Annual fest joins forces with local party promoters to round out nightlife events.

Atlanta Pride’s nightlife lineup continues to take shape as the 40th annual fest nears with two new parties added this year as the Atlanta Pride Committee joins forces with Chris Coleman Enterprises, Curve magazine and Pandora Events and Jungle nightclub to bring new parties this year.

With Kimberly Locke already announced as the headliner for the LGBT fest set for the weekend of Oct. 9-10 to coincide with National Coming Out Day, the Atlanta Pride Committee announced today more of its entertainment schedule.

“We are pleased to have the opportunity to work with some of the most talented club entertainment promoters in the city,” said APC Executive Director JP Sheffield in a press release.

“Adding an after party to the Friday night lineup and an official closing party to Sunday helps round out the weekend, as well as provide us with the opportunity to partner with local businesses,” Sheffield added.

When Atlanta Pride was forced to change dates from June to October last year in order to be in Piedmont Park, its hours were shortened from closing at 11 p.m. to 9 p.m., Sheffield explained. But with a new closing time, Atlanta Pride can now add the post-festival parties to give the gays more time to celebrate.

“In the past, we had a hard time promoting club events because they usually started before our event ended. Now that we have very little crossover into the nightlife hours, we have the ability to form these partnerships.”

Here’s the lineup:

Friday, Oct. 8
Official Kickoff Afterparty
“Fiesta Pride”
Jungle Club
2115 Faulkner Road NE
Immediately following the Kickoff Party – 3 a.m.
Ticket Price TBD
21 & over
www.JungleClubAtlanta.com

After enjoying the Official Kickoff Party at the Georgia Aquarium, “Jungle takes your Pride experience into the early morning hours with DJ KARLITOS,” announced the APC. More info and how to get advance tickets coming soon.

Saturday, Oct. 9
Official Atlanta Pride Women’s Party
“Peach Mega Dance Party”
Center Stage / The Loft
1374 West Peachtree St. (at 17th St.)
9 p.m.-3 a.m.
$15 advance, $25 door
$60 VIP
18 & over

Advance tickets, VIP passes, weekend access and more at Curvemag.com, Pandoraevents.com, the Curve booth at the festival, and Outwrite Bookstore & Coffeehouse.

Sunday, Oct. 10
Official Atlanta Pride Closing Party
Opera Night Club
1150 Crescent Ave. NE
$20 advance/$30 door (if available)
21 & over

“Immediately following the Annual Starlight Cabaret in Piedmont Park, Chris Coleman closes out Pride weekend with a spectacular party at Opera Night Club,” APC announced in its press release. “The party features DJ/Producer Manny Lehman and DJ Luis Perez. Advance tickets and more info coming to: www.chriscolemanenterprises.com.”

Top Photo: DJ Manny Lehman will play at the new, official post-Pride party at Opera Nightclub in October (photo via MySpace)