Check out our Best Bets for July 18-July 31

Friday, July 18 and Saturday, July 19

The Indigo Girls hit the Atlanta Botanical Gardens as part of the Concerts in the Garden series, 8 p.m. both evenings, www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org

Friday, July 18

SAGE Atlanta sponsors a Second Hand Rose Thrift Store Visit and Lunch, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., beginning at Finders Keepers, 2130 North Decatur Rd, Decatur, GA 30033

The gay-themed “Yves Saint Laurent” opens at the Midtown Art Cinema, www.landmarktheatres.com
The Third Friday Film Series presents the Oscar nominated “Good Night and Good Luck,” co-sponsored by Atlanta Democratic Socialists of America, at 7:30 p.m. at First Existential Congregation, with donations accepted, http://www.firstexistentialist.org

DJ Ralphi Rosario spins at the Heretic from 9 p.m. – 3 a.m. as a kickoff to Joining Hearts 27, www.hereticatlanta.com

Edie Cheezburger and her usual assortment of special guests present “The Other Show” drag event weekly at Jungle, 9:30 p.m., www.jungleatl.com

It’s Mr/Ms Atlanta Eagle Bar Night w/DJ Ron Pullman, 10 – 11 p.m., Atlanta Eagle, www.atlantaeagle.com

Saturday, July 19

Dr. Jamillah Karim will discuss and sign her book, “American Muslim Women: Negotiating Race, Class, and Gender in the Ummah” today. Co-sponsored by the Clarkston Interfaith Group, the event is free and open to the public, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Clarkston Public Library,
http://www.dekalblibrary.org/branches/clarkston.html

“The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” continues at Serenbe Playhouse, directed by out Brian Clowdus, through August 2, with an 11 a.m. performance today, www.serenbeplayhouse.com

Thomas Hynds leads an identity theft seminar at 11 a.m. at the Phillip Rush Center Annex, www.rushcenteratl.com

It’s back – Joining Heart’s annual pool party is back, raising awareness and funds to provide housing assistance to Atlanta nonprofit HIV/AIDS service organizations for people living with HIV/AIDS. World renowned DJ/remixer/producer Manny Lehman will be headlining the Main Event Pool Party with an opening set by Atlanta’s own DJ Travis, 4 – 11 p.m., Piedmont Park Aquatic Center, www.joininghearts.org

Jungle hosts DJ Aron and vocalist Beth Sacks from 9 p.m. – 3 a.m., for the Joining Hearts afterparty benefiting Joining Hearts, www.jungleatl.com

Sunday, July 20

Up early? Still reveling in Joining Hearts fun? Stop by Xion and hear DJ Alyson Calagna, 3 a.m., www.xionatlanta.com

Join LGBT Dance Atlanta for a Beer Bust to raise funds for AIDS Walk Atlanta and 5K Run. There will be $10 all-you-can-drink beer, raffle prizes, $2 jello shooters and special guest DJ Neon the Glowgobear. 1-5 p.m. at Joe’s on Juniper, www.facebook.com/LGBTDanceAtlanta

Still angry about the Hobby Lobby decision? Join the Feminist Women’s Health Center for Supremely Pissed Shenanigans & Karaoke at My Sister’s Room. Suggested donation is $5 at the door to be used to help FWHC activists. 5-10 p.m., MSR, www.feministcenter.org/rsvp

GA Boy Productions and Jungle Atlanta present the official closing party for Joining Hearts Weekend with a party from 7-midnight at Jungle. On the ones and twos is DJ Kevin Durard. Tickets are $10, www.jungleatl.com

Lindsey Hinkle, Stephanie Callahan and Hannah Thomas join forces for an Eddie’s Attic gig, 7 p.m., www.eddiesattic.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

$2 well drinks are on tap all day and night at Sunday Funday at Bulldogs, 893 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30309

Monday, July 21

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. This is a project of the Feminist Outlawz 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 can make a donation, 7 – 8:30 p.m., www.charisbooksandmore.com

Tuesday, July 22

Dine Out for Charis at Raging Burrito. A donation of proceeds from meals sold between 5-10 p.m. will go toward Charis Circle, www.charisbooksandmore.com

Atlanta Pride Committee is also hosting a Dine Out event, this one at Agave Restaurant. 5-10 p.m., atlantapride.org

Fourth Tuesday Dinner Tuesday is tonight from 6 – 9 p.m. at a Wahoo Grill, www.facebook.com/FourthTuesdayAtlanta

Carapace Raconteurs: HUNGER is the theme for this storytelling group. Bring a five to seven-minute story built around Hunger, 7:30-9 p.m., Manuel’s Tavern, www.carapacestories.com

Recording artist Beck visits the Fox Theatre in support of his newest album, “Morning Phase,” at 8 p.m., www.foxtheatre.org

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

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

Wednesday, July 23

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

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

Sara Bareilles sings some of her greatest hits with her Little Black Dress tour at Chastain Park Ampitheatre, 7 p.m., www.ticketmaster.com

The Advanced Sexuality Series: Transfolks Talk Sex is a panel of trans identified folks talking candidly about their sexual experiences, what they’ve learned about their bodies during their transition and how cisgender people can do better when approaching transgender folks about sex. This event is co-sponsored by Velvet Lips and Charis Circle’s Urban Sustainability and Wellness series. The suggested donation is $10. 7:30 – 9 p.m., Charis Books, www.charisbooksandmore.com

Ian Aber hosts the funny Abear Comedy Show, 8 p.m., Jungle, www.jungleatl.com

Thursday, July 24

Charis hosts Can’t Get Enough! An Erotic Evening with Tenille Brown, in which the veteran erotica author and first-time editor talks about the stories she has collected for the book that highlight the essence of insatiable desire. 7:30 – 9 p.m., Charis Books, www.charisbooksandmore.com

Come 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

Brent Star hosts Game Night at G’s Midtown every Thursday from 9 – 11 p.m., http://www.communitashospitality.com/gs-midtown/

GLITZ: The Queer Moxie Edition featuring DJ 5 Hour Boner and the GLITZ Crue teaming up with the stars of the documentary Queer Moxie. This is a fundraiser to help finish the documentary and a chance for people to catch a sneak peek of the film that is five years in the making. 9 p.m. at Mary’s, www.queermoxie.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, July 25

Join the Southern Bears for “Dinner With the Bears” tonight at the Colonnade, with coffee at 7 p.m. and a meal at 8 p.m., http://colonnadeatl.com

Author Marja Mills discusses her book “The Mockingbird Next Door” tonight. In 2004, Chicago Tribune reporter Marja Mills moved next door to Harper Lee, the renowned and beloved author of “To Kill a Mockingbird.” “The Mockingbird Next Door” details the next 18 months of life with Harper Lee. Fans of Harper Lee will not want to miss this intimate look at the author’s life, as Mills shares a rare portrait of Harper Lee. 7 p.m., First Baptist Church of Decatur, http://fbcdecatur.com/

Charis is thrilled to celebrate the release of “Sinister Wisdom Issue 93: Southern Lesbian-Feminist Herstory 1968-1994.” A panel discussion will be facilitated by Charis Books and More co-owner Sara Look. Panelists include editor Rose Norman, SONG Co-Founder Pat Hussain, writers Lorraine Fontana, Gail Reeder, Lenny Lasatera and Charlene Ball. This is a Charis Circle Founding the Future of Feminism Project. The suggested donation is $5. 7:30 – 9 p.m. Charis Books, www.charisbooksandmore.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

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

Fetish Gear United hosted by Mr. SECC Leather 2014 and the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence to benefit the MISTER Center is a night to wear your favorite fetish gear, enjoy kinky live demos, get some new gear, and a chance to win raffle items. Free and confidential HIV testing will be provided on-site. $5 suggested donation. 10 p.m., Atlanta Eagle, www.atlantaeagle.com

Saturday, July 26

NBA Hall of Fame and two time Olympic basketball champion Nancy Lieberman join forces this evening with Grammy winning Grammy producer Khao Cates to help raise funds for the Nancy Lieberman & WorldVentures Foundation. All proceeds will go toward the Boys and Girls Club to receive their very own DreamCourt to be built at the WW. Woolfolk Location in Fulton County in the fall of 2014, 6 – 9 p.m., Westside Cultural Arts Center, https://www.eventbrite.com/e/atlanta-dreamcourt-fundraising-gala-tickets-12176968641

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

The Sex Assessment: Using Grace to Critique Your Sex Partner is a workshop to give you the tools to critique your partner without hurting their feelings. Role-playing, repetition and dirty talk to gracefully arouse your partner all while qualifying them as ideal sexual partners will be used in the workshop. Hosted by Velvet Lips, 8-10 p.m., 1464 Athens Ave. SW, Atlanta, GA 30310, www.velvetlipsllc.com

It’s Panther Levi/Leather night at the Atlanta Eagle, with the evening serving as a fundraiser for Ahimsa House, 10 – 11 p.m., www.atlantaeagle.com

Join Jordan Michael McCord and friends for a night of drag king fun at My Sister’s Room, www.mysistersroom.com

Gay performer Guyton Maurice performs from 8 – 10 p.m. at the new Vena at Vinings, 3300 Cobb Parkway, Ste. 104, Marietta, GA 30339

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

Sunday, July 27

Backpack in the Park is a fundraiser for For the Kid in All of Us, with admission $30 online or $40 at the door, 12:00 – 3:30 p.m., Cator Woolford Gardens, 815 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30308

Frankly, you’ll give a damn – “Gone With the Wind” screens at 2 p.m. as part of the Coca Cola Film Festival, Fox Theatre, www.foxtheatre.org

Sunday Funday at Ten Atlanta features two parties in one – DJ Rob Reum inside and DJ Rob Ansley on the patio, www.tenatlanta.com

Monday, July 28

The monthly Writing with Intent writing class this month focuses on “Poetry for Prose Writers” and how to use poetry to shake up your internal creative engine. This is a Charis Circle From Margin to Center Literary Program and the suggested donation is $10. Taught by ER Anderson, executive director of Charis Circle. 6:30-8 p.m., www.chariscircle.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, July 29

The Atlanta Dream take on the Connecticut Sun, noon, Philips Arena, www.philipsarena.com

The inaugural meeting of Kidliterate: A book club by Laurel Snyder and Rebekah Goode-Peoples is tonight from 7 – 9 p.m. tonight at Charis Books, www.charisbooksandmore.com

Cockpit Atlanta is the home for You Tubesday ‘90s mix, with VJ Ayem, www.thecockpit-atlanta.blogspot.com/

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

Wednesday, July 30

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

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 show time at 8:45 p.m., www.lipsatl.com

Primetime Wednesdays dance party revs up from 10 p.m. – 3 a.m. at Sutra Lounge, 1136 Crescent Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30309, www.sutraloungeatl.com

Thursday, July 31

The 5th Annual Marietta Rainbow Festival/Marietta Pride will be hosted by The North Georgia Rainbow Coalition and LeBUZZ today through Sunday, August 2, www.rainbowgeorgia.org
An LGBT fundraiser to support Jason Carter’s candidacy for Governor of Georgia is tonight at The Estate in Buckhead, hosted by Tony Conway and “A Legendary Event.” 6 – 8:30 p.m. More information – https://www.facebook.com/events/1428810357399628/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming
UPCOMING

Friday, Aug. 1

Gavin DeGraw and Matt Nathanson perform as part of Concerts in the Garden at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, 7 – 10 p.m., www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org
Saturday, Aug. 2

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, http://www.uuca.org

The Inaugural 5k Run/Walk, part of Marietta Pride, will take place in the historic Marietta Square, beginning at 8 p.m., benefitting the Health Initiative, www.5kequalityrun.org

Sunday, Aug. 3
Phish plays the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park, 7:30 p.m., www.ticketmaster.com
Thursday, Aug. 7

Meak Productions presents the second annual GLBT Career Fair & Technology Center Expo. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Hyatt Atlanta Midtown, with a special networking and happy hour from 4 – 8 p.m., http://lgbtfair.meakproductions.com
Friday, Aug. 8
Jay Brannon performs with opening act Richard Parsons. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with Parsons taking the stage at 8 p.m. and Brannon taking the stage at 8:45 p.m. Brannon is touring for his new album, “Always, Then & Now.” At Eddie’s Attic, www.eddiesattic.com

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

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 charlottepride.org

Saturday, August 23

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, Kymora 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 and showtime is 6:30 p.m., www.jungleatl.com