ATLRetro

Monday April 2

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. 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, April 3

Grab your horn and head to Twain’s in Decatur for a Joe Gransden jazz jam session starting at 9 p.m. JT Speed rock the blues at Fat Matt’s Rib Shack. Nathan Nelson & Entertainment Crackers blues it down at Northside Tavern. 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, April 4

The long-awaited Stephen King-John Mellencamp collaboration GHOST BROTHERS OF DARKLAND COUNTY premieres at the Alliance Theatre. Feel for Chaka Khan at Cobb Energy Centre. Get ready to rumba, cha-cha and jitterbug at the weekly Swing Night at Graveyard Tavern. The Hollidays bring some soul to 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 April 5

Nervous Curtains, featuring our Kool Kat of the Week Sean Kirkpatrick, delivers post-punk synth rock, inspired by the likes of Magazine and John Foxx-era Ultravox, to Drunken Unicorn, along with Aku You and Featureless Ghost. The Star Bar hosts a five-band punk/garage blow-out including The Husseins and Ghost Bikini.  The Martans deliver New Orleans funk, Memphis soul and Atlanta originals at Twain’s. 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. Sourwood Honey with Skipperdees  jam at Red Light Café’s weekly Bluegrass Thursday.

Friday, April 6

Mon Cherie invites you to spend the night  at her Va-Va Voom  Pajamas & Pillow Fight Burlesque Show at The Shelter. Strut your PJs and lingerie, bring your pillow and your binky and see performances by Katarina Laveaux, Scarlett Page, New Orleans Jon, Hada Pixie, Katy Malmquist and more. Or try your luck in the Lullaby Raffle. In between sets, DJ 313 & Jennocide spin alternative faves.

All’s good in the world knowing Dash Rip Rock  are still playing around. Hear ’em at Smith’s Olde Bar tonight. After a passionate performance at AnachroCon in Feb., Frenchy & the Punk bring their Bohemian Rhapsodies to FroliCon tonight at Sheraton Gateway. If you missed our recent feature on this dynamic duo, read it here. Saxophonist Traci Wynn provides the jazz soundtrack for Fernbank Museum of Natural History’s Martinis and IMAX.

Saturday, April 7

Celebrate one of Atlanta’s favorite alt-culture hangouts The Highlander’s 20th Anniversary Party. We hear Super X-13 is going to play so you know it’s gonna rock you like kaija eigu, and Bigfoot and Red Rocket Deluxe are also on the menu. But to make it an even tougher call what to do on the eve of Easter, the Star Bar and Rev. Andy of Garage71.com is hosting Hot Rod Walt and the Psycho-DeVilles‘ release party for their new ROCKABILLY RODEO CD. Six bands will play including the Psycho-DeVilles, of course; Skinny Jim and the #9 Blacktops (Detroit); The Crestliners (Florida); Mog Rocket, Whiskey Belt and an Atomic Rockets reunion. Plus Hot Rod Walt will be giving away one of his hand-pinstriped guitars!

Ike Stubblefield plays the blues at Northside Tavern. Joe Gransden and Kenny Banks play jazz standards at the Loews Atlanta Hotel, starting at 7 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.

Easter Sunday, April 8

Rise and dine with Spanky & the Love Handles at 1 p.m. dunch at The Earl. Joe Gransden jazzes up the St. Regis Hotel from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Fatback Deluxe bring on the blues at Fat Matt’s, and Uncle Sugar blues it down at Northside Tavern.

Ongoing

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.