Fayetteville Goth Night Set for May 27 to Celebrate Vincent Price Birthday

Vincent Price, the undisputed king of classic horror films, was born on May 27, 1911. So, what better day to kick off Fayetteville Goth Night? Elizabeth Gruesome, one of the artists and owners of the local Breathless Arts Tattoo Studio is spearheading this night of musical celebration of all things goth.

Taking place at Paul's Place on Monday, May 27 from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., this will be the inaugural Fayetteville Goth Night. However, event organizers are hopeful to make this a bi-monthly event. DJ Dave of Produkt NC will be spinning industrial, EBM, Darkwave and Techno all night long, so wear your best dancing boots and let loose.

I sat down with Liz to get a little more information Fayetteville Goth Night and what to expect.

Please give me a little background on yourself and your history of the goth scene.

Liz: I’m an army Brat brought to Fayetteville in 1992, it’s been home ever since. I “came of age” in the late 90’s and was a witness to the incredible goth scene of the time. There were goth nights at a number of bars and clubs and also two dedicated goth industrial bars, Club Neo and Purgatory. Those places made an indelible mark on my soul, and I knew I had found my home, my people. Ramping up to y2k, the scene started to shift into a "ravier" direction, with the sound and fashion focusing more on house and electro. Club Neo became “Level3” and Purgatory shut its doors altogether. There were a few goth nights still popping up into the early 2000’s with bars like Sinners off Manchester Road and clubs like the Black Cat, with a few theme parties we threw at the Rock Shop and Drunk Horse, but eventually the scenes dried up. Such dear part of our lives was just gone. But it still lives on inside us. We still listened to Ministry and The Cure. We still wear black. We just need our community again. We need to dance again!

I’m the owner of Breathless Arts Tattoo, a female run studio that skews toward a gothier but comfy aesthetic. I’ve been a tattoo artist in Fayetteville for over 20yrs and have enjoyed the community and friendships built over that time. During that time, I helped with MANY events Fayetteville, from Hellwood’s HELLNIGHT to the early Fayetteville Zombie walks

So, what is Goth Night?

Liz: Goth night can be a lot of things, but the basics are goth fashion and goth music. With a focus on the darker aspects of life, love and loss. There is a certain romance to death that we embrace and celebrate. There is a wide spectrum in goth, too wide to get into too much. There is Trad Goth, Pastel goth, Punk goth, whatever. I’d recommend doing a Google search......

What inspired this event?

Liz: Traveling with friends to spooky events. Horror conventions, scary movies, Halloween as a lifestyle, and a younger generation of baby Bats who have a love for the fashion and music but have never experienced this sort of gathering of others like themselves.

What do folks wanting to participate in Fayetteville Goth night need to know?

Liz: Since this is our first night it’s a free event but donations would be gladly accepted. Be cool, dress up and your finest Gothy attire and come with an open mind!

Any rules the public needs to know?

Liz: It’s a 21+ event. So, no funny business. We don’t want to mess anything up by putting the venues license in jeopardy. (laughing) Honestly, be cool, be kind, be courteous, be goth and all will be well. I hope everyone who comes out has a wonderful and dances the night away! (Followed by a ritual trip to the Waffle House!)

Fourth at the Fort - which won't be on July 4 this year - has a lineup for 2024, as Fort Liberty announced the artists performing at the annual celebration.

First, it's worth pointing out that this year's event will not be on July 4, which falls on a Thursday. Instead, Fort Liberty officials moved the celebration to Saturday, June 29.

"Happening Saturday, June 29th at the Main Post Parade Field. Yes, June 29th! This year will be our BIGGEST event yet!" Fort Liberty Family and MWR said in its Facebook post announcing the Fourth at the Fort. "We will have not one, not two, but THREE artists plus the 82nd Rock Band to celebrate with us! The three artists are from three different genres - there will be music for everyone to enjoy."

Hip hop artist Flo Rida, country duo Maddie & Tae, and rock-pop ground Plain White T's will be the musical acts performing this year.

Last year's event drew over 60,000 people to the Main Post Parade Field, with Sheryl Crow and Gavin DeGraw performing.

Fort Liberty isn't alone in moving its main celebration off of the weeknight, as the Town of Hope Mills has also moved its day-long celebration to Saturday, June 29, as well. The City of Fayetteville is holding its symphony event in Festival Park on July 4. The Fayetteville Woodpeckers will be out of town on July 4, but Segra Stadium will play host to the US Collegiate National Team for a game that night, as well as fireworks.

But let's take a look at the three artists scheduled to perform at Fourth at the Fort at Fort Liberty on Saturday, June 29.

Country duo Maddie & Tae are best known for their huge country hit "Girl in a Country Song," but they've been staples of the radio since 2014.

Best known for their hits "Hey There Delilah" and "1-2-3-4", the pop-rock group has been together since high school.

Welcome to MY HOUSE! Flo Rida has over 100 million records sold, and is one of the best-selling artists of all time, according to the release from MWR.