Modern Horror with the Connecticut Em-Dashes

The Em-Dashes, a Connecticut writer’s group, will be reading original stories at the Whiton Memorial Library in Manchester, Connecticut from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 28.

The members of the Em-Dashes are Stacey Longo, John Valeri, Dan Foley and Ryanne Strong (Terry George). With Halloween this weekend, it’s the perfect time to listen to four Connecticut authors read four scary stories that are perfect for this time of year.

Check out the event’s Facebook page here.

The Wilton Memorial Library is located at 100 N Main St. in Manchester, Connecticut.

Pictures from Rock and Shock 2015: Part II

By Jason Harris

 

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Actor John Amplas (Creepshow).

Actor John Amplas (Creepshow).

Actor Sherman Howard (Day of the Dead).

Actor Sherman Howard (Day of the Dead).

Lydia Deetz and Betelgeuse.

Lydia Deetz and Betelgeuse.

Actress Erika Ervin (American Horror Story).

Actress Erika Ervin (American Horror Story).

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Authors Adam Cesare (right) and Matt Serafini (left).

Authors Adam Cesare (right) and Matt Serafini (left).

Actress Felissa Rose (Sleepaway Camp).

Actress Felissa Rose (Sleepaway Camp).

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Actor Bill Moseley (The Devil's Rejects).

Actor Bill Moseley (The Devil’s Rejects).

Actor Bill Johnson (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2).

Actor Bill Johnson (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2).

Lou C. Fher a.k.a. the Devil.

Lou C. Fher a.k.a. the Devil.

Actor William Sanderson (True Blood).

Actor William Sanderson (True Blood).

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Actress Naomi Grossman (American Horror Story).

Actress Naomi Grossman (American Horror Story).

Authors on the Writer's Studio panel (from left to right): Joe Knetter, Stacey Longo, K.H. Vaugn and Jack Ketchum.

Authors on the Writer’s Studio panel (from left to right): Joe Knetter, Stacey Longo, K.H. Vaugn and Jack Ketchum.

Actor Tobin Bell (Saw).

Actor Tobin Bell (Saw).

Jim Dyer of Fenham Publishing.

Jim Dyer of Fenham Publishing.

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Actree/model Sarah Michelle (left) and a convention-goer.

Actress/model Sarah Michelle (left) and a convention-goer.

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Author Rob Smales holding the new anthology Insanity Tales II from Books & Boos' Press, which contains two of his stories.

Author Rob Smales holding the new anthology, Insanity Tales II from Books & Boos’ Press.

Smales has two stories in Insanity Tales II: The Sense of Fear.

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Pictures from Rock and Shock 2015

By Jason Harris

 

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Rock & Shock

Actress Samantha Mathis.

Actress Samantha Mathis.

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The Cast of The Monster Squad.

Actor

Actor Duncan Regehr (“Dracula”).

Actor Stephen M

Actor Stephen Macht (“Del”).

("The Mummy")

Actor Michael Reid MacKay (“The Mummy”).

Author Stacey Longo.

Author Stacey Longo.

The American Horror Story panel with Erika Ervin and Naomi Grossman.

The American Horror Story panel with Erika Ervin and Naomi Grossman.

Beetlejuice cosplay.

Beetlejuice cosplay.

Writer and director George Romero.

Writer and director George Romero.

Actress Rachel True (The Craft).

Actress Rachel True (The Craft).

John Kassir, the voice of the Cryptkeeper.

John Kassir, the voice of the Cryptkeeper.

Elvira and friend.

Elvira and friend.

Actress Sarah French and author Joe Knetter.

Actress Sarah French and author Joe Knetter.

Actress P.J. Soles (Halloween).

Actress P.J. Soles (Halloween).

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Actor Robert Mukes (House of 1000 Corpses).

Actor Robert Mukes (House of 1000 Corpses).

Actor Dan Yeager (Texas Chainsaw 3D).

Actor Dan Yeager (Texas Chainsaw 3D).

Author Jack

Author Jack Ketchum.

There will be a second post with pictures from Rock & Shock 2015 coming in a few days.

Looking Forward to Rock and Shock

By Jason Harris

 

Rock & Shock begins this coming Friday. I have always enjoyed going to and taking pictures at conventions. This year I’m looking forward to seeing authors Jack Ketchum, Joe Knetter, and Stacey Longo again. They have all attended the convention in the past.

The celebrity, who hasn’t been to Rock & Shock in the past and the one I’m looking forward, is Samantha Mathis. I have been a fan since her first movie, Pump Up the Volume2015-10-11 21.00.05
Lately, Mathis can be seen on the television series The Strain or the now canceled Under the Dome. You can find out about the other celebrities and events happening at Rock & Shock here.

Pictures from the Halloween Book Festival

By Jason Harris

 

Author Christopher Golden, the organizer of the event.

Author Christopher Golden, the organizer of the event at the ACT Theatre in Andover, MA.

The Childhood Horrors panel: (from left to right) authors Thomas Sniegoski, Mallory O'Meara, Paul Tremblay, Scott Goudsward.

The Childhood Horrors panel: (from left to right) authors Thomas Sniegoski, Mallory O’Meara, Paul Tremblay, Scott Goudsward, and Holly Newstein Hautala.

The Seize the Night: New Tales of Vampiric Horror panel: (From left to right) authors Christopher Golden, Dana Cameron, Leigh Perry, Rio Youers, and John Langan.

The Seize the Night: New Tales of Vampiric Horror panel: (From left to right) authors Christopher Golden, Dana Cameron, Leigh Perry, Rio Youers, and John Langan.

The New England Horror Tradition panel: (left to right) authors Jason Ciaramella, filmmaker Caitlin Kittredge, Jack M. Haringa, John M. Mcllveen, and Glenn Chadbourne.

The New England Horror Tradition panel: (left to right) authors Jason Ciaramella, Caitlin Kittredge, Jack M. Haringa, John M. Mcllveen, and Glenn Chadbourne.

The Anatomy of Horror: What is Scary? panel: (left to right) authors Errick Nunnally, Myke Cole, Sarah Langan, and Kelly Link.

The Anatomy of Horror: What is Scary? panel: (left to right) authors Errick Nunnally, Myke Cole, Sarah Langan, and Kelly Link.

We Get the Horror We Deserve panel: (left to right) authors Mary SanGiovanni, Brian Keene, Joe Hill, Izzy Lee, and Bracken MacLeod.

We Get the Horror We Deserve panel: (left to right) authors Mary SanGiovanni, Brian Keene, Joe Hill, director/writer Izzy Lee, and Bracken MacLeod.

Writer/Director Izzy Lee holding her short film, "Innsmouth."

Writer/Director Izzy Lee holding her short film, “Innsmouth.”

Author Leigh Perry/Toni L.P. Kelner.

Author Leigh Perry/Toni L.P. Kelner.

Me with author Joe Hill.

Me with author Joe Hill.

Authors Brian Keene and Mary SanGiovanni.

Authors Brian Keene and Mary SanGiovanni.

October Has Come, Rock and Shock Looms!

The Mega Horror Convention by Day, Rock Concert Series by Night Returns to Worcester WORCESTER, MA 

As your local shops fill up with skeletons, vampires and friendly ghouls to hang about your house, our thoughts turn to Halloween, and for folks dedicated to all things horror, that includes planning their annual trip to the biggest horror and music convention on the East Coast during the spookiest of seasons; ROCK AND SHOCK! October 16th through 18th, Rock and Shock will celebrate their 12th year of music and mayhem at Worcester, MA’s DCU Center with a full schedule filled with panels, film screenings, activities and contests running across a show floor jam packed with excellent guests and awesome vendors. You’ll find all the holiday gifts you need for the creepiest kids in your life!

This year’s guest lineup includes George Romero, Godfather of Zombies everywhere (and director of Night of the Living Dead if we need to mention that), Tobin Bell (SAW Films), Naomi Grossman (American Horror Story), William Sanderson (Blade Runner, True Blood), Samantha Mathis (The Strain, American Psycho, Pump Up The Volume), Adam Green, Bill Moseley, William Forsythe, Doug Bradley, PJ Soles and more!

Check out the full lineup HERE!

This years’ bands include Danzig, Hatebreed, Twiztid, Prong, Soulfly, Soil Work, Blaze, Witch Mountain, Sanctuary, Superjoint and many more! Part of the “many more” is a special addition you’ll find only at Rock and Shock. Last year, primo photographer Jeremy Saffer presented to us THE ROCKING DEAD. Last year, primo photographer Jeremy Saffer presented to us The Rocking Dead. A band of music’s finest was assembled from acts that were on the Rock and Shock bill as well as surprise special guests, and with a mere soundcheck as their only practice as a unit they took the stage and belted out a set of classic Misfits songs. When they were done the fans knew they had seen something truly special, and in many a mind there grew hopes that this rare assembly would return. Well, their voices were heard, and Jeremy Saffer will once again present The Rocking Dead to you this year! But this time, the monster has grown! Led by musical director, protector of animals and rock and roll guitarist extraordinaire Ace Von Johnson, a band has been assembled that brings back many of last year’s gang but, like any good sequel, this one is even bigger!

The band and/or signings will include luminaries from rock and metal such as:

DOYLE WOLFGANG VON FRANKENSTEIN–The Misfits/Doyle

ALEX STORY–Doyle/Cancerslug

WEDNESDAY 13–Murderdolls/Wednesday 13

KYLE CASTRONOVO–Wednesday 13

ACE VON JOHNSON–Faster Pussycat

TAIME DOWNE–Faster Pussycat

ASH COSTELLO–New Years Day

NIKKI MISERY–New Years Day

MIKE D’ANTONIO–Killswitch Engage

ACEY SLADE–Joan Jett and the Blackhearts

BRET VON DEHL–The Relapse Symphony

As icing on the cake, many of the players will be signing during the convention! (Note: some will be signing all three days but due to touring schedules some will only be able to sign on Saturday.) As for the performance, what bands and songs will they cover this year? Will there be surprise guests? Well, some secrets are better kept until the show, but with The Rocking Dead added to an already stacked Saturday concert lineup this is an event not to be missed! Check out the full music lineup HERE!

We’ve got three days of films rolling out as well, including Chainsaw Maidens, Old 37, Fury, Diary of a Deadbeat, Pieces of Talent, plenty of shorts and some surprise features!

After cruising the show floor to shop with an incredible array of vendors, you can take in programming where amazing folks from the horror industry share their secrets with you, visit the Rock and Shock Creative Lair and learn drawing, writing, mask casting, creative activities and more, wave hello to super talented cosplayers roaming the floor or join them in our Cosplay Contest (for little AND big kids!) sponsored by Halloween Outlet and swing by the Idle Hands booth to test your horror knowledge or accept a challenge, all for killer prizes!

While every day at Rock and Shock provides a kid friendly atmosphere families will love, Sunday is KID’S DAY with a schedule including face painting, pumpkin decorating, a coloring contest and a cosplay contest just for your little monsters. We also show our appreciation for our servicemen on Sunday by offering FREE ADMISSION to all Police, Fire, EMT and Military personnel. Just show your service ID at the doors and you can receive up to 4 free tickets to the convention!

Hit up RockandShock.com for further info and to find the ticket option that best suits your fiend level!

Rock and Shock is a three day horror and music convention featuring celebrity signings, movie screenings, concerts, panels and more. Now in its 12th year, Rock & Shock has played host some of the biggest names in horror and rock. This year’s event will be taking place October 16-18, 2015 in downtown Worcester, Massachusetts at the DCU Center (http://www.dcucenter.com) and the Worcester Palladium (http://thepalladium.net).

‘The Monster Squad’ Comes to Rock & Shock this Month

By Jason Harris2007-08-22 12.06.42

I was happy to see that three actors from the 1987 movie, The Monster Squad, will be at this year’s Rock & Shock, which takes place Oct. 16 – 18. These actors are Stephen Macht, Duncan Regehr, and Michael Reid Mackay. Macht and Mackay play Del and The Mummy respectively. In the last few years, Macht has been in the television series, Suits and The Mentalist while Mackay has been in Insidious Chapter 32015-10-01 19.29.42

The one I’m looking forward to meeting though is Regehr who portrayed Dracula in the movie. I have always loved The Monster Squad. Yes, it has its flaws, but to me they are easily overlooked because of my love of the movie. If you haven’t seen it or don’t own a copy, it is streaming on Netflix at the moment. I own a copy, but once it became available on the streaming service this past September, I watched it there as well.

Besides The Monster Squad, Regehr has been in a few favorite television shows of mine such as V: The Series and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. I recently rewatched “The Begotten,” an episode of DS9, and it dawned on me that the same actor who portrayed Shakaar was also Dracula in The Monster Squad. I’m not sure if I’ve made that connection before. Before I started writing this post, I thought Regehr was on more than just three episodes of DS9.

So if you are a Star Trek or V fan, make sure to come to Rock & Shock to meet Regehr. Don’t me surprised if you see some V cosplay when you are attending Rock & Shock.