This Week in Retro Atlanta, May 9-15, 2011

Monday May 9

Northside Tavern hosts its weekly Blues Jam.

Tuesday May 10

Have creepy and cheesy fun at 1985’s GHOULIES, this month’s feature at Splatter Cinema at the Plaza Theatre at 9:30 PM. For a sneak preview, read Mark Arson’s review here. New York underground sensation The Two Man Gentleman Band promise “hot, raucous, retro swing” at The 529, with hillbilly jug band local favorites Uncle Daddy and The Kissin’ Cousins opening. Punk out to Tokyo’s Guitar Wolf, a band formed in the ’80s to reproduce the legacy of New York Dolls guitarist Johnny Thunders, at Masquerade. Relive the heyday of ’80s death metal band with Danzig at Center Stage. Grab your horn and head to Twain’s in Decatur for a Joe Gransden jazz jam session starting at 9 PM. Notorious DJ Romeo Cologne spins the best ‘70s funk and disco at 10 High in Virginia-Highland. Tuesday Retro in the Metro nights at Midtown’s Deadwood Saloon feature live video mixes of ’80s, ’90s, and 2Ks hits.

Wednesday May 11

Erik Larson, author of the bestselling DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY, a fascinating juxtaposition of the Chicago World’s Fair and the story of serial killer H.H. Holmes, is at the Atlanta History Center tonight to talk about his new book, IN THE GARDEN OF BEASTS, an eyewitness account of Hitler’s rise to power through the eyes of the Chicago-based family of William E. Dodd, U.S. ambassador and his family and their life in Berlin in 1933.

Swing to the Nat King Coal Miners at blues bar Blind Willie’s. Get ready to rumba, cha-cha and jitterbug at the weekly Swing Night at Graveyard Tavern. Joe Gransden plays every Wed. night at Jerry Farber’s Side Door next to the Landmark Diner in Buckhead. Frankie’s Blues Mission and Danny “Mudcat” Dudeck bring on the blues at Fat Matt’s Rib Shack and Northside Tavern respectively. Dance to ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s hits during Retro in the Metro Wednesdays presented by Godiva Vodka, at Pub 71 in Brookhaven.

Thursday May 12

Listen to Tongo Hiti’s luxurious live lounge sounds, as well as some trippy takes on iconic pop songs, just about every Thursday night at Trader Vic’s. Party ‘70s style with DJ Romeo Cologne at Aurum Lounge. Dine to Joe Gransden jazz at TantraBreeze Kings and Chickenshack bring on the blues respectively at Northside Tavern and Fat Matt’s Rib Shack.Grass Backwards strums during Bluegrass Thursday at Red Light Cafe.

Friday, May 13

For Whom The Ramones Toll. Don’t miss a special midnight Art Opening & A Movie, featuring one of ATLRetro’s cult favorites ROCK N ROLL HIGH SCHOOL at the Plaza Theatre. Since ROCKY HORROR is downstairs in the main theatre, tonight’s show will be in the more intimate upstairs screening room but we’re certain there still be some screamin’ as  #1 Ramones fan Riff Randall (PJ Soles) and mouse-loving music teacher Mr. McGree (Paul Bartel) declare school’s out to no-fun Principal Togar (Mary Woronoff).

Indie alt-rock bands Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven play the art deco built-in-1931 Buckhead Theatre. Redneck underground favorites Slim Chance & the Convicts team up with the alt-country Wheel Knockers for a no-cover show celebrating their new EP release and to say farewell to their bass player at Milltown Arms Tavern in Cabbagetown. Chanteuse Julie Dexter sings jazz and soul at Fernbank Museum of Natural History’s Martinis and IMAX.

Saturday May 14

It’s another time machine meltdown day as everything happens all at once, making for some tough choices.

Celebrate the 75th anniversary of the publication of the book GONE WITH THE WIND from 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM at the Margaret Mitchell House in Midtown. Experience 150 years of history with this special program which delves into the entire GWTW story, including Civil War soldiers fighting the Battle of Atlanta, the city in the 1920s when Margaret Mitchell wrote the book, and the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel’s lasting legacy. The all-day event is part of a yearlong Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With the Wind 75th Anniversary Celebration series by the Atlanta History Center.

Peek into the gardens of several privately-owned historic homes during the Artful Garden Tour, benefiting the High Museum of Art, from 10 AM to 5 PM. Gardens are located in Loring Heights, Druid Hills, Peachtree Battle, Buckhead and Ansley Park and local artists will be working on or showcasing their art in each location.

From 1 PM to Midnight, eat smoked pork sandwiches and listen to some of Atlanta’s best bands at Twain’s during the 3rd annual SpringFest benefiting The Atlanta Community Food Bank. Early on it’s family time with DJ Amy Handler of AM 1690’s The Kids Are Alright and the Imperial Opa dazzling with circus antics until 2:30. Then bands takeover including The Shathouse Rats, beach music-inspired The Mermaids, soul/funk/blues performers Amy Wren and What It Is, ’20s ragtime revivalists Blair Crimmins and the Hookers (read ATLRetro’s interview with Blair here), and Gentleman Jesse and His Men.

Help recreate George Romero‘s 1968 classic, NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, in Virginia-Highland by joining the second annual Zombie Pub Crawl. Get to Diesel between 4-7 PM to have professional make-up artists from Atlanta’s top Halloween attractions Chambers of Horror, Atlanta Zombie Apocalypse and Netherworld apply your make-up or get a 10% discount at Norcostco/Atlanta Costume to do your own. Sponsors include Splatter Cinema/Gorehound Productions, Jagermeister, Red Bull and Sam Adams.

 

Have a spanking good time at Mon Cherie’s Rockabilly Lounge at The Masquerade with Hard Luck and Trouble, Rev. Andy spinning Psychobilly Freakout, a burlesque show benefiting Burlesque Hall of Fame Legends, a Ragin’ Rockabilly Raffle and free shots of that ultimate Retro delicacy, Jello! Be sure to wish Mon Cherie “Happy Birthday.”

Catch a 9:30 PM encore screening of ROCK N ROLL HIGH SCHOOL at The Plaza. Bon Jovi rocks Philips Arena. Legendary keyboardist Ike Stubblefield is at Northside Tavern tonight. DJ Romeo Cologne transforms the sensationally seedy Clermont Lounge into a ’70s disco/funk inferno.

 

Sunday May 15

Washboard Confessional headline blues “dunch” between 1 and 4 PM at The Earl.

Ongoing

Leave it to the mad geniuses at Dad’s Garage to transform a beloved children’s classic into a bloody puppet musical. SCARLETT’S WEB features all your favorite characters from Wilbur the pig to Templeton the rat but adds some splattery special effects. Never mind, it’s all in fun though, they say, and definitely recommended only for anyone old enough to appreciate adult humor. Thurs., Fri. and Sat. nights at 8 p.m. extended through May 21.

At the High Museum of Art through May 29 is the MOMA-organized HENRI CARTIER-BRESSON: THE MODERN CENTURY, a blockbuster exhibit showcasing a photographer and photojournalist who captured on film many of the seminal moments  of the 20th century from World War II to the assassination of Ghandi, China’s cultural revolution to civil rights and consumer culture in America.

For more weekend fun, tune back in on Friday for ATLRetro Weekend Update. If you know of a cool happening we’ve missed, send suggestions to ATLRetro@gmail.com.


 

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