Two Stages and an Outer Space Masquerade Ball

Saturday, April 28

It's that time of year again, when the self-proclaimed oddballs and avant-garde of Erie take center stage, when the weird and bizarre are celebrated at Basement Transmissions (even more so than usual). That's right, it's time for BT's fifth annual Toxic Prom!

Each year, Basement Transmission's Toxic Prom gives attendees the chance to show off their best costumes in accordance to the event's theme, this year's being Outer Space Masquerade, with all the workings of a typical high school prom, but with a BT twist — "toxic" punch and snacks, a cosmic photo booth, and of course, the live soundtrack of some of Erie's best musicians.

Setting this Toxic Prom apart from its previous incarnations are several factors, as described by BT owner and proprietor Bob Jensen. "First of all, there will be two stages, so twice the entertainment, but the second stage will feature hip-hop and acoustic artists. That's new to the event and really important because the rise of hip-hop at BT has been significant this year. I have worked hard to foster a community there and it's finally at a point where it's a leading genre at the venue. Also, there will be the best lighting done by Sam Edwards. He is going far beyond what we have had in the past. Pretty much every aspect is going to be better. I'm really excited!"

In addition to the dual-stage setup, BT will also be hosting "Toxic Prom Til Dawn" from midnight to 2 a.m., featuring local and regional electronica acts for patrons ages 21 and over.

Headlining the main stage are BT favorites and Toxic Prom veterans Joose, preceded by Cult Classics, The Wildeyes, The Standby, Paper Matches, Wasted Info, and Sounds Like A Plan. Appearing on the second stage are hip-hop artists Desmond Collier and Nary, and acoustic acts Teddy Rankin, Alex Miller, and Georgia Buchner.

Come to Toxic Prom, and don't miss this chance to be crowned Toxic King or Galaxy Queen, and dance yourself out of this world at BT's biggest party of the year. — Tommy Shannon

5 p.m. // 145 W. 11th St. // $10 Advance, $15 Doors // All-Ages until midnight, 21+ after midnight // facebook.com/basement.transmissions