ATLRetro

Some great live music and beautiful babes who like to dance, skate and kill. That’s what this May weekend is all about.

Friday, May 20

Iconic ’80s alternative and psychedelic rock band The Flaming Lips are back for a second night at The Tabernacle. ATLRetro faves and self-described ragtime/vaudeville wild cats Blair Crimmins & the Hookers promise a late-night anything goes show at529. Joe Gransden swings at Friday Jazz at theHigh Museum of Art. Spice up your dancing with sassy Latin rhythms during Salsa Night Featuring Salsambo Dance Studio at Fernbank Museum of Natural History’s Martinis and IMAX. Or relive those heady John Hughes-movie high school days you never had at the Decatur Adult Promfrom 8 PM to midnight at the Solarium in Oakhurst. Featuring a DJ, disco ball, Victory beer, spiked punch, photography and hopefully no pig blood.

Saturday May 21

Choose between two big music festivals during another Saturday jam-packed with Retro fun. The dead won’t literally be singing Tunes From the Tombs at Oakland Cemetery, or at least the living are telling us it’ll be a wide variety of bands and solo artists serving up a mix of rock, folk, Americana, jazz, classical and everything in between at four stages throughout the graveyard. Saturday highlights that may be familiar to ATLRetro readers include redneck underground founding fathers Slim Chance & the Convictsat 4:30 PM, soulful and jazzy Abby Wren and What It Is at 2 PM, Jim Stacy’s new band AM Gold at 5:30 PM.

Burt and the Bandits.

Saturday afternoon at the 8th annual East Atlanta Beer Festival in Brownwood Park, sample over 150 craft beers, taste good food from grilled cheese to beer ice cream, and listen to rockin’ good music such as the world premiere of Burt and the Bandits, a SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT tribute band fronted by the multitalented Jon Waterhouse and featuring this week’s Kool Kat Barb “Barbilicious” Hays.

As night falls, so rise the femme fatales. The sexy nonprofit Pin Ups for Soldiers bare just enough and sell some calendars to raise money for care packages for the troops in Afghanistan and Iraq at the Edgewood Corner Tavern‘s Armed Forces Day celebration. The bar’ll also be donating a buck for every PBR can and Yuengling draft sold. Burlesque sensation Talloolah Lovecelebrates the exotic movements that started her love of dance during Arabian Nights featuring bellydance workshops and performances, hookah lounge, drum circle, henna art, and delicious Mediterranean treats at Bart Webb Studios in Avondale Estates.

Beware the cutest kittens have the sharpest claws. Blast-Off Burlesque salutes Tura Satana and bad girls everywhere with a screening of the 1965 cult classicFASTER, PUSSYCAT! KILL! KILL! in their second bimonthly Taboo La-La at the historic Plaza Theatre. For a sneak preview, read ATLRetro’s exclusive interview with this week’s Kool Kat Barbilicious and the Retro Review by Mark Arson, but in the exploitation spirit, the pre-show wild antics include a Tura Satana costume contest, beefcake contest for guys, all-girl arm wrestling, live music by Grinder Nova, a chance to leave an offering at the Tura Satana shrine, a silent auction of Tura art and memorabilia to raise money for Varla Films to help complete a documentary on the recently deceased actress, and super special prizes and surprises.

For those ready to relive those heady hardcore skatepunk/thrash metal days DRI (Dirty Rotten Imbeciles) are at The Masquerade. Still with the band from the original line-up are vocalist Kurt Brecht and guitarist Spike Cassidy. And it’s the monthly bout night for the Atlanta Rollergirls at the Yaarab Shrine Center, the all-star Dirty South Derby Girls thrash it out with Knoxville’s Hard Knox Roller Girlsat 5 PM, and the Apocalypstix face off against the Sake Tuyas at 7:30 PM.

Sunday May 22

Oakland Cemetery‘s Tunes from the Tombs continues with another full day of live music on four stages, including Atlanta rockabilly favorites Blacktop Rockets at 1 PM, beach pop band The Mermaids at 4 PM, and many more. Wormwood headlines blues “dunch” between 1 and 4 PM at The Earl.

Closing this weekend

It’s the final weekend of SCARLETT’S WEB, mad puppeteer Chris Brown‘s twisted puppet musical retelling of a familiar children’s story at Dad’s Garage. You’ll still root for a certain chatty spider and a pensive pig who is a farm girl’s best friend, but let’s just say, this time there will be blood. Never mind, it’s all in fun and definitely recommended only for anyone old enough to appreciate adult humor. Fri. and Sat. night at 8 p.m. through May 21.

The Age of Aquarius rises through Sun. May 22 as HAIR: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical finishes up a week long run at the 1929 Fabulous Fox Theatre. The legendary hippie rock opera follows a group of hopeful free-spirited young people as they explore sexual identity, challenge racism, experiment with drugs and burn their draft cards. This production won a 2009 Tony Award for Best Musical Revival. Read ATLRetro’s interview with actress Allison Guinn here.

Ongoing

At the High Museum of Art through May 29 is the MOMA-organized HENRI CARTIER-BRESSON: THE MODERN CENTURY, a blockbuster exhibit showcasing a photographer and photojournalist who captured on film many of the seminal moments  of the 20th century from World War II to the assassination of Ghandi, China’s cultural revolution to civil rights and consumer culture in America.

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

It’s only bad luck if you stay home on Friday the 13th, but Saturday is another of those Retro-crazy days full of tough choices. ATLRetro is terrifyingly torn between doing the zombie, rockabilly and ROCK ‘N’ ROLL HIGH SCHOOL

Friday, May 13

For Whom The Ramones Toll. Read the Mark Arson’s review to find out why you shouldn’t miss one of two screenings of cult favorite ROCK N ROLL HIGH SCHOOL, this month’s  Art Opening & A Movie,  at the Plaza Theatre. Since ROCKY HORROR is downstairs in the main theatre, tonight’s midnight show will be in the more intimate upstairs screening room, but we’re certain there will be plenty of screamin’ as  #1 Ramones fan Riff Randall (PJ Soles) and mouse-loving music teacher Mr. McGree (Paul Bartel) declare school’s out to no-fun Principal Togar (Mary Woronoff). And you get a chance to see some groovy artwork by ATLRetro featured artists Derek Yaniger, Chris Hamer and more of Atlanta’s best pop culture artists.

Indie alt-rock bands Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven play the art deco built-in-1931 Buckhead Theatre. Redneck underground favorites Slim Chance & the Convicts team up with the alt-country Wheel Knockers for a no-cover show celebrating their new EP release and to say farewell to their bass player at Milltown Arms Tavern in Cabbagetown. Chanteuse Julie Dexter sings jazz and soul at Fernbank Museum of Natural History’s Martinis and IMAX.

Saturday May 14

Celebrate the 75th anniversary of the publication of the book GONE WITH THE WIND from 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM at the Margaret Mitchell House in Midtown. Experience 150 years of history with this special program which delves into the entire GWTW story, including Civil War soldiers fighting the Battle of Atlanta, the city in the 1920s when Margaret Mitchell wrote the book, and the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel’s lasting legacy. The all-day event is part of a yearlong Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With the Wind 75th Anniversary Celebration series by the Atlanta History Center.

Check out this week’s Kool Kat for a sneak peek into one of the gardens of several privately-owned historic homes featured in the Artful Garden Tour, benefiting the High Museum of Art, from 10 AM to 5 PM. Gardens are located in Loring Heights, Druid Hills, Peachtree Battle, Buckhead and Ansley Park and local artists will be working on or showcasing their art in each location.

Blair Crimmins.

From 1 PM to Midnight, eat smoked pork sandwiches and listen to some of Atlanta’s best bands at Twain’s during the 3rd annual SpringFest benefiting The Atlanta Community Food Bank. Early on it’s family time with DJ Amy Handler of AM 1690’s The Kids Are Alright and the Imperial Opa dazzling with circus antics until 2:30. Then bands takeover including The Shathouse Rats, beach music-inspired The Mermaids, soul/funk/blues performers Amy Wren and What It Is, ’20s ragtime revivalists Blair Crimmins and the Hookers (read ATLRetro’s interview with Blair here), and Gentleman Jesse and His Men.

Help recreate George Romero‘s 1968 classic, NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, in Virginia-Highland by joining the second annual Zombie Pub Crawl. Get to Diesel between 4-7 PM to have professional make-up artists from Atlanta’s top Halloween attractions Chambers of Horror, Atlanta Zombie Apocalypse and Netherworld apply your make-up or get a 10% discount at Norcostco/Atlanta Costume to do your own. Sponsors include Splatter Cinema/Gorehound Productions, Jagermeister, Red Bull and Sam Adams.

Have a spanking good time at Mon Cherie’s Rockabilly Lounge at The Masquerade with Hard Luck and Trouble, Rev. Andy spinning Psychobilly Freakout, a burlesque show benefiting Burlesque Hall of FameLegends, a Ragin’ Rockabilly Raffle and free shots of that ultimate Retro delicacy, Jello! Be sure to wish Mon Cherie “Happy Birthday.”

Catch a 9:30 PM encore screening of ROCK N ROLL HIGH SCHOOL at The Plaza. Bon Jovi rocks Philips Arena. Legendary keyboardist Ike Stubblefield is at Northside Tavern tonight. DJ Romeo Cologne transforms the sensationally seedy Clermont Lounge into a ’70s disco/funk inferno.

Sunday May 15

Washboard Confessional headline blues “dunch” between 1 and 4 PM at The Earl.

Ongoing

Leave it to the mad geniuses at Dad’s Garage to transform a beloved children’s classic into a bloody puppet musical. SCARLETT’S WEB features all your favorite characters from Wilbur the pig to Templeton the rat but adds some splattery special effects. Never mind, it’s all in fun though, they say, and definitely recommended only for anyone old enough to appreciate adult humor. Thurs., Fri. and Sat. nights at 8 p.m. extended through May 21.

At the High Museum of Art through May 29 is the MOMA-organized HENRI CARTIER-BRESSON: THE MODERN CENTURY, a blockbuster exhibit showcasing a photographer and photojournalist who captured on film many of the seminal moments  of the 20th century from World War II to the assassination of Ghandi, China’s cultural revolution to civil rights and consumer culture in America.

For more weekend fun, tune back in on Friday for ATLRetro Weekend Update. If you know of a cool happening we’ve missed, send suggestions to ATLRetro@gmail.com.

T.G.I.F. and here’s why this week…

Friday, May 6

Relive ’80s memories with Australian pop singer Kylie Minogue at the Fox Theatre. Breeze Kings make it a blues night and Swing-Out Atlanta provides free swing dance lessons at Fernbank Museum of Natural History’s Martinis and IMAX.

Saturday May 7

It’s Art B Que time again on and around Franklin Street in Avondale Estates. Starting at 11 AM, browse artist booths, sample BBQ from multiple vendors, and listen to live music. Saturday Band line-up includes Noot d’Noot; AM Gold; Tiger! Tiger!; Underhill Rose; High Strung String Band; Muleskinner MacQueen Trio; Jackwagon; Caroline & the Ramblers; and Stagefright. Stay late for fire circus madness with Imperial Opa Circus & Band.

Cowabunga, dude! THE TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES are back again for a 3 PM matinee at the Plaza Theatre. Read Mark Arson’s review of the original 1990 movie starring Elias Koteas here and see the trailer here. Atlanta blues band Breeze Kings is back at Northside Tavern. DJ Romeo Cologne transforms the sensationally seedy Clermont Lounge into a ’70s disco/funk inferno.

Sunday May 8

Art B-Cue revs up again at noon with today’s band line-up including Nine Inch Neils; Worthless Son-In-Laws; Possum Jenkins; Smokey’s Farmhouse; and Jennifer Teeter. Spanky and the Love Handles headline blues “dunch” between 1 and 4 PM at The Earl. At night, catch Slim Chance & the Convicts, with The Dixie Bee-Liners, at Eddie’s Attic.

Ongoing

Leave it to the mad geniuses at Dad’s Garage to transform a beloved children’s classic into a bloody puppet musical. SCARLETT’S WEB features all your favorite characters from Wilbur the pig to Templeton the rat but adds some splattery special effects. Never mind, it’s all in fun though, they say, and definitely recommended only for anyone old enough to appreciate adult humor. Thurs., Fri. and Sat. nights at 8 p.m. extended through May 21.

At the High Museum of Art’through May 29 is the MOMA-organized HENRI CARTIER-BRESSON: THE MODERN CENTURY, a blockbuster exhibit showcasing a photographer and photojournalist who captured on film many of the seminal moments  of the 20th century from World War II to the assassination of Ghandi, China’s cultural revolution to civil rights and consumer culture in America.

Tune back in on Monday for ATLRetro Weekend Update. If you know of a cool vintage-themed happening coming up, send suggestions to ATLRetro@gmail.com.