Dita Von Teese Presents Glamonatrix

Vamp Jenn attending Glamonatrix
Vamp Jenn attending Glamonatrix

Burlesque queen Dita Von Teese kicked off her Glamonatrix tour on New Year’s Eve 2022 in Los Angeles, ushering in 2023 in style. After two months of touring across the U.S. and parts of Canada, she concluded the run toward the end of February at the Fox Performing Arts Center in Riverside, CA. I witnessed the finale in all of its glory, and it was magnificent.

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Welcome to Phantasmagoria: A Night with Death Rock Icon Eva O & The Sixth Chamber

Vamp Jenn at Phantasmagoria at the Knucklehead Hollywood
Vamp Jenn at Phantasmagoria at the Knucklehead Hollywood

I spent Friday the 13th attending Phantasmagoria, an event showcasing live dark music, bewitching entertainment and macabre vendors. It’s the creation of Rahne Pistor, founder of The Sixth Chamber, and it debuted in 2021 in Las Vegas. It’s continued to take place ever since in both Sin City and Los Angeles. The January 2023 edition was held at Knucklehead Hollywood in LA and featured performances by The Sixth Chamber and the legendary Eva O, as well as other beguiling amusements.

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The House of Red Velvet Returns With “A New Baptism”

The House of Red Velvet at Pico Union Project (Photo credit: Meredith M. Carlson)
Pico Union Project stage (Photo credit: Meredith M. Carlson)

It’s been nearly two years since The House of Red Velvet last opened its doors to patrons, and it returned for one night only with the debut of “A New Baptism.” The latest incarnation of the show invited guests to witness a string of performances tied together by forbidden, ethereal forces that culminated in an entrancing ceremony. When I exited the building, I was absolutely struck by the visceral energy that had been generated that evening.

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A Night of Goth Metal with The Sixth Chamber

band-pic2

For nearly two decades, The Sixth Chamber has been gracing the metal music scene with heavy riffs, mesmerizing rhythms and haunting lyrics that transport listeners to a dark, mythological realm. The band’s sound delivers an intoxicating blend of 70s rock, psychedelia and goth metal interspersed with exotic embellishments. I got to see these self-declared “denizens of otherworldly realms” perform live recently at the iconic Rainbow Bar & Grill on the Sunset Strip for an energy-fueled show. Continue reading “A Night of Goth Metal with The Sixth Chamber”

LA Opera’s Hitchcock Halloween with “Psycho” & Live Orchestra

Inside The Theatre at Ace Hotel
Inside The Theatre at Ace Hotel

The notorious shower scene—a pivotal moment in Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho” where Marion Crane is stabbed to death by a shadowed figure. The only thing more terrifying than the blood-splattered bathtub and close-up of the victim’s lifeless stare is the screeching of the strings as the knife repeatedly pierces her flesh. It’s “The Murder” by composer Bernard Herrmann and one of the most unforgettable instrumental scores to grace a horror film.

For 2019, as part of its annual Halloween tradition, LA Opera’s Off Grand presents “Psycho” at The Theatre at Ace Hotel. Off Grand is an extension of the opera company that showcases more experimental performances across the city. Making this event extra special is the live orchestra, conducted by Louis Lohraseb, that provides the soundtrack as the film plays on the silver screen. Continue reading “LA Opera’s Hitchcock Halloween with “Psycho” & Live Orchestra”

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”