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Lisa Mouse

Spirits with Spirts: Creepsters Meet the Ghosts of Edendale

by Lisa Mouse on November 10, 2008

GHOULA meets for cocktails in haunted places on the 13th of each month. “SPIRITS with SPIRITS” is a casual gathering of regional ghost hunters.

Open to all, from the curious skeptic to the passionate phantom pursuer. Make friends, find ghosts! Come see the “hot spots” with “cold spots.”

All those who attend will receive a free G.H.O.U.L.A. button. If you have already received your button, please wear it so others can find you. Also, G.H.O.U.L.A t-shirts will be available for sale. ($10.00 each)

Thursday, November 13th

8pm to The Witching Hour

Mixville Bar in Edendale Grill

2838 Rowena Ave, Los Angeles, CA  90039

The largest earthquake drill in U.S. history is scheduled to take place on November 13th at 10:00 am. So, in the spirit of earthquake safety, this month’s “SPIRITS with SPIRITS” will take place in a historic fire station haunted by former rescue workers.

THE GHOST(S):

“Mixville” was a 12 acre movie set (complete with a frontier town, an Indian village, a simulated desert, and a range of plaster mountains) in the Silverlake district of Los Angeles where a series of popular silent-era westerns featuring matinee-idol Tom Mix were filmed. Mixville was where Tom Mix buried his beloved horse “Old Blue,” and where John Wayne got his first job in the movie industry. Sadly, Mixville no longer exists, and in its place stands a strip mall with a Ralph’s Supermarket.

The Mixville Bar, on the other hand, can be found a couple of blocks away from its namesake’s former location. While the establishment’s name pays homage to the celluliod heroes of the past, the actual building is a monument to the memory of another kind of hero. The Mixville bar is located inside Historic Fire Station No. 56. Specifically, the bar sits in what was once the station’s fire-truck bay. Built in 1924, many of the buildings original features are still intact and lovingly preserved. The current owners, and the community, are proud of the building’s unique history.

However, in addition to fine food and cocktails, old Fire Station #56 is also home to some paranormal activity. If you ask the wait-staff or the hostess about ghosts, they will tell you that the place is not haunted. But, GHOULA recently spoke to one of the busboys, who swore that it is indeed very haunted.

Apparently, at the end of their shifts, when the employees clean up for the night, it is not uncommon to encounter “shadow people” on the walls of the fire station. These black forms are said to always be male, and to always vanish after a moment. The workers believe that they are the spirits of fallen firefighters that use to live and work at this site.

It has also been reported that the lady who cleans the restrooms (when the restaurant is closed) believes the restless spirits, on more than one occasion, have slammed the doors when she finished her duties. Perhaps, these ghostly acts are a reaction to the presence of a woman in what was once a male-dominated environment. Then again, maybe they’re just playful fire-house pranks. Either way, these spirits appear to be benign.

So, go to The Mixville Bar, and toast the brave men and women of the LAFD, who not only protect us from disaster (natural and otherwise), but even in death watch over us.

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Collectible Monster Tees at Johnny Cupcakes on Melrose

by Lisa Mouse on October 23, 2008

Since T-shirt mogul Johnny Cupcakes moved into my neighborhood, every few months I have had to deal with shoving my daughter’s stroller through a sidewalk cramped with high-fashion bad-postured skater youth in lawn chairs waiting, literally for days, for the opportunity to buy a t-shirt.  What’s the big deal, right?

Basically, at the time of the tee-shirts release, Count Cupcakes (A.K.A. Johnny Earle) arrives in a well-curtained hearse, completely sealed in a coffin, and is carried to the storefront by pallbearers. His casket is ceremonially opened, and this graphic-designer turned prophet rises to bestow his free t-shirt blessings on frenzy-faced worshippers.  So you see, he is worthy of creepster adoration.  This October, the collectible designs feature the not-so universal monsters (i.e. Elm Street’s Nightmare, the Hockey-faced Hacker, and the super-sized doughboy) as well as the JC logo in bile-colored brains.

Johnny Cupcakes is located at 7959 Melrose Avenue, in the West of Fairfax Revival, adjacent to Tarina Tarantino, Kid Robot, Fitzu, BAPE, and Agent Provocateur.  Preview the designs here.

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Ye Olde Halloween Shoppe at Jonathan Wright and Company

by Lisa Mouse on October 22, 2008

 If you are ready to take your Halloween decor game to the next level, it is time to gracefully lift thy hands out of the endless bowl of candy corn and walk slowly, with spooky sophistication, into  Jonathan Wright and Company  on Beverly Boulevard. 

For most of the year, Jonathan Wright is celebrated for his line of ready-made high end greeting cards, invitations and announcements, creating custom letterpress orders for weddings, and supplying red sealing wax to people who don’t like to email. 

But for All Hallow’s Eve, this luxurious stationery boutique is transformed into a black and beige wonderland of Victorian Skull Motifs, Frankenstein Paper Lanterns, Beetles encased in Glass, exquisite reproductions of antique British ghost hunting guides, vintage inspired scaredy cats and witch heads, decorative vultures, and haunted hologram portraits.  All seasonal gifts are very limited, so if you are looking for a treasure for that special witch in your life, the time to shop is now!  Jonathan Wright & Company is located at 7404 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036.  Open Monday through Saturday from 10am to 6pm. 

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Seeing Things: Ghost Polaroids at the DRKRM Gallery

by Lisa Mouse on October 22, 2008

On Friday, February 5, 1993, the Fox TV reality show SIGHTINGS examined what may be a landmark discovery in parapsychology: convincing evidence that ghosts exist and can actually communicate with us. Two residents of an old house in the hills of Los Angeles began receiving ghostly messages in Polaroid photographs. The pair started taking photos inside the house in the hope of obtaining a picture of the entity they believed haunted the house.

After first capturing a ghostly image on film, the men discovered that if they asked questions about the entity and why it was inhabiting their house, words and messages appeared in response on their film.

So far, more than 1000 photos have captured messages – photos taken not only by the residents but by paranormal researchers and other outsiders. [click to continue...]

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Thrill the World 2008: Los Angeles does the Thriller Dance

by Lisa Mouse on October 16, 2008


The Los Angeles Chapter of Thrill the World will be performing the Thriller dance at Hollywood & Highland on October 25th. This is part of a worldwide movement to get as many citizens of planet earth as possible to perform the Thriller dance all at once. This will be a historic and newsworthy moment that can be a part of your lifestory BUT, there is a catch. You cannot just show up and wing it by doing “zombie arms”, you need to attend practice sessions, and there is a full schedule as follows:

Sat Oct 18th: Hollywood@ Pan Pacific Regional Park. 11am-3pm
Ogden & Romaine, WeHo 90046

Sun Oct 19th: South Bay
@ Pollywog Park. 12pm-2pm
1600 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

Tues Oct 21st: UCLA
@ Campus. Wilson Plaza or nearby. 3:30pm-6:30pm
center of campus UCLA, Westwood CA

Wed Oct 22nd: Santa Monica
@Virginia Avenue Park. Time: TBD
2200 Virginia Ave, Santa Monica, CA

Fri Oct 24th: Hollywood *FINAL PRACTICE!
@ Pan Pacific Regional Park. 5pm-7pm (we may stay later)
7600 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

That’s right, this is serious! Anyone/Everyone/All ages Welcome! Free! Gratis! If you come, we’ll teach you how to do the dance! It takes 2-3 practices to learn the dance, so there are practices scheduled throughout September & October. Locations will rotate so it will be in your neck of the woods at least twice. When you come to a practice, make sure to write down our phone numbers so you can call us if you can’t find us or need more info about the event!
Mahdroo 323.217.8184, Amanda 310.489.3357

For full details, visit the Thrill The World Myspace Page. See you there!

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Spirits with Spirits: Cocktails in Haunted Places by GHOULA

by Lisa Mouse on October 11, 2008

GHOULA meets for cocktails in haunted places on the 13th of each month. “SPIRITS WITH SPIRITS” is a casual gathering of regional ghost hunters. Open to all, from the curious skeptic to the passionate phantom pursuer. Make friends, find ghosts! Come see the “hot spots” with “cold spots.”

All those who attend will receive a free G.H.O.U.L.A. button. If you have already received your button, please wear it so others can find you. Also, G.H.O.U.L.A t-shirts will be available for sale. ($10.00 each).  Free 1-Card Tarot reading for all attendees!

THE DATE: October 13th, 2008 (Monday)
THE PLACE: Philippes the Original (1001 N. Alameda St.)
THE TIME: 8pm to 10pm (Meet on Haunted 2nd Floor) - Maybe followed by drinks in Chinatown
THE GHOST:
This month, Philippes celebrates its 100th Birthday. For a century, this landmark restaurant, located in the heart of Los Angeles, has been serving up great food at reasonable prices. In that life-span, this historic eatery has also been the subject of many rumors and legends. Most of these tall tales concern the restaurant’s most famous creation, the “French Dipped Sandwich.” How exactly it was invented (or even if Philippes actually invented it) is still up for debate.

But, there is another set of stories that people don’t talk about in public, and these stories concern the building’s upstairs dining area.

Although, Philippes (as a business) has been around since 1908, it has only been at this location since 1951. So, what was at 1001 N. Alameda Street before Philippes moved in, and took over this building? The restaurant‘s website diplomatically referred to it as a “hotel,” though it was more likely a run-down boarding house. Furthermore, given that it was placed in the center of the area’s “red-light” district, it was most likely a brothel. Whatever the truth may be, the racy history is the one that employees repeat when talking about the other legend connected with the upstairs.

It is said that there is the ghost of a “lady of the evening” that haunts the 2nd floor. Many people, over the years, have seen her white form strolling down the hall only to vanish as she steps into one of the adjoining rooms. This prostituting phantasm is also said to be the source of a strong perfume that seems to invade the upstairs when no one else is present.

So, the next time you’re enjoying the pleasures of their “French Dipped Sandwich” and a cold beer, take a look at the upstairs where women used to sell pleasures of another kind, you just might come face-to-face with something scarier than the jar of purple, pickled eggs downstairs.

For Questions: Leave message at GHOULA HQ at (323) 782 - 0616 or visit www.ghoula.org

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Insomniac Cinema Midnight Movies for October

by Lisa Mouse on October 10, 2008

Although it is too late for Creepsters to catch Re-Animator, there are still three perfectly decent spooky films showing at the Regency Fairfax for under 10 buckaroo banzais:

October 17th: THE LOST BOYS - Synopsis: Teen dreams Corey Haim (Representing all that is good in this world) and Corey Feldman (representing all that is Evil) fight to the death at a Vampire carnival in Santa Cruz. Something like that.  I think they were trying to save his brother from eternal darkness.   Prologue to The Two Coreys.

October 24th: NOSFERATU - Synopsis:  Black and white film about old-school creepy guy obsessed with a nice gal from down the street, with many layers of the human psyche examined… I think.

October 31st: NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD: Synopsis: Hungry Zombies are Really Mad!

Insomniac Cinema was created by Andrew Gaultieri in 2004 in an effort to bring films to the big screen that were meant to be experienced in the movie house, instead of on your stinkin’ blue-ray-hi-def- gigantor-flatscreen beheamoth that takes up way too much space in your one bedroom apartment and/or bedroom. It is soooo much better to shove greasy popcorn in your face with a fresh fountain cola chaser while watching perfectly innocent civilians being attacked by bloodthirsty ne’er-do-well paranormal beasts.

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“Intergenerational” Pumpkin Carving Party in Weho

by Lisa Mouse on October 9, 2008

As part of the build-up to the Weho Halloween Carnaval Street Party, the City of West Hollywood is holding an Intergenerational Pumpkin Carving Party at the Plummer Park Community Center on Santa Monica & Vista St.  I believe this title implies, or begs, “Please don’t carve penises or vaginas or put strap-ons on your squash because children and seniors will be present”.  You know, save it for the street party, which never fails to produce several full body penis costumes each year.  Here is the announcement:

Calling all Master Carvers! It’s time to dust off your carving tools and show off your skills in Plummer Park’s annual Intergenerational Pumpkin Carving Party. Compete for best in show and stay for raffle prizes! This event is FREE but space is limited so sign up at the Plummer Park Office beginning October 1st. For more information, please call 323/845-0174. TTY for the deaf and hard of hearing at 323/848-6496.

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Feel Actual Relics from Ed Gein’s Farm!

by Lisa Mouse on September 25, 2008

Taste Burrough’s Last Fix! You can have it all at Kevin Klemm’s Reliquary and Odditorium.

LA’s self-appointed “King of Corpses” Kevin Klemm has opened his Cabinet of Curiosites to be on exhibit at the Hyaena Gallery. While it is too late for Creepsters to attend what would have been a goth-swarmed opening night in the most creepiest of lands known as Burbank, the urge to touch decaying flesh can still be satisfied until September 30, 2008.

Longtime collector of carnival “gaffs”, Klemm has reinterpreted the classic dime museum into a modern incarnation of that traveling wonder which has all but vanished from our landscape. Mr. Klemm invites you to suspend your disbelief and see relics of Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau, William S. Burroughs, and O.J. Simpson. Marvel, as well, at mounted heads of strange beasts such as the ManBull, Zombies, and Vampires before gazing upon the mummy of Anton LaVey…if you dare!

You won’t believe your eyes, or your hands, as your pulsatingly curious fingertips explore relics from the Ed Gein Collection. Mr. Gein is a well known and respected American (USA! USA! USA!) killer and notorious grave robber who exhumed corpses from local graveyards and fashioned gruesome trophies and keepsakes from them. I’m hoping they still have that old Mother’s day gift, or a pair of his human flesh socks which I’ve heard are wonderful for New England winters.

On your way out, don’t forget to oogle at the post-mortem photographs displayed thoughtfully in ACTUAL CORPSE FRAMES. How genius, I can’t believe they thought of that before Martha did. Remember folks, it’s all happening in the true heart of darkness, Burbank, where recently an 80 year old woman mentioned to her neighbor that she had been living with her brother’s corpse since last October. True Story!

The Hyaena Gallery is located at 1928 W. Olive Ave, Burbank, CA 91506.

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Costume Spotlight: Derringer Hats by Creepsuela

by Lisa Mouse on September 10, 2008

Add a show-stopping finishing touch to your chic “I’m an erotic leopard” or “metrosexual magician’s assistant” costume with these exquisitely crafted feminine (yet masculine) Derringer hats by the most mysterious of Angeleno hat makers, Creepsuela Switchletto.

In Miss Switchletto’s bio she confesses, “I’m a working mom, living in Los Angeles.  I have been working as a fashion designer the last 20 years.  Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been cutting up my clothes and re-vamping them!”  Her entry into fashion design school was won with a dress made of wrapping paper, but college was bypassed and she went straight into the industry designing for Jimmy Z Surfwear.

Available online in her Etsy Boutique only, her custom milinary and other fineries will have all you Halloween Vamps drooling blood over these exquisite compositions of black ribbons, pink ostrich feathers, and fishnet.  Custom orders accepted.  Get them now before she’s famous!

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