Check out our Best Bets from Jan. 3 — Jan. 17
FRIDAY, JAN. 3
Furry Disco Balls with DJ Headmaster and Cousin Oliver. Macho men and dancing diva looks are encouraged, 9 p.m., Mary’s, www.marysatlanta.com
The Other Show is every Friday and features such drag icons as Edie Cheezburger, Violet Chachki and Jaye Lish. 9 p.m., Jungle, www.jungleatl.com
Fur Friday Nights featuring DJ TBD at 10 p.m., Atlanta Heretic, www.hereticatlanta.com
Atlanta Eagle owner Robby Kelly celebrates his 50th birthday tonight with a bash from 10 – 11 p.m., www.atlantaeagle.com
SATURDAY, JAN. 4
The Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library (MARBL) at Emory University is debuting its first exhibit of materials from its LGBT collections, through May at the MARBL gallery on level 10 of the Robert W. Woodruff Library, www.marbl.library.emory.edu
PFLAG hosts the parents of gender variant/trans children support group meeting today from 2 – 4 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta, www.uuca.org
Featuring fun and all sorts of intertwined body parts, The Atlanta Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and The Atlanta Eagle bring you Jockstrap Sister Twister, raising money for the Sisters grant program, 9 – 11 p.m., Atlanta Eagle, www.atlantaeagle.com
The Divas Cabaret, starring Destiny Brooks, Heather Daniels, Iysis Dupree, Kitty Love and special guests, begins at 11 p.m., with DJ Birdman spinning before and after, LeBuzz, www.thenewlebuzz.com
Gurlfrandz presents “Legendary Children” with Brigitte Bidet, Ella/saurus/REX, Cayenne Rouge, Violet Chachki and Mo’Dest Volgare presenting some “sickening performances.” There will also be the Atlanta premiere of a 9-minute short film starring these queens and Nicole Paige Brooks, produced and directed by Jon Dean and Blake England. There’s more ― Ree de la Vega from Bitch, Please! Will be spinning for the dance party after the show. Dress up in your most fierce attire and you might win something! 11 p.m., Mary’s, www.marysatlanta.com
Atlanta’s Best Dance Party features New York DJ Mike Cruz. Guest appreciation night and no cover. 11 p.m., Jungle, www.jungleatl.com
SUNDAY, JAN. 5
Lips Atlanta is the home for Dinner With the Divas, hosted by Savannah Leigh and Stiletto, with all sorts of celebrity impersonators. The bar opens at 6 p.m. with show at 7:45 p.m., Lips Atlanta, www.lipsatl.com
MONDAY, JAN. 6
Ten Atlanta hosts free Texas Hold’em Poker, 7 p.m., www.tenatlanta.com
The PFLAG Atlanta support group meets tonight, 7:30 – 9 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta, www.uuca.org
TUESDAY, JAN. 7
Are you queer or LGBTQ identified and struggling with a recent divorce, separation, or breakup? The LGBTQ Divorce Group is a discussion group in an environment that is supportive of the unique challenges queer and trans people sometimes face when going through a breakup. This group will meet bimonthly and is facilitated by Nicole Gilkey, MSW. This is an Urban Sustainability and Wellness Program and the suggested donation is $5 but no one will be turned away. 7 – 8:30 p.m., Charis Books, www.charisbooksandmore.com
The Feminist Women’s Health Center hosts a Special Screening: Scenes from the HB954 debates, aka the ‘Women as Livestock’ bill. HB 954 supporter state Rep. Terry England (R-Auburn) compared pregnant women to the cows and pigs on his farm. England stated that if farmers have to “deliver calves, dead or alive,” then a woman carrying a dead fetus, or one not expected to survive, should be forced to carry it to term. Discussion will follow. RSVP at www.feministcenter.org/rsvp
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 8
Join Bubba Dee and special guests for the monthly PALS Bingo, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m., Jungle Atlanta, www.jungleatl.com
Actor’s Express opens the gay themed comedy/drama “Six Degrees of Separation,” directed by its artistic director Freddie Ashley, 8 p.m. tonight, www.actorsexpress.com
Hip Hop Karaoke is all the rage tonight at 8 p.m. at My Sister’s Room, www.mysistersroom.com
Adult performer Charlie Harding hosts his “Hard Body” contest with all sorts of hotties, beginning at 11 p.m. at Blake’s, www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com
THURSDAY, JAN. 9
Make some new friends as SAGE Atlanta sponsors its weekly meeting/social event, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. State Rep. Karla Drenner is special guest speaker, Phillip Rush Center, www.rushcenteratl.org
Find out more about marriage equality as Georgia Equality and Lambda Legal host a Marriage Town Hall featuring Jeff Graham, executive director of Georgia Equality; Tara Borelli, staff attorney of Lambda Legal; and Lynn Pasqualetti, certified tax preparer, HLM Accounting. Questions about what the end of DOMA means for those LGBT couples in Georgia will be addressed, as will queries about state and federal tax filings. The event is free but RSVPs are required with a maximum of 100 people total, 6:30 – 8 p.m., Phillip Rush Center, www.rushcenteratl.org
“Legendary Children: A Photo Exhibit and Drag Performance” travels to Savannah, Ga., for a show at Dollhouse Productions. The opening and reception from 7-9 p.m. is free. Drag show at 9:30 p.m. — cost is $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Photographers: Blane Bussey, Jon Dean, Blake England, Kevin O, Matthew Terrell, and Maggie Towe. Hosted by Nicole Paige Brooks from RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 2! Featuring live performances by: Brigitte Bidet, Cayenne Rouge, Ellisorous Rex, Kryean Kally, Lavonia Elberton, Mo’Dest Volgare, and Violet Chachki. http://www.eventbrite.com/e/legendary-children-savannah-show-feat-whitegold-tickets-9233243881
Charis Books offers “Braving the Fire and Writing the Tough Stuff,” a craft class on difficult memoir strategies with Jessica Handler, author of “Invisible Sisters: A Memoir” and “Braving the Fire: A Guide to Writing About Grief and Loss.” This is a From Margin to Center Literary Event focusing on personal difficulty, such as loss, grief and trauma. The suggested donation is $5. 7:30 – 9:30 p.m., www.charisbooksandmore.com
Topher Payne’s new play “The Only Light in Reno,” about a room filled with the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift one evening in 1960, bows at Georgia Ensemble Theatre in Roswell, 8 p.m., www.get.org
“Sing For Your Life” kicks off its second season with an all new Top 12 of live music talent, beginning at 9 p.m., Jungle Atlanta, www.jungleatl.com
Shawnna Brooks hosts Guys and Dolls on Thursday nights. Showtime is 11 p.m., Blake’s on the Park, www.blakesonthepark.com
The Dancefloor Divas take over every Thursday with hostess and former “RuPaul’s Drag Race” contestant Phoenix. 11:30 p.m., Burkhart’s, www.burkharts.com
FRIDAY, JAN. 10
Second Friday Art Amok’s Women of the World Poetry Slam Championship. There will have an abbreviated, first come, first served all-artist open mic as usual. Then five opinionated people will be recruited to to score the slam! On this night, there will be four rounds of poetry; 1-2-3-4 minute poems to determine a champion who will represent Atlanta Art Amok at the World Poetry Slam this March in Austin, Texas. The competition will be fierce and include such favorites and headlining poets as Stephanie Morey, Shyla Hardwick, Malika Hadley Freydberg, Theresa Davis, Erin C Poetry, Taleesha, Lizzy and Karen G. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. at In Tune Music Studio in Grant Park, across from Zoo Atlanta on Cherokee Avenue. $5 cover, http://on.fb.me/JE3aVD
Destiny Brooks and Justice Taylor host the raucous Femme Fatale event tonight at 11 p.m. at Burkhart’s, www.burkharts.com
SATURDAY, JAN. 11
“Reel Out,” and LGBT Film Fest, is sponsored by the Auburn Avenue Research Library on African Culture and History. In collaboration with the HIV/AIDS advocacy group Cycle for Freedom and Diva Blue Productions, the event will feature a screening of the short films “Shirts vs. Skins,” “Master Piece” and “Stuck.” Following the screenings, the director of the films, Teresa Dowell-Vest, will facilitate a brief discussion and read from her latest publication, “Passage Home.” 3 p.m., www.afpls.org/aarl
The 2nd Annual Georgia Entertainment Gala honors triumphs in the state’s television and film industry as well as Georgia born actress and Emmy winner Carrie Preston (“True Blood,” “The Good Wife,”) with a Roaring ‘20s black tie theme, 5 – 11 p.m., Georgia World Congress Center, www.gwcc.com
Expect lots of hairy men out and about for the Southern Bears Bar Night, 10 – 11 p.m., Atlanta Eagle, www.atlantaeagle.com
Atlanta’s Best Dance Party featuring superstar DJ Tracy Young, one of the country’s top Djs/producers/remixers. 10 p.m., Jungle, www.jungleatl.com
DragXotic featuring Necole Luv Dupree, Trinity Bonet, Nichelle Paris, Stasha Sanchez and Taejah Thomas is a new Saturday night party. Showtime at 11 p.m., Blake’s on the Park, www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com
SUNDAY, JAN. 12
The Saints, Panthers, Broncos or the 49ers? Come out and watch the NFL playoffs at Woofs Atlanta all afternoon with your football friends, www.woofsatlanta.com
MONDAY, JAN. 13
Join Moral Monday Georgia today for its first rally, lobbying for the state to receive more Medicaid benefits. Several speakers are on tap for the event, 4 – 6 p.m. at the Georgia State Capitol.
TUESDAY, JAN. 14
Enjoy an $8 burger and brew today from noon to 5 p.m. at Amsterdam Atlanta, www.amsterdamatlanta.com
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 15
The Office of LGBT Life at Emory hosts an Open House for its four weekly, hour-long discussion groups focusing on topics related to sexual and gender identities: Queer Men, Trans-forming Gender, Bisexual /Pansexual, and Queer Students of Color, 5:30 p.m., Office of LGBT Life at Emory, www.lgbt.emory.edu
Having a hard time mingling sexuality and spirituality? “Advanced Sexuality Series: Bridging the Divide Between Sex & Spirituality” looks at separating the two. Marla Renee Stewart and Maisha Najuma Aza from A Life Alive Consulting discuss understanding the various kinds of sacred sexuality, how sexuality and spirituality play a particular role in life, and how knowing the chakras can enable psychoanalyzing actions. This is a Charis Circle Urban Sustainability and Wellness Event. The suggested donation is $15. 7:30 – 9 p.m., Charis Books, www.charisbooksandmore.com
THURSDAY, JAN. 16
Atlanta Pride screens the documentary “Audre Lorde: The Berlin Years” at 7 p.m. at the Phillip Rush Center Event Room, with a $5 requested donation, www.rushcenteratl.org.
UPCOMING
FRIDAY, JAN. 17
A hit last fall, “The Book Club Play,” featuring a gay character, gets an encore run at Horizon Theatre, opening tonight at 8 p.m., www.horizontheatre.com
SATURDAY, JAN. 18
Create Love for Women Who Love Women presents a workshop on DOMA and its impact on people in Georgia with Judge Phyllis Williams. 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., donation asked is $10, Little Five Points Community Center, sharrongjamison@gmail.com, imani@surviving2thriving.org, www.phyllisrwilliamspc.com
SUNDAY, JAN. 19
HBO unveils its new gay-themed series “Looking,” about a group of friends in San Francisco, directed by Andrew Haigh (“Weekend”) and starring out actor Jonathan Groff of “Glee” fame, 10:30 p.m., HBO, www.hbo.com
MONDAY, JAN. 20
MLK celebrations will be held all over town today; more specific events and times forthcoming. One of those is the annual Bayard Rustin/Audre Lourde breakfast, hosted by Atlanta Pride, at 8 a.m., location TBD
TUESDAY, JAN. 21
The Atlanta DINE-Out for Muscular Dystrophy is a benefit/community fundraiser for The FSH Society, raising money to help find a cure for FacioScapuloHumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSH or FSHD), 6 – 10 p.m., Yeah! Burger, www.yeahburger.com
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 22
Dancer, social worker and author Sheila K. Collins discusses her book “Warrior Mother: Fierce Love, Unbearable Loss and Rituals that Heal,” dealing with her son’s battle with AIDS and her daughter’s fight against breast cancer, tonight at 7:30 at Charis Books, www.charisbooksandmore.com
FRIDAY, JAN. 24
Tacos and more – the Atlanta Gay Chamber of Commerce (AGLCC) hosts a free Fourth Friday event blending socializing and networking opportunities, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., Escorpion Tacos & Tequila, www.urestaurants.com
Lesbian faves Halcyon – “the girls with guitars” – visit Eddie’s Attic at 10 p.m., www.eddiesattic,com
SATURDAY, JAN. 25
Atlanta’s Best Dance Party featuring rising star DJ Billy Lace of New York City who will be making his Atlanta debut. He is a resident DJ for Winter Party in Miami, XL Nightclub in NYC and Hydrate in Chicago. 10 p.m., Jungle, www.jungleatl.com
SUNDAY, JAN. 26
The Midtown Men – featuring four of the stars of the original “Jersey Boys” musical – bring their crooning talents to the Cobb Energy Center at 7 p.m., www.cobbenergycentre.org
Amy Ray of The Indigo Girls sings from her new country album “Goodnight Tender” tonight at 8 p.m. at Variety Playhouse, with Heather McEntire of Mount Moriah opening, www.varietyplayhouse.org
Featuring talents of all facets, the queer variety show Sweet Tea has comedy, drag, live music, slam poetry, queer performance art and more, featuring Cleopatra Grace Jones, Ray Leota, Patrick Snipes, Jasmine Kevea Green and more acts to be announced, hosted by, and including a performance by Taylor Alxndr and DJ PK Fire, 9 p.m., Noni’s, www.nonisdeli.com
TUESDAY, JAN. 28
It’s finally here! The Tony-winning sensation “The Book of Mormon,” by the creators of “South Park,” makes its long-awaited Atlanta debut. It’s a musical comedy about two Mormon missionaries who visit Uganda and try unsuccessfully to spread the scriptures, 8 p.m., Fox Theatre, www.foxtheatre.org
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 29
The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival gets underway at venues throughout the area, with various queer programming such as Eytan Fox’s comic “Cupcakes,” various times and locations, www.ajff.org
FRIDAY, JAN. 31
The Alliance Theatre opens the new relationship comedy/drama “In Love and Warcraft” tonight at 8 p.m. on the company’s Hertz Stage, www.alliancetheatre.org
MONDAY, FEB. 3
Cast members of “The Book of Mormon” sing showtunes at a benefit cabaret to help raise money for Project Open Hand and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, 7:30 p.m. 14th St. Playhouse, www.14thstplayhouse.org