Groovy news for fans of tree rape: Grindhouse Releasing has announced nationwide dates and venues for the midnight screenings of the 1981 Sam Raimi (Drag Me to Hell, Spiderman) classic Evil Dead.

The press release reads:

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. – Grindhouse Releasing has set the first dates for its big-screen
revival of Sam Raimi’s EVIL DEAD, scheduled to begin in January.

Landmark Theatres will present the director’s 35mm print of EVIL DEAD at special midnight shows in Minneapolis, Denver, Seattle, New York, Houston, Dallas, and Los Angeles in the first quarter of 2010.

Grindhouse Releasing has created a new full-color movie poster for the theatrical reissue of the 1981 horror classic. Designed by Tad Leger, the collectible one-sheet features rare photos from
the original EVIL DEAD movie poster shoot by Mike Ditz.

“Nothing can prepare an audience for what they are about to see, because nothing punishes an audience like EVIL DEAD — especially on the big screen,” says Bruce Campbell. “I’m really glad it’s back. People are gonna be hurt.”

Endorsed by Raimi, producer Rob Tapert, and star/co-producer Bruce Campbell, Grindhouse Releasing’s reissue of EVIL DEAD will hit theaters across North America in the coming year.

“We’ve had tremendous response to our announcement that EVIL DEAD has returned,” says David Szulkin, head of theatrical bookings for Grindhouse Releasing. “We want to show it in as many cities as we can, and encourage fans to contact us and petition their local theater to screen the movie.”

Dates and venues announced are:

January 8-9: Uptown Theatre, Minneapolis

January 15-16: Esquire Theatre, Denver

January 29-30: Sunshine Cinema, New York

February 5-6: Egyptian Theatre, Seattle

February 19-20: River Oaks Theatre, Houston

February 26-27: Inwood, Dallas

March 5: Nuart Theatre, Los Angeles

May 22: Hudson Horrorshow, Poughkipsie, NY

Additional dates and locations will be announced at GrindhouseReleasing.com. For booking info, contact David Szulkin at info@grindhousereleasing.com.