Ghouls Night Out: The Astounding Atomic Blow-Out Bash!

Event information

From out of space.... a warning and an ultimatum!

On 15 December, Ghouls' Night Out will presents The Astounding! Atomic! Blow-Out Bash! An evening of 1950's sci-fi that's out of this world!

Doors 6pm, Show 7pm - 10:30.
Tickets: £7 in fancy dress / in advance, £9 at the door

Join stand-up comedian Andrew O'Neill as he hosts this night of cold war paranoia, flying saucer phenomenons, and rollicking robots.

Sci-fi yourself up and enjoy enlightening talks, a screening of The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) and live music. Sunday roasts are available downstairs at the Lexington as well for those with earthly metabolisms.

We've got a special performance by Fighting Evil Is Cool!, a 6 piece ska/punk band from Nottingham UK. They'll play songs about silly things, like giant monsters and hobos.

If you're not familiar with them, this sums them up well: "There really isn't anything this band doesn't do well. The brightness of the trombone is a great compliment to the aggressive guitars. The bass lines are not only prominent, but also a bit funky. The vocals at times bring some 90s hardcore bands to mind. And did I mention that this band can get you dancing when it sings about zombies? " Incognito Music Magazine.

• ALSO: A live pitiful reading of Alex de Campi's comic GRINDHOUSE: DOORS OPEN AT MIDNIGHT - Bee Vixens from Mars Part 1 & 2. Just because Grindhouse #1 is the most messed-up comic you've read this year, don't think #2 can't top it! The bee vixens' queen is ten feet of pissed-off buzzing stinger, and the only one left to stop her is shotgun-wielding, motorcycle-straddling Deputy Garcia. Good thing she don't take no bull!

• AND: Professor of History and Philosophy of Biology at UCL, Dr Joe Cain is also an avid film fan. Witness his short but engrossing talk on 1950's sci-fi films!

• PLUS: Theremins, comedy, and special guests!

More about the film: The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) - a stone cold classic of the Red Scare era of Hollywood science-fiction, depicts the anxieties of the Cold War - just as the two superpowers were beginning to flex their nuclear muscles. Aliens have noticed the Earth's atomic tests and send humanoid Klaatu and his terrifying robot Gort to deliver a message. Basically - stop it or we'll smash you up.

Like all good science fiction films, it's based on a short story originally published in Astounding Stories; Farewell To The Master by Harry Bates. It's over 60 years old, but its message is still relevant. With its theremin soundtrack, sleek robot design and killer dialogue (Klaatu; Barada Nikto!) as well as its timely message of peace, the film struck a chord with audiences, earning it lasting acclaim. We at Ghoul's Night Out frikking love it.

Fancy dress inspiration: Sci-Fi, 1950's, B-Movies, Robots, Aliens, Cold War

More info: www.facebook.com/GhoulsNightOutLondon