ATLRetro

AM Gold. Photo credit: David Batterman.

I always believe in being straight-up so I want to take a quick moment out before getting o a pretty amazing Retro Weekend in Atlanta to apologize that over the past few months ATLRetro hasn’t been your dependable one stop for all the Retro activities you want to know about in Atlanta. Our calendar writer had to move on at the same time I embarked on a big time-consuming life change. Every week I thought I could catch up, but then something else side-winded me, so some weeks went by without This Week. ATLRetro has been fortunate enough to have some great contributing writers, such as Torchy Taboo, James Kelly and Jennifer Belgard, to tide us over on the features and reviews side, and now things are beginning to calm down just as the Hallows season hits Atlanta with a vengeance. I’d love to expand the coverage to cocktails, restaurants, how-to mid-century design tips and vintage vacations. To do that, though, ATLRetro needs a few more good writers and in particular a calendar writer/editor. The latter position is a great opportunity for a journalism intern or a writer wishing looking for more experience, more bylines and some real fun! So drop a line to me, Anya99, at atlretro@gmail.com if you or someone else you know wants to join the ATLRetro team! And now back to This Weekend In Retro Atlanta!

Friday, Sept. 28

Featuring some of Atlanta’s hardest rocking musicians, AM Gold celebrates the release of its first CD at the Star Bar tonight. Find out why it’s our top pick of the evening in our exclusive interview with Kool Kat of the Week Joel Burkhart here.

We know Atlanta is Horror Town USA, even if the rest of the nation doesn’t – and it has nothing to do with THE WALKING DEAD. Before you head to the Star Bar, catch the opening of two of the city’s best homegrown haunted attractions, Netherworld and The Atlanta Zombie Apocalypse. Look for scary sneak previews here soon.

The Plaza finishes off its September Kubrick Festival with a three-day run of the crazed Cold War cult classic DR. STRANGELOVE, OR HOW I LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE THE BOMB (1964) starring Peter Sellers and George C. Scott.

Legendary ’80s/90s Atlanta band Insane Jane reunites for one show only for a benefit for Sylvia Cross at The Earl.  Cross was a huge supporter of Atlanta music and art through Sylvia’s Atomic Cafe in the ’90s to The Sycamore Place Gallery in the 2000s. Your cover will help with medical bills she incurred due to hip-replacement surgery without the benefit of health insurance.

Peter Sellers in DR STRANGELOVE.

This weekend more than 10,000 Japanese anime fans will descend on Cobb Galleria Centre and the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel next door for Anime Weekend Atlanta (AWA). The four-day pop culture convention kicks off tonight and runs through Sunday afternoon. To find out why it’s Retro from kaiju eiga to a jazz bebop lounge in last year’s Kool Kat interview with Jason Merrill here.

Spanky & the Love Handles bring on the blues at Fat Matt’s. Cadillac Jones, The Mar-Tans and Nick & The Grooves rock The Five Spot. Frankie’s Blues Mission plays the blues at Johnny MacCracken’s. Danny “Mudcat” Dudeck blues it down at Northside Tavern. Terry Flynn Band plays Big Tex. Join jazz vocalist Rai Ragland and her trio for an exciting evening of swing, blues, Latin, ballads and more under the dinosaurs at Fernbank Museum of Natural History Martinis & IMAX.

Saturday, Sept. 29

Listen to great bands ALL DAY at Little Five Fest, an all-day music and street festival at multiple venues. In between the live music, consider taking a break to see the Atlanta stage experience of the year, DRACULA: THE ROCK OPERA, at 7 Stages in a special 2 p.m. show (First 75 with a festival pass get in free and watch for an in-depth Retro Review soon!) and stick around Java Lords for screenings of  swell Retro flicks like WAYNE”S WORLD, PEE WEE’S BIG ADVENTURE and GHOST BUSTERS.

Over at The Plaza, Blast-Off Burlesque enter the FORBIDDEN ZONE tonight for the latest in their Taboo La-La series. It’s much more than a rare chance to see a 30th anniversary presentation of the 1982 Richard Elfman cult classic, starring Susan Tyrrell and Herve Villechaize, on the big-screen.  A zany and sexy preshow featuring special guests Chico! and Rev. Uncle Laffo, a costume contest, concubine humper contest, prizes from Libertine, complimentary cocktails and DJ Westwood-a-Go-Go! Remember, it’s only a movie that will have you living in the Sixth Dimension!

Anime Weekend Atlanta (AWA) continues. Soul Rebels Brass Band are at Smith’s Olde Bar. Tommy Dean Trio plays Big Tex. The Jumpin’ Jukes shake up Fat Matt’s.  Danny “Mudcat” Dudeck blues it down again at Northside Tavern. And as usual, DJ Romeo Cologne transforms the sensationally seedy Clermont Lounge into a ’70s disco/funk inferno late into the wee hours.

Sunday, Sept. 30

Snake Legs rock the blues at Fat Matt’s, and Uncle Sugar blues it down at Northside Tavern. Interstate plays dunch at 1 p.m. at The Earl. Anime Weekend Atlanta (AWA) concludes and it’s your last chance to see DR. STRANGELOVE, OR HOW I LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE THE BOMB (1964) at a 3 p.m. matinee at The Plaza Theatre.

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