ATLRetro

By Jordan Barbeau
Contributing Writer

Monday, January 23

From 3 PM on, savor tropical sounds and libations, as well as a Polynesian dinner, during Mai Tai Monday at Smith’s Olde Bar. Northside Tavern hosts its weekly Blues Jam. To break up the Monday monotony, head over to Fat Matt’s Rib Shack for dinner and a show, with local blues/jazz band Dry White Toast performing at 8 p.m.

Tuesday, January 24

Gleefully unadulterated rock band Nashville Pussy comes to the Star Bar with a vengeance, bringing with them even more hard rock and roll in the form of The Forty-Fives and Six Shot Revival. Grab your horn and head to Twain’s in Decatur for a Joe Gransden jazz jam session starting at 9 p.m. Little G. Weevil blues it down at Darwin’s Burgers & Blues in Marietta. J.T. Speed rocks the blues Fat Matt’s Rib Shack. Nathan Nelson & Entertainment Crackers bring on the blues at Northside Tavern. Catch Tues. Retro in the Metro nights at Midtown’s Deadwood Saloon feature video mixes of ’80s, ’90s and 2Ks hits

Wednesday, January 25

For those who drastically need to get the Led out once again, The Masquerade is holding a special reenactment show of one of the most famous rock bands of all time. Led Zeppelin II bring their idols to life on stage once again, down to the slightest detail that even the most hardcore fans may not catch. The Shadowboxers, a young R&B band from the ATL, brings their intelligent, soulful style to Eddie’s Attic. The Star Bar hosts the talents of gothic-folk Little Horn and alternative-country Meeks Family. The Atlanta Funk Society turns the main room of Smith’s Olde Bar into the funkiest place in Atlanta on Wed. nights. Get ready to rumba, cha-cha and jitterbug at the weekly Swing Night at Graveyard Tavern. The Hollidays play Fat Matt’s Rib Shack. Danny “Mudcat” Dudeck blues it down at Northside Tavern. Dance to ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s hits during Retro in the Metro Wednesdays at Pub 71 in Brookhaven.

Thursday, January 26

Do you like Ping Pong? Do you like dogs? Do you like playing ping pong to help dogs? Of course you do! In that case, head over to Sister Louisa’s Church of the Living Room & Ping Pong Emporium for the Ping Pong Pity Party! This event is not only fun for the people, it’s fun for the dogs, too, because it raises money for Atlanta ResponsiBully Coalition, a pitbull rescue group! Kool Kat Spike Fullerton and his band the Ghost Riders Car Club bring their fun and funny rockabilly/honkytonk radio show to the Clermont Lounge. Yet another Kool Kat, Kayla Taylor, jazzes up the Paper Mill Grill. The Casanovas host a Blues Jam at Darwin’s Burgers & Blues. The Red Light Café’s weekly Bluegrass Thursday features Colliton, Dean & Lloyd. Relax with a tropical cocktail at vintage tiki bar Trader Vic’s where Tongo Hiti play Retro-Polynesian luxurious live lounge sounds, as well as trippy takes on iconic pop songs, every Thursday night. Big Mike’s off in Seattle till June performing with El Vez in Teatro ZinZanni’s CALIENTE SHOW, so Atlanta Funk Society’s Jonathan Lloyd will be filling in on vocals. Remember Lloyd’s Rockstead Review, his killer reggae collaboration with Kingsized ? The Breeze Kings and Chickenshack bring on the blues respectively at Northside Tavern and Fat Matt’s Rib Shack.

Friday, January 27

One of the heavy-hitters on the rock scene of the ‘80s and ‘90s, Widespread Panic begins a three-night run at the Tabernacle. For a night full of adult fun, the Masquerade is home to yet another one of the infamous Mon Cherie shows. Mon Cherie’s Rockabilly Lounge will be a night full of Burlesque, pin-up girls and rockabilly band Hard Luck & Trouble, what some would consider the holy trinity of happiness. And of course, Rev. Andy spins Psychobilly Freakout. For a bit more active fun, Fernbank Museum’s Martinis and IMAX throws a special Swing Dance Night, complete with music from the acoustic swing group the Bonaventure Quartet, featuring chanteuse extraordinaire Amy Pike. Connor Christian & Southern Gothic serve up their heartfelt Americana music at The Earl. Smith’s Olde Bar holds a rocktastic show, featuring the talents of The Dirty Guv’nahs, The District Attorneys (including recent Kool Kat Drew Beskin) and The Longshot Saints.

Saturday, January 28

To honor the late Cabbagetown poet Deacon Lunchbox, the Plaza Theatre throws a special memorial show, The Love that Won’t Shut Up Memorial Show, featuring screenings of indie docs BENJAMIN SMOKE by Jem Cohen/Pete Sillen and LAWRENCE OF LAWRENCEVILLE HIGHWAY by Neil Fried and musical performances by some of Atlanta’s best Retro-inspired and Redneck Underground musicians, the incomparable Kelly Hogan, Smoke That City, Debbey Richardson, Slim Chance and many others. And we can only imagine the Deacon Lunchbox set by Jim Stacy. Watch out for a special posthumous Kool Kat on Deacon Lunchbox soon.

Soulful/roots singer/songwriter Edwin McCain, joined by Erick Baker, play at the Red Clay Theatre in Duluth. Widespread Panic continues to dominate the Tabernacle. Citing such great rock acts as influences as Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd and Grateful Dead, Turtle Folk’s show at Smith’s Olde Bar is sure to be one for a variety of ages. Folk singer/songwriter Eric Taylor brings his lyrical and guitar prowess to Eddie’s Attic. Darwin’s Burgers & Blues gets rocked by the soulful southern style of The Hollidays. Another Led Zeppelin tribute band graces the ATL, this time in the form of Zoso. Julea Thomerson of the BareKnuckle Betties and an ATLRetro Kool Kat and friend/mentor Danny “Mudcat” Dudeck play the blues together at Northside Tavern in a special show tonight. And as usual, DJ Romeo Cologne transforms the sensationally seedy Clermont Lounge into a ’70s disco/funk inferno late into the wee hours.

Sunday, January 29

The first film in Marietta’s Strand Theatre silent movie series, SPARROWS, starring 1920s sweetheart Mary Pickford, will get a rare return to the big screen at 3pm with an organ pops pre-show and sing-a-long by Philip Allen, organist of Marietta’s First Baptist Church at 2:30 p.m. This is the fourth time Philip has accompanied SPARROWS, and he has developed a great musical score that will definitely ‘tug’ at those heart strings. Catch up on our Kool Kat interview with another of The Strand’s organists, Ron Carter, about the vintage theatre, its Mighty Allen Organ and scoring silent movies here. Widespread Panic continues rocking the Tabernacle for a third and final night. Eddie’s Attic gets treated to the classic rock sounds of The Farewell Drifters. Tag Team Goes to Hawaii at The Earl for dunch. Fatback Deluxe bring on the blues at Fat Matt’s, and Uncle Sugar blues it down at Northside Tavern.

Ongoing Theatre

CAVALIA: ODYSSEO takes the spirit, beauty and creativity of recent European acrobatic spectaculars such as Cirque de Soleil and applies it to horses. Let’s just say this is not your mamma’s Royal Lippizan Stallions circus show. Big tent at 864 Spring Street. Through Jan. 29.

Ongoing Exhibits

Explore one of America’s most iconic theaters in AIN’T NOTHING LIKE THE REAL THING: HOW THE APOLLO THEATER SHAPED AMERICAN ENTERTAINMENT, a special exhibition at the Atlanta History Center . Presented by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, in collaboration with the Apollo Theater Foundation, the display includes historic and contemporary costumes, playbills, music scores, graphic images and recorded music. Through March 4, 2012.

PICASSO TO WARHOL, a special art exhibition at the High Museum of Art, features over 100 works of art from 14 of the most influential artists of the 20th century. Through Apr. 29, 2012.

If you know of a cool happening coming up soon, send suggestions to ATLRetro@gmail.com.