ATLRetro

By Aleck Bennett
Contributing Writer

What better way for Atlanta bakery The Sugar Dolls to say “thank you” to the community than by partnering with Sacred Heart Tattoo for a day-long celebration benefitting the city’s homeless LGBT youth? This Saturday, Oct. 12, they come together once again for their annual Day of the Cupcake event. This year brings us a Marie Antoinette-themed charity soirée featuring tattoos, parasols, contests, giveaways, music, burlesque and, of course…cupcakes!

The fun starts at noon over at Little Five Points’ Sacred Heart Tattoo, where their team of artists will be prettying up your flesh with delectably beautiful images of cupcakes for a mere $50. The proceeds all go toward the Lost-n-Found Youth organization, which is the area’s only nonprofit dedicated to Atlanta’s LGBT homeless youth. They provide emergency housing, referrals for HIV/STD testing and other medical issues, GED program referrals and many other vital services.

While you’re at Sacred Heart, pick up a $5 parasol and some art supplies to enter the Parasol Decorating Contest! Entries will be judged throughout the day, with first place (announced at the Star Bar after party) winning a $200 gift certificate from Sacred Heart Tattoo.

And did I just say the Star Bar’s after party? At 7 p.m., the celebration continues just down the block from Sacred Heart as you are whisked away to enjoy all the French decadence the Star Bar can possibly contain. While the cost of admission for the average Jacques or Jill is $10, admission is free to all sporting a cupcake tattoo, and the first 50 in the door get a free Marie Antoinette inspired door prize. While quenching your thirst with a drink from the Green Faeries at Lucid Absinthe, sate your hunger with free cupcakes from the Sugar Dolls. And take part in any of the many contests and giveaways in store: Dress in your best 18^th century finery (or your own take on it) to win $200 from Sacred Heart Tattoo in this year’s costume contest! Vie for your heart’s desire at the art and item auction! Take your chances and win raffle prizes from this year’s sponsors: Marie Antoinette and Cthulhu-inspired wigs from Salon Red’s Candice McCamman, unusual accessories from Diamond Star Halo, and surprise prizes from Bang! Arts and Promotion, The Ice Box and Julian’s Cosmetics and Skincare! The biggest win of the night, however, is offered by Waking Sun Studio: an eight hour recording session (four hours recording, four hours mixing/mastering) helmed by veteran Atlanta producer Chad Singer.

It’s not all cupcakes and giveaways, though. There are also musical performances by the Swingthrower Ensemble, Maria Nicholas of the Vauxhall Garden Variety Players and Jeffrey Bützer, as well as a burlesque performance by the one and only Sadie Hawkins!

It’s a full day of decadent revelry, and it all goes to benefit some of those in our community most in need of our help. So head on down to Little Five Points this Saturday to get tatted up and party down for a worthy cause.

Aleck Bennett is a writer, blogger, pug warden, pop culture enthusiast, raconteur and bon vivant from the greater Atlanta area. Visit his blog at doctorsardonicus.wordpress.com