts a double bill of roller derby bouts. 5 and 7:30 p.m., Yaarab Shrine Center, www.atlantarollergirls.com

At the Mr. HSL / Hotlanta Hero competition, Hotlanta Softball League searches for heroes and raises money for their World Series later this year. 6 p.m. at Jungle, www.jungleatl.org

Kay Turner, co-author of “Transgressive Tales: Queering the Grimms,” presents the talk “What a Witch,” looking at witch figures in the Brothers Grimm fairy tales. 7 – 8:30 p.m., Charis Books, www.charisbooksandmore.com

Get your hair teased and ready to pose for Bedlam Presents: Glamour Shot, with DJ Shane. 10:30 p.m. at Jungle, www.jungleatl.com

Daring Divas is the Saturday night show at Blake’s on the Park, www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com

Shavonna B. Brooks hosts Extravaganza at 11 p.m. Saturday nights at Burkhart’s, www.burkharts.com

Sunday, April 21

DJ Abel rocks the late night crowd from 3 – 8 a.m. at private club Xion, www.xionatlanta.com

The gay Hotlanta Softball League turns out to play every Sunday with games at various times. www.hotlantasoftball.org

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and Team Friendly Atlanta host Kites, Kids and Just Because, a fun day at the park. 1 – 4 p.m., Piedmont Park meadows, www.teamfriendlyatl.org

Out fitness expert Jillian Michaels of “Biggest Loser” fame brings her “Maximize Your Life” tour to Atlanta. 5 p.m., Fox Theatre, www.foxtheatre.com

Enjoy Sing Along Sundays with Atlanta’s favorite camp drage fundraising troupe, the Armorettes. 6 p.m. at Burkhart’s, www.burkharts.com

Monday, April 22

A$AP Rocky opens up for R&B bad girl Rihanna as she takes the stage at Philips Arena on her Diamonds World Tour. www.ticketmaster.com

ECOlution 2013 — the third annual fashion show fundraiser benefitting the Melissa Carter Transplant Fund and the Georgia Transplant Foundation — takes place from 7 – 10 p.m. at Southface, www.melissatimes.com/MCTF/ecolution/

Tuesday, April 23

Activist Mark King hosts “HIV Criminalization: What You Need to Know,” with an appearance by Robert Suttle, who was prosecuted for not disclosing his HIV status to a sexual partner, and a screening of the short film “HIV is not a Crime” with director Sean Strub in appearance. 7-9 p.m. at the Rush Center, www.rushcenteratl.org

Wednesday, April 24

The Atlanta Pride Committee hosts the April LGBT Sports Meeting, continuing discussions of how Pride and sports teams can work together. 7 – 8:30 p.m. at the Phillip Rush Center, www.atlantapride.org

Thursday, April 25

Enjoy an evening of prose and poetry with Myra Shapiro. 7:30 – 9 p.m., Charis Books, www.charisbooksandmore.com

UPCOMING EVENTS

Friday, April 26 – Sunday, April 28

A strong lineup of music – including Caroline Aiken, Lindsey Hinkle, Ronnda Cadle and more – along with workshops make up the Women’s Music in the Mountains spring fest. All weekend at Fox Mountain Camp and Artist Retreat, Cherry Log, Ga. www.foxmtncamp.com

Bearrapalooza at OZ Campground in Unadilla, Ga., features an acoustic show, contests, dance parties, a DJ and tons o’ men. Entertainers include Sean Kagalis, Freddie Freeman, Charlie K. Brown and more. Oz Campground, www.ozcampground.com

The National Youth Pride Services South Region Conference, titled “I Am Black Excellence,” features Maurice Jamal and takes place at Evolution Project in Atlanta. www.youthprideservices.org

Friday, April 26

Researcher Alexis Pauline Gumbs looks at the poetry in the writing of author Toni Morrison. 7:30 – 9:30 p.m., Charis Books, www.charisbooksandmore.com

Go back in time for the “Express Yourself” ‘80s Dance Party, a fundraiser for Actor’s Express. 7:30 p.m., Actor’s Express, www.actorsexpress.com

Gay actor Leslie Jordan appears in “Thriving Children, An Evening to Believe In,” benefitting various local charities. 7 p.m., 200 Peachtree, www.atlthrivingchildren.org

Latina superstar Kat DeLuna visits Club Papi, 10 p.m. – 5 a.m., www.clubpapi.com

Saturday, April 27

Barry Manilow performs at The Arena at Gwinnett Center, www.arenaduluth.org

Sunday, April 28

Local author and activist Tracee McDaniel reads from her new book, “Transitions,” 2:30 p.m. at Unity Fellowship Church Atlanta, www.unityfellowshipchurchatl.org

Tuesday, April 30

Collin Kelly hosts an Evening with Southern Poets, 7:15 at the Georgia Center for the Book, www.georgiacenterforthebook.org

Friday, May 3 – Sunday, May 5

Head to the beach near Savannah, Ga., for Gay Days at Tybee Island. Full weekend of events includes the White Party on Saturday night with recording artist Randy Jones, the original cowboy from The Village People, and a tea dance on Sunday with Kristina Foxx. www.gaysavannah.com