Check out our Best Bets for Aug. 1-Aug. 15

FRIDAY, AUG. 1
Gavin DeGraw and Matt Nathanson perform as part of Concerts in the Garden at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, 7 – 10 p.m., www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org

Halcyon brings its guitar wizardry to Eddie’s Attic tonight, 7:30 p.m., www.eddiesattic.com

Hannah Thomas comes back to Atlanta for a Writer’s Round show with Emily Kate Boyd and Sylvia Rose. Thomas recently opened for Indigo Girls at the Atlanta Botanical Garden and has been touring with Kristian Bush of Sugarland and Anti- gone Rising. 8 p.m. at Steve’s Live Music in Sandy Springs, www.steveslivemusic.com

Mary’s hosts its raucous Boys Room party with DJ Headmaster, www.marysatlanta.com It’s Pump Friday Nights at the Heretic, 10 p.m., www.hereticatlanta.com

SATURDAY, AUG. 2
Fall Rugby 101 with the Atlanta Bucks introduces new players to the game. There will be 
a scrimmage and then cookout and social to follow. 9:30 a.m., Walker Park, 224 Memorial Terrace SE, Atlanta, GA 30316, www.facebook.com/atlantabucks

“The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” closes
at Serenbe Playhouse today, directed by out Brian Clowdus, with an 11 a.m. performance, www.serenbeplayhouse.com

The Atlanta Gender Variations: Parents of gender variant/trans children support group meets in Atlanta from 2 – 4 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta, www.uuca.org

Eat some good food and enjoy quality female company at the Lesbian 50+ Potluck Social, sponsored by SAGE Atlanta, 6 – 8 p.m.,
Rush Center, www.rushcenteratl.org

Watch Meryl Streep have fun and Pierce Brosnan try to sing at the Fox Theatre’s screening of “Mamma Mia,” part of the Coca-Cola Film Festi- val, tonight at 7:30 p.m., www.foxtheatre.org

It’s time to get out of the city and into the glow of the Red Light District of the River’s Edge Campground, hosted by Patrick & Todd on camp- sites 68 & 69. The evening will feature DJ Diablo Rojo of Atlanta’s ManShaft events spinning music. Red theme attire is requested. 8 p.m. – midnight, The River’s Edge, www.CampTheRiversEdge.com

The Atlanta Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and The Atlanta Eagle present Jockstrap Sister Twister, 9 – 11 p.m., Atlanta Eagle, www.atlantaeagle.com

The Atlanta Bucks Rugby Football Club has teamed up with the Charlotte Royals Rugby Football Club to compete in the Bingham Cup this year hosted in Sydney, Australia. The Send-Off
Party is tonight with drinks, gummy bear shooters and no cover before 11 p.m., 10 p.m. – 3 a.m., Heretic, www.hereticatlatlanta.com

SUNDAY, AUG. 3
The Atlanta Dream take on the New York Liberty at Philips Arena, 3 p.m., www.philipsarena.com

Enjoy a matinee of the Weird Sisters Theatre Project’s new lesbian-themed “Late: A Cowboy Song” at 6 p.m. this evening at Actor’s Express, www.actorsexpress.com

Celebrate Friends on Ponce’s 10th anniversary featuring a free buffet while it lasts, plenty of games including pool, darts and poker, and a night of entertainment with one of Atlanta’s most beloved entertainers, Miss Regina “Boom Boom” Simmons, 6 p.m. to midnight,www.friendsonponce-atl.com

MONDAY, AUG. 4
The Pride Kickball Summer League has games on Monday nights at 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at Piedmont Park, sponsored by Blake’s on the Park. For more information, visit www.GoKickball.com/Atlanta

Trans and Friends: a Project of the Feminist Outlawz is a youth focused group for trans people, people questioning their own gender, and aspiring allies, providing a facilitated space to discuss gender, relevant resources, and activism around social issues. This is a project of the Feminist Outlawz. This event is co-sponsored by Charis Circle’s Strong Families, Whole Children Program. There is no suggested donation for youth participants of this program but adults and allies may make a donation in support . 7 – 8:30 p.m., Charis Books, www.charisbooksandmore.com

The Atlanta chapter of PFLAG meets tonight, 7:30 – 9 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta, www.uuca.org

TUESDAY, AUG. 5
Two Step Tuesdays offer free two-step, waltz and swing lessons from 8 – 9 p.m. before an open dance from 9 – 11 p.m., Heretic, www.hereticatlanta.com

Cockpit Atlanta is the home for YouTubesday ‘90s mix, with VJ Ayem, www.facebook.com/cockpit.atlanta

Team Trivia with Wil, 9 – 11 p.m., Atlanta Hideaway, www.atlantahideaway.com

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 6
$5 tacos, tequila and beer are on tap at Amsterdam Atlanta from 6 – 11 p.m., www.amsterdamatlanta.com

Karaoke Wednesdays brings together DJ M and Twee as well as hosts Jack Daddi and Missy Come, thousands of songs and $5 Smirnoff drinks, My Sister’s Room, www.mysistersroom.com

Do the Time Warp at Actor’s Express with a new production of the cult classic
“The Rocky Horror Show,” running through August 9, with a performance tonight at 8 p.m., www.actorsexpress.com

THURSDAY, AUG. 7
SAGE Atlanta hosts its social hour with games and more, 10 – 11 a.m., Phillip Rush Center, www.rushcenteratl.org

LeBUZZ hosts a king show featuring the South’s largest cast of drag kings—hosted by Niko Giavanni— as well as a dance party, www.thenewlebuzz.com

Decadence: A Night of Drinking and Debauchery is every Thursday starting at 10 p.m., hosted by Adam Bland and Ashley Mitchell with beats by DJ Daryl Cox. A wet underwear contest begins at 11 p.m, with a cash prize and dancers galore, TEN Atlanta, www.tenatlanta.com

FRIDAY, AUG. 8 – SUNDAY, AUG. 10
Southeast Black and Blue Weekend is Aug. 8 -10 and is a weekend long event of BDSM classes and demos all centered at the Atlanta Eagle. Tickets available at www.picatic.com and a full schedule of events available at www.sebbevents.com

FRIDAY, AUG. 8

Jay Brannan performs with opening act Richard Parsons. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with Parsons taking the stage at 8 p.m. and Brannan taking the stage at 8:45 p.m. Brannan is touring for his new album, “Always, Then & Now.” At Eddie’s Attic, www.eddiesattic.com

The Shout Show is a monthly showcase of LGBT artists – musicians, poets and filmmakers—at the Rush Center Annex, 7 – 9 p.m., www.rushcenteratl.org

The M4M Hardbody Revue, hosted by Envy Van Michaels, is a competition for men with a $100 cash prize weekly, LeBUZZ, www.thenewlebuzz.com

Traxx Girls night at My Sister’s Room offers drink specials, great music and lots of beautiful women, 10 p.m., www.mysistersroom.com

SATURDAY, AUG. 9
Atlanta-based, internationally touring singer/songrwriter Doria Roberts headlines the Variety Playhouse for her 12th annual birthday show. There will be cupcakes. ‘Nuff said. Doors open at 7 p.m., www.variety-playhouse.com, www.reverbnation.com/doriaroberts

“Let’s Make a Deal,” hosted by Ken, rounds up contestants tonight at Friends on Ponce,
6 – 10 p.m., www.friendsonponce-atl.com

Blakes hosts Glitter Bomb, 75 minutes of high-energy illusion, at 11 p.m., www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com

Monica Van Pelt presents Synergy at 11 p.m. at Burkhart’s, www.burkharts.com

SUNDAY, AUG. 10
Still up? Come dance to the sounds of DJ Ana Paula at 3 a.m. at Xion, www.cariocaproductions.com/
$2 well drinks are on tap all day and night at Sunday Funday at Bulldogs, 893 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30309

Keyshia Cole comes to Atlanta for her Point of No Return tour with special guest Adrian Marcel. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., show starts at 7:30 p.m., the Tabernacle, www.tabernacleatl.com

Angelica D’Paige and friends—including Brent Star and Destiny Brooks—purr up fun at Sex Kitten, with $5 burgers and Smirnoff cocktails, 8 p.m. at 10th and Piedmont, www.communitashospitality.com/10th-and- piedmont/promotions/Sex-Kitten-with-Angelica-DPaige

MONDAY, AUG. 11

Get to know Real Youth, a new organization for LGBTQ youth and allies in Atlanta. Organizers will give an overview of the group, introduce the board members and host an open dialogue for the community. 7-9 p.m., Philip Rush Center, www.facebook.com/RealYouthAtl

Making Space: A Community Writing Group for Activists, Healers, and Every Day Heroes is a writing group for those who work, move or spend time serving others through human service and community professions (psychologists, educators, social workers, etc). The group will use writing as a means for deepening understandings of private and public journeys, relation- ships, work and how we make space for ourselves (or don’t) in the midst of it all. This is a Charis Circle From Margin to Center Literary Program. The suggested donation is $10. 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., Charis Books, www.charisbooksandmore.com

Playwright and author Pearl Cleage visits the Stonecrest Library to read and sign copies of her new book “Things I Should Have Told My Daughter: Lies, Lessons & Love Affairs.” This is a Georgia Center for the Book Event. It is free and open to the public. 7 p.m., http://dekalblibrary.org

Monday Night Trivia, emceed by Wild Cherry Sucret, offers chances to win up to $250 in cash and prizes, 11 p.m. at Blake’s, www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com

TUESDAY, AUG. 12
Stories on the Square is an open mic event for true personal stories to be told within a max seven minute time limit. At the Famous Pub, 7:30-9 p.m., www.facebook.com/storiesonthesquare

Ruby Redd and Angelica D’Paige are the emcees of Drageoke, 10:30 p.m. at Burkhart’s, www.burkharts.com

Join Charis Circle for an all-day dine out at Apres Diem. Stop by on your midtown lunch break, before your afternoon grocery shopping at Trader Joes or for a night cap and dessert after catching a movie next door. Mention you are dining out for Charis Circle and Apres Diem will donate 15 percent of your check to support the work of Charis Circle. 11:30 a.m. to midnight, http://apresdiem.com/

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 13
Loosen up and settle in for some exercise with yoga at the MISTER Center, 5:30 p.m., www.mistercenter.org

Volunteer Days and Nights is a great opportunity to gather with other invested Feminist Women’s Health Center volunteers and make new connections and friendships. You’re guaranteed to meet other feminists when you lend a helping hand. 6 – 8:30 p.m. Munchies and drinks provided! Email
nextwave@feministcenter.org for more details or go here to RSVP: www.feministcenter.org

Join the Decatur Women’s Sports League for bowling every Wednesday night this summer at 7 p.m. at Suburban Lanes, atlantasuburbanlanes.com

Get your boogie on! PALS Atlanta hosts Disco Bingo, with hosts Bubba D. Licious, Kimora Layou and Brent Star, 7:30 p.m., Jungle, www.jungleatl.com

Wednesday night is Piano Night with David Reed at Mixx Atlanta, www.mixxatlanta.com
Monica Van Pelt, Angelica D’Paige and Viola Chachki are the hosts for Lips Atlanta’s Bitchy Bingo event, with showtime at 8:45 p.m., www.lipsatl.com

Primetime Wednesdays dance party revs up from 10 p.m. – 3 a.m. at Sutra Lounge, www.sutraloungeatl.com

THURSDAY, AUG. 14
The “From Charm to Harm: The Guide to Spot- ting, Naming, and Stopping Emotional Abuse in Intimate Relationships” book launch party is tonight. Atlanta psychotherapist and author Amy Lewis Bear will talk about ten emotional abuse tactics that are difficult to recognize
and what to do about them. She will answer questions and sign books. This is a Charis Circle Urban Sustainability and Wellness event; the suggested donation is $5. 7:30 – 9 p.m., Charis Books, www.charisbooksandmore.com

Atlanta Fuck Yeah! is back again with the August edition of its monthly free show at Star Bar. Join host Noe Goldfarb Gonzalez as he presents music by Dylan Michael, R. Garcia and the Nerd Parade, Waking The Bates and Cinema Novo, 9 p.m., The Star Bar Atlanta, www.starbar.net
Brent Star hosts Game Night at G’s Midtown every Thursday from 9 – 11 p.m., www.communitashospitality.com/gs-midtown

UPCOMING
FRIDAY, AUG. 15
MEAK Productions presents a pre-anniversary event/Black Gay Pride fundraiser. Details forth- coming, www.facebook.com/meakproductions

High Heels & High Time is a femme variety show to benefit Charis Circle, with perform- ers including Sid Robinson, Malika Freydberg, Al Schlong, Hanne Blank, Kenyetta Chinwe, Fiona Zedde, Adriana and Kathleen Delaney- Adams, as well as a bake sale. Tickets
are $10, 7:30 – 9:30 p.m., Charis Books, www.charisbooksandmore.com

All hail Madge. It’s the annual Madonna-rama party with an entire evening of her music. DJ Diablo Rojo will be spinning the beats and showing tons of videos, live performances, mash-ups, b-sides,
remixes and rarities. Y’all are encouraged to dress up in your fave Madonna looks. Come
early to one of the biggest parties of the year.
10 p.m., Mary’s, www.marysatlanta.com

SATURDAY, AUG. 16-SUNDAY, AUG. 17
Charlotte Pride 2014 will be held in Uptown Charlotte this weekend. Each year the fest attracts more than 80,000 people. More info at www.charlottepride.org

TUESDAY, AUG. 19
Tori Amos comes to town with her new studio album, “Unrepentant Geraldines,” 8 p.m., Cobb Energy Per- forming Arts Centre, www.cobbenergycentre.com

THURSDAY, AUG. 21
History of Black Gay Atlanta Pride Press Conference and Media Mixer hosted by Meak Productions will feature organizations, event producers and club promoters participating in the annual Atlanta Black Gay Pride event over Labor Day Weekend. 7 p.m., Hyatt Atlanta Midtown, www.facebook.com/meakproductions

FRIDAY, AUG. 22
The 2014 AGLCC Community Awards Dinner will recognize local LGBT businesses and business professionals. This event is the culminating celebration for a year of advancing, networking, and educating Atlanta’s LGBT community. 7 – 19 p.m., Atlanta Marriott Marquis. Tickets available at www.atlantagaychamber.org

SATURDAY, AUG. 23
The 2nd annual Ready for Hope pool party is today with DJ Neon, 12 noon to 5 p.m. Money raised will go to AID Atlanta, 1293 Woodland Ave. SE, Atlanta, GA 30316

The Guys as Dolls show is a drag extravaganza featuring a bevy of beauties to raise money for the 2014 AIDS Walk. Featured performers include Tara Kotta, Kimora Layou, Sue Nami, Paige Turner, Stella D’oro, Misti Shores, Charlene Boufontaine, Regina Carter, Jordan Mathews, East Point Possums, Berlinda Wall, Holly Walden and the comedy talents of Bob Killough. Proceeds donated to Ready For Hope. Tickets are $8 in advance/$10 at the door. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and showtime is 6:30 p.m., Jungle, www.jungleatl.com

Aerosmith’s Let Rock Rule tour comes to the ATL with special guest Slash. 7:30 p.m., Philips Arena, www.philipsarena.com

SUNDAY, AUG. 31
The Ladies at Play Atlanta Labor Day Sunday Bash is tonight at Tongue & Groove, with DJ LilBad AzzDj E, Thundersnatch drummer Krystal Meth, and DJ Deejay Frye, and VIP options available,
10 p.m. – 2:30 a.m., www.tandgonline.com