The Daily Gamecock

Preview: Emo Night Columbia 'Existentialism on Prom Night'

New Brookland Tavern is traveling back to 2007 on Saturday. Emo Night — a monthly event that celebrates the saturnine music and overly straightened hair of the emo genre will be held on Feb. 11 at New Brookland Tavern.

“People must love nostalgia, because our last event was at capacity,”Blake Arambula, the promoter and event organizer, said of Emo Night’s popularity. This month’s event is “Existentialism at Prom Night," a nod to a Straylight Run song.

Emo Night started after Arambula noticed a surge of emo song requests at New Brookland’s karaoke nights.Capitalizing on the general angst of today’s world and wistfulness for the days of Hot Topic and MySpace, Emo Nights have been popping up all over the country.

“If the opening piano notes to 'Welcome to the Black Parade' stir something deep in your soul,” Arambula said, “then you already know the moments I try to create at Emo Night Columbia.” Not only will Emo Prom night feature classics from quintessential emo bands like All Time Low and Taking Back Sunday, but newer emo favorites like Modern Baseball or the foundational emo bands like Sunny Day Real Estate will also be played by local DJs.

Although no live performances are scheduled yet, the stage is open for prom guests to belt out the lyrics to "Dear Maria, Count Me In" or "Ohio Is For Lovers." Other prom perks will be stationed all over New Brookland to give guests the full prom experience (along with the existential crises.)

Cheesy prom photos, roses and an emo glam station featuring plenty of eyeliner and black nail polish will be set up as well as raffles for limited edition vinyls and other emo merchandise. The night will end the way any prom would, with the crowning of the Emo Prom Queen and King.

New Brookland has partnered with local vintage clothing store HipWaZee to outfit you in purple plaid, suspenders and as many studded belts you can stack for the event. All week, HipWaZee will help you put together the perfect outfit and give you the clothes to look the part — it’s up to you to funnel some angst and drama into the ensemble. You get in free if you’re donned in moody prom dresses and tuxedos. Maybe you and a date can even go as the ill-fated bride and groom from Panic! At The Disco’s iconic video.

Arambula wants guests not only to relive their favorite musical moments of the last decade, but also to find others to relive those moments with. “The event is not just for nostalgia’s sake, though, it’s about bringing together a community of people that revel in the nostalgia,” he said.

The doors open at 8 p.m., and a $2 - $5 cover charge is required at the door (unless you’re dressed to a Hot Topic-level of emo). Plan to sing out to the best emo has to offer, get a fever you can’t sweat out and ponder the meaning of life until the night is over. Make sure to tag your photos with #emonightcolumbia and RSVP to the event of Facebook.


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