Just as the weather finally starts to show it, happy Easter/Passover weekend! Even if you don’t acknowledge those holigays, there are plenty of events to squeeze into your gay agenda. Here are our favorite LGBT shows, parties and fundraisers for Friday through Sunday.
Friday, March 29
Depeche Mode Happy Hour & CD Release Party. It’s been a while, but that doesn’t mean it’s not freaking epic! “Delta Machine,” a new disc by the 20th Century Super Group (top photo, today), warrants an early start and all-night revelry. Hear the CD with chances to win a copy with DJ Merlot @ Mary’s, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. Stick around afterward for Boys Room Video Night with DJ Headmaster Ritual.
“Uncensored: Live” is the taping of a TV show with you in the mix. Destiny Brooks (second photo) headlines this interactive experience that is part drag, part sexy male performers, part cash and prizes and all original and amazing @ Le Buzz, Marietta, 11 p.m.
Russian Stalwarts brings the classics to Atlanta. Modern master, Russian pianist Yevgeny Sudbin makes his ATL debut in Tchaikovsky’s immortal “Concerto.” Michael Morgan, path-breaking Music Director of the Oakland Symphony, brings a particular love for Shostakovich’s signature “6th Symphony” @ Atlanta Symphony Hall, 8 p.m. Saturday show, too. Get there early for a Taste of Russia cocktail in the lobby bar.
Dinner & A Movie kicks off Jungle’s night with a full menu and a great screening, 7:30 p.m., followed by The Other Show bringing on Edie Cheezburger, Evah Destruction, Jasmine Antoinette, Jaye Lish, Justice Tyana Taylor, Miami Royale and Violet Chachki. You never know what they’ll do next in the Jungle Room @ Jungle, 9 p.m. Stick around for Friday Pops with DJ Christopher Kind in the main room, 11:30 p.m.
BanjeeGirl Friday is the weekly throwdown with the women of TraxxGirls and the hordes of dancing lesbian partiers they draw @ My Sister’s Room, 10 p.m.
FUR. It’s what they call Friday nights with DJ Lydia Prim. You won’t wonder why for long @ Heretic, 10 p.m. Now with new smoking limits inside the club.
LGBT Latino Spring Break 2013 is one way to say hey to the season and your weekend with a whole night of dancing, performances and surprises during the weekly Got Leche? gay Latin night @ Club Rush, 10 p.m. – 5 a.m.
Saturday, March 30
Flag Football Opening Day begins the spring season for the 10 gay teams of National Flag Football League of Atlanta (third photo). Enjoy these pre-season gridiron pics and the ensuing NFFLA Margarita Bust photos.
Rush Center LGBT Meet & Greet Reception introduces you to the local home base for Atlanta Pride, Georgia Equality, the Health Initiative, SAGE and other gay groups with info, volunteer ops and a strategic plan to build a sustainable LGBT community center. Oh and of course, mixing, mingling, beer, wine, soft drinks and munchies always help get you there, too @ Philip Rush Center, 3 p.m. Beforehand, there’s RSVP now. The reception preceded by SAGE Atlanta LGBT Legal Advice featuring local gay attorneys.
Easter Bonnet Competition (fourth photo) is the second annual contest to see which spring topper is the toppiest with points for creatively fancy, hilarious, outrageous or decadent chapeaus, guest judges Ruby Redd, Ursula Polari and Edie Cheezburger, plus other prizes and surprises @ MISTER Center, 2 p.m. Check out hilarious photos from last year.
Michelle Malone rocks out with two shows of her legendary local lesbian blues @ Eddie’s Attic, Decatur, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., or head up to the lesbian three-way of Hannah Thomas, Steff Mahan and Emily Kate Boyd @ Steve’s Live Music, Sandy Springs, 8 p.m. Of course, you can stay in-town for the Maria Gabriella Band with the ladies who love ladies who love lesbian bar nights then stick around for DJs, dancing and more @ My Sister’s Room, 9 p.m.
Del Shores’ “Blues For Willadean” film premiere is the Atlanta debut of this new movie (fifth photo) by the “Sordid Lives” creator. Meet Shores himself as well as much of the cast including Beth Grant and Dale Dickey — sorry not Octavia Spencer, so enjoy her in the movie — to benefit the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence @ Buckhead Theatre, 7 p.m.
Early Country & Late Night Dance offers line dancing and two stepping after the sun goes down, then DJ Mike Pope picks up the pace until close @ Heretic, 8 p.m. and 12 midnight. Now with far less smoking inside the club.
Superheroes Fetish Night celebrates the tights and capes while raising funds for Atlanta’s big gay Southeast Black & Blue Weekend. Up, up and away with the group’s organizers and their titleholders during this bar night @ Atlanta Eagle, 10 p.m.
East Point Possums Dinner, Drinks & Show is a pre-Easter get-together with the do-gooding dragsters (sixth photo). They’ll make it worth your while with shot specials, drag numbers, tons of fun and all your donations to benefit the LGBT teens of Lost N Found Youth @ East Point Corner Tavern, 7 p.m.
Future Fashion & International Art party brings on the beautiful cool people and all of those who are drawn into their orbit. Look for four DJs, digital video and print works by 11 artists, Ego Assassin fashion show, plus drag and fetish performances while you dress, dance and party for the future @ Jungle in the main room, 10 p.m. Warm up beforehand with Lily White’s Foreplay show in the Jungle Room cabaret, 9:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 31
It’s Easter. Call your mom. Catch up on sleep. Brunch. Get with God at LGBT Sunrise Service and potluck breakfast in Candler Park. Now you’re ready for:
Armorettes Easter Drag Races (bottom photo) is the local gay tradition that hundreds look forward to each year. No matter what you do on Easter morning, save room for sin with Atlanta’s camp drag crazies at the helm. Bonnet contest, Musical Chairs, Jello Shooter Toss, Pantyhose Croquet, Snap Your Wiener plus more games and fun including a dunking booth @ Burkhart’s, 2 p.m. Check out all-out photos from last year.
Big Hare Games riffs on the age-old gay Atlanta tradition and tries to keep you out even later and up even drunker on Easter Sunday. Easter bonnet and big wig competition looks to award a $500 grand prize as you help raise a cocktail to fun and raise funds for Pets Are Loving Support @ Ten Atlanta, 5 p.m.
