Concert Review: Fabio Frizzi, Brooklyn, NY (10/30/17)

It was just over two years ago that I first had the pleasure of witnessing the genius of Fabio Frizzi live and in person. It was one of those transcendental, bucket list moments that I never thought I would ever get to experience. I am fast learning that those “I never thought” thoughts are never a lock. I mean, this came after I saw Iron Maiden (four times now), a band I never thought I’d get the chance to see live and after I saw Goblin (at the same venue as Frizzi, no less). Since that time I have seen another “I never thought” in the person of John Carpenter. I have pulled off a horror trifecta. Now, I have had the absolute pleasure of seeing Fabio Frizzi a second time (and in another week will be able to say the same for Goblin).

Photo Recap: Chiller Theatre Convention, Halloween 2017

It has been a week since the latest Chiller Theatre convention concluded and I am still buzzing about it. As always, it was an electric experience, chaotic, crowded, fun, and totally exhausting. I used to just go for a day, and that was enough, but now I have been going for a weekend and this allows me time to not have to rush around, but it triples the exhaustion level. No, I am not complaining, the exhaustion I experience after a convention weekend is a good one. It represents an escape from reality and spending time with friends, extended family, and meeting some awesome folks.

Con Trip: Chiller Theatre - Spring 2016

Chiller has come and gone once again. With the first Monster Mania and Chiller under my belt, the 2016 convention season is in full swing. Granted, there are not many more that I will be attending, but it will be hard to get away from them. It seems like there is one every weekend through the next few months. In any case, this one proved to be another successful run. Sure, I only go for a day, but there is only so much I can do before I am completely exhausted. Still, it was a very successful and full day.

Monster Mania 33 - Photographic Recap

I have written about Monster Mania before, and if you have read those, there isn’t a heck of a lot more to say. The experiences are all similar, yet different. Monster Mania is becoming a family reunion with the folks you want to spend time with. Every show I go to, I see old friends, make new friends, meet some great celebrities, see some cool art and merchandise, and always leave exhausted but wanting more. Sure, people will complain about guest lists, or cost, but there is so much more to these events than that. Focus on the positive and there is no way you can’t have a good time.

Con Experience: Chiller Theatre - Halloween 2015

Over the past few years there have been a few events that I truly look forward to. At the top of the list would have to be the Hudson Horror Show marathons of horror and exploitation films. However, close behind them would be the conventions, mostly Monster Mania and Chiller. This past weekend was Chiller, which I always try to hit for a day. I was successful in this goal, spending Saturday there with my sister, meeting celebrities, seeing friends, buying stuff, you know the drill. It was a day of chaos, lines, creepy folks in costumes, celebrity meeting, and more. This show isn’t for everyone, but I always manage to have a blast.

Monstermania 31 is Over....

Another Monstermania is in the rearview. These weekends are always sad to see fade away into the history books. They are among my favorite events of the year and this past one (my tenth) is right up there with the best of them. Besides having a phenomenal guest list, I got to see old friends, make new friends, and just have an all around great weekend escaping from reality. From Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon I do not have to think of anything outside the walls of that hotel. Sure, it is not exactly designed for healthy eating, but so what? There is fun to be had.

Convention Experience: Eternal Con 2015

This past January, I took a trip down to Long Island in such treacherous conditions that most would consider me crazy for even attempting. I am serious about this, I am not sure I have ever seen that many wrecked cars (including a couple on their roof) in my life. Still, I went. My target? NY Horror Show. I went specifically for three autographs. While there I got a postcard advertising another show. Guess where I went for a day this past weekend? Eternal Con, the show being advertised. Fortunately, the weather was better.

Con Experience: Chiller Spring 2015

This past weekend I made my biannual pilgrimage to Parsippany, NJ, for the Chiller convention. It has never been as fun as Monster Mania, but the day I spend there is always a lot of fun. This time, though, was a little different. The big change from events past is that I went on a Sunday, something I had never done before. My work schedule had changed and I now work on Saturday, so rather than take a day off I went on Sunday, and that turned out to be a great choice for me (probably not so much for the celebrity guests and vendors).

Convention Experience: If it's March, it Must be Monster Mania XXX

It is that time of year again, when I start going to conventions and the big one to kick off the season for me is Monster Mania. Ever since I found out about the con and started going back in 2011, I have been hooked. Each successive edition seems to get better and better. It is not just about meeting the celebrity guests, or autographs, or finding cool stuff to buy in the vendor rooms. More and more it is becoming about the family, the friends, the fun. Seriously, each one is more fun than the last. Plus, it is the only convention I can go a full weekend at.

Con Recap: Chiller Theatre Fall 2014

If it's Halloween, it must be Chiller. That's right, it is that time of year again, when I make my biannual migration to the Sheraton hotel in Parsippany, NJ. Now, the horror guest lineup was not as strong as it has been at past shows, but that doesn't change the fact that there were a lot of cool people I wanted to meet. So, a few friends and myself piled into a car made the relatively short drive to the hotel. We were all buzzing with excitement for what the day would bring. We knew we would be fighting crowds all day, but we were ready for that if it meant getting to meet some cool celebrities, and maybe make some new friends.

Con Review: FANtom Fest 2014

Every day it seems like there is another convention being announced. If you wanted to, you could probably go to a different convention very weekend of the year. Believe me, if I could do that, I would, no doubt about it. There is something about going to a convention and letting the outside world slip away while you meet celebrities. It gets even better when you realize that the Celebrity guests are people and fans too, it lets you relax and have some great conversations. The show in question now is FANtom Fest, a first time event held in Scranton, PA.

Con Review: Mr. Hush Weekend of Fear II

It seems that there are new conventions popping up all the time. In my area it is getting a little hard to keep up with them, picking and choosing where to spend my hard earned dollars. I admit that I love going to these, I love collecting autographs, I love getting a moment or two to spend chatting with the guests, I love the friends who go with me, or whom I have made going to these shows, and I love the atmosphere. I also know that there has been a lot of talk about the changing culture, escalating costs, and the like. I see where you are coming from, and I wish I was going to shows in the glory days. Still, I love conventions.

Monster Mania XXVIII - Another Weekend in the Books.

Twice a year there is an event held in Cherry Hill, NJ, that has become something like a second home to me. The Monster Mania Convention is a gathering of horror and pop culture celebrities, vendors, and fans that becomes a family over the course of three days. This latest edition of the convention was no different. I was there for all three days and met old friends, made new friends, hung out with folks, got some cool merchandise, got a bunch of autographs and generally speaking had an absolute blast What you will see below are a whole mess of pictures from the event.

Con Recap: Bizarre AC II, Tropicana Casino

The past few years have seen me discover and fall in love with horror conventions. I have been fortunate enough to be able to get to a few of them a year and have collected a nice autograph collection. The problem is that I look at guest lists for other shows that I can't get to and really wish I could. That brings me to Bizarre AC, a new con (this is only its second offering) in Atlantic City. The guest list featured a few guests that I really wanted to meet. The problem was if I could afford to get there. As it turns out, one night stay at the hotel really wasn't that bad (especially split with a couple of friends).

The Chiller Spring 2014 Con is a Memory

Well, Chiller has come and gone again. It is now a part of memory, where I will think find thoughts of times gone by. This was my fourth Chiller visit and it proved to be another successful day trip. It is a chaotic day filled with crowds, lines, bad food, cool people, and friendly celebrities. It is a also a day filled with unkempt drunks, and folks who get really upset. The chaos is real, folks, and that is just part of the charm. Get on board or get out of the way!

Recap: Monster Mania 27

A few years ago I was introduced to the wonderful world of horror conventions. A friend was looking to get the autograph of Doug Bradley (aka Pinhead) and it turned out that he was making an appearance at a convention that was within driving distance. We went, met Bradley and a number of other amazing celebrities and we were hooked. Shortly thereafter I discovered Monster Mania and a love affair was born. Held in Cherry Hill, NJ, twice a year (with a third show in Maryland), they are weekend long celebrations of horror and the community that flocks to it. Run by Dave Hagan and his sons as a tribute to his father, Monster Mania is a family friendly convention that continuously draws huge crowds. This weekend was no different.

Chiller Halloween 2013 is a Memory

The Fall Chiller convention has come and gone and I have had another fun time. I really enjoy the wide selection go stars, new, old, rare, and whoever else they can get their hands on. This outing was no different, and while I was not able to get to everyone I really wanted, but that is the way it goes. Still, everyone I did meet was pretty great. Anyway, let's move on and take a look at some of the pictures of the day.

FantaCon Returns! - A Con Experience

It was probably about a year ago that I first heard about FantaCon. Of course, it isn't hard to believe that a convention would fly under my radar, I have not been on the con going circuit for very long. I came to learn that this was a popular sow that had started up back in the 1970s, but for one reason or another stopped in the late 1980s. It was announced last ear that it would be making its triumphant return to Albany, NY. By the looks of it, it was a small show compared o some of the ones I have been going to, but it had an intriguing guest list.

Monster Mania Con 25 has Come to an End

Over the past few years, convention going has become a highlight of my year. No, I don't go to a lot of them, but when I do go, I make sure to make the most of it. This most recent stop was at Monster Mania in Cherry Hill, NJ, a convention that has become a regular twice a year stop. This was their 25th show and is a featured part of their ten year anniversary. To that end, show promoter Dave Hagan along with his sons Doug and Dave have pulled out all the stops and have brought a lineup littered with big name talent.

My Trip to Chiller, Spring 2013

This past weekend I took a day trip to Parsippany, NJ. That's right, Parsippany, and yes, New Jersey. I know this is not exactly a big tourist town, so you may be wondering just why I went there. The answer is pretty simple. The Sheraton Hotel in Parsippany plays host to the Chiller Expo. If you don't know what it is, well, let's just say you are missing out.