LGBT Atlanta Best Bets for July 22 – Aug. 4

Friday, July 22

“Absolutely Fabulous” opens today in area theaters, much to the delight of gay fans, www.foxsearchlight.com/absolutelyfabulous/

Join the Atlanta Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (AGLCC) for the 4th Friday Networking Night to mix and mingle with LGBT and allied business professionals at Henry’s Midtown Tavern, hosted by Mass Mutual. 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., henrysatl.com

It’s time to boogie again, ladies, at Women’s Outdoor Network’s Disco Night, complete with some old favorites and some new ones. This is open to all women and no admission fee is required. 7 – 11 p.m., Heretic, www.hereticatlanta.com

Out director Brian Clowdus presents the musical “Miss Saigon” tonight at Serenbe Playhouse at 8 p.m., running through August 7. Yes, a live helicopter will land every night! www.serenbeplayhouse.com

Saturday, July 23

Atlanta Pride invites LGBTQ families and kids of all ages to enjoy a day of picnic, games, kids’ yoga, painting, and more! This event is free and open to the public. Donations are welcome. 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Glenlake Park, 1121 Church St, Decatur GA, 30030. Please call (404) 377-7231 with questions

The Human Rights Campaign invites you to their inaugural tennis social – Serving for Equality. Players of all skill levels are welcome to participate in this doubles event, and will receive a gift bag with a retail value of over $40. Don’t have a doubles partner? HRC will pair you up with other players and you can make some new friends along the way. Each ticket purchased goes towards HRC’s important mission of LBGTQ equality in Atlanta and across the country. The event will have a DJ, food, cocktails, a silent auction, and a photo booth to enjoy while you cheer on your friends as they serve aces for equality. 6 – 10 p.m., Sharon Lester Tennis Center, www.hrc.org/sfeatlanta

DJ extraordinaire Vicki Powell starts a new monthly party, Deep South, tonight, with special guest Nark from Seattle, 10 p.m., Heretic, www.hereticatlanta.com

Lydia Prim spins at Jungle, www.jungleatl.com

“Looking: The Movie” premieres on HBO at 10 p.m. tonight, wrapping up the beloved series starring Jonathan Groff, www.hbo.com

Sunday, July 24

For the Kid in All of Us invites you to the 11th annual Backpack in the Park. This summer garden party collects backpacks filled with school supplies to help Georgia’s most vulnerable students start the school year on the right foot. The back-to-school benefit returns to Cator Woolford Gardens at the Frazer Center, where the afternoon will include a delicious brunch buffet by Zest Catering, festive beverages, live entertainment, a raffle drawing and garden games. To attend, simply donate a backpack ($30 at forthekid.org, $40 at the door) or sign up to become a VIP donor, which will allow entrance to Backpack in the Park, Toy Party & Silent Auction, plus exciting member benefits throughout the year. 12 – 3:30 p.m., The Cator Woolford Gardens, 1815 S Ponce de Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30307

Join the staff and Board of Directors of Out Front Theatre Company for a Sunday Funday Fundraiser filled with cold drinks, unbelievable food (provided by Bridge Catering) and live performances by Robert Ray and featuring songs from the upcoming production of “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert: The Musical,” 4 p.m., 29 Peachtree Circle, Atlanta, GA 30309

Monday, July 25

In the mood for cards? Play Texas Hold’ Em at 8:30 p.m., Friends on Ponce, www.friendsonponce-atl.com/

Tuesday, July 26

Lips Atlanta hosts a fundraiser for the film “Tradition,” a short format parody of the classic “Fiddler On The Roof” about a south Georgia farmer who discovers his son is gay. The event will include a live reading by Tony Award winner Shuler Hensley and Steve Coulter from “The Walking Dead.” 7-9 p.m., tickets available at www.TraditionTheFilm.com

Join Sibling Rivalry Press authors Theresa Davis, Brent Calderwood, Jessie Carty, Collin Kelley, Megan Volpert, Kaveh Akbar and special guest SRP publisher Bryan Borland for an evening of poetry. The writers will be reading from new and favorite works, as well as talking about their experiences with the award-winning small press. Borland will discuss SRP’s exciting transition to a nonprofit, which will create even more opportunities for authors. This event is presented by Poetry Atlanta and Georgia Center for the Book. Books will be available for sale. 7:15 – 8:30 p.m., Georgia Center for the Book, 215 Sycamore St, Decatur, Georgia 30030

Join The Hideaway tonight for Tuesday Trivia w/ Jason Walker, 8:30 p.m., atlantahideaway.com/

J’s Lounge is the home for Rainbow Tuesdays, with Dymond Onasis and Nicole Paige Brooks leading the fun and DJ Destin providing house music, 1995 Windy Hill Road #1, Smyrna, GA 30080

Wednesday, July 27

Enjoy free pool at Bulldogs, 893 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30309

Monica Van Pelt and Bubba D. Licious host Bitchy Bingo tonight, with all sorts of drag performances, Lips Atlanta, www.atldragshow.com/

Thursday, July 28

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

Join Atlanta Pride and Outworlders for a night of gaming. The event will offer more than 50 games from strategy to charades, 6- 10 p.m., Rush Center Annex, www.rushcenteratl.org

On Thursday, June 2, 70 members of the Atlanta LGBT community came together to talk, disagree, give and get going on some action after Orlando. A lot of important first steps came out of the meeting and Charis continues that tonight. The event name has been changed to “Strategies for a Trans Queer Future Following Orlando” to reflect the collective understanding of the need to not subsume trans identities under the queer umbrella and re-enter trans voices in this conversation. All are welcome, whether or not they could attend the first meeting. 7:30 – 9:30 p.m., Charis Books, www.charisbooksandmore.com

The Pretty Girl Hideout Thursdays is tonight, hosted by Mook Dahost, Soul Bar at Pal’s Lounge, 254 Auburn Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30303, www.traxxgirls.com

Friday, July 29

Stage Door Players is mounting a version of “Kiss Me, Kate,” featuring a celebrated score by Cole Porter, tonight at 8 p.m. running through August 7, www.stagedoorplayers.net

Zaida and the rest of the Wussy Mag team are back to bring you Queer Atlanta’s biggest FU femme-fest! Special guest NYC-based queer rapper Mister Wallace will be on hand. The event, hosted by Hydrangea Heath, Melissa Coffey, Nicolette Ulta and Pity Soiree, will feature a LEWk contest, photobooth portraits and music by DJ College Lesbian (Chris Neutral) and Ree de la Vega, 10 p.m. – 3 a.m., Heretic, www.hereticatlanta.com

Saturday, July 30

Join Woofs Atlanta as participants raise money for Pets Are Loving Support as part of Push Ups for P.A.L.S, 2 – 6 p.m., www.woofsatlanta.com

Actor’s Express opens Stephen Sondheim’s “Company” tonight, with a cast including Libby Whittemore, 8 p.m., through September 4, www.actorsexpress.com

What’s your fantasy? RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Phoenix kicks off your Saturday night in style with Fantasy Girls, including a diverse cast of amazing performances. Doors open at 8 p.m., Jungle cabaret room, www.jungleatl.com

DJ Tommy spins at 9 p.m. at BJ Roosters, 2043 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324

The Atlanta Eagle hosts Kinked, presented by Southeast Black and Blue and featuring DJ Chris Kind and all sorts of kinks and BDSM demos, 10 p.m., www.atlantaeagle.com

Sunday, July 31

Stan Jackson spins at 3 a.m. at Xion Atlanta, www.facebook.com/events/221621694857244/

Come enjoy brunch at My Sister’s Room, with doors opening at 12:30 p.m., with mimosa specials and $4.99 all you can eat pancakes, www.mysistersroom.com
Team Friendly Georgia’s Sports Gear Theme Party is today from 3 – 7 p.m. at the Atlanta Eagle, www.atlantaeagle.com

Join Raquell, Evah, Peaches, Shawnna and Nichelle for Midtown Rouge, tonight at 8:30 p.m. at Blake’s, www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com

Monday, August 1

PFLAG Atlanta hosts its support group meeting tonight, 7:30 – 9 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta, www.uuca.org

Tuesday, August 2

Belt our your best Cher at DRAG-eoke with Angelica D’Paige, 10:30 p.m., Burkhart’s. www.burkharts.com

Wednesday, August 3

Join Atlanta Pride for It Happens to Us, Too, a presentation and facilitated discussion on the dynamics of intimate partner violence in LGBTQ relationships. The discussion will touch on experiences, challenges and barriers involved, as well as current services available to help. This event is free and open to the public. 6 – 8 p.m., Rush Center Annex, www.rushcenteratl.org

Thursday, August 4

Building on the activist tradition of consciousness raising groups, each month Charis Books invites community members to join The Personal is Political, a lightly facilitated group to talk about issues in their personal lives or in society as a whole that they are trying to process or deconstruct. The group will then use intersectional feminist strategies as tools to help talk through those issues, 7:30 – 9 p.m., www.charisbooksandmore.com

UPCOMING

Saturday, August 6

Come find your daddy at the DILF night at Woof’s Atlanta, www.woofsatlanta.com

Tuesday, August 9

Out actor Anthony Rapp is part of the cast of the Tony-nominated musical “If/Then,” opening at the Fox Theatre tonight at 7:30 p.m. and running through August 14, www.foxtheatre.org

Thursday, August 11

Do you want to make a difference in the lives of homeless or at-risk LGBTQ youth in Atlanta? Lost-n-Found Youth needs your help! Join them today to learn about the organization, its youth and volunteer opportunities, Lost-n-Found Youth. 2585 Chantilly Dr NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30324

Friday, August 12

Atlanta Pride presents the Stride into Pride event at Six Flags today, beginning at 10 a.m. and lasting until midnight. Enjoy a day of fun by watching live show entertainment, eating tasty snacks and riding some of your favorite thrilling coasters! Once you have sufficiently screamed your heart out, then get ready for an exclusive party at 7 p.m., www.sixflags.com/overgeorgia/special-events/stride-into-pride

Thursday, August 18

The Alliance Theatre opens the highly anticipated musical “The Prom,” about a high school student who wants to bring her girlfriend to the prom with her – and all hell breaks loose. 7:30 p.m., through September 25, www.alliancetheatre.org