ATLRetro

Monday March 12

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 13

Splatter Cinema opens the door to Lucio Fulci’s THE BEYOND (1981) at the Plaza Theatre at 9:30 p.m. Read Philip Nutman’s Retro Review of this over-the-top cult classic here. Legendary Jamaican ska band Toots & the Maytals groove at The Masquerade.  Jane’s Addiction rocks The Tabernacle. Davina & the Vagabonds bring a fresh spin to jazz swing at Smith’s Olde Bar with Brighter Than A Thousand Suns and Dan Coyle. 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 14

“Spacey, spooky and stripped-down…their songs bring to mind the freakish contents of Victorian curiosity cabinets and would make for a great soundtrack to the most adorable little taxidermy shop you’ve ever seen,” writes Garrett Weindorf (Urban Tulsa Weekly). With a quote like that, we’re kind of intrigued by Daymoths in a Really Retro and totally now way. They’re playing Drunken Unicorn tonight with the Memes and Pink Pompeii, who are one of those bands who can rock a cello. John Hiatt and Lyle Lovett team up at Symphony Hall. 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 15

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 Cazanovas play the blues at Darwin’s Blues and Burgers. The Breeze Kings and Chickenshack bring on the blues respectively at Northside Tavern and Fat Matt’s Rib Shack. Larry Keel & Natural Bridge  jam at Red Light Café’s weekly Bluegrass Thursday.

Friday, March 16

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra performs BOND AND BEYOND— a spy-themed program featuring a variety of James Bond themes in addition to classic songs from other spy films —  tonight and Saturday night at 8 p.m., in Atlanta Symphony Hall at the Woodruff Arts Center. Debbie Gravitte provides the vocals. Watch out for our Kool Kat interview with Principal Pops Conductor Michael Krajewskisoon!

Another weekend, another con rolls into Atlanta. This time, it’s Japanese anime/comics/costume fest MomoCon at the Marriott Marquis. The Plaza Theatre kicks off a week-run of VIGILANTE VIGILANTE (2011), a documentary about  a new breed of crime-fighter – the anti-graffiti vigilante.  These dedicated blight-warriors stop at nothing to rid their neighborhoods and cities of street art,

The F'n Heartbreaks. L-R: Brook Bolen, Stephanie Hudson, Carrie Manuel. Photo courtesy of the F'n Heartbreaks..

stickers, tags, and posters. The 7:30 sceening will include a panel discussion with director Max Good, producer Nate Wollman, and Atlanta street artists Hense and Michi Meko! The After School Special edition of Contraband Cinema features 16mm films rescued from the past, as well as advice on smoking, driving, dating and proper female hygiene; a short review on the new book Learning With The Lights Off, and a brand new film by Christopher Childs and Krista Strobel on the role of film archives today.  Come to the Ponce de Leon Library branch at 7:30pm for films, pre-school snacks, pop quizzes, book discounts and prizes! It’s another rockin’ night at Star Bar with a great line-up including The El Caminos; Jade Lemons & The Crimson Lust; The F’n Heartbreaks (featuring Kool Kat Brook Bolen); and Little 5 Points Rockstar Orchestra. Colin Hay, the former lead singer of Australian hit ’80s band Men At Work, rocks solo at Variety Playhouse. Melding brass with banjo, guitar, bass and drums, eclectic Greensboro, N.C. quintet Holy Ghost Temple Revival is at The Earl with Abby Wren & What It Is. Fat Back Deluxe blues it down at Fat Matts Rib Shack. The Last Waltz Ensemble channel The Band at Smith’s Olde Bar. Spice things up with sassy Latin rhythms including Salsa, Merengue, Cha-Cha-Cha, and Bachata during Salsa Night with Salsambo Dance Studio at Fernbank Museum of Natural History’s Martinis and IMAX. In the spirit of St. Paddy’s Day, Cineprov! makes green jest of LEPRECHAUN IN THE HOOD (2000) at Relapse Theatre. Stoney Brooks brings on the blues at Northside Tavern.

Saturday, March 17 St. Patrick’s Day

The Star Bar  throws an all-day St. Pat’s Day Party starting at 1 p.m., live music by Andrew and the Disapyramids (featuring Kool Kat Joshua Longino) and Fishhawk starts at 10 p.m. Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day Texarcana style with Burt and the Bandits, everybody’s favorite SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT tribute band featuring Kool Kats Jon Waterhouseand Barb Hays, at House of the Rock, 731 Peachtree St. Facebook event page here. Hot Rod Walt and the Psycho-Devilles rockabilly it St. Paddy’s style at Irish Bred in Douglasville. Little G. Weevil brings on the St. Paddy’s blues at Darwin’s Blues and Burgers. Spanish Harlem Orchestra jazzes up The Rialto. Soul Rebels Brass Band plays Smith’s Olde Bar.

For those more into Japanese anime than Irish green beer, MomoCon continues downtown at the Marriott Marquis. The Atlanta Rollergirls  have their second bout of the season, as always, at the Yaarab Shrine Temple. At 5 p.m., the recently-victorious Denim Demons battling the ladies in green, the Toxic Shocks. Will the luck of the Irish be with the Shocks? Or will the Demons’ winning momentum prove to be unstoppable? Then, stay put for bout two at 7:30 p.m., when the Rumble Bs take on Gainesville’s Roller Rebels. The Bs have a whole new roster and and have been practicing harder than ever. Will they send the Roller Rebels packing and win?  The High Museum of Art continues its MOMA movie series with showings of a 35 mm print of FOLLOW THE FLEET (1936), the fifth on-screen pairing of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, 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 18

Rise and dine with Chicken & Pigs at 1 p.m. dunch at The Earl. Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band rock Philips Arena. Gwen Hughes joins The Trio to jazz up The Family Dog. Tony Bryant brings on the blues at Fat Matt’s, and Uncle Sugar blues it down at Northside Tavern.

Ongoing

7 Stages presents 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.

Broadway musical BILLY ELLIOTT, based on the movie about the motherless boy who trades boxing gloves for ballet shoes with music by Elton John,  plays the Fabulous Fox Theatre this week through Sun. March 18.

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.