KNOWN FOR EMBRACING all things retro and kitschy, the Plaza Theatre is no stranger to sideshow-like acts and spectacle. But next week things get even clownier as the venue is turned into a real freak show that includes circus banner art, human oddities and the late-'80s exercise in cinematic sci-fi absurdity known as "Killer Klowns From Outer Space."As part of its ongoing Art Opening and a Movie series, the Plaza will feature circus-inspired works by the likes of Andy Crossley, Nik Morgan, Lucas Godfrey and Shane Morton. The lobby also will contain an Odditorium, where classic sideshow attractions, including the Fiji mermaid, alien artifacts and jarred deformities, will be on display for one night only.

Before the movie, there will be a shocking stage show where performers like the Human Block Head, who hammers nails up his nose, and the Man With the Iron Stomach, who ingests household chemicals, will wow audiences.

MGM STUDIOS (ENLARGE)
Aliens invade a small town and cocoon humans in cotton candy in the sci-fi absurdity, 'Killer Klowns from Outer Space'.
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And by the time those clownlike aliens begin cocooning townspeople in cotton candy on the big screen, some people might be in need of that kind of horrific comic relief.

• THE 411: "Killer Klowns From Outer Space." $8.50. Art exhibit and Odditorium at 8 p.m.; "Killer Klowns From Outer Space" at 9:30 p.m. July 1. Art remains on display through Aug. 3. The Plaza Theatre, 1049 Ponce de Leon Ave., Poncey Highland. 404-873-1939, www.plazaatlanta.com.