ATLRetro

Monday Sept. 12

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.

Tuesday Sept. 13

See horror icon Vincent Price in his most sadistic role in WITCHFINDER GENERAL (aka THE CONQUEROR WORM), this month’s Splatter Cinema at Plaza Theatre. Arrive early at 9 p.m. for the usual free photo-op in an unbelievably realistic recreation of a scene from the movie; showtime for the rare opportunity to see the 1968 fright feature in a 35mm print on the big screen is at 9:30 p.m., including incredible classic horror trailers. Read our Retro Review by Philip Nutman here.

Grab your horn and head to Twain’s in Decatur for a Joe Gransden jazz jam session starting at 9 PM. Fedora Blues is at Fat Matt’s Rib Shack. Notorious DJ Romeo Cologne spins ‘70s funk and disco at 10 High in Virginia-Highland. Catch Tues. Retro in the Metro nights at Midtown’s Deadwood Saloon, featuring video mixes of ’80s, ’90s and 2Ks hits.

Wednesday Sept. 14

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 which starts a nearly month-long run today. And we can’t think of a more magical place for the touring production to stage 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 (Tues.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 6:30 p.m. & matinees Sat at 2 p.m. & Sun. at 1 p.m.) 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.

Gunslinger UK broke up in the early ’80s but are back in a new incarnation led by original bassist Alan Davey, who went on to play for over two decades with Hawkwind, and playing The Masquerade tonight. Get ready to rumba, cha-cha and jitterbug at the weekly Swing Night at Graveyard Tavern. The Hollidays bringing some soul to 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 presented by Godiva Vodka, at Pub 71 in Brookhaven.

Thursday  Sept. 15

The gorgeous goddesses of Minette Magnifique present MARCH OF THE MUSES: A BURLESQUE INSPIRATION, a mythology-themed show fit for Zeus, the King of the Greek Gods. Rumor has it he looked down from Mount Olympus, took his mighty staff and with thunder decreed: “The House of Minette shall build a shrine to the Muses filled with dancing, singing, poetry comedy and, OF COURSE, beautiful boobies to make Hera jealous and Aphrodite proud!” Who are they but not to defy the Supreme Ruler of the Gods? This sexy insurrection takes place at the Warren City Club at 818 Highland Ave., doors 8 p.m., Act I at 9 p.m. and Act 2 at 10:15 p.m. If you missed them, catch up on our Kool Kats on Minette’s Madame Willey here and Baroness VonSchmalhausen here.

Roger Daltrey performs The Who‘s TOMMY live at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park in Alpharetta. Go Retro-Polynesian to Tongo Hiti’s luxurious live lounge sounds, as well as trippy takes on iconic pop songs, every Thurs. night at Trader Vic’s. Honky tonk it with Whiskey Belt who continue their all-September Thursday night free gigs at Kathmandu Kitchen(formerly Pho Truc) in Clarkston. Party ‘70s style with DJ Romeo Cologne at Aurum Lounge. Breeze Kings & Chickenshack bring on the blues respectively at Northside Tavern and Fat Matt’s Rib Shack.

Friday, Sept. 16

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.

Skid Row. Photo courtesy of Skid Row.

Though he has been described as “the premiere Atlantan with the vintage Chicagoan Blues sound,” those who have heard Rod Hamdallah know 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 to Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood for a triple-header of Journey, Foreigner and Night Ranger. Meanwhile, ’90s metalers Skid Row close out the Summer Rock Series at Wild 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.

Bareknuckle Betties

Saturday Sept. 17

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 by La 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, the Hubcaps 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 at Northside 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.

Just Opened

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