Category: Culture

Culture, Travel

Exploring New Orleans’ Unique Cemeteries

by Jennifer Vasquez3 Comments on Exploring New Orleans’ Unique Cemeteries
St. Louis Cemetery No. 1
St. Louis Cemetery No. 1

One of New Orleans’ distinct characteristics is its cemeteries. Mausoleums populate the landscapes of the city’s graveyards, encapsulating the remains of families, notable individuals, and numerous citizens. During my trip to NOLA, I had the opportunity to visit a couple of historic burial sites—St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 and Metairie Cemetery. I was in awe of the elaborate architecture and sentimental significance behind these landmarks of death.

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Culture, Events, Literature

Remembering Vampire Author Anne Rice at the All Saints’ Day Celebration

by Jennifer Vasquez8 Comments on Remembering Vampire Author Anne Rice at the All Saints’ Day Celebration
Anne Rice: An All Saints' Day Celebration
Anne Rice: An All Saints’ Day Celebration

I first got hooked on (or shall I say sucked into) Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles when I was a teen, and ever since then, I’ve wanted to visit New Orleans. This city is Anne’s birthplace and a significant location in her notorious vampire novels. Because of this, the city has become synonymous with these nocturnal creatures. I dare say, it’s as much a vampire capital as Transylvania! I had the great fortune of being able to finally travel to New Orleans to attend a special event commemorating the author—Anne Rice: An All Saints’ Day Celebration. It was an experience that had a remarkable effect on my soul.

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Culture, holidays, Literature

‘A Marvelous Mexican Misunderstanding’ Teaches Kids About the Day of the Dead

by Jennifer Vasquez9 Comments on ‘A Marvelous Mexican Misunderstanding’ Teaches Kids About the Day of the Dead
Woman holding a kid's picture book
Vamp Jenn reading A Marvelous Mexican Misunderstanding

El Día de los Muertos is a holiday celebrated in Mexico and other Latin American countries between November 1st and 2nd. It’s believed that the spirits of loved ones come back to visit the living. The occasion, which has roots in indigenous Mesoamerican traditions, is meant to honor the memory of the deceased and embrace death. While many adults look forward to the Day of the Dead, the concept behind it can be difficult for children to grasp, especially when they believe death is meant to be feared. However, a children’s book titled A Marvelous Mexican Misunderstanding sets out to change that.

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Culture, entertainment

Digging Into the Paranormal With Chillers & Thrillers Podcast

by Jennifer Vasquez3 Comments on Digging Into the Paranormal With Chillers & Thrillers Podcast
Chillers and Thrillers podcast logo
Chillers and Thrillers podcast

If you enjoy podcasts about the paranormal or are searching for one to add to your rotation, then allow me to introduce you to Chillers and Thrillers. Creator and host “M” likes to keep the mystery alive, so they only go by their first initial. M launched the project in 2023 after noticing that most spooky podcasts overemphasized gore or comedy in their retellings of accounts. M set out to produce a show that shared true eerie stories in a family-friendly way. Over the course of just two years, Chillers and Thrillers’ reach has grown to thousands of downloads monthly and its audience continues to expand.

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Culture, Literature

Inside Spinal Dread: A Horror Literature Festival

by Jennifer Vasquez5 Comments on Inside Spinal Dread: A Horror Literature Festival
Anaheim Public Library presents Spinal Dread: Horror Literature and Culture Festival
Anaheim Public Library presents Spinal Dread: Horror Literature and Culture Festival

As a bookworm and horror fanatic, I was thrilled to hear that the Anaheim Public Library in Orange County, CA, was going to be hosting a horror literature festival called Spinal Dread.  The free event featured presentations, workshops, and vendors. It was a wonderful way for fellow horror enthusiasts and bibliophiles to connect and explore the horror genre.

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Culture, History, Lifestyle, Literature

9 Books on the Goth Subculture

by Jennifer VasquezLeave a Comment on 9 Books on the Goth Subculture
Photo credit: Sierra Koder via Unsplash
Photo credit: Sierra Koder via Unsplash

Much has been written about the goth subculture, ranging from scholarly literature to pop culture reads. I must admit that I have not read many books on goth. When I first started getting into goth as a teen in the late 90s/early 2000s, I got most of my information from the internet and personal experiences and observations. At the time, there weren’t many books published about the subculture, so I learned about it by browsing the web via goth chat rooms and websites that were around then. 

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Art, Culture, Lifestyle

Welcome to Miss Havisham’s Curiosities & Veneration of Light

by Jennifer Vasquez2 Comments on Welcome to Miss Havisham’s Curiosities & Veneration of Light
Vamp Jenn inside the Miss Havisham's Curiosities & Veneration of Light shop
Vamp Jenn inside the Miss Havisham’s Curiosities & Veneration of Light shop

A most delightfully macabre shop has opened its doors in San Pedro, CA. Melissa Johnson of Miss Havisham’s Curiosities and Heather Allison of Veneration of Light have come together to establish a brick and mortar that houses their exquisite creations, which include tea sets and dark fine art. They recently hosted a soft opening, and I had an amazing time exploring their retail space.

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Culture, occult, spirituality

Connecting with the Beloved Dead Through ‘The Ofrenda Oracle’

by Jennifer Vasquez3 Comments on Connecting with the Beloved Dead Through ‘The Ofrenda Oracle’
Vamp Jenn with The Ofrenda Oracle
Vamp Jenn with The Ofrenda Oracle

When we find ourselves needing deeper insights into a particular aspect of our lives, we search for ways to attain that insight. Some go for a long walk to think, others seek advice from a mentor, and certain individuals turn to cartomancy. This form of divination involves using a deck of cards and is believed to have emerged centuries ago in Europe.

Tarot is perhaps the most popular type of cartomancy today, but there are also Oracle cards and Lenormand cards. The Ofrenda Oracle utilizes the Lenormand method while also possessing characteristics associated with Oracle cards. I used the deck for the first time and want to share my experience with it.

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Culture, Literature, occult, spirituality

Inside ‘Mexican Magic: Brujeria, Spells, and Rituals for All Occasions’ by Laura Davila

by Jennifer Vasquez6 Comments on Inside ‘Mexican Magic: Brujeria, Spells, and Rituals for All Occasions’ by Laura Davila
Vamp Jenn reading Mexican Magic by Laura Davila
Vamp Jenn reading Mexican Magic by Laura Davila

“As a bruja, you grow to realize that occult forces are always preparing us and positioning us for divine appointments.” –Mexican Magic by Laura Davila

In her newest book, Laura Davila makes Mexican folk spirituality accessible to a wider audience. Mexican Magic places the power to initiate personal transformation in the hands of the reader. I had the privilege of being gifted with a copy by the publisher Red Wheel/Weiser. The fact that this book has come into my possession is an act of magic to me. Over the past few years, I’ve been strengthening my spiritual connections and have begun researching the spiritual customs of my Mexican ancestors. Davila’s latest work resonated with me on many levels, and I believe others who are on a mystical journey can benefit from it as well.

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Culture, Film, Lifestyle

How Lydia Deetz of ‘Beetlejuice’ Influenced the Goth Subculture

by Jennifer Vasquez6 Comments on How Lydia Deetz of ‘Beetlejuice’ Influenced the Goth Subculture
Winona Ryder as Lydia in Tim Burton's 'Beetlejuice' (© Warner Bros.)
Winona Ryder as Lydia in Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice (© Warner Bros.)

When Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice hit cinemas in 1988, the goth subculture was still in its youth, having only been around since the late 70s/early 80s. The scene was evolving and growing both in music and fashion, so for a figure like Lydia Deetz to pop up on the big screen, many black hearts in the audience must have stopped. How many teenage goths can you recall appearing in 80s films? While there may have been a few, none have left as lasting an impression as Winona Ryder’s macabre character. With the release of the sequel Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, I thought it’d be fun to take a look at a few of the influences Lydia Deetz has had on the goth community.

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