“Some towns were completely washed away by the deluge here in the Hudson Valley, and it has left many homeless and even townless,” says event organizer Cruella Moxham, a.k.a. Captain Cruella. “I'll be setting up a donation drop box at select locations, with all the details of how you can help and what items are needed most.”
Nearby hotels are booking up, as Cruella gets the word out across a multitude of social media platforms including Facebook (http://facebook.com/CaptainCruella), Twitter (http://twitter.com/captaincruella) and Blogger (http://cruellascrypt.blogspot.com). The event kicks off promptly at 7p.m. along Main and Partition Streets, with many businesses staying open late to take part in the festivities.
Much like last year, this year’s event will offer many reasons for folks to show up and have a good time. For the second year running, Kingston-based funk-rock band Voodelic will be playing at Dave’s Wine & Coffee House. Additionally, just down the street at the Donlon Auditorium, Tyrannosaurus Rocks will be bringing down the house with what they call Zomstock, a parody of that other famous event that occurred in the area back in 1969. Also at the Donlon will be the night’s highly anticipated costume contest at 10p.m., with awards to be given out in categories like Most Gruesome Zombie and Best Celebrity Zombie (contest to be preceded by a performance from “Zombie Gaga”, winner of last year’s costume contest.)
As costumed cavorters make their way around town, they will encounter events happening at many other nearby establishments. Sugartown Vintage Boutique will be presenting a special screening of cult classic The Evil Dead, hosted by award-winning blogger Brian Solomon of TheVaultofHorror.net. Meanwhile outdoors, the Vincent Price favorite The Last Man on Earth will be projected for all to enjoy. Acclaimed artist Peter Smith will have his works on display, including his popular zombie T-shirts. Local bars like the Partition Street Wine Shop, Main Street Restaurant and Dutch Ale House will be doling out zombie-themed cocktails. The Village Apothecary will even be joining in the fun, handing out doses of the “zombie cure” to the public.
“I'd like our gathering to be the very first zombie event where we literally take over an entire village,” ambitiously proclaims Captain Cruella, who has become a bona fide internet celebrity over the past year thanks to the Village Invasion and other activities, including the series of horror films she hosts at the Avon Theatre in Stamford, Connecticut. “Through dedication to the cause and all things horrifying, I know that my followers and I can do it. And it’s all for a good cause. So spread the word and Viva la Zombie!”
Over the course of the past decade, zombies have infiltrated pop culture as never before, with movies such as Resident Evil, 28 Days Later and Shaun of the Dead gaining cult followings; just one week before the Village Invasion, AMC will present the season premiere of its Walking Dead TV series—further proof that the zombie has hit the mainstream. Part of the phenomenon has been the rise of a colorful and devoted subculture of zombie-lovers that has helped popularize public zombie walks worldwide.
Those interested in participating in this year’s Village Invasion are encouraged to visit http://www.crawlofthedead.com/crawls/info/village_invasion_ii/ for more information, as well as the official Facebook event page (http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=133979686675020).
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