Before planning your weekend, check out these great events happening around gay Atlanta

Our ‘Best Bets’

Thursday, July 14

The Atlanta Executive Network and Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Community Center join forces for a Mix & Mingle outside the Perimeter. 6:30-8:30 p.m. at 5825 Roswell Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30328, www.aen.org, www.atlantagaychamber.org.

Atlantic Station’s Thursday night outdoor film series features “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1.” Film starts at dusk, around 8:45-9 p.m. www.atlanticstation.com.

LGBT Dance Atlanta hosts Throwdown Thursdays, with line dance lessons at 8 p.m. followed by open dance to country hits all night at Bellissima, 560 Amsterdam Ave., Atlanta, GA 30306, www.facebook.com/bellissima.atlanta, www.lgbtdanceatlanta.com.

Chris Coleman’s Indulge party is Thursday night from 9 p.m. to midnight at W Hotel – Midtown, 188 14th Street, Atlanta, GA 30361,
www.chriscolemanenterprises.com.

Monte St. James presents the Purple Dragon every Thursday night. Talent show at 10 p.m., main show at 11:15 p.m. at XS Ultra Lounge, 708 Spring St., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.xsultralounge.com.

Friday, July 15

Join the GA Voice for our second annual Best of Atlanta party, featuring award presentations, emcee Melissa Carter, DJs Vicki Powell and Mike Pope, and drinks and food from Barefoot Wine, Feast Catering and Southern Sweets Bakery, additional cash bar, and more. Complimentary wine from 7-8 p.m., awards at 8 p.m., party from 7-10 p.m. at Altitude on the 27th floor of the W Midtown, 188 14th Street, Atlanta, GA 30361, www.thegavoice.com.

Marla Stewart, founder of Velvet Lips, presents “How to Release Fears & Anxiety in Your Sex Life.” 7:30 p.m. at Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, www.chariscircle.org.

“Johnny Greyeyes,” about a Native American woman who falls in love in a women’s prison, screens at the Third Friday Film Series. Suggested donation $1-$10 sliding scale. Films start at 7:30 p.m. at First Existentialist Congregation of Atlanta, 470 Candler Park Dr., NE, Atlanta, GA 30307.

You can never get enough DJ Vicki Powell. After the GA Voice Best of Atlanta party, join her for Boombox. 11 p.m. at The Sound Table, 483 Edgewood Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312.

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

Saturday, July 16

Join in a Beer Bust and more to benefit the Atlanta “C” Packers in their bid to the Gay Softball World Series to be held in Chicago, Aug. 29-Sept. 4, 2011. 1-5 p.m. at Joe’s on Juniper, 1049 Juniper St., Atlanta, GA 30309.

Drench, the W Downtown’s weekly summer Saturday pool party, gets wet from 1-7 p.m. at the W Atlanta Downtown, 45 Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd., Atlanta, GA 30313, www.chriscolemanenterprises.com.

Join the Decatur Women’s Sports League for kickball from noon to 5 p.m. at Kelly C. Cofer Park, 4259 N. Park Drive, Tucker, GA 30084, www.decaturwomen.com.

The gay Wilderness Network of Georgia hosts an easy 3.4 mile, dog-friendly day hike along the shores of Lake Allatoona in Bartow County. www.wildnetga.org.

Lesbian blues rocker Michelle Malone plays two shows. 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. at Eddie’s Attic, 515 N McDonough St., Decatur, GA 30030, www.eddiesattic.com.

The Atlanta Bucks gay rugby club enjoys a Bar Night at the Atlanta Eagle, 306 Ponce De Leon Ave., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.sourthernbears.org.

Bedlam presents HighFructoseCornSyrup, so come dressed in junk-food themed or edible clothing. Special music guest Cintia Porcino performs at 9 p.m. at Bellissima, 560 Amsterdam Ave., Atlanta, GA 30306, www.facebook.com/bellissima.atlanta.

Check out the raunchy comedy of Sherry Vine’s Cabaret. 8 p.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Rd., Atlanta, GA 30324, www.jungleclubatlanta.com.

Flash back to Atlanta circa 1988 to 2002 and enjoy the sounds of Warehouse Atlanta, Club Velvet and Backstreet. Featuring DJ Lydia Prim and a special performance by entertainer Motion. 10 p.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Rd., Atlanta, GA 30324, www.jungleclubatlanta.com.

Sunday, July 17

Have fun at a Beer Bust and Spin-a-thon to support the Atlanta Rainbow Trout Triathlon Team. 2-6 p.m. at FROGS Cantina, 931 Monroe Drive, www.atlantarainbowtrout.com.

PFLAG Atlanta hosts its Third Sunday meeting. 2:45 – 5 p.m. at First MCC, 1379 Tullie Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30329-2308, www.pflagatl.org.

Britney Spears performs with Nicki Minaj, Jessie and the Toy Boys, and Nervo. 7 p.m. at Philips Arena, One Philips Drive, Atlanta, GA  30303, www.ticketmaster.com.

ADD YOUR EVENT

There are two ways to add your events to our online and print calendars. Submit your  info to www.theGAVoice.com or e-mail details to editor@theGAVoice.com.