Best Bets: 06.21.13-07.04.13

Friday, June 21

The Oscar-nominated “5 Broken Cameras” is screened as part of the Third Friday Film Series at 7 p.m. at First Existentialist Congregation, www.firstexistentialist.org/

The Vision Community Black Tie Gala honors community leaders and politicians, 7 p.m. – 3 a.m. at the Georgian Terrace, http://blacktiegala2013/weebly.com

Explore New Feminist Noir with new author Steph Cha and her book “Follow Her Home,” 7:30 – 9 p.m. at Charis, www.charisbooksandmore.com

Boy band extraordinaire One Direction performs at 7:30 p.m. at Philips Arena, www.philipsareana.com

$2 Fridays, offering cheap well drinks, begin at LeBuzz, with a new dance party to boot at the Marietta gay bar. www.thenewlebuzz.com

Slide this way and that way at Lube Wrestling at 11 p.m. at the Atlanta Eagle, www.atlantaeagle.com

Special guest Shangela, who gained fame through “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” performs with the Fab Five, with a meet-and-greet after the show. 11 p.m. at Burkhart’s, www.burkharts.com

Friday, June 21-Saturday, June 22

Augusta Pride kicks off Friday night with Beats on Broad with DJ Kaos from Savannah’s Club One, then continues Saturday with the annual parade and festival in the Augusta Commons. www.prideaugusta.org

Saturday, June 22

Take to the streets for the annual Pride Run, starting at 8 a.m. at Piedmont Park, presented by Front Runners, www.atlantapride.org

The Atlanta Radical Faeries host their annual Midsummer Night’s Dream party, with workshops, a talent show, DJ Vicki Powell and more, 2 p.m. – 2 a.m., the Arts Exchange, www.thearts-exchange.org

People’s Fest, featuring the launch of People’s Food Truck, as well as food tasting and musicians including Marc Broussard and Sonia Leigh, cranks up from 4 – 11 p.m. at Atlantic Station, www.facebook.com/peoplesfestatl

Atlanta Rollergirls turn up the heat for a double bill of roller derby action, 5 p.m. at the Yaarab Shrine Center, www.atlantarollergirls.com

The Atlanta Silverbacks, our city’s professional soccer team, hosts an LGBT night as they take on division rival Tampa Bay Rowdies, 7:30 p.m. at Atlanta Silverbacks Park, www.atlantasilverback.com

Frisky Monkey and friends perform at 8 p.m. at Kavarna, http://www.kavarnadecatur.com

The gay Atlanta Freedom Bands present “Our American Journey” at 8 p.m. at Saint Mark United Methodist Church, www.atlantafreedombands.com

Enjoy songwriters in the round with Dede Vogt, Caroline Aiken, and Trina and Tomi of Three5Human performing at 8 p.m. at Red Clay Theater, www.eddieowenpresents.com

The “Now That’s What I call Drag, Volume 1” competition continues tonight at 9 p.m. at My Sister’s Room, www.mysistersroom.com

DJ Roland Belmares spins at 10 p.m. at Heretic Atlanta, www.hereticatlanta.com

DJ Scott Anthony spins at Jungle, www.jungleatl.com

The new dance party “Mixx” takes place at the new Kouture Lounge in Midtown, with free entry until 11:30 p.m., www.saturdaymixx.com

The MASH ATTACKS! Party with DJs Pat Scott and Robin Skouteris starts at 10 p.m. at the Atlanta Eagle, www.atlantaeagle.com

Play, Atlanta’s new Latino night, heats up at 10 p.m. Saturdays at Mixx, www.mixxatlanta.com

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

Sunday, June 23

Congregation Bet Haverim hosts a Pet Blessing as part of Stonewall Month, 11 a.m. at Mason Mill Park, www.congregationbethaverim.org

The inimitable Armorettes spice up Sunday night, 8 p.m. at Burkhart’s, www.burkharts.com

Hosted by Lakara Foster, Brown Sugar Vibe celebrates its sixth anniversary as an unparalleled presenter of live music and spoken word, starting at 7 p.m. at Kat’s Café, www.katscafeatlanta.com

Country crooner Brad Paisley performs at 7 p.m. at Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood, www.ticketmaster.com
 
See your favorite Burkhart’s bartenders/staff in drag as part of the “Turnabout Show,” 7 – 11 p.m. at Burkhart’s, www.burkharts.com

Monday, June 24

Each Monday through Aug. 5, enjoy chair yoga with SAGE Atlanta, a group for LGBT seniors. 10 a.m. at the Rush Center, www.sageatl.org

Dine Out for Pride from 5-10 p.m. at Gilbert’s, HOBNOB and 10th & Piedmont to benefit the Atlanta Pride Committee. www.atlantapride.org

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

Tuesday, June 25

Fourth Tuesday, Atlanta’s lesbian social network, hosts its monthly dinner event from 6 – 10 p.m. at a TBD location, http://thehealthinitiative.org

Ruby Redd hosts Ruby’s Tuesdays at 8 p.m. at Jungle Atlanta, www.jungleatl.com

Tuesdays, unwind with a sing-along with pianist David Reeb at 8 p.m. at Mixx, www.mixxatlanta.com

Wednesday, June 26

Ian Aber hosts a night of comics, both LGBT and LGBT-supportive, for the ABear Comedy Show, 8 p.m. at Jungle, www.jungleatl.com

DJ Stan Jackson spins for the Pig Dance blackout party at the Heretic, www.hereticatlanta.com

Phoenix and Nicole Paige Brooks host Dragamaniacs, an open mic drag talent show, at 10 p.m. at Jungle, www.jungleatl.com

Thursday, June 27

SAGE Atlanta presents its weekly general meetings, with guest speakers, social activities and more, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m., Philip Rush Center, www.sageatl.org

As part of National HIV Testing Day, Cycle for Freedom hosts a screening of the film “Why Us? Left Behind and Dying” at 3 p.m. at the Auburn Avenue Research Library, www.afpls.org

LGBT activist Zach Wahls, who has spoken out in support of his lesbians mothers, reads and signs “My Two Moms” at 7 p.m., presented by Charis Books and More/Charis Circle, the Friends School of Atlanta, and Atlanta Pride Committee. www.friendsschoolatlanta.org

Diane Durrett hosts “Singers Society” featuring Heather Luttrell and Steff Mahan at 8 p.m. at Eddie’s Attic, www.eddiesattic.com

Turnt Up Thursdays heat up at 11 p.m. at Traxx Atlanta, www.traxxatlanta.com

Friday, June 28

One of the final Stonewall Month events is the Stonewall Party from 5 – 8 p.m. at 10th and Piedmont, presented by Communitas Hospitality, benefitting Atlanta Pride Committee, Inc. www.atlantapride.org

The Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce’s Fourth Friday networking takes place at Philips Arena, with free admission to the Atlanta Dream basketball home game. Networking begins at 5:30 p.m. with the game tip-off at 7:30 p.m., www.atlantagaychamber.org

Congregation Bet Haverim presents its Pride Seder at 7 p.m. at Central Congregational Church, www.congregationbethaverim.org

Charis and the Crunk Feminist Collective join to present Robin Boylorn’s new book, “Sweetwater: Black Women and Narratives of Resilience,” 7:30 – 9 p.m. at Charis, www.charisbooksandmore.com.

Hear “Love Shack” and more as The B-52s rock it out at 8 p.m. at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org

The Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus presents “Singing Out Proud” at 8 p.m at Emory’s Glenn Memorial Auditorium, www.agmchorus.org

Swank, a new party for the ladies, is set for 9 p.m. – 2:30 a.m. at 10th & Piedmont, www.communitashospitality.com/10th-and-piedmont/

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

The Fag Bash, the 9th annual Stonewall Weekend Throwdown, begins at 9 p.m. at Mary’s with special guest DJ Diablo Rojo, www.marysatlanta.com

Atlanta Eagle hosts a ‘70s Disco Costumes Contest, as well as Mr. and Ms. Atlanta Eagle night, tonight at 10 p.m., www.atlantaeagle.com

The Lips Down on Dixie troupe performs “Rocky Horror Picture Show” tonight as a fundraiser for Lost-N-Found Youth. Midnight at the Plaza Theatre, www.plazaatlanta.com

Saturday, June 29

SAGE Atlanta presents “What About the T?” Panelists discuss transgender issues and how the lesbian and gay community can be more inclusive. Light lunch included; free for SAGE members, $5 for others. 11 a.m. at the Rush Center, www.sageatl.org

Pitchers and catchers aplenty will be at the Bats N Rouge 4th Annual Softball Extravaganza, 12 – 4 p.m. at the Active Oval, Piedmont Park, www.hotlantasoftball.org

The Old Fourth Ward Festival of the Arts takes place this weekend, from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sunday, with plenty of fine arts and crafts, www.oldfourthwardparkartsfestival.com

The Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus presents “Singing Out Proud: Living the Legacy “ at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m at Emory’s Glenn Memorial Auditorium, www.agmchorus.org

Comedian Tony Tripoli, writer for Joan Rivers, performs at 3 p.m. at Blake’s, benefiting Positive Impact, www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com

Monopoly, Taboo and many more games will be on the menu at the LGBT Old School Game Night from 7 – 10 p.m. at the Rush Center, www.RushCenterAtl.org
Michelle Malone performs from her new CD, “Day 2,” at 7 and 9:30 p.m. at Eddie’s Attic, www.eddiesattic.com

Community leaders will be recognized and funds will be raised at the Ninth Annual Evening for Equality at 7 p.m. at Twelve Hotel, presented by Georgia Equality, www.georgiaequality.org

“Fashion Police” star Joan Rivers cracks jokes at 8 p.m. Symphony Hall, www.aso.org

Enjoy country music early, then DJ Mike Pope spins at 12:30 a.m. at the Heretic, www.hereticatlanta.com

DJ Randy Bettis spins at Jungle, www.jungleatl.com

Sunday, June 30

Richard Bicknell performs with the Shameless Lovers at 6 p.m. at Eddie’s Attic, www.eddiesattic.com

DJ Rick and DJ Maestro spin at 7 p.m. on Sundays at Mixx, www.mixxatlanta.com

Monday, July 1

PFLAG holds its monthly Atlanta meeting, 7:30 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta, www.pflagatl.org

Tuesday, July 2

Music icon and recent Tony winner Cyndi Lauper performs at 8 p.m. at Symphony Hall, www.aso.org

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

Every Tuesday, sing out at Mary-oke starting at 9 p.m. at Mary’s, www.marysatlanta.com

VJ Marco Polo puts on a night of showtunes every Tuesday night at 9 p.m. at Amsterdam Atlanta, www.amsterdamatlanta.com

Wednesday, July 3

DJ Phil B spins for Indepen-dance at 10 p.m. at Heretic Atlanta, www.hereticatlanta.com

“Five Lesbians Eating a Quiche” debuts at 8 p.m. at the Shakespeare Tavern, www.shakespearetavern.com

On Wednesdays, catch the Lust & Bust Show with host Lena Lust and featuring Shawnna Brooks. 11 p.m. at Blake’s on the Park, www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com

Thursday, July 4

The Atlanta Bears host a kickoff party for the upcoming Atlanta BearFest, 5 p.m. at the Atlanta Eagle, www.atlantaeagle.com

UPCOMING

Sunday, July 7

Harry Connick Jr. croons his hits at 8 p.m. at Chastain, www.classicchastain.org

Friday, July 12

The Village People take the stage at 8 p.m. at the Cobb Energy Centre, www.cobbenergeycentre.org

Jennifer Knapp and Steff Mahan perform together at 8 p.m. at Red Clay Theatre, www.eddieowenpresents.com

Bedlam presents “Paparazzi,” a new night out with “strong looks preferred,” on the second Friday of each month, starting tonight at 10th and Piedmont, www.bedlampresents.com