LGBT Atlanta Best Bets for Feb. 24 – Mar. 2

Friday, Feb. 24

February’s RITUAL Steampunk Party with DJs Seraph and Eschar is perfect for all Victorianaphiles and time-traveling enthusiasts. Have a go, invite your mad scientist consorts and wayward women alike. We all love tea parties, but come now… who says drinking and dancing with friends isn’t way more fun? 10 p.m. – 3 a.m., Heretic Atlanta, 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com

For nearly three decades, Brazil’s Balé Folclórico da Bahia has electrified stages and delighted critics around the world with its exuberant interpretations of traditional Brazilian folk dance. The dancers, musicians, and singers routinely bring audiences to their feet—and into the aisles!—with high-energy performances combining African dance (passed down by Brazil’s black population since the days of slavery), capoeira (Afro-Brazilian martial arts), samba, and even elements of Brazil’s famed Carnival. Don’t miss this “get out of your seat and dance” party at the Rialto! 8 – 10 p.m., Rialto Center for the Arts
80 Forsyth St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303, http://rialto.gsu.edu/event/bale-folclorico-da-bahia/?instance_id=10708

Saturday, Feb. 25

Saturday, Feb. 25: Purim Off Ponce is SOJOURN’s (Southern Jewish Resource Network for Gender and Sexual Identity) annual fundraiser. Now in its eleventh year, Purim off Ponce has been known as one of Atlanta’s greatest costume parties, with great drinks, dancing and drag queens! Purim off Ponce 2017 – this year named Hollywood – honors the work of Rabbis Michael Bernstein and Pamela Gottfried. In recognition of their longtime support of SOJOURN, Rabbis Bernstein and Gottfried will receive the Michael Jay Kinsler Rainmaker Award. 7:30 – 11:30 p.m., Le Fais do-do, 1611 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd. N.W., Atlanta, GA 30318. Tickets available at www.sojourngsd.org/purim/

Voices of Note presents “Life’s Journey” tonight. In its second concert of the season, the Atlanta Women’s Chorus reflects on themes of love, loss and unity, ultimately imagining a world where every person’s story is heard and celebrated. In designing the program, Artistic Director Dr. Melissa Arasi drew inspiration from an article written by Sir Winston Churchill. 2 and 8 p.m., Druid Hills Presbyterian Church, 1026 Ponce de Leon Ave., Atlanta, GA 30306, www.voicesofnote.org/events/lifes-journey/

Come see recent expansion projects at the Rush Center Open House and enjoy birthday cake for what would have been Phillip Rush’s 63rd birthday, 2 – 4 p.m., 328 Mell Ave, Suite B, Atlanta, GA 30307, www.rushcenteratl.org

The Lost-n-Found Youth Variety Show will feature performances by Lost-n-Found Youth. Bubba D. Licious will serve as emcee and DJ Bill Berdeaux will spin your favorite tunes. Come out, support the youth, enjoy some entertainment and bring tip money. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the show is from 6 – 8 p.m., Jungle Atlanta, 2115 Faulkner Road N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30324, www.jungleatl.com

Fade to Mind presents the sixth installment of Morph ATL with DJs Leonce, Divoli S’Vere, C Poweres, Nohighs and Anonima and visuals provided by Greg Hornak, 10 p.m. – 3 a.m., Space 2, 485 Edgewood Ave. S.E., Atlanta, GA 30312, www.facebook.com/events/450000308664328/

Sunday, Feb. 26

“Moonlight” or “La La Land?” The Academy Awards are tonight and Out Front Theatre Company and Out On Film are hosting an Oscar party/fundraiser, with an Oscar pool, door prizes, food and drink and more, 7 p.m., Out Front Theatre, 999 Brady Ave. N.W., Atlanta, Georgia 30318, www.outonfilm.org

Monday, Feb. 27

Award-winning poets Karen Head and Collin Kelley will read their poetry round-robin style tonight, selecting poems on the fly to find common themes, moods and imagery. You never know what they’ll read next … and neither do they. Georgia Center for the Book at DeKalb County Public Library, 215 Sycamore St. Decatur, GA 30030, www.facebook.com/events/1213354188717822

Tuesday, Feb. 28

Celebrate Mardi Gras at the Louisiana Bistreaux Decatur, with live music from The Matt Wauchope Trio, the best hurricane cocktail east of the bayou and the restaurant’s famous crawfish, gumbo, jamabalaya and more. Grab a mask and beads at the door and join the Fat Tuesday fun all day, 6 – 10 p.m., Louisiana Bistreaux Decatur, 1496 Church St., Suite E-G, Decatur, GA 30030, www.facebook.com/events/1824059957842306/

Wednesday, March 1

Bring out your inner Melissa Etheridge at karaoke night at My Sister’s Room, with no cover and food and drink specials, 9 p.m., 66 12 St. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.mysistersroom.com

Thursday, March 2

SAGE Atlanta’s social hour begins at 10 a.m., followed by a program/meeting at 11 a.m., Phillip Rush Center Annex, 15630 DeKalb Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.rushcenteratl.org

The Emory Office of LGBT Life presents the 2017 Pride Awards honoring the outstanding transgender advocate of the year, ally of the year, alum of the year and more. Light refreshments at 6:30 p.m. followed by the awards program at 7 p.m., Miller-Ward Alumni House, 815 Houston Mill Road N.E., Atlanta, GA 30329, tinyurl.com/annualprideawards

Come have a corn dog and lots of fun as Brent Star hosts Drag Bingo at 8 p.m. at Pallookaville, 17 N. Avondale Road, Avondale Estates, GA 30002

UPCOMING

Friday, March 3

Don’t miss the highly acclaimed Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs tonight at Atlanta Symphony Hall, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.aso.org

Saturday, March 4

Join the March Against Hate as local Georgia activists join forces with major groups to show the world that we can overcome the discrimination many people face on a daily basis. As one united front, the community can be a force that cannot be broken. 2 p.m., Georgia World Congress Center, 285 Andrew Young International Blvd. NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30313