ATLRetro

By Jordan Barbeau
Contributing Writer

Monday February 13

Bitter about Valentine’s Day? Don’t worry: everybody’s been there at least once. For those who want a bit of a darker V Day, head over to the Basement, beneath Graveyard Tavern, for  LOVE WILL TEAR US APART, the Anti-Valentine’s Day Goth Ball. True to the Joy Division anthem, darkness and rock music abound in a night full of gothic costumes and performances from bands such as Dead Parris, Jade Lemons and the Crimson Lust and more! Davina and The Vagabonds, the band with a “new spin on an old sound,” bring some soul to Smith’s Olde Bar. 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 14 Valentine’s Day

What’s more romantic than dancing? Dancing on Valentine’s Day! The Enchantment Under the Stars at the Star Bar provides a night full of dancing for couples and single people alike, so you have no reason not to put on those boogie shoes and get to steppin’. Also performing is one of Atlanta’s hottest ’60s revival cover bands, Andrew and the Disapyramids, featuring Kool Kat Joshua Longino. Splatter Cinema presents a special Valentine’s showing of the 1992 cult classic horror film, CANDYMAN at the Plaza Theater. Be sure to read Philip Nutman’s Retro Review here. 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. Crosstown Allstars rock 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 15

Alabama bluegrass/honkytonk band The Pine Hill Haints boos it up at the Star Bar, with the help of Serious Sam Barett. 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 a darkly cynical Burt Lancaster/Tony Randall number called SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS (1957), for free in White Hall 208.  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 16

Minette Magnifique does BURLESQUE at the Warren City Club. This show will be rife with the girls and Burlesque style you’ve come to know and love. Troupe member Vyolet Venom is this week’s Kool Kat, and be sure to catch up on our past features on the alluring Baroness VonSchmalhausen, aka Shellie Schmals, and Madame Kellyn Willey. The Togas, GG King and COPS rock a hard-edged pre-weekend show at the Earl. Frankie’s Blues Mission play some post- V Day blues at Atlanta’s The Family Dog. The Star Bar gets taken over by poppier, surfier and a bit grungy tonight, with Mood Rings, Red Sea, El Fossil and Young Again. Twain’s goes all groovy rockabilly with Steel String Session. 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 Housejam at Red Light Café’s weekly Bluegrass Thursday.

Dames Aflame.

Friday, February 17

Dames Aflame‘s annual Valentine’s POP! show is back again, with all the beautiful women, comedy and music anyone could want, all packed inside Le Madison Rouge at Paris on Ponce. One-armed guitar player Lefty Williams shows off his incredible talent at Smith’s Olde Bar, with Underhill Rose also on the bill. Raised on a music diet of Johnny Cash and Roy Acuff by famous dad Westerns author Larry (LONESOME DOVE), James McMurtry brings his fierce lyrics, along with Johnny Burke, to the Variety Playhouse. The Masquerade gets back in black with an AC/DC Tribute tonight, featuring Back N Black and Steppheavy.  The Highlander gets rocked hard by Iron Whip, Beitthemeans and Dusty Booze and the Baby Haters. Burning Time lights the stage at Fat Matt’s. The Salsambo Dance Studio jazzes up Fernbank Museum of Natural History’s Martinis and IMAX for Salsa Night. Legendary Jazz organist Ike Stubblefield plays Friday Jazz at the High Museum of Art.

Saturday, February 18
Nothing in this life is better than free entertainment, but when it’s some of Atlanta’s top Western-inspired rockers, it’s even sweeter. That’s why we’re thrilled to see Stevie Tombstone playing live again at Trackside Tavern with Walk from the Gallows and Muleskinner Macqueen. Van Dyke Parks and eclectic alternative musician Jeffrey Butzer (Read our ‘Tis the Season piece on Jeffrey’s A Charlie Brown Christmas here) fire up The Earl. The Highlander hosts the most rocking event of the evening, featuring Hip to Death, Swank Sinatra and Mack Messiah. The legendary Delbert McClinton plays Variety Playhouse.The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra welcomes special guest star Bernadette Peters. The Park Tavern hosts a diverse star-studded show, with performances from The Breeze Kings, The Squirrelheads, Half Dozen Brass Band, Ian Schumacher and Ryan Hickey & the Saints. Whiskey Please throws one back at The Family Dog. For those looking for some more rip-roarin’, liquor-inspired honkytonk fun, head over to the Star Bar for I Want Whisky, Caroline and the Ramblers and more. Film buffs will appreciate the High Museum of Art’s contribution to the weekend, as they are serving up a special showing of Melvin von Peeble’s classic about a black man on the run from the law, SWEET SWEDBACK’S BAADASSSSS SONG (1971), with a 35mm print collected by New York’s MOMA. 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 19

Proud Texan, ex-politician, author and singer Kinky Friedman brings his unabashedly open style to Smith’s Olde Bar, accompanied by Dead Fingers and Kacie Jones. The Trio and blues/jazz chanteuse extraordinaire Francine Reed turn The Family Dog into an intimate setting for the night. Rise and dine with E.V.P. 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.

MANDALA: SACRED CIRCLE IN TIBETAN BUDDHISM brings peace and harmony to the Michael C. Carlos Museum at Emory University. This amazing special exhibition explores Buddhism’s unique and beautiful perspective on sacred space and honor that through the tradition of mandalas. Be sure to read Lisa Stock’s Retro Review here. Through April 15

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.