Best Bets 04.30 – 05.14


Friday, April 30

Charis holds a going-away party for lesbian erotica writer Fiona Zedde, who is moving to Florida. Zedde reads from her ebook, “Kisses After Midnight,” and will sign her other books as well. 7-8:30 p.m. at Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Ave NE, Atlanta GA 30307, 404-522-9912, www.chariscircle.org

Lindsey Hinkle performs at 9 p.m. at Bellissima, 560 – B Amsterdam Ave., Atlanta, GA, 30306. www.myspace.com/bellissima_lounge

The gay Atlanta Stonewall Democrats join several Young Democrats chapters to host the Democratic Mixer with candidates who signed up during the April 26-April 30 qualifying period to run for office this year. 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. at Manuel’s Tavern, 602 N. Highland Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.atlantastonewall.org

Gay playwright Topher Payne plays Joan Crawford in the premiere of his “Christina Darling,” which tells the story of Joan’s daughter Christina Crawford, author of the scorching memoir “Mommie Dearest.” Through May 8 at Onstage Atlanta, 2597 North Decatur Road, Decatur, GA 30033-6126, www.theprocesstheatre.org

Bear icon Dru Bruin bartends at the Eagle for one night only. 306 Ponce de Leon Ave., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.atlantaeagle.com

Friday, April 30 –Sunday, May 2

The sixth annual Women’s Music in the Mountains festival at Swiftwaters brings a packed slate of musicians to the lesbian-owned women’s campground in Dahlonega. Among the almost two-dozen acts are Cell, Renee Mixon, Lives of the Monster Dogs, Lindsey Hinkle and Ronnda Cadle. Camping and day passes available. Swiftwaters, 830 Swiftwaters Road, Dahlonega, GA 30533, www.myspace.com/swiftwatersfest.

The second annual OutlantaCon focuses on LGBT themes in the science fiction, fantasy and horror genres. Speakers for the weekend conference include J.A. Steel, Cecilia Tan, Darieck Scott, Andrew Greenburg, J.M. McDermott, Eugie Foster, Kiernan Kelley, Greg Herren, Kayelle Allen and more. Events at the Holiday Inn Select – Perimeter, 4386 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, GA 30341, www.outlantacon.org

Saturday, May 1

Celebrate the first annual World Fitness Day by working out with Jane Fonda and her celebrity friends, including gay favorite Margaret Cho. The list also features Ludacris, Debbie Allen, Richard Simmons, The Pointer Sisters and more. Tickets are $75 to work-out, $25 to watch. Benefits Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. at the Georgia Dome, 1 Georgia Dome Drive, Atlanta, GA 30313,
www.worldfitnessday.org

The Atlanta Bucks, the city’s gay rugby team, holds its annual Purple Dress Run to benefit the team and YouthPride. Don your purple dress for the run from Mixx to Blake’s to FROGS Cantina to the Eagle; drinking all the way. A cookout follows at the Eagle. Registration starts at 1 p.m., step off at 2 p.m. at Mixx Atlanta, 1492 Piedmont Ave., Suite B, Atlanta, GA 30309. www.purpledressrun.org.

Dina Jacobs returns to Atlanta for an 8 p.m. show at Bellissima, 560 – B Amsterdam Ave., Atlanta, GA, 30306. www.myspace.com/bellissima_lounge

Lesbian guitarist Kaki King brings her unique sound to the Variety Playhouse. 8:30 p.m. at 1099 Euclid Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, www.variety-playhouse.com

Atlanta artist Jon Arge exhibits new works, while DJ William Roman spins. 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at 1113 Colquitt Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30307. www.facebook.com/argeart.

The 23rd annual Atlanta Human Rights Campaign Dinner features awards for Bravo’s Andy Cohen, state Rep. Simone Bell and Vandy Beth Glenn, who is suing the General Assembly for firing her for being transgender. Includes silent auction. VIP reception begins at 5 p.m., silent auction at 6 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta, 265 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30303, www.atlantahrcdinner.org.

Popular New York DJ Tony Moran spins at the Heretic. 10 p.m. at 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.djtonymoran.com, www.hereticatlanta.com.

Sunday, May 2

Piedmont Bark presents the 2010 Pet Cotillion, a benefit for PALS Atlanta, which helps people with HIV and other serious health conditions keep their pets. Vote online at www.palsatlanta.org for your favorite furry friend to be crowned Cotillion King or Queen, then enjoy the party with open bar, silent auction and DJ Greg Moseley. 3-6 p.m. at Piedmont Bark, 501 Amsterdam Ave., Atlanta, GA 30306, www.piedmontbark.com

LadyCatcher Productions presents a night of comedy with comedian Daddy Jane. 7 p.m. at My Sisters’ Room, 1271 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, www.mysistersroom.com

Mondo Homo’s Mondo May Day features queer punk music from Shitty Candy, Romanenko, Violence Gang, and a dance party with Jeremy Gloff. 4 p.m. at Eyedrum, 290 MLK Jr. Drive, Suite 8, Atlanta, GA 30312, www.eyedrum.org

Monday, May 3

Get a head start on Cinco de Mayo with Cinco de Gayo, a benefit for the AIDS Research Consortium of Atlanta tonight at Agave. 15 percent of your bill goes to ARCA. 5 – 10 p.m. at Agave, 242 Boulevard, Atlanta, GA 30312, www.agaverestaurant.com

Tuesday, May 4

LGBT activist Betty Couvertier hosts “Alternative Perspectives” every Tuesday at 7 p.m. on WRFG, 89.3 FM. www.wrfg.org

Watch “Glee,” then enjoy show tunes with VJ Vaughn. 9 p.m. at Amsterdam Atlanta, 502 Amsterdam Ave., Atlanta, GA 30306, www.facebook.com/amsterdam.atlanta

Wednesday, May 5

Go Out 2 Eat, a new monthly social event hosted by AID Atlanta’s Gay Men’s Outreach Program. 6:30 p.m. at Amsterdam Atlanta, 502 Amsterdam Ave., Atlanta, GA 30306, RSVP steven.igarashi@aidatlanta.org

Enjoy Cinco de Mayo with AID Atlanta LOOP, the agency’s donor circle. Includes cocktail bar, food, visits from two Georgia legislators and the announcement of the new AID Atlanta LOOP 3.0 initiative. 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at a private residence. www.aidatlanta.org

Papi’s Cinco de Mayo Parking Lot Fiesta kicks off at 6 p.m. at Las Margaritas, 1842 Cheshire Bridge Road, followed by a special Café Con Leche after party at 10 p.m. at the Heretic, 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road. Shuttle service between both locations. www.chriscolemanenterprises.com

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with DJs 5 Hour Boner and Sam Roth Stein in the Honey Pot. 9 p.m. at Mary’s, 1287 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, 404-624-4411, www.marysatlanta.com

New York Times food writer Kim Severson reads “Spoon Fed,” her memoir of life lessons from female cooks. 7:15 p.m. at the Decatur Library, 215 Sycamore St., Decatur, GA 30030, www.outwritebooks.com.

Thursday, May 6

Counter protests are planned as Rev. Fred Phelps’ “God Hates Fags” Westboro Baptist Church comes to Atlanta to protest at several local organizations and high schools. Students at Grady High School, targeted by the Phelps clan in part for their Gay-Straight Alliance, and supporters gather from 3:15 – 6 p.m. at Grady, 929 Charles Allen Drive, Atlanta, GA 30309.

The weekly Indulge party brings the boys out. 9 p.m. to midnight at the W Midtown Atlanta Hotel, 125 10th Street, Atlanta, GA 30309, www.chriscolemanenterprises.com.

Friday, May 7

The queer-inclusive band Herman Put Down the Gun returns from hiatus with a 9 p.m. show at Kavarna, 707 East Lake Drive, Decatur, GA 30030, www.hermanputdownthegun.com.

Friday, May 7 – Sunday, May 9

Atlanta West Fest brings a three days of events to the Historic West End. Benefit concert on Friday night at the Wren’s Nest, tour of homes on Saturday and Sunday, and all-day festival and artist market on Saturday in Gordon-White Park. www.atlantawestfest.com

Saturday, May 8

Quick Silver Country Dancers presents a gender-free Contra Dance, where couples of all gender combinations enjoy dancing similar to square dancing, performed in long lines so that everyone dances with everyone else. 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta, 1911 Cliff Valley Way NE, Atlanta, GA 30329, www.qcdancers.org

Remember the good old days of Atlanta’s gay 24 nightclub with the latest Backstreet Reunion. Doors open at 8 p.m. Charlie Brown’s Cabaret at 9 p.m., DJs Bill Berdeaux and Rob Reum spin. Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Rd., Atlanta, GA 30324,
www.jungleclubatlanta.com

Catch the Brown Sugar Vibe with Lakara Foster, with spoken word, musicians and DJ “E.” Theme is “Think Pink, Wear Pink, & Drink Pink for the Cure”; 10 percent of proceeds donated to Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. 8 – 11 p.m. at Kat’s Café, 970 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30309. www.facebook.com/lakarafoster

Saturday, May 8 – Sunday, May 9

Join DJ Vicki Powell and Bill Kaelin as the popular Flux party gets wet for Flux Deluxe on the first Saturday and Sunday of each month. On Saturday night, the Flux dance party packs the Livingston Restaurant + Bar at the historic Georgian Terrace Hotel from 10 p.m to 3 a.m. The music continues Sunday with brunch specials and music at the rooftop pool; special hotel rates available for those who want to stay over. Call Kaelin at 404-396-5750 for room reservations. 659 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30308, search “FLUX with DJ Vicki Powell” at www.facebook.com

Monday, May 10

The cast of Broadway’s “Mary Poppins” presents a special cabaret to benefit Jerusalem House, which provides housing for people affected by HIV. 8 p.m. at Ansley Park Playhouse, 1545 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.jerusalemhouse.org

Tuesday, May 11

The new Atlanta Women’s All About Business Networking group meets from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Across The Street, 688 Highland Ave., Atlanta, GA 30312. For more information, search for the group on www.meetup.com

Wednesday, May 12

Fiesta Positiva features Latin popstar Andres Cuervo to raise money for Positive Impact’s HIV outreach programs to the Latino community. 6-8 p.m. at the Latin American Association of Atlanta, 2750 Buford Highway,Atlanta, GA 30324, www.positiveimpact-atl.org.

With the sequel film set to hit theaters May 27, “Sex & the City” is the theme for this month’s PALS Bingo, the popular event that raises funds to help people with HIV and other illnesses care for their pets. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., games start at 7:45 p.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Rd., Atlanta, GA 30324, 404-844-8800, www.jungleclubatlanta.com.

Dine out at a long list of restaurants in Virginia Highland this evening, and at least 15 percent of your bill will be donated to Maximillian Corwell’s campaign for Atlanta Cotillion, the annual debutante fundraiser for AID Atlanta. 4 p.m. to 10:55 p.m.; list of restaurants online. Search “Atlanta Cotillion Virginia Highlands Dineout” on www.Facebook.com.

AID Atlanta’s Gay Men’s Outreach Program hosts “Gay, Gray & Ready to Play: A Look at Aging in the LGBT Community.” 7 p.m. at AID Atlanta, 1605 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, steven.igarashi@aidatlanta.org

Thursday, May 13

The gay Atlanta Executive Network hosts its monthly Mix & Mingle networking from 6-8 p.m. at Bellissima, 560 – B Amsterdam Ave., Atlanta, GA, 30306. www.myspace.com/bellissima_lounge, www.aen.org

AID Atlanta Honors celebrates Jeff Graham, For the Kid in All of Us, Atlanta Gas Light and Bud Russell for their contributions in the fight against HIV. 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. at Schwartz-Goldstein Hall at The Temple, 1589 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.aidatlanta.org.