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Women’s Guide to Atlanta Pride

So much to do. So many places to see and be seen. What’s a dyke to do at Atlanta Pride? Well, I’m going to try to help. This is Life on Q’s officially unofficial guide to Atlanta Gay Pride. In this post, you’ll get the 411 on where the women will be.

What’s different about this Atlanta Pride Guide is my attempt to describe some of the events and venues as I have experienced them as a “pride veteran.” I have lived in Atlanta since… well, since a long time ago… and I have attended Pride events and have patronized gay and lesbian nightclubs in Atlanta for what feels like forever. For out-of-towners trying to figure out what’s what and who’s where, consider me your dyke welcome wagon. I’m going to list all the events, meetings and such I’ve researched with a combination of the promoter’s description and, where I have one, my own opinion and experiences. Please take my opinions for what they are. If you’re old enough to get into a bar, you’re old enough to think for yourself and make your own choices. If you’re planning to visit Atlanta Pride from out of town, or you’re an Atlantan looking for a change of scenery from your usual haunts, read on.

Three Themes, One Pride

There are three different women’s events happening simultaneously during Atlanta Pride weekend. The “official” women’s events (i.e., promoted by the Atlanta Pride Committee) are sponsored by Curve Magazine and are branded as “Peach.” The Peach events culminate with a massive dance party Saturday night. Girls in the Night and Girlology 101, who regularly bring Atlanta women great events, are calling their weekend party package “Fever.” And why not–it will be hot, on many levels. And Traxx Girls is adapting some of their regular events for a pride audience under the theme “Honey.” Both Peach and Fever events have individual night cover charges or VIP passes for all events. Check the specific event details below for info on cover charges, where available.

Getting Out and Around

For any out-of-towners or Atlantans who have been living under a rock, you should know that Atlanta Pride has moved from Piedmont Park to the Atlanta Civic Center. Almost all of the women’s events are just a few blocks north and south of this new Pride Central. Many are in Little 5 Points, just a few blocks south and east of the Civic Center. Others are in Midtown, a few blocks north of Pride itself. Remember that 14th Street has been closed for construction and that the Peachtree Road Race will be creating congestion early in the morning on July 4th. But if you’re planning to kick-off Pride with Thursday night’s events, you’ll probably still be sleeping as thousands run down Peachtree Street. If you’re a morning person, you’ll want to plan your breakfast location accordingly.

Thursday July 3

Charis Lesbian Author Event with Jane Vollbrecht & Julia Watts

Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307 | Get Directions | Free | 7:30 - 9 p.m. | www.chariscircle.org

Charis Books & More gives Atlanta women the opportunity to meet two lesbian fiction authors. Julia Watts, a native of southeastern Kentucky, is the author of eight novels which humorously explore the chaos and community of lesbian life in the Bible Belt. Jane Vollbrecht began her life as hog farmer’s daughter in northern Minnesota and now makes her home in the foothills of the north Georgia mountains. Jane is the author of five novels and has contributed short stories to three anthologies. Charis is an awesome women’s bookstore. I highly recommend you stop in to browse.

Peach Welcome Party

Sabroso Mexicano, 351 Moreland Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307 | Get Directions | $5 cover | Starts 8 p.m. | www.curvemagazine.com

Curve Magazine’s Peach parties are the official women’s events of Atlanta Pride. The party will start at Sabroso Mexicano in Little 5 Points. VIP passes to all Peach events are also available. Visit www.curvemag.com for more info. 8 p.m. till 2 a.m.

Skin Party
Park Tavern, 500 10th St., Atlanta, GA 30309 | Get Directions | $10 cover | www.myspace.com/girlsinthenight
The Skin Party is the kick-off of Girlology 101 and Girls in the Night’s Fever Weekend, a series of women’s events that are also gay-male-friendly. Special appreance by actress Persia White, “Lynn” on the TV show Girlfriends. Music by DJ Truz. A $100 cash prize for the woman showing the most skin. Dress code: Skimpy yet classy, casual yet chic. Girls in the Night is a party promoter primarily serving women of color, but the crowds are usually diverse. Girls in the Night events are always welcoming and comfortable for all women. The music is always great and the scenery beautiful. And I’m not talking about the view of Piedmont Park and Midtown from the Park Tavern. Although that’s nice to look at too.

Xplosion Thursday, Honey Edition

The Blue Room, 2359 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, GA | Get Directions | Cover charge unknown | www.traxxgirls.com

A Pride edition of Traxx Girls’ Xplosion Thursdays, promoted under the “Honey” theme. Features a lingerie fashion show.

Friday July 4

Boom!

Front Page News, 351 Moreland Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307 | Get Directions | $10/advance, $15/door | Starts 9 p.m. | www.curvemagazine.com
Curve Magazine celebrates Independence Day with a bang! Dance to the sounds of the hottest women DJ’s from San Francisco, Miami and right here in Atlanta. Featuring sexy go-go dancers and host Dani Campbell from MTV’s A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila… plus, special surprise guests. VIP passes to all Peach events are also available. Visit www.curvemag.com for more info.

Freedom

ICE Ultra Lounge @ Utopia, 840 Marietta St., Atlanta, GA 30318 | Get Directions | $10 cover (unverified) | Starts 10 p.m. | www.myspace.com/girlsinthenight

The second event in Girlology 101 and Girls in the Night’s Fever weekend. Billed as a sexy, sultry event for independent women who love the company of women. Featuring all girl entertainment and music by DJ Truz of Hot 107.9 radio.

Honey Wet T-Shirt Competition

Club Miami, 3011 Buford Hwy., Atlanta, GA | Get Directions | Cover charge unknown | Starts 10 p.m. | www.traxxgirls.com

Another Family Affair and Traxx Girls present the first event of their Honey weekend line-up at Club Miami. There’s a $500 prize in the wet t-shirt contest. My understanding is that Traxx Girls promotes events catering to African-American women. I have not yet personally attended a Traxx Girls event, so I have no first-hand experience with this promoter.

Saturday July 5

Foreplay

Park Tavern, 500 10th St., Atlanta, GA 30309 | Get Directions | $10 cover (unverified) | www.myspace.com/girlsinthenight

Another Girls in the Night/Girlology 101 “kick-ass grown and sexy” event, part of the Fever Weekend. I have attended Foreplay parties in the past and it’s always a great time.

Glow, a Special Honey Edition

Sabroso Mexicano, 351 Moreland Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307 | Get Directions | Cover charge unknown | Starts 10 p.m. | www.traxxgirls.com

Traxx Girls will present DJ DejaVu and a special surprise performance.

Peach Mega Dance Partry

Center Stage/The Loft, 1374 West Peachtree St (at 17th St), Atlanta, GA 30309 |Get Directions | $15/advance, $20/door (if available) | Starts 10 p.m. | www.curvemagazine.com

Curve Magazine’s Peach Mega Dance Party will return this year. It’s one of the biggest women’s parties at Atlanta Pride, featuring two dance floors, a special VIP lounge and bar, the hottest go-go dancers and talented women DJs from Miami, San Francisco and Atlanta. Note that this event is open to ages 18 and up. VIP passes to all Peach events are also available. Visit www.curvemag.com for more info. I attended the Peach Party last year and had a great time. You can read my blog post about it here.

Please note the Web links and other resources I’ve provided for more information. If you see an error or omission, please send an e-mail to editor@lifeonq.com. Check back as we count the days until Atlanta Pride. I’ll add events as they come. And please feel free to comment and add your $0.02 about any of these events.