It's time to start dusting off your gay apparel (and shoes) with more than a dozen events and parties planned for "Stride Into Pride" during the weeks and days leading up to Atlanta Pride set for Oct. 8-9.

From parties at Jungle and the W Midtown to a legal forum and an AIDS vigil, Atlanta Pride is offering numerous options for people to become involved before the weekend fest at Piedmont Park.

Included as part of "Stride Into Pride" is a public invitation to Yom Kippur services with Congregation Bet Haverim. Atlanta Pride this year is held during Yom Kippur, which led to talks between the Pride committee and members of the gay-founded Reconstructionist synagogue to find a way to honor the Jewish holy day during Pride.

“These activities offer a wide range of options for anyone who may build their vacation around the Pride festival, or for those local residents looking to get involved prior to the weekend,” said JP Sheffield, executive director of Atlanta Pride.

"Stride into Pride" begins Thursday with "Indulge at the W," a Chris Coleman Enterprises weekly party held at the W Midtown Hotel's Whiskey Park bar. The party begins at 8 p.m. and will let people know more about Atlanta Pride while also enjoying $5 drink specials all night.

The full "Stride into Pride" calendar:

Crazy Bitch Bingo
Thursday, Sep. 15
8 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Las Margaritas, 1842 Cheshire Bridge Road
Enjoy dinner while also playing "Crazy Bitch Bingo" — bingo that includes comedy and music videos, live karaoke and "a bit of humiliation."

Ten percent of patrons' total bill as well as tequila shots sold and a portion of Twister drink specials benefit Atlanta Pride.

Dragamundo: Dinner & A Show de Mami's
Monday, Sept. 26
8:30 p.m.- 9:30 p.m.
Las Margaritas
Phoenix, from "RuPaul's Drag Race," joins Mrs. Bubba Dee and a cast for a free drag show that makes you clutch your pearls (and try not to be hit by any).

There will be an $8.99 dinner menu as well as $5 mojitos. Again, tequila shots and a portion of all Twister drink sales benefit Atlanta Pride as well as 10 percent of everyone's total bill.

Papi’s Pride Kickoff Brunch
Sunday, Oct. 2
12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Las Margaritas
DJ Mike Pope mans the sound table for the popular all-you-can-eat brunch. Ten percent of total bills as well as a portion of sales made from tequila shots and Twister drink specials go to benefit Atlanta Pride.

Free Pride Legal Forum
Sunday, Oct. 2
2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
The Phillip Rush Center
1530 Dekalb Ave. NE, Atlanta
Local attorneys Jeff Cleghorn of Kitchens New Cleghorn, LLC and Kathleen Womack of Kathleen M. Womack, P.C. present, "Don't Get Caught As An Undocumented Gay or Lesbian: Know Your Legal Rights in Georgia."

Womack and Cleghorn will cover topics including wills, powers of attorney, health care directives, domestic partnership issues, “gay divorce,” second parent adoption, and ways to protect gay marriages, civil unions, domestic partnerships received in other states.

Womack and Cleghorn will assist participants in filling out the Free Georgia Advance Directives for Health Care at the conclusion of the forum. Contact Womack at 404-303-0130 or by email [email protected] for more information.

A Night with Out on Film
Screening: “We Were Here”
Tuesday, Oct.
4 p.m.- 7:20 p.m.
Midtown Art Cinema
931 Monroe Drive
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the AIDS pandemic. This film, presented by Atlanta's LGBT film festival Out on Film, looks at the lives of five people living in San Francisco prior to the first recorded cases of AIDS.

"Their lives changed in unimaginable ways when their beloved city changed from a hotbed of sexual freedom and social experimentation into the epicenter of a terrible sexually transmitted plague," according to a press release.

"From their different vantage points as caregivers, activists, researchers, as friends and lovers of the afflicted, and as people with AIDS themselves, the interviewees share stories which are not only intensely personal, but which also illuminate the much larger themes of that era: the political and sexual complexities, the terrible emotional toll, and the role of women — particularly lesbians — in caring for and fighting for their gay brothers."

Atlanta Pride AIDS Vigil
Wednesday, Oct. 5
7 p.m. - 8 p.m.
St. Mark’s United Methodist Church
781 Peachtree St. NE
“Compassion, Commitment, Community- 30 years of AIDS” is the theme for this year's vigil to remember those who have died.

Graphic Intervention: 25 Years of International AIDS Posters
Wednesday, Oct. 5
8:15 p.m. - 9:45 p.m.
Museum of Design Atlanta
1315 Peachtree St.
$10
Immediately after the Pride AIDS Vigil at St. Mark's UMC, the public is invited to visit the Museum of Design Atlanta for a viewing of "Graphic Intervention," an exhibit covering a "comprehensive overview of the diverse visual strategies employed by government agencies, community activists, grassroots organizations and motivated citizens to educate the local population. These posters demonstrate the different approaches used around the globe for discussion of a socially complex subject."

Commitment Ceremony
Presented by Macy’s  
Thursday, Oct. 6
6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
W Midtown Hotel
188 14th St.
The annual non-denominational ceremony gives couples the opportunity to pledge their commitment to each other publicly before friends and family. Couples who wish to register pay a small fee and receive a certificate marking the occasion. Visit www.atlantapride.org for details and registration.

Indulge at The W: Post Commitment Ceremony Celebration
Presented By Chris Coleman Enterprises
Thursday, Oct. 6
8 p.m. - 2 a.m.
Whiskey Park at the W Midtown Hotel
Have a drink to celebrate your new commitment after the Commitment Ceremony.

Macy’s Men’s Designer Event
Friday, Oct. 7
4 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Macy’s Lenox Square
Project Runway star Anthony Williams provides fashion presentations and "Real Housewives of Atlanta" celebrity Miss Lawrence provides live entertainment for this fashion event highlighting the first look at the newest Designer and Impulse Collections for Men.

Make a $10 donation to Atlanta Pride and receive a $10 Macy's gift card. Also, if you buy more than $200 from the Designer and Impulse Collection for Men, you'll get $50 off the sale as well as a gift bag.

Yom Kippur Services with Congregation Bet Haverim
Friday, Oct. 7
St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church
1790 LaVista Road NE
Intergenerational Kol Nidre Service at 6 p.m.
Ma’Ariv Service at 8 p.m.
People visiting Atlanta for Pride as well as local residents are invited to attend Kol Nidre services with Congregation Bet Haverim, a gay-founded Reconstructionist synagogue. For more information, call CBH at 404-315-6446

Atlanta Pride VIP Party
6 p.m. -8 p.m.
The Georgia Aquarium: Enter Ocean Ballrooms
This is an invitation only event featuring complimentary food and drinks for individual donors and sponsors of Atlanta Pride. To receive an invite, visit www.atlantapride.org and make a donation. Location and further details will be sent to our ticket holders.

Official Atlanta Pride Kickoff Party
Friday, October 7: 6:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.
The Georgia Aquarium: Enter Main Entrance
DJs Corey Craig and Jay McCracken will provide the beats for the third annual kickoff party with Craig spinning in Atrium and McCracken spinning in the Oceans Ballroom Lounge.

Making a special appearance this year is JuJubee from "RuPaul's Drag Race" and "Drag U" who will perform live for ticket holders to this event.

The Official Atlanta Pride Kickoff After Party
Presented by Jungle Club Atlanta
Friday, Oct. 7
9 p.m. - 3 a.m.
Jungle Club Atlanta
DJ Ed Bailey mans the tables at this after party that includes $20 VIP tickets.