ATLRetro

Monday, May 21

Gypsy jazz ensemble Caravan of Thieves rolls into Eddie’s Attic tonight. Joe Gransden and his smokin’ 16-piece orchestra swing the bimonthly Big Band Night at Cafe 290 the first and third Mondey of every month. From 3 p.m. 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. Head over to Fat Matt’s Rib Shack for BBQ and Pead Boy and Steven Tea.

Tuesday, May 22

The rise to the top of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons is a classic story of how a blue-collar boys from the wrong side of the tracks. See it through the rockin’ lens of Tony and Grammy Award winning Broadway musical JERSEY BOYS at the Fabulous Fox Theatre for a three-week run through June 10. Grab your horn and head to Twain’s in Decatur for a Joe Gransden jazz jam session starting at 9 p.m. Crosstown Allstars rock the blues at Fat Matt’s Rib Shack. Nathan Nelson & Entertainment Crackers blues it down at Northside Tavern. Dance the night away at Tues. Retro in the Metro nights at Midtown’s Deadwood Saloon featuring video mixes of ’80s, ’90s and 2Ks hits.

Andrew & the Disapyramids.

Wednesday, May 23

Retro-’60s revivalist band extraordinaire Andrew & the Disapyramids continues their May residency at the Star Bar with special guests Smithsonian. If you missed our Kool Kat interview with the Disapyramids’ Joshua Longino, catch up here. Wrinkle Neck Mules bring their unique indie spin on Americana to The Earl with Ocha La Rocha opening. Get ready to rumba, cha-cha and jitterbug at the weekly Swing Night at Graveyard Tavern. Frankie’s Blues Mission brings on the blues at 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 May 24

Get a rare chance to fly in the world’s first mass-produced commercial jet-liner when a still operating 1929 Ford Tri-Motor Aircraft stops at Gwinnett County Airport/Briscoe Field in Lawrenceville from 2-4 p.m. Eat, drink and play a classic game with an adult spin every Thursday night as Mon Cherie presents Mad Lib-Ations, Atlanta’s newest Retro weekly pastime, starting at 7 p.m. at the Corner Tavern in Little 5 Points. The fun-filled night includes games and prizes from some of the city’s most fun Retro retailers, Psychobilly Freakout and punk faves spun by DJ Rev. Andy and a raffle. 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. DejaBlue Grass Band jams at Red Light Café’s weekly Bluegrass Thursday.

Friday, May 25

Day one of Bubbapalooza, the Star Bar‘s annual shindig kicks off tonight with music by some of our favorite rockabilly, honkytonk and Redneck underground musicians, including Slim Chance & the Convicts, Uncle Daddy & the Kissin’ Cousins, Ghost Riders Car Club, Blacktop Rockets and BareKnuckle Betties. Suicide Doors and Junior, Dolan & Cash play downstairs in the Little Vinyl Lounge. Watch for a preview/history lesson from ATLRetro Contributing Music Editor James Kelly, aka Slim Chance, soon.

As a Website that celebrates the past, we also feel it’s our duty to inform you that also starting today is TimeGate, a three-day convention dedicated to time-travel TV/movie cult hits DOCTOR WHO and STARGATE at Holiday Inn Select Atlanta-Perimeter. This year also includes a celebration of the 35th anniversary of the original STAR WARS. The Artifice Club invites you to celebrate a Steampunk Anniversary Party tonight from 6-9 p.m. and all weekend at the Decatur Arts Festival. The no-doubt stylish Victorian-inspired event includes an art show, retro-futuristic music spin by DJ Doctor Q, hot food, cool drinks and Best Dressed awards for costumed guests. Epitome serves up contemporary jazz and R&B at Fernbank Museum of Natural History’s Martinis and IMAX. And the Dandy Warhols conjure up a heady mix of the druggy psychedelic pop of the Velvet Underground and the trippy goth of Love and Rockets at The Masquerade.

Saturday, May 26

It’s a tasty feast of barbecue and bands as Bubbapalooza hits day two at the Star Bar. The line-up again includes many ATLRetro rockabilly, honkytonk and Redneck Underground favorites starting at 4:15 with The Serenaders, Chickens and Pigs, The Skylarks, J.J. & The Hustlers, The Midway Charmers, Dusty Booze & the Baby Haters, Sonoramic Commando, Cletis & His City Cousins, AM Gold, The Kentucky Bridgeburners and surfing past midnight with The Mystery Men? The Little Vinyl Lounge gets rockin’ at 7 with Alick Gerard & The Dixie Limited, The Wheel Knockers and Atomic Boogie.

Dwight Andrews.

Of course, we’re not saying there aren’t some tough choices this weekend. The Atlanta Jazz Festival celebrates 35 years with three days of free live music by premiere classic and contemporary jazz artists in Piedmont Park. Today’s line-up includes Dwight Andrews, Cyrus Chestnut Trio, Kathleen Bertrand and Roy Ayers. Across town in Decatur Joe Gransden’s Big Band Show, with special guest Annie Sellick, swings into Eddie’s Attic. Jade Lemons and the Crimson Lust bring on the glam in The Basement. TimeGate and the Decatur Arts Festival swing into day two.

What if Ed Sullivan‘s idea of a “really big show” would’ve featured audience members crooning karaoke in between Topo Gigio and The Beatles? That’s the crazy premise behind The Return of VARI-OKEY, a different kind of free night of entertainment presented by those crazy, creative folks from WMLB The Voice of the Arts 1690 AM at The Goat Farm. The local all-star line-up includes legendary Atlanta poet/dancer Blondie, Cage who fronts Atlanta-based Neil Diamond tribute band Nine Inch Neils (read our Kool Kat profile on Cage here) and a special acoustic performance by The Jagged Stones. AC/DC tribute band Back N Black takes you on the Highway to Hell at The Masquerade.And as usual, DJ Romeo Cologne transforms the sensationally seedy Clermont Lounge into a ’70s disco/funk inferno late into the wee hours.

Tito Puente Jr.

Sunday, May 27

The Atlanta Jazz Festival continues with a second day of free live music by premiere classic and contemporary jazz artists in Piedmont Park. Today’s line-up includes the Mushy Widmaier Quintet, Gregoire Maret, Lionel Louek Trio, first half of this week’s Kool Kat double header groundbreaking Isreaeli jazz guitarist Nadav Remez and the amazing Tito Puente Jr. and his orchestra. It’s the final day for TimeGate and the Decatur Arts Festival. The Disc Jockey spins hits from the Seventies until today in a variety of genres during the Memorial Day Eve Spectacular at Noni’s starting at 9:30 p.m. Tony Bryant brings on the blues at Fat Matt’s, and Uncle Sugar blues it down at Northside Tavern. Vito plays dunch at 1 p.m. at The Earl. Tommy Dean Trio honkytonks into Big Tex in Decatur.

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