Rowdy Roddy Piper to appear at Awesome Fest

Wrestler Rowdy Roddy Piper will be at the 25th anniversary screening of the 1988 cult classic "They Live," courtesy for this summer's Awesome Fest presented by Parx Casino, I've learned exclusively.

The John Carpenter sci-fi flick willl screen Sunday, July 21 at the Trocadero. Prices haven't been officially announced yet, but founder and artistic director Josh Goldbloom assured me that there will be various meet-and-greet packages at low prices so wrestling fans can get to chat it up with Piper.

For those painfully unaware, "They Live" features Piper as a drifer named Nada who discovers a pair of sunglasses. When he puts on the shades, Nada finds that the rich and powerful of Los Angeles are actually an alien race. He embarks on a violent spree in order to rid the city of the evil aliens, saving humanity.

Carpenter's "Escape from New York" is also playing on Wed., July 26 at the Ritz East.

The Awesome Fest is a 10-week movie festival, comprised of a many outdoor and free screenings. This year, they're, like, going totally '80s with their theme. But the fest isn't just older films. In partnership with the Philadelphia Film Society, the Awesome Fest will present double features, including many Philly premieres.

Film scheduled include coming of age sagas "The Kings of Summer" with "Stand by Me" (Wed., May 29), "Prince Avalanche" (starring Paul Rudd and Emile Hirsch) with "Computer Chess" (Tue., June 25) and Sundance darling "The Spectacular Now" with the Patrick Dempsey comedy "Can't Buy Me Love" (Wed., July 24).

In other previously unannounced Awesome Fest news, the English Beat featuring songs of General Public, following by a free screening of "Ferris Bueller's Day Off."

For a full list of screenings, check out theawesomefest.com