LGBT Atlanta’s Best Bets for April 24-30

Friday, April 24 – Sunday, April 26

Bears, grizzlies, cubs – oh my! See plenty of hairy men at Atlanta Bear Pride, with events sprinkled over town this weekend, beginning with BJ’s Kick Off Party and Bearracuda at Heretic, www.atlantabearpride.com

Also this weekend is the Inman Park Fest, from Friday through Sunday, with plenty of art vendors, food, live entertainment and parade on Saturday at 2 p.m., inmanparkfestival.org

Friday, April 24

Join Charis in celebrating the Atlanta launch of “Dumped: Stories of Women Unfriending Women,” edited by Nina Gaby. Readers include Jessica Handler, editor Nina Gaby and contributor Susan Cushman. The book features stories by established and emerging women writers about being discarded by someone from whom they expected more: a close female friend, 7:30 – 9 p.m., www.charisbooksandmore.com

Film Love presents in person Jack Willis, who will introduce two films he made 50 years ago in Alabama and Mississippi, chronicling the Civil Rights movement. The films, “The Streets of Greenwood” and “Lay My Burden Down,” have gone largely unscreened in the South for decades, www.facebook.com/events/363511513842502/

The Atlanta Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (AGLCC) holds its Fourth Friday networking event from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. tonight at Henry’s Midtown Tavern, www.henrysatl.com

Edie Cheezburger presents “The Other Show,” the most unique drag show in Atlanta, while the Other Girls will leave you gasping with laughter and surprise. Admission is $5, Jungle, 10 p.m., www.jungleatl.com

Saturday, April 25

“Beyond Ferguson: A Community Empowerment Summit” is a free summit featuring keynote speakers Robbin Shipp and Nick Chiles, authors of “Justice While Black.” It will be held at the Athens-Clarke County Library from 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and include workshops, an activist fair, book discussion, and live entertainment, www.facebook.com/undertherainbow706

The first annual Spring Fling fundraiser including a chance to win a 2000 Saturn SL-1 to benefit homeless youth benefits Lost-N-Found and will be from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the organization’s thrift store, 2585 Chantilly Drive. Funds raised will go toward renovation of a house for the youth, http://membersautochoice.com/spring-fling-2015/

The third annual Ready 4 Hope Patio Bear-B-Q with DJ Robert Ansley is today at 2 p.m. Heretic Atlanta, www.hereticatlanta.com

“Let’s Make a Deal” is on the agenda at Friends on Ponce tonight with host Ken, 6 – 10 p.m., Friends on Ponce, www.friendsonponce-atl.com

Party with Impact: Honoring the Work of Paul Plate is a celebration of Paul Plate’s work in creating and leading Positive Impact for the past 23 years. Plate is retiring and this party is a fundraiser to help the agency provide needed resources, 6 p.m., The Commerce Club, tickets available at http://pi.xorbia.com/paulplate

As part of Bear Pride Weekend, comic Peter Bisuito brings his “My Big Funny Peter” comedy act to town as a benefit for Joining Hearts, 8 p.m., Jungle, www.jungleatl.com

Bear Invasion, Atlanta Bear Pride Edition, features music from DJ Doug Jackson and DJ Sean Mac, $10, 10:30 p.m., Jungle, www.jungleatl.com

Sunday, April 26

Dj Ben Baker gets the late night crowd moving at 3 a.m., Xion, www.xionatlanta.com

DJ Caprice spins at Bulldogs, 893 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30308

Darlene hosts karaoke for a cause, benefiting PAWS Atlanta, from 8 – 11 p.m., Model T, www.modeltatlanta.com

Monday, April 27

Writing With Intent is a monthly writing class led by Charis Circle Executive Directo Elizabeth Anderson. The focus shifts from month to month but the specific goal is to provide artistic accountability in a busy world and offer some academic insight outside the academy. All are welcome to attend. This is a Charis Circle From Margin to Center Literary Program and the Suggested Donation is $10. 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., www.charisbooksandmore.com

Monday Mingle at Blake’s is an opportunity to network, with a free buffet and prizes, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com

Tuesday, April 28

April’s Kidliterare book club pick’s for tonight’s meeting is “One for the Murphys.” This is a Charis Circle Whole Children, Strong Families Program. The suggested donation is $5.  7 – 8:30 p.m., www.charisbooksandmore.com

Angelica D’Paige is the emcee for Drageoke at Burkhart’s at 10:30 p.m., www.burkharts.com

Wednesday, April 29

B-24! Birdcage Bingo with Ruby Redd and a cast of drag performers is at 8:30 p.m., www.atlantahideaway.com

Drag Wars is a weekly open battle for all drag performers: experienced, first timers, queens and kings are all eligible to come to fight it out! Sign up is every Wednesday from 8 – 8:30 p.m. with the battle at 9 p.m., Jungle Atlanta, www.jungleatl.com

Thursday, April 30

Faces Lounge in Marietta hosts its All Star Cabaret every Thursday at 10:30 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. with the likes of Heather Daniels and Coco Chanelle, 138 Powers Ferry Road, Marietta, GA 30060

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

Friday, May 1
Lindsey Hinkle in concert with Antigone Rising at Eddie’s Attic, 7 p.m., www.eddiesattic.com

Comedian Suzanne Westenhoefer presents a Fabulous Funny Fundraiser to benefit Pride School Atlanta, a school that is in the works of being formed for LGBT students, 7:30 p.m. at Virginia Highland Church, tickets available at http://prideschoolatlanta.brownpapertickets.com

Saturday, May 2

It’s one of the big events of the year – the 28th annual HRC Atlanta Dinner and Auction brings together notables from the LGBT community, with actress Maria Bello one of the special guests. The silent auction begins at 5 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m., Hyatt Regency Atlanta, www.hrcatlanta.com

The Lesbian 50+ Potluck and Social offers great company and great food. Attendees are asked to bring a covered dish, 6 p.m., Phillip Rush Center, www.rushcenteratl.com

Sunday, May 3

Passion for Paws presents the annual K9’s & Cocktails Big Deck Party benefiting Angels Among Us Pet Rescue and Leader Dogs for the Blind founded by the Lions Clubs. The event features adoptable dogs, music, giveaways and fabulous food, as well as the Human Slot Machine. A $10.00 donation buys a complimentary drink and a drink koozie, 3 – 7 p.m., on the Henry’s deck, www.henrysatl.com

Thursday, May 14

Grammy winner Suzy Bogguss comes to the Red Clay Theatre in Duluth, 8 p.m., www.EddieOwenPresents.com