Best Bets: Our Guide to the Best LGBTQ Events in Atlanta for November 8-21

Friday, Nov. 8

Topher Payne’s “Swell Party” opens at Onstage Atlanta tonight. It’s 1932, and 20-year-old orphaned tobacco heir Smith Reynolds has returned from New York to his family’s Winston-Salem estate with a surprise souvenir: a wife. The new Mrs. Reynolds is notorious Broadway star Libby Holman – a dozen years older than Smith. She arrives with a trunkload of gin and an acting coach who is quite possibly insane. Smith’s guardian, Kate Reynolds, attempts to manage the scandal – giving Libby a crash course in Southern decorum. A party is thrown to introduce the newlyweds to society, but it’s flat-out ruined when the groom turns up dead. The guests are gathered to reconstruct the evening’s events for a beleaguered County Solicitor, but they fail spectacularly, which shouldn’t be a surprise.

8pm, through Nov. 24

 

The Atlanta Opera offers a fanciful re-telling of “La Cenerentola,” Rossini’s version of the Cinderella fairy tale. Expect wicked stepsisters, mistaken identities, magical mice, a charming prince and the maid who captures his heart, all wrapped delivered with Rossini’s frothy score.

Performances continue tonight and Nov. 10. 8pm

Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre

 

Joe Whitaker and the DILF Party Presents DILF “Deep” where men can go as deep as they want! Your go-to jock, underwear, and gear party for Atlanta men! DJ Jack Chang from Germany spins the beats all night long! Buy tickets at theDILFparty.com.

10pm – 3am

Heretic Atlanta

 

Saturday, Nov. 9

Charis Books and More turns 45 years old today. Come celebrate with an all-day party and sale. Everything in the store is 10% off and if you spend more than $45 in the book store or become a monthly cornerstone donor to Charis Circle, our non-profit, you get a free Charis Books and More tote bag.

10am – 7pm 

 

Out Front Theatre Company presents the musical “La Cage aux Folles” tonight. Georges is the owner of the La Cage Aux Folles nightclub, which features a drag show starring his partner and the love of his life, Albin. After 20 years of unwedded bliss, Georges and his partner Albin face the hardest challenge of their relationship yet: meeting their son Jean-Michel’s fiancé’s parents. Albin has always raised Jean-Michel, Georges’ biological son, as his own. But when Jean-Michel falls in love and becomes engaged to the daughter of an ultra-conservative, anti-gay politician, Georges feels compelled to try to present a more “traditional” family. When Albin tries and fails to take on a masculine persona in the role of Uncle Al, he gets more creative to find a way to be part of the “meet the parents” experience.

8pm

 

It’s a Jungle reunion fit for everyone! Come dance the night away at Heretic to the amazing sounds of DJ Manny Lehman and get ready for a special performance from Jungle’s one and only Resident diva, Phoenix!

10pm – 3am

Heretic Atlanta

 

DJ Daniel Weaver presents The Dirty Golden Disco Show, a blend of dirty disco and club re-turned hits to make your mind go crazy over some golden oldies remade for today’s moves!

10pm – 3am

Atlanta Eagle

 

Sunday, Nov. 10

DJ Serving Ovahness is back on the deck at Xion after hours for music all morning long!

3am – 7am

BJ Roosters

 

Theatrical Outfit’s “Safety Net,” about the first-ever female fire captain in Alabama, her mother and a family friend, closes today.

2:30pm

Balzer Theatre 

 

Monday, Nov. 11

The gay-themed “Pain and Glory” tells of a series of reencounters experienced by Salvador Mallo (Antonio Banderas), a film director in his physical decline. From Spanish auteur Pedro Almodóvar, the film is an autobiographical telling of two love stories determined by time and fate.

Various showtimes

Landmark Midtown Art Cinema and The Springs Cinema and Taphouse 

 

Tuesday, Nov. 12

To commemorate the 90th anniversary of the birth of Anne Frank and the 75th anniversary of her last entry in her diary, the Clark Atlanta University Philharmonic Society will present a performance of “Annelies” tonight. This stunning choral work, by James Whitbourn, brings to life the diary written by Annelies (Anne) Frank between 1942 and 1944 when she and her family hid in the back of an Amsterdam warehouse.

7:06pm

The Temple

 

Bang! Pow! Blam! Will you be a hero and save the day? Or will you be a dastardly villain? Hostess Bubba D. Licious, the PALS queens (Erica Lee, Patsy Jon Benet, and Desiree Storm), and special guest performers will be channeling their best Wonder Woman and Catwoman at Super Heroes vs. Super Villains PALS Drag Queen Bingo.

7:30pm

Lips Atlanta

 

Wednesday, Nov. 13

No wire hangers – ever!! Wussy Wednesday returns with one of the best camp classics ever – “Mommie Dearest,” hosted by Brigitte Bidet and Molly Rimswell. Arrive and grab a cocktail and snack and take some photos before the look contest.

7:30pm

Plaza Theatre 

 

Thursday, Nov. 14

The Tami Institute for Jewish Studies presents their 11th annual Rothschild Lecture“Harvey Milk Through a Jewish Lens” by an internationally known scholar of LGBTQ history and literature Lillian Faderman, followed by a reception.

7:30pm

Oxford Presentation Room

 

Point Foundation invites you to join

A Night On Point. The evening will feature remarks from Point scholars and staff to help increase awareness of Point’s mission and work, as well as an introduction to how individuals and companies can help support Point’s programs and initiatives.

7:30 – 9:30pm

STP Tile Showroom

 

Out musician, Sonia Leigh performs at Eddie’s Attic.

9pm

 

NerdLanta and Hot Mic Comedy bring you Holy Sh!t Comedy Night on the second Thursday of every month. Brothers and sisters, cometh to our service hosted by Pastor Ian Aber. Together we shall praise, repent and rejoice in the holy spirit of comedy.

10pm

Sister Louisa’s Church of the Living Room and Ping Pong Emporium

 

“Volta,” the latest from Cirque du Soleil, opens up the big top for their equality night!

8pm

Atlantic Station

 

Friday, Nov. 15

The new film “The Good Liar,” starring Helen Mirren, Ian McKellen, and Russell Tovey and directed by Bill Condon. Opens in metro area theaters today.

 

“Wicked,” the Broadway sensation, looks at what happened in the Land of Oz … but from a different angle. Long before Dorothy arrives, there is another young woman, born with emerald-green skin – smart, fiery, misunderstood, and possessing an extraordinary talent. When she meets a bubbly blonde who is exceptionally popular, their initial rivalry turns into the unlikeliest of friendships … until the world decides to call one “good,” and the other one “wicked.”

7:30pm, through Nov. 17

Fox Theatre 

 

Don’t miss the Fabnormal Queer Art Showcase tonight, Visual artists featured include Cameron Lee Art, Adelaide Tai, Lisette, and Diego and entertainers include Yani Mo, Brigitte Bidet, House of Rimswell. TJ MAXXX, Titus and the Sookie Sookie Tenchi.

8 – 11pm

Moxy Midtown Atlanta

 

Put on your dancing shoes for the G8yties ’80s Dance Party Soundtracks edition. This blockbuster of The G8YTIES ’80s Dance Party will have you “Dirty Dancing” all night long. Expect hot tracks from all your favorite ’80s movies including “The Breakfast Club,” “St. Elmo’s Fire,” “Pretty In Pink,” “Flashdance,” “Footloose,” “Heathers,” “Valley Girl,” “Purple Rain,” “Weird Science,”” The Lost Boys,” “Back To The Future” and more. DJ Mike Pope’s sick beats will have you gagging (with a spoon) on the dance floor.

10pm – 3am

Heretic Atlanta

 

Saturday, Nov. 16

A holiday favorite is back. The Atlanta Botanical Garden’s Garden Lights, Holiday Nights returns this year with new features and crowd favorites – including new music and motion. Experience the Skylights Lounge in the Skyline Garden, several larger-than-life plant giants from Imaginary Worlds: Alice’s Wonderland display, and displays like the Ice Goddess and Tunnel of Light.

Running through Jan. 11

 

Billy Banderas and Alan Collins proudly present: “PLAY!” After an incredible year of GLAMOROUS, we’ve decided to bring you a new concept to keep the party going, bringing you not only one BUT two incredible DJs, Shane Marcus and Bruno Knauer, to debut for this one-of-a-kind party! Are you ready to PLAY with us?

10pm – 3am

Heretic Atlanta

 

Sunday, Nov. 17

DJ Jerac returns to Xion after hours!

3am – 7am

BJ Roosters

 

The PFLAG support group for parents and families of LGBTQ children meets today.

2:30 – 4pm

Spiritual Living Center

 

Broadway actor and (out) entertainer Todrick Hall begins his “Haus Party” tour to the Atlanta Symphony tonight. The tour will feature brand new sets and costumes, as well as some viral online creations, live onstage.

7:30pm

 

Monday, Nov. 18

Trans and Friends is a youth-focused group for trans people, people questioning their gender and aspiring allies, providing a facilitated space to discuss gender, relevant resources and activism around social issues.

6:30 – 8pm

Charis Books and More

 

QUEERS on FILM — a monthly series of LGBTQ+ centric arthouse films — returns to Plaza Theatre tonight. WUSSY Mag, Out on Film, and Plaza Theatre are proud to present a one-night screening of the classic 1995 Todd Solondz dark comedy ‘Welcome to the Dollhouse.” Middle-school student Dawn Weiner (Heather Matarazzo) faces degradation at school — where she is teased constantly — and at home in this instant classic.

7:30pm

 

Tuesday, Nov. 19

From the Women’s Marches to the #MeToo movement, it is clear that feminist activism is alive and well in the twenty-first century. But how does a new generation of activists understand the work of the movement today? In “Speaking of Feminism,” Rachel F. Seidman presents insights from 25 feminist activists from around the United States, ranging in age from 20 to 50. Seidman is interviewed tonight by Park Cannon and Kwajelyn Jackson.

7:30 – 9pm

Charis Books and More 

 

Wednesday, Nov. 20

TEN Atlanta hosts acclaimed musician Robert Ray in Before the Parade, an evening of Broadway and pop standards.

7 and 9pm

 

Thad Stevens hosts Karaoke Night every Wednesday.

9pm

My Sister’s Room

 

Thursday, Nov. 21

Friends on Ponce hosts free Atlanta Poker Club league events every Monday and Thursday. Come out and compete for league points and awesome prizes tonight.

8pm

 

UPCOMING

Friday, Nov. 22

Every Friday at midnight, it’s time to slip on those fishnets and make-up for the greatest live troupe in the city, Lips Down on Dixie, Inc., for a righteous party in front of the big screen for “The Rocky Horror Show.”

Midnight

Plaza Theater

 

Welcome to the Grande Gothic Masquerade Ball hosted by RITUAL. Step into a world of mystery and darkness as we don our masks and return to the Heretic. DJ Alayt and DJ Celebrytie will be making their debut at RITUAL!

10pm – 3am

Heretic Atlanta

 

Saturday, Nov. 23

Start your holiday with some good food and drinks, and some yule-tide gay attire! ABETTERBUZZ is headed back to Woofs for our Holiday Pop Up and Beer Bust! This year, we’re raising money for Action Cycling Atlanta.

4 – 9pm

Woofs Atlanta

 

Jujubee from RuPaul’s Drag Race is the guest headliner for LMAO, a hilarious night of comedy queens featuring comedic drag performances from some of your favorite local performers such as Brigitte Bidet, Phoenix, Iv Fischer, Miss He, Mo’Dest Volgare and Molly Rimswell.

10pm – 3am

My Sister’s Room

 

Dance now or Dan Slater!! Alan Collins Productions is Proud to Present DJ Dan Slater from Australia to spin the beats all night long!

10pm – 3am

Heretic Atlanta