Best Bets 02.17 – 03.01

Friday, Feb. 17

View scenes from “Lying in Bed: Exploring Questions of Sex, Identity and Safety,” focusing on lesbian, gay, trans and queer people of color. 7:30 p.m. at Charis Books, 1189 Euclid Ave NE, Atlanta, GA, 30307, www.charisbooksandmore.com 

“A Jihad for Love,” a documentary about LGBT Muslims around the world, screens at the Third Friday Film Series. Suggested donation $1-$10 sliding scale. Films start at 7:30 p.m. at First Existentialist Congregation of Atlanta, 470 Candler Park Dr., NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, www.firstexistentialist.org

Every other Friday is Round ‘Em Up Friday with DJ Jack Daddi and Missy Miller spinning country favorites. Line dancing starts at 8 p.m. at My Sister’s Room, 1271 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, www.mysistersroom.com

Foreplay Fridays are back starting tonight with Girls in the Night America. Doors open at 10 p.m. at Club Life, 1789 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.girlsinthenight.com

DJ Bear Dawg and DJ Rudy Huxtable spin a Mardi Gras Bearracuda Pre-party. 9 p.m. at Mary’s, 1287 Glenwood Avenue SE,  Atlanta, GA 30316, www.marysatlanta.com 

The Fantasy Fairytale Ball is hosted by the Goblin King of Labyrinth and includes a fire and aerial show and erotic stage shows by Coco Katsura of Tokyo. Costumes encouraged. 10 p.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Rd., Atlanta, GA 30324, www.jungleclubatlanta.com

Saturday, Feb. 18

LGBT activists gather in Villa Rica to protest “Love Won Out,” a conference by Exodus International designed to help gay people change their sexual orientation. 10 a.m. at Midway Church, 3915 Carrollton-Villa Rica Highway, Villa Rica, GA 30180, www.facebook.com/QJL.Atlanta

East Side Pride hosts “Shopping for Equality,” a “buy-cott” to support JC Penney for not caving to conservative pressure to dump Ellen DeGeneres as the store’s spokesperson. Meet at the lower floor entrance of JC Penney. 3-6 p.m. at Northlake Mall, 4800 Briarcliff Road, Atlanta, GA 30345.

Theater legend Bernadette Peters performs at 7:30 p.m. for the Atlanta Symphony Gala at Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.atlantasymphony.com

Spin to End AIDS 2012 to benefit Action Cycling and AIDS vaccine research at the Emory, spins from noon to 6 p.m. at the Athletic Club Northeast, 1515 Sheridan Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.SpinToEnd.org

Hotlanta Softball League hosts sign-ups for the spring season from 1-4 p.m. at Woofs, 2425 Piedmont Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hotlantasoftball.org

The Roy G. Biv Project: Atlanta LGBT Families hosts a cocktail party with dining, dancing and mingling. 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at a private loft in Little Five Points, http://lgbtcocktails.eventbrite.com

Join Charis Circle, Zami NOBLA and BlackOUT to honor the 78th birthday of late poet Audre Lorde. To share a tribute, email zaminobla@yahoo.com or orders@charisbooksandmore.com. 7:30 p.m. at Charis Books, 1189 Euclid Ave NE, Atlanta, GA, 30307, www.charisbooksandmore.com

Julie Osborne presents the Love ‘N Laughter comedy show at 7 p.m. at  My Sister’s Room, 1271 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316,
www.mysistersroom.com

DJ M and Twee host the Secret Party with Traxx Girls at Club Rain, 448 Ralph David Abernathy, Atlanta, GA 30312, www.traxxgirls.com

DJ Homosexual spins for “All the President’s Men,” the President’s Day party at Mary’s, 1287 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, www.marysatlanta.com

DJ James Anthony spins for the Mardi Gras party, including a costume contest, from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Rd., Atlanta, GA 30324, www.jungleclubatlanta.com

DJ Ron Pullman spins for Deeper Love at Mixx, 1492 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, www.mixxatlanta.com

DJ Matt Consola of San Francisco spins for Bearracuda from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. at the Heretic, 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com

Sunday, Feb. 19

Vandy Beth Glenn, who successfully sued the Georgia Legislature for discriminating against her for being transgender, is the speaker as PFLAG Atlanta holds its monthly Third Sunday meeting. 2:45 – 5 p.m. at First MCC, 1379 Tullie Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30329-2308, www.pflagatl.org

Monday, Feb. 20

Mondays are Texas Hold ‘Em at 7:30 p.m. at Woofs, Atlanta’s first gay sports bar. 2425 Piedmont Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.woofsatlanta.com

Every Monday, catch “Smash,” NBC’s new musical drama, at 10 p.m. on the video screens at Amsterdam, 502-A Amsterdam Ave., Atlanta, GA 30306, www.amsterdamatlanta.com

Tuesday, Feb. 21

Celebrate Mardi Gras 2012 starting at 5 p.m. followed by Evolve, “not your typical showtunes,” with VJ Marco Polo at 9 p.m. at Amsterdam Atlanta, 502-A Amsterdam Ave., Atlanta, GA 30306, www.amsterdamatlanta.com

The Decatur Women’s League concludes its winter basketball season tonight with games at Decatur First United Methodist Church, 300 East Ponce De Leon Ave., Decatur, GA 30030, www.decaturwomen.com

Lil Bankhead from V103 hosts and DJ Peanut spins for GLOW from 10 p.m. – 4 a.m. at XS Ultra Lounge, 708 Spring St., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.xcessultralounge.com

Wednesday, Feb. 22

The Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce hosts two Business Builder Luncheons: 11:30 a.m. at Marlow’s Tavern at the Northlake Doubletree Hotel, 4156 La Vista Road, Atlanta, GA30084, and another at 11:50 a.m. at East Point Corner Tavern, 2783 Main St.. East Point, GA 30344, www.atlantagaychamber.org

The Decatur Women’s League’s Winter Bowling takes the lanes every Wednesday from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Suburban Lanes, 2619 N. Decatur Road, Decatur, GA 30033, www.decaturwomen.com

MEGA Family Project hosts a seminar on legal protections for LGBT couples. 7-9 p.m. For details, register online at www.megafamilyproject.org

Catch “Feathers & Flesh,” a burlesque review, at 11 p.m. at Blake’s on the Park, 227 10th St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com

Pop star Kelly Clarkson performs at 7:30 p.m. at Fabulous Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30308, www.ticketmaster.com

Thursday, Feb. 23

The lesbian-led Decatur Women’s Sports League hosts sign-ups for the spring softball season from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Melton’s App & Tap, 2500 N. Decatur Road, Decatur, GA 30033, www.decaturwomen.com

The gay Atlanta Executive Network hosts an evening of networking and discussion of politics and the 2012 elections. Includes complimentary snacks and wine, plus a chance to register to vote. 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Rush Center, www.aen.org

Poet, severe food allergy sufferer and non-fiction writer Sandra Beasley shares from her two most recent books, “Don’t Kill the Birthday Girl: Tales from an Allergic Life” and “I was the Jukebox.” 7:30 p.m. at Charis Books, 1189 Euclid Ave NE, Atlanta, GA, 30307, www.charisbooksandmore.com

Tuesdays and Thursdays are now 3 Legged Cowboy country nights at the Heretic, 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com

Got Leche presents the Nuestra Belleza Gay Latina 2012 with special guest Carmen Carrera from “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” Club Rush, 2715 Buford Highway, Atlanta, GA 30324.

Tonight is the President’s Day Black History Month tribute with doors open at 11:30 p.m. at XS Ultra Lounge, 708 Spring St., Atlanta, GA 30308,
www.xcessultralounge.com

Friday, Feb. 24

The short film “Through the Window,” about a closeted young woman dealing with attraction to another woman as a Shabbat dinner approaches, screens as part of the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival today at 12:15 p.m. at the UA Tara and again at Merchants Walk on Feb. 26 at 11 a.m. www.ajff.org

Come hang out and chat for Coffee Talk, a chance for a free cup of joe and to learn more about GO Atlanta, AID Atlanta’s gay outreach program. 4-6 p.m. at Aurora Coffee, 992 N. Highland Ave., Atlanta, GA 30306, steven.igarshi@aidatlanta.org

The Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce hosts its February Fourth Friday Networking at 7 Stages, 1105 Euclid Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307. Details to be announced at www.atlantagaychamber.org

Chris Paynter reads from her new lesbian novel, “Survived by Her Longterm Companion.” 7:30 p.m. at Charis Books, 1189 Euclid Ave NE, Atlanta, GA, 30307, www.charisbooksandmore.com

Mash Attacks is a benefit for Saint Lost & Found, which helps homeless LGBT youth, and features MashUp DJ Robin Skouteris and DJ Pat Scott. 10 p.m. at the Atlanta Eagle, 306 Ponce De Leon Ave., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.atlantaeagle.com

Bedlam presents “Fairy Dreams, Scheming Queens (…& magic beans),” with costumes encouraged for goblins, dwarfs, queens, kings and more. Features DJ Shane V, special guest host Sarah Mincher and special performance by Princess Charles. 10 p.m. – 3 a.m. at My Sister’s Room, www.Facebook.com/BedlamPresents

Saturday, Feb. 25

The Georgia GSA Youth Summit unites gay straight alliances, students wanting to start their own GSAs, parents, and LGBT advocates for a day of learning and support. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Georgia State University, 33 Gilmer St., Atlanta, GA 30303, http://georgiayouthsummit.blogspot.com

The gay Atlanta Bucks rugby team takes on the Valdosta State Blazers at noon at Coan Middle School, 1550 Hosea L. Williams Drive NE, Atlanta, GA 30317, www.facebook.com/atlantabucks

“Hoarders and Highlights” is the theme for the Dixie Bowlers’ Miss Gutterball 2012 pageant from 6-10 p.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Rd., Atlanta, GA 30324, www.jungleclubatlanta.com

Join Michelle Malone, Dede Vogt, Caroline Aiken and special guest Mary Ellen Jones for an “in the round” show at 8 p.m. at Eddie’s Attic, 515 N McDonough St., Decatur, GA 30030, www.eddiesattic.com

Manshaft brings its Lumberjack Edition party to the Cockpit. Features DJ Wiskuh’s spinning 8-10:30 p.m., followed by DJ Diablo Rojo for the rest of the night. 8 p.m. – 2:30 a.m. at Cockpit, http://themanshaft.blogspot.com

DJ Chris Cox spins at 10 p.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Rd., Atlanta, GA 30324, www.jungleclubatlanta.com

Sunday, Feb. 26

East Side Pride hosts a doggie day at Clarkson’s Milam Dog Park. 3-6 p.m. at 3867 Norman Road, Clarkston, GA 30021, eastsidepridenews.blogspot.com

The Hotlanta Softball League hosts sign-ups for the spring season from 5-8 p.m. at Mixx, 1492 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, www.hotlantasoftball.org

Tuesday, Feb. 28

MEGA Family Project hosts a Baby/Toddler Meet Up for LGBT families with young children. 10 a.m. in Midtown, email MEGA Executive Director Kathy Kelly at Kathy@megafamilyproject.org for location and details.

“Let My People Go!” a farce centering around a gay couple, screens at 7 p.m. at the UA Tara Theater as part of the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival. www.ajff.org

Wednesday, Feb. 29

Planned Parenthood and Georgia Equality host “Women in the Halls” lobby day to focus on LGBT issues. 9 a.m. training; 10 a.m. lobbying at the Georgia State Capitol Complex, Coverdell Legislative Office Building, Room 306, 18 Capitol Square Southwest, Atlanta, GA 30334, www.georgiaequality.org

“Paul Goodman Changed My Life,” a film about the bisexual poet/writer who was influential amongst the New York literary intellectual crowd, screens at 1:30 p.m. at the UA Tara Theater as part of the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival. www.ajff.org

The Vagina Monologues, the famed women’s empowerment play by Eve Ensler, benefits the Dekalb Rape Crisis Center. Doors open at 7 p.m. at Emory’s WHSCAB Auditorium, 1440 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30322, http://Emoryvday2012.eventbrite.com.

Dr. Pamela Thompson, a clinical psychologist and professional life-coach, talks about her new book, “Surviving Mama,” about navigating difficult maternal relationships. 7:30 p.m. at Charis Books, 1189 Euclid Ave NE, Atlanta, GA, 30307, www.charisbooksandmore.com.

The Miss Gay Cobb County 2012 pageant gets underway at 10 p.m. at the New LeBuzz, 585 Franklin Rd., Marietta, GA 30067, www.thenewlebuzz.com

Thursday, March 1

The Atlanta Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence will wear their PJs and invite you to don yours for a Pajama Party to benefit the Pajama Program, a charity that provides new pajamas and books for kids who are homeless or unadopted. Bring a donation; evening also includes bingo, a raffle and a best dressed pajama contest. 6-9 p.m. at Woofs, 2425 Piedmont Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.woofsatlanta.com.

Diana Ross performs at 8 p.m. at the Fabulous Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30308, www.ticketmaster.com

Saturday, March 3

Lesbian-inclusive “alterna-grass” band Roxie Watson celebrates the release of their new CD with two shows. 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. at Eddie’s Attic, 515 N McDonough St., Decatur, GA 30030, www.eddiesattic.com

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