Libby’s at the Express at Actor’s Express
Date & Time: August 14 – 17 at 7:30pm
Admission: $35

The velvet voice of cabaret singer Libby Whittemore makes an appearance in a special one weekend concert at Actor’s Express. Whittemore, best known for running the landmark Libby’s Cabaret for close to a decade, is joined by the phenomenal Lisa Paige for this limited engagement concert. Forget Patti LuPone! If you loved Libby’s star turn as Mama Rose in the groundbreaking Actor’s Express production of Gypsy, this is one night of great music you won’t want to miss. In the Life Atlanta: Atlanta Black Gay Pride
Date & Time: August 27 – September 1, activities all day and all night
Admission: Free for most events

Filling the W Hotel Midtown with great music, lively discussion of issues, film screenings and more, Atlanta’s Black Gay Pride is a unique resource for Atlanta’s gay community, creating unique opportunities specifically for the black gay community. Events begin at 4pm on Wednesday, August 27. Each night, sponsored nightlife events for guys and gals will keep you partying until 6 in the morning. By daylight, browse a fantastic marketplace, hear great spoken word, be uplifted by an interfaith worship service, and see the best of new design in a hot and fun fashion show. Black, white, or anything in between, you’ll be inspired and uplifted - it’s the largest African-American pride festival in the world. An Evening with Hollis Gillespie at Outwrite Books and More
Date & Time: Thursday, August 21, 7:30pm
Admission: free

Atlanta’s favorite sassy local humorist is at it again with Trailer Trashed: My Dubious Efforts Towards Upward Mobility. Fresh in hardcover, Gillespie’s memoir brims with irreverent, side-splitting observations on life that will wow fans of Augusten Burroughs and Sarah Vowell. Once upon a time, Hollis was ashamed about having a hard-driving, trailer-salesman dad and a missile-making mom with broken dreams of being a beautician. That was then. This is now. Hear from Hollis firsthand as she reads from her new book and autographs copies for her loyal fans.
Coca-Cola Summer Film Festival at The Fox Theatre
Date & Times: August 7 at 7:30, August 8 at 7:30, August 10 at 2pm,
August 30 at 7:30
Admission: $17 - $17, 12 packs available for $60

Your suburban multiplex has got nothing on the summer film festival at The Fox Theatre. The Fox offers one of the biggest screens to see any movie on in the Southeast, and it’s the perfect place to see those big summer fun movies for the second time or the one hundred and second time. This summer’s August offerings include the wild modern super hero adventure Ironman on Friday, August 8, the fabulous new Sex and the City movie, the hilarious Kung Fu Panda at 2pm on Sunday, August 10, and the swashbuckling Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull on Saturday, August 30 at 7:30pm.

Come early to hear the thunder-and-whisper majesty of “Mighty Mo” (no, that’s just the name of massive Moller organ that comes to life under the fingertips of the much loved Larry Douglas Embury). ‘Mo is a Fox institution, and accompanies a classic cartoon sing-a-long. If nostalgia isn’t your thing at the movies, add $10 to the price of your ticket at weekend screenings for a 5pm wine tasting.
Classic Chastain with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Dates & Time: August 1, 2, 9, 13, 22, 23, and 27 at 8pm;
August 6, 8, 29 at 7pm
Admission: $20 - $79

There is no better outdoor concert venue in Atlanta than Chastain Park Amphitheatre, Get a group of friends together and grab a table, and picnic all night long a few short feet from some of the best summer time acts – from Hootie and the Blowfish on August 1 and Sister Hazel on August 23 to Crosby, Stills, and Nash on August 2 and The Beach Boys on August 13. Prices vary based on the concert, so check online for exact pricing for each concert. Summer Repertory Season at Georgia Shakespeare (As You Like It, Merchant of Venice, and All’s Well that Ends Well)
Dates & Times: Through August 3, times vary within the rep schedule, most performances 8pm
Admission: $10 - $40

It’s a summer of love at Georgia Shakespeare this year – with great love stories all summer long! From a mod-fun, cross-dressing 60s take on As You Like It to the magical All’s Well That Ends Well, you’ll laugh all summer during Georgia Shakespeare’s three show repertory, featuring the same company of the city’s finest actors in different roles every night. Picnic grounds in front of the theater open 90 minutes before each performance, and 30 minutes before each performance, Terrace Talks give you a unique glimpse into the history of each play. Atlanta Roller Girls
Dates & Times: August 9, doors open at 4pm, games at 5pm and 7pm
Admission: $13 advance, $15 at the door

When these girls lace up their skates, there’s no holding back! The first bouts of the new season start as the Roller Girls inaugurate their new home, at the Yaarab Shrine Center at 400 Ponce de Leon Avenue. This month, the Apocalypstix go toe-to-toe with the Toxic Shocks and the Sake Tuyas face off against the Hard Knox Roller Girls from Easter Tennessee. It’s a no holds barred contact sport full of hard hitting action, cheering crowds… and a vendor midway for all your carnival food cravings.
Atlantic Station Market
Dates & Times: August 2 & 3 and 23 & 24, Saturdays 11am – 7pm,
Sundays 12 – 6pm

The Atlantic Station Market is an open-air market showcasing local artisans, antiques, handcrafted items and unique vendors. The outdoor festival-style market hosts up to 100 merchants offering unique items, edibles and more. The Market is open the first and last weekend of every month. Atlantic Station features more than 19 restaurants, more than 50 retail stores and a multiplex theater, so there’ plenty to do after you visit the market. Castleberry Hill 4th Friday Art Stroll
Date & Time: August 22, 7-10pm
Admission: Free

Enjoy the fresh spring evening air with a glass of wine and great art! Once Atlanta’s warehouse district, Castleberry Hill is fast becoming the trendy and exciting place to see great art in an eclectic variety of galleries. The nightly stroll includes receptions at many of galleries and great opportunity to meet artists working in all mediums. Participating galleries include the Marcia Wood Gallery, Emergence Gallery, Krause Gallery, Granite Room, Romo Gallery, Wertz Contemporary and almost a half dozen more. Charis Books and More: Cliterati Open No Mic and Performance
Date & Time: Thursday, August 21 7:30pm
Admission: Free

In addition to offering a fine selection of strong feminist and lesbian titles, Charis Books and More presents monthly book readings and other events for the lesbian community. Join them for a decidedly fierce open mic night, co-presented by women’s spoken word group Cliterati. This group cultivates the voices of authors, novices, and an assortment of poets, songstresses, and storytellers through ongoing events. The evening is hosted by the anarchic spoken word team of Karen G and Theresa Davis, who represented Atlanta at the 2008 National Poetry Slam. Becoming a Man in 127 EASY Steps at 7 Stages
Date & Time: August 14 – 25, Thursday – Saturday 8pm, Sunday 5pm
Admission: $15 - $25

After its sold-out January run, 7 Stages welcomes Scott Turner Schofield back for an encore engagement of the funny and brutally honest one-man, choose your own adventure show that gives the audience full control of how Scott will tell his story of transformation from being Katie Kilborn to being the man he is today. Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls raved, “A provocative and compelling storyteller, Turner helps us to look at gender in a new way, face our prejudices, and having fun while doing it.” “Funny, revealing, whip-smart, and poetic,” cheered the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The show is for mature audiences and features full frontal nudity.

Gilbert’s Mediterranean Cuisine
This 10th Street eatery in Midtown, virtually next door to Blake’s, offers some of the city’s best gems and deals all week long, with half price entrees Monday nights, wine tastings on Thursday nights, DJs on Friday and Saturday nights, and karaoke Wednesday and Sunday nights. A delicious menu and a smart wine list make this a great early evening stop before the theater or a night of dancing.


Nikiemoto’s DragaMaki
Date & Time: Mondays at 8:45pm

Satisfy your appetite for food, fun and fabulous female impersonation at Nikiemoto’s, gay Midtown’s favorite Pan Asian café and sushi bar. Headlined by Atlanta’s favorite camp drag queen, Bubba D. Licious, it’s likely to be one of the few times you’ve experienced a complete drag show in the midst of delicious dining. Since Nickiemoto’s is smoke-free, the show is fun for the whole family – just make a reservation, as sometimes crowds for this one spill out into the parking lot! Metrofresh

Fresh food fast is the motto at this midtown eatery minutes from Piedmont Park. Since opening in 2005, Metrofresh’s ever-changing menu (don’t expect to see the same thing on it two days in a row) has become a delicious alternative to the overbaked midtown restaurant scene. The daily menu is limited in its variety, but whether it’s great soups and salads, innovative sandwiches, or healthy meats, Metrofresh is sure to have something exciting to whet your palate each day. Free fresh fruit compliments the menu, and on a good day 80s and 90s TV fans can spot chef and owner Mitchell Anderson, star of TV’s popular Party of Five and Doogie Howser, M.D. Einstein’s

When Einstein’s gave itself a facelift a few years back, it went from being a nice little midtown home-turned-homey eatery into one of the chic-est features on the gay midtown dining map. A long popular outdoor patio lines the street on sunny days, with a sleek, polished bar and several distinctive dining areas within. Named “Best Brunch” by weekly gay newspaper Southern Voice, Einstein’s has great dining deals all day long. If you’ve got after dinner hunger pains, check out their great 5 and 10 menu after 10pm, when popular favorites like the Einstein Grille and New York Strip drop to only $5 and $0 respectively. The Colonnade

It’s gays and greys at this Atlanta hallmark for hearty Southern cooking. Heavy wood paneling fills the main dining room, with deep leather upholstered booths anchoring the edges. Liver, fried chicken, okra, or collard greens give the menu the kind of authenticity rare in Atlanta’s generally uber-contemporary feeling haunts. Your arteries might not like you after too many repeat trips, but your stomach will be thankful. Arrive for an early dinner and meet ladies who’ll remind you of Driving Miss Daisy, or swing by for a later dinner and enjoy the swarms of fellows out to dinner before a night of sweating all those calories off on the dance floor. Roxx

Notorious for its delicious see-and-be-seen attitude, Roxx offers great fresh meat in the form of award-winning hamburgers too. While the grub is solid, if you look around and suspect the building looks vaguely familiar, it probably does. Before becoming a gay dining destination, the building had been a drive-through fast food restaurant. It still has the quirky character to prove it.

Maryoke at Mary’s
Dates & Times: Tuesdays at Saturdays 10pm – 2:30am
Admission: Free, no cover

There is only one place in town where you can hear a 5 foot gay man who looks like Billy Dee Williams sing like Tina Turner and Gladys Knight – and that place is Mary’s every Tuesday and Saturday, where host C. J. belts The Supremes between would-be American Idol finalists and tipsy neighbors. Everything from country and pop to show tunes and Motown gets belted deep into the night with the feisty Carmen behind the bar. A true neighborhood bar in East Atlanta Village, Mary’s is a place where you’ll run into doctors, politicians, actors and everything in-between. Other nights of the week offer other themes, from punk rock to “pants off.” My Sister’s Room

My Sister’s Room, in its new East Atlanta Village location is THE place for women any night of the week. Schedules change often, but be on the lookout for performances by drag kings, live acoustic music, karaoke, and sexy dance parties. Funky restaurants line the streets of East Atlanta Village, along with great shops, so arrive early to explore the neighborhood!


WetBar Swerve Fridays
Dates & Times: Every Friday, doors open at 10pm
Admission: Cover varies

Every Friday, get your swerve on at WetBar, Atlanta’s sleekest, sexiest gay dance club, featuring revolving dance floors, a decadent rooftop bar, outdoor gardens and an ultralounge that’s a feast for all the senses. Every Friday, the best national and international headliners make Wetbar their home in Atlanta. March 7 brings Doc Martin and Sublevel Live featuring Lillia and J-Luv. March 14 brings Seb Fontaine, and March 21 features Tom Stephan (aka Superchumbo). It’s a can’t-miss Friday night event. Wild Mustangs
Dates & Times: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Country Western Nights; Friday Latin Nights; Monday Stars of the Century Drag
Admission: Cover varies

One of the city’s largest dance floors is also Atlanta’s largest gay country-western bar, offering not only great music and but also a fun, down-home feel that’ll make you want to undo the snaps from your flannel shirt, tip your Stetson, and kick up your boots for a great night out. Dance lessons are offered Tuesdays from 7–9pm, making Wild Mustangs an unconventional place to meet some local cowboys early on a weeknight. Friday Latin Nights make the club stand out among the crowd with pulsing rhythms and bronzed bodies. Opening times vary each night of the week. Blake’s on the Park

If there is a Cheers to Atlanta gay bars, it’s Blake’s. Recently having unveiled its second floor lounge, Blakes offers true southern hospitality to any Atlanta visitor, with a friendly bar staff, colorful nightly drag shows (9pm on Sundays, 11pm all other nights), and a cross-section of local eye candy worth the line on weekends. Drinks are strong and cheap and a shuttle bus conveniently connects Blake’s to several other watering holes, making sure you can be safe while you enjoy a night out on the town.