Big Freedia at The Earl, 'Smash' at Amsterdam and more this week

Our ‘Best Bets’

Monday, Jan. 21

Big Freedia, the queen of Sissy Bounce which features explicitly gay and cross-dressing musicians and themes, plays The Earl. 8:30 p.m. at The Earl, 488 Flat Shoals Ave. SE, Atlanta, GA 30316, www.badearl.com

Tuesday, Jan. 22

Lesbian social networking group Fourth Tuesday hosts its namesake monthly dinner. For location and other details, visit www.facebook.com/FourthTuesdayAtlanta

It’s the second week of Camp, Ruby Redd’s new summer camp themed show. 8 p.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.palsatlanta.org

Meet your match with speed dating from 8-10 p.m. upstairs at Blake’s on the Park, 227 10th St., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com

Catch NBC’s “Smash” at 9 p.m. at Amsterdam Atlanta, 502-A Amsterdam Ave., Atlanta, GA 30306, www.amsterdamatlanta.com

Wednesday, Jan. 23

Be ready to laugh for the premiere of the ABear Comedy Show, hosted by Ian Aber — ABear comedian. Features LGBT and straight comics to benefit Lost-N-Found Youth, which helps LGBT homeless youth. 8 p.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.jungleclubatlanta.com

Wednesday, Jan. 23 – Sunday, Jan. 27

The National Gay & Lesbian Task Force brings its massive Creating Change Conference to Atlanta, gathering 3,000+ LGBT activists and allies from around the nation for workshops, strategizing and community building. Hilton Atlanta, 255 Courtland St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30303, www.creatingchange.org

Thursday, Jan. 24

SAGE Atlanta, a support and social group for LGBT elders, meets starting at 10 a.m. on Thursdays at the Philip Rush Center, 1530 Dekalb Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.sageatl.org

Get “all fired up” to help Women Healing Women, which supports survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse. Tonight, purchase and paint pottery in the theme of peace, healing and eradicating violence, then donate it to Women Healing Women for sale and auction during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. 6:30 -9:30 p.m. at All Fired Up, 1563 North Decatur Road, Atlanta, GA 30307, www.surviving2thriving.org

“Sing For Your Life,” the live singing competition with judges and mentors Barry Brandon, JL Rodriguez and Michael Robinson, continues Thursdays through March 28. Doors open 8 p.m., show at 9 p.m. at Jungle Club Atlanta, 2115 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.singforyourlifeatl.com

On Thursdays, check out Dancefloor Divas with Phoenix of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” 11:30 p.m. at Burkhart’s, 1492 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30309,www.burkharts.com