ATLRetro

Joe Gransden.

By Jordan Barbeau
Contributing Writer

Monday March 5

Joe Gransden and his swingin’ 16 piece jazz ensemble present Big Band Night on the first and third Monday of the month at Café 290, with special guest star song stylist Jennifer Wrobleski tonight. From 3 p.m. 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. 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, March 6

During Darkland County Tuesdays at Eddie’s Attic, hear artists from the Stephen King/John Mellencamp production preview its music leading up to the premiere of GHOST BROTHERS OF DARKLAND COUNTY at the Alliance Theatre on April 4. Grab your horn and head to Twain’s in Decatur for a Joe Gransden jazz jam session starting at 9 p.m. Burning Time rock the blues at Fat Matt’s Rib Shack. Dance the night away at Tues. Retro in the Metro nights at Midtown’s Deadwood Saloon featuring video mixes of ’80s, ’90s and 2Ks hits.

Wednesday, March 7

For those who want nothing more than to immerse themselves in Burlesque culture, the Atlanta Burlesque and Cabaret Society is holding their monthly meeting today at Manuel’s Tavern. Performers and fans both welcome. Cute Boots, Naked Gods and Gemma Ray bring some sweet southern sounds to the Star Bar. 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 director Elia Kazan’s rendition of Tennessee Williams’ BABY DOLL (1956) in White Hall 208. 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. Lefty Williams strums at Moe’s Original Bar-B-Que. Dance to ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s hits during Retro in the Metro Wednesdays at Pub 71 in Brookhaven.

Thursday March 8

The Marriott Courtyard in Decatur gets sexy with the start of the second annual Southern Fried Burlesque Fest! This weekend-long event takes its name from two things the south loves (sexy ladies and Southern hospitality) and kicks off tonight with the Just Hatched Showcase, featuring acts by new-to-the-craft starlets-to-be.  Then at 9 p.m. Burlesque Legend Satan’s Angel takes the stage for “Have Tassels Will Travel,“ a One-Woman Improvisational play about the life and times of the star nicknamed “The Devils Own Mistress,” the Queen and originator of fire tassel twirling. For a full festival preview, click here. Jekyll and Hyde’s Sports Bar in Peachtree City will be the place to be today for horror movie fans  as the aforementioned eatery hosts the pre-party for another weekend-long event, horror convention Days of the Dead. Hosted by fright-loving rock band First Jason, this pre-show also promises costumes, food, karaoke and more.

Eat, Drink and Play with Mon Cherie & Friends at Mad Lib-Ations, sponsored by Lux De Ville, at L5P Corner Tavern. The fun-filled night of games and prizes brings back that beloved word game of our youth, with an adult spin! Bring a Pencil! Bring a friend!  7PM – Midnight (last round at 11:30PM). And while the game is going, DJ Rev Andy spins alternative faves.The Cazanovas bring the blues to Darwin’s Blues and Burgers. 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. Blueberry Grit jams at Red Light Café’s weekly Bluegrass Thursday.

Kitten DeVille. Photo credit: Neil Kendall.

Friday, March 9

Southern Fried Burlesque Fest continues with a day full of classes and workshops, vendors, and The Free Range Burlesque International Showcase (doors at 8 p.m.; show at 9 p.m.). Last year’s Friday night show was one of the best burlesque shows ever in this city featuring performances by some of the biggest regional and national performers in the business. Taking the stage will be burlesque legends Satan’s Angel, Shannon Doah and Gabriella Maze (watch for an interview with Shannon Doah soon, and if you missed our feature on Gabriella, catch up on your reading here), as well as revival stars Kitten DeVille from California (read our exclusive Kool Kat interview with her here); Perle Noire, the Black Pearl; and more!

Days of the Dead officially commences today at the Wyndham Peachtree City Conference Center. Starting at 5 PM, Atlanta’s first-ever all-horror media convention kicks off in a big way, with an evening filled to capacity with movies, cosplayers, screams and stars. For our Terrifying Top 10 Retro Reasons why to go, click here. Some of our favorites include a reunion for ROCK N ROLL HIGH SCHOOL BFFs PJ Soles and Dey Young, Sid Haig (DEVIL’S REJECTS, GALAXY OF TERROR), Linnea Quigley (NIGHT OF THE DEMONS), Barbara Crampton (RE-ANIMATOR), John Russo (NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD), artist James O’Barr (THE CROW), and the one actor just crazy enough to star in the movies he has, Gary Busey! Friday night festivities include a Monsters Among Us Ball, RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD workprint screening with Linnea Quigley, comedy act by “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, and at midnight Atlanta’s own Chambers of Horror Presents Rock N Roll Torture Lounge.

Bareknuckle Betties

See this year’s Oscar-winning Best Picture THE ARTIST in a venue worthy of its vintage glory, the Fabulous Fox Theatre, which opened in 1929 just at the cusp of silents to talkies. For fans of one of the most famous rock bands of all time, the Pink Floyd Experience revives the sound of the famous band in all its glory on stage at the Variety Playhouse. Hot Rod Walt (of Hot Rod Walt and the Psycho-Devilles) plays a rare solo acoustic show at The Grove in Locust Grove. Blair Crimmins and the Hookers return the Ragtime to the Strand Theatre. The Star Bar gets honky-tonky with the Bareknuckle Betties (Vocalist Julea Thomerson is a Kool Kat), The Defibulators, Rolling Nowhere and DJ Speedtrap.  The Hollidays bring some soul to the Northside Tavern. Electromatics serve up a classy combo of Chicago/west coast Blues, blue-eyed soul and an essence of standard jazz and Sinatra at Fernbank Museum of Natural History’s Martinis and IMAX. Cineprov! goes to the dogs with werewolf cult classic THE HOWLING at Relapse Theatre. All proceeds from tonights show go to German Shepherd Rescue of GA with a silent Auction and actual German shepherds to play with, too!

Sadie Hawkins. Photo courtesy of Sadie Hawkins.

Saturday, March 10

Saturday is the big day at the Southern Fried Burlesque Fest with performers competing for the second crown in the Southern Fried Burlesque Pageant at 8 p.m., including a farewell performance by last year’s winner and reigning queen Siren Santina. Then at 11 p.m., stay up late for the Southern Scorcher Showcase, starring some of the best performers was across the Southeast, including aerialist extraordinaire Sadie Hawkins of Blast-Off Burlesque and headlined by Atlanta native, the Lady Ms. Vagina Jenkins!

Days of the Dead also has its big days with Q&As with the stars; movie screenings including DEAR GOD NO! (If you don’t know this homegrown Bikers and Bigfoot exploitation movie, read our interview with director Jimmy Bickert here), Hell on Wheels Hearse Show and contest, a special edition of the Silver Scream Spookshow, costume contest and more. Autographs will be signed, costumes will be worn and screams will be screamed.

7 Stages holds its grand opening of the world premiere of THE HIDDEN MAN, based on the true story of Robert Sherer and his mentor, Rev. Howard Finster. The unexpected and controversial story chronicles a young artist who arrives in 1980s Atlanta knowing three things for certain: he’s gay, he’s an atheist and he is destined to kill himself. Howard, a religious conservative preacher, created Paradise Garden in North Georgia, a folk art garden with messages from the Lord. These two unlikely artists become unlikely friends. Hidden Man Contains adult nudity. Through March 25. Read a behind-the-stage interview with 7 Stages Artistic Director Del Hamilton here.

Fear and Loathing in ATL, an art show inspired by Hunter S. Thompson‘s iconic work, opens tonight at ABV, featuring Kool Kat Chris Hamer and other Atlanta artists. The Star Bar punks out with the X-Impossibles, Catfight, Kentucky Bridgeburners and horror salsa Misfits cover band Los Meesfits. Northside Tavern goes back in time to the days of Motown thanks to Ike Stubblefield. Indigo Girls’ Amy Ray and The Shadowboxers play Variety Playhouse. The High Museum of Art continues its MOMA movie series with showings of a 35 mm print of BONJOUR TRISTESSE (1958) collected by the New York museum at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. And as usual, DJ Romeo Cologne transforms the sensationally seedy Clermont Lounge into a ’70s disco/funk inferno late into the wee hours.

Sunday, March 11

The weekend comes to a close as both the Southern Fried Burlesque Fest and Days of the Dead wrap up the festivities. The former ends with a Legends panel at 1 p.m., with headliner Kitten DeVille and classic stars Satan’s Angel and Shannon Doah. Days of the Dead moves onto the afterlife with several more film showings, panels and a Zombie Best in Show contest. The Masquerade hosts Rock Out Hunger, a fundraiser featuring performances by Starbolt9, The Sexual Side Effects, Last Five Standing and the Kimberly Sutton Band. If you missed our Kool Kat interview with amazing and beautiful neo-glam chanteuse Amber Taylor, catch up here. Francine Reed joins The Trio to jazz up The Family Dog. Rise and dine with Rev David Reed Roth 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.

Photo courtesy of Opera Theatre of St. Louis.

Ongoing

The Atlanta Opera presents THE GOLDEN TICKET, based on Roald Dahl’s CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Read our Kool Kat interview with director Michael Shell here.

DragonCon is still months away, but get your con fix now as the giant nerds of Dad’s Garage explores the eccentric and outlandish realm of sci‐fi fandom in THE WRATH OF CON. Get ready for blaster battles, ridiculous costumes and celebrity sightings all rolled into one night of comedy! Through March 17.

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. If you know of a cool happening coming up soon, send suggestions to ATLRetro@gmail.com.