Posted on:
Apr 8th, 2011 By:
Anya99
Friday, April 8
Mike Geier and one of the lovely Dames Aflame.
Kingsized swings, lounges and rock and rolls the Star Bar in that wondrous way that only “Big Mike” Geier can. Master mandolin player and one of the fathers of bluegrass music, Ricky Skaggs and his band Kentucky Thunder play Variety Playhouse. Alex Lattimore brings jazz, R&B and a light touch of blues to Fernbank Museum of Natural History’s Martinis and IMAX. Joe Gransden and Kenny Banks jazz up Twelve at Atlantic Station.
Film Love‘s Yoko Ono: Reality Dreams short film series concludes with a free screening of Bottoms at 8 PM at Emory University‘s White Hall Room 206. Ono’s most notorious film literally reveals the backsides of several hundred “saints of our time. All Film Love events are curated by recent Kool Kat Andy Ditzler.
Saturday April 9
Celebrate the 19th birthday of The Highlander with a free concert by musical masters of the circus freak show, Greasepaint, featuring Atlanta’s own insane clown posse of Puddles, aka Big Mike Geier (Kingsized), and the Reverend Uncle Laffo, aka Jim Stacy (Grand Moff Tarkin). Also on the bill is Super X-13, featuring Shane Morton (Gargantua, Silver Scream Spook Show) on bass in a big hair wig and crazy Ultraman-inspired jumpsuit (well that’s the whole band actually)!
Cuba’s greatest rumba ensemble for more than 50 years, Los Munequitos de Matanzas proves “without rumba, there is no Cuba, and without Cuba, there is no rumba” at GSU’s Rialto Center for the Arts. Legendary ’80s industrial/ experimental rock band Savage Republic revs up The Earl. Better Than The Beatles pays tribute to the Fab Four at Jerry Farber’s Side Door. DJ Romeo Cologne transforms the sensationally seedy Clermont Lounge into a ’70s disco/funk inferno.
Sunday April 10
Tinkerbell (Yetter) flies with Peter Pan (Ciaran Joyce). Photo credit: Ed Krieger.
Tom Gentry & Co. serve up the blues at “dunch” between 1 and 4 PM at The Earl. And today is the last day to catch KOOL KAT Emily Yetter starring as a precocious, politically incorrect Tinkerbell in J.M. BARRIE’S PETER PAN under the big tent at Pemberton Place, next to the World of Coca-Cola.
Ongoing
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec died in 1901, but it’s not a stretch to say that his vibrant posters and prints of showgirls, nightclub stars and the café culture influenced the 20th century romantic view of Paris and still inspire today’s burlesque performers. The High Museum of Art’s dynamic new special exhibition, TOULOUSE-LAUTREC AND FRIENDS: THE IRENE AND HOWARD STEIN COLLECTION, runs through May 1. Also at the High through May 29 is the MOMA-organized HENRI CARTIER-BRESSON: THE MODERN CENTURY, another 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.
Tune back in on Monday for This Week in Retro Atlanta. If you know of a cool happening we’ve missed, send suggestions to ATLRetro@gmail.com.
Category: Weekend Update | Tags: Alex Lattimore, Andy Ditzler, Atlantic Station, better than the beatles, Big Mike Geier, Bottoms, Clermont Lounge, Cuba, Emily Yetter, Emory University, Fernbank, Film Love, Greasepaint, Henri Cartier-Bresson, High Museum of Art, Highlander, Jerry Farber's Side Door, Jim Stacy, Joe Gransden, John Lennon, Kenny Banks, Kentucky Thunder, Kingsized, Los Munequitos de Matanzas, Peter Pan, Rialto, Ricky Skaggs, romeo cologne, Rumba, Savage Republic, Shane Morton, Star Bar, Super X-13, The Earl, Tom Gentry, Toulouse-Lautrec, Twelve Hotel, Variety Playhouse, Yoko Ono
Posted on:
Apr 6th, 2011 By:
Anya99
Here’s your weekly guide to where and why to get out…
Monday April 4
It’s somehow comforting to see The Residents still together making not-for-everyone but truly alternative music at Variety Playhouse. Whether it’s a “New Moon on Monday,” or not, ’80s synth pop idols Duran Duran play to a sell-out crowd at Center Stage. Swing to Joe Gransden, trumpet player extraordinaire, and his 16-piece orchestra during Big Band Night at Cafe 290 on the first and third Monday of every month. Northside Tavern hosts its weekly Blues Jam.
Tuesday April 5
Grab your horn and head to Twain’s in Decatur for a Joe Gransden jazz jam session starting at 9 PM. J.T. Speed plays Fat Matt’s Rib Shack. Notorious DJ Romeo Cologne spins the best ‘70s funk and disco at 10 High in Virginia-Highland. Catch Tuesday Retro in the Metro nights at Midtown’s Deadwood Saloon, featuring live video mixes of ’80s, ’90s, and 2Ks hits.
Wednesday April 6
Get ready to rumba, cha-cha and jitterbug at the weekly Swing Night at Graveyard Tavern. Catch Joe Gransden every Wednesday night at 8:30 PM at Jerry Farber’s Side Door. Deacon Brandon Reeves 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, starting at 8 PM.
Thursday April 7
Sub Pop legend and former Dinosaur Jr. frontman, J Mascis, rocks The Earl. Drink some wine, dance, see live performances and check out PASSIONE ITALIANA: DESIGN OF THE ITALIAN MOTORCYCLE during MODA‘s second Thursday night Drink in Design from 6-8 PM. What the…? is what we’re asking as to who’s playing under the disco ball at Atlanta’s funnest new concert venue, Kathmandu Kitchen and Grill, formerly Pho Truc, in Clarkston from 8-10 PM. 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. Joe Gransden jazzes up Tantra now on Thursdays. Party ‘70s style with DJ Romeo Cologne at Aurum Lounge. Breeze Kings and Chickenshack bring on the blues respectively at Northside Tavern and Fat Matt’s Rib Shack.
Read the rest of this entry »
Category: This Week in ATLRetro | Tags: 10 High, Alex Lattimore, Andy Ditzler, Aurum Lounge, Beatles, blues dunch, Bottoms, Breeze Kings, Cafe 290, center stage, Clermont Lounge, Cuba, Danny Mudcat Dudeck, Deacon Brandon Reeves, Deadwood Saloon, Dinosaur Jr, Drink in Design, duran duran, Emily Yetter, Emory University, Fernbank, Film Love, Graveyard Tavern, Henri Cartier-Bresson, High Museum of Art, italian motorcycles, J. Mascis, J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan, J.T. Speed, Jerry Farber's Side Door, Joe Gransden, John Lennon, Kathmandu Kitchen and Grill, Kenny Banks, Kentucky Thunder, Kingsized, Los Munequitos de Matanzas, Martinis & Imax, moda, Northside Tavern, Pho Truc, Pub 71, residents, Retro in the Metro, Rialto, Ricky Skaggs, romeo cologne, Rumba, Savage Republic, Star Bar, Tom Gentry, Tongo Hiti, Trader Vic's, Twain's, Variety Playhouse, Yoko Ono
Posted on:
Apr 2nd, 2011 By:
Anya99
Sorry not to get this post until Saturday this week. Away this weekend and was more challenged than expected finding wifi yesterday–maybe that was the April Fool’s joke on me! Hopefully you got a chance to read
This Week in Retro Atlanta, and didn’t miss any of the cool events Friday night. If you didn’t get to
Chris Hamer’s BIG IN JAPAN opening party, you should still hit
Octane to see the exhibit which runs through April 30. Also, new in the update: another rare chance to see
DEATH RACE 2000 on the big screen at the
Plaza Theatre, if you missed last week’s Splatterday Night Live.
Friday, April 1
Terribly talented artist Chris Hamer recycles Tom Waits with the solo art show, BIG IN JAPAN, at Octane Coffee Bar & Lounge, opening night party from 7 to 11 PM. Works inspired by Waits songs will be on display until April 30, but isn’t it more fun to see them with Blast-Off Burlesque and other surprises. Read more about Chris and how Waits helped conjure some personal monsters in this week’s Kool Kat. Celebrate the 10th anniversary of THE LAST ROCK ‘N ROLL DOCUMENTARY and support an Atlanta retro treasure at tonight’s Plaza Theatre Foundation fundraiser with tickets just a bargain one buck. Film Love‘s Yoko Ono: Reality Dreams short film series part 4 is Flux Fly Body Music at Atlanta Contemporary Arts Center. A highlight is the enigmatic FLY, “a collaboration with John Lennon, which features the human body as landscape, with an improvised vocal soundtrack – one of Ono’s most engaging musical works.” Curated by last week’s Kool Kat Andy Ditzler.
Swing dance to Joe Gransden‘s big band at Fernbank Museum of Natural History’s Martinis and IMAX. New band Please Pleaserock Me teaches Beatle-ologoy at Eddie’s Attic.
Saturday March 12
Classic train fans and their kids will dig Caboose Days this weekend from 10 AM to 5 PM at the Southeastern Railway Museum in Duluth featuring train rides in restored cabooses, oodles of kids’ activities and a chance to tour and see 90 pieces of retired railway equipment, including vintage steam engines, a private car once used by President Warren G. Harding and much more.
Get down to a Spring Soul Party with The Soulphonics & Ruby Velle at Star Bar. The fabulous Talloolah Love presents her Thank You/Vegas or Bust Party starting at 10 PM at Bart Webb Studios in Avondale. Drink Love Shots, dance to DJ Doctor Q‘s fine tunes and enjoy live performances, all to thank everyone who voted for her to nab a prestigious performance spot at the Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend next month. Watch for an exclusive report by Love on the Southern Fried Burlesque Fest soo.
Don’t miss another rare chance to see one of the craziest, best black comedy cult movies of all time DEATH RACE 2000 at the Plaza Theatre at 9:30 p.m. Come on! David Carradine as a race car driver called Frankenstein! ROCK ‘N’ ROLL HIGH SCHOOL’s Mary Woronov! Sly Stallone! And everyone in America is road kill. Read why Mark Arson thinks it’s a better ’70s SF/action flick than STAR WARS here.
Better Than The Beatles pays tribute to the Fab Four at Jerry Farber’s Side Door. DJ Romeo Cologne transforms the sensationally seedy Clermont Lounge into a ’70s disco/funk inferno.
Sunday March 27
Caboose Days continue at Southeastern Railway Museum. Chickens and Pigs serves up blues “dunch” between 1 and 4 PM at The Earl.
Read the rest of this entry »
Category: Weekend Update | Tags: Andy Ditzler, Atlanta Contemporary Art Center, Bart Webb Studios, Beatles, Big in Japan, Blast-Off Burlesque, caboose days, Chickens and Pigs, Chris Hamer, Clermont Lounge, Death Race 2000, Doctor Q, dunch, Eddie's Attic, Fernbank, Film Love, Jerry Farber's Side Door, Joe Gransden, John Lennon, Martinis & Imax, Octane Coffee Bar, Plaza Theatre, Please Pleaserock me, railway, romeo cologne, Ruby Velle, Soulphonics, Southeastern Railway Museum, Star Bar, Talloolah Love, The Earl, Tom Waits, trains, Viva Las Vegas, Warren Harding, Yoko Ono
Posted on:
Mar 29th, 2011 By:
Anya99
Here’s your weekly guide to where and why to get out…
Monday March 28
Francine Reed belts out some beautiful blues every other Monday at Cafe Circa. Northside Tavern hosts its weekly Blues Jam.
Tuesday March 29
Cathy Whitlock, author of DESIGNS ON FILM: A CENTURY OF HOLLYWOOD ART DIRECTION, provides a behind-the-scenes look at the masterful set design of GONE WITH THE WIND at the Margaret Mitchell House at 7 PM as part of the GONE WITH THE WIND 75th Anniversary Celebration. Grab your horn and head to Twain’s in Decatur for a Joe Gransden jazz jam session starting at 9 PM. Fedora Blues plays Fatt Matt’s Rib Shack. Notorious DJ Romeo Cologne spins the best ‘70s funk and disco at 10 High in Virginia-Highland. Catch the official grand opening of Tuesday Retro in the Metro nights at Midtown’s Deadwood Saloon, featuring live video mixes of ’80s, ’90s, and 2Ks hits.
Wednesday March 30
It’s TNT, Tommy Lee and Tammy Renee in a knockdown funky drag-out “Keytar Loser Leave Grudge Match” vs. Lust at Star Bar. TNT perform hits from the ’70s to today but are especially known for their fun takes on ’70s and ’80s funkilicious, R&B and disco favorites like Stevie Wonder‘s “Superstition.” Cabaret theatrics meet post-punk adult-themed rawk in Lust, featuring another pair of powerhouse vocalists Susanne Gibboney and Blast-Off Burlesque‘s “Barbilicious” Hays.
At The Earl, New Zealand’s Surf City takes inspiration from surf music, Jesus and Mary Chain (originally “Kill Surf City” after that band’s song) and Velvet Underground. Get ready to rumba, cha-cha and jitterbug at the weekly Swing Night at Graveyard Tavern. Catch Joe Gransden every Wednesday night at 8:30 PM at Jerry Farber’s Side Door. The Hollidays and Danny “Mudcat” Dudeck bring on the blues at Fatt 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, starting at 8 PM. Cover band ’80s Band of Destiny is in the Atlanta Room at Smith’s Olde Bar.
Thursday March 31
'64 MV Agusta 500cc is one of 11 vintage and contemporary Italian motorcycles on display at MoDA. Photo courtesy of Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum
Drink some wine and enjoy a gallery tour of PASSIONE ITALIANA: DESIGN OF THE ITALIAN MOTORCYCLE by previous Kool Kat curator Joe Remling during MODA‘s first Thursday night Drink in Design from 6-8 PM. Murphreesboro, Tenn. alt-country band The Only Sons plays Kathmandu Kitchen and Grill, formerly Pho Truc in Clarkston from 8-10 PM. 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. Joe Gransden jazzes up Tantra now on Thursdays. Party ‘70s style with DJ Romeo Cologne at Aurum Lounge. Breeze Kings and Chicken Shack bring on the blues respectively at Northside Tavern and Fat Matt’s Rib Shack.
Read the rest of this entry »
Category: This Week in ATLRetro | Tags: 10 High, 80s Band of Destiny, Andy Ditzler, Aurum Lounge, Barb Hays, Bart Webb Studios, Beatles, better than the beatles, Big in Japan, Blast-Off Burlesque, Breeze Kings, caboose days, cafe circa, Cathy Whitlock, chicken and pigs, Chris Hamer, Clermont Lounge, Deadwood Saloon, Designs on Film, Doctor Q, dunch, Eddie's Attic, Fedora Blues, Fernbank, Film Love, Francine Reed, Gone with the Wind, Henri Cartier-Bresson, High Museum of Art, Hollidays, italian motorcycles, J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan, Jerry Farber's Side Door, Joe Gransden, joe remling, John Lennon, Kathmandu Kitchen and Grill, Last Rock n Roll Documentary, Lust, Margaret Mitchell House, Martinis & Imax, moda, Mudcat, Northside Tavern, Octane Coffee Bar, passione italiana, Pho Truc, Plaza Theatre, Please Pleaserock me, Pub 71, Retro in the Metro, romeo cologne, Ruby Velle, Smith's Olde Bar, Soulphonics, Southeastern Railway Museum, southern fried burlesque fest, Star Bar, Stevie Wonder, Surf City, Susanne Gibboney, swing dancing, Talloolah Love, Tantra, The Earl, The Glenwood, TNT, Tom Waits, Tongo Hiti, Toulouse-Lautrec, Trader Vic's, Urbnpop, Viva Las Vegas, Yoko Ono
Posted on:
Mar 22nd, 2011 By:
Anya99
SMILE JOHN: Includes HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JOHN (1972), Dir: Jonas Mekas; FILM NO. 5 (SMILE) (1968), Dir: Yoko Ono; Fri. March 25, 7 PM; Plaza Theatre; $10 ($8 if attending 9 PM screening, too)
SKY, BED PEACE: Includes BED IN (1969), Dir: Yoko Ono and John Lennon; APOTHEOSIS (1970), Dir: Yoko Ono and John Lennon; Fri. March 25, 9 PM; Plaza Theatre; $10 ($8 if attending 7 PM screening, too)
Yoko Ono and John Lennon Montreal Bed-In, 1969 Photo by Ivor Sharp ©Yoko Ono.
Since he started Film Love, his provocative avant-garde film series, in 2003, Andy Ditzler has explored everything from the beat cinema subculture to American racism. But this Friday March 25 at the Plaza Theatre, audiences will be treated to filmmaking as love-making between two intensively creative people with the first two of five installments of YOKO ONO: reality dreams, which Film Love is co-presenting with Emory University and Atlanta Contemporary Art Center. John Lennon and Yoko Ono certainly must be one of the most famous couples of the 20th century, but these experimental films are rarely seen and aren’t available on video.
ATLRetro recently caught up with Andy to ask him about his own passion for avant-garde film, the origins of Film Love, what Frequent Small Meals are, and why you should spend Friday night getting to know John and Yoko better through some extraordinary movies.
From what I understand, you started Film Love in 2003 with a beat cinema series at Eyedrum. How did you become so interested in and passionate about experimental and avant-garde cinema?
In the early ‘90s, I was living in Boulder, where the great avant-garde filmmaker Stan Brakhage was teaching. I attended his screenings and classes. He showed the wildest films, things I had no idea how to process or even understand. Yet Brakhage had a way of talking about the films that made it clear that watching them was to be considered an adventure, that you could figure it out, and most of all how important it was that we gather to watch these films.
Andy Ditzler, founder & curator of Film Love.
Some of the films were so small, so obscure, that they almost disappeared off the screen. I was hooked. One day Stan showed THE END and THE MAN WHO INVENTED GOLD by Christopher Maclaine. Maclaine was a shadowy figure, long dead, and his films of Beat San Francisco in the ‘50s were completely haunting. I totally connected with them.
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Category: Kool Kat of the Week | Tags: Andy Ditzler, Atlanta Contemporary Art Center, avante garde film, Beat cinema, Beatles, Christopher Maclaine, Emory University, Eyedrum, Film Love, Frequent Small Meals, Jack Kerouac, John Lennon, movies, Plaza Theatre, Stan Brakhage, Yoko Ono
Posted on:
Mar 22nd, 2011 By:
Anya99
Here’s your weekly guide to where and why to get out…
Monday March 21
After dark, Joe Gransden & his smokin’ 16-piece orchestra present another Big Band Night of jazz at Café 290, featuring Sinatra, Bennett, Basie and Joe’s originals. Northside Tavern hosts a Blues Jam.
Tuesday March 22
Grab your horn and head to Twain’s in Decatur for a Joe Gransden jazz jam session starting at 9 PM. Fedora Blues plays Fatt Matt’s Rib Shack. Atlanta’s notorious DJ Romeo Cologne spins the best ‘70s funk and disco at 10 High in Virginia-Highland. Get a sneak preview of new Tuesday Retro in the Metro nights at Midtown’s Deadwood Saloon, featuring live video mixes of ’80s, ’90s, and 2Ks hits; official grand opening is next Tues. March 29.
Wednesday March 23
Not quite as cool as taking a TARDIS back to 688, but coming mighty close, ATLRetro’s top pick of the night is ’70s/’80s garage band extraordinaire The Fleshtones at Star Bar, with The Forty-Fives and Ghost Bikini opening. The Emory University Tango Ensemble and Tango Orchestra Club Atlanta present an evening of traditional and new Argentinian tango dancing and music at Emory’s Schwartz Center. Lots of weekly events, too. Get ready to rumba, cha-cha and jitterbug at the weekly Swing Night at The Glenwood. Catch Joe Gransden every Wednesday night at 8:30 PM at Jerry Farber’s Side Door. The Hollidays and Danny “Mudcat” Dudeck bring on the blues at Fatt 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, starting at 8 PM. Cover band ’80s Band of Destiny is in the Atlanta Room at Smith’s Olde Bar.
Thursday March 24
The Found Footage Festival brings outtakes and oddities found at garage sales, flea markets, dumpsters and other strange places to the Plaza Theatre, including a rare screening of cult classic HEAVY METAL PARKING LOT. It’s a bonafide ’70s night at Philips Arena as (ATLRetro) Rod Stewart thrusts whatever he has left and Stevie Nicks wails out “Rhiannon” one more time. 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. Joe Gransden jazzes up Tantra now on Thursdays. Party ‘70s style with DJ Romeo Cologne at Aurum Lounge. Breeze Kings and Chicken Shack bring on the blues respectively at Northside Tavern and Fat Matt’s Rib Shack.
Read the rest of this entry »
Category: This Week in ATLRetro | Tags: 80s Band of Destiny, Alice in Wonderland, Alien, Andy Ditzler, Beatles, Blair Crimmins, Breeze Kings, burlesque, Cafe 290, Chameleon Queen, Dans le Moment, Deadwood Saloon, Derryl Rivers, Doo Gallery, Eddie's Attic, Emily Yetter, Fatt Matt's Rib Shack, Fedora Blues, Fernbank, Film Love, Fleshtones, Flying Circus, Found Footage Festival, heavy metal, Heavy Metal Parking Lot, Henri Cartier-Bresson, High Museum of Art, Hollidays, J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan, Jerry Farber's Side Door, Joan Rivers, Joe Gransden, John Lennon, Katherine Lashe, Martinis & Imax, Mon Cherie, Mudcat, Northside Tavern, Only Sons, Pemberton Place, Philips Arena, Plaza Theatre, Retro in the Metro, Rod Stewart, romeo cologne, Rue de Paradis, Sana Blues, Schwartz Center, Shriek Movie Night, Smith's Olde Bar, Spanky & the Love Handles, Star Bar, Stevie Nicks, Susi French Connection, Syrens of the South, T. Grease Johnson, Talloolah Love, tango, The Earl, The Glenwood, Tongo Hiti, torchy taboo, Trader Vic's, Twain's, Viva Las Vegas, Yoko Ono
Celebrate the 19th birthday of The Highlander with a free concert by musical masters of the circus freak show, Greasepaint, featuring Atlanta’s own insane clown posse of Puddles, aka Big Mike Geier (Kingsized), and the Reverend Uncle Laffo, aka Jim Stacy (Grand Moff Tarkin). Also on the bill is Super X-13, featuring Shane Morton (Gargantua, Silver Scream Spook Show) on bass in a big hair wig and crazy Ultraman-inspired jumpsuit (well that’s the whole band actually)!
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec died in 1901, but it’s not a stretch to say that his vibrant posters and prints of showgirls, nightclub stars and the café culture influenced the 20th century romantic view of Paris and still inspire today’s burlesque performers. The High Museum of Art’s dynamic new special exhibition, TOULOUSE-LAUTREC AND FRIENDS: THE IRENE AND HOWARD STEIN COLLECTION, runs through May 1. Also at the High through May 29 is the MOMA-organized HENRI CARTIER-BRESSON: THE MODERN CENTURY, another 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.
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