Literature

Author of Honor Series: Anne Rice

by Jennifer Vasquez18 Comments on Author of Honor Series: Anne Rice
Aaliyah as Akasha in the film adaptation of “Queen of the Damned” (© Warner Bros.)

November is Novel Writing Month, so to commemorate this event and because writing is one of my passions, here is a blog post highlighting one of my favorite authors-Anne Rice!

Note: This blog post was originally part of a 2018 series I titled “Author of Honor.” I love to read and there are many writers I find influential, so I selected a few to introduce to readers to commemorate National Novel Writing Month. Anne Rice was the first in the series. Continue reading “Author of Honor Series: Anne Rice” →

Events

A Spooky-Filled Birthday Weekend: Inside Horror Made Here & More

by Jennifer Vasquez16 Comments on A Spooky-Filled Birthday Weekend: Inside Horror Made Here & More
Sitting upon my throne at the Fangtasia Bar inside Warner Bros. Studios: Horror Made Here
Sitting upon my throne at the Fangtasia Bar inside Warner Bros. Studios: Horror Made Here

I’m an October baby, so every year for my birthday, I like to celebrate by hitting up a few Halloween haunts. I just had a weekend full of spooky fun and want to share it with you all! Continue reading “A Spooky-Filled Birthday Weekend: Inside Horror Made Here & More” →

Events, music

Electronic Rock Band Julien-K Shakes Up The Glass House

by Jennifer Vasquez3 Comments on Electronic Rock Band Julien-K Shakes Up The Glass House
A shot of Ryan Shuck and Amir Derakh rocking out on stage
A shot of Ryan Shuck and Amir Derakh rocking out on stage

It’s been more than a year since I last saw Julien-K, one of my favorite bands, perform live. After completing a summer tour with The Stone Temple Pilots, Bush and The Cult, the group is on the road again on two sets of fall tours. One is with Jonathan Davis (lead vocalist of Korn) and The Birthday Massacre, and the other is also with The Birthday Massacre, plus Ghostfeeder. I attended a concert they did recently in Pomona, California, at The Glass House where they put on an adrenaline-pumping show. Continue reading “Electronic Rock Band Julien-K Shakes Up The Glass House” →

Events, Lifestyle

The Wonders at The Oddities Flea Market

by Jennifer Vasquez14 Comments on The Wonders at The Oddities Flea Market
Globe Theatre Entrance
The Oddities Flea Market at the Globe Theatre

Taxidermy, bizarre art, dark fashion, skeletal creations, antique finds, jewelry and medical objects were just a few of the curiosities on display at The Oddities Flea Market. The event debuted in 2017 and originally takes places at the Brooklyn Bazaar in New York a few times a year. This was the first time the market had come to Los Angeles, so of course I had to attend. Continue reading “The Wonders at The Oddities Flea Market” →

Events, Lifestyle, spirituality

Channeling Spirits: An Evening Séance at Ipso Facto

by Jennifer Vasquez9 Comments on Channeling Spirits: An Evening Séance at Ipso Facto
Middle image is of a séance conducted by medium John Beattie in Bristol, England in 1872
Middle image is of a séance conducted by medium John Beattie in Bristol, England in 1872

Séances, also known as spirit circles, first gained widespread notoriety during the 19th-century Spiritualist movement in late Victorian England. They were gatherings where individuals sought to contact the “other side” to communicate with the dead. Although some were exposed as nothing but smoke and mirrors, there were devout Spiritualists that took the ritual seriously and strove to tap into a Higher Self. More than 150 years later, the practice is still alive. I recently attended a spirit circle at Ipso Facto, a goth/alternative shop in Fullerton, California, that has been hosting séances for the past two years. I’m going to share my experience, plus my Q&A with shop owner Terri Kennedy. Continue reading “Channeling Spirits: An Evening Séance at Ipso Facto” →

Events

Top 10 Los Angeles Halloween Haunts

by Jennifer Vasquez4 Comments on Top 10 Los Angeles Halloween Haunts
Neonbrand Unsplash
Top 10 2018 Los Angeles Halloween Haunts (Photo by Neonbrand)

The spooky season is upon us and many Halloween haunts are already in full swing! Do you relish in a good scare? Enjoy being made to scream? Seek out dark and frightful experiences? Well, I do, so I’ve compiled a list of a few of this year’s most talked about haunted attractions happening in and around the LA area. I’ve included not only big-name theme parks, but also a few interactive and more intimate haunts. Some I’ve done in the past and others I’m hoping to do for the first time this year. Here are my picks of the Top 10 Los Angeles Halloween Haunts for 2018. Continue reading “Top 10 Los Angeles Halloween Haunts” →

Events

The City of Angels Goes Dark at Scare LA

by Jennifer Vasquez4 Comments on The City of Angels Goes Dark at Scare LA
Welcome to Scare LA
Welcome to Scare LA

Scare LA was the first weekend-long horror convention of its kind, debuting back in 2013. It inspired others, such as Midsummer Scream, another event dedicated to resurrecting the Halloween spirit during summer. This was my first time attending the festival, which took place in mid-August.  If you haven’t experienced it for yourself, here’s a look at what happened this year. Continue reading “The City of Angels Goes Dark at Scare LA” →

Lifestyle, Literature

How to Throw a Frankenstein Day Bash

by Jennifer Vasquez14 Comments on How to Throw a Frankenstein Day Bash
Boris Karloff as Frankenstein
Boris Karloff as Frankenstein

August 30th is Frankenstein Day, a date that honors the classic novel by Mary Shelley, as well as her birthday. To commemorate this annual event, I thought it would be fun to share some ways we can all pay tribute. There may not be a time machine to transport us to 1818 (the year the book was released) to chat with the author, but why not use the imagination to bring to life our own monstrous creations! Here’s how you can celebrate Frankenstein Day. Continue reading “How to Throw a Frankenstein Day Bash” →

Lifestyle

Being a Goth Latina: My Interview for HipLatina

by Jennifer Vasquez3 Comments on Being a Goth Latina: My Interview for HipLatina

I had the awesome opportunity to be interviewed by my friend and journalist Virginia Isaad for HipLatina! The article sheds light on being Latina in the goth community, and embracing this diversity. I hope you have a look and enjoy the piece.

Goth Latinas Prove There’s More to the Subculture

Check out my interview for HipLatina about being a goth Latina.
Check out my interview for HipLatina about being a goth Latina.
Events

Getting Into the Halloween Spirit at Midsummer Scream

by Jennifer Vasquez10 Comments on Getting Into the Halloween Spirit at Midsummer Scream
Midsummer Scream Halloween and Horror Convention
Midsummer Scream Halloween and Horror Convention

This year marked my first time attending Midsummer Scream — a Halloween and horror convention that happens in Long Beach, California. The annual two-day event is fairly new having been around for just three years. It took place the last weekend of July and paid special homage to the 200th anniversary of Frankenstein. In case you haven’t heard of or been to this ghoulish festival, here’s a look.

Continue reading “Getting Into the Halloween Spirit at Midsummer Scream” →