By Maria Lubanovic, Copy Editor

Did you skip your high school prom because you were just too emo for that? Or did you begrudgingly go anyway? … Maybe you went, but you were a closeted emo because your mom wouldn’t let you wear makeup. Regardless, this time, everything will be different thanks to a few live bands that will inspire you to dance the night away.

Emo Prom is ACRN’s second annual prom event. This year, the night will feature Cincinnati trash-pop Tweens, Cincinnati grit-pop shredders Vacation and Athens’ own punk-rock band Sneakthief.

If you’re feeling emo this Valentine’s Day, there’s only one place you should be this Saturday night! 🖤💋 pic.twitter.com/Pjqa3CYMAg

— On Air with ACRN (@OnAcrn) February 14, 2019

“We’ve been looking forward to Emo Prom ever since we were asked to play it!” Sneakthief says. “Our frontman Daniel is especially excited. He went to the ACRN Prom last year with Adult Mom and Chris Farren and can’t shut up about how Sneakthief gets to play it this year! We’re also still figuring out what brand of eyeliner to get…”

While these bands may span a wide variety of genres, they each have something special to bring to the evening’s mid-2000s aura.

“To me, all of these bands are “emo” in their own ways, whether their sound is more punk-rock infused, has tinges of folk-punk or is straight up an emo good time,” ACRN Promotions Director Diana Buchert says. “We’re stoked to see everyone revisit their favorite emo days and feel free to adopt this persona without shame for one special night.”

For just $5 (plus a small cover if you’re under 21), Emo Prom will include a night of 2009’s best emo bops in between sets, a Polaroid photo booth and a live auction. You can bid to win gift cards, iconic emo records, tattoo certificates and much, much more!

“We’re also stoked about the support from our local community for all of our auction donations, and we hope to give that back to them in the style of a kickass Lobsterfest in April,” Buchert says. “In the meantime, we’re buying eyeliner in bulk and so should you.” 

Additionally, this event is a fundraiser for Lobsterfest, which brings the town of Athens a weekend of free, eclectic music every spring. To make matters even better, ACRN will announce this year’s headliner at Emo Prom.

Emo Prom is this Saturday, February 16 at The Union, with doors at 9 p.m. Check out the event page here, or watch the promo below.  

Raven, your Acid Bath Princess of the Darkness, and Tara invite you to join them at Emo Prom…or not. It’s whatever. Crappy New Year Goths! pic.twitter.com/Is3DXIkx5t

— ACRN Media (@ACRN) January 30, 2019