Friday, April 15 – Sunday, April 17
The Dogwood Festival celebrates its 75th anniversary with an artist market, music, food and even a nine-story Ferris wheel. Entertainers for the three-day Atlanta spring tradition include gay rocker Diane Durrett on the acoustic stage at 7 p.m. Saturday. All weekend in Piedmont Park. www.dogwood.org.
Midtown Atlanta Shop & Dine Week continues through Sunday, with discounts at restaurants, night clubs, retail stores, hotels and more. You can also enjoy the Midtown Tour of Homes on Saturday and Sunday. www.midtownatlantashopanddineweek.com, www.midtowntourofhomes.com.
Friday, April 15
“A Jihad for Love,” Parvez Sharma’s documentary about LGBT Muslims, screens at the Third Friday Film Series. Suggested donation $1-$10 sliding scale. 7-10 p.m. at First Existentialist Congregation of Atlanta, 470 Candler Park Dr., NE, Atlanta, GA 30307.
Sacred HeARTS is a fine arts and performing arts benefit for the Atlanta Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, the non-profit “nuns” dedicated to community service and activism. 7-10 p.m. at Jungle and includes free admission to Dragnigue, which follows. Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Rd., Atlanta, GA 30324, www.jungleclubatlanta.com.
Professional intimacy and relationship coach Marla Stewart presents “Sex Is Powerful: Empowering Your Sexuality In & Out of the Bedroom.” 7:30 p.m. at Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, www.chariscircle.org.
Traxx Girls’ annual All White Anniversary Party is hosted by models and actresses The Glenn Twins, Tae Heckard from “The Game” and King Magazine’s cover model Sheneka Adams. Also features DJ Small Wonder, DJ Dimples, DJ E, MC Cadillac and introducing Suga. At the new XS Ultra Lounge (aka XCess Ultra Lounge & Bistro), 708 Spring St., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.xsultralounge.com.
Saturday, April 16
Join the MEGA Family Project for a play date with LGBT families at the playground at Piedmont Park. Bring your own picnic lunch. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
www.megafamilyproject.org.
The MISTER Community Center for gay and bi men offers a Business Attire & Manner Workshop, the second in a three-part series on job placement skills. Interviewing Skills follows on April 23. 1-2 p.m. at MISTER, 139 Ralph McGill Boulevard, Atlanta, GA 30308, www.positiveimpact-atl.org.
Stacy Pershall reads from “Loud in the House of Myself,” her “mordantly funny” memoir that includes anorexia, bipolar and borderline personality disorders, suicide attempts and tattooing. 5:30 p.m. at Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, www.chariscircle.org.
The Death and Taxes Poetry Extravaganza is hosted by gay poet Franklin Abbott and includes 10 powerful voices. 7:30-9 p.m. at Bound To Be Read Books, 481-B Flat Shoals Road, East Atlanta Village, Atlanta, GA 30316.
Heretic Backroom Burlesque presents the Armorettes from 8-10 p.m. to PALS, followed by DJ Lydia Prim at 10 p.m. at the Heretic, 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com.
The 22nd annual Boybutante Ball caps a week of activities raising funds for HIV services in Northeast Georgia. This year’s theme is “Honky Tonk Ho-Down.” Doors open 9 p.m. at the 40 Watt, 285 W. Washington St., Athens, GA 30601. For the week’s full schedule, visit www.boybutante.org.
Local singer-songwriter Barry Brandon’s band Stiletto Effect and rocker Eryn Woods conclude their tour with a show for hometown fans. 10 p.m. at Highland Ballroom, 644 N. Highland Ave., Atlanta, Ga 30306.
Recall Atlanta’s former fetish club at Mon Cherie’s “The Chamber” Reunion including burlesque, fetish performances, drag skits and more. 10 p.m. at The Masquerade, 695 North Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30308, www.moncheriepresents.com.
Wear your sexy underwear or pajamas for the UltraViolet Black Out with DJ Sin Morera. 9 p.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Rd., Atlanta, GA 30324,
www.jungleclubatlanta.com.
The Body Heat Femme Tour features erotica writers, performers and dancers, including Atlantans Kathleen Delaney and Vagina Jenkins, and special guest Margaret Cho. 9 p.m. at First Existentialist, 470 Candler Park Dr., Atlanta, GA 30307, search “Body Heat Femme Tour” on www.facebook.com.
The quarterly Fetish Night returns to the Eagle, this time with a dual theme of Uniforms and Cigars. The Atlanta Eagle, 306 Ponce De Leon Ave. Atlanta, GA 30308, www.atlantaeagle.com.
Sunday, April 17
Mondo Homo hosts the second annual WigOut, an all-day outdoor event featuring drag and burlesque performers, DJs’ Vicki Powell and Homosexual, carnival games and more. 2 p.m. to midnight at Friends On Ponce, 736 Ponce De Leon Ave., Atlanta, GA 30306, www.mondohomo.com.
Atlanta Police Department LGBT Liaison Brian Sharp speaks to the PFLAG Atlanta Third Sunday meeting. 2:45 – 5 p.m. at First MCC, 1379 Tullie Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30329-2308, www.pflagatl.org.
Dueling DJs Mike Pope and David Knapp spin for Change of Seasons, the spring party for Joining Hearts, which raises funds for housing for people impacted by HIV. 4-9 p.m. at Georgian Terrace Hotel, 659 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA , www.joininghearts.org.
Bucky Motter and Sonia Tetlow perform in a fundraiser for the Atlanta Queer Lit festival. 6 p.m. at Eddie’s Attic, 515 N McDonough St., Decatur, GA 30030, www.eddiesattic.com.
Monday, April 18
Don’t be a drag, be a queen as Lady Gaga brings “Born This Way” to Atlanta. 8 p.m. at the Arena at Gwinnett Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth, GA 30097,
www.ticketmaster.com.
Watch “RuPaul’s Drag Race” at 9 p.m. at Einstein’s, 1077 Juniper St., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.einsteinsatlanta.com. Or catch the show at Blake’s on the Park, 227 10th St., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com.
Niesha Dupree’s Stars of the Century celebrates its 12th anniversary. Show time at 11 p.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Rd., Atlanta, GA 30324, www.jungleclubatlanta.com.
Tuesday, April 19
Join the Women’s Outdoor Network for indoor rock climbing. 7 p.m. at Stone Summit, 3701 Presidential Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30340, www.ssclimbing.com.
MEGA Family Project hosts a new support group for prospective adoptive parents. 7-8:30 p.m. at the MEGA Family Project office space at the Rush Center, 1530 Dekalb Avenue, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 30307. www.megafamilyproject.org.
Wednesday, April 20
Journalist and former amateur boxer Mischa Merz reads from “The Sweetest Thing: Inside the World of Women’s Boxing.” 7:30 p.m. at Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, www.chariscircle.org.
Ke$ha brings her “Get $leezy” tour to the Tabernacle, and you know she will. 9 p.m. at 152 Luckie St., Atlanta, GA 30303, www.livenation.com.
DJs Sam Rothstein and Last Season Skechers return with their Big Primpin’ party, dubbed Dre Day. 9 p.m. at Mary’s, 1287 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, www.marysatlanta.com.
Thursday, April 21
The gay Atlanta Executive Network presents Jeffery Halter, author of “Selling to Men, Selling to Women.” 6:30 – 9 p.m. at Hudson Grille Midtown, 942 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.aen.org.
Catch an art opening by Robert Sherer and William Cash with the book launch of “100 Artists of the Male Figure.” 7 p.m. at Outwrite Bookstore & Coffeehouse, 991 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.outwritebooks.com.
MEGA Family Project’s Coming Out Support Group, a free service for adults, meets 7-8:30 p.m. at the MEGA Family Project office space at 1530 Dekalb Avenue, Suite A, Atlanta, GA 30307. The same night at the same time is the group’s “Waiting for the Stork” Prospective Parent Meet Up. www.megafamilyproject.org.
Expect drama as Charlie Sheen brings his “My Violent Torpedo of Truth/Defeat Is Not an Option Tour” tour to Atlanta. 8 p.m. at the Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30308, www.foxtheatre.org.
Cliterati Open No-Mic features spoken word on the third Thursday of every month. Hosted by Karen G and Theresa Davis, this month’s special guest is Brook Blander. 7:30 – 9 p.m. at Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, www.chariscircle.org.
Chris Coleman’s Indulge party hosts a Britney Spears CD release party from 9 p.m. to midnight at W Hotel – Midtown, 188 14th Street, Atlanta, GA 30361; email chris@chriscolemanenterprises.com.
Thursday, April 21 – Sunday, April 24
Hundreds of LGBT bowlers descend on Atlanta for the annual Easter weekend Dixie Invitational Bowling Tournament. Say howdy during tournament play at Brunswick Zone Norcross, at the host hotel Atlanta Marriott Buckhead, and at host bars Tripps, Oscar’s, Atlanta Eagle and Jungle. www.dixiebowl.org.
Friday, April 22
The Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce hosts its Fourth Friday mixer. 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Artmore Hotel, 1302 W. Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.atlantagaychamber.org.
Direct from the UK, the Freemasons make their Atlanta debut. DJ Lydia Prim spins an opening set; portion of door charge goes to Joining Hearts. The Heretic, 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com.
Easter Weekend gets underway with DJ Karios D’La Paz at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Rd., Atlanta, GA 30324, www.jungleclubatlanta.com.
Saturday, April 23
Enjoy the Pre-Easter Egg Coloring and Bonnet Contest. 4-7 p.m. with bonnet contest at 6 p.m. at Woofs, 2425 Piedmont Rd., Atlanta, GA, 30324,
www.woofsatlanta.com.
DJ Ralphi Rosario spins and Power Infiniti performs at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Rd., Atlanta, GA 30324, www.jungleclubatlanta.com.
DJ Mike Pope spins at the at the Heretic, 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com.
DJ Power Infiniti spins at 4 a.m. at Xion, membership required. 2241 Faulkner Rd., Atlanta, GA 30324.
District House Mother DJ Sederick and DJ Maestro spin hip hop and house music for the grand opening of the new XS Ultra Lounge (aka XCess Ultra Lounge & Bistro), 708 Spring St., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.xsultralounge.com.
Bedlam presents MadMadMasquerade, inspired by the combination of a classic masquerade and an insane asylum. 10 p.m. at My Sister’s Room, 1271 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, www.mysistersroom.com.
Feel the “NV.” Party all night with DJ Sean Mac from 10 p.m. – 1:30 a.m. and DJ/Producer Manny Lehman from 1:30 a.m. to 7 a.m. at 714 Spring St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30308, www.chriscolemanenterprises.com.
Sunday, April 24
The Armorettes Easter Drag Races are a campy, beloved Atlanta tradition. Don your best bonnet and turn out for games and mayhem. Registration begins at 2 p.m.; races start at 4 p.m. at Burkhart’s Pub, 1492 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.burkharts.com.
Overhaul with DJ/Producer Martin Fry goes prime time on Easter Sunday. 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. at 714 Spring St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30308, www.chriscolemanenterprises.com.
Monday, April 25
Mystery writer Josh Aterovis signs “The Truth of Yesterday,” his new book featuring gay teen sleuth Killian Kendall. 7:30 p.m. at Outwrite Bookstore & Coffeehouse, 991 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.outwritebooks.com.
Tuesday, April 26
Sing your heart out at the infamous Mary-oke. 9 p.m. at Mary’s, 1287 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316, www.marysatlanta.com.
Wednesday, April 27
Join in the 19th annual Dining Out for Life, when almost 100 restaurants will donate 20 percent or more of your check to Open Hand, which provides meals to people with HIV and other serious health concerns. For list of restaurants and more information, visit www.diningoutforlife.com/atlanta.
Sex educator and activist Susie Bright signs her memoir “Big Sex, Little Death.” 7:30 p.m. at Outwrite Bookstore & Coffeehouse, 991 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.outwritebooks.com.
The Queer Literary Fiction Book Group holds its monthly meeting, with author Nairne Holtz in attendance to read and discuss “This One’s Going to Last Forever.” 7 p.m. at Charis, 1189 Euclid Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, www.chariscircle.org.
Stiletto Effect and Eryn Woods perform with Nicky Click. 10 p.m. at Vinyl, 374 West Peachtree St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30309.
Thursday, April 28
Enjoy “Bears Sing for the Children,” with performances by Scott Free (Chicago), “Rock Cub” (Cincinnati), Gordon Michaels (Boston) and Elijah Black (NYC) to benefit CHRIS Kids. Show at 8 p.m., followed by dancing at 10 p.m. with DJ Calvin and DJ Mike Pope. Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Rd., Atlanta, GA 30324, www.jungleclubatlanta.com.
Uncork a Cure is a gala evening of wine, food tastings, and live and silent auctions, all to raise funds for ARCA, the AIDS Research Consortium of Atlanta. 6-9 p.m. at The Foundry at Puritan Mill, 916 Joseph E. Lowery Blvd., Atlanta, GA , 30318, www.uncorkacure.org.
Former Atlanta poet Mendy Knott reads from her book “A Little Lazarus.” 7:30 p.m. at Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30307,
www.chariscircle.org.
Enjoy Women of Rock in the Round with Caroline Aiken, Donna Hopkins and Diane Durrett. 8 p.m. at Eddie’s Attic, 515 N McDonough St., Decatur, GA 30030, www.eddiesattic.com.
Friday, April 29 – Saturday, April 30
The Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus performs “Divas 2: Opera Revisited.” 8 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday at Conant Center for the Performing Arts at Oglethorpe University, 4484 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, GA 30319, www.agmchorus.org.
Saturday, April 30
The manly men of the gay Atlanta Bucks rugby team don frocks for the Purple Dress Run, the team’s annual fundraiser, with a portion of proceeds benefitting the MISTER Community Center. Starts at 1 p.m. at Blake’s, then hits Blake’s, FROGS Cantina, and ends with cookout at the Eagle. www.purpledressrun.org.