The day after its 25th anniversary on Feb. 5, 2009, Billy Joe’s Pitcher Show will close its doors forever. It’s long been a Friday night tradition in Des Moines to get dolled up in your most outrageous dark attire and watch the midnight showing of the Rocky Horror Picture Show at Billy Joe’s.
A whole community formed around Rocky Horror and in these last weeks before their temple to the absurd closes, they’ve been gathering for the Friday night ritual, singing along with the lyrics, and shouting responses back at the screen.
Rather than cover the huge Rocky Horror reunion that was held the week before, I decided to look in on a small band of hardy regulars who’d been showing up nearly every Friday night for years and who are taking advantage of every last showing.
I was greeted in the lobby by Deke, a Rottweiler mix dog. Deke weighs in at 220 pounds and is reported to eat 10 cups of dry dog food every day, not counting the small children he occassionally eats as snacks.
Before the show started I snuck into the projector room to get a shot of the legendary Rocky Horror film reels. Billy Joe’s boasts having a rare “full-print” version of the film, which includes many segments that have been cut from other re-prints over the years.
A box of movie posters in the projector room:
A singing mouth with voluptuous lips heralded the start of the show.
Fans made themselves comfortable with cans of Red Bull to keep their energy up for the late show.
The crowd at any Rocky Horror screening is known for being restless and often lewd. These fans in the front row were the most vocal of the bunch.
Lighters came out for the song “(There’s a Light) Over at the Frankenstein Place.”
Fans jumped up enthusiastically to dance along to the “Time Warp.”
With a few more dance numbers and another Red Bull or two, the Rocky Horror enthusiasts boogied down one last time and shuffled out into the early morning chill. Maybe someday another venue will start hosting Rocky Horror, but for now, it’s lights out for Billy Joe’s and this plucky band of misfits will have to find someplace else to shout vulgarities on Friday nights.
Linked to you from dmfreakshow.com. We have lots of the Rocky-goers over there. Lots of people are sad about the closing of Billy Joe’s, where else are we going to hang out? Some top-40′s bar? Anyways, it was nice to see you that night.
I’ve been going to the rocky horror now for a lil more then 6 years, i was there the night the pics where taken. I must say that I am very dissapointed (as are many people) that it is coming to an end.
It has given me many memories over the past few years and no mattter who you where you were always welcome there. It will be missed. But I am very glad that someone was able to get some pics before it goes lights out. Thank you.
~ForEver But Never More~