The weekend is here and LGBT Atlanta and beyond have plenty of events for you to pick from. Make the most of your days off.

Friday, July 6
GA Voice celebrates the 2012 Best of Atlanta winners and nominees, plus our entire community, with our annual free party. Complimentary wine and liquor from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. and beats by DJs Vicki Powell and Mike Pope. Don't forget the food from Feast Catering, Cafe Sunflower and Southern Sweets. Award presentation at 9 p.m. See you there! 6:30 - 10 p.m. at Altitude at the W Atlanta Midtown, 188 14th Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30361, http://on.fb.me/LFaLhT

DJ Lydia Prim starts an evening at Heretic featuring the famed Freemasons. 8 p.m. - 4 a.m. at the Heretic, 2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.hereticatlanta.com, http://on.fb.me/McunbH

Wassup 'N ATL hosts their upscale First Friday party with DJs Trouble and Angel X with MC Wild Thang on the mic. 10 p.m. - 3 a.m. at Jungle, 2115 Faulkner Road, Atlanta, GA 30324, www.wassupnatl.com

Friday, July 6 - Monday, July 9
The Southern Bears presents the 2012 Atlanta Bear Fest, "Roman Holiday." The four-day bear/admirer event includes pool parties, bar nights, vendors, concerts, bingo, movies, dinners and more. Most events held at the Courtyard Northlake Marriott, 4083 LaVista Road, Tucker, GA 30083, www.atlantabearfest.com

Saturday, July 7
Just $10 gets you a bottomless cup of beer at the For the Kid in All of Us Beer Bust. Expect a DJ and a few fun giveaways to help raise funds for the group's signature summer event, Backpack in the Park, on July 28. 1 - 5 p.m. at Joe's on Juniper, 1049 Juniper Street, Atlanta, GA 30309, http://on.fb.me/OQwtWO

Ladies, get your party going early on Saturday with one part comedy show and one part house party. Ladies at Play hosts LOL with comedy by Julie Osborne Entertainment and follows with house music by DJ Yusef. 6 - 10 p.m. at Aurum Lounge, 915 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30309, www.ladiesatplay.com,http://on.fb.me/LN4PGM

"Strapped & Dapper" is a workshop for Southern, masculine-identified people of color that covers sexual communication, sexual health, money, power and so much more. 7 - 9 p.m. at the Rush Center, 1530 Dekalb Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.thehealthinitiative.org, http://bit.ly/M6a7N5

In honor of Sister Ursula Polari's 54th birthday, grab a Sunset Tea at Burkhart's for the weekly summer Sunset Garden Event. A portion of the proceeds go to the Atlanta Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. 7 - 10 p.m. at Burkhart's, 1492 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30309, http://on.fb.me/N1ztbw

Thought it will technically be Sunday morning at the members-only Xion when she takes the turntables, DJ Lydia Prim keeps the party going all night long. 3 a.m. at Xion, 2241 Faulkner Road, Atlanta GA, 30324, http://on.fb.me/Me5diq

Saturday, July 7 - Sunday, July 8
The Sandy Springs Artapalooza, a part of the gay owned and operated Atlanta Foundation for Public Spaces series of festivals, offers local arts and crafts from 150 painters, photographers, sculptors and more. Saturday 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. at the former Target located at 174 Johnson Ferry Road, Sandy Springs, GA 30328, www.sandyspringsartapalooza.com

Sunday, July 8
Lunch, lounge and be lazy every Sunday afternoon at Silent Sundays at the W Midtown. Expect towel service, cocktail and lunch services and mellow music on the WET pool deck several floors up. 12 - 7 p.m. at the W Atlanta Midtown, 188 14th Street, Atlanta, GA 30361, http://on.fb.me/LoC2Wx

GA Voice's best local DJ Vicki Powell hosts her monthly patio party at Church with special guest Stefan Kallweit. 7 p.m. - 12 a.m. at Sister Louisa's Church, 466 Edgewood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30312, http://on.fb.me/KKKiP6