THE MOVE: Plan Accordingly - June 2021

Hey, y’all! What’s the move?

Move #1 Web
Photo credit: EMA CARR
OUTDOOR PARTY TIME: Young Atlanta drag stars Orchid and Brigitte Bidet posing in their Sunday best while bookending partygoers at the BeltLine’s best weekly dance party, Chaka Khan Hacienda, returning to 8Arm June 6.

The Move was og intended to get you out of the house, interact with strangers, and return home with new experiences, not coronavirus. The “new moves” recommended in this column are to be consumed at your own risk, preferably in a mask and vaxed.

Cute plague trends to keep on a soon-to-be post-pandemic planet: Sanitizer everywhere, 6-ft personal space, masks are fashun too, stay cashless, delivery of everything, and working from home. Plus, let’s thank QR codes for making the comeback of the century.

Stacked below are mostly offline, IRL happenings in the HOTlanta — yes, we said it. Read on for the tea, sweet pandemic-surviving lil’ Bithkitz.

TUESDAY, JUNE 1–THURSDAY, JUNE 13

Atlanta Virtual Fringe Fest — Still need online options? Fringe Fest 2021 is sticking with virtual performances, for those who still aren’t comfy in crowds. “Atlanta Virtual Fringe Festival is blasting artists from across the country directly into your living room June 1-13, featuring both live and pre-recorded performances, watch parties, interactive talkback sessions, cash prizes for artists, and as much Fringey feeling as we can stuff into your screens!” The line-up includes… “Trajectory Improv” presented by Trajectory (Decatur, GA), “The Couch Potato” presented by Literary Gumbo Players (Greensboro, NC), “Staged” presented by John Street Theatre Company (Cincinnati, OH), “Dawson’s Creek Live: A Tributary” presented by Non-Violet Offenders (Lawrenceville, GA), “Hot Lava!” presented by Pyroclastic Funk (Fairbanks, AK), “@PCP” presented by Phoebe Perry (Amsterdam, North Holland), “#CHARLOTTESVILLE” presented by The Abbey Theater of Dublin (Dublin, OH), “The Next Stage (the panic attack play)” presented by Coyle Street Productions (Brooklyn, NY), “Sexology: The Musical!” presented by Melanie Moseley (Portland, OR), “Beyond the Body” presented by Michelina Moen (Palm Coast, FL), “Prison Monologues, Pt. 1” presented by Merely Players Presents (Fayetteville, GA). Multishow passes and single tickets are now on sale.

SUNDAY, JUNE 6

Chaka Khan Hacienda — She’s back every Sunday at 8Arm! DJ Qween Ree de la Vega blesses us with the brightest, most diverse, sparkly afternoon dance party on the BeltLine — and she calls it Chaka Khan Hacienda. Throw on your Sunday best, from gowns to thongs, and ride over to the newly renovated outdoor-parking-lot-turned-dance-floor at 8Arm for the afternoon’s best DJs, snax, drinks, and eye candy.

Free, Every Sunday now through Labor Day, 5-10 p.m., 8Arm, 710 Ponce de Leon Ave. N.E.

Good Gracious All Vax Variety Show — This party at Waller’s Coffee Shop comes with an all-vaxed cast — and all attendees are required to be fully vaxed as well. Expect a classic variety show for the whole fam with music by Nikki & the Phantom Callers, spoken-word poetry by Jon Goode, comedy by Dad’s Garage Improv, and Michael Magno.

“If you’re not into the vax thing, understood. This show is for VAX folks only, so I’d love to see your vax card at the show, or you can send me a pic (mine is attached). Hopefully, we can all beat this COVID thing real soon and get back to full-on open businesses, no fear, and a bright new day!” — — Boyd Baker, show organizer and host of the Good Gracious podcast.

Tickets are $20 for this outdoor event, but seating is limited. The vibe at Waller’s is crunchy, with a local artists market daily and a killer outdoor, tree-covered area that reminds us more of coastal Mexico than Decatur, GA.

$20, 4:30-6 p.m. Waller’s Coffee Shop, 240 DeKalb Industrial Way, Decatur.

MONDAY, JUNE 7– FRIDAY, JUNE 11

Staibdance presents (MC)2 – Moving Culture | Moving Community — MC2 Mission: An Atlanta-wide multicultural dance festival that seeks to unite our culturally rooted dance organizations under one roof via five days of classes, performances, and facilitated community conversations. “Our goal is to meet our community where they are, encourage new connections, and harvest inspiration from the diverse worlds that gather to reveal their dynamic stories.” — (MC)2

ATL-based Staibdance is gathering dynamic and powerful dance voices that contribute to Atlanta’s rich and diverse ecosystem. Staibdance will host community conversations and fill the East Point neighborhood with food trucks, gatherings at local restaurants, and good vibes. Here’s the line-up:

Giwayen Mata African Dance, Manga African Dance, Alma Mexicana Ballet Folklorico, CiCI Kelley – famed hip-hop choreographer and dancer, Sasikala Penumarthi – South Indian Dance – Emory Faculty, Atlanta Chinese Dance Company, Kumud Savla – North Indian Dance, Berdolé Flamenco with Julie Bagenstoss – Emory Faculty, Flamenco Underground, Lyrik London Los Angeles hip-hop choreographer and dancer, Xavier Lewis – composer and dancer.

Free, The Windmill Arts Center, 2823 Church St., East Point. staibdance.com

SATURDAY, JUNE 12

Outdoor Craft & Vintage Market & Movie Night — For its second Artist Market on The Lawn, Uptown Atlanta hosts an open-air art experience featuring approximately 40 craft, art, and vintage vendors from Atlanta and other parts of Georgia, curated by the Indie Craft Experience, or as we call it, ICE. Expect vegan-ish bites from Sunshine Alchemy food truck, and following the market, The Lawn will be transformed into an indie-themed movie night, and at dusk, The Perks of Being a Wallflower will be broadcast on a giant LED screen. BYO blankies, chairs, and comforts for your DIY socially distanced spaces.

Tickets are FREE but reservations are required. In the instance of inclement weather, the market will be canceled by 5 p.m. the day prior to the event, and Uptown Atlanta will notify all registered attendees via email. Pros should take MARTA to Lindbergh Center Station.

Free, reservations are required, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Free Movies on the Lawn 7 p.m. reservations are required, The Lawn at Uptown Atlanta, 2400 Garson Drive N.E. uptownatlanta.com / indiecraftexperience.com

La Choloteca’s CHOLO MERCADO — “Bienvenidos a Cholo Mercado!” One of our fav ways to support the Latinx community in ATL. For this event think flea market with Latin and POC vendors and artists.

From experience, we’ll tell you the DJs will be bumping, the energy will be high, and the food to die. White folx, your role is to shop and support with confidence knowing 100 percent of what you spend will stay in the vendors’ pockets.

In their own words, “La Choloteca is an Atlanta Queer Latinx brand most known for our dance parties. We connect Latinx culture to social justice issues that directly impact their identities. We’ve recently launched a Gofundme with the goal of creating programming that will continue to help the Latinx community thrive and be empowered! We have always held social justice issues as a core value in La Choloteca and have proven that together we can have the capacity to build the future we need! Tu lucha es nuestrx lucha!”

3 p.m.-9 p.m., $5, outdoors for all ages, masks and temp checks required, limited to 100 guests. The Met, 680 Murphy Ave. S.W. @LaCholoteca

FRIDAY, JUNE 18

Alley Cat Music presents:  Interlinked w/ Cristi Cons —“INTERLINKED is the union of Mind and Music. Man and Machine. Body and Soul.” — Alley Cat Music

If you’ve missed house music as much as The Move has, this intimate party is a great way to dip back in. “Some of the biggest things come in small packages, prepare for an intimate night of pure musical bliss orchestrated by some of the best house and techno artists in the world.” Including DJs Cristi Cons, TOCAYO, and Jeremy Ismael. Bottle/table service available if you fancy. Email: info at alleycatmusicclub.com. There is no VIP, y’all, and tickets are super limited.

10 p.m.-LATE. 21-plus welcome w/ I.D., Paradise Loft, 383 Marietta St. N.W. www.alleycatmusic.club

SATURDAY, JUNE 19

Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom Festival — Head down to the culturally booming, historic city of East Point with the Atlanta NAACP. The Downtown Commons will host the parade at 11 a.m., festivities to follow with live music, food, and vendors till 7 p.m. Know a talented kid? To participate in the youth talent show, email vp2 at naacpatlanta.org or call 404-524-0580.

Free, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Downtown Commons, 2757 East Point St., East Point.

TUESDAY, JUNE 22

SUSTO with Rose Hotel, City Winery, two shows — The psychedelic funk sound of SUSTO returns to Atlanta for two shows, Tuesday, June 22.

OG Atlantan, Rose Hotel, is the show opener. The band, which hails from North Charleston, South Carolina, was scheduled to play Terminal West in March, 2020. Then this little thang called a Coronavirus happened.

desc
ROGUE ACOUSTIC: SUSTO (Justin Osborne, pictured) plays the City Winery, Tuesday, June 22, with Rose Hotel, for two shows at 6:15 and 9:30 p.m. Photo credit: MIA AL-TAHER

We caught up with SUSTO frontman, Justin Osborne, on the release of their latest album, Rogue Acoustic. “(The album) was recorded in early February 2020 and was meant to be a kind of experiment. I wanted to capture the energy that comes along with playing to a crowded bar on a Friday night, with nothing but vocals and an acoustic guitar. It wasn’t till months later, after the album recording, that the pandemic lockdown made me realize how quickly that energy could disappear. I’m releasing the live album now, and doing these shows in support of it, with the hope that more moments like the one captured in this album will be coming back soon. The Rogue Acoustic tour will be a little different than the Rogue Acoustic album, because I’ll actually be performing as a trio, with my drummer Marshall (Hudson) doing percussion, and Jordan Reynolds of Rose Hotel playing along and singing harmonies. Jordan is going to be performing with SUSTO full-time now, and this will be her first tour with us. She will also be opening the whole tour as Rose Hotel.”

$25, 6:15 p.m. & 9:30 p.m., City Winery at Ponce City Market, 675 Ponce de Leon Ave. N.E. citywinery.com/atlanta

THURSDAY, JUNE 24–SUNDAY, JUNE 27

Southern Fried Queer Pride  — It’s back! The 2021 Southern Fried Queer Pride Festival is happening with performances, art, community, and more. In previous years, we’d expect anything from DIY panty liners, cooking classes, and, of course, the giant whale of a sale thrift and artists market. All are welcome, even breeders. southernfriedqueerpride.com

Need more SFQP? SWITCH: A Queer Dance Party happens every Wednesday at My Sister’s Room.

$5, 10 p.m., 21-plus, My Sister’s Room, 84 12th St. N.E. mysistersroom.com

Plus, the infamous AMEN! A Drag Show returns to celebrate four years at Sister Louisa’s Church on Thursday, June 17.

Free, 10:30 p.m., 21-plus, Sister Louisa’s Church of the Living Room and Ping Pong Emporium, 466 Edgewood Ave. S.E.

FRIDAY, JUNE 25

Out Night at the Georgia Aquarium — Exclusive reduced-capacity admittance to celebrate national pride … with SHARKS! “Ethereal, fresh, experiential vibes” sounds by THE Ree de la Vega and DJ Seth Breezy. We know this KID-FREE event will make you want to dance, but instead enjoy touring the Aquarium with cocktails included (so no cash is exchanged). Everyone can tour the animal exhibits as well as the new “SHARKS! Predators of the Deep” exhibit. Did we mention NO KIDS, LESS CROWDS? Three (3) cocktails (or soft drinks) are included with ticket.

The Georgia Aquarium hopes to make a large financial donation from the OUT NIGHT event to Atlanta Pride to help ATL’s October 2021 Pride. “When Pride succeeds, Atlanta succeeds.” — Georgia Aquarium

$60. 7-10 p.m., Georgia Aquarium, 225 Baker St. N.W. georgiaaquarium.org/outnight