Spin the Wheel of Misfortune for Mr. Blank’s Carnivale of Black Hearts.

Mr. Blank’s Carnivale of Black Hearts will perform at Flicker Theater & Bar Friday night. Photo from FILE

The Athens-based sideshow of vaudeville-inspired performers will host a night of spectacle acts. The Carnivale began four years ago when Mux Blank decided to unite Athens’ circus performers, dancers and sideshow actors into one large group.

“I started noticing that there were more and more people doing weird and amazing circus- and sideshow-type acts in town, so I contacted everyone I could find to see who would be interested in doing a show,” Blank said.

Since 2007, the Carnivale has grown from a loose collective of performers into an organized troupe with 10 central members and several guest performers.

“We never seem to have a problem piquing people’s interest,” Blank said. “As soon as we start telling people what we do, they can’t wait to see the show.”

Susan St. Charles, who plays Madam Surayyah in the Carnivale and belly dances with swords and fire, promises a spectacular performance.

“If you want to be entertained, shocked, amazed and a little titillated, then you should definitely come to the show,” she said.

St. Charles became involved with the Carnivale as a last-minute substitute for another dancer.

“I enjoyed myself so much that I danced at the next one, even though I wasn’t even on the set list,” she said. “I just danced outside Tasty World during the entire show to bring in audience members.”

Isaac Lake began as a DJ and later developed his own character — Loki, the Human Pincushion.

“[The Human Pincushion] basically just means that audience members do all sorts of misfortunate things to my body,” Lake said. “I have a prop called the Wheel of Misfortune. Whatever it may land on, they do to my body. I have staples, needles, nipple twister, fire and of course, wedgie.”

In the past, most of the Carnivale’s shows have taken place in Athens or Atlanta, but the troupe is planning to begin a national tour in August.

Blank said he welcomes anyone interested in contributing talent, supplies or fundraising expertise to contact him through the Carnivale’s Facebook page.

Mr. BLAnK’S Carnivale of Black Hearts

Where: Flicker Theatre & Bar
When: Friday, 8:30 p.m.
Price: Free
Contact: www.flickertheatreandbar.com