From making pasties so women can march topless to holding a dance party after the marching is done, this year’s Atlanta Pride Dyke March seeks to reach back to its more radical roots.

“We’ve been working with Atlanta Pride to make it a bigger and better Dyke March — we want to start the ball rolling so it becomes bigger and bigger each year,” said Kiki Carr.

The march is open to all women and is trans inclusive — the word “dyke” is not meant to scare anyone off. In the past, men have also marched.

“Having a march for lesbians is a way to show our power in the community,” Carr said.

Carr, who lived in San Francisco for 10 years and remembers marching with 10,000 other women in that city’s annual Dyke March, said the event was like Christmas and Halloween and her birthday all wrapped up into one day.

“I want it to be radical,” she said of Atlanta’s Dyke March. “But I want it to be also for people who don’t consider themselves radical. While I think those that are organizing the march this year are radical, that’s definitely not where we are putting the focus. It’s more important for us to be inclusive.”

The march goes down 10th Street, turns right onto Peachtree Street, then turns right onto 14th Street and leads back into Piedmont Park.

This marks the first year the Dyke March will have a Grand Dyke Amazon. Pat Hussain will lead the march seated in a convertible. Hussain was co-leader of Olympics Out of Cobb, which was instrumental in keeping the 1996 Atlanta Olympics out of the suburban community after the county commission passed a resolution denouncing the “lifestyle advocated by the gay community.” Hussain is also a co-founder of Southerners on New Ground.

“We have a logo for the first time and we’re looking for volunteers — we’re hoping to have baton twirlers and flag twirlers and a drum corps from the Atlanta Freedom Marching Band,” said Carr.

Before the march, there is a “family” picnic at the Piedmont Park dock starting at 3:30 p.m. where people will make pasties (so women who want to can march topless, a longtime tradition of the Dyke March) and compete in a peach eating contest. The winner will be selected on how “artfully” she can eat a peach, Carr said.

Costumes are encouraged and this year community groups are invited to march together.

There will also be a “Disco Dyke” dance party after the march at the Bud Light Stage with queer DJ Speakerboxx spinning the beats.

Donations are sought to offset the costs of this year’s march and can be made by visiting atlantapride.org and marking your contribution for the Dyke March.

Top photo: Atlanta Pride Dyke March (by Dyana Bagby)

Note: Events are subject to change after press time. For costs and other details, visit venue websites.

Thursday, Oct. 6

On the Cusp of Equality: Are we at a tipping point in the LGBT movement?
Two sessions: 5-6:15 p.m. and 6:30-7:45 p.m.
Rush Center, 1530 Dekalb Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307
RSVP required: www.hrc.org/roadtoequality

HRC Fundraiser for Georgia Equality
Two sessions: 6:15-7:45 p.m. and 7:45-9:30 p.m. Radial Cafe, 1530 Dekalb Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307
RSVP required: www.hrc.org/roadtoequality

East Side Pride and Pride Sk8 Roller Disco
6-9 p.m. at All American Skating Center
5400 Bermuda Road, Stone Mountain, GA 30087
http://eastsidepridenews.blogspot.com

Pride Commitment Ceremony
6:30 – 7:30 p.m. at W Atlanta Midtown
188 14th St., Atlanta, GA 30361
www.atlantapride.org

Indulge at The W: Post Ceremony Celebration
Presented By Chris Coleman Enterprises
8 p.m. – 2 a.m. at Whiskey Park
The W Midtown Hotel
www.atlantapride.org

22nd Annual Gay Pride Eucharist with Rev. Bradley Schmeling and Bishop of Atlanta J. Neil Alexander
7:30 p.m. at All Saints Episcopal
634 W Peachtree St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30308
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Community Diversity Service
7:30 p.m. at St Mark United Methodist
781 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30308
www.stmarkumc.org

Atlanta Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence Pre-Pride Party
6-9 p.m. at Woofs
2425 Piedmont Road, Atlanta, GA 30324
www.woofsatlanta.com

Juice Box Jam with Special Guests
Bellissima
560 Amsterdam Ave., Atlanta, GA 30306
www.facebook.com/bellissima.atlanta

The Pussy General: The Coming Out Show
8-11 p.m. at Studioplex Lofts
659 Auburn Ave., Unit #205
Atlanta, GA 30312
http://thecomingoutshow.eventbrite.com

Friday, Oct. 7

“South STAR: Safe Schools Convening of the South” hosted by Lambda Legal Southern Regional Office
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Rush Center
1530 Dekalb Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307
www.lambdalegal.org

Macy’s Men’s Designer Event Features ‘Project Runway’ All-Star Anthony Williams
4-6 p.m. at Macy’s Lenox Square
3393 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30326
www.atlantapride.org/events/pride-week-events

Yom Kippur Services with Congregation Bet Haverim
6 p.m. Intergenerational Kol Nidre Service
8 p.m. Ma’Ariv Service
St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church
790 LaVista Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30324
www.atlantapride.org/events/pride-week-events

Atlanta Pride VIP Party (invitation only)
6-8 p.m. at Georgia Aquarium
Enter Ocean Ballrooms
225 Baker St., Atlanta, GA 30313
www.atlantapride.org

Official Atlanta Pride Kickoff Party
DJ Corey Craig, DJ Jay McCracken and Jujubee from ‘Rupaul’s Drag Race’
6:30 -11:30 p.m. at Georgia Aquarium
Enter Main Entrance
225 Baker St. , Atlanta, GA 30313
www.atlantapride.org

Official Atlanta Pride Kickoff After Party with DJ Ed Bailey
9 p.m. – 3 a.m. at Jungle
2115 Faulkner Rd., Atlanta, GA 30324
www.jungleclubatlanta.com

Pride Kick Off Party with Guest DJ
8 p.m. – 3 a.m. at Bellissima
560 Amsterdam Ave.
Atlanta, GA 30306
www.facebook.com/bellissima.atlanta

Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation Fundraiser
9 p.m. at Mary’s
1287 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316
www.marysatlanta.com

Heaven Pride Party with DJ Vicki Powell
9:30 p.m. – 2:30 a.m. at Park Tavern
500 10th St., Atlanta, GA 30309

Taste the Rainbow Party with DJ Annalyze
Performances by Nicole Paige Brooks and more
10 p.m. at My Sister’s Room
1271 Glenwood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30316
www.mysistersroom.com

DJ Kevin DuRard
10 p.m. – 1 a.m. at Mixx Atlanta
1492 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30309
www.mixxatlanta.com

Pride Warm Up with DJ Nat
10 p.m. at Atlanta Eagle
306 Ponce De Leon Ave., Atlanta, GA 30308
www.atlantaeagle.com

DJ Mike Pope
10 p.m. at Heretic
2069 Cheshire Bridge Road,, Atlanta, GA 30324
www.hereticatlanta.com

Ladies Lounge
XS Ultra Lounge
708 Spring St., Atlanta, GA 30308
www.xsultralounge.com

Divas Cabaret tribute to “Wicked”
11 p.m. at The New LeBuzz
585 Franklin Rd., Marietta, GA 30067
www.thenewlebuzz.com

Friday, Oct. 7 - Saturday, Oct. 8

“LipSchtick”: One boy’s journey to fabulous and back
Friday, 7 & 9:30 p.m., Saturday, 5:30 p.m.
Saint Mark United Methodist Church
781 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30308
www.stmarkumc.org

Saturday, Oct. 8

Yom Kippur Services: Congregation Bet Haverim
St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church
790 LaVista Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30324
www.congregationbethaverim.org

10 a.m. Shacharit (Morning Service)
10:15 – 11:45 p.m. Children’s services, staggered by age
3 p.m. Avodah (Meditation Service) Avodah (Learning Session)
4:30 p.m. Yizkor (Memorial Service)
6 p.m. Ne’ilah (Concluding Service)
7:20 p.m. Break Fast (Dairy/Vegetarian covered dish break-the-fast)

Gay rugby: Atlanta Bucks vs. St. Louis
1-3 p.m. at Coan Middle School
1550 Hosea L. Williams Drive NE, Atlanta, GA 30317
www.atlantabucksrugby.com

Pride Party with DJ Duck
8 p.m. – 3 a.m. at Bellissima
560 Amsterdam Ave., Atlanta, GA 30306
www.facebook.com/bellissima.atlanta

Official Atlanta Pride Women’s Party “Peach Mega Dance Party”
DJ Lisa Pittman, Whitney from ‘The Real L Word’
9 p.m. – 2 a.m. at Center Stage / The Loft
1374 West Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30309
www.atlantapride.org/festival-weekend-events

Glitter Done! Dance Party
Glitter Bombshell Contest and debut of Atlanta Queer Cabaret show
10 p.m. at Mary’s,
1287 Glenwood Ave. SE, Atlanta, GA 30316
www.marysatlanta.com

DJ Tony Moran
9 p.m. doors open at Jungle
2115 Faulkner Rd., Atlanta, GA 30324
www.jungleclubatlanta.com

Bedlam: Fruits of the Loom Underwear party with DJ Shane V
9 p.m. – 4 a.m. at Primal
960 Spring St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30309
www.Facebook.com/BedlamPresents

Ladies at Play Dance 101 with DJ Cowboy
9 p.m. – 2 a.m. at Formerly known as “The Mark”
79 Poplar St., Atlanta, GA 30303
www.ladiesatplay.com

Pride Party with DJ Pat Scott
10 p.m. at Atlanta Eagle
306 Ponce De Leon Ave., Atlanta, GA 30308
www.atlantaeagle.com

DJ Mike Pope
10 p.m. at Mixx Atlanta
1492 Piedmont Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
www.mixxatlanta.com

The Secret Party with DJ Small Wonder and DJ E
11 p.m. at Club Rain
448 Ralph David Abernathy, Atlanta, GA 30312
www.traxxgirls.com

DJ Lydia Prim
10 p.m. at Heretic
2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324
www.hereticatlanta.com

Jealouse’s Daring Divas
11 p.m. at Blake’s on the Park
227 10th St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
www.blakesontheparkatlanta.com

Extravaganza with Shavonna B. Brooks
11:30 p.m. at Burkhart’s Pub
893 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30309
www.burkharts.com

Sunday, Oct. 9

Pride Street Party with DJ Richard Jones
10 a.m. at Outwrite Bookstore & Coffeehouse
991 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30309
www.outwritebooks.com

HRC Pride Brunch
11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at 5 Napkin Burger
990 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30309
www.atlanta.hrc.org

Live Love Life with DJ Vicki Powell
11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The Livingston
659 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
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Celebrate Pride at Church with birthday girl DJ Vicki Powell
7-11:30 p.m. at Sister Louisa’s Church
466 Edgewood Ave., Atlanta, GA 30312

Official Atlanta Pride Closing Party
DJ Scorpio opening set; Chus + Ceballos headline
8 p.m. – 3 a.m. at Opera Night Club
1150 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30309
www.atlantapride.org/festival-weekend-events

Pride Closing Party with the Maria Gabriella Band
8 p.m. – 12 a.m. at Bellissima
560 Amsterdam Ave., Atlanta, GA 30306
www.facebook.com/bellissima.atlanta

DJ Nat
10 p.m. at Atlanta Eagle
306 Ponce De Leon Ave.
Atlanta, GA 30308
www.atlantaeagle.com

DJ Twisted Dee
10 p.m. at Heretic
2069 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta, GA 30324
www.hereticatlanta.com

Showtime Sundays hosted by Ms. Sophia
12 a.m. showtime at Scores Sports Bar
2425 Wesley Chapel Road, Decatur, GA 30035,
www.traxxatlanta.com, www.traxxgirls.com

DJ Hector Fonseca
2:30 – 7:30 a.m. at Opera Night Club / Venetian Ballroom
1150 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30309
* Tickets sold only during Chus + Ceballos performance earlier in the evening

Each year, party promoters for Black Gay Pride are able to bring top celebrities to Atlanta over Labor Day weekend to the appreciation of tens of thousands of people who flock to the city from around the country to participate in the largest event of its kind.

Last year, Nicki Minaj, Fantasia, Lil Kim, Kelly Rowland and Amber Rose were just a few of the divas to perform or simply make an appearance and say hi to thousands of adoring fans.

This year is no different with stars hosting events, performing and doing walk-throughs at dozens of locations during Labor Day weekend. So, who’s going to be in Atlanta this weekend helping to make memories for Black Gay Pride attendees? Here’s a sampling of some of the top-notch entertainment slated:

In the Life Atlanta celebrates its crystal anniversary this year, marking 15 years of building community empowerment through Black Gay Pride weekend.

“The overarching theme for our anniversary this year is ‘In the present, learning from the past to shape the future.’ We chose the crystal ball because it’s been 15 years; 15 is the crystal year,” explained ITLA President Raymond Duke at a press conference late last month.

The non-profit organization formed in 1996 to bring a cultural component to Black Gay Pride, which began as an informal network of house parties, nightlife and other gatherings.

Now, organizers want to celebrate the past while also looking to the future.