Best Bets 1.06 – 1.19

Friday, Jan. 6

Kitty Le Claw’s Meow Mix gets catty at 11 p.m. at Blake’s on the Park, 227 10th St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com

Stripped is a burlesque-style review starring Destiny Brooks, Heather Daniels, Jasmine Antoinette, Monica VanPelt and Iysis Dupree. Every Friday at 11 p.m. at the New LeBuzz, 585 Franklin Rd., Marietta, GA 30067, www.thenewlebuzz.com

Catch the Fab Five with Angelica D’Paige at 11:30 p.m. at Burkhart’s Pub, 893 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.burkharts.com

On the first Friday of the month, the Atlanta Eagle welcomes ONYX, a leather club for men of color. DJ Pat Scott spins. Eagle, 306 Ponce De Leon Ave., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.atlantaeagle.com

Saturday, Jan. 7

The Atlanta Xplosion, the women’s full tackle football team, holds open try outs with no experience necessary. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Factory, 2505 North Point Parkway, Lawrenceville, GA 30043, www.atlantaxplosion.com

My Sister’s Room celebrates its re-grand opening with new owners and renovations, plus Sonique from “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” Tif-Nay, Romeo Lee, Skler Lee, MC Chase Daniels and DJ Tina V. 9 p.m. at My Sister’s Room, 1271 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, www.mysistersroom.com

Get your New Year’s resolution to get fit (and get tough) underway with Rugby 101, an introduction to the Atlanta Bucks, the city’s gay rugby team. No rugby experience needed and all athletic abilities welcome. 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Coan Middle School, 1550 Hosea L. Williams Drive NE, Atlanta, GA 30317,
www.atlantabucksrugby.com

First City Network, the Savannah LGBT social organization, hosts its First Saturday Social. 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. at The Living Room Salon, 1912 Barnard St., Savannah, GA 31401, www.firstcitynetwork.net

Prime Timers, a social group for older gay men, meets at 3 p.m. at The Rush Center, 1530 Dekalb Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.atlantaprimetimers.com

Dirty Pop features music by Drew G. Doors open at 10 p.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Rd., Atlanta, GA 30324, www.jungleclubatlanta.com

DJ Bear Dawg spins roller disco, rock, electro and indie dance for Furry Disco Balls #2. 10 p.m. at Mary’s, 1287 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, www.marysatlanta.com

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

Saturdays mean Man 2 Man at XS Ultra Lounge, 708 Spring St., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.xsultralounge.com

Sunday, Jan. 8

Kid’s Corner features pizza and story time with Kelli’s Childcare Collective of Atlanta. 2-3:30 p.m. at Charis Books, 1189 Euclid Ave NE, Atlanta, GA, 30307, www.charisbooksandmore.com

On Sundays, catch the Armorettes at 7 p.m. followed by The Dreams at 9:30 p.m. at Burkhart’s Pub, 893 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.burkharts.com

Monday, Jan. 9

Stepping Stones: A Holiday Season Support Group is sponsored by the Health Initiative and SAGE Atlanta, and meets 7-8:30 p.m. every Monday through Jan. 9 to help those facing the holidays while grieving for a lost partner. The Rush Center, 1530 Dekalb Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, thehealthinitiative.org

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

Every Monday night, Songwriters Open Mic night at Eddie’s Attic may just feature the next big acoustic sensation. 8 p.m. at Eddie’s Attic, 515 N McDonough St., Decatur, GA 30030, www.eddiesattic.com

Tuesday, Jan. 10

Ellis Avery reads from her second novel, “The Last Muse,” about Art Deco painter Tamara de Lempicka and the woman who becomes her muse and lover. 7:15 p.m. at the Decatur Library Auditorium, 215 Sycamore St., Decatur, GA 30030, www.charisbooksandmore.com

Sing along with pianist David Reeb on Tuesdays from 7 p.m. to midnight at Mixx, 1492 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, www.mixxatlanta.com

Watch “Glee” on the big screens at 8 p.m. followed by show tunes with VJ Marco Polo at Amsterdam, 502-A Amsterdam Ave., Atlanta, GA 30306,
www.amsterdamatlanta.com

Wednesday, Jan. 11

“Tramps in Tiaras” is the theme for this month’s PALS Bingo, hosted by Bubba D. Licious. The popular event raises money for PALS, which helps people with HIV and other health conditions keep their pets. Doors open 6 p.m.; first ball called at 7:45 p.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Rd., Atlanta, GA 30324, www.palsatlanta.org

DJ Lydia Prim spins on Wednesdays for HUMP, Heretic Underground Music Project. Heretic, 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com

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.decaturwomenssportsleague.info

Thursday, Jan. 12

“Next Fall,” starring out actor Mitchell Anderson and helmed by out director Kate Warner, opens today and runs through Feb. 11 at Actor’s Express, 887 W. Marietta St., Atlanta, GA 30318, www.actorsexpress.com

“X-Men: The Beginning” screens at 8 p.m. for Thursday movie night at Cowtippers, 1600 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30324, www.metrocafes.com/Cowtippers

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

Every Thursday, get Twisted with Phoenix of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” at 11:30 p.m. at Burkhart’s Pub, 893 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.burkharts.com

The first Thursday of the month is Melloween with the finest in ‘70s and ‘80s soft rock and easy R&B at Mary’s, 1287 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316,
www.marysatlanta.com

Friday, Jan. 13 – Sunday, Jan. 15

Leave Georgia behind for the beautiful Florida coast as the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County hosts the annual 30A Songwriters Festival, featuring more than 120 songwriters at venues in Rosemary Beach, Seaside, Alys Beach, Santa Rosa Beach and Grayton Beach. This year’s gay-inclusive line-up includes Amy Ray of Indigo Girls, Roxie Watson, Michelle Malone and Chely Wright, among many others. See story, Page 17. www.30asongwritersfestival.com

Friday, Jan. 13 – Monday, Jan. 16

Atlanta’s African-American LGBT nightclubs and party promoters host a packed weekend of events for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend.

Friday, Jan. 13

“Pariah,” a new film about a young African-American lesbian (see story, Page 13) opens today at the Midtown Art Cinema, 931 Monroe Drive, Atlanta, GA 30308, www.focusfeatures.com/pariah

“Avenue Q,” the gay-inclusive adult puppet play, opens today (after a successful run last year) and runs through Feb. 26 at Horizon Theatre, 1083 Austin Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.horizontheatre.com

Frisky Monkey plays for Juan Cezar’s birthday with special guests Lekia Love and Fallon. 9 p.m. at Bellissima, 560 Amsterdam Ave., Atlanta, GA 30306,
www.facebook.com/bellissima.atlanta

It’s the grand finale of Drag Race at My Sister’s Room, 1271 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, www.mysistersroom.com

Saturday, Jan. 14

DJ Rob Reum spins for Guest Appreciation Night at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Rd., Atlanta, GA 30324, www.jungleclubatlanta.com

DJ Chad Jack spins as Mark Baker presents “Kick off to Wonderworld,” set for May 31-June 4 at Buena Vista Palace Resort at Walk Disney World. 10 p.m. at the Heretic, 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com

Saturdays are Jealouse’s Daring Divas at Blake’s on the Park, 227 10th St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com

God-Des & She bring their hip-hop, soul and pop sound to Atlanta. 10 p.m. at My Sister’s Room, 1271 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, www.mysistersroom.com

Sunday, Jan. 15

Georgia offers many LGBT-led and LGBT-welcoming congregations in a variety of faith denominations. Looking for a place to worship? Visit www.thegavoice.com and choose “organizations” from the Community tab, and click “religious”; or choose our only “weekly events” calendar for service times.

DJ Bill Berdeaux spins at 3 p.m. followed by DJ Darryl Cox at 7 p.m. at Blake’s on the Park, 227 10th St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com

The Atlanta Fringe Festival hosts the Reveal Party, an “ultra sensory, freakshow, circus-style party” to announce the theatrical companies performing in the inaugural festival in May. 8-11 p.m. at Ambient Plus Studio, 585 Wells St., Atlanta, GA 30310, www.atlantafringe.org

Monday, Jan. 16

Atlanta’s LGBT communities mark the MLK Jr. holiday with the annual Rustin Lorde Breakfast. 10 a.m. at St. Mark United Methodist Church, 781 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30308, facebook.com/RustinLordeBreakfast

Niesha Dupree’s Stars of the Century takes the stage on Mondays at 11 p.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Rd., Atlanta, GA 30324, www.jungleclubatlanta.com

Tuesday, Jan. 17

Avrum Geurin Weiss leads a discussion of “Change Happens: When to Try Harder and When to Stop Trying So Hard,” his book about the process of change and how it plays out in the lives of real people. 7:30 p.m. at Charis Books, 1189 Euclid Ave NE, Atlanta, GA, 30307, www.charisbooksandmore.com

Tuesdays are the infamous Mary-oke at Mary’s, 1287 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, www.marysatlanta.com

Wednesday, Jan. 18

Amy Ray of Indigo Girls performs an acoustic show with Lindsay Fuller and special guest Jeff Felder. 8 p.m. at the Melting Point, 295 E Dougherty St, Athens, GA 30601, www.meltingpointathens.com

The fourth annual Georgia All American Goddess and Goddess at Large contestants compete from 8 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. at LeBuzz, 585 Franklin Road, Marietta, GA 30067, www.thenewlebuzz.com

Bubba Dee, Heather Daniels and Charlie Brown are the “Beauty and the Bitches” show at 9 p.m. each Wednesday at Cowtippers, 1600 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30324, www.metrocafes.com/Cowtippers

The Southern Bears celebrate their anniversary at the Atlanta Eagle, 306 Ponce De Leon Ave., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.atlantaeagle.com

Crazy Bitch Bingo is every Wednesday at 8 p.m. at Joe’s on Juniper, 1049 Juniper Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, www.metrocafes.com/joes-juniper

Thursday, Jan. 19

The gay Atlanta Executive Network and Chris Coleman Enterprises present January networking at 6:30 p.m. at the W Atlanta Midtown, 188 14th St., Atlanta, GA 30361, www.aen.org

The Atlanta premier of the film “Gen Silent” screens as the first fundraiser for SAGE Atlanta, which provides support and social opportunities for LGBT elders. Tickets $10. 7:30 p.m. at Midtown Art Cinema, 931 Monroe Drive, Atlanta, GA 30308, www.facebook.com/sageatl

Natasha “T” Miller and Caroline Rothstein are special guests for this month’s Cliterati, an open “no mic” night of spoken word poets. 7:30 p.m. at Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Ave NE, Atlanta, GA, 30307, www.charisbooksandmore.com

MEGA Family Project hosts a Waiting for the Stork support group for LGBT prospective parents. 7-8:30 p.m. at the Rush Center, 1530 Dekalb Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.megafamilyproject.org