Everybody’s working for the weekend. Wait no more. Here are our top picks for LGBT events to get your gay on Friday through Sunday: parties, galas, fundraisers, shows and weekend-long festivals.
Friday, May 4
OutlantaCon 2012 LGBT sci-fi/fantasy convention (top photo) opens @ Holiday Inn Select/Perimeter, 5 p.m. includes Friday’s Vampire Slayer game and party, 9 p.m. Speakers, panels, games, parties and more all day on Saturday and Sunday, too. Read our preview.
Got Leche? Party features “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alums Jessica Wild and Maria Paris Balenciaga (second photo) plus DJ Cubanito @ Club Rush, 10 p.m.
First Friday with the Atlanta Bucks @ Heretic, 8 p.m., followed immediately by DJ Lydia Prim, 10 p.m.
James Adomian plays two sets of hilarious comedy with rants on politics, corporate greed and the smart, sexy comic’s own wild gay life @ Laughing Skull Lounge, 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Same times Saturday, too, plus a 7 p.m. set on Sunday evening. Watch video and read our interview.
Raw Talent 5 drag king and queen competition continues with Turnabout Night as the second round of this every-other-Friday, all-summer contest @ My Sister’s Room, 10 p.m.
Saturday, May 5
Papi’s Cinco de Mayo Outside Carnival (third photo) expects thousands of gay revelers @ Las Margaritas, noon. Read gay Atlanta’s full Cinco de Mayo schedule preview to find 10 more celebrations, including Las Burkaritas Celebra De Vida International Party of Tequila @ Burkhart’s, 2 p.m., Cinco de Mayo Blowout @ Cowtippers, 3 p.m., and Cinco de Mayo Party @ Mixx Atlanta, 5 p.m.
NFFLA Flag Football pits its gay teams in this week’s four gridiron match ups @ Candler Park, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Buckhead Spring Arts & Crafts Festival thrown by the gay-led Atlanta Foundation for Public Spaces @ Chastain Park, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Also Sunday, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
25th Annual HRC Atlanta Dinner (fourth photo) with keynote U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, a performance by singer Frenchie Davis and actor Sean Hayes receiving the Visibility Award, as well as local honorees @ Hyatt Regency Atlanta, 6 p.m. Click the names for a preview of those appearances, or check out photos from last year’s event.
Brushstrokes Author Readings. Brushstrokes presents three great authors, three great LGBT books, one great event. J.P. Barnaby with her novel “Enlightened,” Eden Winter with her novel “Settling the Score,” and Shae O’Connor with her novel “Sand in Winter” @ Mixx Atlanta, 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Leg Up! Burlesque benefit for Fonda Lingue @ Elliot Street Deli & Pub, 8 p.m.
Miss Atlanta Devine Continental Pageant with contestants competing for the crown plus performances by Nichelle Paris, Shavonna B. Brooks, Necole Luv Dupree (fifth photo), Isabella Diamante and more @ Jungle, 6:30 p.m.
Cinco de Mayo Bash with the Maria Gabriella Band and drink specials all night @ My Sister’s Room, 6 p.m. Concert at 9 p.m.
Cinco de Mayo Throwdown features tequila and Corona specials plus the Atlanta Bucks upstairs in the Boozy Cougar Lounge @ Mary’s, 9 p.m.
The Big 5 Cinco de Mayo Celebration with Rockstars Production @ 595 North, 10 p.m.
Bear Invasion Atlanta with DJs John LePage (sixth photo) and Sean Mac also serves as the Official Cinco de Mayo afterparty featuring reduced entry fee until midnight with Las Margaritas wristband @ Heretic, 9 p.m.
DJ Lazaro Leon’s Cinco de Mayo Party also featured discounted admission with Las Margaritas wristband until midnight @ Jungle, 10 p.m.
Power Infiniti Birthday Bash @ Xion, 3 a.m. (Sunday after midnight)
Sunday, May 6
Gay Day @ Georgia Renaissance Festival (seventh photo) gathers a contingent of LGBTs for the official Gay Day at the annual weekly Saturday-Sunday festival through the first weekend in June, 10:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. Read our preview.
Hotlanta Softball League games @ West Metro Atlanta Softball Complex, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., followed by HSL Extra Innings Beer Bust with the Rubber Ducks @ Cockpit, 4 p.m. Check out photos from last week’s games and beer bust.
Pre-Pet Cotillion Brunch benefits Pets Are Loving Support @ Amsterdam, 11:30 a.m., followed by PALS Pet Cotillion 2012 (bottom photo) features the naming of this year’s “spokespet” (cast your vote) at this annual bring-your-dog, dress-it-up event @ Piedmont Bark, 3 p.m.
The Armorettes weekly camp drag fundraising show for HIV/AIDS causes @ Burkhart’s, 8 p.m., and read our preview to register or attend the Miss Barfly 2012: Pest Control Pageant set for May 20.
New Faces: Aquelencia’s Birthday Extravaganza with a cast including Violet Chachki and Prima Alexandra @ Friends, 9 p.m.
