Dogwood Festival, Worldwide LGBT Civil Rights March and more this weekend

Our ‘Best Bets’

Friday, April 20 – Saturday, April 21

Savannah Pride hosts their annual sunset cruise along the Georgia coast from the Barrier Islands to the Black Water Inland Rivers. $25/person, $49/couple. 6:30 – 8 p.m. departing from Bull River Marina. Make reservations with dale@savpride.org

Saturday, April 21

Atlanta is taking part in the Worldwide LGBT Civil Rights March Movement for Equal rights to protest employment discrimination, housing discrimination, hate crimes and marriage inequality. 12 – 2 p.m. starting in Woodruff Park, 91 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30303, http://on.fb.me/GRAwYD

The Atlanta Bucks host their annual “Purple Dress Run” fundraiser, where the beefy boys of the city’s gay rugby team invite runners to don purple dresses for a run/bar crawl through Midtown. For more details, see story on page 32. 1 – 5 p.m. Run starts at Mixx, 1492 Piedmont Ave, Atlanta, GA 30309. http://purpledressrun2012.eventbrite.com

The MEGA Family Project ventures out to Sips N Strokes for a day of painting for the kids and adults. Participants must RSVP with Sips N Strokes. 2 – 4 p.m. at Sips N Strokes, 2855, N. Druid HIlls Road, Atlanta, GA 30329, 404-901-1099, www.megafamilyproject.org

DJ Randy Bettis spins for an “Ultraviolet Blacklight Underwear Party” at Jungle. 10 p.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324,
www.jungleclubatlanta.com

The Atlanta Rollergirls play two roller derby bouts starting at 5 p.m. at Yaarab Shrine Center, 400 Ponce de Leon Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30308, www.atlantarollergirls.com

Saturday, April 21 – Sunday, April 22

The Pride Expo, billed as the “premiere lifestyle and entertainment event,” takes over the Atlanta Convention Center for two days with a number of LGBT vendors and features, entertainment by Barry Brandon, Jean Kelly, Brie and more. VIP ticket holders enjoy an after party at My Sister’s Room on Saturday at 9 p.m., as well. 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. both days at The Atlanta Convention Center at Americas Mart, 240 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.theprideexpo.com

Sunday, April 22

The Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus presents “Encore: A Night of Music.” The event is produced by former Broadway performer and award-winning New York cabaret artist Robert Ray. Melissa Carter guest hosts. 7 – 10 p.m. at the Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center, 800 Spring St., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.agmchorus.org

Gay singer, songwriter and actor Terrell Carter performs live for an after party for the stage place “The Lost Sons,” with a special performance by Kai Richards. Tickets are going fast. 9 p.m. – 1 a.m. at Justin’s, 2200 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, GA 30309, http://terrellcarterlive.eventbrite.com