Check out our Best Bets for the weekend and beyond, Nov. 7-20

Friday, Nov. 7 – Sunday, Nov. 9

To bring attention to the estimated 900 LGBT youth in Atlanta that are homeless, Lost-n-Found Youth Executive Director Rick Westbrook will join them with his annual “48-hour Vigil” where he will live out of a moving truck and depend on the charity of others for food and necessities to survive on the streets. Friday’s event begins with a community update at 7 p.m. at the Hideaway followed by a candlelight walk to the truck in the parking lot of Burkhart’s. Beer Busts will be held Saturday and Sunday with the 48 hours ending with a celebration with the Armorettes at the Hideaway, lnfy.org

The Joint Meeting of NOGLSTP’s Out to Motivate 2014 and oSTEM’s 4th National Conference brings 500 LGBTQ+ scientists and engineers, both students and professionals, together at the Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center this weekend, including a speaker from the White House and a Gala Awards banquet, www.noglstp.org

Friday, Nov. 7 – Saturday, Nov. 8

Candler and Emily Budd return to Serenbe Playhouse with “Craigslist Chronicles: An All New Cabaret.” This husband and wife comedic cabaret team brings a show featuring the hilarious and ridiculous stories from actual Craigslist ads. You will meet characters looking for love, roommates, and someone to buy their used crap, 8 – 10 p.m., www.serenbeplayhouse.com

Friday, Nov. 7

Film Love presents three provocative videos demonstrating the power of the visual in storytelling and research. Sydney Meredith Silverstein’s video “La Mamá de los Pollitos/The Mother Hen” centers on a Peruvian woman who raises chickens; the chickens and their eggs become a conduit for viewing the many rituals of motherhood, courtship, flirtation, and sexuality in the community. A. C. Klupchak’s “In the Lemon Grove” documents a hurricane-damaged town in Nicaragua, sustained by a nearby landfill and the opportunities it presents for “collaborative commerce.” In both works, dynamic visual style and sensitive observation suggest that images tell us things words cannot. Accompanying is David and Judith MacDougall’s “Under the Men’s Tree,” a short classic. 7 p.m., Atlanta Contemporary Art Center, www.thecontemporary.org

Charis invites the public to a 40th birthday keynote address by Kiese Laymon (author of “How to Slowly Kill Yourself and Others in America” and “Long Division”) and a discussion with Susana Morris (co-founder of The Crunk Feminist Collective and author of “Close Kin and Distant Relatives: The Paradox of Respectability in Black Women’s Literature”). Laymon will read from his books and he and Morris will engage in a public dialogue about writing race, gender, and complicated truths in 21st century U.S. culture. They will discuss the role of print books alongside digital “new” media like Twitter and the Crunk Feminist Collective blog. Finally, they will open up questions to the audience about where we have been and where we might be going. 7:30 – 9:30 p.m., Solarium in Oakhurst, www.charisbooksandmore.com

Directed by out artist Cathe Hall Payne, “The Sugar Bean Sisters” has an 8 p.m. performance before closing tomorrow, www.onstageatlanta.com

Edie Cheezburger, Jaye Lish and cast bring “The Other Show” drag event weekly at Jungle, 9 p.m., www.jungleatl.com

Femme Fatale hosted by Destiny Brooks and Shavonna B. Brooks takes over Burkhart’s every Friday with a cast including Phoenix and Mariah Balenciaga from “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and also Angelica D’Paige, 10 p.m., Burkhart’s, www.burkharts.com

Saturday, Nov. 8

Celebrate 40 years of feminism, books, and community by stopping by Charis’ all-day in store party and sale. Everything in the store is 10 percent off; hardbacks 20 percent off. Cake and snacks are available. 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., www.charisbooksandmore.com

Take in a matinee of the Alliance Theatre’s “Steel Magnolias” at 2:30 p.m. today before it closes tomorrow, www.alliancetheatre.org

Franklin Abbott presents a reunion of most of the poets who have read at Bound to Read Books over the past nine years in an event being held from 3-9 p.m., www.boundtobereadbooks.com

Pride School Atlanta holds an educators information and networking meeting, 4-5:30 p.m., the Phillip Rush Center, www.facebook.com/prideschoolgeorgia

The Atlanta Fundraiser for Family Equality includes information on new Southern initiatives and also meeting Family Equality’s new Southern Regional Manager Jeff Graham, executive director of Georgia Equality. Family Equality is a national group advocating for LGBT parents, 6-8 p.m., No Mas! Hacienda & Cantina, action.familyequality.org

The Manly Miss America Pageant 2014 is a benefit for PALS Atlanta, with hosts Bubba D. Licous, Edie Cheezburger, Jaye Lish and Erica Lee, 6 p.m., Jungle Atlanta, www.jungleatl.com

Celebrating 40 Years of Feminism and Independent Voices is a fundraiser for Charis Circle, with presenting sponsor Edie Cofrin. Join writers, feminists, activists, and friends to celebrate 40 inspiring years and toast an exciting future with music, dancing, drinks, fabulous hors d’oeuvres and interactive exhibits including feminist and queer video games, art, photography, and professional photo booth. 7 -10:30 p.m., Marianna (above the Wrecking Bar in Little 5 Points), www.charisbooksandmore.com

The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, will pack ’em in tonight at the Fox Theatre, 8 p.m., www.foxtheatre.org

The Atlanta Opera presents the extraordinary “Madama Butterfly,” 8 p.m., Cobb Energy Centre, www.cobbenergycentre.org

My Sister’s Room presents its annual Food Can Drive, with music guests Bucky Motter and Sophie Sputnik, 9 p.m., www.mysistersroom.com

Hot Mess! is a weekly dance party at Mary’s, www.marysatlanta.com

It’s Southern Bears night at the Atlanta Eagle beginning at 10 p.m., www.atlantaeagle.com

DJ Kevin Durand spins at Jungle, 10 p.m., www.jungleatl.com

Glitter Ball takes over the Heretic with DJ Neon the Glowgobear and the infamous Legendary Children Atlanta drag troupe with plenty of glitter boy dancers. Doors open at 9 p.m. with a $10 cover after 10 p.m., www.hereticatlanta.com

Sunday, Nov. 9

Keep the party going into the wee morning hours at Xion with DJ Alyson Calagna, 3 a.m., www.cariocaproductions.com

The Sisters of Sequins, hosted by Bubba D. Licious and Justice Counce, offers up drag extravaganza, laughs and a gospel brunch special. Doors open at 12:15 p.m. with a 1:30 p.m. program, Lips Atlanta, www.lipsatl.com

Monday, Nov. 10

Making Space is a community writing group for those of us who work, move or spend time serving others through human service and community professions (psychologists, educators, social workers, etc). This is Charis Circle From Margin to Center Literary Program. The suggested donation is $10. 6:30 – 8:30, www.charisbooksandmore.com

Play Texas Hold’em Poker at 7:30 p.m. at Woofs, www.woofsatlanta.com

Tuesday, Nov.11

Solutions Not Punishment hosts a membership meeting and update on its work to have the East Point Police Department undergo transgender sensitivity training, 6-8:30 p.m., Café Azul, rjactioncenter.org/snap

Drageoke with Angelica D’Paige begins at 10:30 p.m., Burkharts, www.burkharts.com

Wednesday, Nov. 12

Get your bingo on tonight at Joe’s on Juniper at 8 p.m., www.joesonjuniper.com

Ruby Redd hosts bingo at 8:30 p.m. at the Hideaway, www.atlantahideaway.com

Thursday, Nov. 13

SAGE Atlanta hosts its social hour, with games and conversation from 10 to 11 a.m. then a regular meeting, Phillip Rush Center, www.rushcenteratl.com

As part of the continuing celebration of Charis Books’ 40th birthday, historian Edward Baptist visits with his book “The Half Has Never Been Told: Slavery and the Making of American Capitalism,” a sweeping, authoritative history of the expansion of slavery in America, showing how forced migrations radically altered the nation’s economic, political, and cultural landscape. This is a Charis Circle From Margin to Center Literary Event. The suggested donation is $5, but tax deductible birthday gifts to Charis Circle in honor of Charis Books’ 40th birthday may be made. 7:30 – 9 p.m., www.charisbooksandmore.com

Directed by out David Crowe, “The Elephant Man” runs through Nov. 16 with an 8 o’clock performance tonight, Georgia Ensemble Theatre, www.get.org

Friday, Nov. 14-Saturday, Nov. 15

A Trans Health Symposium to assist providers in building capacity through medical cultural competency to interact with and medically treat trans individuals with care and respect, https://adobeformscentral.com/?f=c5I4GGTrJLX2AidMvMzR2Q

Friday, Nov. 14

The a cappella group Straight No Chaser performs tonight at the Fox Theatre, 8 p.m., www.foxtheatre.org

Eddie’s Attic and Bowe Inc. present Aaron Carter with his special guests Amanda Hale, Kz, and Liberty Deep Down, The Loft at Center Stage, 9 p.m., www.centerstage-atlanta.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, Nov. 15

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

Join DJ Yvonne Monet for Watershed’s monthly After Party party and girls night out, no cover, 9 p.m.-1 a.m., Watershed, yvonnemonet.com

Bedlam presents another of its popular Wack Out Black Out parties with live performances by Michael Robinson, Ansley Gwinn, Autumn Hamilton, Biqtch Puddin’ and beats by Merrln. Glow in the dark paint will be available, 10 p.m., Jungle, www.jungleatl.com
DJ John LePage comes to the Heretic for a Bear Invasion, 10 p.m., www.hereticatlanta.com

Glitter Bomb is 75 minutes of high energy illusion, hosted by Genre, 11 p.m., Blake’s, blakesontheparkatlanta.com

Sunday, Nov. 16

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

Atlanta’s Angelica D’Paige and friends — including Brent Star and Destiny Brooks — purr up fun at Sex Kitten Sundays, with $5 burgers and Smirnoff cocktails, 8 p.m. at 10th and Piedmont, www.facebook.com/10thAndPiedmont

It’s Cell Block Sunday starring Lateasha Shante Shuntel with Shawnna Brooks, Nicole Paige Brooks, Raquell Lord, Michelle Paris and Taejah Thomas, 8 p.m., Blake’s on the Park, blakesontheparkatlanta.com

Monday, Nov. 17

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 space to discuss gender, relevant resources, and activism around social issues. This is a project of the Feminist Outlawz and 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 may make a donation, 6 – 8:30, www.charisbooksandmore.com

The Stars of the Century drag show is every Monday at Jungle, 10 p.m., http://tinyurl.com/matzdvf

Tuesday, Nov. 18

Kidliterate Book Club is a new kind of book club. Attendees will be reading one book a month (children’s or young adult fiction). This month’s book is “The Rock and the River.” This is a Charis Circle Whole Children, Strong Families Program. The suggested donation is $5. 7 – 9 p.m., www.charisbooksandmore.com

Author Lindsey Grant visits the Georgia Center for the Book to discuss her new book “Sleep With Dogs.” Go behind closed doors and discover the secret lives of some of the most devoted pet owners, whether they’re serving their dogs filtered water or leaving Animal Planet on all day to keep their pets company. 9:15 p.m., Georgia Center for the Book, www.georgiacenterforthebook.org

Wednesday, Nov. 19

After visiting the Georgia Center for the Book the previous night, author Lindsey Grant comes to Charis tonight to discuss “Sleep With Dogs.” This is a Charis Circle From Margin to Center Literary Event. The suggested donation is $5. 7:30 – 9 p.m. www.charisbooksandmore.com

Thursday, Nov. 20

SAGE Atlanta hosts its social hour, with games and conversation from 10 to 11 a. m. then a regular meeting, Phillip Rush Center, www.rushcenteratl.com

Michelle Malone, Kevn Kinney and Levi Lowrey unite for a great night of music at
Red Clay Music Foundry, 5:30 and 8 p.m., www.eddieowenpresents.com

Charis and Cliterati pair up to present an inviting and fierce open mic and reading series on the third Thursday of every month. Hosted by the anarchic spoken word team of Karen G and Theresa Davis, members of the Art Amok Slam Team, this series cultivates the voices of authors, novices and an assortment of poets, songstresses and storytellers. The November feature is Kris Villarreal, author of “Logost,” a feminist speculative fiction novel. This is a From Margin to Center Literary Program; suggested donation is $5. 7:30 – 9 p.m., www.charisbooksandmore.com

Every Thursday is 3 Legged Cowboy Night with free dance lessons from 8 – 9 p.m. at the Heretic, www.hereticatlanta.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

Phoenix of RuPaul’s Drag Race brings her sass to her Dancefloor Divas show, 11:30 p.m., Burkhart’s, www.burkharts.com

UPCOMING

Friday, Nov. 21

Co-sponsored by SisterLove and the Social Justice Guild, the Third Friday Film Series presents Jim Hubbard’s “United in Anger: A History of ACT UP,” about the birth and life of the AIDS activist movement from the perspective of the people in the trenches fighting the epidemic. The film starts at 7:30 p.m. with popcorn and refreshments available. First Existentialist Congregation, www.firstexistentialist.org

Saturday, Nov. 22

It’s time to dust off your gear and get your daddy complex on for The ManShaft: Levi-Leather Edition! Expect bulging Levi’s, leather, rubber, daddies, bears, cubs, furry chests and faces, vintage men’s films and much more. Neon the Glowgobear spins at 9, with a “Kink It Up” cocktail hour, and then DJ Diablo Rojo picks up at 11 p.m. Heretic, www.hereticatlanta.com

Traxx Atlanta presents its Save the Best for Last party, held the last Saturday of the month, with Hip Hop and Durrty South, R&B and reggae, and house beats all played on different levels. 10:30 p.m., Club 708, www.facebook.com/TraxxAtlanta

Monday, Dec. 1

World AIDS day activities will be held throughout the city.

Wednesday, Dec. 3

The Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour 2014 brings holiday merriment to the Cobb Energy Centre, 8 p.m., www.cobbenergycentre.org

Saturday, Dec. 6

DJ Tony Moran will be celebrating his 50th birthday tonight by spinning at Jungle, www.jungleatl.com