A Weekend of Celebration with Purpose: Joining Hearts
Edited by Mikkel Hyldebrandt
Joining Hearts Weekend isn’t just Atlanta’s hottest summer celebration—it’s a powerful expression of community, compassion, and care. For nearly four decades, this allvolunteer, nonprofit event has raised millions in support of local organizations providing housing, prevention, and care services for those affected by HIV/AIDS. By blending world-class entertainment with an unwavering commitment to service, Joining Hearts creates a space where joy and generosity go hand in hand.
Friday, July 25
Opening Party @ Heretic Atlanta
Get the weekend started with a highenergy Opening Party at Heretic Atlanta. Kicking off at 10 PM, legendary NYC DJ **Corey Craig** will deliver the perfect soundtrack to launch this 38th annual celebration of community and compassion ([joininghearts.ticketspice.com][1]).
Saturday, July 26
Pre‑Pool After‑Party: Xion with Tony Moran @ 2069
Don’t miss the after-dark kickoff to Saturday’s festivities: Xion with DJ Tony Moran at 2069. This early-morning rave (3 AM–7 AM) charges the air with highoctane beats to fuel your day.
Saturday, July 26
MAIN EVENT: SAFARI Pool Party @ Piedmont Park Greystone & Aquatic Center
This is the crown jewel of the weekend. From 6 PM–11 PM, join the crowd at the historic Greystone Pool House in Piedmont Park, with pool-level access open after 7:15 PM. Brazilian DJ Erik Vilar joins hometown favorite Mike Pope,
spinning tropical beats poolside. Enjoy complimentary Tito’s cocktails and snacks, while VIP and Ultra VIP guests relax in cabanas and enjoy elevated service and amenities. The night is capped by a dazzling fireworks show—a signature finale.
Saturday Night, July 26
Tsunami @ Masquerade (DJ Alex Acosta)
After the pool wraps, keep the party rolling at Masquerade with Tsunami, featuring DJ Alex Acosta delivering deep, immersive rhythms to keep you dancing into the night.
Late Late Night, July 27 Xion Encore @ 2069 (DJ GSP)
For those who crave non-stop energy, the weekend continues at 2069 with Xion Encore, led by DJ GSP from 3 AM–7 AM. This is the final dance chance before the day winds down.
Sunday, July 27
Wild Tea Dance @ MSR (DJ Joe Pacheco)
Wind down in style on Sunday evening with the Wild Tea Dance at MSR. From
4 PM–8 PM, DJ Joe Pacheco spins soulful, upbeat tunes—the perfect close to a weekend of purpose-driven parties.
Tickets & Weekend Pass
The Weekend Pass grants entry to all six events, including the pivotal SAFARI pool party. General Admission offers full access, while VIP and Ultra VIP tiers unlock early entry, cabanas, drinks, snacks, and more. Purchase last-minute tickets and passes at joininghearts.org.
Why It Matters
All funds support HIV/AIDS prevention, care, housing, and youth services via local groups like AID Atlanta, Positive Impact, and Lost and Found Youth. Through a mix of celebration and advocacy, Joining Hearts transforms the power of community into real-life support for those affected across Atlanta ([davidatlanta.com][2], [Joining Hearts][3]).
For tickets, sponsorship details, or more information, visit joininghearts.org. See you poolside!
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A Weekend of Freedom and Fetish
By Mikkel Hyldebrandt
Photos by Mason Ward Photography
Since 2022, David and Urban have been creating events for and within the Southern kink community with Kink Down South. Now, Kink Down South Weekend is backfor a second year with a full program of parties, classes, socials, and of course, a bunch of amazing vendors – and this year, they are introducing a new and even bigger space for it all.
international status). I believe that queer joy is our strongest tool to fight hate, and KDS Weekend is the penultimate expression of that: creating a space where kinksters, both new and experienced, can come together for a weekend, escape the real world, and recharge their souls.
We are so excited about the big KDS Weekend happening on August 1–3! Recently, you announced a new and exciting venue — tell us all about it. David: After the incredible turnout for Kink Down South Weekend our first year, we knew it was only a matter of time before we outgrew our home at
We had a chance to catch the two founders amid intense preparations for the weekend. First, introductions so that attendees know who is hosting this incredible weekend!
David: Hey there — I’m David (he/him), an unapologetically submissive alpha leather boy! For over a decade, I’ve been showing up, volunteering, and doing my part for the local kink/leather scene. In 2022, I joined forces with my good friend Urban to create Kink Down South and build the kind of events that turn heads and hold space. I’m incredibly proud to help support the kind of inclusive, affirming, and uniquely Southern kink community we all deserve. My leather journey hasn’t always been smooth or predictable — far from it. But every twist and challenge along the way has helped shape me as a leader and guide my support of the community. And I’m just getting started!
Urban: Bark bark, woof, aroo! That’s pup for “Hey, I’m Urban,” LOL. I prefer he/him pronouns or just call me Good Boy. I’ve been working and volunteering in the Atlanta LGBTQ+ community for over 16 years — involved in everything from HRC to being an LGBTQ sports league commissioner, and everything in between. The past three years I’ve focused my energy with David to elevate our Southern kink community to an international level with Kink Down South (we have some very friendly Canadians that join us, so claiming that
the Atlanta Eagle and needed to find a bigger space. Finding large-scale venues here in the South that are willing to work with a kink-oriented business has proven difficult, but we’re super excited about what we’ll be able to offer now and going forward!
Urban: Yeah, the hunt for a venue was definitely an experience. We’re so excited for our new venue at Guardian Works — providing us a lot of room to grow and bring new ideas to life. The fact we have 22,000 square feet to play with is huge! Plus, ensuring that the entire site is ADA-accessible and provides so many unique spaces for folks to connect in. From the indoor main hall with exposed brick and space for aerial shows, to the gorgeous patio where you’ll be able to relax in the shade while getting your gear taken care of by our bootblacks or getting a fresh fade by our fetish barbers. Not to mention the massive green space that will house our main stage.
Last year, you experienced a few protests and hecklers. Is that part of the reason why you have moved the weekend? And how do you plan to prevent that this year?
David: I actually view it as a small point of pride to have drawn the attention of protesters! If what we were doing wasn’t having an impact or making a difference, folks would just ignore us. Haters gonna hate! As for moving the weekend to August (from June), a number of factors went into that — not
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least of which were major global events occurring in June the next two years impacting the Atlanta area, which would’ve made hosting KDS at the same time nearly impossible.
Urban: There’s a saying: “Everything happens in Atlanta,” and it really does feel like it when planning events! Moving to August gives us a lot more flexibility in terms of venues and not competing with Pride Month plans or being as close in schedule to our friends at SELF. We’re also slowly moving towards our long-term goal of establishing our event on a recurring weekend so folks can plan on when KDS Weekend will be available every year without us having to announce dates.
Kink Down South Weekend is not the only KDS
rattling around in the back of our heads for years, and I view it as a welcome departure from our regular bar-oriented events. Having an elevated, fashion-focused kink event was such a breath of fresh air for me, and a great way for folks to really show off their best fetish looks, which may not always be appropriate for the typical bar scene.
Urban: The Fet Gala will absolutely be returning! The looks people pulled out this year were incredible, and next year we are going to hone the concept with a theme. It’ll take place around the same time, as we like playing off the Met Gala’s energy as our inspiration. Who knows, with Anna Wintour stepping down at Vogue, maybe she’d be free to lend a hand. Ha!
event this year. In fact, you have thrown quite a bit of monthly events and parties! Tell us about those. David: As a wise woman once said: “Gimme, gimme more!” And that’s what we’ve consistently heard from the community. In addition to our monthly Gear Nights (second Wednesdays at the Atlanta Eagle), we now host a number of annual signature events as well — from our inaugural Harnessed party at Boggs Social for Pride, to our crowd-favorite Spelling Bee(DSM), and brand new Fet Gala!
Urban: Our friends definitely ask if we ever sleep, and honestly, I think the answer is no! Between KDS, my husband, and my Alpha/boyfriend - I exist on RedBull and a prayer. We have a plan for introducing more curated events at new venues over the next few years. We’ve been fortunate to have a home in Atlanta’s bar scene, and as we grow, we want to experiment with new venues. As a rave/ EDM pup, I have so many ideas for warehouse events that will let us bring a different energy and create unique experiences for folks.
I loved the Fet Gala — will that be coming back?
David: Absolutely! The Fet Gala concept had been
Ok, turning back to the KDS Weekend — with a bigger venue, has the programming grown exponentially with it?
David: It has! With increased attendance year-over-year, this has led to more activity, more experiences, and more opportunities. KDS Weekend is spread across four different venues this year, all offering different ways to engage!
Urban: We have so much more planned this year! We have 14 dedicated socials, a new Masterclass track, a pool party, more than a dozen performances, and nine different DJs from across the country — including international DJ and producer Eddie Martinez!
Is it okay to go to Kink Down South Weekend even if you’re just curious about kink?David: For sure! We strive to make KDS Weekend welcoming to everyone, so we offer many different “levels” of engagement. From our expansive vendor market where you can just window-shop (the merchandise or your fellow attendees), our casual Social Hours highlighting different kinks and affinity/identity groups, to a broad range of educational classes and demos — whatever your comfort level is, there’s a place for you at KDS Weekend!
And what if you’re a seasoned kinkster?
Urban: Will it be kinky enough? Well, I sure hope so! We’re bringing together a lot of seasoned talent this year at all levels of programming. Our socials are designed to connect the experienced with the novice, which is where so much of the magic is for these events. Plus, there’s plenty of opportunity for some more… intimate community building with our demo play spaces at the host hotel.
Switching to a broader lens: Why do you think it’s important for Atlanta to have an event like the
KDS Weekend and a kink community at large?
David: Not just for Atlanta, but for the entire Southeast, there’s a definite lack of large-scale kinky festivals like Kink Down South Weekend. Most folks have to travel to places like DC, New York, Chicago, or San Francisco — but we’ve got enough kinksters in our own backyard we shouldn’t have to go anywhere! Being able to plant our freak flag in the ground in a historically conservative state is both a rallying cry against erasure and discrimination, as well as a beacon to others that there’s always more of us, and we’re stronger together.
Urban: I can’t put it much better than that, David! For me, there’s some great events in Atlanta, but they almost all take place in hotel convention spaces. I think it’s important for us to have a large outdoor component. To feel the sun on your skin and be out in the open really sends the message that we are proud of who we are and make this a celebration. We really look to events like Folsom (San Fran, East, and Europe) for how they navigate outdoor events.
Tell us how to get tickets and get involved.
Urban: The best place to go for all the info is KDSWeekend.com! Get your All Access Weekend pass if you want to go to everything and get priority entry for when it gets busy.
Of course, you can also buy your tickets onsite at the festival, but we highly recommend purchasing early so you’re in the loop with all our events and get added to our official Telegram chat to connect with other attendees!
Where can we find out more about the KDS Weekend and how to be a part of it?
David: You can find Kink Down South @ KinkDownSouth on all the major social sites, including Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky — as well as our website: www.KinkDownSouth.com.
Anything else you would like to add?
David: I’d like to give a huge shoutout to our Board of Advisors! Established last year, we knew that we needed more support and perspectives to keep KDS growing, thriving, and representative of the community we serve. THANK YOU to Mx Idris Dior, Derron Onyx, MsDDom, Pup Dodger, Pup Flash, Sir Jonathan, Logan James, Mara Ronin, and Boy Mason!
Urban: We couldn’t do this without our Board, the countless volunteers, the presenters, and vendors who make it all possible. And to sponsors like David Magazine who believe in what we are building and provide the much-needed support to breathe life into these events. THANK YOU!
The Care That Carried Us: A Legacy of Queer Healing
Lessons from Dr. Zachary LaVigne B.S., D.C.
When HIV began tearing through the queer community in the early 1980s, it didn’t just attack bodies. It exposed every crack in the system. Hospitals turned people away. Government officials stayed silent. Funeral homes refused to handle the dead. And yet, somehow, queer folks didn’t fall apart. They stepped in.
Lesbians became caregivers when no one else would. Drag queens organized fundraisers. Partners, roommates, and friends washed sheets, made soup, held hands, and fought like hell to be let into hospital rooms. This wasn’t just about love. It was about survival. It was about dignity. It was about refusing to let anyone die alone.
That kind of care built something more powerful than any institution. It created a blueprint for how communities survive when the system fails. And that blueprint still matters—because the epidemic isn’t over.
So what is HIV, exactly? It stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It weakens the body’s immune system by targeting CD4 cells, which help protect us from infections. Over time, if the virus goes untreated, it can destroy so many of these cells that the immune system starts to collapse. That’s when HIV becomes AIDS.
At this point, even a mild cold or small cut could turn life-threatening, because the body no longer has the resources to defend itself. But this isn’t the 1980s anymore.
With modern medications, particularly antiretroviral therapy, people living with HIV can live long, healthy lives. These drugs can suppress the virus to undetectable levels. And when it’s undetectable, it’s untransmittable. That’s the science behind U=U. It means someone who is HIV positive but undetectable cannot pass the virus through sex. This is one of the most important medical breakthroughs of our time.
Still, the body is only part of the picture. The immune system doesn’t just rely on pills. It relies on people. Research shows that chronic stress, fear, and loneliness can suppress immune function. Feeling safe, loved, and connected literally helps us fight off illness.
This is where the idea of chosen family becomes more than a cultural concept. It becomes a form of medicine. The care networks formed by queer communities during the early days of the AIDS crisis weren’t just noble. They were necessary. They filled the gap left by hospitals and governments. They offered hugs, hot meals, clean bedding, and legal battles when none of that was guaranteed.
Those networks still exist today, and they’re still saving lives.
Events like Joining Hearts aren’t just about raising money. They’re about raising each other. They are joyful, beautiful reminders that we are still here, and we still take care of our community. This kind of celebration is more than just a good time. It’s an act of resistance. It’s a form of healing.
Too many people still lack access to treatment. Too many still face stigma or feel unsafe talking about their status. And far too many carry the weight of it all alone. But they shouldn’t have to.
The legacy of queer care is not a relic of the past. It is a living, breathing force. The HIV crisis showed us what happens when systems fail, but it also showed us what happens when we show up for each other anyway.
If you’re here for Joining Hearts Weekend, you are part of that legacy. So dance. Celebrate. Remember. And keep taking care of each other. The immune system runs on community and love.
Dr. Zachary LaVigne B.S., D.C.
BARS & CLUBS MIDTOWN
BLAKE’S ON THE PARK blakesontheparkatlanta.com 227 10th St NE
BULLDOGS 893 Peachtree St NE
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Photos
What does it mean to be a Wanderer?
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We all have those moments of ‘wait, did they just say that?’ Lucky for you, we compile the best of the best right here on this page. Want to join in on the b*tch session? Submit your own nuggets to info@davidatlanta.com.
Don’t ask me stupid sh*t in this hot *ss weather.
Hey, sorry I was being a b*tch. I always do that any time I feel like it randomly.
I know the branches of government is pedophiles and corporations, but what’s the third one again?
My mental health right now: listening to a guided meditation at 1.5 speed.
e average hotdog cooker will spin around 500,000 wieners and collect over 4,000 gallons of wiener juice. Just like you.
Whenever I see straight people I’m like omg just like Love Island!
Yeah, I have a PHD: Pretty Huge Drinking problem.
We can’t we ever meet for “a drink,” but it’s always 17 drinks and a 3-day hangover?
DoxyPEP
