Walk on the Bad Side

Santa Claus knows if you’ve been bad or good, and that means that most of us are screwed. Forget that fat, judgmental elf, and revel in your badness at Krampus Nacht Denver, a holiday festival for those who find it too damn hard to be good. “The legend of Krampus...
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Santa Claus knows if you’ve been bad or good, and that means that most of us are screwed. Forget that fat, judgmental elf, and revel in your badness at Krampus Nacht Denver, a holiday festival for those who find it too damn hard to be good.

“The legend of Krampus is hundreds of years old,” explains organizer Dana Cain. “He travels with Santa Claus, and when Santa gave out toys to the good [kids], Krampus punished the bad kids. He would beat them, or even take them back to his lair and eat them. It’s just so cool that Christmas has a creepy side.”

Celebrate that creepy side with a musical set from the Mark Putt Holiday Explosion, body painting by Mythica, a pageant in three acts by performance-art troupe Bohemia, and lots more. Dress as a sexy Mrs. Claus or Krampus himself to win a $100 cash prize, or just go to enjoy the naughtiness.

“It’s not just a party, it’s not just a concert, it’s not just theater,” Cain says. “It’s sort of a combination of all of the above and more. “It’s just going to be a fun celebration of being bad.”

The festivities start tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Oriental Theater, 4335 West 44th Avenue. Pre-sale tickets are $20, or $17.50 for two or more; prices go up slightly at the door. For tickets and more info, visit krampusnachtdenver.com.

Sat., Dec. 6, 8 p.m.-2 a.m., 2014

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