While we are of the opinion that Molly Ringwald peaked early with Facts of Life and never did much of anything after to impress us, we are a big fan of bad prom dresses and cancer research, and thus we heartily recommend you to GrapeVine Market‘s Pretty in Pink 80’s Prom this Saturday. The evening includes a silent auction, dancing, and an outdoor screening of the classic John Hughes film.

Pretty in Pink is just one of many in a list of essential girl movies that we never got the appeal of (see also: Sixteen Candles, Grease, Labyrinth); frankly, we were bored to tears by professional whinester Molly Ringwald and the yawning, super-posh Andrew McCarthy. (We much prefer his existential-lite wounded writer in St. Elmo’s Fire, the love theme to which forever sets off a Pavlovian lifting of our spirits. “Man in Motion” is pretty terrific, too.) That said: Jon Cryer‘s Pretty in Pink record-store rock-out to “Try a Little Tenderness” is one for the ages.

GrapeVine’s 80’s Prom also includes a crowning of Prom King and Queen, so here’s your chance to rewrite history. Unless you already won in high school, in which case, we suggest you stop hogging all the glory. Some of us were late bloomers, you know.

The Pretty in Pink 80’s Prom takes place 7-11pm, Saturday, May 24, at GrapeVine Market. Tickets are $10 per person in advance and $15 dollars at the door. All proceeds benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure Austin. Go here for more info.

Youtube video

This article appears in May 16 • 2008.

A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.

SUPPORT US

A graduate of the Michener Center for Writers at the University of Texas, Kimberley has written about film, books, and pop culture for The Austin Chronicle since 2000. She was named Editor of the Chronicle in 2016; she previously served as the paper’s Managing Editor, Screens Editor, Books Editor, and proofreader. Her work has been awarded by the Association of Alternative Newsmedia for excellence in arts criticism, team reporting, and special section (Best of Austin). The Austin Alliance for Women...