College Times

Issue date: 3/20/08 Section: Calendar

Media Credit: Andrew Shaw

Spend any night out on the town, and you're bound to run into some pretty freaky people along the way.

Only one event in the United States can satisfy the need to gawk at genuine freaks, though, and its curious cast of misfits is rolling into town.

999 Eyes, the Authentic Human Oddities Freakshow, is billed as the last genuine traveling freakshow in the US, a fact its performers take great pride in.

Performers like Lobster Girl - who was born without three middle metacarpals and fingers in her right hand, which resembles the claw of a lobster - take the stage.

And the Lil' Miss Firefly, who stands at all of 27 inches tall. On the other side of the coin is Erik the Gentle Giant, who towers over the rest of the cast at 7-foot-3. Imagine a waltz between those two.

These, and all 10 of the freaks in the troupe with genetic anomalies, aren't made to feel ashamed of their "defects," but instead celebrate the idea of genetic diversity.

Even if we don't all have flippers for hands, or one super-short leg, or lumps and bumps all over our bodies, we can at least all appreciate their willingness to show us theirs.

999 Eyes Freak Show, The Trunk Space, 1506 N.W. Grand Avenue, Phoenix, 602.256.6006, Saturday, March 22, 8 p.m., $11

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