ATLRetro

Friday, Sept. 30

 

 

 

 

Dex Romweber Duo, Forty-Fives, Subsonics and Andrew and the Disapyramids make for another rockin’ Retro night at Star Bar. Explore the just-opened DARWIN exhibit, voyage to GALAPAGOS on the giant screen, sip on Galapagos Gimlets, swing to tiki lounge act Tongo Hiti and hula alongside the Dames Aflame in an Island Adventure-themed Fernbank Museum of Natural History’s Martinis and IMAX. For an exclusive sneak preview of the tropical-themed fun, check out our interview with the Dames’ own missing link, MonkeyZuma here. Sana Blues plays Fat Matt’s, and Zydefunk is at Northside Tavern. Kansas takes you back to the ’70s at Cobb Energy Centre.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CineProv! pokes fun at the live-action MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE (1987) at Relapse Theatre. And it’s opening night of the living dead at The Atlanta Zombie Apocalypse. J-Pop girls garage band The Suzan rocks Drunken Unicorn. And Anime Weekend Atlanta kicks off its first full-day at Cobb Galleria Centre. Find out why AWA Events Director Jason Merrill is this week’s Kool Kat here.

Saturday Oct. 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Britain’s most romantic vocalist Bryan Ferry transforms Chastain into Avalon. A powerful trio of performers -Indigo Girls, Shawn Mullins and Francine Reed get together and play Party at Ponce at Ponce City Market. It’s the big day at Anime Weekend Atlanta including costume contest, Anime Cabaret burlesque produced by Stormy Knight, vintage jazz Bebop Lounge, J-Pop bands Moon Stream and The Suzan, and much more. Weird Al Yankovic makes fun the ’80s way at Cobb Energy Centre. The Peachtree Music Festival invades Midtown. Destination East Point Fall Festival gets jazzy with the Joe Gransden Quartet, while the musical line-up at Vinings Jubilee Festival includes Yacht Rock Revue and Memory Lane Jazz Ensemble. Emory Presbyterian Church throws a Bluegrass & BBQ Fall Festival with Tucker Station String Band, Hicks With Picks, Porch Bottom Boys, Grass Backwards and Mars Hills Porch Pickers. And as usual, DJ Romeo Cologne transforms the sensationally seedy Clermont Lounge into a ’70s disco/funk inferno late into the wee hours.

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday Oct. 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Put on your mourning clothes and head to Oakland Cemetery‘s annual Sunday in the Park for a Victorian picnic among the crypts. Highlights include a historic costume and hat contest, bluegrass bands, vendors, walking tours and unlocked mausoleums. It’s your last chance to shop for vintage anime, manga, kaiju eiga, Lolita-wear and kimonos at Anime Weekend Atlanta. Alex Commins and Todd Prusin serve up the music at blues “dunch” between 1-4 PM at The Earl. Johnny Roquemore & the Apostles of Bluegrass play Eddie’s Attic. Fat Back Deluxe brings on the blues at Fat Matt’s.

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Friday, Sept. 23

You can even bring the kids and grab a sandwich and a milkshake (or cheap beer, if we know your type) at an 8 p.m. early gig by Spooky Partridge at Rocket 88 in Decatur. Dusty Booze and the Baby Haters play later. Come hang 10 and get revved up for tomorrow’s Clarkston Surf Fest with a Pre-Party at the Highland Inn Ballroom, featuring outrageous surf local heroes The Mystery Men? and Nashville’s awesome Rebel Surfers, featuring special guest Philip Townsend from C.N.i Cow on drums. In case you missed our interview with Rebel Surfers’ Pete Jamestone before their high energy set at the Rockabilly Luau last June, catch up on your reading here. Or if what you like is surfing the New Wave, Blondie plays Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, with the Romantics opening.

Blair Crimmins.

Blair Crimmins and the Hookers resurrect ’20s ragtime with a 21st century twist at Star Bar tonight in their only local show this fall, playing with two other well-reviewed time capsule acts, the Lonesone City Travelers from Orlando and giant-squid-lovin’ Matty Sheets and the Blockheads from Greensboro, NC. Vocalist Kayla Taylor performs a soulful mix of jazz standards from the ’30s, ’40s and ’50s at Fernbank Museum of Natural History’s Martinis and IMAX. It’s another sexy Tango Night at Callanwolde, including lessons in the authentic Argentine version for all levels followed by a dance party. The Blues Benders bring on the blues at Fat Matt’s, and Mudcatblues it down at Northside Tavern. Earth Wind & Fire take you back to the ’70s with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in the Delta Classic Chastain series. And it’s a hard Southern rockin’ night at Vinyl with Six Shot Revival, Motortrain, Bigfoot & The One Through Tens.

Feeling more cinematic? Also opening tonight at Dad’s Garage is ZONKERS – An Eighties Tit Comedy.Yup the zany guys and gals at Dad’s celebrate a beautiful and largely forgotten movie genre – films about girls with big boobs that are out of the league of the nerdy boys that crave them. At a summer camp! Plus zero gravity scenes set in outer space and a Boob Bot. Through October 14 on the Main Stage.

Comedy Kurt Russell’s Snake Plissken may not have been a smiling kind of guy, and we’re sure CineProv! will make the most out of calling him Snake when they ESCAPE FROM NEW YORKtonight at Relapse Theatre. Or share some nostalgia with your own kids as THE GOONIES (1985) starts a three-day run at GSU’s Cinefest with shows tonight at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. (Sat. and Sun. at 7 p.m.).

Saturday Sept. 24

Three big music events duke it out today. It could be a bit Retro to say that Music Midtown is back and its return is not unwelcome, but since the line-up is pretty contemporary, we have to say if you’re living in the best of yesteryear, the 5th Annual Clarkston Surf Fest has to win out with 1o great bands from noon into the night including local faves The Mystery Men?, The Surge! ,Stratogeezer and El Fossil, as well as regional favorites Daikaiju(AL), Aqualads (NC), The Intoxicators (FL), The Necronomikids (AL), Kill, Baby…Kill (AL) and The Monterreys (NC). Best of all, it’s free and family-friendly, so you introduce the kids to some great music without shelling out big bucks. Read our Kool Kat preview with Surf Fest co-founder Wayne Foster here.

On the other hand, we have to admit that any event centered around the Star Bar has plenty of Retro street cred, too. During Saturday’s Little Five Fest, for just $10 from 12:30 p.m. to gone midnight, you can enjoy more than 35 bands on multiple stages both in and outside the Star Bar, as well as at Criminal Records (12:30-3:30 p.m.) and Aurora Coffee (all ages 4-8 p.m.).  Extra Retro points go to you if you buy something at Criminal, which, as you’ve most likely heard, has been going through some tough times lately. Better yet, buy some vinyl.

Of course, that couldn’t be all that’s happening. Elvis Costello and the Imposters play Chastain. And in a punk rock slugfest, it’s Bad Brains up in Heaven at Masquerade vs. Meat Puppets at The Earl. How did that happen? And metalheads, get thee to Wild Bill’s for Stryper. If you’re more the ’70s rock revivalist type, The 32nd Annual Giant Miller Lite Chili Cook-Off at Stone Mountain Park serves up great chili, a jalapeno-eating concept and four tribute bands, Miller Time (aka AM Gold playing Steve Miller Band’s greatest hits), Sex Type Things (Stone Temple Pilots), ZOSO (Led Zeppelin) and Free Fallin (Tom Petty). Fun starts at 10 a.m. and concludes with 2011 Chili Awards at 6:30 p.m. And take a walk on the ’60s/’70s wild side down in Hell at the Masquerade as Mon Cherie & WarholBoy Present Incognito: A WarholBoy Factory Birthday Extravaganza including a “15 Minutes of Fame” Talent Show, Psychedelic Raffle and Edie Sedgwick Lookalike Contest, as well as Eye Candy Performances & drag by The Chelsea Girls, The Factory Gang, Ultra Violet and more. Be sure to dress to impress Warhol-style. And as usual, DJ Romeo Colognetransforms the sensationally seedy Clermont Lounge into a ’70s disco/funk inferno late into the wee hours.

Sunday Sept. 25

Front Porch Session Players serve up the music at blues “dunch” between 1-4 PM at The Earl. Snake Legs bring on the blues at Fat Matt’s. You’ve got another chance to see The Meat Puppets if you road trip it to The Melting Point in Athens.

Closing This Week

The Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA)‘s current exhibit WaterDream: The Evolution of Bathroom Design, runs through Sept. 24 in the dynamic new Midtown space. Displays take visitors through a four-part journey into the bathroom from the birth of minimalist aesthetics in 20th century design to current concepts.

Just Opened

ALL BLUES, Robert Earl Price‘s compelling meditation on the moral complexities of journalist Ray Sprigle‘s 30 days impersonating a black man in the south in 1948, has its world premiere at 7 Stages. Watch for a preview article about this powerful production soon. Through Oct. 9.

Ongoing

Ding-Dong the Wicked Witch is the Hero?! That’s the premise of the Broadway hit musical WICKED, an upside-down retelling of the 1939 movie version of THE WIZARD OF OZ. And we can’t think of a more magical place for the Broadway Across America touring production to stage it than 1929 movie palace the Fabulous Fox Theatre. If you’re on a budget, come to the box office 2 1/2 hours before showtime and submit your name for daily drawings of limited last-minute $25 orchestra seat tickets. Read our exclusive interview with former Atlanta actor Mark Jacoby, who plays the Wizard, here. Tues.-Sun. performances run through Oct. 9.

 

LIFE AND DEATH IN THE PYRAMID AGE: THE EMORY OLD KINGDOM MUMMY features the first public viewing in 50 years of the oldest Egyptian mummy in the Western Hemisphere, acquired from excavations at Abydos by Emory Theology Professor William A. Shelton in 1920. Watch for a Really Retro piece on this fascinating exhibit at Emory’s Michael C. Carlos Museum soon. Through Dec. 11, 2011.

Tune back in on Monday for This Week in Retro Atlanta. If you know of a cool happening coming up soon, send suggestions to ATLRetro@gmail.com.

 

Friday, Sept. 16

GSU’s Cinefest Film Theatre kicks off a three-day Femme Fatales Film Fest of fun exploitation flicks starring kickass ladies with MS. 45 (1981) at 9 p.m. A shy and mute seamstress goes insane after being attacked and raped twice in one day, in which she takes to the streets of New York after dark and randomly kills men with a .45 caliber gun.

Let the heathen be wakened and come out; It’s ROCKMAGEDDON AND B!TCHIN BURLESQUE at Smith’s Olde Bar. Rock out to the ISSUES, Asphalt Valentine and The Sexual Side Effects (read our Kool Kat with glam-orous Amber Taylor here) and cleav(age) your innocence as Mon Cherie Presents burlesque acts by New Orleans Jon, Stormy Knight, Katarina Laveaux,The Chameleon Queen, Scarlett Page and Lola Lesoleil. Also features a Rock N’ Roll Bazaar, The Final Battle Raffle and boobalicious cupcakes by The Sugar Dolls.

Though he has been described as “the premiere Atlantan with the vintage Chicagoan Blues sound,” those who have heard Rod Hamdallahknow that his unique and memorable musical style combines plenty of delta-blues, garage rock and even some country. Hear him for yourself tonight at The Five Spot & check out our Kool Kat of the Week feature on Rod here. Seminal ’80s proto-industrial band Swans return to rattle up Variety Playhouse. For a ’70s hot-blooded rock journey down memory lane, head toAaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood for a triple-header of Journey, Foreigner andNight Ranger.

Meanwhile, ’90s metalers Skid Row close out the Summer Rock Series atWild Bill’s in Duluth. Our newest blogger, Angelica Bakhsh, promises they’ll still rock your face off here. It’s monthly Salsa Night with Salsambo Dance Studio at Fernbank Museum of Natural History’s Martinis and IMAX. Monthly Friday Night Jazz at The High features the Gary Motley Quartet (free with museum admission & free to members), as well as a sneak peek performance of ALL BLUES, which has its world premiere at 7 Stages next week. The Breeze Kings bring on the blues at Fat Matt’s, and wild harmonica man Stoney Brooks is sure to geteveryone jitterbugging at Northside Tavern. CineProv! takes off on Tom Cruise ’80s military blockbuster TOP GUN at Relapse Theatre.

Saturday Sept. 17

GSU’s Cinefest Film Theatre continues its Femme Fatales Film Fest of fun exploitation flicks starring kickass ladies with LADY TERMINATOR (1985) at 5 p.m. and SAVAGE STREETS (1984) at 7 p.m. In the first, the spirit of an ancient evil queen posesses the body of a young anthropological student, who then goes on a murderous rampage. Then a teenage vigilante played by Linda Blair seeks revenge on a group of violent thugs who raped her handicapped sister and killed her best friend.

This weekend’s big music event is today’s East Atlanta Strut with five stages of live local music, including The BareKnuckle Betties (featuring Kool Kat Julea Thomerson), Jimmy Anderson Blues Band, Chicken and Pigs, blues and rock band The Stooge Brothers and the neo-glam Sexual Side Effects headlining the Earl Stage at 9 p.m. with special guest performers including Jade Lemons, Bucky Motter, Aileen Loy, fire dancing byLa CoCo Rouge and the go-go dancing Glam Squad (Alix Tichelman & Natalie Armstrong). But it’s not all about the bands, the day-long extravaganza also features the Imperial OPA Circus, a comedy stage, 5K run & walk, artists’ market, the Famous Strut Parade, free kids village, carnival stalls, bull ride, community booths, food and beverages. Funds raised benefit East Atlanta community projects and organizations.

Today also marks the first day of the weekend-long Atlanta Arts Festival at Piedmont Park. A revival of the old Fall Piedmont Arts Festivals, it’s ranked among the top 200 arts festivals in the nation, running from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and featuring over 200 artist vendors, artist demonstrations, live music, kids’ crafts, festival food and more. Also, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the 20th annual Marietta StreetFest celebrates the many antique shops and history of the Atlanta suburb with a Trash or Treasure antiques and artisan market, theHubcaps and History Classic Car Show, and free admission all day to the Marietta Museum of History. Proceeds benefit the latter.

Atlanta-based ’70s funk rock superstars Mother’s Finest play Wild Bill’s. Multiplatinum ’70s power ballad band Styx rocks Turner Field with a free concert after today’s Atlanta Braves vs. NY Mets game. Fans who want special access to the band can also purchase VIP Field Passes for $20 here. While we’re not sure if it’s Miller Time tonight, AM Gold (featuring our favorite bigfoot and area culinary connoisseur Jim Stacy) always takes us back to simpler rockin’ Top 40 days; hear ‘em at Highland Inn Ballroom.Always nice to see Col. Bruce Hampton still playing around town; tonight he’s atNorthside Tavern. And DJ Romeo Cologne transforms the sensationally seedy Clermont Lounge into a ’70s disco/funk inferno late into the wee hours.

Sunday Sept. 18

The Atlanta Arts Festival runs for its second day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Piedmont Park with bands including Zydeco T and The Whiskey Gentry. Vito plays blues “dunch” between 1-4 PM at The Earl. Snake Legs bring on the blues at Fat Matt’s. And GSU’s Cinefest Film Theatre concludes its Femme Fatales Film Fest of fun exploitation flicks starring kickass ladies with INVASION OF THE BEE GIRLS (1973) at 5 p.m. and NINJA III: THE DOMINATION (1984) at 7 p.m. In the first, a powerful cosmic force is turning Earth women into queen bees who kill men by wearing them out sexually. Then an evil ninja attempts to avenge his death from beyond the grave, by possessing an innocent woman’s body.

Just Opened

Ding-Dong the Wicked Witch is the Hero?! That’s the premise of the Broadway hit musical WICKED, an upside-down retelling of the 1939 movie version of THE WIZARD OF OZ. And we can’t think of a more magical place for the Broadway Across America touring production to stage it than 1929 movie palace the Fabulous Fox Theatre. If you’re on a budget, come to the box office 2 1/2 hours before showtime and submit your name for daily drawings of limited last-minute $25 orchestra seat tickets. Read our exclusive interview with former Atlanta actor Mark Jacoby, who plays the Wizard, here. Tues.-Sun. performances run through Oct. 9.

LIFE AND DEATH IN THE PYRAMID AGE: THE EMORY OLD KINGDOM MUMMY features the first public viewing in 50 years of the oldest Egyptian mummy in the Western Hemisphere, acquired from excavations at Abydos by Emory Theology Professor William A. Shelton in 1920. Watch for a Really Retro piece on this fascinating exhibit at Emory’s Michael C. Carlos Museum soon. Through Dec. 11, 2011.

Closing Soon

The Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA)‘s current exhibit WaterDream: The Evolution of Bathroom Design, runs through Sept. 24 in the dynamic new Midtown space. Displays take visitors through a four-part journey into the bathroom from the birth of minimalist aesthetics in 20th century design to current concepts.

Tune back in on Monday for This Week in Retro Atlanta. If you know of a cool Retro happening soon, send suggestions to ATLRetro@gmail.com.

Friday, Sept. 9

Blast-Off Burlesque launch their two-night World Tour tonight at 9 p.m. (doors at 8 p.m.) at 7 Stages. If you missed our exclusive Blast-Off Road Trips from Hell series, catch up with the first part here. The Beach Boys surf down into Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Solo artist Julie Dexter performs a variety of music from jazz to soul and beyond at Fernbank Museum of Natural History’s Martinis and IMAX. Big Mike and croons the classics at Ray’s on the River with the Kingsized Jazz Trio, Rich Rowlinson on piano and Father Tim Delaney on upright bass. Spanky & the Love Handles play funky dirty dance-able blues at Fat Matt’s, while the Hollidays are being soulful at Northside Tavern. Whiskey Belt honky-tonks it up at Hottie Hawg’s.

Atlanta-based director James Anthony Bickert’s biker/horror/sexploitation mash-up, “DEAR GOD NO!” was shot entirely on Super 16mm film, using practical effects, and limited to technology of the era that the film is set in. What could be more ’70s exploitation-inspired fun than rival biker gangs on a rape and murder find themselves battling a different enemy – a flesh-eating killing machine that lives in the forest! Anyway, this crazy (or crazed?) movie features a murder of local talent, including Shane Morton (Silver Scream Spookshow, Gargantua, Atlanta Zombie Apocalypse), Madeline Brumby (Silver Scream Spookshow, Dracula the Rock Opera), Jim Stacy (Palookaville, AM Gold, GET DELICIOUS!), Nick Morgan (Splatter Cinema), and many more. Catch its world premiere on the big screen at the Plaza tonight at 9:30 p.m.

Saturday Sept. 10

With 9-11 just a day away, show your support for our brave men and women overseas by jumping on your motorcycle or into your Mini-Cooper and joining PinUps for Soldiers’ Memorial Ride. Registration/breakfast begins at 10 a.m. at The American Legion Post 127, Buford, Georgia with the first bike/mini leaving out at 11:30am.  They also have the Armored Party Bus for those who want to participate but do not have a bike or a Mini-Cooper. Jason Lee and The Cyclones play at 5 p.m. Read more about PinUps for Soliders in this week’s Kool Kat feature on Dena Stahl here. Or support local heroic firefighters and police officers at Smyrna’s Heroes Gala & Auction, and enjoy live entertainment by Kingsized,the burlesque beauties of Dames Aflame and Wesley Cook, along with delicious food and both live and silent auctions!

The King of Pops serves up sweet old-fashioned ice-cold goodness under the marquee of The Plaza Theatre starting at 2:30 p.m. to celebrate an encore 35 mm screening of PEE WEE’S BIG ADVENTURE at 3 PM. Read our Retro Review by ATLRetro’s newest blogger Tom Drake here.

It’s the last big date of the season for the Atlanta Rollergirls as The Apocalypstix battle theDenim Demons in a 5 p.m. grudge match and then the Toxic Shocks take on the Sake Tuyas in the Champ bout at 7:30 p.m. at Yaarab Shrine Center.

Blast-Off Burlesque guide audiences on two more World Tour shows tonight taking off at 7:30 p.m. (doors at 6:30) and 10:30 p.m. (doors at 9:45 p.m.) at 7 Stages.

After the show, head to Masquerade for a sci-fi-themed Mon Cherie’s Rockabilly Lounge, featuring Psycho DeVilles, DJ Rev. Andy of Garage 71 spinning Psychobilly Freakout, jello shots from Mon Cherie’s Pin-Up Beauties and local burlesque stars Evil Sarah, The Chameleon Queen, Stormy Knight, Fonda Lingue and Scarlett Page.

And hell, yeah, it’s an all-star honky tonk/Retrobilly 80th Birthday Tribute to honor Country Music Legend George Jones Saturday night at Star Bar with Caroline & the Ramblers, The Stumblers, Ghost Riders Car Club, Slim Chance & the Convicts, Serenaders and Joel Burkhart. All proceeds benefit Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta.

Blues pianist Ike Stubblefield tickles the ivories at Northside Tavern.  Cazanovas bring Chicago style blues to Hottie Hawg’s BBQ. And DJ Romeo Colognetransforms the sensationally seedy Clermont Lounge into a ’70s disco/funk inferno late into the wee hours.

Paramount Theatre, Atlanta. Photo courtesy of Callanwolde.

Sunday Sept. 11

Hear about Atlanta’s long-gone magical movie palaces and neighborhood theaters, their organs and theatre organists of the 1920s, ’30s and ’40s in Pipes on Peachtree, a panel discussion featuring organ technician/historian John Tanner and Joe Patten, Atlanta’s Phantom of the Fox in the Retro setting of 1920 Gothic-Tudor mansion, Callanwolde Fine Arts Center at 3 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance & $12 in advance. For a sneak preview, check out our recent Kool Kat feature on Strand organist Ron Carter here. Also, The Washboard Confessional plays blues “dunch” between 1-4 PM at The Earl. Snake Legs bring on the blues at Fat Matt’s.

Radcliffe Bailey with "Bat"

Closes Sept. 11

RADCLIFFE BAILEY: MEMORY AS MEDICINE, the most comprehensive exhibition of the Atlanta artist’s works to date, runs through Sept. 11 at the High Museum of Art. Read more about the artist and this powerful exhibition in this Kool Kat.

JOHN MARIN’S WATERCOLORS: A MEDIUM FOR MODERNISM, a companion exhibit also at the High this summer through Sept. 11, surveys the work of the man named America’s number one artist in a 1948 LOOK magazine survey. While his name is not a household one today, this exhibition reminds us of his important place in the modernist movement and why watercolors became such a powerful instrument for avante-garde art in the hands of him and other artists in the Stieglitz Circle,including Georgia O’Keefe.

Closes Sept. 24

The Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA)‘s current exhibit WaterDream: The Evolution of Bathroom Design, runs through Sept. 24 in the dynamic new Midtown space. Displays take visitors through a four-part journey into the bathroom from the birth of minimalist aesthetics in 20th century design to current concepts.

Tune back in on Monday for This Week in Retro Atlanta If you know of a cool happening, send suggestions to ATLRetro@gmail.com.

 

Friday, August 26

Nophest 2011 rocks 529, The Earl and Joe’s in East Atlanta tonight from 7 p.m. on, including plenty of garage, blues, alt and bands with cool Retro-inspired names like Swank Sinatra and MataHaris. All-female Elvis tribute band The Pelvis Breastlies, Japanese-monster-inspired garage group Gargantua, hard rockers Ledfoot Messiah and whiskey-fueled rock rebels The Six Shot Revival make for a sizzling pop culture-fueled Friday night at the Star Bar. It’s the popular Tango Nightat Callanwolde. Come at 8 p.m. for lessons with Tango Rio, or at 9 p.m., just for a dance party in the vintage mansion.  The Breeze Kings bring on the blues at Fernbank Museum of Natural History’s Martinis and IMAX. The Rockaholics play blues, classic rock and soul at Fat Matt’s. Whiskey Belt honky-tonks it up at Hottie Hawg’s. CineProv! trips up THE RUNNING MAN, the 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger actioner based on a Stephen King novel, at Relapse Theatre.

GSU’s Cinefest celebrates its 20th anniversary with special screenings of two ’90s cult classics with plenty of Retro spirit, PULP FICTION and TRAINSPOTTING. Friday showtimes are 6:30 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. respectively.  DOCTOR ZHIVAGO graces the big screen at art-deco Marietta movie palace, the Earl Smith Strand Theatre.

Whiskey Belt.

Saturday August 27

Get outdoors and enjoy live music, vendors, Corks and Forks – A Fine Food and Wine Event, a 5K run and kids’ activities in one of Atlanta’s oldest parks during the 9th Annual Grant Park Summer Shade Festival. Sat. band highlights include one-of-a-kind ’60s/’70s/’80s AOR tribute band AM Gold at 7 p.m. and one of our favorite local country duos Whiskey Belt at 5:30 p.m.

V.A.M.P. it up at the Vintage Apparel Marketplace, a vendors showcase organized by Pony Up! Vintage from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Scott Lowden Photography Studio in Poncey-Highland. Good Food Truck will provide tasty vittles, and Sweet Darlin’ Photography will take vintage photos. Watch for a Shop Around preview with co-hostess Jacqueline Stringham soon.

H.P. Lovecraft meets Boris Karloff in DIE, MONSTER, DIE (1965), this month’s Silver Scream Spookshowcreature feature at the Plaza Theatre. OK, it’s light on the Lovecraft but this mad scientist tale of a radioactive meteorite that mutates plant and animal life is fiendish fun and a cult classic. Plus it’s preceded by 30 minutes by another of Ghost Host with the Most Professor Morte‘s horror-ifically humorous pre-shows. Be there or be scared. Kids under 12 get in free to the 1 p.m. matinee (adults only $7) or stay up late for the 10 p.m. adult show. Tune back later this week for our Retro Review by long-time Fangoriawriter Philip Nutman. Also screening today is a rare 35 mm print of 1970 horror cult classic EQUINOX at 3 p.m. at Cinefest, along with more 20th anniversary screenings of PULP FICTION and TRAINSPOTTING. And it’s one enchanted evening with SOUTH PACIFIC on the big screen at 8 p.m. at the Earl Smith Strand Theatre.

Nophest 2011 continues to rock 529, The Earl, Joe’s, and Eastside Lounge in East Atlanta today from 3 p.m. on, with more garage, blues, alt and more, including ATLRetro retrobilly faves The Serenaders (Joe’s, 5 p.m.). You don’t have to wait till Drive Invasion next weekend to party with that event’s most notorious cocktail-hounds. Trailer Vic’s Beach Party promises a tiki hut, rug-cutting good time at The Earl with multiple musical acts spanning a variety of Retro-groovy sounds, including rock to the max from The Booze, Goth-Rockabilly Troubadour sounds from Dan Sartain, local garage favorites Ghost Bikini, all-star Astro-chimp superstars The Disasternauts, surf sounds from Grinder Nova, Os Ossos playing next to a pool with actual beach sand in the parking lot behind, and more. Oh yeah, there’ll be cocktails. Pool opens at 2 p.m., bands start at 3 p.m.

Mudcat plays Northside Tavern.  Cazanovas bring Chicago style blues to Hottie Hawg’s BBQ. And of course, DJ Romeo Cologne transforms the sensationally seedy Clermont Lounge into a ’70s disco/funk inferno late into the wee hours.

Sunday August 28

Another great silent movie FLESH AND THE DEVIL (1926), starring Greta Garbo in her first American screen appearance, plays at the Earl Smith Strand Theatre. While not as big and ornate as the Fox, the Strand, built in 1935, nevertheless is another stunning art deco venue to see a classic film with its own Mighty Allen Theatre Organ and Ron Carter providing the score live. In fact, for preserving a 1920s tradition, Ron is this week’s Kool Kat.

Meanwhile, over at the Fabulous Fox, the Coca-Cola Summer Film Festival closes out with a 70th anniversary screening of the Orson Welles classic CITIZEN KANE at 7:30 p.m.; arrive by 7 p.m. not to miss the Mighty Mo organ singalong, cartoon and classic newsreel. The 9th Annual Grant Park Summer Shade Festival continues with Ghost Riders Car Club hitting the festival stage at 2 p.m. Read ATLRetro’s Feb. Kool Kat with Spike Fullerton here. Lots of other great local bands, so be sure to check the Website for the complete schedule. Whiskey Belt plays blues “dunch” between 1-4 PM at The Earl. Watch for his interview soon. Kevn Kinney, of Drivin n Cryin, plays a solo gig at Park Tavern.  Tony Bryant reps four generations of Georgia blues at Fat Matt’s.

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Friday, August 12

Hear some great garage rock and rockabilly, pose with a pin-up girl, see burlesque acts, win raffle prizes and support a great animal charity at Little Darling’s Pinups for Pitbulls Presents: Dog Days of Summer! starting at 8 p.m. at The Basement beneath Graveyard Tavern. Check out our first-ever Kool Kitten interview with April 2001 Pinups for Pitbulls Calendar model Brook Bolen here. Performers include ’60s girl group revivalists The F’n Heartbreaks (of which Brook is a bandmember) and The Hot Rod Walt Trio (read our Kool Kat interview with Hot Rod Walt here); local burlesque stars Talloolah Love, Barbalicious and Sadie Hawkins of Blast-Off Burlesque, and Pinups for Pitbulls charity-founder Little Darling herself!

It’s another honky tonk rockabilly Friday at Star Bar with Caroline & the Ramblers, Villain Family and The Serenaders. It’s also always good news to hear about a too-rare Subsonics show, so we’re happy to report Buffi Aguero & Co. will be garage-rockin’ it out at The Earl tonight with Carnivores and Howlies. Bela Fleck & the Flecktones and Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers are at Classic Chastain. Swing to jazz, earthy blues and a little rock n roll by vocalist Gwen Hughes and her band The Retro Jazz Kats at Callanwolde Jazz on the Lawn tonight. Catch an IMAX movie and dance to blues, jazz and a slight bit of funk courtesy of Derryl Rivers & the Flying Circus at Fernbank Museum of Natural History’s Martinis and IMAX.  Recent Kool Kat Julea Thomerson and the BareKnuckle Betties plays The Five Spot with Midnight Revival and Silent Coyote. And CineProv pokes good-natured fun at THE ROCKETEER at Relapse Theatre.

Saturday August 13

Yet another clone-worthy day and night in Retro Atlanta. It’s almost impossible to pick just one of the vintage wonderland of activities tonight. First, the good news is a couple of things are in the afternoon. Kids and their parents are in for tricks and treats as the Silver Scream Spookshow‘s Professor Morte teaches a Monster Make-Up Class at Main Street School of Art at 1 p.m. Learn how to turn your kid and you into a werewolf or zombie using classic monster movie make-up techniques from realistic bruises and oozing wounds to deathly ghoulish faces and how to apply latex and hair.

Meanwhile over at The Plaza Theatre, see Sergio Leone/Clint Eastwood classic Western THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. as it was meant to be seen in glorious widescreen 35 mm. The movie is the last and best part of Leone’s “Man With No Name” trilogy, which the Plaza has been screening throughout the summer. Hurray for AM1690 for sponsoring! Be sure to hang around, come early or just stop by The Plaza at 6:35 p.m., too, for COMING SOON TO A THEATRE NEAR YOU!, 35 min. of rare 35 mm trailers from Plaza Manager Ben Ruder‘s private collection. Admission for the latter is free, but donations to support the nonprofit theatre are encouraged.

The Derby Strikes Back as the Atlanta Rollergirls‘ four teams face-off in their annual play-offs. The Apocalypstix battle the Toxic Shocks at 5 p.m. while theDenim Demons get one more shot against the undefeated Sake Tukas at 7:30 p.m. Both bouts, as always, are at the Yaarab Shrine Center on Ponce, and advance tickets are recommended for these sure-to-sell-out matches. Arrive early to browse the cool vendors.

The King may have passed away from this earth on Aug. 16, 1977, but oh, does his spirit live on in ELVIS ROYALE, an annual Vegas-style multimedia extravaganza staged by KingSized and the Dames Aflame at Variety Playhouse. Hear the one-and-only Big Mike Geier sing songs from every point in Elvis’s career and experience the glittery Cavalcade of Elvis during the fabulous finale. Read our Kool Kat exclusive interview with Big Mike here.

BURLESQUE WITH A HITCH, the latest in Mon Cherie‘s Va-Va-Voom series at Masquerade, celebrates the genius of film director Alfred Hitchcock with each act based on a different film by the master. Alabaster JuJu stars, with master of suspense and mystery Miss Mason hosting, and the all-star line-up of performers includes Sadie Hawkins, Rebecca DeShon (Hoop Essence), Stormy Knight, Fonda Lingue, Evil Sarah, The Chameleon Queen, magician Chad Sanborn, Katarina Laveaux (Birmingham, AL), Nicolette Tesla (Charlotte, NC), and Peachz de Vine (Greensboro, NC). Before and after, DJ 313 spins alternative dance, Allison Kellar offers body-painting, and there’s also a RAWKIN’ RAFFLE with lots of vintage-inspired vendors donating prizes. Cover is a bargain 5 bucks, and doors open at 9 p.m. In suspense about what’s happening? Click here for a sneak preview of this Spellbound affair from Chad Sanborn.

It’s Man Day at Twain’s starting with first-come-first-serve manly tattoos at noon, but the main event gets rolling at 5 p.m. with a night of live music, manly competitions (examples include Handyman Challenge and Best Beer Gut), aerial dance performances by Blast-Off Burlesque‘s Sadie Hawkins, boob cupcakes by Sugar Dolls, the Wheel of Destiny and much more.

And that’s not to mention Big Bad Voodoo Daddy swinging with theAtlanta Symphony Orchestra at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre. Psycho

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.

DeVilles rockabilly it up at the world-famous Dixie Tavern in Marietta. Little Joey’s Big Band is at Fat Matt’s Rib Shack. Blues pianist extraordinaire Ike Stubblefield plays Northside Tavern. And of course, DJ Romeo Cologne transforms the sensationally seedy Clermont Lounge into a ’70s disco/funk inferno late into the wee hours.

Sunday August 14

Chickens and Pigs plays blues “dunch” between 1 and 4 PM at The Earl. The Whiskey Gentry bring their misfit country-to-punk twang to the Park Tavern Unplugged in the Park series at Piedmont Park. Tony Bryant reps four generations of Georgia blues at Fat Matt’s. And the Michael Hutchence-less INXS brings back the ’80s at Chastain Park Amphitheatre.

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Friday, August 5

All-time great wrestling promoter Jerry Jarrett will be at the Plaza Theatre to meet and greet, sign his recent book and introduce 7:30 p.m. screenings of MEMPHIS HEAT: THE TRUE STORY OF MEMPHIS WRASSLIN’ tonight, Saturday and Sunday. The new documentary tells the wild and wooly tale of mid-South wrestling, from the ‘50s carnival days of Sputnik Monroe and Billy Wicks to the raucous ‘70s and ‘80s with the rise of Jerry Lawler, Jimmy Hart and promoter Jarrett. Can’t make the 7:30 p.m. screening? It’s also on at 9:30 p.m. all three nights. Read an interview with Jarret by ATLRetro friend and Wrestling with Pop Culture blogger Jonathan Williams in this week’s Creative Loafing here.

Last February Atlantans had the marvelous macabre opportunity to get a sneak peek at HAUS VON DRACUL, the first act of DRACULA: THE ROCK OPERA, conceived by and starring Rob Thompson; performed by local talents such as Chris Love as Jonathan Harker and the Little Five Points Rockstar Orchestra; and featuring make-up and sets by Shane Morte of Silver Scream Spookshow fame. To refresh your memory, read ATLRetro’s feature on Love here and our review of the production at 7 Stages here. For just $15, you can support some of Atlanta’s top alternative talent in prepping this show for its world premiere next April, as well as scream to some one-of-a-kind performances tonight during Black Metal Burlesque: A Hell Raising Fundraiser at 7 Stages. A pre-party starts at 9 a.m., with show at 10 a.m. featuring performers from the show, the Little Five PointsRock Orchestra, The Chameleon Queen, body suspension by Loki Shane DeFriece, Macabre Puppets‘ Chris Brown (Scarlett’s Web) as Rotzo the Clown, and much more from body-painting to a raffle. For a scary sneak preview, check out our interview with Kool Kat of the Week actor/stuntman Justin Welborn here.

New York’s Felix and the Cats swing down to Fat Matt’s. Canadian rocker Bryan Adams takes audiences back to the ’80s in his Bare Bones Tour to Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater in Peachtree City. Rock further back to the ’70s with Revival: An Allman Brothers Experience with Lefty Williams and Benji Shanks at Vinyl at Center Stage. Catch an IMAX movie and listen to cool jazz and sexy soul by vocalist Sarah Belladae at Fernbank Museum of Natural History’s Martinis and IMAX.

Saturday August 6

Catch an opening reception for August and Everything After: A URBNPOP art show, a solo art show featuring the wonderfully quirky pop culture-inspired works of artist Chris Hamer at Rev Coffee (1680-B Spring Road, Smyrna, 30080) from 8 to 10 p.m. Read ATLRetro’s Kool Kat profile of Chris here.

Travel back to the late ’70s/early ’80s at Deja vu Discotheque – The Dance Party of the Decade, a reunion party for The Limelight, Atlanta’s Studio 54, at Center Stage tonight. In addition to grooving to favorite dance music of the era by original Limelight DJs, attendees will be treated to a recreation of the club’s spectacular Moving Lightshow and many other over-the-top experiences reminiscent of the legendary venue. Read our sneak preview with memories of the original Limelight from Scott Cloud and KP Hendry here. Doors open for VIPs at 8 p.m, general admission at 9 p.m., and a silent auction benefits the Starlight Children’s Foundation of Georgia. Tickets are available here.

Explore the dark side of the South via the soundtrack of the haunting Billie Holliday song in STRANGE FRUIT, a documentary directed by Joel Katz that weaves together jazz geneaology, biography, performance footage and the history of lynching, in the latest entry in the High Museum of Art‘s Radcliffe Bailey Film Series. Theophis “Thee” Smith, associate professor of religion at Emory, will lead a discussion following the 8 p.m. screening at the Woodruff Arts Center.

Ghost Riders Car Club headlines a very special Retro honky tonk evening at Star Bar with Anna Kramer & the Lost Cause, Andy Vaughn & the Driveline, and New Orleans’ Dirty Bourbon River Show. If you missed ATLRetro’s Kool Kat interview with GRCC’s Spike Fullerton, here’s a link. It’s a trilogy of rockin’ country ’70s-inspired fun when Gasoline Bros, Lo Country and AM Gold invade Vinyl. Steely Dan is at Classic Chastain. Maretta’s Dry White Toast plays funk rock at Fat Matt’s Rib Shack. Felix & the Cats swing over to Northside Tavern. And of course, DJ Romeo Cologne transforms the sensationally seedy Clermont Lounge into a ’70s disco/funk inferno late into the wee hours.

Sunday August 7

Interstate plays blues “dunch” between 1 and 4 PM at The Earl. One of the best alternative bands with its roots in the ’80s, The Goo Goo Dolls, play with Michelle Branch at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre. And ’70s rockets Steely Dan are at Classic Chastain. And don’t forget Jerry Jarrett and MEMPHIS HEAT at The Plaza! See Friday for details.

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Friday, July 29

Enjoy an evening of burlesque vignettes inspired by film noir detective films during Bellissitease: Femme Fatale at Bellissima tonight starting at 10 p.m. Performers include local stars The Chameleon Queen, Devin Liquor, Fonda Lingue, Blast-Off Burlesque‘s Sadie Hawkins and Talloolah Love, as well as DJ Doctor Q spinning noir and swinging tunes. Come dressed as a private dick or femme fatale and enjoy great music, food, pool table and tasty beverages, too.

Hometown favorites Drivin’ N’ Cryin’ rock the Buckhead Theatre, in celebration of the one year-anniversary of the reopening of that vintage venue, with Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit, Futurebirds and Jonny Corndawg. Cinderella makes for another hair-teasin’ metal ’90s nostalgiafest at Wild Bill’s in Duluth. The KingSized Trio jazzes up Ray’s on the River. Callanwolde’s Jazz on the Lawn goes more contemporary with Madoca & Company. Catch an IMAX movie and dance to jazz, blues, soul and New Orleans grooves performed by the MattWauchope Trio at Fernbank Museum of Natural History’s Martinis and IMAX. The wacky cast of Cineprov! get all personal and sharky with JAWS 4: THE REVENGE at 8 p.m. at Relapse Theatre. Shriek Movie Night screens THE DEVIL’S REJECTS, Rob Zombie’s twisted homage to ’70s horror exploitation flicks, at DooGallery at 10 p.m.

Chickasaw Mudd Puppies.

Saturday July 30

It’s great to see innovative Athens duo the Chickasaw Mudd Puppies back twangin’ and right on top of the rockin’ line-up for today’s Buckhead Music Festival at Buckhead Theatre. ATLRetro finds out how the eclectic band got started, where they’ve been all these years and what they have planned now that they’re back from extra-fun Kool Kat of the Week Brant Slay here. Other bands on the bill include The District Attorneys, Little Tybee, Abby Gogo, The Julia Dream, Eric Dodd Band, Tedo Stone and more.

Burt & the Bandits, the SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT tribute band founded by our very first Kool Kat Jon Waterhouse, barnstorms at the vintage Earl Strand Theatre. We caught up with Jon earlier this week to get the full scoop on this bandit’s run to Marietta and a sneak peek at their Drive Invasion plans here. Groove to The Booze as they channel a host of ’60s/’70s rockers from the Stones to Muddy Waters with their own contemporary twist at The Earl.The Hot Rod Walt Trio, Mystery Men? and Atomic Boogie play a rockabilly/surf/blues triple header at Five Spot. Read our recent Kool Kat with Hot Rod Walt here. Honky-tonk duo Whiskey Belt heads OTP to The Local at Sidelines in

Marietta. Grab your log and head to Noni’s for their Twin Peaks Mystery Third-Anniversary Gala. See if you can solve the mystery of who wrapped Laura Palmer in plastic among suspects ranging from Agent Dale Cooper to Andrew and the Disapyramids, featuring Kool Kat Joshua Longino.  The Hollidays bring a little soul to Fat Matt’s Rib Shack. And of course, DJ Romeo Cologne transforms the sensationally seedy Clermont Lounge into a ’70s disco/funk inferno late into the wee hours.

Sunday July 31

Callanwolde Fine Arts Center transports guests to a glittery night of vintage music and dance in Las Vegas in LandingStar performance ensemble’s CHRISTMAS IN JULY, followed by ballroom dancing led by ballroom choreographer, performer and Kool Kat David Spencer, in the mansion’s beautiful indoor courtyard. Tickets are just $20 and benefit annual Christmas at Callanwolde festivities.

The Barrow Boys play blues “dunch” between 1 and 4 PM at The Earl. It’s yo, ho-ho, a bottle of rum and Johnny Depp as PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES takes over the big screen at 2 p.m. at 1929 movie palace Fabulous Fox Theatre, part of the Coca-Cola Summer Film Festival. The Boxcars make it a bluegrass night at Eddie’s Attic. Fatback Deluxe play classic American blues, soul, rock n’ roll, R&B and jazz from the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s at Fat Matt’s Rib Shack.

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Friday, July 22

Dig out the glitter bodysuit and platform heels and get yourself down to The Masquerade for Gilded Trash, a glam rock theme party to be remembered featuring live music from The Sexual Side Effects, The Unsatisfied and Starbolt 9; classic hits from T. Rex & Bowie to Iggy & Eno; burlesque by The Chameleon Queen; the scandalous banter of Dax Exclamationpoint!; foot-pounding grooves by Glitterdome‘s DJ Tiny Tears; body-painting; gilded go-go dancers, glam-inspired art by Chris Buxbaum; glam-orous vendors; and much more. Get a sneak preview from Kool Kat of the Week Amber Taylor, show mastermind and vocalist/guitarist for The Sexual Side Effects here.

The Stumblers make it a rockabilly/Southern roots night in The Basement at Graveyard Tavern in East Atlanta. Read ATLRetro’s Extra Kool Kat of the Week interview with lead singer/rhythm guitarist Keith Martin here. Eighties multi-platinum heavy metal band Dokken rocks Wild Bill’s in Duluth. Country chanteuse Emmylou Harris plays Concerts in the Garden at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Rod Hamdallah is at Fat Matt’s. Callanwolde‘s popular Tango Night is back including introductory lessons in the sexy Argentine version from Tango Rio‘s expert instructors at 8 p.m., followed by an open tango dance party at 9:15 p.m. Catch an IMAX movie and dance to soulful jazz standards performed by The Kayla Taylor Quartet at Fernbank Museum of Natural History’s Martinis and IMAX. And last but not least, the wacky cast of Cineprov! bait and tackle Humanoids of the Deep, a sensationally schlocky 1980 horror flick about half-man/half-fish mutations starring then-hottie Doug McClure, at 8 p.m. at Relapse Theatre. Free admission if you wear a bathing suit!

Last but not least, a high school ritual gets an undead makeover in a ‘50s setting in ZOMBIE PROM, this weekend only at Fabrefaction Theatre. The girl-loves-ghoul rock ‘n’ roll off-Broadway musical is fun for the entire family and performed by actual high school students as the culmination of a two-week theatre education program. The opening night show is at 8 p.m., and additional performances are at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Sat. and 3 p.m. on Sun.

 

Saturday July 23

What’s that, Artie? A steampunk theme night with a Wild West twist? That’s the wild, wild premise behind The Artifice Club‘s Weird West Saloon, at The Solarium in Oakhurst. The frontier-inspired festivities begin at 5 p.m. with a Trading Post Market, with doors opening officially at 7 p.m. and entertainment lasting to midnight culiminating in an after-party at McGowan’s Oakhurst Pub. There will be gambling and a quick draw tournament to benefit the Dream Power Therapeutic Equestrian Center, and featured acts included Blair Crimmins and the Hookers (read an ATLRetro interview with Blair about this ’20s-ragtime-inspired band here), DJs Swivel and Doctor Q, emcee and sheriff comedienne Sabrina Pandora and a bevy of burlesque beauties…er sexy saloon dancing girls including, Fonda Lingue, Ruby Redmayne, Tupelo Honey and Talloolah Love, who treats you lucky ATLRetro readers to an exclusive preview here.

Americana classic Dex Romweber and sister Sara throw a party mix of originals and obscure nuggets from rock n roll’s dusty closets at the Star Bar for the release of the Dex Romweber Duo‘s latest album, IS THAT YOU IN THE BLUE. It only gets better with local rockabilly faves The Blacktop Rockets, classic rock-inspired The Booze and Chattanooga-based garage rock band The Bohannons also on the bill.

Meanwhile over at the Plaza, Blast-Off Burlesque are throwing a BEACH PARTY tonight for their third Taboo La-La sin-sational film series. Much more than a rare chance to see the classic 1963 frolic with Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello in 35mm on the big-screen, there’s a zany and sexy preshow featuring special guests Grinder Nova and The Chameleon Queen as the float-tastic Alotta Wood, as well as a Twist-Off Contest, a Hula Hoop Contest, and Twister games and beach party-inspired cupcakes from Atlanta’s own The Sugar Dolls, who were kind enough to serve up a tasty sneak preview of the treats they’ll be bringing here.

Eighties hit makers Huey Lewis and the News try to take you Back in Time to when it was Hip to Be Square at Classic Chastain. Capitol City Opera players sing Broadway standards in ON THE LIGHT SIDE, a themed night of lighter music that has become a 20-year tradition at the vintage Callanwolde mansion. The Reverb-O-Rockets deliver Chicago style-blues “straight, no chaser” at Fat Matt’s Rib Shack. And of course, DJ Romeo Cologne transforms the sensationally seedy Clermont Loungeinto a ’70s disco/funk inferno late into the wee hours.

Sunday July 24

Alick Gerard & the Dixie LTD play blues “dunch” between 1 and 4 PM at The Earl. Learn Beginning Vintage Hair Styling from award winning pin-up girl D’lilah D’lite from 1 to 3 p.m. at SpinARella Pole/Dance/Fitness. The class is part of the Syrens of the South‘s ABCs & 123s of Burlesque Class Series. GET DELICIOUS AGAIN at 8 p.m. at the Plaza Theatre as Jim Stacy (Palookaville, Starlight Drive-In, AM Gold, Greasepaint, etc.)  samples Atlanta’s Asian eateries in the latest installment of his unconventional culinary series serving up Atlanta’s Hidden Restaurant Treasures. If you can’t make thisFREE screening with special foodie guests, tune in or set your DVR to PBA 30 also at 8 p.m. Nature is Dangerous and It will Hurt You: A Benefit for Jessica Miller features some a great line-up of local blues and rockabilly bands, beer specials, Fat Matt‘s BBQ, raffle prizes and more from 2:30 p.m. to late at Blind Willie’s, including Bill Sheffield, Rocksploitation, Nat King Coal Miners, Bob Page and Co., The Shadows, Rod Hamdallah, Joe McGuiness Trio, The Electromatics, and The Stooge Brothers. Blair Crimmins and the Hookers headline Unplugged in the Park at the Park Tavern.

Ongoing

The latest revival of Tony Award-winning musical FIDDLER ON THE ROOF is at The Fabulous Fox through Sunday June 24.

VIDAL SASSOON: THE MOVIE not only chronicles the life of the rock star hairdresser/artist but also features lots of ’60s/’70s fashions and hair styles. Playing through Sun. July 31 at Cinefest.

At the High, RADCLIFFE BAILEY: MEMORY AS MEDICINE, the most comprehensive exhibition of the Atlanta artist’s works to date, opened last Sunday June 26 and runsthrough Sept. 11. Read more about the artist and this powerful exhibition that in last week’s Kool Kat. JOHN MARIN’S WATERCOLORS: A MEDIUM FOR MODERNISM, a companion exhibit also at the High this summer through Sept. 11, surveys the work of the man named America’s number one artist in a 1948 LOOK magazine survey. While his name is not a household one today, this exhibition reminds us of his important place in the modernist movement and why watercolors became such a powerful instrument for avante-garde art in the hands of him and other artists in the Stieglitz Circle,including Georgia O’Keefe.

MODERN BY DESIGN, the High‘s other Retro exhibition, celebrates three key moments in modern design and also the Museum of Modern Art, New York‘s (MOMA) collection history. The works on loan from MOMA cover “Machine Art” (1934), “Good Design” (1950-55) and “Italy: The New Domestic Landscape” (1972), with the latter addressing modernism in the context of 1960s and ’70s counterculture.

The Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA)‘s newest exhibit WaterDream: The Evolution of Bathroom Design, runs through Sept. 24 in the dynamic new Midtown space. Displays take visitors through a four-part journey into the bathroom from the birth of minimalist aesthetics in 20th century design to current concepts.

Get a rare chance to view original manuscript pages from the last four chapters of ATLANTA’S BOOK: THE LOST GONE WITH THE WIND MANUSCRIPTat the Atlanta History Center. The new exhibit, which opens today and runs through Sept. 5, is part of a series of activities celebrating the 75th anniversary of the publication of the international bestseller and also includes foreign and first edition copies, the desk Margaret Mitchell used while writing it and select images.

Tune back in on Friday for Weekend Update. If you know of a cool happening that we’ve missed, send suggestions to ATLRetro@gmail.com