ATLRetro

By Jordan Barbeau
Contributing Writer

Monday February 6

Joe Gransden and his swingin’ 16 piece jazz band put on a special Valentine’s Day-themed show at Café 290, with special guest the Lovett-Ellington Band. 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, February 7

Johnny Sketch & the Dirty Notes and Kris Bell rock out New Orleans style at Smith’s Olde Bar. 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 8

For the movie lover in all of us, Emory University continues its Painting with Light: 13 Masterpieces of the Art of Cinematography (1928-2002) with a free screening of VISIONS OF LIGHT (1992), an acclaimed documentary from the American Film Institute on the history and art of motion picture cinematography, for free in White Hall 208. It’s rockabilly and honkytonk heaven at the Star Bar! Two different bands featuring inductees into our Kool Kats will be performing, including the Hot Rod Walt Trio (with Kool Kat Hot Rod Walt) and the Ghost Riders Car Club (with Kool Kat Spike Fullerton). Also performing is Andy Vaughan & the Drive Line. Actor/director/author Crispin Hellion Glover, of BACK TO THE FUTURE and more lately quirky books and indy movies fame, stops by the Plaza Theatre for the first of two nights of his fantastically eccentric one-of-a-kind one-man shows! He brings with him several feature films, a book signing and a Q&A for his undying fans! The ATL Collective comes to Eddie’s Attic, featuring the talents of Kodac Harrison and the Packway Handle Band. 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 9

The Dirty Names and The Hollidays bring pure rock and roll with a touch of soul back to Five Spot. Crispin Glover makes a second appearance at the Plaza Theatre including a screening of his 2007 already cult classic EVERYTHING IS FINE. 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. Still House jam at Red Light Café’s weekly Bluegrass Thursday.

Friday, February 10

What’s better than giving to charity? Burlesque shows for charity, of course! The Syrens of the South present the Vixens Valentease Burlesque Show, a Valentine’s Burlesque event at Five Spot featuring many of Atlanta’s best-known performers including Katherine Lashe, Ruby Redmayne and magician Chad Sanborn and supporting a can drive for charity. Catch up on an ATLRetro feature about Chad here. Alternative rockers They Might Be Giants serve up some mighty rock with Jonathan Coulton at the Variety Playhouse. Pop rockers Fountains of Wayne, popularized by their smash hit “Stacey’s Mom,” rock The Loft, along with the rocking vehicle of Kool Kat Drew Beskin, the District Attorneys. For those in the mode for some jazzy stylings, The Strand Theatre holds both an afternoon and a special night chockfull of jazz performances sure to please even the most diehard fan. Performers include the Harrison High School Band in both shows and saxophonist Umcolisi Terrell and the Kennesaw State University Jazz Combo at night. The soulful Soulphonics & Ruby Velle leave an impression on The Earl, complimented by funky Cherry Royale. In support of the PushPush Theatre, Corky Siegel’s Chamber Blues Band headlines a special benefit concert at the Decatur theatre, complete with dinner, music and good times. Taryn and the Wednesday Trio jazz up Fernbank Museum of Natural History’s Martinis and IMAX.

Saturday, February 11

In honor of the release of their new CD, neo-glam alt rockers The Sexual Side Effects (of course, led by vivacious Kool Kat Amber Taylor) are throwing a big Valentine’s jam at the Masquerade! No real party would be complete without go-go dancers and DJs operating the tables, two things this party is going to have in spades. Or, in this case, hearts! For a smoother, more soulful evening, the Rialto Center at Georgia State University hosts Johnny Mercer & Friends, a show celebrating the jazz icon complete with Atlanta’s own jazz icons Joe Gransden and Maria Howell, accompanied by the GSU Jazz Band. Famous church-turned-concert-venue the Tabernacle plays house to the Yonder Mountain String Band and the Infamous Stringdusters. For more Valentine’s fun, head up to the Strand in Marietta, for a special Valentine’s presentation of the romantic Cary Grant classic, AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER (1957). Looking to go way back in time? Early-music ensemble Lauda Musicam presents “A Valentine’s Day Celebration: Love Music of the Renaissance,” featuring period-authentic instruments only. Watch for a Really Retro feature on this historically creative group soon. Frankie’s Blues Mission gives Darwin’s Burgers and Blues some of its trademark blues.

Monster-loving artist (and Kool Kat) Chris Hamer unveils some new works at Rev Coffee. The Earl is home to quite the southern show, featuring the talents of The Whiskey Gentry, Have Gun Will Travel and Damion Suomi and the Minor Prophets. For more down-home, southern-style flavor, Smith’s Olde Bar showcases the John King Band, Joanna Duff, Trey Broussard and 1880s Dance Party. Film buffs will appreciate the High Museum of Art’s contribution to the weekend, as they are serving up a special showing of NEVER FEAR (THE YOUNG LOVERS). Directed by Ida Lupino and the only Hollywood feature directed by a woman with a 35mm collected by New York’s MOMA, this ’50s classic centers on a young dancer struggling with polio and love. 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 12

For the gal in need of a Retro ‘do, head out to Decatur as local Burlesque heroine Talloolah Love gives a how-to in Vintage Hair for the Modern Woman. Baton twirlers Turnin’ Trixx hold their semi-annual fund-raising bake sale at the Euclid Ave Yacht Club. Rise and dine with Front Porch Session Players 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.

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.