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Best Bets: 05.27 – 06.09

Friday, May 27

Gay-inclusive, irreverent puppet play “Avenue Q” runs Wednesdays through Sundays through July 3 at Horizon Theatre, 1083 Austin Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30307. Runs Wednesdays – Sundays through July 3. www.horizontheatre.com.

Spring Beat Cycle features DJ Scot-O-Matic. 10 p.m. at Bellissima, 560 Amsterdam Ave., Atlanta, GA 30306, www.myspace.com/bellissima_lounge.

DJ Mike Cruz of New York City makes his debut at the Heretic, 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com.

Friday, May 27 – Saturday, May 28

Tony-winner Patti Lupone performs at 8 p.m. both nights with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. 1280 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.atlantasymphony.org.

Friday, May 27 – Monday, May 30

The gay Wilderness Network of Georgia goes hang-gliding and camping at Lookout Mountain. www.wildnetga.org.

Saturday, May 28

Drench, the W Downtown’s weekly summer Saturday pool party, has its official grand opening with DJ Justin Ryan. 1-6 p.m. at the W Atlanta Downtown, 45 Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd., Atlanta, GA 30313, www.chriscolemanenterprises.com.

MAISON Atlanta presents Eggs-travaganza, a benefit for Atlanta Cotillion, which raises funds for people with HIV. 7-10 p.m. at MAISON Atlanta, 1100 Howell Mill Road, Atlanta, GA 30318, www.atlantacotillion.com.

“Mr. Universe,” by local gay playwright Jim Grimsley, returns to the Atlanta stage with an opening night party. 8 p.m. at 7 Stages, 1105 Euclid Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.7stages.org.

American Gangsta is Traxx’s Memorial Day Weekend bash. Sexy military attire; $1,000 Jay-Cettee competition. 11 p.m. at Traxx, 253 Auburn Ave., Atlanta, GA 30303, www.traxxatlanta.com.

Carioca Productions presents DJ /Producer Isaac Escalante. Doors open 10 p.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Rd., Atlanta, GA 30324, www.jungleclubatlanta.com.

DJ Darin Arrowood spins at the Heretic, 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com.

Saturday, May 28 – Sunday, May 29

The gay and lesbian inclusive Decatur Arts Festival features musical performers, an artist market and much more. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday on the Decatur Square. www.decaturartsfestival.com.

Sunday, May 29

The Heretic’s new patio hosts Beach Blast, a benefit for Joining Hearts with sand, swim suit contest, cookout and dunking booth. DJ Mike Pope on the patio at 3 p.m. and DJ Alex Cohen on the main dance floor at 9 p.m. at the Heretic, 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com.

Sabbath Sundays bring the boys out. 3 p.m. at Opera Nightclub, 1150B Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.chriscolemanenterprises.com.

Club Q parties all night with DJ Dan de Leon. Early set by DJ Martin Fry. 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. at 714 Spring St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30308, www.chriscolemanenterprises.com.

MixHer Sundays relaunch for the ladies, featuring DJ Fire and DJ NxtGurl. 6 p.m. to midnight at Bellissima, 560 Amsterdam Ave., Atlanta, GA 30306, www.myspace.com/bellissima_lounge.

Monday, May 30

American Veterans for Equal Rights holds its annual Memorial Day Taps Service. 12 p.m. in front of the old American Legion hall at intersection of Piedmont Avenue and 12th Street, www.avergeorgia.org.

Tuesday, May 31

Sing your heart out at the infamous Mary-oke. 9 p.m. at Mary’s, 1287 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, www.marysatlanta.com.

Longtime LGBT activist Betty Couvertier hosts “Alternative Perspectives” every Tuesday from 7-8 p.m. on WRFG 89.3. The show is a mix of news and interviews focused on LGBT issues and concerns.

Wednesday, June 1

The Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce hosts a Business Builder Luncheon. 11:55 a.m. at Carpe Diem, 105 Sycamore Place, Decatur, GA 30030, www.atlantagaychamber.org.

Thursday, June 2

Participants in the Beginner and Intermediate Dance classes at 3 Legged Cowboy gather for dinner to keep in touch and share stories of the gay country bar that closed April 30. 7-10 p.m. at Mellow Mushroom, 931 Monroe Drive, Atlanta, GA 30308.

The Bumfodder Chronicles, in which comedians take a satirical look at the news, features comedian Trey Toler and tonight takes on LGBT issues. 8 p.m. at Academy Theatre, 119 Center St., Avondale Estates, GA 30002, www.academytheatre.org.

Friday, June 3

The Atlanta Queer Literary Festival and Poetry Atlanta present Howl-A-Thon, an evening of Atlanta poets reading the works of Allen Ginsberg to benefit AQLF. 7:30-10:30 p.m. at First Existentialist Church, 470 Candler Park Dr. NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, www.atlqueerlitfest.blogspot.com.

DJ Steve James spins at Amsterdam Atlanta, 502-A Amsterdam Ave., Atlanta, GA 30306, www.amsterdamatlanta.com.

Funk Boutique presents Bears in Space with emcee and hostess Funky Dineva  and DJ Chris Bowen. 9 p.m. at Mary’s, 1287 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, www.marysatlanta.com.

Friday, June 3

Sarah Peacock performs at 10 p.m. at Bellissima, 560 Amsterdam Ave., Atlanta, GA 30306, www.myspace.com/bellissima_lounge.

Friday, June 3 – Saturday, June 4

Our Song, the gay and lesbian chorus, presents OutSide Ourselves, music to give us greater understanding of ourselves and our communities. 8 p.m. both days at Emory University’s Cannon Chapel, 515 South Kilgo Circle, Atlanta, GA  30322, www.oursongatlanta.com.

Saturday, June 4

Prime Timers of Atlanta, a social organization of older gay and bisexual men, meets at 3 p.m. in the community room of the Ponce de Leon Branch Library, 980 Ponce deLeon Ave., Atlanta, GA 30306. www.AtlantaPrimeTimers.com.

The gay National Flag Football League of Atlanta hosts a Margarita Bust with $15 all-you-can-drink margaritas. 7-10 pm. at Zocalo, 187 10th St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, www.nffla.com.

Diva Rama features DJ Wess of Town nightclub in Washington, D.C., spinning anthems from all your favorite divas. 10 p.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Rd., Atlanta, GA 30324, www.jungleclubatlanta.com.

Sunday, June 5

The gay Hotlanta Softball League continues its spring season every Sunday at Southside Park, 3460 Jonesboro Road SE, Atlanta, GA 30354, www.hotlantasoftball.org.

Gentle Spirit Christian Church and the ministry of Aaron’s Rainbow Project present out Christian singer/songwriter Shawn Thomas in a free outdoor concert. 12-2 p.m. at the first pavilion in Candler Park, 1500 McLendon Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, www.shawnthomasatl.eventbrite.com.

The Atlanta Dream, the city’s WNBA team, opens its season with a game against the New York Liberty. 3 p.m. at Philips Arena, One Philips Drive, Atlanta, GA  30303, www.wnba.com/dream.

The Real Rolemodels Campaign, designed to inspire people to stand up for their beliefs, holds its first official photo shoot. Choose a word that describes your family and a quote that fits you best. $18 includes photo and t-shirt. 2-7 p.m. at Bellissima, 560 Amsterdam Ave., Atlanta, GA 30306, www.bellissima-atlanta.com.

Monday, June 6

PFLAG Atlanta holds its First Monday support meeting. 7:30 – 9 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta, 1911 Cliff Valley Way NE, Atlanta, GA 30329.

Monday means Drag on the Edge, starring Lady Shabazz, Martina Diamante, Phoenix and LaTeasha Shante Shuntel and special guests. 11 p.m. at Blake’s on the Park, 227 10th St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com.

Mondays are live piano with David Reeb. Make requests and sing along from 8 p.m. to midnight at Mixx Atlanta, 1492 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, www.mixxatlanta.com.

Tuesday, June 7

It might be rude not to go when Steven Petrow signs “Complete Gay & Lesbian Manners” at 7:30 p.m. at Outwrite, 991 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.outwritebooks.com.

“The Emperor Has No Clothes: Teaching About Race and Racism to People Who Don’t Want to Know” features racial justice activist and author Tema Okun. 7:30 p.m. at Charis, 1189 Euclid Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, www.chariscircle.org.

AID Atlanta’s Gay Outreach Program holds its One Night Stand discussion group, this month exploring the topics of spirituality and sexuality with “Have a Little Faith in Me.” 7-9 p.m. at AID Atlanta, 1605 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, www.aidatlanta.org.

Wednesday, June 8

The Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce hosts a Business Builder Luncheon. 11:30 a.m. at SoHo, 4300 Paces Ferry Road, Atlanta, GA 30339, www.atlantagaychamber.org.

“Designing Women” is the theme for this month’s PALS Bingo, hosted by Bubba D. Licious and special co-host Topher Payne, a GA Voice columnist, as Julia Sugarbaker. The popular event raises money for PALS, which helps people with HIV and other health conditions keep their pets. 6:45–9:45 p.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Rd., Atlanta, GA 30324, www.palsatlanta.org.

Thursday, June 9

The gay Atlanta Executive Network hosts a Decatur Stroll Out, visiting four LGBT owned or operated businesses. 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. starting at Keller Williams Realty Decatur, 315 W. Ponce de Leon Ave. Suite 100, Decatur, GA 30030. Also visits Sawicki’s foods, Heliotrope and Decatur Market & Gallery, with food, drinks and mingling at each. www.aen.org.

The Atlanta Rollergirls, the city’s roller derby league, hosts “Old, New, Black & Blue: Mid-Season Deb Brawl.” Wear your favorite team’s colors and welcome the new mid-season rookies. 7:30 p.m. at Bellissima, 560 Amsterdam Ave., Atlanta, GA 30306, www.atlantarollergirls.com.

Faces of Courage is a photo exhibit and fundraiser for GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network. 6-8 p.m. at Kai Lin Art, 800 Peachtree St. Suite D
Atlanta, GA 30308, www.glsen.org.

“The Minotaur’s Dream,” a take on Greek mythology, opens tonight at 8 p.m. and runs through June 19 at 7 Stages, 1105 Euclid Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.7stages.org, www.oddmanouttheater.com.

Fighting Back Against Street Harassment features representatives of three groups sharing their work combating bias against girls, women, queers, and gender varient people: 7:30-9 p.m. at Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, www.chariscircle.org.

Friday, June 10

The Lies Chelsea Handler Told Me Tour features the irreverent comedian and talk show host, plus Heather, Josh and Brad. 8 p.m. at Chastain Park Amphitheatre, 4469 Stella Drive, Atlanta, GA  30342, www.ticketmaster.com.