ATLRetro

Monday May 2

Swing to Joe Gransden, trumpet player extraordinaire, and his 16-piece orchestra and celebrate the release of his newest recording this week during Big Band Night at Cafe 290 on the first and third Monday of every month. At Smith’s Olde Bar, Slim Chance & the Convicts perform song #256, “Down on the Corner” by Creedence Clearwater Revival as part of the 500 Songs for Kids countdown of the greatest feelgood songs of all time from April 28 to May 7 to benefit the nonprofit Songs for Kids Foundation, which brings musicians to hospitals and special needs kids camps. My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult plays Masquerade. Northside Tavern hosts its weekly Blues Jam.

Tuesday May 3

Former MSNBC anchor made it almost his motto, but it was Peter Finch as a veteran news anchor with low ratings who first screamed “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore!” in the 1976 movie NETWORK. Thirty-five years later, Sidney Lumet‘s scathing satire of TV news media gone manic and reaping in the ratings is just as, or perhaps even more timely. Get a rare chance to see this classic film, which won a screenwriting Oscar for Paddy Chayefsky and a trio of acting Oscars for Finch, Faye Dunaway and Beatrice Straight, on the big screen tonight at 8 PM at the Plaza Theatre as part of the 2011 Atlanta Film Festival, also celebrating its 35th anniversary.

Grab your horn and head to Twain’s in Decatur for a Joe Gransden jazz jam session starting at 9 PM. Notorious DJ Romeo Cologne spins the best ‘70s funk and disco at 10 High in Virginia-Highland. Catch Tuesday Retro in the Metro nights at Midtown’s Deadwood Saloon, featuring live video mixes of ’80s, ’90s, and 2Ks hits.

Wednesday May 4

Catch the world premiere of DISABLED BUT ABLE TO ROCK, a feature-length documentary produced and directed by last week’s Kool Kat Blake Myers about 12 years in the life of high-functioning autistic Betsy Goodrich, whose superheroine alter-ego Danger Woman provides escapism from a home life marked by tragedies. The screening is at the Plaza Theatre and also part of the Atlanta Film Festival.

Get ready to rumba, cha-cha and jitterbug at the weekly Swing Night at Graveyard Tavern. Frankie’s Blues Mission and Danny “Mudcat” Dudeck bring on the blues at Fat Matt’s Rib Shack and Northside Tavern respectively. Dance to ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s hits during Retro in the Metro Wednesdays presented by Godiva Vodka, at Pub 71 in Brookhaven.

Thursday May 5

“You talkin’ to me? I’m the only one here. Who you think you’re talkin’ to?” Robert DeNiro immortalized those lines in TAXI DRIVER. That film’s cinematographer Michael Chapman is scheduled to do some talking as the 2011 Atlanta Film Festival presents another rare treat – the chance to see a new digitally restored 35 mm print of Martin Scorsese‘s classic 1976 film about a cabbie about to snap at the Plaza Theatre at 8 PM. Watch for Mark Arson‘s review here tomorrow.

Seminal ’80s post-punk band Echo and the Bunnymen leave poppy hits such as “Lips Like Sugar” at home and instead perform their much more interesting and innovative first two albums CROCODILES and HEAVEN UP HERE in their entirety at Masquerade. Listen to Tongo Hiti’s luxurious live lounge sounds, as well as some trippy takes on iconic pop songs, just about every Thursday night at Trader Vic’s. Party ‘70s style with DJ Romeo Cologne at Aurum Lounge. Dine to Joe Gransden jazz at Tantra. Spanky and the Love Handles bring vintage Chicago blues with a New Orleans swing to Twain’s. Breeze Kings and Chickenshack bring on the blues respectively at Northside Tavern and Fat Matt’s Rib Shack.Bluegrass Thursday at Red Light Cafe features a Cinco de Mayo blues jam.

Friday, May 6

Relive ’80s memories with Australian pop singer Kylie Minogue at the Fox Theatre. Breeze Kings make it a blues night and Swing-Out Atlanta provides free swing dance lessons at Fernbank Museum of Natural History’s Martinis and IMAX.

Saturday May 7

It’s Art B Que time again on and around Franklin Street in Avondale Estates. Starting at 11 AM, browse artist booths, sample BBQ from multiple vendors, and listen to live music. Saturday Band line-up includes Noot d’Noot; AM Gold; Tiger! Tiger!; Underhill Rose; High Strung String Band; Muleskinner MacQueen Trio; Jackwagon; Caroline & the Ramblers; and Stagefright. Stay late for fire circus madness with Imperial Opa Circus & Band. Also, Atlanta blues band Breeze Kings is back at Northside Tavern tonight. DJ Romeo Cologne transforms the sensationally seedy Clermont Lounge into a ’70s disco/funk inferno.

Sunday May 8

Art B-Cue revs up again at noon with today’s band line-up including Nine Inch Neils; Worthless Son-In-Laws; Possum Jenkins; Smokey’s Farmhouse; and Jennifer Teeter. Spanky and the Love Handles headline blues “dunch” between 1 and 4 PM at The Earl. At night, catch Slim Chance & the Convicts, with The Dixie Bee-Liners, at Eddie’s Attic.

Ongoing

Leave it to the mad geniuses at Dad’s Garage to transform a beloved children’s classic into a bloody puppet musical. SCARLETT’S WEB features all your favorite characters from Wilbur the pig to Templeton the rat but adds some splattery special effects. Never mind, it’s all in fun though, they say, and definitely recommended only for anyone old enough to appreciate adult humor. Thurs., Fri. and Sat. nights at 8 p.m. through May 7.

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec died in 1901, but it’s not a stretch to say that his vibrant posters and prints of showgirls, nightclub stars and the café culture influenced the 20thcentury romantic view of Paris and still inspire today’s burlesque performers. The High Museum of Art’s dynamic new special exhibition, TOULOUSE-LAUTREC AND FRIENDS: THE IRENE AND HOWARD STEIN COLLECTION, runs through May 1. Also at the High through May 29 is the MOMA-organized HENRI CARTIER-BRESSON: THE MODERN CENTURY, another blockbuster exhibit showcasing a photographer and photojournalist who captured on film many of the seminal moments  of the 20th century from World War II to the assassination of Ghandi, China’s cultural revolution to civil rights and consumer culture in America.

For more weekend fun, tune back in on Friday for ATLRetro Weekend Update. If you know of a cool happening we’ve missed, send suggestions to ATLRetro@gmail.com.