Religious Studies: Demon Hunters

Doors: 6:30 pm
Event starts: 7:00 pm
This event will be held at the Crow Bar: 523 Thompson Ln, Austin, TX 78742

Join us to learn about the maleficence of Ed and Lorraine Warren (paranormal investigators of The Conjuring franchise fame) with Dr. Joseph Laycock, associate professor of religious studies at Texas State University. Dr. Laycock is an expert in new religious movements, vampirism, exorcisms, and the intersection of horror and religion. His book The Exorcist Effect: Horror, Religion, and Demonic Belief explores how horror movies, including the wildly popular The Conjuring, inform religious thought.

This event includes a costume contest! If you so desire, come dressed in costume, and the best costume will win a prize at the end of the event!

Starting at 7 pm, there will be a short Satanic Ritual led by Taylor Leigh (The Antibot), a YouTuber and practicing Satanist, and Io Locke, Satanic Minister. During this ritual, we will "curse" an object that will later be given away as a prize for the costume contest! Participation in this ritual is entirely optional, and we strictly prohibit judgment for non-participation. At 7:15 pm, Dr. Laycock will give a lecture on the Warrens, followed by Q&A. At 8:30 pm, we'll be joined by Texas-based drag artists Maxine LaQueene, Kenn Doll, Paris Heels, and May May Graves for a very special drag show! Please bring cash to tip the performers!

This is a hybrid event. We strongly encourage in-person attendance, but if you can't make it in person, we'll record the talk and send it to online attendees. This event won't be streamed. The drag performance won't be included in the recording!

At the venue, booths for The Atheist Community of Austin, The Satanic Temple Austin, and a voter registration booth will be set up! As a gift to The Antibot, please consider donating to these non-profit organizations and tipping the performers EXTRA WELL!