Make plans for this weekend and beyond by checking out our extensive calendar

Check out our Best Bets and plan your LGBT weekend

Thursday, Oct. 17

Family Equality Council, nation’s leading advocate for LGBT parents, hosts a reception to learn more about efforts to achieve full equality for our families- especially in light of the Supreme Court’s decision this summer to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), 5 – 7 pm, No Mas Cantina, www.NoMasAtlanta.com

AEN hosts its Third Thursday Networking at 6:30 p.m. at the Georgian Terrace Hotel, www.thegeorgianterrace.com

Charis Books &More and Cliterati pair up to present an inviting and fierce open mic & reading series on the third Thursday of every month, hosted by the anarchic spoken word team of Karen G and Theresa Davis, :30 p.m., www.charisbooksandmore.com

The gay-friendly UK band Little Comets perform tonight at 8:30 p.m. at Center Stage, www.centerstage-atlanta.com

Thursday, Oct. 17 – 19

The first ever LGBT social media conference hosted by Salon website convenes in the ATL, with a number of national speakers and presenters, www.salonlgbtq.com

Friday, Oct. 18

Support a great cause at the Pink Party for breast cancer, 10 – 11 p.m. at Atlanta Eagle, www.atlantaeagle.com

Saturday, Oct 19

Festival on Ponce’s fall arts and crafts festival is this weekend at Olmsted Linear Park,  www.festivalonponce.com

The support group “LGBT Today,” sponsored by ASCORG, on Saturdays at 4:30 p.m. at First MCC Community Center, www.firstmcc.com

SAGE Atlanta hosts a Lesbians 50+ plus potluck, 6 – 8 p.m., Phillip Rush Center, www.rushcenteratl.org

Atlanta Contemporary Art Center brings back Art Party: Noirish, a multi-media event with art and entertainment, 7 p.m. – midnight, www.thecontemporary.org/artparty/

Rod Stewart sings his greatest hits at 7:30 p.m. at Philips Arena as part of his “Live the Life” tour with Steve Winwood joining him, www.philipsarena.com
 
Pop singer, songwriter and musician Todd Careykicks off his “8 Bit Heartbeat” U.S. tour a headlining showtonight at 8 p.m. ’s’s Olde Bar, www.smithsoldebar.com

Get your rock groove on at Mary-oke!, tonight at Mary’s, www.marysatlanta.com

Every Saturday, Angelica Paige leads Midnight Madness at 10th& Piedmont, www.communitashospitality.com/10th-and-piedmont

Sunday, Oct. 20

Miss USA 2012 and HIV/AIDS Activist Nana Meriwether joins “American Idol finalist” RJ Helton for the 23rdannual AIDS Walk at Piedmont Park, www.aidswalkatlanta.com

Sunday evenings are Super Star Sundays – hosted by Phoenix – at the new Lips, with the show getting started at 8 p.m., www.lipsatl.com

On October 20 from 5 to 6 p.m., add a little pink to your plank with Roots Juices, lululemon athletica, Pink Heals Foundation and W Atlanta – Buckhead at W ThinksPink: Core for a Cure. Tickets are $10 and include a one hour yoga session and sips from Roots Juices. Purchase your tickets by visiting www.thinkspinkyoga.eventbrite.com

Providing a place for entertainers new to the stage, Friends Neighborhood Bar presents the New Faces Talent Contest. Produced by Mama Regina Simms, and starring Aqualencia Litre’, New Faces welcomes performers from any genre from singing and dancing to female impersonation. 9 p.m. www.friendsonponce-atl.com

Tuesday, Oct. 22

LGBT friendly recording artist Jesse Ware brings her melancholy vocals to Center Stage tonight beginning at 8 p.m., www.centerstage-atlanta.com/shows

Thursday, Oct. 24

The Restorative Justice Center of Atlanta host the first annual “Diamond on the Half Shell” Benefit at the Atlanta City Hall Atrium from 6 – 9 p.m., with actress and LGBT ally Jasmine Guy, www.restorativejusticecenter.org

Friday-Sunday, Oct. 25 – 27

Join Amnesty International USA’s 2013 Southern Regional Conference in coming together to hear inspiring speakers, participate in informative workshops, make your voice heard in the governance of Amnesty, and network with like-minded activists. Courtyard Marriott Decatur, www.amnestyusa.org/events/regional-conferences/southern-regional-conference

Friday, Oct. 25

The Atlanta Lyric Theatre opens the classic musical “Guys and Dolls” with some openly gay cast members, 8 p.m. at the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre at Cobb Civic Center. www.atlantalyrictheatre.com

Saturday, Oct. 26

The Miss Atlanta Showgirl  2013 event  honors Miss Atlanta Showgirl 2012 Brittany T Moore, with appearances by Miss Atlanta Rising Diva Evah Destruction, Miss Atlanta Grand Diva Evelyn H. Caldwell, former Showgirls Dorae Saunders, Allysa Paige, Summer Knight, and Envy Van Micheals, and hosted by Miss Renaissance- Celeste Holmes, 8 p.m., LeBuzz, www.thenewlebuzz.com

Get your costumes ready for Fairy Tales and Magic, an open bar Halloween party at The Foundry at Puritan Mill, benefitting Jerusalem House, 7 p.m., www.novareevents.com/the-foundry-at-puritan-mill

The , touring in support of their brand new album “Adding Up The Wasted Hours,” visit Atlanta to play at Vinyl at 8 p.m., www.centerstage-atlanta.com/shows/vinyl

Sunday, Oct. 27

PFLAG Support Group hosts its monthly Marietta meeting, 1 – 3 p.m., Pilgrimage United Church of Christ, www.pilgrimageucc.org

Wednesday, Oct. 30

The Los-Angeles based indie rock band Sir Sly, a favorite in the LGBT community, come to The Earl tonight at 8:30 p.m., www.badearl.com

Friday-Saturday, Nov. 1 and 2

The 14th Annual RPC / CEF Creating Opportunity Conference, focusing on realistic solutions for moving the Southeastern region, and the nation, past its economic, educational, and social justice challenges, will be held this weekend at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta, with events all weekend, www.rainbowpushatlanta.org .

Friday, Nov. 1

Mood Rings will be playing at The Loft alongside Cults, at 9 p.m.  www.centerstage-atlanta.com/shows/the-loft

The one year anniversary of “The Other Show” is also a Halloween event with Celeste Holmes, Edie Cheezburger and more, 9:30 p.m., Jungle Atlanta, www.jungleatl.com

Saturday, Nov. 9

PALS Atlanta’s Bingo presents the Manly Miss America Pageant, 6 p.m., Jungle, www.jungleatl.com

Friday, Nov. 15

Sponsored by Someone Cares Atlanta, the 1st Annual National Trans Health Symposium -“The Time Is Now!” – takes place today at The Loudermilk Center, with speakers and panel discussions, www.someonecaresatl.org

Saturday, Nov. 16
Bedlam Presents WackedOutBlackOut 8, with DJ Shane V, 10:30 p.m. – 3 a.m., Jungle Atlanta, www.jungleatl.com