ATLRetro

Monday January 30

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 31

MEMPHIS, a Tony Award-winning Broadway musical about the birth of rock ‘n’ roll in the city that boasts Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis and Sun Records, opens at the Fox Theatre tonight and runs through Sun. Feb. 5. Be sure to read Jordan Barbeau‘s exclusive ATLRetro interview with star Julie Johnson soon. 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, February 1

The Atlanta Burlesque and Cabaret Society meets at Manuel’s Tavern at 8 p.m. See a 35mm print of SHANGHAI EXPRESS (1932) starring Marlene Dietrich for free in White Hall 208 at Emory University, this week’s featured film in the Painting with Light: 13 Masterpieces of the Art of Cinematography (1928-2002) series presented by the Emory Cinematheque Series. Swing noir chanteuse Bernadette Seacrest & Her Kris Dales bring a heady mix of rockabilly and jazz to The Earl. The Star Bar rocks to Mice in Cars, New Terminusand Swank Sinatra.  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. Frankie’s Blues Mission jazzes up 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, February 2

Celebrate Groundhog Day by reliving the ’80s with thrash metal giants Anthrax at The Tabernacle. Save your bucks and hear some rockin’ garage bands, The Pinx, The Burmese Crush, The Accidents and Hot Wives during Freefall Thursday at the Star Bar. The Italian Film Series at Georgia State University’s Cinefest continues with the classic space exploration comedy TOTO IN THE MOON (1958). 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. The Boxcars jam at Red Light Café’s weekly Bluegrass Thursday.

Friday, February 3

The Star Bar and the Right Rev. Andy throw Hollyfest IV, an annual celebration of music from Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper featuring a dozen of Atlanta’s best underground bands performing favorite songs by the three legends who perished in an airplane accident on The Night the Music Died. Confirmed groups include The Cogburns; Superpill; Junior, Dolan and Cash; Red Rocket Deluxe: Downer Brothers: Sonoramic Commando: Drop Dead Nasty; Grim Rooster; The Suicide Doors; Caroline & the Ramblers; Whiskey Belt; and Rockbridge Heights.

Mon Cherie Presents the latest in her Va-Va-Voom burlesque show series, “My Gal is Red Hot” at The Shelter. It’s hard to believe that innovative indie singer-songwriter Ani DiFranco has been performing for 20 years. She’ll be bringing her alt-folk to Variety Playhouse with genre-bending Pearl and the Beard opening. Atlanta singer-songrwriter Michelle Malone performs at Peachtree Tavern. Innovative Texas songwriter/musician Darden Smith headlines Eddie’s Attic. CineProv launches a MST3K type B-movie series with the Vincent Price classic HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL at 8 p.m. at Relapse Comedy Theatre. Contemporary jazz and R&B band Epitome swings into Fernbank Museum of Natural History’s Martinis and IMAX.

Saturday, February 4

The art-deco historic Plaza Theatre presents yet another unique night at the movies at 10 p.m. when local ragtime heroes Blair Crimmins & the Hookers provide a live soundtrack to OLD MAN CABBAGE, a silent movie about two runaways who join a ghostly circus that appears inside a 1920s speakeasy. The film, an example of a new long-form narrative music video, is a collaboration between Ninja Puppet Productions and also features the magnificent Imperial OPA Circus performers. The band will present a full set concert after the screening. And yeah we think this’ll be cool that Blair is our Kool Kat of the Week!

The High Museum of Art also presents a special cinematic program, A MOMA Treasury of Short Films, at 2 p.m. in the Rich Theatre. The six rare shorts include THE GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY (1903); NEWMAN LAUGH-O-GRAMS (1921), produced by an young Walt Disney; ORCHARD STREET, directed by Ken Jacobs; and more.

Jazz/blues chanteuse Francine Reed opens for country artist and bass fiddler extraordinaire David Ball at Smith’s Olde Bar  Georgia Symphony Orchestra Jazz stages a concert at Marietta’s vintage Strand Theatre. And as usual, DJ Romeo Cologne transforms the sensationally seedy Clermont Lounge into a ’70s disco/funk inferno late into the wee hours.

Sunday, February 5

Beef up your vintage comic book collection today from 11 am-5 p.m. at Atlanta Comic Convention. The small show at Marriott Atlanta Century Center is cheap to attend (just $5), features a great assortment of dealers, and you can pick up a few autographs, too, from Jason Flowers, Jason Pearson, James Burns, Bobby Nash and some zombie actors from THE WALKING DEAD. Rise and dine with Christ, Lord at 1 p.m. dunch at The Earl . Tony Bryant brings on the blues at Fat Matt’s, and Uncle Sugar blues it down at Northside Tavern.

The Supremes at the Apollo Theater. Photo courtesy of The Apollo Theater Foundation, Inc. Photo by Kwame Brathwaite.

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.