Don't miss your chance to be fabulous among fellow members of the LGBTQ community during Charlotte Pride Week. You definitely don't want to miss the annual Charlotte Pride Festival and Parade (www.charlottepride.org) on Aug. 24 & 25 - featuring guests like Mya, Judith Hill and Big Freedia, among others - but there's a lot more to keep on the radar. From drag shows and LGBT-specific speed dating to a showcase of Charlotte's finest LGBT performers and a neon dance party, there's plenty to lose sleep for throughout the week. Check out the list below with events that start on Aug. 16.

• Big Freedia is a guest at this year's Charlotte Pride

Gender Bender Night: The Rocky Horror Picture Show Charlotte's "Rocky Horror" cast, That Type!, presents a special "gender bender"-themed show. Guys will play girls and girls will play guys. $6.60 admission; $3 for prop bag. Aug. 16, 11:20 p.m. Cinebarre, 8008 Providence Road. 704-543-4581. www.cinebarre.com.

LGBTQ Law Project: Inciting Justice The grand opening of Charlotte's LGBTQ Law Center. To celebrate, there will be live entertainment from Bebe Zahara (winner of RuPaul's Drag Race), musician Laila Nur, DJ Kelly Kel and comedian MimiI Benfield. There will also be raffles, refreshments and a silent auction. $5 suggested donation. Aug. 16, 6:30 p.m. LGBT Community Center of Charlotte, 2508 N. Davidson St. 704-333-0144. www.gaycharlotte.com.

Buff Faye's Charlotte Pride Kickoff Sunday Drag Brunch Join local drag star Buff Faye, friends, and special guests for a brunch show that includes the current "Ms. Charlotte Pride" aka Valarie Rockwell, "Mr. Charlotte Pride" Jerry Dale. A portion of proceeds will benefit Charlotte Pride. Aug. 18, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Hartigans Pub, 601 S. Cedar St. 704-347-1841. www.hartigans.com.

Chi Psi Omega's Open Mic This month Chi Psi Omega's open mic (music, dance, spoken word, etc.) will revolve around Equality NC - an organization that works to secure equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender folks living in NC. $5 donation to benefit Equality NC. Aug. 18, 7 p.m. Wet Willies, 900 N.C. Music Factory Blvd., Suite C1. 704-716-5650. www.wetwillies.com.

Moral Monday Charlotte The event aims to raise awareness about important issues regarding educators and the education system, voting rights, health care and more. Aug. 19, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Marshall Park, 800 E. 3rd St.

Pride Love Speed Dating LGBT singles speed dating event presented by Outside the Box Dating. Food will be provided and there will be drinking and hookah specials all night. To register, visit www.outsidetheboxdating.com. Aug. 21, 6:30 p.m. 505E Restaurant and Lounge, 505 E. 6th St. 704-817-9373. www.the505e.com.

Networking with a Special Twist Bank of America's LGBT Pride Carolinas members and supporters will meet for their monthly networking social at Vapiano, where there will be drink specials including $6 martinis. After the social, the group will go see Queen City Theatre Company's production of Les Liaisons Dangereuses at Duke Energy Theatre. $22 for the show. Aug. 22, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Vapiano, 201 S. Tryon St.

Pre-Pride Shiprocked Shiprocked's unofficial Pride party features drag stars that include Bethann Phetamine and Vegas Van Dank. There will also be dancing and musical guests Malachi and Your Fuzzy Friends. There's no cover, but donations are accepted. 21 and up. Aug. 22, 10 p.m. Snug Harbor, 1228 Gordon St. 704-333-9799. www.snugrock.com.

Youth Night with Ryan Cassata Charlotte Pride presents this special event and speaking engagement for LGBTQ youth and young adults. Ryan Cassata, a 19-year-old transgender singer/songwriter and motivational speaker will perform. Presented in collaboration with Charlotte Pride, Time Out Youth Center and Charlotte Lesbian & Gay Fund. Aug. 23, 6:30 p.m. Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1900 The Plaza.

Dragpalooza Pride Kickoff Drag Show & Party Featuring performances by Mac Ximus, Landon Haze, Vegas Van Dank, Jamel Knight, Dylan Knowles, Brady O'Hare, Ryder Knightly, Honey Jazel, JT Blade and more. $5 cover for 21 and up; $10 under 21. Aug. 23, 10 p.m. Hartigan's Irish Pub, 601 S. Cedar St. 704-347-1841. www.hartigans.com.

Charlotte Pride Takeover Charlotte Pride and Takeover Friday come together for this social shindig. Aug. 23, 7 p.m. The Westin Charlotte, 601 S. College St.

Blurred Lines: All Ladies Party Holly J presents this party for ladies. Featuring Jersey from the hit web series Between Women. Aug. 23, 10 p.m. Marigny, 1440 S. Tryon St.

'Luminosity' at L4 Lounge Another nightlife event that's worth waving glowsticks for. This pride dance party features music mixed by resident DJs Sushi. eLOVE, and Mini Beat. Best of all, there will also be free neon body paint. Neon/glow attire is encouraged, but casual wear is also welcomed. $10 for folks under 21; $5 for folks 21 and up. Aug. 23, 9 p.m. L4 Lounge, 2906 Central Ave. 704-567-2158.

Andrew Christian at The Bar at 316 Silverfly presents this Charlotte Pride after-party with underwear designer Andrew Christian (Read more here) and his models. The Bar at 316, 316 Rensselaer Ave. 704- 910-1478. www.thebarat316.com.

2013 Charlotte Pride Festival The two-day LGBT festival includes national, regional and local entertainers, musicians and bands, as well as vendors, art exhibitors, non-profit organizations, political candidates, retailers, food stands and more. Special guests include Mya, Judith Hill and Big Freedia, among others. Aug. 24, 12-10 p.m.; Aug. 25, noon-6 p.m. PNC Bank Festival Zone, On South Tryon Street, between 3rd and Stonewall Streets.

Cherry: The Official Charlotte Pride Women's Event Dani Campbell hosts this night for girls. DJ Pat Pat will be spinning and there will be a special live performance from Hunter Valentine. Aug. 24, 9 p.m. Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E. 36th St. 704-358-9298. www.neighborhoodtheatre.com.

Mandance Party Cathode Azure presents a special Pride-themed "Mandance" party. Aug. 24, 9 p.m. Cathode Azure, 1820 South Blvd., Suite 106.

Flourish: A Celebration of LGBT Arts & Culture The Queer Arts Consortium presents this two-day event with music and theater performances and film screenings. Expect to see Gay Men's Chorus of Charlotte, One Voice Chorus, Charlotte Pride Band, Queen City Theatre Company, Triptych Collective, as well as selections from the Gay Charlotte Film Festival and other entertainment from members of the LGBT community. Free admission. Aug. 24, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Aug. 25, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, 420 S. Tryon St. www.queerartsconsortium.org.

The Charlotte Pride After Party The Scorpio presents a special Charlotte Pride after party and its Legendary Sundays, featuring Detox Icunt, Coco Montrese and Alyssa Edwards of "RuPaul's Drag Race," with DJ RageN'Ray. Doors open at 10 p.m.; Showcase at 11:30 p.m. Sun., Aug. 25, 10 p.m. The Scorpio, 2301 Freedom Drive. 704-373-9124.