Tag: horror

Art, Events, History, Literature

“Bite Me” Vampire Exhibit Featuring a Special Lecture by Dacre Stoker

by Jennifer Vasquez7 Comments on “Bite Me” Vampire Exhibit Featuring a Special Lecture by Dacre Stoker
Vamp Jenn and Dacre Stoker
Vamp Jenn and Dacre Stoker

Did you know there are descendants of Bram Stoker alive today? One of these family members is Dacre Stoker who is the great grandnephew of the notorious Dracula author. He’s taken up the mantle as overseer of the Stoker legacy and, together with his wife Jenne, manages the Bram Stoker Estate. For years, he’s been traveling worldwide, giving presentations on his ancestor and the creation of Dracula and his other literary works. The Menagerie Oddities Market sponsored his most recent tour across California, and he delivered a fascinating lecture at the SugarMynt Gallery in Pasadena. This was done in conjunction with the gallery’s latest art show, the “Bite Me” Vampire Exhibit. It was an evening fit for the undead, and I’m here to share it with you.

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entertainment, Film, holidays

9 Horror Films to Watch on Valentine’s Day

by Jennifer Vasquez19 Comments on 9 Horror Films to Watch on Valentine’s Day
Samantha Robinson as Elaine Parks in The Love Witch (© Anna Biller Productions)
Samantha Robinson as Elaine Parks in The Love Witch (© Anna Biller Productions)

Blood, death and love are in the air this Valentine’s Day. For those who prefer to keep things spooky when February 14th rolls around, I’ve curated just the list for your viewing pleasure. If your plans are to stay in and watch a movie, why not make it a horror movie? As the holiday of romance draws nearer, I got to thinking about creepy and tragic love stories. Of course my incessant need to give every holiday a macabre makeover is part of it too. So, following is a selection of films I’ve personally handpicked and seen that I find appropriate for Valoween. They’re a delightful mix of dark comedy, gothic and scary, and I present them here in chronological order. Enjoy!

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Literature

Spotlight On Rose Sinister: Vampire Scholar & Author

by Jennifer Vasquez11 Comments on Spotlight On Rose Sinister: Vampire Scholar & Author
Rose Sinister (Photo credit: Rachel Clinesmith, editor-in-chief Vampyre Magazine and owner of Vampyre Cosmetics)
Rose Sinister (Photo credit: Rachel Clinesmith, editor-in-chief of Vampyre Magazine and owner of Vampyre Cosmetics)

Author and content creator Rose Sinister has been on a mission to explore the question, “Why do we tell vampire stories?” This query laid the foundation for her podcast Rose Sinister: Vampires, which she launched in 2018. Since then, she’s branched off to work on multiple projects dedicated to enriching people’s knowledge of these creatures of the night, plus she’s just released her first novel within the vampire genre titled This Crimson Debt. I had the opportunity to interview the writer and read the story, and it’s fangtastic. Don’t worry; there won’t be any spoilers in the following review.

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music

Spotlight On A Time of Shadows: A Journey Into Gothic Horror Music

by Jennifer Vasquez10 Comments on Spotlight On A Time of Shadows: A Journey Into Gothic Horror Music
Ravenson Mansion Dark Secrets: Volume I album cover by A Time of Shadows
Ravenson Mansion Dark Secrets: Volume I album cover by A Time of Shadows

For your listening pleasure, we’re going to step into the world of A Time of Shadows whose music embodies elements of gothic horror and fantasy. Paul is the mastermind behind the project, and although the first album released in 2021, he’s already produced five full-length recordings. Of course, I’ve heard each one, and they’re the perfect backdrop for a haunting atmosphere. The newest LP, Ravenson Mansion Dark Secrets: Volume I, is accompanied by a novella that tells a sinister tale.

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entertainment, Events

Inside Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood

by Jennifer Vasquez10 Comments on Inside Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights
Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights

Universal Studios Hollywood has been in full-blown Halloween mode since launching Horror Nights on September 8th, and I attended during its second weekend of being open. Now, normally I wait to do this event closer to my birthday, but prices during October for the express pass increased like crazy, so to save some money, I decided to go earlier. Was it any less exciting attending in September? Not at all! Here’s a recap of this year’s festivities and what you can look forward to if you’re planning to check it out.

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entertainment, Events, Film

The Mystic Museum Presents 90s Slashers Immersive Experience

by Jennifer Vasquez8 Comments on The Mystic Museum Presents 90s Slashers Immersive Experience
Scream photo op at The Mystic Museum's 90s Slashers Immersive Experience
Scream photo op

The Mystic Museum in Burbank, Calif., has unleashed an all-new immersive experience that pays bloody tribute to 90s slashers! My interest was piqued when the oddities shop announced the event, and I had the chance to attend the recent grand opening. Horror fans are in for quite a treat, and I’m giving a peek inside for those dying to find out more.

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music

Midnight Syndicate Unravels a Haunting Tale in Latest Album ‘Bloodlines’

by Jennifer Vasquez7 Comments on Midnight Syndicate Unravels a Haunting Tale in Latest Album ‘Bloodlines’
Edward Douglas & Gavin Goszka of Midnight Syndicate
Edward Douglas & Gavin Goszka of Midnight Syndicate (Photo credit: Colleen Douglas)

To usher in last Halloween season, Midnight Syndicate released new music with Bloodlines. Members Edward Douglas and Gavin Goszka continue the story of the enigmatic Haverghast family, which they first introduced in 2001’s Gates of Delirium. The mini-album adds another layer to their narrative and is a prequel to the 2005 recording The 13th Hour. I’ve listened to it several times and the effects are chilling!

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entertainment, Events

Inside Midsummer Scream: Awaken the Spirits!

by Jennifer Vasquez12 Comments on Inside Midsummer Scream: Awaken the Spirits!
Midsummer Scream: Awaken the Spirits!

This past weekend, Halloween cheer was alive and well during Midsummer Scream’s Awaken the Spirits gathering at the Pasadena Convention Center in California. For the last two years, the horror convention has had to cancel its original event in Long Beach due to the pandemic. However, the crew managed to put together a smaller version that was absolutely spooktacular.

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entertainment, Events

“Stranger Things” Drive-Into Experience

by Jennifer Vasquez7 Comments on “Stranger Things” Drive-Into Experience
Promotional art for Stranger Things, Season Three (© Netflix)

This past 2020 Halloween season was quite different, to say the least. Many haunts throughout Southern California were cancelled due to COVID restrictions and I know I was disappointed that I wouldn’t be walking through haunted mazes with monsters hiding in every corner waiting to jump out at me. But there was an alternate type of haunt that would arise due to the circumstances and these were drive-thru attractions.  

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entertainment, Lifestyle

11 Dark Podcasts To Listen To Now

by Jennifer Vasquez6 Comments on 11 Dark Podcasts To Listen To Now
Photo by Cottonbro

It’s only been over the past year that I’ve started listening to podcasts. The onslaught of the pandemic is partly how I got into exploring the shows and episodes that are out on various platforms. And, of course, because my tastes are on the uncanny side, the ones I’ve gravitated towards deliver engaging, macabre content. So, I decided to share my finds with you in case you’re looking for other ways to consume entertainment. Here’s a list I’ve curated of 11 dark podcasts to listen to now!

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