Lina Lecaro
Convention season is here and this week, LA Weekly‘s print edition takes a look at one of the most popular: Monsterpalooza, which scared up freaky fun this past weekend. As we explored in our 2019 cover story about immersive haunts (Haunted: Halloween Brings New Forms of Immersive Terror to Town) and our story about gothic culture (City of (Dark) Angels: How L.A. Helped Birth Goth and Is Keeping the Culture Alive), Los Angeles has a particularly passionate fascination with all things macabre. The popularity of cosplay, fandom and L.A.’s connection to the entertainment industry make mad monster parties like this one highly anticipated every year. Look for its offshoot event, Son of Monsterpalooza, this Fall around Halloween time.
(Photos from this year’s event seen here by Erin Maxwell)
Can’t wait for Halloween? Check out these fiendish L.A. favorites to get your fix til October.
MidSummer Scream – Coming in July, this annual con brings L.A.’s horror community together for non-stop spooky fun with over 350 exhibitors, mini-haunts panels and live performances. Long Beach Convention Center, 300 E Ocean Blvd, Long Beach. midsummerscream.org
Mystic Museum & Camp Horror – Inspired by slasher movies, monsters and the nostalgia of going to summer camp, the Bearded Lady’s latest shop is an extension of the pair’s long-running, extremely successful art installations celebrating classic horror films. The Bearded Lady Mystic Museum, Slashback Video and Camp Horror, 3200 W Magnolia Blvd, Burbank. (818) 433-7530. beardedladysmysticmuseum.com
Zombie Joe’s Underground Theater – The original immersive horror themed theater experience, ZJU incorporates darkness, sound and disturbing monster imagery into its weird multi-sensory shows. 4850 Lankershim Blvd North Hollywood. (818) 202-4120. zombiejoes.com
Dark Delicacies – The long-running horror-themed shop offers books, collectibles, DVDs, graphic novels & gifts featuring monsters, ghouls and freaks. No wonder it’s one of Guillermo del Toro’s favorite stores. 822 N Hollywood Way, Burbank. (818) 556-6660. darkdel.com
Icons of Darkness – Collector Rich Corell shares his astounding collection of props and costumes from the best known science fiction, horror and fantasy films. At the Hollywood & Highland Mall, 6801 Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood. iconsofdarkness.com/
Academy Museum – From Alien to The Terminator to The Dark Crystal to The Shape of Water, the Motion Picture of Arts and Sciences’ museum offers the best and most educational destination in which ogle and learn about movie monsters and those who create them. 6067 Wilshire Blvd. academymuseum.org
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