Tis the season for holiday parties and planning a special NYE night — check out our many options
FRIDAY, DEC. 20
The Third Friday Film Series presents the acclaimed documentary “Harvest of Empire,” directed by Peter Getzels & Eduardo Lopez and exposing the connection between the long history of U.S. intervention in Latin America and the immigration crisis we face today, 7 – 10 p.m., First Existential Congregation, www.firstexistentialist.org
Dirty Santa will be present for photos at Mary’s annual XXX-Mess Party, also featuring DJ Diablo Rojo and plenty of naughty boys, as well as reindeer games at the Boozy Cougar with the Atlanta Radical Faeries, 10 p.m. – 3 a.m., Mary’s Atlanta, www.marysatlanta.com
Atlanta Ballet’s “Nutcracker” now at the Fox Theatre. Choreographed by John McFall, music by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, live with the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra. Runs through Dec. 29. Various times and prices. www.foxtheatre.org
Libby’s at the Express presents “Ho, Ho, Home for the Holidays and a Connie Sue Day Christmas!” It’s the annual celebration with Libby Whittemore who is joined this year by Connie Sue Day, “the 31st Lady of Country Music.” Through Dec. 22. www.actors-express.com
Harold Leaver is once again donning the elf suit as part of “The Santaland Diaries,” the annual (snarky) holiday show at Horizon Theatre, based on David Sedaris’ “Holidays on Ice,” with various dates and showtimes through Dec. 31, www.horizontheatre.com
Mr. and Ms. Atlanta Eagle Bar Night features Sir Alan reprising his role as Leather Santa. Get your photo take with Leather Santa to raise funds for charities chosen by Twisted Toyland, 10 p.m. www.atlantaeagle.com
SATURDAY, DEC. 21
Solstice Sale! Celebrate the holidays with Charis Books and More with everything in the store at least 10 percent off. Free gift wrapping as well as hot cider and cookies. 11 a.m.-7 p.m.,www.charisbooksandmore.com
SAGE Atlanta hosts a Lesbian 50+ Potluck & Social, 6 p.m., Phillip Rush Center, www.rushcenteratl.org
The 12th annual Twisted Toyland Fetish Bazaar will donate proceeds to Lost-N-Found Youth. The event features photos ops with Santa and erotic elves, Café Kink featuring chili and sweets, adult beverages at the bar, and door prizes and raffles all day long, 12 – 6 p.m., Jungle Atlanta, www.jungleatl.com
My Sister’s Room hosts the MSR Toy Party, with special performances by Heather Daniels and friends. Doors open at 8 p.m. with no cover until 11 p.m. with unwrapped toys, all of which are donated to Toys for Tots, My Sisters’s Room, www.mysistersroom.com
Holiday XXX-travaganza with The East Point Possums to raise funds for Lost-N-Found and featuring drag performances from the Possums including Suzanne Sugarbaby, Lori Divine, Barbie Q Sugarbaker and Shenitta Quit. 8-10 p.m. at East Point Corner Tavern. www.thecornertavern.com
DJ Joe Gauthreaux throws down at the Heretic for its anniversary party and CHRIS Kids toy drive. $5 cover before 11 p.m., $10 after. www.hereticatlanta.com
Get your dance shoes on! Revolt Presents CIRCO: House and Techno, a night full of electronic dance music, with half a dozen different DJs, with the show beginning at 10:30 p.m., Jungle Atlanta, www.jungleatl.com
SUNDAY, DEC. 22
See a movie with some of your hairy friends at the Movies with the Bears event gather to watch “Walking with Dinosaurs” in 3D at Movie Tavern at Northlake Mall, time TBD, www.facebook.com/events/530137740414139
Every Sunday enjoy the crazy sing-a-long of the Armorettes, the infamous camp drag queens of the South at Burkhart’s, 9 p.m. www.burkharts.com
MONDAY, DEC. 23
Onstage Atlanta hosts a special “Up on the Housetop” event for the family and children, with a special North Pole visitor, 7 p.m., Onstage Atlanta, www.onstageatlanta.com
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 25
Several gay-owned restaurants are open Christmas Day for dinner and drinks. Visit www.thegavoice.com for details.
THURSDAY, DEC. 26
Join SAGE Atlanta on the day after Christmas for their 10 a.m. Coffee Hour, Phillip Rush Center, www.rushcenteratl.org
Traxx Atlanta hosts Turnt Up Thursdays, hosted by MC Byrd, from 9 p.m. – 3 a.m., www.traxxatlanta.com
It’s Dancefloor Divas with Phoenix every Thursday at Burkhart’s and starring Destiny, Alissah, Envy and Evah. 11:30 p.m., www.burkharts.com
FRIDAY, DEC. 27
Who can resist a wet underwear contest? Adam Bland and Ashley Mitchell host the Decadence event, with beats by DJ Daryl Cox, as well as dancers and drink specials, beginning at 11 p.m. with cash prizes for the winners, TEN Atlanta, www.tenatlanta.com
Kick off the beginning of the weekend at Woof’s TGIF, beginning at 5 p.m., www.woofsatlanta.com
SATURDAY, DEC. 28
A special Backstreet Reunion takes place tonight, 10 years after the iconic location closed its doors. Come relive the memories and see friends you might have seen on the Backstreet dance floor, Jungle Atlanta, www.jungleatl.com
TUESDAY, DEC. 31 – NYE
Guyton Maurice and pianist David Reeb help bring in 2014 at Cafe Vena at Vinings. Five course prixe menu and champagne toast afor $75. Seating begins at 7 p.m. www.cafevenaatvinings.com
Spend New Year’s Eve with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra with the music and lyrics of George and Ira Gershwin and tunes such as “I Got Rhythm,” vocalist Judy McLane and pianist Michael Chertock, as well as special guests vocalist Judy McLane and pianist Michael Chertock, 8 p.m., Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, www.aso.org
Party Like a Rockstar 8.0 is the yearly New Year’s Eve collaboration featuring International DJ/producer Manny Lehman. Proceeds from this night will benefit Joining Hearts. Doors open at 8 p.m., with $25 for regular admission and $45 for the VIP experience, Jungle Atlanta, www.jungleatl.com
BJ Roosters hosts New Year’s Eve festivities at 8 p.m. with no cover, www.yelp.com/biz/bj-roosters-atlanta
DJ Eddie Baez and an opening set by Mike Pope highlight the Heretic’s New Year’s Eve Genesis bash. Angelica D’Paige does the New Year’s countdown. Admission is $10 and white attire is requested. Doors open at 9 p.m., Heretic Atlanta, www.hereticatlanta.com
Michelle Malone plays a special New Year’s Eve party at Eddie’s Attic tonight, 9:30 p.m., www.eddiesattic.com
Girls in the Night hosts a series of NYE parties for women in three separate ballrooms — Heaven, Paradise and The Garden — at the Westin Atlanta Airport, 9 p.m. www.girlsinthenight.com
The fourth annual Glitter and Fur New Year’s Party is one of the evening’s premiere events, with hosts such as Mariah Balenciaga, Kryean Kalley, Barry Brandon and DJ King Atlas from the Haus of Glitz. Season Two of “Sing For Your Life” will also be announced. 9 p.m. – 3 a.m., Takorea, www.mytakorea.com
Traxx Girls with Blue Diamond Entertainment, Echilds Night Life and Twee Presents hosts the Red Carpet Affair VIII. Hosted by Cadillac Redd and Jersey Moulin. Complimentary cocktail toast at midnight. Doors open at 10 p.m. at 595 North near the corner of Northside Drive and North Avenue. www.nyredcarpetaffair2013.eventbrite.com
The Masquerade Ball is tonight at My Sister’s Room, with the best mask winning a $50 bar tab. Featuring the Lee family at 10:30 p.m, as well as DJ Liz Owen, champagne toast and breakfast buffet, www.mysistersroom.com
Swinging Richards hosts a New Year’s party unlike any other in town. A $55 charge gets you free entrance, an open bar all night, free 15 minute VIP rooms, afree champagne toast at midnight, giveaways and the hottest men in the country, all literally before your eyes, Swinging Richards, www.swingingrichards.com
The Atlanta Eagle hosts a busy New Year’s Eve night, with DJ Pat Scott at 10 p.m., as well as karaoke with Mikey, Robby and Jack, and a traditional New Year’s event with champage at midnight, with no cover, Atlanta Eagle, www.atlantaeagle.com
10th & Piedmont is the location of the Swank New Year’s party, with DJ Prism, lots of women and a champagne toast, $10 before 11 p.m. and $20 after, http://www.communitashospitality.com/10th-and-piedmont/
Shawna Brooks and Destiny Brooks hosts the Divas Cabaret show/New Year’s event with free champagne at midnight, LeBuzz, www.thenewlebuzz.com
Charlie Brown hosts the Masquerade Ball at Lips Atlanta, with drag performances, dancing, a three course dinner and a champagne toast, Lips Atlanta, from $35 to $75, www.lipsatl.com
WEDNEDAY, JAN. 1
Hip Hop Karaoke Wednesdays with DJ M and Twee. Hosted by Jack Daddy and Missy. Over 20,000 songs to choose from. Drink specials all night. Doors open at 8 p.m. My Sisters Room,www.mysistersroom.com
Adult performer Charlie Harding hosts his Hard Bodies Party event at Blakes tonight, www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com
UPCOMING
SATURDAY, JAN. 4
PFLAG hosts the Parents of gender variant/trans children support group meeting today from 2 – 4 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta, http://www.uuca.org/
The Atlanta Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and The Atlanta Eagle bring you Jockstrap Sister Twister, featuring fun and all sorts of intertwined body parts, raising money for the Sisters grant program, 9 – 11 p.m., Atlanta Eagle, www.atlantaeagle.com
MONDAY, JAN. 6
The PFLAG Atlanta support group meets tonight on Monday in Atlanta, 7:30 – 9 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta, www.uuca.org
THURSDAY, JAN. 9
Charis Books hosts “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
“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
Topher Payne’s new “The Only Light in Reno” bows at Georgia Ensemble Theatre in Roswell, 8 p.m., www.get.org