Atlanta Opera opens its new take on “Don Pasquale” on Saturday, March 25 with performances through April 2 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. (Publicity photo)

Friday, March 24

Now that the opening weekend crowd has lessened a little back, check out the new “Beauty and the Beast” and its well-publicized gay character, various area theaters

Wasabassco Burlesque is world-renowned for its disarmingly sexy combination of contemporary striptease and top-tier variety. Bringing together retro-glam sophistication and a playful sense of humor, events are carefully curated to feature only the finest talent, an eclectic range of jaw-dropping acts that change nightly. Hosted by Sapphire Jones and featuring Dee Flowered, Evelyn Vinyl, Freya West, GiGi La Femme, Talloolah Love and Sunny Midnight. Doors open at 6 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m., $20 – $25, City Winery, 650 North Ave. N.E., #201, Atlanta, GA 30308, www.citywinery.com/atlanta/tickets/wasabassco-burlesque-3-24.html

The High Museum of Atlanta Wine Auction is at The Tents at Turner Field, 8:30 – 11:30 p.m., $60 per person for Uncorking Cru members and $75 per person for guests, 755 Hank Aaron Drive S.E., Atlanta, GA 30315, www.etouches.com/uncorkingcru

Saturday, March 25

Join Charis and ZAMI NOBLA for a reading in the round celebrating the life and works of Pat Parker, with a beautiful new collection edited by Julie Enszer that allows an opportunity to historicize Parker’s significance to black women’s literary traditions, lesbian erotica, to black queer struggles and black feminism, and to global social justice movements. The suggested donation is $5. 7:30 – 9 p.m., Charis Books and More, 1189 Euclid Ave. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30307, ww.charisbooksandmore.com

The ART Station Cabaret will present Lori Divine and her ladies of the evening tonight in the Trolley Stop Cabaret. It’s camp drag at its best, with proceeds benefiting Lost-n-Found Youth. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. for drinks, sandwiches, snacks and desserts and the first set begins at 8:15 p.m., ART Station, 5384 Manor Drive, Stone Mountain, GA 30083, www.artstation.org

Atlanta Freedom Band’s “Roots & Branches” concert explores the many different styles and influences of African-American culture in music. The program spans the decades with music from Scott Joplin, W.C. Handy and Duke Ellington, as well as American composers William Grant Still, Quincy Hilliard and Dwayne Milburn, some favorite pop tunes from the Motown music scene and the premiere of a new work by Connor Sullivan from Kennesaw State University. 8 p.m., Druid Hills Presbyterian Church, 1026 Ponce de Leon Ave. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30306, www.facebook.com/events/131388660717731/

Atlanta Opera opens its new take on “Don Pasquale” at 8 p.m. tonight with performances through April 2, Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30339, www.cobbenergycentre.com

Sunday, March 26

DJ Billy Lace spins tonight at 3 a.m., Xion Atlanta, 2043 Cheshire Bridge Road N.E., Atlanta, GA 30324, www.facebook.com/events/358928607840805

Performer Catie Curtis has never been afraid to take a creative risk. The intimacy with which she expressed her lesbian identity helped others through their own difficult journey to openness. She performs tonight at Eddie’s Attic at 6 p.m., 515-B North McDonough St., Decatur, GA 30030, www.eddiesattic.com

Monday, March 27

The Panther Levi/Leather group convenes tonight at 7 p.m. at the Atlanta Eagle, 306 Ponce de Leon Ave., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.atlantaeagle.com

Tuesday, March 28

Recording artist Deborah Cox takes over the Whitney Houston role in the stage musical “The Bodyguard,” with a 7:30 p.m. curtain tonight and running through April 2, Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. N.E, Atlanta, GA 30308, www.foxtheatre.org

Wednesday, March 29

Enjoy Ruby Redd’s Birdcage Bingo tonight from 8:30 – 10:30 p.m. at The Hideaway Atlanta, 1544 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, GA 30324, www.atlantahideaway.com

Thursday, March 30

Join Gallery 874 for opening night of its new art auction, benefiting the American Cancer Society and ASID Georgia Chapter. Nabil Sousa will be signing copies of his new book, 6 p.m., 874 Joseph E. Lowery Blvd. N.W., Atlanta, GA 30318, www.gallery874.com

Join Charis and Atlanta Pride in welcoming two new authors from Transgress Press as they share their unique journeys to adulthood, manhood and peace. Lei Ming reads from his novel “Life Before My Body: A Transgender Journey to Manhood in China” and Samuel Peterson reads from his “TRUNKY (Transgender).” The suggested donation is $5. 7:30 – 9 p.m., Charis Books and More, 1189 Euclid Ave. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30307, www.charisbooksandmore.com

Join comedian Brent Star for a fabulously free, fun Drag Bingo Thursday Nights at Pallookaville, 8 – 10 p.m., 17 N. Avondale Plaza, Avondale Estates, GA 30002, www.facebook.com/events/375975529462191

UPCOMING

Saturday, April 1

The premiere of “All Male, All Nude,” presented by Out On Film, looks at how one of the best known gay strip clubs in the world landed in the heart of the Bible Belt. Directed by Gerald McCullouch. 6 p.m., followed by a reception and an after party, Landmark Midtown Art Cinema, 931 Monroe Dr. N.E., Atlanta, GA 30308, www.outonfilm.org

Funny man Leslie Jordan returns to Atlanta for his new show “Straight Outta Chattanooga,” 8 p.m., Le Fais do-do, 1611 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd N.W., Atlanta, GA 30318, www.facebook.com/events/775345442606142

Tuesday, April 4 – 5

She’s back! The iconic stage version of “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” hits the ATL at the Fox Theatre tonight and tomorrow at 7:30 p.m., with such classic songs as “Wig in a Box” and “Midnight Radio,” 660 Peachtree St. N.E, Atlanta, GA 30308, www.foxtheatre.org