Best Bets 12.21 – 01.03

Friday, Dec. 21

Join Libby Whittemore and her alter ego Connie Sue Day, “The 31st Lady of Country Music,” as they perform some of the most beloved holiday classics. 7:30 p.m. tonight through Sunday night at Actor’s Express, 887 W. Marietta St. Suite J-107, Atlanta, GA 30318, www.actors-express.com

Jennifer Knapp, who made headlines when she came out in the world of Christian music, and Margaret Becker bring their “Hymns of Christmas” to Atlanta. 8 p.m. at Eddie Owen Presents at the Red Clay Theatre, 3116 Main St., Duluth, GA 30096, www.eddieowenpresents.com

Get down with DJ Ree de la Vega and DJ Fluff at the “End of the World Party: Mayan Calendar Edition.”  9 p.m. at Mary’s, 1287 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, www.marysatlanta.com

Traxx Girls presents the Friday night Banjee Girls hip-hop party from 9 p.m. – 4 a.m. at My Sister’s Room, 1271 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, www.mysistersroom.com

The dance floor opens at 10 p.m. as DJ Lydia Prim spins for the End of the World Party at the Heretic, 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com

Tonight is Rubber & Gear Night with DJ Brett Long at the Atlanta Eagle, 306 Ponce De Leon Ave., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.atlantaeagle.com

Today is the last day to bring an unwrapped toy for the Model T’s 4th annual Gift of Christmas Love event to benefit Jerusalem House. The Model T, 699 Ponce De Leon Ave., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.modeltatlanta.com

Saturday, Dec. 22

The East Point Possums, known for their summer drag show, host “A Very Brady Trailer Park ‘N Possum Christmas” to benefit Lost-N-Found Youth, which helps homeless LGBT young people. 9 p.m. at East Point Corner Tavern, 2783 Main St., East Point, GA 30344, www.facebook.com/eastpointpossums

DJ Manny Lehman spins at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.jungleclubatlanta.com  

DJ Tater, aka Jeff, spins a going away set before moving to Nashville. 9 p.m. at the Heretic, 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com

DJ Nat spins at the Atlanta Eagle, 306 Ponce De Leon Ave., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.atlantaeagle.com

“’Tis the Season to Rock an Ugly Sweater,” so don your finest, um, worst and head to My Sister’s Room, where it just might win you a prize. DJ Liz Owen spins. Doors open at 8 p.m. at My Sister’s Room, 1271 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, www.mysistersroom.com

Austria Andrews joins the girls of Extravaganza. 11:30 p.m. at Burkhart’s, 1492 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.burkharts.com

Sunday, Dec. 23

Madisa Lateefah Thomas, founder and president of Black Non-Believers, Inc., speaks on “14 to 34: My Journey Back to Atheism.” 11 a.m. at First Existentialist Congregation, 470 Candler Park Dr., Atlanta, GA 30307.

Marietta PFLAG hosts its monthly Fourth Sunday support group for parents, friends and family members of LGBT people. 1-3 p.m. at Pilgrimage United Church of Christ, 3755 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta, GA 3006, www.pflagatlanta.org

DJ Rick and DJ Maestro spin Sundays at 7 p.m. at Mixx Atlanta, 1492-B Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.mixxatlanta.com

Expect campy hilarity for “It’s an Armorette Christmas!” at 8 p.m. at Burkhart’s, 1492 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.burkharts.com

Traxx Girls presents the Jingle Bash Christmas Show at Scores All Star Sports Bar, 2425 Wesley Chapel Road, Decatur, GA 30035, www.traxxgirls.com

Monday, Dec. 24

LGBT-inclusive Saint Mark United Methodist Church offers three Christmas Eve services: a “family-friendly” service at 5 p.m., followed by candlelight communion at 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. 781 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.stmarkumc.org

LGBT-inclusive Virginia Highland Church offers a children’s Christmas Eve service at 5 p.m. and a candlelight service at 11 p.m. 743 Virginia Ave. Atlanta, GA 30306, www.vhchurch.org

LGBT-inclusive First Metropolitan Community Church offers a Christmas Eve service of Candles, Carols & Communion. 10:30 p.m. at First MCC, 1379 Tullie Road, Atlanta, GA 30329, www.firstmcc.com

DJ Lydia Prim spins at 9 p.m. at the Heretic, 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com

Head to Cobb County’s best and only gay bar for “On Christmas Eve,” starring all your favorites from DRAGSTAR Season 4. Hosted by Aurora Savage, with Destiny Brooks, Monica Van Pelt and more. 10 p.m. at LeBuzz, 585 Franklin Road, Marietta, GA 30367, www.thenewlebuzz.com

Tuesday, Dec. 25

Neighborhood gay bar Blake’s opens at 7 p.m. 227 10th St., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com

Share a cocktail and memories with no cover; opens at 9 p.m. at LeBuzz, 585 Franklin Road, Marietta, GA 30367, www.thenewlebuzz.com

The Heretic opens at 10 p.m. with resident DJ Lydia Prim spinning. 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com

Wednesday, Dec. 26

Queer songstress Amy Andrews joins Will McCranie, Russell McLaughlin and Phil Pickens for a songwriter showcase at 7:30 p.m. at Red Clay Theatre, 3116 Main St., Duluth, GA 30096, www.eddieowenpresents.com

Thursday, Dec. 27

Thursdays are Dirty Boy Bingo with Ruby Redd at 10 p.m. at Cockpit, 465 Boulevard SE, Atlanta, GA 30312

Phoenix of RuPaul’s Drag Race hosts the “Dancefloor Divas” show. 11:30 p.m. at Burkhart’s, 1492 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.burkharts.com

Friday, Dec. 28

DJ Smash spins for the grown and sexy at Mixx Atlanta, 1492-B Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.mixxatlanta.com

Absolut sponsors the “Centennial Bash” to celebrate 10th Street turning 100. Blake’s on the Park, 227 10th St., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com

Saturday, Dec. 29

It will technically be Sunday morning as Jalil Z keeps the boys dancing from 3-7 a.m. at private club Xion, 2241 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.cariocaproductions.com

DJ Roland Belmares spins at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.jungleclubatlanta.com

DJ Diablo Rojo keeps the videos going for Pit Pop Video on Saturdays at Cockpit, 465 Boulevard SE, Atlanta, GA 30312

Sunday, Dec. 30

Send the holiday season out on a sarcastic note with the year’s last performance of “The Santaland Diaries,” based on gay humorist David Sedaris’ tale of working as a Macy’s elf. Horizon Theatre, 1083 Austin Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.horizontheatre.com

NEW YEAR’S EVENTS

Editor’s note: Several of Atlanta’s LGBT bars had not announced their New Year’s Eve plans by press time, but rest assured there will be parties all over town. Here are a few to get you started.

Monday, Dec. 31

DJ Scott Anthony spins with no-cover for a NYE 2013 benefit for CHRIS Kids. 9 p.m. – 3 a.m. at Amsterdam Atlanta, 502-A Amsterdam Ave., Atlanta, GA 30306, www.amsterdamatlanta.com

Lesbian blues rocker Michelle Malone plays two NYE shows with Gareth Asher. 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. at Eddie’s Attic, 515-B McDonough Road, Decatur, GA 30030, www.eddiesattic.com

DJ/Producer Oren Nizri spins for the 7th annual “Party Like a Rockstar” NYE bash. 9 p.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.jungleclubatlanta.com

DJ Shane V spins for the third annual Glitter & Fur party, which also includes the announcement of the Top 12 contestants for Barry Brandon’s “Sing For Your Life” competition. 9 p.m. – 3 a.m. at Takorea, 818 Juniper St., Atlanta, GA 30308.

Traxx Girls presents “The Red Carpet Affair VII” at 10 p.m. at Club XS, 708 Spring St., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.traxxgirls.com

DJ Mike Pope spins an opening set before DJ Phil B from San Francisco takes over for the Genesis party. 9 p.m. at Heretic, 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com

Dress to impress with black and white clothing preferred as DJ Liz Owen and DJ Tina V spin for the “Black Tie Affair” NYE party at 7 p.m. at My Sister’s Room, 1271 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, www.mysistersroom.com

DJ E and DJ Lynnee Denise spins for Ladies at Play’s NYE bash. 10 p.m. at Cantina, 3280 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, GA 30305, www.ladiesatplay.com

Lesbian singer/songwriter Sonia Leigh rocks in the new year with special guest the Brian Collins Band. 9 p.m. at the Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave, Atlanta, GA 30307, www.ticketmaster.com

Tuesday, Jan. 1

At 3 a.m. on the first day of 2013, head over for the debut of Alexander at Xion, 2241 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.cariocaproductions.com

Enjoy a special New Year’s Day Special meal of ham, collards, black-eyed peas and macaroni at 12 p.m. at Woofs, 2425 Piedmont Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.woofsatlanta.com

Wednesday, Jan. 2

On Wednesdays, catch the Lust & Bust Show with host Lena Lust and featuring Shawnna Brooks. 11 p.m. at Blake’s on the Park, 227 10th St., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com

Thursday, Jan. 3

Tuesdays, Thursdays and early Saturday, get your country on with 3-Legged Cowboy nights at the Heretic, 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com

Inspired by Beats and Traxx Atlanta present Tribal Thursdays, spinning house music (deep, underground and tribal) starting at 10 p.m. at XS Ultra Lounge, 708 Spring St., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.xcessultralounge.com

UPCOMING

Friday, Jan. 4

DJs Beardawg and Headmaster Ritual spin for Furry Disco Balls at 9 p.m. at Mary’s, 1287 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, www.marysatlanta.com

Saturday, Jan. 5

The gay Atlanta Bucks Rugby Club hosts Rugby 101. Details to be announced at www.atlantabucksrugby.org

Thursday, Jan. 10

Georgia Ensemble Theatre presents the world premiere of “Swell Party,” a new comedy about a zany Southern wedding party  by GA Voice columnist Topher Payne. Tonight’s show at 8 p.m.; play runs through Jan. 27 at Georgia Ensemble Theatre, Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., Roswell, GA 30075, www.get.org

Friday, Jan. 11

Dr. Bettina Love discusses her latest book, “Hip Hop’s Li’l Sistas Speak: Negotiating Identities and Politics in the New South,” which focuses on young women in Atlanta. 7:30 at Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, www.charisbooksandmore.com

Lesbian favorite and self-declared “Southern original” Kristy Lee brings her tunes to Atlanta. 9 p.m. at Eddie’s Attic, 515-B McDonough Road, Decatur, GA 30030, www.eddiesattic.com

Thursday, Jan. 17

The Atlanta Executive Network presents openly gay State Rep. Keisha Waites (D-Atlanta). 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Hudson Grille Midtown, 942 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, www.aen.org

Friday, Jan. 18

Budding gay-favorite Ellie Goulding performs a show after opening act St. Lucia. 8 p.m. at the Tabernacle,  152 Luckie Street, Atlanta, GA 30303, www.ticketmaster.com