Prepare for Counterculture Overload

Leave your Dockers in the closet and let your freak flag fly Saturday at the DC Counter Culture Festival at Dr. Dremo's.

The free event will boast about 40 vendors selling such wares as indie comics from Little Foot, Angry Dog Press and Jason Rodriguez; handmade crafts from I Like Seamonsters; hip belts and T-shirts from Jon Wye; plus paintings of robots and record players by Beth Baldwin. It's hosted by the DC Conspiracy ( http://www.dcconspiracy.com), a group of small-press comics creators, artists and musicians.

Why is the underground coming up for air? "It's really to promote our own works," explains the Conspiracy's Matt Dembicki, one of the festival's coordinators. "We know it's non-mainstream stuff, but it's a fun thing to do for the community. There's not much of this in the D.C. area."

Working with a nonexistent budget, the group has been publicizing the event by posting on alt-comics message boards and by old-fashioned word of mouth.

On tap for the evening part of the festival is a freak show and contest, with prizes going to the freakiest audience members, followed by performances until midnight from New York's comedic old-school rapper Schaffer the Darklord, Baltimore psych outfit Cutest Puppy in the World and local acts Death by Sexy and American Sinner.

But wait, there's more: When the Conspiracy learned that Art Outlet's "Flux: An Art Sensory Overload" at the nearby Danville Body Shop was happening the same night, the organizations banded together to cross-promote the events. "Flux," intended to celebrate the area's artistic community, will feature paintings, sculpture, bands, fire juggling, an aerial dance performance and improv theater. As Dembicki says, "It's for people looking for some kooky things to do."

-- Greg Zinman

DC Counter Culture Festival. Saturday, 4 p.m.-midnight. Dr. Dremo's, 2001 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington. Free. 703-528-4660. http://www.drdremo.com.

"Flux: An Art Sensory Overload." Saturday, 5:30 p.m.-

1 a.m. Danville Body Shop, 1415 N. Danville St., Arlington. $5 suggested donation. 571-214-9994. http://www.artoutlet.org.