About three years ago, those of us responsible for the Shadow Art Fair, decided that local kids could benefit from the knowledge that, while Santa Claus goes out each Christmas Eve, visiting the homes of all the good children around the world, he has a no-so-jolly associate that does the same for those boys and girls who, in the eyes of St. Nick, haven’t earned new underwear, cigarettes and video games. So, we set out to bring the pre-Christian Alpine tradition to the United States. Over the centuries, this associate of Santa’s has been known by many names, such as Knecht Ruprecht, Perchten, Pelznickel, Black Peter, and Klaubaur, but we know him today as Krampus, the cloven-footed monster covered in matted black fur who beats disrespectful little children with birch rods before consuming them whole. While there are now a few Krampus celebrations around the country, I believe ours waas the first, and we have no intention of stopping until every child in Ypsilanti knows the hell that awaits them if they refuse to eat their vegetables, quiet down when told to, or otherwise disrespect their hard-working progenitors.
This year’s event will begin at 8:00 PM on Saturday, December 21. I’m not at liberty to tell you where we’ll end up, or what kinds of terrible things you’re likely see as the evening wears on, but I can tell you that we will be starting off the evening with a few hours of intense rump shaking at Ypsilanti’s Corner Brewery, and then moving on from there by the light of flaming torches.
Entry is free. Costumes are expected. And, if you dare to bring a child, it will be immediately consumed. As is our tradition, in addition to having incredible music to twerk our asses to, there will be two special brews – one naughty, one nice. And, at midnight, the dancing will stop, and the most courageous among us will take the War on Christmas to the streets, rattling chains and howling like demons, as we make our way to our next stop.
If you have never been to one of our Krampus events, you can find photos and videos by clicking on the following links: 2010, 2011, 2012.
Feel free to invite your friends by way of our Facebook event page… and good luck with your costumes.
16 Comments
LA hipsters are now copying you:
http://boingboing.net/2013/11/09/coming-to-la-krampusfest-fr.html
There’s also one in Philly now. They call it Krampuslauf.
http://krampuslaufphiladelphia.com/
Last time I tried to go, there was no one there.
I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the longest night of the year … Looking forward to it!
I’m sorry, Pete. I must have given you the wrong address. (I’ve been known to send people to Smarty Katz by accident when I’m not happy with them.)
I was at the Corner, I think. There was no one there.
Maybe they were hiding, Peter. Or maybe you went on the wrong day. Or maybe you forgot to put eye holes in your mask.
They may have been hiding, but I’ve long been skeptical that Mark’s writings in his social life are actually part of a fabricated fantasy of his.
Yesterday, though, I discovered that there were no homeless people sleeping on his couch and that he has a dog.
There’s also one in Green Bay on December 7.
https://www.facebook.com/events/210222532462809/
The Ypsi one was not the first. They were doing it back in the Bay Area in the late 90’s.
Here’s some inspiration for you all to step up your game this year.
http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2013/12/krampus-saint-nicholas-dark-companion/100639/?fb_action_ids=566939756708098&fb_action_types=og.recommends&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=%5B1420897258143333%5D&action_type_map=%5B%22og.recommends%22%5D&action_ref_map=%5B%5D
Our participants, for the most part, are a little more playful with the concept. Still, though, we’ve had a few people over the years who have drawn on Alpine tradition fro inspiration. You should come and check it out this year, EOS. And thanks for passing this link along. The images are incredible.
Cool Krampus Carol video by Anthony Bourdain
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9p1JYvV178E&feature=youtube_gdata_player
I do not believe “true love” can exist. Therefore, I am looking for Krampus porn. Can you help me? I am in desperate need of release.
I am also interested in meeting NYC public employees with “magical” skills.
is there a 2014 date
December 20 at Dreamland.
https://www.facebook.com/events/599046546889507
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