Go ahead. You’ve earned it. Start planning your Friday through Sunday downtime with a boatload of opportunities to blow off steam at local LGBT events that say hey, you deserve a big gay break.
Friday, Aug. 17
Del Shores’ “Naked. Sordid. Reality” brings the snarky, funny “Sordid Lives” creator (top photo) to the stage for a standup show of his no-holds-barred views on gay divorce, random tricks, and Hollyood’s seedy underbelly. VIP Meet & Greet after the show @ OnStage Atlanta, 8 p.m. Afterparty @ Asylum, 10 p.m. Read our preview.
Film Love: Plastic Haircuts & Good Times. A tribute to absurdist indie filmmaker Robert Nelson (second photo), the man behind ‘60s and ‘70s cult films including “The Great Blondino” and “The Bleu Shut” screens three of his remastered films @ Atlanta Contemporary Art Center, 8 p.m.
Rainbow Jam variety showcase and dinner benefits JustUsATL, an organization for LGBT Youth. Performers, artists, poets, and other creative folks show off their wares as cocktails flow and food from some gay fave restaurants is served. Host Mx. aRoara Thunder @ The Rush Center, 7 p.m.
“For Colored Girls” is the screening for this month’s Third Friday LGBT film series, this month benefiting Women Helping Women @ First Existentialist, 7 p.m.
Madonna-Rama! celebrates the icon’s birthday each year with a night of music and merriment dedicated to all things Madge (third photo). Featuring old and new Madonna tracks all night with DJ Diablo Rojo @ Mary’s, 9 p.m.
DJ Christopher Kind brings his thumping mixes and throbbing beats to the man cave @ Cockpit, 10 p.m.
“Sparkle,” Whitney Houston’s final film, opens. Click the movie title to read our interview with Jordin Sparks about the movie and her late, great co-star, plus a video of their “Celebrate” duet.
Fangtasia “True Blood” Party invites you to release your inner vampire at this night of madness with the Secret Room, DJs Jennocide and Anthony, plus the Mr. and Ms. Vampire costume contests @ Jungle, 10 p.m.
Manhunt: Dirty (fourth photo) is an underwear party with go-go boys, groping, DJ Lydia Prim and you cruising in your skivvies. Show your Manhunt profile on your phone for free admission @ Heretic, 10 p.m. How to bare your briefs for the party.
Atlanta Bucks Bar Night finds the gay rugby jocks out for a good time @ Atlanta Eagle, 10 p.m.
Dance Fever: We Love Biggie Edition gives some love to Big Poppa at Atlanta’s weekly lesbian dance party @ My Sister’s Room, 10 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 18
Southern Softpaw League Signups (fifth photo) continues registering new players in the fall games of Atlanta’s LGBT animal charity softball league. Beer, food and fun @ Frogs, 1 p.m.
Piedmont Park Summer Arts & Crafts Festival features 200 artists vending their works from the gay-led Atlanta Foundation for Public Spaces festival guys @ Piedmont Park, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Sunday too. Read our preview.
Atlanta Field Day Beer Blast psyches you up and raises funds toward the upcoming gay Atlanta carnival game day benefiting Jerusalem House and Camp Twin Lakes. Booze, beer and prizes plus DJ Todd Skelton @ Cowtippers, 2 p.m.
Jay Brannan (sixth photo) in concert sees the return of the sexy gay crooner for the first of two nights in Atlanta behind his “Rob Me Blind” album. Opening acts Molly Parden and Jessie Ruben @ Eddie’s Attic, 7:30 p.m. Also a Sunday show.
Sunset Garden is the weekly summer party series with specialty cocktails to benefit a different charity every week, this time for CHRIS Kids with DJs David Stoddard and Ben Gibbs, plus great giveaways and signature cocktails @ Burkhart’s, 7 p.m.
“That Time of the Month” Comedy Night is led by lesbian comedian Julie Osbourne and more comics dishing “girl stuff” for women who love women, 8:30 p.m., followed by Raw Talent 5 Finale (seventh photo) that crowns the best drag king or queen after months of elimination competition. Then an all-night victory dance party @ My Sister’s Room, 10 p.m.
DJ Manny Lehman (eighth photo) knows what boys like and delivers it every time he hits town. Dance to the beat of the gay circuit legend @ Jungle, 10 p.m. (Read our Q&A with Lehman and see what he wants to do after his Jungle gig.)
Armorettes Audtions & Backroom Burlesque Show checks out the talent it takes to become one of Atlanta’s craziest camp drag charity queens with performances from some current cast favorites, all while raising money for GLAAD @ Heretic, 8 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 19
Piedmont Park Summer Arts & Crafts Festival (ninth photo) features 200 artists vending their works from the gay-led Atlanta Foundation for Public Spaces festival guys @ Piedmont Park, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Of course we’ve got a preview.
GLAAD Cuervo Margarita & Beer Fest raises money for the gay media watchdog group while you groove to DJ Travis and drink up @ Zocalo, 3 p.m.
Jay Brannan in concert sees the return of the sexy gay crooner for the second of two Atlanta shows behind his “Rob Me Blind” album. Opening acts Molly Parden and Jessie Ruben @ Eddie’s Attic, 6:30 p.m.
Here’s to Lynn Barfield (bottom photo) celebrates the contributions of and good times with this gay nightlife veteran in honor of her new life chapter, followed by Kitty LeClaw’s Meow Mix show @ Asylum, 7 p.m.
Armorettes Auditions Round 2 lets the audience help choose the new cast members for Atlanta’s do-gooding camp drag troupe, hosted by Trashetta Galore and Ruby Redd @ Burkhart’s, 8 p.m.
