Tomorrow night's double feature, featuring Ronni Thomas on Diableries and Johnny Fox of The Freakatium, will surely be amazing; full line-up of the 10-day Congress of Curious Peoples can be found here; hope to see you there!

Ronni Thomas “The Diableries and 19th Century Pre-cinematic Horror
Date: Tuesday, April 12
Time: 7:30 PM
Admission: $5 (or free with Congressional Pass)
Location: The Coney Island Museum (1208 Surf Avenue)

3D is very much in the news these days, and while Hollywood has finally come close to perfecting this technology for the silver screen, people are largely unaware that the Victorians were also aficionados of 3D technologies, and that this interest often took a turn towards the macabre. Tonight, filmmaker and collector Ronni Thomas will lecture on the history of 3D spectacles of the Victorian age, especially the infamous Diableries series–masterfully designed 3D stereo ’tissues’ created in france in the 19th century, backlit and featuring ornate scenes depicting the daily life of Satan in Hell (see image to left for example).Tongue in cheek and often controversial, these macabre spectacles give us a very interesting look at the 19th century’s lighthearted obsession with death and the macabre, serving as a wonderful demonstration of the Victorian fascination with themes such as the afterlife, heaven, hell and death.

In addition to the lecture, Thomas will display original Diableries and other artifacts from his own collection. Guests are encouraged to bring their own pieces and, better yet, a stereo-viewer.

Johnny Fox of the Freakatorium
Date: Tuesday, April 12
Time: 8:30 PM
Admission: $5 (or free with Congressional Pass)
Location: The Coney Island Museum (1208 Surf Avenue)

Magician, raconteur, and sword swallower extraordinaire will regale with tales of his long-gone Freakatorium and amaze the audience with wondrous feats of daring.

To see a full lineup of the Congress of Curious Peoples, click here.