Guide: Atlanta Pride Festival 2008

The Atlanta Pride Festival underwent some changes this year. The drought caused the event to move from Piedmont Park to the Atlanta Civic Center, and the date also changed. The festival had been held in June to commemorate the Stonewall Riots, and the Fourth of July weekend was the closest date to the original. Here is all the information you'll need to enjoy the weekend. (All events at the Atlanta Civic Center unless otherwise noted.)

GENERAL INFO

• Phone: 770-491-8633

• Web site: www.atlantapride.org

FESTIVAL

• When: 6-11 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday-Sunday

• Where: Atlanta Civic Center • Map

• Admission: Free, but donations will be accepted

GETTING THERE

• Parking: Shuttles run from the Colony Square parking garage (Peachtree Street and 14th Street) to the Civic Center. They depart every 15 minutes. Cost is $11. There also are also pay lots near the Civic Center. • Map

• MARTA: The Civic Center and North Avenue stations are closest to the festival. One-way fare is $1.75.

ALLOWED

• Lawn chairs

• Umbrellas

NOT ALLOWED

• Outside alcoholic beverages

• Pets

• Tents

• Grills

• Bicycles

• Skateboards

• Scooters

• Rollerblades

• Overnight camping

PARADES

• Dyke March: 6 p.m. July 5. Starts at Piedmont Avenue and Pine Street. Full route.

PRIDE Parade: 1 p.m. July 6. Starts at 10th Street and Piedmont Avenue. Participation is free but marchers must register. Full route.

CONCERTS

• Pride Day of local musicians and poets: Lineup includes Richard Solomon, Stacie Boschma and Hollin Gammage. 1-8 p.m. Friday, Wordsmiths Books, 545 N. McDonough St., Decatur. Free. wordsmithsbooks.com/

• Bud Light stage: Performances begin at 6 p.m. Friday, 12:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Free. See schedule for list of performers.

• Coca-Cola stage:

Performances begin at 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Free. See schedule for list of performers. VIP seating can be purchased.

• Friday Night Divas: Expose, CeCe Peniston, Franchie Davis, Thelma Houston perform. 8 p.m. Friday. $17.50-$50. tix.clicknprint.com or 404-658-7159.

• Starlight Cabaret: Features The Lady Shabazz and other drag entertainers. 9 p.m. Sunday. $2-$5. tix.clicknprint.com

COMMITMENT CEREMONY

• 8 p.m. Saturday. $20 per couple. Reception to follow.

DANCES

• YouthPride Prom:7-11 p.m. Friday. No one over 24 admitted unless serving as a volunteer chaperone. Free. youthpride.org

• Boom! "A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila" contestant Dani Campbell hosts the event. 11 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday. 21 and over. Front Page News, 351 Moreland Ave. $10 in advance, $15 at the door. robot.boxofficetickets.com/

• Peach Mega Dance Party: 11 p.m.-3 a.m. Saturday. 18 and up. Center Stage/The Loft, 1374 W. Peachtree St. $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at the Curve Magazine booth or at robot.boxofficetickets.com/

OTHER PERFOMANCES

• shoutOut! With Pride: Slam poetry event emceed by Stacie Boschma. Winner receives $100. 7:30-11 p.m. Saturday. $3 in advance, $5 at the door. 18 and over. entertainment@atlantapride.org

• YouthPride Block: People ages 13-24 perform music, spoken word, dance and drag and features performances by Ms. and Mr. YouthPride. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Saturday. Free. www.youthpride.org

BOOK EVENTS

• Lesbian authors Jane Vollbrecht and Julia Watts. 7:30-9 p.m. Thursday. Free. Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Ave N.E. charis.booksense.com

• Atlanta author Fiona Zedde reads from her new novel "Hungry For It." 8-9:30 p.m. Saturday. Free. Charis Books & More, 1189 Euclid Ave N.E. charis.booksense.com

RELIGIOUS SERVICE

• Gay Pride Eucharist for Human Rights: The Rev. Winnie Varghese, Episcopal chaplain at Columbia University, will speak. 7:30-9:30 p.m. Thursday. Free. All Saints' Episcopal Church, 634 W. Peachtree St N.W.

CHARITY POKER TOURNAMENT

• Tournament-style elmination, with a final table of eight. Winner gets a trip to Mexico for two adults and two children. Registration at 11 a.m. Saturday at the World Poker Tour tent. Games start at noon. $30 buy-in for $1,000 chips. Players may buy back in during the first hour for an additional $20.

ON DISPLAY

• AIDS Memorial Quilt: Over 400 panels can be viewed 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Make-a-panel workshops are 1-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.

• Human rights exhibit: Explores the relationships between identities and how to get involved in your community. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.