Author: Jennifer Vasquez

I'm a writer and an avid reader. I was classically trained in voice years ago and once aspired to become an opera singer. I enjoy immersing myself in music, from classical to goth rock tunes. I'm fascinated with vampires, all things spooky, vintage style and old Hollywood films. My website covers events, people, places and topics that embody all that is odd and macabre.
Film, History, Travel

Malia Miglino on ‘Haunted Discoveries’ & Becoming LA History Girl

by Jennifer Vasquez7 Comments on Malia Miglino on ‘Haunted Discoveries’ & Becoming LA History Girl
Malia Miglino
Malia Miglino

She’s a historian, researcher, traveler and full-time content creator, and she does it all in style. I’m talking about Malia Miglino. For her latest venture, she’s the historical researcher and one of the TV hosts of the upcoming paranormal series Haunted Discoveries. In addition to that, she’s been staying busy, continuing to produce content centered on Los Angeles history and beyond. Let’s dive into what she’s been up to.

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entertainment, Events

Halloween & Horror Reign Supreme at Midsummer Scream

by Jennifer Vasquez11 Comments on Halloween & Horror Reign Supreme at Midsummer Scream
Midsummer Scream at the Long Beach Convention Center
Midsummer Scream at the Long Beach Convention Center

I experienced the most delightful madness at Midsummer Scream. Besides October 31st, this Halloween and horror convention is one of the biggest spooky events of the year and is the highlight of my summerween. It’s been my annual tradition to attend since 2018, and this year was my first time going two days, so I saw and did a lot! Here’s my recap of 2023’s festivities.

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occult, spirituality

Celebrating Psychic Day with Richard-Lael Lillard, The Gentleman Psychic

by Jennifer Vasquez6 Comments on Celebrating Psychic Day with Richard-Lael Lillard, The Gentleman Psychic
Richard-Lael Lillard, aka The Gentleman Psychic
Richard-Lael Lillard, aka The Gentleman Psychic

Gather round the crystal ball because we’re celebrating Psychic Day! Interestingly, the origins of the holiday are a mystery and it’s not known for certain who established it. However, what is agreed upon is that the occasion celebrates individuals who are in tune with their extrasensory perception (ESP), otherwise referred to as the sixth sense. Psychic Day takes place annually on the first Sunday in August and to commemorate it this year, I’m highlighting respected psychic and medium, Richard-Lael Lillard, also known as The Gentleman Psychic.

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Film

‘Talk to Me’ Horror Movie Review

by Jennifer Vasquez4 Comments on ‘Talk to Me’ Horror Movie Review
Sophie Wilde as Mia in Talk to Me (Photo credit: © A24)
Sophie Wilde as Mia in Talk to Me (Photo credit: © A24)

Imagine having access to an embalmed hand that allows you to contact spirits when you touch it. That plot is at the core of the Australian horror film Talk to Me, which marks the directorial debut of brothers Danny and Michael Philippou. I had the opportunity to attend an advanced screening at the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica, CA. The event was sold out and the space was bustling with excited viewers. When the lights turned down, we were all in for quite a supernatural thrill ride. Don’t worry, there won’t be any major spoilers, but there may be some scares.

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halloween, holidays, Lifestyle

Countdown to Halloween 2023 Guide

by Jennifer Vasquez10 Comments on Countdown to Halloween 2023 Guide
Photo credit: Alexas_Fotos via Pixabay
Photo credit: Alexas_Fotos via Pixabay

There’s a significant date during summerween that denotes the nearing of spooky season, and it is the 100-day mark to Halloween on July 23rd! The time has come to get serious about preparing for All Hallows’ Eve, so I’ve created my annual “Countdown to Halloween Guide” for 2023. Find out where to shop, what music to add to your creepy playlist, what events are transpiring and more.

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Art, Events

The Art of PeeMonster & Michele Melcher at The Dark Art Emporium

by Jennifer Vasquez9 Comments on The Art of PeeMonster & Michele Melcher at The Dark Art Emporium
Michele Melcher's 'The Villagers' at The Dark Art Emporium
PeeMonster's 'The Hybrid Children' at The Dark Art Emporium

The Dark Art Emporium has unleashed its latest exhibit, which is a double feature highlighting the works of PeeMonster and Michele Melcher. After nearly two years since my last visit, I was elated to return to the gallery for the opening reception. The show brought together elements of the ethereal and macabre and definitely satiated my appetite for dark art.

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music

Spirit Tomb Weaves Gloomy & Wistful Tales in Debut EP ‘The Lotus of Dahlia’

by Jennifer Vasquez7 Comments on Spirit Tomb Weaves Gloomy & Wistful Tales in Debut EP ‘The Lotus of Dahlia’
The album cover of Spirit Tomb's The Lotus of Dahlia
The album cover of Spirit Tomb’s The Lotus of Dahlia

Spirit Tomb is the solo music project of musician Leon Kristoffer who’s based in Norway. Since forming in 2020, he’s now released his debut EP titled The Lotus of Dahlia, which constitutes part one of his Aandegrav trilogy focusing on themes of grief, loss and catharsis. The tracks in this opening chapter are laced with gothic sentiments and dark ambient undertones.

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History, holidays, Lifestyle, Literature

Celebrating World Dracula Day With Dacre Stoker

by Jennifer Vasquez20 Comments on Celebrating World Dracula Day With Dacre Stoker
The cover to the first edition of Dracula
The cover to the first edition of Dracula

Every year on May 26th, a marvelous vampiric event occurs annually: World Dracula Day. The occasion marks the date Bram Stoker’s notorious gothic novel, Dracula, was published in 1897. I thought, what better way to celebrate the holiday than with a chat with Bram Stoker’s great grandnephew, Dacre Stoker!

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entertainment, Events, Nightlife

The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula: Titans World Tour

by Jennifer Vasquez12 Comments on The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula: Titans World Tour
Dracmorda and Swanthula Boulet
Dracmorda and Swanthula Boulet

Horror, filth and glamour. That is the unholy decree of The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula enterprise, which is currently taking the world by storm with the Titans tour. For those who aren’t aware, The Boulet Brothers are drag queens of darkness Dracmorda and Swanthula. The pair launched the hit competition TV series The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula in 2016 and four seasons later, it’s fiercer than ever. They even created a spinoff titled Titans, which debuted in 2022, and have hit the road putting on amazing performances with the competitors from this series. I attended the Los Angeles show and am so excited to tell you about it!

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History, music

The Art of Darkness: The History of Goth Book Review

by Jennifer Vasquez11 Comments on The Art of Darkness: The History of Goth Book Review
John Robb (Photo credit: John Middleham)

“Nothing exists independently; goth was a kind of fever. It just seemed to seep in on a tide of black lace and black leather.”

–Nina Antonia quoted in The Art of Darkness: The History of Goth

Various books have been written attempting to unravel the mystery of the goth subculture and trace its roots. A new text has recently been added to the canon, The Art of Darkness: The History of Goth by John Robb who’s the frontman of the post-punk band The Membranes and head of the online media publication Louder Than War. His behemoth of a book takes a deep plunge into the musical origins of goth, and it’s quite an adventure.

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