“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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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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Odd & Macabre Events 2023

Vamp Jenn at Midsummer Scream
Vamp Jenn at Midsummer Scream

It’s 2023, and one can’t help but marvel at all the upcoming spooky and dark-filled delights the new year has awaiting in the shadows, ready to come forth and lure people in. Vamp Jenn’s Corner has established a tradition around here releasing its annual Odd & Macabre Events Calendar in January. I’ve scoured the beyond to find the most magical experiences slated to happen in the coming months, so you can all set dates and plan outings. Of course, I hope to attend as many of these events as I can as well.

The offerings featured here are taking place in Los Angeles and across the U.S., but I am trying to add events happening internationally too. What follows is what’s been announced thus far, but new activities continue to come up as the year goes on. I also include spooky holidays and special occasions. I will be updating this calendar throughout 2023, so make sure to check back often. Cheers to a New Year of the most sinister escapades yet!   

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Celebrating El Día de los Muertos at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery

Vamp Jenn at the Dia de los Muertos event at Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Vamp Jenn at the Día de los Muertos event at Hollywood Forever Cemetery

Since 2000, Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles has been home to the largest Día de los Muertos celebration outside of Mexico, and I attended for the first time this year. For 2022, the festivities centered on Mayahuel, the Aztec goddess of fertility and the agave plant. There were separate daytime and nighttime events happening, and I went to the latter, Noche de los Muertos. It was an evening filled with beautiful performances, rituals, altars, and so much more.

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House of Spirits: The Legend of Vaughan Hall

Vamp Jenn at House of Spirits: A Haunted Cocktail Soiree hosted at Casa Vertigo in Los Angeles
Vamp Jenn at House of Spirits: A Haunted Cocktail Soiree hosted at Casa Vertigo in Los Angeles

For the Halloween season, I returned to the House of Spirits, and this time to explore the legend of Vaughan Hall. I attended on October 15th, its first evening being open to the public. For 2022, the event took place at an entirely different venue in Los Angeles called Casa Vertigo. It offered up new live acts, performances, characters, cocktails and dark secrets.

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Beetle House LA’s Third Reincarnation Is the Best Yet

Vamp Jenn at the new Beetle House LA
Vamp Jenn at the new Beetle House LA

They say the third time’s a charm and I believe it’s true when it comes to Beetle House LA. The Halloween-inspired establishment has moved a total of three times since first opening in Hollywood in 2017. Its newest home is definitely bigger and better, and I have details and photos to share.

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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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Goth Night at Mirus Gallery

Vamp Jenn at Goth Night
Vamp Jenn at Goth Night

Mirus Gallery in Los Angeles, in collaboration with dark artist Shane Izykowski, has a new recurring event they’ll be hosting for the darkly inclined—Goth Night. It debuted in May, and I had the opportunity to experience the July edition, which included macabre art, live entertainment, spooky vendors and, of course, DJs spinning goth music. Here’s your look inside the festivities.

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REVIVE Circus & Dining Experience at Vibiana

REVIVE at Vibiana in Los Angeles
REVIVE at Vibiana

I recently stepped back into the Roaring Twenties during my time at REVIVE—an immersive experience that delivered astounding circus performances while guests wined and dined. The show had its final run this past weekend and, although I’m sorry to say it has ended for now, I wanted to share details and photos I took throughout the evening. It was a night filled with delightful libations, delectable food and dazzling entertainment. 

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Welcome to House of Spirits: A Haunted Cocktail Soirée

In front of the giant Ouija Board at House of Spirits: A Haunted Cocktail Soiree
At House of Spirits: A Haunted Cocktail Soiree

You are cordially invited to take a peek behind the doors of the House of Spirits. It was my first time experiencing this mysteriously macabre event, and I loved every minute of it! As the name states, it is a Haunted Cocktail Soirée, offering a variety of adult libations on the grounds of a beautiful estate—but that’s not all that was offered. The property held secrets only to be revealed to attendees. There were hidden rooms, eerie characters lurking down hallways and magical performances.

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