Posted on:
Apr 15th, 2011 By:
Anya99
Friday, April 15
The 75th annual Dogwood Festival begins at noon at Piedmont Park including a large juried fine arts market, continuous live music including New Orleans-style blues from Swamp Funk Quartet at 3:40-4:30 pm, kid’s village, food vendors, Friends of Dogwood tasting pavilion, rides on the vintage Seattle Wheel (read ATLRetro’s preview here), built for the 1963 Seattle World’s Fair, and a classic 1965 carousel, and more. Also happening this weekend is Sweetwater 420 Fest in Candler Park, also featuring an artists’ market and plenty of live music acts, including the Gimme Hendrix Band at 5:20 PM.
The Atlanta Braves celebrate Jackie Robinson Night in honor of the 64th anniversary of the legendary player’s debut in Major League Baseball, breaking the color barrier, with a pre-game reception and on-field ceremony featuring Hank Aaron before 
tonight’s game against the New York Mets. Rockabilly queen Wanda Jackson holds court at The Loft, while contemporary Atlanta rockabilly band Psycho Devilles descends into The Basement at 1245 Joseph Street. Danish duo The Raveonettes, at The Masquerade tonight, blend ’60s beat with ’80s alt-garage for a sound both Retro and original. Eighties alt-rockers Toad the Wet Sprocket hit Variety Playhouse. The Hollidays bring rhythm and soul to Sidelines in Marietta. Salsambo Dance Studio unleashes some Latin heat at Fernbank Museum of Natural History’s Martinis and IMAX. Joe Gransden and Kenny Banks jazz up The Mansion on Peachtree. Saxophonist Brian Hogans headlines Friday Jazz at The High Museum of Art, including full gallery access (see ongoing for current exhibits) and a cash bar. Or go really retro with the Atlanta Opera‘s COSI FAN TUTTE at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. In Mozart’s comedic masterpiece, two Italian officers boast of their fiancees’ faithfulness, only to have a clever friend put it to the test.
Saturday April 16
Vinyl-lovers rejoice! Today is Record Store Day so be sure and support your local indie record store, even if you decide to buy a CD! Decatur CD celebrates with sales, Community BBQ sliders, free beer, concert ticket giveaways, and Atlanta’s own King of Pops with scrumptious freshly made popsicles outside after 2 PM (weather permitting)! Other great Atlanta and Athens indie music shops will host their own celebrations, so get yourself to Fantasyland Records, Wax n’ Facts (live music), Wuxtry (live bands at the Athens location), Criminal Records (live music) and Full Moon Records.
The 75th annual Dogwood Festival continues all day at Piedmont Park including rockin’ blues from Lefty Williams at 5 PM and outrageous ragtime from Blair Crimmins & the Hookers at 6:30 PM. Read ATLRetro’s interview with Blair here. Meanwhile at Sweetwater 420 Fest, catch 7 Walkers featuring Bill Kreutzman of The Grateful Dead at 4:50-6:30 PM.
Mon Cherie’s The Chamber Reunion transports attendees back to Atlanta’s notorious ’90sGoth/Industrial/fetish club with live fetish performances, burlesque/Boi-Lesque, aerial feats, go-go dancers, drag skits, body paint, a chocolate bar and more surprises to tickle your fancy tonight at The Masquerade from 9 AM late into the night. Mon Cherie provides an exclusive preview as this week’s Kool Kat.
On any other night, The Chamber Reunion would win hands down the most exotic extravaganza in town, but tonight isn’t any other night. Creative competition comes from The Artifice Club, which presents The Clockwork Carnival, a steampunk circus featuring a night full of gypsies, fire eaters and other curiosities at The Goat Farm. Featured acts 
include The Imperial Opa, Hot Toddies Flaming Cabaret, the amazing aerial feats of Blast-Off Burlesque‘s Sadie Hawkins, Thimblerig Circus, Pyro Salto of Birmingham, AL, music by DJs Doctor Q and The Davenport Sisters, and more. Also featured is a Vendor’s Market Caravan, photography sessions, The Circus Contraption Contest with prizes awarded for the most creative device you would need to work at a carnival, and a steampunk costume contest to crown the King and Queen of the Carnival. Festivities start at 4 PM and also last into the very wee hours of the night, we suspect. For ATLRetro’s sneak preview with Doctor Q himself, click here.
In Atlanta Rollergirls action at the Yaarab Shrine Center, the Dirty South Derby Girls take on the Tampa Tantrums at 5 PM, followed by a whole lotta shaking going on as the Denim Demons and the Toxic Shocks skate it out for a chance at a first win of the season. The Psycho Devilles rockabilly it up at Dixie Tavern in Marietta. Variety Playhouse turns the clock back and invites you to dig out the shoulder pads for The Reagan Rock Prom featuring “The Greatest ’80s Soundtrack Songs of all Time.” Music, dancing, a prom king and queen contest and refreshments. Better Than The Beatles pays tribute to the Fab Four at Jerry Farber’s Side Door. DJ Romeo Cologne transforms the sensationally seedy Clermont Lounge into a ’70s disco/funk inferno.
Sunday April 17
Spend a lazy Sunday at the Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park, catching bands such as easy-going, all-American Jackson County Line (2 PM). Or Sweetwater 420 Festival winds down with several bluegrass acts. Gentleman Jesse serves up the blues “dunch” between 1 and 4 PM at The Earl. Catch the final matinee performance at 3 PM of the Atlanta Opera‘s COSI FAN TUTTE at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. At night, legendary blues musician Taj Mahal plays Variety Playhouse.
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. Opened April 14 and runs Thurs., Fri. and Sat. nights at 8 p.m. through May 7.
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec died in 1901, but it’s not a stretch to say that his vibrant posters and prints of showgirls, nightclub stars and the café culture influenced the 20thcentury romantic view of Paris and still inspire today’s burlesque performers. The High Museum of Art’s dynamic new special exhibition, TOULOUSE-LAUTREC AND FRIENDS: THE IRENE AND HOWARD STEIN COLLECTION, runs through May 1. Also at the High through May 29 is the MOMA-organized HENRI CARTIER-BRESSON: THE MODERN CENTURY, another 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 coming up, send suggestions to ATLRetro@gmail.com.
Category: Weekend Update | Tags: 7 Walkers, Artifice Club, Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Opera, Atlanta Rollergirls, Baseball, better than the beatles, Bill Kruetzman, Blair Crimmins, Blast-Off Burlesque, bluegrass, Brian Hogans, burlesque, Candler Park, Clermont Lounge, Clockwork Carnival, Cobb Energ, Cosi Fan Tutti, Criminal Records, Dad's Garage, Davenport Sisters, Decatur CD, Denim Demons, Dirty South Derby Girls, Dixie Tavern, Doctor Q, Dogwood Festival, Fantasyland Records, Fernbank, Full Moon Records, Gentleman Jesse, Gimme Hendrix Band, Goat Farm, Grateful Dead, Hank Aaron, Henri Cartier-Bresson, High Museum of Art, Hot Toddies Flaming Cabaret, Imperial Opa, Jackie Robinson, Jackson County Line, Jerry Farber's Side Door, Joe Gransden, Kenny Banks, King of Pops, Lefty Williams, Martinis & Imax, Masquerade, Mon Cherie, Piedmont Park, Psycho Devilles, pyro salto, Raveonettes, record store day, rockabilly, roller derby, romeo cologne, Sadie Hawkins, salsambo, Scarlett's Web, Sidelines, Swamp Funk Quartet, Sweetwater 420 Festival, Taj Mahal, The Chamber, The Chamber Reunion, The Earl, The Hollidays, The Loft, The Mansion on Peachtree, thimblerig circus, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Toulouse-Lautrec, Toxic Shocks, Variety Playhouse, Wanda Jackson, Wax n Facts, Wuxtry, Yaarab Shrine Center
Posted on:
Apr 12th, 2011 By:
Anya99
Last week was fairly quiet when it came to Retro-inspired activities in Atlanta, So ATLRetro took a bit of a rest. This week starts slowly, too, but once Saturday hits, even I’m not sure what to do. Let’s just say EVERYTHING happens all at once and ATLRetro revs back up, too, with a bunch of special features including a bedazzling look back at last month’s Southern Fried Burlesque courtesy of the tantalizing Talloolah Love, an exclusive preview of Saturday night’s The Chamber Reunion courtesy of Kool Kat of the Week Mon Cherie, the Dogwood Festival celebrates its 75th anniversary with two vintage amusement rides, and more.
Monday April 11
An acclaimed musician whom B.B. King says has “soul,” D.B. Rielly takes rock and country back to its roots at Smith’s Olde Bar, with back-to-the-basics, ’70s-rock-inspired Saturn 5 and alt-folk Little Brave also on the bill. Northside Tavern hosts its weekly Blues Jam.
Tuesday April 12
Splatter Cinema travels back to 1985 with A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 2: FREDDY’S REVENGE at 9:30 PM at the Plaza Theatre. While ATLRetro reviewer Mark Arson admits the first sequel may not be the most creative of the Krueger movies, it still features a lot of fun scares, and you know the Splatter gang will dream up a photo op that will haunt your sleep.
Grab your horn and head to Twain’s in Decatur for a Joe Gransden jazz jam session starting at 9 PM. J.T. Speed plays the blues at Fat Matt’s Rib Shack. Notorious DJ Romeo Cologne spins the best ‘70s funk and disco at 10 High in Virginia-Highland. Catch Tuesday Retro in the Metro nights at Midtown’s Deadwood Saloon, featuring live video mixes of ’80s, ’90s, and 2Ks hits. Or go really retro with the Atlanta Opera‘s COSI FAN TUTTE at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. In Mozart’s comedic masterpiece, two Italian officers boast of their fiancees’ faithfulness, only to have a clever friend put it to the test.
Wednesday April 13
Get ready to rumba, cha-cha and jitterbug at the weekly Swing Night at Graveyard Tavern. Deacon Brandon Reeves and Danny “Mudcat” Dudeck bring on the blues at Fat Matt’s Rib Shack and Northside Tavern respectively. Dance to ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s hits during Retro in the Metro Wednesdays presented by Godiva Vodka, at Pub 71 in Brookhaven, starting at 8 PM.
Thursday April 14
ATHENS BURNING, a documentary about the history of the historic Georgia Theatre, a key venue in the college town’s famous music scene, screens at The Plaza Theatre at 7:30 PM. Cowboy Envy strums up some mighty fine traditional and original Western tunes at Atlanta’s tastiest new concert venue, Kathmandu Kitchen and Grill, formerly Pho Truc, in Clarkston from 8-10 PM. Listen to Tongo Hiti’s luxurious live lounge sounds, as well as some trippy takes on iconic pop songs, just about every Thursday night at Trader Vic’s. Watch the classic Gregory Peck–Audrey Hepburn romance-on-a-motorscooter movie ROMAN HOLIDAY (1953), drink some wine, hear Free Poems on Demand, and check out PASSIONE ITALIANA: DESIGN OF THE ITALIAN MOTORCYCLE during MODA‘s Thursday night Drink in Design from 6-8 PM. Party ‘70s style with DJ Romeo Cologne at Aurum Lounge. Breeze Kings and Chickenshack bring on the blues respectively at Northside Tavern and Fat Matt’s Rib Shack.
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Category: This Week in ATLRetro | Tags: Artifice Club, Athens Burning, Athens scene, Atlanta Opera, Atlanta Rollergirls, Aurum Lounge, Blair Crimmins, Breeze Kings, Brian Hogans, Chickenshack, Clermont Lounge, Clockwork Carnival, Cobb Energy Centre, Cosi fan tutte, Cowboy Envy, d.b. rielly, Danny Mudcat Dudeck, Davenport Sisters, Deacon Brandon Reeves, Deadwood Saloon, Denim Demons, Dirty South Derby Girls, Dixie Tavern, DJ Doctor Q, Dogwood Festival, Fat Matt's Rib Shack, Fernbank, Freddy Krueger, Gentleman Jesse, Goat Farm, Graveyard Tavern, Henri Cartier-Bresson, High Museum of Art, Hollidays, Hot Toddies Flaming Cabaret, Imperial Opa, J.T. Speed, Jackson County Line, Joe Gransden, Kathmandu Kitchen and Grill, Kenny Banks, Lefty Williams, little brave, Mansion on Peachtree, mark arson, Martinis & Imax, Masquerade, moda, Mon Cherie, motorcycles, Mozart, Nightmare on Elm Street, Northside Tavern, passione italiana, Pho Truc, Piedmont Park, Plaza Theatre, Psycho Devilles, Pub 71, pyro salto, Raveonettes, Reagan Rock prom, Retro in the Metro, roller derby, Roman Holiday, romeo cologne, Sadie Hawkins, salsambo, saturn 5, Seattle Wheel, Sidelines, Smith's Olde Bar, Splatter Cinema, Star Bar, steampunk, Swamp Funk Quartet, swing dancing, Taj Mahal, Talloolah Love, Tampa Tantrums, The Basement, The Chamber, The Earl, The Loft, thimblerig circus, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Tongo Hiti, Toxic Shocks, Trader Vic's, Twain's, Variety Playhouse, Wanda Jackson, Yaarab Shrine Center
Posted on:
Apr 8th, 2011 By:
Anya99
Friday, April 8
Mike Geier and one of the lovely Dames Aflame.
Kingsized swings, lounges and rock and rolls the Star Bar in that wondrous way that only “Big Mike” Geier can. Master mandolin player and one of the fathers of bluegrass music, Ricky Skaggs and his band Kentucky Thunder play Variety Playhouse. Alex Lattimore brings jazz, R&B and a light touch of blues to Fernbank Museum of Natural History’s Martinis and IMAX. Joe Gransden and Kenny Banks jazz up Twelve at Atlantic Station.
Film Love‘s Yoko Ono: Reality Dreams short film series concludes with a free screening of Bottoms at 8 PM at Emory University‘s White Hall Room 206. Ono’s most notorious film literally reveals the backsides of several hundred “saints of our time. All Film Love events are curated by recent Kool Kat Andy Ditzler.
Saturday April 9
Celebrate the 19th birthday of The Highlander with a free concert by musical masters of the circus freak show, Greasepaint, featuring Atlanta’s own insane clown posse of Puddles, aka Big Mike Geier (Kingsized), and the Reverend Uncle Laffo, aka Jim Stacy (Grand Moff Tarkin). Also on the bill is Super X-13, featuring Shane Morton (Gargantua, Silver Scream Spook Show) on bass in a big hair wig and crazy Ultraman-inspired jumpsuit (well that’s the whole band actually)!
Cuba’s greatest rumba ensemble for more than 50 years, Los Munequitos de Matanzas proves “without rumba, there is no Cuba, and without Cuba, there is no rumba” at GSU’s Rialto Center for the Arts. Legendary ’80s industrial/ experimental rock band Savage Republic revs up The Earl. Better Than The Beatles pays tribute to the Fab Four at Jerry Farber’s Side Door. DJ Romeo Cologne transforms the sensationally seedy Clermont Lounge into a ’70s disco/funk inferno.
Sunday April 10
Tinkerbell (Yetter) flies with Peter Pan (Ciaran Joyce). Photo credit: Ed Krieger.
Tom Gentry & Co. serve up the blues at “dunch” between 1 and 4 PM at The Earl. And today is the last day to catch KOOL KAT Emily Yetter starring as a precocious, politically incorrect Tinkerbell in J.M. BARRIE’S PETER PAN under the big tent at Pemberton Place, next to the World of Coca-Cola.
Ongoing
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec died in 1901, but it’s not a stretch to say that his vibrant posters and prints of showgirls, nightclub stars and the café culture influenced the 20th century romantic view of Paris and still inspire today’s burlesque performers. The High Museum of Art’s dynamic new special exhibition, TOULOUSE-LAUTREC AND FRIENDS: THE IRENE AND HOWARD STEIN COLLECTION, runs through May 1. Also at the High through May 29 is the MOMA-organized HENRI CARTIER-BRESSON: THE MODERN CENTURY, another 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 we’ve missed, send suggestions to ATLRetro@gmail.com.
Category: Weekend Update | Tags: Alex Lattimore, Andy Ditzler, Atlantic Station, better than the beatles, Big Mike Geier, Bottoms, Clermont Lounge, Cuba, Emily Yetter, Emory University, Fernbank, Film Love, Greasepaint, Henri Cartier-Bresson, High Museum of Art, Highlander, Jerry Farber's Side Door, Jim Stacy, Joe Gransden, John Lennon, Kenny Banks, Kentucky Thunder, Kingsized, Los Munequitos de Matanzas, Peter Pan, Rialto, Ricky Skaggs, romeo cologne, Rumba, Savage Republic, Shane Morton, Star Bar, Super X-13, The Earl, Tom Gentry, Toulouse-Lautrec, Twelve Hotel, Variety Playhouse, Yoko Ono
Posted on:
Apr 6th, 2011 By:
Anya99
Here’s your weekly guide to where and why to get out…
Monday April 4
It’s somehow comforting to see The Residents still together making not-for-everyone but truly alternative music at Variety Playhouse. Whether it’s a “New Moon on Monday,” or not, ’80s synth pop idols Duran Duran play to a sell-out crowd at Center Stage. Swing to Joe Gransden, trumpet player extraordinaire, and his 16-piece orchestra during Big Band Night at Cafe 290 on the first and third Monday of every month. Northside Tavern hosts its weekly Blues Jam.
Tuesday April 5
Grab your horn and head to Twain’s in Decatur for a Joe Gransden jazz jam session starting at 9 PM. J.T. Speed plays Fat Matt’s Rib Shack. Notorious DJ Romeo Cologne spins the best ‘70s funk and disco at 10 High in Virginia-Highland. Catch Tuesday Retro in the Metro nights at Midtown’s Deadwood Saloon, featuring live video mixes of ’80s, ’90s, and 2Ks hits.
Wednesday April 6
Get ready to rumba, cha-cha and jitterbug at the weekly Swing Night at Graveyard Tavern. Catch Joe Gransden every Wednesday night at 8:30 PM at Jerry Farber’s Side Door. Deacon Brandon Reeves and Danny “Mudcat” Dudeck bring on the blues at Fat Matt’s Rib Shack and Northside Tavern respectively. Dance to ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s hits during Retro in the Metro Wednesdays presented by Godiva Vodka, at Pub 71 in Brookhaven, starting at 8 PM.
Thursday April 7
Sub Pop legend and former Dinosaur Jr. frontman, J Mascis, rocks The Earl. Drink some wine, dance, see live performances and check out PASSIONE ITALIANA: DESIGN OF THE ITALIAN MOTORCYCLE during MODA‘s second Thursday night Drink in Design from 6-8 PM. What the…? is what we’re asking as to who’s playing under the disco ball at Atlanta’s funnest new concert venue, Kathmandu Kitchen and Grill, formerly Pho Truc, in Clarkston from 8-10 PM. Listen to Tongo Hiti’s luxurious live lounge sounds, as well as some trippy takes on iconic pop songs, just about every Thursday night at Trader Vic’s. Joe Gransden jazzes up Tantra now on Thursdays. Party ‘70s style with DJ Romeo Cologne at Aurum Lounge. Breeze Kings and Chickenshack bring on the blues respectively at Northside Tavern and Fat Matt’s Rib Shack.
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Category: This Week in ATLRetro | Tags: 10 High, Alex Lattimore, Andy Ditzler, Aurum Lounge, Beatles, blues dunch, Bottoms, Breeze Kings, Cafe 290, center stage, Clermont Lounge, Cuba, Danny Mudcat Dudeck, Deacon Brandon Reeves, Deadwood Saloon, Dinosaur Jr, Drink in Design, duran duran, Emily Yetter, Emory University, Fernbank, Film Love, Graveyard Tavern, Henri Cartier-Bresson, High Museum of Art, italian motorcycles, J. Mascis, J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan, J.T. Speed, Jerry Farber's Side Door, Joe Gransden, John Lennon, Kathmandu Kitchen and Grill, Kenny Banks, Kentucky Thunder, Kingsized, Los Munequitos de Matanzas, Martinis & Imax, moda, Northside Tavern, Pho Truc, Pub 71, residents, Retro in the Metro, Rialto, Ricky Skaggs, romeo cologne, Rumba, Savage Republic, Star Bar, Tom Gentry, Tongo Hiti, Trader Vic's, Twain's, Variety Playhouse, Yoko Ono
Posted on:
Mar 7th, 2011 By:
Anya99
Wow, there’s a lot flying and frying this week Retro-wise in Atlanta from Phoenix Flies to Southern Fried Burlesque Fest to a host of pop and rock performers who got their start in the ’80s. Here’s your weekly guide to where and why to get out…
Monday March 7
Atlanta Preservation Center continues its annual The Phoenix Flies: A Celebration of Living Landmarks, so-named after the iconic symbol of Atlanta—the mythical bird that burns and is reborn similar to the city post-Civil War. The event which runs through March 20 offers a chance to take its neighborhood historical walking tours for free, as well as experience additional behind-the-scenes peeks inside Atlanta’s most famous buildings of eras gone by. Today’s tours include The Temple synagogue (1930), designed by legendary Atlanta architect Philip Trammel Shutze at 10:30 AM; the Gothic revival Peachtree Christian Church (1925) at noon; and Grant Park at 5 PM. Reservations are recommended. After dark, Joe Gransden & his smokin’ 16-piece orchestra present another Big Band Night of jazz at Café 290, featuring Sinatra, Bennett, Basie and Joe’s originals. Blues chanteuse Francine Reed is back at Cafe Circa. Northside Tavern hosts a Blues Jam.
Tuesday March 8
Phoenix Flies features the Swan House at the Atlanta History Center (AHC), site of lavish parties in the 1920s and ’30s; other AHC facilities such as the 1840 Tullie Smith Farm and Cherokee Garden Library and Kenan Research Center, which both house rare photos and documents of Atlanta history; neoclassic First Church of Christ, Scientist (cornerstone laid 1903); Hinman Home (1896), now Stonehurst Place Bed & Breakfast; Midtown’s The Castle; a general Historic Midtown tour; and Wimbish House (1906), one of the last remaining homes on Peachtree Street’s once posh Mansion Row now the headquarters of Atlanta Women’s Club.
Splatter Cinema presents 1980s vampire classic NEAR DARK at 9:30 PM. Read Mark Arson’s Retro Revue to see why you shouldn’t miss this hard-edged horror Western directed by Oscar winner Kathryn Bigelow and starring Lance Henriksen and Bill Paxton. Grab your horn and head to Twain’s in Decatur for a Joe Gransden jazz jam session starting at 9 PM. Fedora Blues plays Fatt Matt’s Rib Shack. Atlanta’s notorious DJ Romeo Cologne spins the best ‘70s funk and disco at 10 High in Virginia-Highland.
Wednesday March 9
Phoenix Flies tours the Fabulous Fox Theatre and offers a rare peek inside The Herndon Home, a beautiful 1910 mansion built by Atlanta’s first African-American millionaire Alonzo Herndon which has many eclectic aspects thanks also to his drama teacher wife Adrienne who would put on theater productions occasionally on the roof.
Get ready to rumba, cha-cha and jitterbug at the weekly Swing Night at The Glenwood. Catch Joe Gransden every Wednesday night at 8:30 PM at Jerry Farber’s Side Door. The Hollidays bring on the blues at Fatt Matt’s Rib Shack. Dance to ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s hits during Retro in the Metro Wednesdays presented by Godiva Vodka, at Pub 71 in Brookhaven, starting at 8 PM. Cover band ’80s Band of Destiny is in the Atlanta Room at Smith’s Olde Bar.
Thursday March 10
Stonehenge Mansion, one of today's Phoenix Flies tours.
Another busy day for Phoenix Flies including tours of Fox Theatre; early Edgewood-Candler Park; Unseen Underground exploring parts of the old railway lines and viaduct system not usually open to public view; Burns Club (1910), a replica of Scottish poet Robert Burns’ birth home with Burns poetry reading; City Hall; Stonehenge Mansion & Sanctuary, a Gothic mansion in Druid Hills built as a residence but now houses St. John’s Lutheran Church; and the Georgia Capitol.
The first annual Southern Fried Burlesque Fest kicks off with the Atlanta premiere of award-winning documentary DIRTY MARTINI & THE NEW BURLESQUE, with a Q&A afterwards with director Gary Beeber and Neo-Burlesque Revival superstar Dirty Martini, at the Holiday Inn & Conference Center in Decatur. Be sure to read our fest preview here. Chickens and Pigs play Pho Truc in Clarkston from 8-10 PM. Listen to Tongo Hiti’s luxurious live lounge sounds, as well as some trippy takes on iconic pop songs, just about every Thursday night at Trader Vic’s. Party ‘70s style with DJ Romeo Cologne at Aurum Lounge. Breeze Kings and Chicken Shack bring on the blues respectively at Northside Tavern and Fat Matt’s Rib Shack.
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Category: This Week in ATLRetro | Tags: 10 High, 80s Band of Destiny, Amy Pike, Atlanta churches, Atlanta History Center, atlanta preservation center, Aurum Lounge, Baseball Project, blues, Bonaventure Quartet, Breeze Kings, burlesque, Burns Club, Cafe 290, cafe circa, Callanwolde, Castleberry Hill, CC Booker III, Center for Puppetry Arts, Chickens and Pigs, City Hall, Clermont Lounge, Col Bruce Hampton, Colin Hay, Dames Aflame, David Spencer, dirty martini, Dream Syndicate, Drivin' n Cryin', Druid Hills, Eddie's Attic, Fatt Matt's Rib Shack, Fernbank, Five Spot, Fox Theatre, Francine Reed, Gary Beeber, Georgia Capitol, Georgia Tech, Grant Park, Gyna Rose Jewwl, Harmony Grove Cemetery, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Herndon Home, High Museum of Art, Hinman Home, Historic Downtown, Historic Midtown, Holiday Inn Decatur, Inman Park, J.T. Speed, jazz, Jerry Farber's Side Door, Jo Boobs, Joe Gransden, Johnny Porkpie, Katherine Lashe, Kathryn Bigelow, Kevn Kinney, Kingsized, L.P. Grant Mansion, lance Henriksen, Martinis & Imax, Meehan's, Men at Work, Mike Geier, Near Dark, Northside Tavern, Oglethorpe, Peachtree Christian Church, Pemberton Place, Pete Buck, Peter Pan, Philip Trammel Shutze, Pho Truc, phoenix flies, Piedmont Park, Plaza Theatre, Pub 71, REM, Retro in the Metro, Rick Springfield, romeo cologne, Rosie Palms, Smith's Olde Bar, southern fried burlesque fest, Splatter Cinema, Star Bar, Steve Wynn, Stonehenge Mansion, Stonehurst Park, Swan House, swing dancing, Swing Night, Sylvester Cemetery, Syrens of the South, Temple, The Glenwood, tiffany carter, Tongo Hiti, torchy taboo, Toulouse-Lautrec, tours, Trader Vic's, Tupelo Honey, Twain's, U2, Underground Atlanta, Uno Dos Tres Catorce, ursula undress, Variety Playhouse, Wild Bill's, Will Scruggs, Wimbish House, Wren's Nest
Posted on:
Mar 4th, 2011 By:
Anya99
Decided it might make more sense to run Weekend Update on Friday mornings than on Thursdays. You can still find out about Thursday activities, of course, in This Week in Retro Atlanta on Mondays. And of course, you can plan ahead for the whole weekend.
Friday March 4
Blair Crimmins.
Legendary pianist George Winston tickles the ivories at Variety Playhouse. Blair Crimmins and the Hookers provide a 1920s Vaudeville atmosphere during amagical Fernbank Museum of Natural History’s Martinis and IMAX themed“Night of the Kraken” tying in with its current MYTHIC CREATURES: DRAGONS, UNICORNS AND MERMAIDS special exhibition which will be open for viewing that night. Also, hear they’ll be serving up special mythic-themed cocktails, 
including a Krakentini, featuring Kraken rum, Silver Scream Spookshow‘s Professor Morte will be a special guest, and there’s a costume contest planned, too, so don your most mythical duds. Just about to post a last-minute interview with Blair about the fanciful festivities, so be sure to check that out.
Celebrate Mardi Gras early and decadently, or rather BART-I GRAS, with the insane crew of Avondale Estates’ Bart Webb Studios and the sexy and sassy Syrens of the South, Big Easy cuisine provided by Zatarain’s, beads, masks, and the first Bart-i Bra contest where the best decorated bra will be judged to crown the first Queen or King of Bart-i Gras.
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Category: Weekend Update | Tags: Ansley Park, ART Station, atlanta preservation center, Bart Webb Studios, Bart-I Gras, Blair Crimmins, Breeze Kings, Burns Club, Charles Fellingham, Clermont Lounge, Dixie Tavern, Dog Sees God, Druid Hills, Emily Yetter, Fabrefaction Theatre, Fernbank, Fox Theatre, George Winston, Grant Park, Henri Cartier-Bresson, High Museum of Art, Historic Downtown, Hot Rod Walt, Jerry Farber's Side Door, Kraken, Mardi Gras, Martinis & Imax, Mythic Creatures, Northside Tavern, Oakland Cemetery, Park Tavern, Peanuts, Pemberton Place, Peter Pan, phoenix flies, Piedmont Park, Ponce de Leon, Professor Morte, Psycho Devilles, Rhodes hall, romeo cologne, rum, Shamrock Fest, Silver Scream Spookshow, Sinatra, St. Patrick's Day, Syrens of the South, Toulouse-Lautrec, trolley, U2, Uno Dos Tres Catorce, Variety Playhouse, Yacht Rock Revue
Posted on:
Feb 28th, 2011 By:
Anya99
The Retro action in Atlanta isn’t quite as sizzling as last week, making it a great time to check out some of the ongoing great weekly events that pay tribute to vintage jazz, blues, funk and country. Or catch up on your city history with The Phoenix Flies: A Celebration of Living Landmarks, starting Saturday.
Monday Feb. 28
It’s definitely worth braving the showers to hear the vivacious voice of blues chanteuse Francine Reed at Cafe Circa in the Old Fourth Ward. And there’s a Blues Jam at Northside Tavern.
Tuesday March 1
Atlanta’s notorious DJ Romeo Cologne spins the best ‘70s funk and disco at 10 High in Virginia-Highland.
Wednesday March 2
Every Wednesday in March, The Hollidays bring their modern take on classic ‘60s soul, garage, rock ‘n’ roll and obscure blues to Fat Matt’s Rib Shack. Danny “Mudcat” Dudeck plays the blues at Northside Tavern. Get ready to rumba, cha-cha and jitterbug at the weekly Swing Night at The Glenwood. Joe Gransden is off but jazz is still on the menu with Scott Glazer and the Real All-Stars at Jerry Farber’s Side Door. Dance to ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s hits during Retro in the Metro Wednesdays presented by Godiva Vodka, at Pub 71 in Brookhaven, starting at 8 PM. The Atlanta Burlesque and Cabaret Club meets at a new venue, Melton’s App & Tap, in Decatur, at 8 PM. Topic is how to do (and not do) a photoshoot with opportunity to speak to professional photographers and pin-up professionals.
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Category: This Week in ATLRetro | Tags: 10 High, Ansley Park, ART Station, Atlanta Burlesque and Cabaret Club, atlanta preservation center, Aurum Lounge, Bart Webb Studios, Bart-I Gras, Battle of Atlanta, blues jam, Breeze Kings, Burns Club, cafe circa, Charles Fellingham, Clermont Lounge, Danny Mudcat Dudeck, disco, Dixie Tavern, Druid Hills, Emily Yetter, Fatt Matt's Rib Shack, Fernbank, Fox Theatre, Francine Reed, funk, George Winston, Grant Park, High Museum of Art, Historic Downtown, Hollidays, Hot Rod Walt, Inman Park, J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan, Jerry Farber's Side Door, Kraken, Mardi Gras, Martinis & Imax, Melton's App & Tap, Mythic Creatures, Northside Tavern, Oakland Cemetery, Park Tavern, Pemberton Place, Peter Pan, Pho Truc, phoenix flies, Ponce de Leon, Psycho Devilles, Pub 71, Retro in the Metro, Rhodes hall, romeo cologne, Scott Glazer, Shamrock Fest, Sinatra, Slim Chance and the Convicts, swing dancing, Syrens of the South, The Glenwood, Tongo Hiti, Trader Vic's, trolley, U2, Uno Dos Tres Catorce, Variety Playhouse, Yacht Rock Revue
Posted on:
Feb 21st, 2011 By:
Anya99
It’s a veritable luau feast for Retro activities in Atlanta this week, and ATLRetro has some tough decisions about what to do, especially on Saturday night.
Monday Feb. 21
Joe Gransden & his smokin’ 16-piece orchestra present another Big Band Night of jazz at Café 290, featuring Sinatra, Bennett, Basie and Joe’s originals.
Tuesday Feb. 22
The current incarnation of seminal progressive rockers The Church play their haunting melodies not just under the Milky Way but at Variety Playhouse. Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra are at Symphony Hall. Or if you live on the east side, swing dance to the Atlanta-New York Connection at the unlikely location of Northlake Mall’s Food Garden starting at 6 PM. Then head to Twain’s in Decatur for a Joe Gransden jazz jam session starting at 9 PM.
Wednesday Feb. 23
“If Elvis had been a woman, he probably would have sounded just like Kim Lenz,” says Rolling Stone. Decide for yourself when the scarlet-haired rockabilly queen brings her fiery voice to the Star Bar with her band The Jaguars. And if the night weren’t rockin’ enough, local faves Atomic Rockets and Junior, Dolan & Cash are also on the bill. Get ready to rumba, cha-cha and jitterbug at the weekly Swing Night at The Glenwood. Catch Joe Gransden every Wednesday night at 8:30 PM at Jerry Farber’s Side Door. Dance to ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s hits during Retro in the Metro Wednesdays presented by Godiva Vodka, at Pub 71 in Brookhaven, starting at 8 PM.
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Category: This Week in ATLRetro | Tags: 7 Stages, AnachroCon, Atlanta Opera, Atlanta Radio Theatre Company, Atlanta Rollergirls, Atlanta-New York Connection, Atomic Rockets, Becky Cormier Finch, Big Sandy & His Flyrite Boys, Breeze Kings, Broken Hearts Burlesque, Cafe 290, Caroline & the Ramblers, Cemetery Surfers, Cobb Energy Centre, Dead Elvis, Denim Arcade, Denim Demons, Derek Yaniger, Dirty South Derby Girls, Dog Sees God, Dr. Q, El Caminos, Emily Yetter, Extraordinary Contraptions, Fabrefaction Theatre, Fernbank, Flathead Mike, Fox Theatre, French film, Gaslamp Gala, George Gershwin, George Hughley, Ghost Riders Car Club, Ghosts Project, Giant Gila Monster, Gypsy Nomads, Henri Cartier-Bresson, High Museum of Art, Highland Inn Ballroom, jazz, Jean Renoir, Jerry Farber's Side Door, Joanna Schmink, Joe Gransden, John Mellencamp, Johnnu & the Lakewood 5, Junior Dolan & Cash, Kim Lenz, Martinis & Imax, Masquerade, Memphis Hustlin' Rollers, Mon Cherie's Rockabilly Lounge, Nathaniel Johnstone, Nick Longo, Northlake Mall, Northside Tavern, Pauline Kael, Peanuts, Pemberton Place, Peter Pan, Pho Truc, Play it with Moxie, Plaza Theatre, Porgy and Bess, Pub 71, Red Balloon, Retro in the Metro, Rev. Andy, Robert Altman, roller derby, Ruby Velle, Rules of the Game, Sake Tuyas, Sid Vicious Experience, Silver Scream Spookshow, Soulphonics, Star Bar, swing dancing, Talloolah Love, The Church, The Glenwood, The Stumblers, Theatre du Reve, Three Quarter Ale, Tongo Hiti, Toulouse-Lautrec, Trader Vic's, Twain's, Variety Playhouse, Wynton Marsalis, Yaarab Shrine Center
Posted on:
Feb 17th, 2011 By:
Anya99
The weekend is so close you can almost taste it. As usual, ATLRetro reminds you about what’s happening, including a new section at the end with ongoing events such as theater performances and exhibitions.
Thursday Feb. 17
Celebrate one of the most dynamic decades in pop music history when LIBBY’S AT THE EXPRESS PRESENTS THOSE FABULOUS FIFTIES, featuring songs made famous by Nat “King” Cole, Rosemary Clooney, The Mills Brothers, Buddy Holly, Hank Williams Sr., and the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Elvis Presley. The variety show stars local chanteuses Lisa Paige, Wendy Melkonian and Libby Whittemore, with musical arrangements by Robert Strickland, tonight through Sunday Feb. 20 at 7:30 PM at Actor’s Express in west Midtown.
Ghost Riders Car Club celebrates Vietnamese New Year with classic ’50s honkytonk and rockabilly every Thursday in February at Pho Truc in Clarkston. Listen to Tongo Hiti’s luxurious live lounge sounds, as well as some trippy takes on iconic pop songs, just about every Thursday night at Trader Vic’s. The Joe Gransden Trio is at Atmosphere from 7-10 p.m. And Breeze Kings play the blues at Northside Tavern.
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Category: Weekend Update | Tags: 7 Stages, @tmosphere, Actor's Express, Atlanta Wine + Jazz Festival, Atmosphere, B-52s, Becky Cormier Finch, Breeze Kings, Center for Puppetry Arts, Classic Center, Denim Arcade, Eddie's Attic, Emily Yetter, Fifties, Francine Reed, Ghost Riders Car Club, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Henri Georges Clouzot, High Museum of Art, Highland Inn, Inferno, J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan, jazz, Jesco White, Joe Gransden, Jonathan Richman, King Plow Arts Center, Libby Whittemore, Libby's at the Express, Lisa Paige, Minette Magnifique, Modern Lovers, Northside Tavern, Pemberton Place, Peter Pan, Pho Truc, Red Balloon, Robert Strickland, Roger Alan Wade, Romy Schneider, Serge Reggiani, Star Bar, Theatre du Reve, Thingumajig Theatre, Three Quarter Ale, Tinsley Ellis, Tongo Hiti, Toulouse-Lautrec, Trader Vic's, Variety Playhouse, Wendy Melkonian, wine
Posted on:
Feb 14th, 2011 By:
Anya99
OK, lovers, it’s back to the grind. It’s too late to check out ATLRetro’s top 3 picks for Valentine’s night, so let’s get right to the rest of the week.
Tuesday Feb. 15
Joe Gransden is back at Twain’s in Decatur for a jazz jam session starting at 9 PM. Or head back in time and over there to A NOVEMBER DAY: A WAR STORY, a timeless fable about friendship set against the backdrop of World War I, presented today by Thingumajig Theatre of West Yorskshire, England, today through Sun. at The Center for Puppetry Arts. Performers use hand, rod and shadow puppets, live music and a transforming set to tell the tale of a British soldier in WWI and his unexpected friendship with a stray dog. Suitable for ages 10 and up, with a teen and adult workshop on Sat. Feb. 19.
Wednesday Feb. 16
THE RED BALLOON takes flight at Theatre du Reve in 7 Stages’ Backstage Theater from Feb. 16-27. The stage adaptation uses puppetry and live original music to bring to life the classic 1956 French movie about a boy who befriends a shiny red balloon. Suitable for ages 4 and up.
Get ready to rumba, cha-cha and jitterbug at the weekly Swing Night at The Glenwood. Catch Joe Gransden every Wednesday night at 8:30 PM at Jerry Farber’s Side Door. Alice Cooper meets Kiss Southern-fried in Red Rocket Deluxe, headlining at Star Bar. Dance to ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s hits during Retro in the Metro Wednesdays presented by Godiva Vodka, at Pub 71 in Brookhaven, starting at 8 PM.
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Category: This Week in ATLRetro | Tags: 7 Stages, Actor's Express, Atlanta Retro, Atlanta Wine + Jazz Festival, Atmosphere, B-52s, Baroness VonSchmalhausen, Breeze Kings, Buddy Holly, Carnivale, Center for Puppetry Arts, Classic Center, Diabolique, Eddie's Attic, Elvis Presley, Fabulous Fifties, Francine Reed, French film, Georgia Freight Depot, Ghost Riders Car Club, Hank Williams, Henri Georges Clouzot, High Museum of Art, Highland Inn Ballroom, Inferno, Jerry Farber's Side Door, Jesco White, Joe Gransden, Johnny Cash, Jonathan Richman, King Plow Arts Center, Libby Whittemore, Libby's at the Express, Lisa Paige, Mills Brothers, Minette Magnifique, Modern Lovers, Nat King Cole, Northside Tavern, Pho Truc, Pub 71, Red Balloon, Red Rocket Deluxe, Retro in the Metro, Roger Alan Wade, Romy Schneider, Rosemary Clooney, Serge Bromberg, Serge Reggiani, Shellie Schmals, Spike Fullerton, Star Bar, swing dancing, Swing Night, The Glenwood, Theatre du Reve, Thingumajig Theatre, Tinsley Ellis, Tongo Hiti, Trader Vic's, Twain's, Variety Playhouse, Wendy Melkonian
The 75th annual Dogwood Festival begins at noon at Piedmont Park including a large juried fine arts market, continuous live music including New Orleans-style blues from Swamp Funk Quartet at 3:40-4:30 pm, kid’s village, food vendors, Friends of Dogwood tasting pavilion, rides on the vintage Seattle Wheel (read ATLRetro’s preview here), built for the 1963 Seattle World’s Fair, and a classic 1965 carousel, and more. Also happening this weekend is Sweetwater 420 Fest in Candler Park, also featuring an artists’ market and plenty of live music acts, including the Gimme Hendrix Band at 5:20 PM.
Mon Cherie’s The Chamber Reunion transports attendees back to Atlanta’s notorious ’90sGoth/Industrial/fetish club with live fetish performances, burlesque/Boi-Lesque, aerial feats, go-go dancers, drag skits, body paint, a chocolate bar and more surprises to tickle your fancy tonight at The Masquerade from 9 AM late into the night. Mon Cherie provides an exclusive preview as this week’s Kool Kat.
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec died in 1901, but it’s not a stretch to say that his vibrant posters and prints of showgirls, nightclub stars and the café culture influenced the 20thcentury romantic view of Paris and still inspire today’s burlesque performers. The High Museum of Art’s dynamic new special exhibition, TOULOUSE-LAUTREC AND FRIENDS: THE IRENE AND HOWARD STEIN COLLECTION, runs through May 1. Also at the High through May 29 is the MOMA-organized HENRI CARTIER-BRESSON: THE MODERN CENTURY, another 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.
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