September 29, 2011 - Zombicon 2011
Fort Myers, Fl (September 29, 2011) - ZOMBICON 2011 “The Legends of the Silver Screen… NEVER DIE!” promises to be a Star Studded Spectacular, that’s to die for!
This free interactive art event, which city officials have called a “bona fide phenomenon,” will celebrate its fifth year in downtown Ft. Myers, on Saturday, Oct. 15 from 6 p.m. to midnight. The public is invited to dress as the living dead and join the zombie horde on the “blood red carpet.” During last year’s event, local police estimated more than 10,000 people in attendance, unofficially shattering the Guinness World Record for “Largest Gathering of Zombies.” This year, organizers hope to make it official by planning the largest ZOMBICON yet, which will feature live entertainment on three stages and encompass much of the downtown area.
The annual “Walk-Like-A-Zombie” acting workshop will begin at 4:30 p.m. at The Florida Repertory Theater Studio Space, 2267 First Street. This free class, which is open to all ages, will offer some basic dramatic techniques taught by Adam Jones and other actors of the Florida Rep. Students can put their skills into practice immediately following at the 6 p.m. Zombie Walk, which kicks off ZOMBICON. Marshaled by The ZOMBICON Security Team (a.k.a. “The Goon Squad”), this parade of the dead will take a brief tour of downtown, following in the footsteps of George Romero’s legendary 1985 movie “Day of The Dead,” which was filmed on location in Ft. Myers. The horde will arrive at The Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center (SBDAC), to witness the actual wedding of corpse bride Alex Sherman and her groom James Moore, a ZOMBICON first.
Those who would like to participate, but are still helplessly alive, can be transformed on the spot, at the “Kiss Me/Kill Me” Make-Up Booth. For a small fee, professional make-up artists, and cosmetology students from Paul Mitchell The School will apply basic zombie makeup. More elaborate special effects makeup such as airbrushing and latex appliances will also be available.
There will be ongoing musical performances throughout the night on three stages. Appearing on The Broadway stage, 2011 Homegrown champions Common Ground, with After The Fact, and DJ Brian Anderson, and in their third consecutive appearance at ZOMBICON, Strange Arrangement.
Appearing on The Cabaret Stage in front of The SBDAC, will be The Calendar Girls of Florida, songstress Rachael Valentine & The Purrfect Puzycatz, Carlita & her Hoop of Horror, and The Fred Astaire Dance Studio Professionals in performances befitting the musicals of Hollywood’s Golden Age. Hardcore tribal shaman Didges Christ Super Drum will join ZOMBICON favorites The "What We Do" Drummers with Christar and The Fyrefly Firedancers.
Rockabilly rebel rousers Memphis 56 and The Downshifters. are slated to rock the Patio de Leon with Digital Remix Artist Justin Zero and special guests. Deejays Groove Chemist and DJ Slinky will keep the zombies shuffling their feet, as "Zombie Silver Scream Theater" plays on the Big Screen. Cosplay pin-ups, The Girls of The Con will appear in person, signing copies of their new calendar, featuring Ft. Myers’ own Miss May. Reanimated corpses will compete for cash and prizes in the annual costume contest.
ZOMBICON organizer Janet Planit DeMarco offers these costuming tips: “Think crusty, dusty, earthy zombies, with any blood dried up, brown and coagulated. With this years vintage movie theme, zombies can be creative to get the feel of a deceased film star that has been buried underground for about 80 years! To make your clothing appear old and weathered, try a bath of tea or coffee to antique it up.”
In response to the record number of donors who volunteered in 2010, “vampires” from The Lee Memorial Blood Center will be out in full force with two blood mobiles, offering an exclusive “I bled for real at ZOMBICON” T-shirt (while supplies last) to those who give blood. Meet Fort Myers resident John Sheppard, The Guinness World Record Holder for most blood donated appearing from 6 to 8 pm to sign copies of his book. All attendees are asked to bring canned food donations for the local Harry Chapin Food Bank.
The annual ZOMBICON themed art show “Dark Art 5”, will be held at Space 39 Gallery, and exhibited in the windows of The Indigo Room on the Patio de Leon. This year’s show, which includes local and national artists, will feature the work of Jesse Pepper.
More than a dozen participating bars and restaurants will be offering drink specials throughout the night for those who have purchased an official “ZOMBICUP”, available at the ZOMBICON merchandise booth. Helping to promote Ft. Myers as an “International Zombie Tourist Destination”, a number of select hotels and The City of Fort Myers Yacht Basin, will participate in the “ZOMBICON Preferred Accommodations Promotion”, by offering discounted rates to those attending. Visit www.zombicon.com/accommodations for more details.
ZOMBICON 2011 is produced by Pushing Daizies, Inc. a non-profit organization for the arts and is sponsored in part by: Coastal Contacts, Myers, Brettholtz & Company PA, Needful Things Tattoos, New Rock 99X, and the Bars & Restaurants of Downtown Ft. Myers.
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