Cover Story - Atlanta Pride 2015 events

Handpicked selections on how to get down at Pride

Queer Your Gender Dance Party

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Atlanta Pride changes it up this year for its annual park-based dance party. On Sat., Oct. 10, Piedmont Park’s Bud Light Stage transforms into a battleground for anyone game enough to get down. The Queer Your Gender Dance Party is typically headlined by local fave Ree de la Vega. This year’s event gets a change of the guard to trap star and pop music fanatic DJ Canvas. Canvas is known around the Atlanta scene for ripping tracks by the Demis, Arianas, and Katys of the world to shreds — only to glue them back together into trap jewels. Free. 6:45 p.m. Piedmont Park, 400 Park Drive. 404-382-7588. www.atlantapride.org.

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Quaint Peche

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An official event on the Atlanta Celebrates Photography schedule, Quaint Peche photo show is a “collective queer exposé” featuring work from local talents. Photographers Erin Branch and Patrick di Rito (who is also an architect at a major Atlanta firm) use their refined aesthetic and visual arts training to illustrate queer love and unconventional world views. Kyle Henderson, Andrew Sisk, and Taylor McCormick also have work featured. The show turns Mammal Gallery into a theater of the minds. Opening reception: Fri., Oct. 9, 7 p.m. Through Oct. 11. Mammal Gallery, 91 Broad St. S.W. 678-744-7095. www.quaintpeche.com.

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Trans March and Rally

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The Pride tradition will take place in the spotlight of a trans community with more visibility than ever. The Trans March and Rally is sure to bring the activist beat to the Pride activity lineup in Piedmont Park. The event is divided into several stages: a pre-trans march rally (12:30 p.m., Bud Light Stage), followed by a galvanizing session at the Coca-Cola Stage (1:30 p.m.) and march assembly at Charles Allen Gate (2 p.m.). This event will be ADA accessible. Free. Sat., Oct. 10. Piedmont Park, 400 Park Drive. www.atlantapride.org.

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Starlight Cabaret

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An annual Pride-defining event, the Starlight Cabaret showcases the best of Atlanta’s storied drag scene. This stage has presented talent consistently, notably the singular Violet Chachki — who CL listed as the Best Reality TV Representation of ATL in 2015’s Best of Atlanta list. The Starlight Cabaret caps off Pride Weekend on Sun., Oct. 11, at 7:25 p.m. at Piedmont Park’s Coca-Cola Stage. No need to tip — this one’s “for the kids.” Piedmont Park, 400 Park Drive. www.atlantapride.org.

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Flock of Eagles Pride Party

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DJ Vicki Powell of Church’s famed Sunday Service dance party has assembled a kick-ass lineup of nationally recognized DJs (the “Eagles,” if you will), go-go dancers, entertainers, adult film stars, and local activists to invade the Atlanta Eagle for the Flock of Eagles Pride Party, which is sure to be a really long and boozy Pride night. Remember, this is the Eagle, so hang that jock to dry and dress accordingly. 21 and up. Free. 10 p.m. Sat., Oct. 10. Atlanta Eagle, 306 Ponce de Leon Ave. 404-873-2453. www.atlantaeagle.com.

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Atlanta Pride Parade

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The last day of Pride always ends with the Atlanta Pride Parade. Witness a motley crew of businesses (both local and corporate), strippers, social workers, religious organizations, biker crews, law enforcement, and other city officials come together in a gigantic, colorful display of solidarity. Try to bring some greeting cards and bottled water for those Westboro Baptist Church dudes who have also become Pride mainstays. Heaven knows those guys probably need 10 hugs and a foot rub. Plan to be by the Civic Center MARTA Station at 1 p.m. sharp Sun., Oct. 11, to make sure you don’t miss a beat. www.atlantapride.org.