Minstrel Krampus/Krampusnacht at JJ’s Bohemia with Subterranean Cirqus on Friday, December 16th
The holiday season is upon us. Time once again to strive, for at least a little while, to be nicer to each other and maybe indulge in a little extra consumerism too.
It’s a time of year rife with customs and traditions, none of which are remotely as homogenous as some folk like to believe, but that’s an article for another time when my life insurance is paid up. In recent years there has emerged a “new” tradition, by which I mean a very old one that has been rediscovered.
As recently as ten years ago, “Krampus” was, in these parts anyway, little more than a bit of obscure trivia. It was neat if you knew it, no big deal if you didn’t.
Slowly the tradition of the Germanic man/goat/demon (not to be confused with the significantly modern man/bear/pig) began to reappear in pop culture, a sort of anti-Santa who punishes wicked children while St. Nick rewards the good.
The Krampus was a central character in the 2004 Venture Brothers Christmas Special and last year even had his own feature film, receiving generally positive reviews.
On a local level, no one has done nearly as much to reinvigorate the Krampus tradition as those lovable kids known collectively as the Subterranean Cirqus/River City Rumpus.
Yes, Pinkie, The Princess of Pain and Lazarus Beefsquatch Hellgate, both known for their sunny dispositions in much the same way as Jeffrey Dahlmer was known for his culinary expertise, have been Krampus advocates since way before it was cool.
To that end they have crafted an annual Krampusnacht celebration (Laz calls it Twisted Christmas) featuring an array of gifted performers and assorted weirdoes.
On Friday, December 16th, JJ’s Bohemia will open its doors to all manner of Krampusnacht revelers as the Cirqus kids welcome old friend Titano, the World Record holding strongman from Philadelphia (as seen on National Geographic’s Oddities).
What better way to say “Merry Krampusnacht” than with a gorgeous pair of traveling burlesque clowns from planet “How the Hell Do They Do That”? The babes of Thunder Snow Cone return to the Scenic City with a special Christmas-themed performance guaranteed to give Great Aunt Beulah a heart-attack; somewhat terrifying, genuinely arousing.
The evening opens with our own hometown heroes, the Subterranean Cirqus folding, spindling and mutilating as only they can. The evening’s soundtrack will be provided by none other than Genki Genki Panic, the perfect band for the event.
In fact, the collusion between GGP and Sub Cirqus is, and I’m sure Hellgate would agree with me here, a breath-taking stroke of genius on someone’s part. That person probably deserves and award of some sort. Strange kids and spooky tunes belong together.
There will be a special appearance by “interdimensional goat demon” Wohglemut, comedy, public airing of grievances, possibly pubic airing of grievances, and all the high weirdness you’ve come to expect from Chattanooga’s Royal couple of the bizarre.
This is emphatically a 21+ show and costumes, while not required, are encouraged as there is a costume contest that evening, the winner to receive tickets to JJ’s New Year’s Eve celebration and a limited edition custom designed enamel Krampus pin. Admission is $10.