You’ve made it to the weekend and now it’s time to kick back and have some fun. Here are our Best Bets for this weekend and beyond.
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/